IL WEEKEND

 

I'm borrowing the above from the Italians. The Dante Alighieri Society, an influential cultural institute has asked the people to protect the language and reject "Anglitaliano". The Society had asked for examples of over-used foreign words and "il weekend" emerged as the worst offender. They said it was pointless to use an English word, when the Italian expression "fine settimana" means exactly the same thing.

The society conducted the survey as part of its campaign to ensure Italian remains a key language in the workings of the EU. They wanted more protection for the language and keep it clean (?). I think they are fighting a loosing battle. No language in this world can stay static. If they do, they just die.

I took leave today. We went to Leicester to pay the zakat at Islamic Relief. Before that, we drove into the city centre to check out the Highcross, the latest city shopping mall.  Apart from Debenhams, House of Fraser and John Lewis, there were about 120 shops spread over external street spaces with a spectacular covered mall. And I came out empty-handed. Why??? I must be losing my touch.

Yesterday, we went back to Asda to purchase this. We checked online to make sure that it was what we needed. Our vacuum cleaner was too large and heavy to be used on the tiny stairs. And it worked like a dream.

We'd a quick lunch of basil and tomato soup with duck spring rolls. Then off to pay a visit to our favourite playground. We were surprised to see cars spilling onto the road. Sheesh, we just remembered that it was the Food and Farming Fair.

The parking lot was occupied by huge tents. The traders were already packing up. When we walked into the reserve, it smelt of rotting wood. We  saw different varieties of fungi, a sign that Autumn is just round the corner.

From the hide, hundreds of lapwings were making the loudest noise on the island.  And at the packed Carlton Hide, the kingfisher delighted every one by posing for at least 15 minutes. All you could hear were the clicking of the cameras.

On Saturday, was another home game between the Sky Blues and Preston North End with neither team could break the deadlock. There were no goals in the Coca-Cola Championship clash at the Ricoh Arena. The players better wake up quick before their supporters abandon them.

The garden is on its last summer blooms. I just brought in my last sweet peas for the casa. The pepper and pumpkin failed. And while I was pottering around, saw this beautiful white moth  and handsome green shield bug. I just loved it when I have visitors checking out my garden.

Made another traditional Malay sweet called bubur pulut hitam. Its black glutinous rice, boiled until soft. Coconut milk and palm sugar added to make a sweet broth. Delicious eaten cold. Bonn Appetit.