A postcard from under an Indian Laurel tree
(I think)
I spent Monday morning at the post office (dreadful, would not recommend) where I learned, as I was dropping off my parcels (a process I expected to take no more than 30 seconds) that a new 50 per cent surcharge is now being imposed by Pos Malaysia on their prepaid postal packages. Yes, the very same ones they suspended abruptly in late July 2020, and which they only resumed in the past fortnight or so with plenty of social media pats on the back.
So, how long is this surcharge supposed to last for? "Until the pandemic ends for the entire world," boomed the branch manager. Loud enough so that his employees and queuing customers could witness his little power show.
Post-post office incident, I headed to the park and looked for a large tree to sit under, a Ficus Indian Laurel tree (I think).
I have more to say about the postal issues and the underlying systemic concerns, but this postcard is not the space for it.
Not right now anyway.
I am just grateful that I have a different option to fulfil the international orders that come through the Plates website. By the way, if you missed the announcement last week, the seasonal web store is now open and taking orders for all existing issues, including the newest addition: Vol.4: Seeds.
Speaking of, the micro launch for the new issue will be happening this Sunday at Rimbun Dahan’s Open Day. Having mixed feelings after learning that two out of the four sessions are now full. But, I am looking forward to seeing the true early adopters of Plates at the event. And meeting new like-hearted persons in a space that kept me safe for the six-month development period of Plates, Vol.4: Seeds.
An update on the pegaga plant, the one that was unapologetically lopped off with plenty of victim blaming, which by some miracle held its ground and was later rescued and relocated: it sprouted new shoots! For the past couple of weeks, it really looked like nothing was happening, except that it was acclimatising to its new pot and neighbours (dill died, rosemary and mint are sort of there, but the pegaga is thriving). But just today I noticed there was not one, but seven new sprouts! Growth happens when no one’s watching, it seems.
This week, I’m
working on: prepping for Plates, Vol.4: Seeds’ micro launch event on Sunday
reading: listings on the PetFinder website (just because)
Plates is an independent print magazine that uses food as a conversation starter and offers alternatives to mainstream food culture narratives. If you enjoyed reading this postcard, feel free to forward it to a friend; leave a comment; or, if you’ve been meaning to, but haven’t quite gotten around to it, grab a plate and introduce yourself here. Sporadic, but intentional, updates on IG@platesmagazine. Thanks for being here. See you next week.