Letter to Julia 20131106

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

Hi Julia!  How are you feeling, my beautiful beloved Queen?  I had to climb up onto the roof to fix a leak this evening.  I didn't actually stand on the roof, because the shingles are too brittle.  The section where my toilet is is made entirely of brick, and has a flat top with no shingles.  I hate working on the roof.  I'm afraid of heights.  For dinner it was chicken and bamboo shoot stew again, because I had just bought some chicken breast at the night market.  I usually use the bones for soups after removing the meat.  Chicken stew is a no-brainer: while still dripping with sweat from physical labor, I fried up lemongrass, garlic, onions, chicken, bamboo shoots, added water, put curry leaves and bouillon, and brought the water to a boil while I took a shower.  Then I left it to simmer while I prayed the sunset prayer, so my grub was ready after I finished worship.  I have some left over, do you want it?  I love you, Julia!  Say, did you see the squid at the night market?  It was going for RM6 a kilo, and that's a hefty helping of squid!  The squid was about the size of half a pinky each, which made them difficult to process.  The beaks were negligible, the ink sacs weren't a problem as long as I didn't rupture them, but the spines were obnoxious.  They would get stuck in my teeth, so I had to get rid of them.  Not all the squid were tiny, so only half of my fried calamari was a disaster.  I still have half a kilo of squid left, so I think I have a better plan for my next batch of fried calamari.  Want some?

Erin my dearest Queen, I'm not upset with you.  I just want you to be healthy and happy.  It's just that I was so worried when I saw those photographs, I just want to be sure that you eat properly, and take good loving care of yourself since I can't be there with you to take care of you and embrace you and help shield and protect you.  Please don't allow the words and actions of hypocrites make you feel bad or doubt.  I love you and I need you, and I want to look after you, and I want you to be healthy and beautiful.  So please take tender loving care of yourself until the time comes when we are married inshaAllah, and I will be able to guard and caress you and Julia with all my love.  I look forward to seeing you all healthy and confident when I watch the next Victoria's Secret fashion show.