Life Tapestry.

Life Tapestries | Intentional Living, Faith, & Creative Reflection

Category: Sojourner

  • The Yumyum Kitchen

    The authentic local cuisine I experienced years ago was undoubtedly the best I have ever had. This came after almost a year of posting in the outskirts of the state, where accessing daily necessities was a challenge, let alone finding cafes, restaurants, or even decent hotels. After such a long and exhausting period, dining out and enjoying a good meal was truly a pleasure.

    My friend (who is like a sister to me) and I decided to explore nearby restaurants/ cafes or kitchens after discovering one on Instagram. It was a cozy yet authentic eatery offering both traditional local dishes and Westernized versions of regional cuisine. Upon entering, we were greeted with warm hospitality, despite our casual attire.

    We ordered with a mix of skepticism and excitement. When the food arrived and we began to Savor it, we were overjoyed—it was perfectly to our taste, prompting us to order another round. Unlike the sophisticated, high-end restaurants or hotels found in metropolitan areas, this was a charming, homestyle restaurant reminiscent of a mother’s kitchen, serving food straight from the pot. 

    We enjoyed a local-style chicken broth or stew (I called it) with sesame seeds and pork cooked with regional chili powder unique to the community. Although the dishes might seem simple, they require much patience and care, as they are simmered over low heat for hours. The meals were enhanced with local herbs and spices that tantalized our taste buds with their aromatic scent. We also had a bowl of King chili chutney with Ngari (fermented fish native to our home state), boiled vegetables with a pinch of salt, a bottle of Lager for her, and a soda for me.

    It was an incredibly satisfying brunch after what felt like an eternity. We longed to return to this place and became regular customers whenever we were in town.

    Yumyum Tangkhul Kitchen If you ever are in my town do visit them.

  • Drifting mind

    Aimless wandering without a clear destination is rarely an adventurous journey. Personally, I prefer being engaged in something meaningful rather than drifting without purpose. However, there are days when I feel so lethargic that even getting up to use the restroom seems like a challenge. It’s fascinating how mood swings can make a day rich with various shades of experience—gloomy, cloudy, sunny, and pleasant.

    At 27, I realized that mood swings extend beyond the typical PMS cycle and can affect both men and women, including those going through menopause. This insight has made me more aware of the range of personalities I can exhibit, from introverted to extroverted, from shy and quiet to loud and active, and many others that I have recently discovered.

    Do you believe that mood swings are not exclusive to women experiencing PMS but are common to almost everyone, including animals? How do you manage your own mood swings?

  • Confidence

    What do you think gets better with age?

    Through age comes wisdom, shaped by experiences, lessons, learnings, and ideas that lead to accepting life as it is and not being too harsh on oneself. Through all the ups and downs, I master self-discovery and look forward to what life has to offer. We become a better version of ourselves every day, and with this, we build confidence in what we are doing. The most difficult tasks become part of our everyday routine. I know I am not wrong in saying that through age I gain confidence, because that’s exactly how I am living my life now. The curiosity to try and take action makes everything different. So, I am grounding myself to take action and give it a try. If it works, it works; if not, I can always go to plan B.

  • Don’t quite like the ME of this digital era.

    How have you adapted to the changes brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic?

    Adapting to the quantum of change hasn’t been easy; initially challenging, over time, many have adjusted to the new lifestyle. However, for me, it’s been a roller coaster. I’ve noticed a decrease in efficiency, activity levels, and an alarming amount of hair loss, alongside a decline in memory sharpness. Moreover, I find myself increasingly reliant on digital over manual tasks, which, while convenient, fosters a sense of dependency and addiction. Overall, I’m not entirely comfortable with how seamlessly I’ve integrated into this new way of life.

  • A woman rushing through each task

    What are your morning rituals? What does the first hour of your day look like?

    My mornings are undeniably busy. I wake up around 6:30 AM, and with school starting at 8:00 AM, I have just an hour and a half to prepare breakfast, get ready for class, tidy up the house, and feed the pets. Despite my best efforts, I often find myself running behind schedule, feeling like a woman on a mission, rushing through each task as if my life depended on it.