But my heart was joyous, singing and alive !
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| Los Angeles: Warm and Fuzzy for us. |
I’m not from Los Angeles, I never grew up in LA or spent time growing up there. I have visited LA a total number of 5 times- 4 for leisure, 1 for work. And all those times, I spent with a special bunch of people who I consider to be the main reasons why Los Angeles is my warm and fuzzy place.
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| my cousin Czarina and my husband the Zombie |
These two easily take the top spots of my favourite persons in the world. (and it’s a very short list!)
Ok, the Zombie aside, my cousin Czarin and her family — they are my Almonds. Almonds are my favourite nut, and whenever there’s a nut mix pack, I meticulously pick out the almonds. Because they rock!
We all have our own family woes and dramas. To say that mine is a soap opera is a complete understatement. The most apt way to describe it is to liken it to a Quentin Tarantino film.
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| 7 years ago. When the family was still complete |
Through this lovely family, I learned what pure familial love is. To love without conditions, accept people warts and all, laugh until you feel like you’re literally going to burst.
All that without going goo-goo ga-ga and sweet talking.
Through the years there have been painful deaths from both sides of our families. Their mom and my dad. And just talking to people who really understand, and not just sympathise or pity you works wonders for the grieving heart.
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| the most tranquil place where my Aunt is laid to rest |
If you ask me what my favourite thing to do in LA is, my answer is simple. I just want to hang out with my cousins. We talk and talk and taaaalk until it’s 5am and our eyes are half shut but we’re fighting off sleep because we just want to maximise our time with each other so much.
and of course there’s the food. We bond over it like no other. If I know I’m going to visit LA, I will try to lose a few kilos so that there’s lee-way when I get there. And food, no matter how excellent it is, is always better when eaten with people you love.
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| the zombie, learning the joys of cheetos and Tivo. Myself, looking very chic at a Korean massage place |
In LA, I feel very at home and let my guard down. And I’m glad the Zombie feels the same way too (as evidently seen from above). Our true elements come out when we are in LA. Though I’m afraid it’s not the most flattering versions of ourselves, it certainly feels good. Feels like home.
It’s the simple joys that give the most satisfaction and happiness. To spend time with people who mean a lot to you. Not “because they are family”–like I sadly know how some relationships work.
Because I truly like them, is why I love hanging out with them.
I am thankful for relationships like this. They come soo few and far between. I can’t even pinpoint one single favourite place in LA. Because every minute is a favourite one when spent with my relatives.
To my cousin Ate Czarin, who will be spending her fabulous birthday in the Caribbean next month — you are one of the most fun and fearless females I know (my how very Cosmo!) and may you have the most awesome trip of a lifetime on your birthday!!! Thank you for making LA such a warm and fuzzy place for us!
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Do you have your own “warm and fuzzy” place? What makes you go back to a place over and over again?
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