Food In, Food Out

Wednesday, 3 September 2025

Another day, another funny family drama. This time, starring… bubur sumsum.

So here’s what happened. Early in the morning, my mom was already in a mild state of confusion. She wanted to serve the leftover bubur sumsum from yesterday, but when she opened the fridge: gone. Completely vanished. What she did find was only the liquid gula aren in a teacup, sitting all lonely and abandoned. My mom swore she put the bubur in the fridge herself.

Naturally, I joined the investigation. We both combed through the fridge like detectives looking for hidden treasure, but nope, not there. Then I checked the sink. And there it was... the crime scene evidence: an empty container that once held bubur sumsum. Case closed. Someone had finished it. The only question was: who?

We had two prime suspects: my husband or my eldest daughter. Both are perfectly capable of sneaking into the kitchen in the middle of the night. Both are capable of eating in silence like ninjas. So, like true detectives, we decided to wait until one of them woke up and see who cracked first.

Meanwhile, I enjoyed my breakfast. Mom had prepared a full spread, because that’s just who she is. I had ikan cakalang tumis kecombrang, sayur bening sawi jamur tomat, boiled eggs, and classic romaine Salad to Go! A plate that felt more like a hug than a meal. My husband joined the table soon after, so naturally, I asked if he was the midnight bubur thief. Honestly, my mom and I didn’t mind if he finished it; better to be eaten than wasted. We were just curious. But he said no. Which left only one suspect: my daughter. We’d have to wait for her confession :D

At 9 a.m., got WhatsApp message from my old friend Detha. She told me she had dropped off a little souvenir keychain from another friend, Antie. What a sweet little triangle of friendship. Coincidentally, she was around the neighborhood because she was dropping up her son who studies nearby. Sadly, I couldn’t meet her. I’m still not strong enough to go out for long walks, and she couldn’t come up to the apartment because my husband was in a back-to-back meeting marathon. Bless her heart, she said, “No worries, focus on your recovery first. Next time we’ll hang out properly.” Friends who don’t guilt-trip you for saying no are gold.

We had early lunch today since my daughter had to go for campus. And guess what happened? Yep, the grand confession. She admitted that she finished the bubur sumsum in the middle of the night. Mystery solved! Apparently, her body clock is permanently set to international time zones, so maybe when she eventually studies abroad, she won’t suffer jet lag anymore. See, silver lining everywhere.

The rest of the day went on with more small joys. In the afternoon, my mom returned from her favorite hangout spot (a little saung by the poolside) and brought me one pack of Yakult classic and one pack of Yakult mango flavor. Yippee! Doctor’s orders: probiotics for smoother digestion. But here’s the funny twist: my digestion lately has been too smooth. Every meal, goes straight to the toilet. It’s like my body is practicing speed-running “food in, food out.”

I asked my unofficial doctor, Doc ChatGPT, and the prime suspects for my tummy drama turned out to be… onions (which I’ve been eating in all forms: black garlic, mom's homemade fried shallots, raw garlic). Also... chia seeds, and, ironically, Yakult itself. Imagine that. The cure might be the culprit. So maybe I need to lay low with these foods tomorrow and test my system. Wish me luck.

By evening, another wave of kindness arrived. My dear friend, Mbak Ike, sent over panada, sambal roa, and edamame. I felt spoiled. The panada is already reserved for tomorrow’s breakfast. The sambal roa goes straight to my mom because my sensitive tummy still can’t handle spicy. And the edamame? Perfect for family snacking this weekend when we gather for my birthday. What a thoughtful gift.

When I look back at today, I realize something funny: lately my blog posts are all about food. Bubur sumsum, Yakult, panada, sambal roa, salmon steak, rujak, burger... you name it. Maybe that’s because, in this season of recovery, food has become my daily logbook. My digestive system is still fragile, so keeping track of what I consume is kind of necessary. But also, I can’t help laughing. What if my blog slowly transforms into a food diary without me planning it? INFJ me, who usually dives deep into reflections about meaning and purpose, suddenly turns into a living menu. Life is unpredictable like that.

But here’s the thing. Even through small, seemingly silly stories (like midnight bubur thefts or Yakult adventures) I find lessons. I’m reminded of what Maya Angelou once said: “We are more alike, my friends, than we are unalike.” Family life is full of tiny mysteries, annoyances, and surprises. Whether it’s missing food in the fridge or an overly active digestive system, these little moments connect us. They make us laugh, shake our heads, and remember that we’re human.

Sometimes I think recovery (whether physical or emotional) is less about big milestones and more about noticing the small daily dramas that keep us grounded.

Like how my mom worries about leftovers, how my daughter sneaks midnight snacks, how my husband gets stuck in back-to-back meetings, how my friends drop off thoughtful gifts without expecting anything back. These small, ordinary moments are the fabric of healing.

So yes, my tummy may still be unpredictable. My fridge may still harbor mysteries. And my blog may look like a food tracker disguised as storytelling. But I’ll take it all. Because healing is not just about the body; it’s about laughter, connection, kindness, and patience.

And maybe tomorrow, when I test my “no onion, no Yakult, no chia seed” plan, I’ll discover something new again. Another mystery, another story, another reflection waiting to be told.

Stay healthy,
Nuniek Tirta

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