Foodies

I attended a course on the new accounting standards which are going to be adopted beginning in 2006 (once again, let me reiterate that I am not an accountant).

The common characteristic of courses is the food. Or rather, the frequency of them being served.

You practically get to eat every three hours. Or less than that.

The usual program will go like this:

8.30 a.m. : Course starts
10.45 - 11.00 a.m.: Tea break
12.30 - 1.30 p.m. : Lunch
3.30 - 3.45 p.m. : Tea break
5.00 p.m. : Course ends

It is always good to be away from the office once in a while. But the downside is the calories!

If I were to have a three-day course, I can just imagine myself putting on at least a half a pound.

Of course, I could choose to not eat anything during the tea breaks. But then, my organisation provides very good food.

You see, my organisation has a training center for staff and there is this ah pek (affectionate term for a Chinese old man) who has been preparing the meals for participants for goodness knows how long.

Some say that he has been there since the training center was built.

The kuih (savouries) they serve were those uncommon ones – not curry puffs, kuih talam or kuih lapis (layered cake).

I don’t know what they are called; what I know is that they were not-to-be-missed and terrifically yummy. And needless to say, somewhat unhealthy.

One of the savoury was fried popiah (vegetables wrapped with flour).

More often than not, they are not crispy after being exposed to the air for long. But the training center kept the popiahs piping hot when they were served. And still crispy!

During lunch, I tried not to eat more than I usually do. But with assam fish, curry chicken, tofu kerabu-style and long beans, it’s difficult not to.

Fortunately, it was only a one and a half day course.

Unfortunately, I don’t think I understood half of what was taught.

It’s the food, I tell you!

After binging on them, how could one pay attention?

Unless the speaker was deliciously yummy. ;P