2010 sum up

So I always write a recap of what has happened in the year that is ending. Although it's like an unspoken rule that almost everyone with a blog has to do this, I actually got this idea of a recap waaayyy before blogging started. You see, my aunt (you know who you are *wink*) used to write, or should I say type, about her year; the ups and downs; the experiences etc. I was on the receiving end of this "recaps" and back then, I received printed copies in the mail. I remember reading them and thinking..."Wow! What a great idea!". Of course, I was still in school back then and I had nothing much/interesting to write about.

But as I grew older, gained a wee bit more experience and then started blogging, it was high time I started a "recap". So here's my 2010 sum-up:

1st quarter:

I can't really remember much about what happened in January, but in February, my car got broken into and my spoilt radio got stolen! I had to drive home from the office with the passenger side window broken and glass all over the inside.

And then in March...I made the much and long awaited trip back to Singapore!! After more than 10 years, my trip back to Singapore was fruitful! I met Uncle Stephen's mum, I met Uncle Rufi and his family for the first time and I met Uncle Maurice. Sightseeing and visiting the Night Safari made up the trip! What a time I had and I can't wait to return!

Grandma also had her knee operation and now...I reckon she can run faster than my mum!! Lol!!

2nd quarter:

So this year, I had more trips to KL than I ever did over the past years. I also celebrated my 26th birthday in June and got a nice present from my family: a HP!

This quarter also marked MJ's 1st death anniversary. Sighs.

3rd quarter:

I was supposed to spend a month in Philippines from July - August; but due to safety concerns, the trip was cancelled.

My sister turned 20 in August, marking the end of her teenage years. :-)

4th quarter:

The last 3 months of the year proved to be the most exciting. First, we got a new sofa!! And then it was Deepavali which is always nice! Family, friends, food, laughter, pictures. You get the picture!

After Deepavali, both my sister and I got the dreaded chicken pox!! I don't know how I contracted it but I was out of action for 3 weeks!! Thankfully....my spots were not the itchy type but rather it was painful! My sister was luckier as hers only lasted for about a week!

Then Xmas came along and it was time for decorations and presents! And also wine!! hehe...

Xmas passed really quickly and now...as I sit here writing this, tomorrow is New Year's eve!! I decided I wanted a change for the new year and so instead of cutting my hair, I had it dyed. The colour: Medium Auburn, which turned out to look more coppery. There hasn't been much sun lately and so I don't really know the full "force" of the colour. I hope I don't faint when I finally see it in full blast!!

So that's it....my 2010 sum-up! I hope I have another fruitful year next year, with more to experience and more to write!

Signing off for the year 2010!!

See you next year!! HAPPY NEW YEAR AND GOD BLESS!

Xmas is over...

Xmas is finally over. After spending so much time just THINKING about what I should get for my sister, I finally finished my Xmas shopping on Friday!! If I wasn't on leave on Friday, my shopping would have been left unfinished!

So Friday night was spent at the shop as there was sort of a gathering. We feasted on roasted chicken, prawns, KFC mash potato and coleslaw, beer and wine. It wasn't exactly a party but rather...just a way to usher in Xmas and spend time with family friends. Unfortunately, no pictures were taken as we were all hungry and by the time we remembered that we had our cameras with us...almost everyone had gone home.

Xmas morning was spent at home. We opened our presents, watched TV and had a very light afternoon meal as we had a dinner to attend to. Mum got me a perfume and bath gel (although the gel was a mistake as she had wanted to buy me a moisturiser. This is the second year she's made that mistake). Sis got me a bag and the book, THE LOST SYMBOL!! Yay!! :-)

Dinner that night was at my dad's friend's house. There we had crabs, prawns (yay!), chicken, mutton, beer, stout and wine! We had planned to only stay for a couple of hours and leave before midnight. But as usual...once the drinking begun and conversation started to flow....we ended up leaving at nearly 3am!

Thank God I still have the next week off. I've got a few things to do before the new year; like fixing my "new" pc, getting my hair done (I'd wanted to cut it but then mum disapproves. So I compromised and said I'd get it dyed), doing nothing...lol.

I can't believe it'll be a new year in a few days' time!

Xmas preparation

I returned to work after a 3-week "break" and boy was I looking forward to it.......NOT!! But thankfully, I only had another 3 weeks to work then the office was closed for the year! Yippee! I also found out that Dec 24th was declared a holiday!

To me, December is the month for presents and Xmas trees. It also marks the end of the current year! Usually, my Xmas tree would be up by the second week of December [I'd wanted to go down to KL or S'pore this year since I have a long break but then my sis has no holiday so it's Xmas in Penang this year]. This year...laziness took over. Considering that I was still on "break" in the first week of December, I could very well have set up the tree. But alas....that did not happen. My sis and mum started asking when the tree would be up and I suddenly realised that almost every year, I'M the one who sets up the tree!! But then again...I can't or rather shouldn't complain as I'm the fussy one when it comes to decorating the tree. The OCD in me comes out like a charging bull; the lights are not evenly put, the shiny balls and boxes are not evenly placed etc! And so...I guess after years of complaining...I guess my mum and sis has decided to leave it to me. Nevertheless, my sis helped me this year; AFTER I had assembled the tree and placed the lights. It took us about an hour to get it done.

After the tree...comes presents and this is ALWAYS a problem! What presents can I get for mum, sis and dad, while sticking to a limited budget? For the past few years, I've gotten the same gifts for my mum and dad. Thankfully, the presents are useful and will always be used. But then again....there goes the surprise element. So far, I've already bought presents for my mum and dad. Deciding to choose what to buy for my sis is proving to be a real problem. She gave me a list of things she wants (from books to clothes) to make it easier for me, but still...I find myself looking at the list over and over again not knowing what to get her.

Xmas is only 3 days away, so I'd better hurry up and finish my shopping. Sighs!

Out for 3 weeks

I've been on leave, or rather Medical Leave for the past 3 weeks. The cause: CHICKEN POX!! It's really weird that I got it just suddenly, out of the blue. One day I was working at a hotel with my team; the next day, I felt sick and had 2-3 blisters on my neck. A trip to the doctor confirmed my mum's suspicion. Of course...the moment it was confirmed, mum and sis alienated me as they both had yet to contract chicken pox. Only dad was brave enough to come near me. But then, he too was cautious despite already having chicken pox when he was young.

I had to carry down my matress and pillows to sleep in the hall. My clothes were kept isolated from the rest of the laundry; I was confined to my "side of the house". All in all, I was "cordoned" off to one side of the house.

Surprisingly, I did not feel itchy. My body temperature was haywire, I had no appetite (which is sooo not good as I am already thin!!), and all I did for the first week and a half was sleep almost the whole day long!! I only got up to eat (or rather nibble on some food and keep myself hydrated) and have neem soap baths. I also had my body painted with blended neem leaves with a bit of kunyit added into the blend. This practice may sound weird as usually, we just use the neem leaves to rub over ourselves to easy the itch and also sleep on the leaves to help cool our body. But when my brother got chicken pox and according to my aunt, his spots were like 'mutant pox'...she decided to blend the leaves and paint him with it. The result? The blisters dried quickly and there were no scars!! He now has beautiful skin.

Naturally, with me being vain and worried about having scars especially since my face seemed to bear the brunt of the disease, I followed and am still following the neem bath practice. I'm happy to say, the spots on my face dried rather quickly, fell off and now...although I can see faint scars, I'm fairly certain it'll all disappear as besides the neem baths, I'm also applying pure, concentrated vitamin E. As for the spots on the rest of my body, I'm hoping that the combination of neem soap baths and application of Franch Oil will help reduce the marks.

Contracting chicken pox when in adulthood only doubles the symptoms. Meaning, more spots, longer recovery period etc. My spots took about two weeks to appear fully and only in the 3rd week did it start drying and dropping off. I return to work on Monday and after being on leave for so long...I'm kinda dreading it.

But then...once I go back to work, it's only 3 weeks to the last week of December when once again I'll be off as the office is close for Xmas and New Year. So I can't really complain!!

And so...as I move on from my chicken pox experience, I'm looking forward to shopping for Xmas! Yippee!

Deepavali

One week ago was Deepavali. As usual, on the eve, the entire family (sans a few cousins) gathered at Ceylon Lane (previously it was at Argyll Road) for prayers and dinner. I think we (read: dad, sis and I) were the last to arrive – mum was at the shop – but thankfully, the food that was ordered still hadn’t arrived.

In the meantime, one of the lights in the living room was not working and so some of the men of the house wanted to be macho and tried to fix the light. In the end, there was a new light bulb, the light was not fixed, the starter was broken to pieces and it was concluded that there was something wrong with the “balas” (or something that sounds like that).


The food finally arrived and so the prayers started. As usual, the men went first, women were next, and then the grandchildren last. No argument there. Since the grandkids were the last to perform the prayers, we were also the first to eat!! There was a spread of ghee rice, chicken curry, mutton, dalcha, cabbage, mango chutney and the famous chilli sambal! YUMS!


After tucking in, some relatives left, some watched TV, while some sat outside chatting. One of my aunts bought some fireworks/crackers (though it’s illegal) and some of us cousins had a blast! We ushered in Deepavali a bit earlier this year as we couldn’t wait for midnight to approach. Dad and an uncle lit up two long strands of firecrackers simultaneously and I think I was deaf for awhile afterward.


Once I got over my deafness, sis and I headed to the shop to see mum and give her some food. Midnight struck and as is the norm, fireworks/crackers from all sides of the shop went off! It was fun!


Coz we slept late the night before, we got up late the next day. After praying at home, we headed to granny’s house for brunch. There was hot tosai, home-cooked chicken curry, dalcha etc. In the meantime, lunch was being prepared.


The mandatory photo-taking session was next, so it was all poses, smiles and *cheeses*!! Photos are up on FB.


A small dinner part to be held the next day was cancelled so we had a quiet family dinner at home. The menu: CHINESE food! Lol…I’m sure I don’t have to tell you the reason for the choice of food.


I was on leave for the next two days so it was spent at home and at the shop.


BTW…our washing machine died on us just a few days before Deepavali and that was a bummer. Thankfully it could be repaired! Handwashing one load of clothes was tiring!

Brief update but not about Deepavali

So I had a nice long weekend last week; time spent with family and friends. But I'll not be writing abt that today as I have something else to complain about.

As I was relishing my last day of leave yday, I got an SMS from a colleague telling me that the PPT team at work will be based at B-suite from Nov 11 to Nov 22, working almost non-stop (read: 12 hours a day),everyday including weekends. We're given this Sunday off (thank God) but have to work on Haji and the weekend that follows.

Why? Because the big bosses are in a rush and they are worried. When we voiced our concerns and requested for help...everyone turned a deaf ear! Now...when the deadline is sooooo near and we're actually late on some things...we are made victims due to their "deafness"!

SIGHS!

Round 3: Success!

Since Round 2 didn't happen last weekend, I was determined that Round 3 be a success. After the disappointment of Round 2, I got sick! As I said in my previous entry, I'd already started to have a scratchy throat and sniffles. Well...all that graduated into a full blown fever and cold attack. I went to work on Monday despite feeling sluggish and by Tuesday, I was bedridden. My head was heavy, my body was hot and my nose was leaking. I was on MC on Tuesday and Wednesday. All I did was stay home, lie in bed, drank lots of water and slept.

I had to drag myself back to work on Thursday as I had some important stuff to finish and send off to the printers. My poor colleague who shares my office room had to deal with my coughing, sneezing and sniffling for two days.

Saturday came fast enough, thanks to my two-day bed rest. As this was the last weekend I had before all my crazy meetings begin, Round 3 HAD to be a success. So the whole of yesterday morning and afternoon was spent in Little India. We managed to find our outfits and also a top for dad (although when he tried it on later, it was a tad too tight!!). We also got all the cookies and other tidbits (read: Indian sweets/candies, black donuts etc).

We also bought muruku flour and the whole of today morning was spent on that. There was a slight problem at the beginning as we couldn't get the right consistency for the dough to be pressed and shaped. It was too dry and it kept breaking. It just wouldn't hold its circular shape. After numerous attempts of salvaging the dough, a quick call to my grand-ma fixed the problem! Oh well...that's where experience comes in.

And so...after about 2.5 hours of kneading, pressing and frying, we managed to make 173 murukus (minus the broken bits and pieces). Not bad!! Right after all the washing up was done, mum, sis and I fell asleep!! Lol!

The house smells of ghee and right now...I'm in no mood to eat the muruku...just yet. A bit jelak for the moment. But I guess as the days pass and Deepavali approaches, I'll find myself reaching into the tin for a muruku or two.

It's back to work and meetings for the next two weeks. THANK GOD the last meeting ends just before Deepavali!

:-)

Round 2

Round 2 of Deepavali shopping did not happen last weekend. Sis was sick, mum didn't want to go...

So that leaves me with this weekend to shop for our clothes, make muruku (if we are doing it!!) and buy the rest of the give-aways (read: cookies, cake etc). At the rate things are going, I doubt that shopping this weekend will push through.

My sis was/is sick; runny nose, cough and fever. I used to be able to withstand any sickness thanks to my high antibody. However now, I find myself getting sick after one family member gets sick. Could be that we are all under one roof and there's no where else for the germs to attack; could be that I'm getting older and my body's resistance is weakening. Whatever it is, I think I'm about to fall ill.

I've already got the signs: scratchy throat, dry cough, headache. It's just a matter of time, although I'm going to do my very best to avoid getting a full-blown cough and cold. That means, lots of vitamin C and water.

My new, red, L-shaped sofa has arrived by the way!! I'm so happy!! Although my sis and I are trying ur best not to sit on it so much for fear that it'll start to sink or wear out! Haha!

Deepavali shopping: Round 1

So my sis, mum and I went on our 1st round of Deepavali shopping last night and it was such a disappointment. After having our dinner at Ananda Bahwan, we went from shop to shop looking for our (read: my sis and I) Deepavali outfits. Not only were the prices of the outfits outrageous, there were simply none that caught our eye. The trend this year seems to be the crumpled-looking Punjabi suits. There were 2 or 3 that were nice but the price was also “nice”. RM477 was printed on one of the price tags. But don’t worry…everything was on “discount”, 50%, which means the outfit still cost more than RM200 which is more than what I’d set aside for one person!!

After a few disappointing rounds in about 5 shops, mum started to insist that we get “normal” clothes this year instead of traditional clothes. But of course, my sis and I disagreed. After all, this is the one time in the year that we get to buy Punjabi suits. Granted, that besides Deepavali, we only wear Punjabi suits either to temples, during Thaipusam or weddings, but nonetheless, it’s DEEPAVALI!!

I felt so disappointed as I walked back to the car. I had really hoped to spot one outfit that I like and buy it, or at least get excited. Mum said that it’s still early and that as time passes, the better ones will emerge. But I beg to differ. After all, it’s only less than a month to Deepavali….plus…I’ve got only two weeks to get everything ready before I drown in my sea of meetings at the end of the month.

Hmmm………..round 2 should be this Saturday. We’ll probably go to Kamdar in Bukit Jambul. Let’s wait and see…..

Less than a month to go

So Deepavali is less than a month away and usually by this time, I’d be all excited. The month before the festival is when all the hype begins. Shopping for new clothes and accessories, making muruku and kulcha, cleaning the house (not that I look forward to it), keeping aside all the 'angpow' packets we get from banks and malls…the list goes on.

This year however, I haven’t begun to feel the excitement. I blame this all on work as from Oct 27 to Nov 3, I’ll be stuck in meetings after meetings after meetings. So there goes my yearly grand-daughter duty of helping my grandma make muruku and kulcha. We usually make them about a week before Deepavali; any earlier and there won’t be any left for the day!! I suppose my sister will have to shoulder the responsibility alone this year.

I have about 2 ½ weeks to do all the shopping I want and knowing what a picky person I am….that’s hardly enough time. I bought my Deepavali outfit at the very last minute last year…if I’m not mistaken just a few days before Deepavali!! I vow not to do the same this year. I don’t have the time anyway.

I’m also looking forward to the “party” or gathering that is supposed to happen the day after Deepavali. A friend is “planning” it i.e. talking about it but so far that’s all I’ve heard of it: TALK. I hope it happens. My brother said he’ll try and make it and I’m sure it’ll be a blast!! :-) That’s the first time we’ll all be drinking together. Hehe…

I also have to get my new sofa for the house. We went scouting for one last weekend and I hope to finally book one this weekend. Hmm…let’s see lah…

Of being greedy

So lately I’ve begun to realize that I am becoming greedy. I find myself wanting things, and the only thing that is keeping me back from getting that stuff is the knowledge that I will suffer in the end if I indulge myself!

I don’t have the usual wants or desires to have the latest shoes, clothes or accessories. I rarely shop which is good for my pocket and bank balance; plus, I’m really picky especially when it comes to shoes. I can go shoe-hunting and still come back empty handed!!

Anyway, back to being greedy, recently, I took a look around my house and decided that my family (read: I) need a new sofa set. Our old sofa set was tearing and breaking, and when my grand-aunt was selling her house stuff away, we bought her two single bed frames and mattresses and used that as “sofas” for our house!! “Brilliant” idea as now…neither my parents nor my sis and I sit. We all lie down!! Pathetic I tell you, considering the fact that my mum had a “rule” to NEVER have a bed in the hall!!! People who came to our house compliment us on our creative idea but I’d bet they would never do the same.

So…having a new sofa set was one thing. Then as I flicked through the various channels on Astro, I decided that I it would be nice to have channels such as BIO, Discovery Health and Living etc. There seems to be more interesting things to watch on those channels. That’s added $$. So for now…I’m still counting to see if I can afford the addition.

Then there’s my sister and me always wanting to eat fast food like McD’s and Pizza Hut which would just burn a hole in our pockets! And it doesn’t help when Burger King is now opening a branch near your house!! Arghhh…

Of course…I always set aside some money whenever I receive my salary. That money either goes for house groceries, car repairs (this year alone there were so many unfortunate incidents with Wednesday being the most recent. My exhaust pipe actually broke into two!!), end of the year car road tax and insurance renewal, Deepavali etc.

Now I’m not complaining about not being able to get what I want. I can easily take money from my “emergency” savings to indulge my greediness but is it worth it?

I can do without the extra Astro channels. As for the sofa set…well…I’m pretty determined to get a set coz I’m beginning to get sick and tired of having a bed and mattress in the living room. It’s just bad feng shui. I’ve got some saved up money…so let’s see if I can find an affordable one.

Hmmm.....

4-day weekend

So last Thursday was a public holiday; and taking advantage of my 5-day work week, I took Friday off so that I'd get a 4-day weekend! So what did I do?

I had planned to go down to KL. Initially, mum, sis and I were supposed to go to KL during Raya. But somehow things just didn't work out and so the trip was cancelled. It was the perfect timing for mum to take a break. The shop was closed for 3 days and it was also the weekend, which meant that I was on break and sis was also free. Alas....things just didn't work out.

Back to last weekend, since both my sis and I couldn't decide if we wanted to go to KL or not, the decision was somehow already made up. All the procrastinating and "Want to go or not?" sort of decided it for us.

So I basically spent the 4-days at home. I followed mum to the market every morning, to the shop every afternoon, back home for a few hours, then back to the shop again later in the night. Kind of mundane, yes, but it was in a way relaxing. I watched a movie or two as well. Of course, working in my organisation has sort of made me be obssess about emails, so I took an hour on Friday, to check my emails just to see if there was anything important to attend to. Thankfully, there was none. (Although if there was something to attend to, I'd probably just leave it for Monday for when I start work and then worry about it the whole weekend).

Of course when it was Sunday night, I started dreading Monday. Lol! But I can't complain. I had 4 days to do nothing. I can't very well spend my life being on a perpetual holiday can I? Though I would love to do that!! Hehe...

Anyhow....my brother is in town! So...even though I didn't get to see him in KL...I'll still be seeing him. :-)

Selamat Hari Raya

To my family and friends,

Here's wishing you,

Selamat Hari Raya! Maaf Zahir Batin!

At work

As I write this, I am sitting on the carpeted floor of the Horizon meeting room in Copthorne Orchid Hotel Penang. We have just finished our first meeting of the week (surprisingly early!!) . While we wait for lunch and then the beginning of the second meeting at 2pm, most of us are either back in our rooms resting or catching up on work that was left undone due to the first meeting.

For me, I'm multi-tasking: I'm checking my emails, I'm on FB, I'm chatting with Trish and two colleagues from work, I'm also researching for some data on farmer suicides. Oh ya...not to forget...I'm blogging too!! Haha...

I had a really late night on Tuesday. A 3-hour meeting that was supposed to be from 4pm-7pm, lasted till 10pm!! Then, coz the laptop that I brought from the office died on me (despite it working the previous day)...I had to go back to the office and get another one. To my horror, the two laptops that was available in the office, chose that very day to die!! Thankfully....my admin and finance officer had another laptop with her but...it was with her at HOME!! So off to her house we went and by the time I got back to the hotel, it was past midnight!! All this on a public holiday!! Thank God Marvin was so nice and kind to drive me to and fro everywhere!! Now we're both going to demand that we get replacement leave!! I only hope we get it!!

Alright then...a short update as I need to continue on my other "tasks". Hehe...

Haircuts

I’m not sure when this so-called obsession begun, but I’ve had this “thing” about getting hair cuts. I can’t really remember if I had short hair when I was a kid but looking at all the pics in the album…well..yeah…I had short hair.

In Primary school, I maintained my short hair till I was about 10. Then I started growing out my hair till it was nearly to my waist!! Not to blow my own trumpet, but I had the typical, long, thick, jet-black hair with waves. It was heavy! Then suddenly when I was in Standard 6, I had the sudden desire to chop it all off and *woosh* I had super short hair!! Not a crew cut but REALLY short.

I started high school with short hair (DUH – since my hair was super short just the year before). I switched from long hair to short hair to long hair to short hair all through the years. It was as though my hair was having a mind of its own!! I suppose I can attribute it to vanity (for wanting to have long hair) and also practicality since there were activities and sports (it was just easier to have short hair).

During college, I somehow managed to maintain my long hair. I suppose it’s becoz almost every girl had long hair; PLUS…I had to have something to cover my long thin neck. PLUS…I had braces on back then! I’d have look like a match-stick with iron teeth!! *shudder*
Right now, I’ve got reasonably long hair. I still find excuses to cut my hair, be it split ends, or my hair has no shape etc. I suppose I like the feeling of being pampered – where I walk into the salon, the hairstylist greets me, washes my hair while indulging in idle talk etc. After my hair is cut/trimmed and blown dry…I feel like someone new every time I step out of the salon.

Hmm…you guys must be wondering what kind of freak I am! Lol…I wonder too.

My sister on the other hand just abhors the idea of even getting her hair trimmed. Chopping off one inch of her hair is like chopping off her 10 toes. She cringes at the thought of it!! Mum says her 'crowning glory' is literally her crown i.e. her hair! I can't remember her having short hair! Plus...her hair's a nice shade of brown/copper so much so that my uncle once told her "I like the colour you dyed your hair with"!!

Anyhow...after numerous attempts of getting my sis to cut her hair...she finally succumbed to Kiran's pleas! So last Saturday, my sis bravely had her hair cut and styled and what do you know....she looks amazing!! She looks younger, fresher and her new layered crop really suits her!!

Well...now that she's had HER haircut...I'm thinking...should I follow suit? Or should I wait out for my hair to reach my waist?? Hmmm....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SIS!

Here's a shout out to my lil sis who's turning 20 in a few more hours!! She'll no longer be a teen - I keep reminding her of that!! Haha...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY VAYSHNAVEE!!

MAY ALL YOUR DREAMS, HOPES AND WISHES COME TRUE!

MAY YOU BE ALWAYS BLESSED!

Love you lots!! Muax!!

Hmmm...

So my father didn’t go for the medical check-up last Saturday. Turns out that it was one of those schemes that private companies use to try and get to you buy their products. We found out about this when my dad called the hospital to ask if he was to fast the night before and was told that it was not the hospital conducting the tests etc. Instead, a private company had rented their space/hall and they were the ones doing the “tests”, if indeed that was what they were going to do; because, prior to the testing, participants have to sit through a seminar for an hour. I doubt that it would have been a “Live healthy” kind of talk, but rather a “do you have a life insurance/policy” kind of talk.

And once again…my father escaped being told off. Apparently my daily nagging doesn’t seem to affect him coz just last Wednesday he blatantly lied to me saying he shared a plate of fried mee with a friend for dinner. Sis and I went to pasar malam that night and came back with lots of finger-foods. We refused to allow my dad to indulge in any coz we know him so well. Besides, he had asked us to buy a packet of keropok for him, of which we knew will be finished by the end of the night.

Anyhow, we found out from the very same friend he had “shared” his dinner with that my dad had in fact ate his own plate of fried mee; the sharing was…him tasting his friend’s fried MAGGI!! And so…dad got caught! When we confronted him, he denied!! *rolls eyes*

I’ve reached my limit. So I told him yesterday that since he’s not listening to us, I’ve decided not to listen to him too. Fair is fair. Yes he’s my father but at this point, I don’t really care. After all, he’s stopped telling me what to do for quite awhile now and he knows that I can make the right decisions and choices. Our roles have reversed.

Being stubborn

Of late, I have been getting increasingly annoyed, irritated, and pissed at my father and his habits. I’ve already accepted, though reluctantly, that I will not be able to change his smoking and drinking habits. The fact that his brother who had stopped smoking for 10 years died of lung/throat cancer has not sunk in his head. He was upset, he “tried” to cut down but in the end, he’s back at it again. As that is a lost cause, I am adamant about changing his eating habit! He has one of the unhealthiest eating habits.

Being a musician for the most part of his life, his entire schedule has been disrupted. The late nights, the late suppers, the smoking, the drinking. Although I’ve given up on the first and latter two habits, the late suppers are something I want, no, NEED to change.

Just yesterday, he had a whole full meal at dinner. Later that night, I saw him eating biscuits. When I told him that he had a whole meal earlier, he said it was not enough! And when I woke up this morning, I found that he had eaten my entire Tupperware (it doesn’t matter if it was a small Tupperware or not) of assam!! The other morning, the first thing he did when he woke up was eat a burger!! Not go to the toilet!!! Imagine that!!

To further add to this, is the fact that he rarely drinks water, although he says he drinks a lot! At home, I don’t see him drinking water at all; he’s always buying ‘teh-o ais’ or ‘kopi-o ais’ or soya bean. When I confront him, he reasons his buying of these drinks by saying that it’s all “less sugar”. To me, it’s not a matter of “less sugar” or anything; water is essential for our body and health. Imagine drinking alcohol the night before, waking up the next day dehydrated and heading straight to the fridge for a ‘teh-o ais’!?! That’s what my dad does.

I’m not complaining just for the heck of it. I want him to be healthy and to live long. As it is, he already has high cholesterol and is under medication for that. But at the rate he’s going, he looks like he’s heading towards getting diabetes as well (my grand-father had it and a few of my uncles too).

He told me yesterday that he’s going for a medical check-up on Saturday and I told him straight that I hope they find that his cholesterol and sugar levels are up. I told him that should they find anything not right, I wouldn’t be surprised and that I’ll tell him “I told you so”!! I know it’s mean of me to say that but I figured that that’s the only way he’s going to be scared and take some action. His words of assurances for the past 5-6 years are mere empty vessels.

He doesn’t listen, or rather refuses to listen to any of us (read: mum, sis, me, his mother) but he rather listen to strangers and friends. I do hope the doctor scolds him this Saturday and gives him the fright of his life. Sighs…

Boring me?

“I am such a homebody. I almost never socialise. Therefore, I am quite picky about going out.”

This is one sentence that I found on my aunt’s blog the other day. I re-read the lines at least twice coz I could relate to it so well!! I AM a homebody. I RARELY socialize. And I AM picky about going out. Ask anyone, especially Trish and she’ll tell you how difficult it is to get me to go out even if it’s just for drinks.

I prefer to stay home, watch TV, read a book, irritate my sister or just lie on the couch and listen to music. I’m THAT boring. I’m so boring that ALL my friends say that my mum is more ‘hip’, more ‘exciting’, more ‘lively’ than me. Instead, I’m like a typical 60-year old grandma (sorry to all the grannies out there), who stays at home all day watching Telenovelas. But…I’m happy being a homebody.

I’m not the type to go for drinks or have dinner with friends or workmates after a long day at work. Instead, I prefer to drive home straight, kick off my shoes, change into something more comfortable than my already comfortable casual clothes that I wear to work and relax.

I’m 26, in my prime 20s. I should be going out partying, socializing, meeting new people, enjoying my life, searching for my soul mate/life partner. THAT is what I am supposed to be doing with my life or so say some people. But is it really necessary that I conform to the social norms of society? “How will I meet my “dream guy” or my life partner when I don’t go out and socialize?” people always ask me. Right now, I’m not interested in all that. I don’t see the need to get married. I’m not looking for or wanting a boyfriend. So what if I have less than 10 friends? I’m happy as I am. I go out when I feel like it. I spend when I feel like it. So how is it anyone’s concern or business how I live my life?

Yes….my life may seem boring – super-boring- to most people but this is how I choose to live my life. If I complain, I can only blame myself. If I am bored, then only I myself can change that.

Nevertheless, I do appreciate everyone who advises me and tries to “bring me out of my shell”.

Have you watched them sleep?

- I wrote this awhile back and it came out in The Star. Thanks Aunty Lita for reminding me about it!-

I RECEIVED a message on my Friendster account the other day. It was one of those forwarded messages, the type I would usually scan briefly before hitting “delete”.

But this message, written in Bahasa Malaysia, started with a simple question that caught my attention. A rough translation of it goes like this:

“Have you ever watched your parents while they were asleep? Your father’s body, once big and strong but now, the big is withered and the strong is weaker. Wisps of grey peek out from his hair, wrinkles now “scar” his forehead and face.

This man works hard every day and would sacrifice anything to make sure his family is provided for and his children get the best education possible.

Or how about your mother, whose soft hands once cuddled and held you close when you were a baby? Now, those hands are dry and rough, bearing evidence of the challenges she faced just for us.

This woman takes care of our daily needs, constantly nagging and scolding us because of her love for us. But sadly, we often misconstrue her love as control and unfairness.”

I have never thought of watching my parents while they slept. I’ve watched my cousins sleep when they were babies, all round and cuddly and sweet smelling. But watch my parents? No way!

But after reading this message, I realised that there was indeed much truth in it. In fact, my parents do not have to be asleep for me to realise that they have aged.

Just looking at my mother walk tells me that her legs are not as strong as they were before. Or hearing her ask me for help with that flowerpot in the garden, the one she used to be able to push and drag around the garden without my help.

Or watching my dad lift a 10kg bag of rice. I can easily carry that bag now. I am young. But to him, it is a struggle.

What do all these observations tell me? Yes, my parents have aged. They are ageing, just as I am ageing. But as I age towards my best years and become stronger, they in turn are becoming weaker. They were once the caregivers and I the receiver. In time, I know our roles will reverse. Like it or not, want it to or not, this is life.

I suppose I have always subconsciously thought that my parents would always be with me, never growing old. It took that message to make me realise that my parents are not immortal. That they, too, will one day leave the world and me. Until then, I will make good use of our time together.

English

My family and I pride ourselves in having a good grasp of the English language. We speak, read, write, think, quarrel and joke in English. Though by right, I should be speaking Tamil and Tagalog, those are the very two languages that have been pushed or rather side-lined as English has been used in our home from the very beginning. Attempts at learning Tamil has just made me not want to learn the language although I can understand the basic. As for Tagalog, I've more interest in this language as I think it's easier and there are more interesting ways to learn it - from watching telenovelas where there are cute guys, to listening to songs. Even my colleagues are Filipinos and though I have spent two years working with them, I've NOT improved much on my Tagalog. My understanding has improved but not my speaking.

Now...I've written countless essays, articles, emails and now blog entries, and though I am one of those who correct other people's mistakes (i.e. when they speak or write), I have made glaring and embarassing mistakes myself! Simple mistakes that are overlooked even when I take the time to check and read through whatever I have written. 'Living' is spelled as 'leaving'; the use of 'had' and 'have' have been confused at times; 'swapped' has been used instead of 'swiped'; even 'he' and 'she' mistakes have been made.

When I read my sister's blog, I always (though it's sub-consciously) look for mistakes in spelling, grammar and sentence structure. Sometimes I find it funny, sometimes I get irritated that such a minor, simple mistake was done. And yet....it's not as though I am perfect either! I have made those mistakes! Granted that sometimes the mistake is due to a typing error but sometimes, what you think and what you actually put down comes out so differently.

I'm not a perfectionist but I am slightly OCD. And yet...it's not OCD enough to realise the mistakes I've made. Sighs...I'm pretty sure that when I read this entry again, I'll not find any mistakes. A few days later...and I WILL find a mistake!

Those were the days

My sis and I were in the shop as we usually are on a Saturday afternoon. She had just returned from class and was telling mum and I about how she and her friends were talking about their childhood and the things they used to do. This brought back memories to me - some happy, some funny, some just weird.

One incident that I clearly remember was the time when I was attacked by a crow. A neighbour had left their rubbish bin uncovered and there was a crow picking at the plastic bag that was in the bin, trying to break through the plastic to get to the food. Mum saw and anticipated the mess that would happen and asked me to shoo the crow away and cover the bin. Being naive, I did just that - I shooed the crow away, covered the bin and ignited the crow's rage. As I walked back to where my mum was sitting (she was chit-chatting with a few other ladies), a crow (I'm pretty sure it was the crow I chased away) came directly at me and scratched my forehead!! I was attacked by a crow!! I had 3 red lines on my forehead; 3 lines that I showed to my mum to which she just laughed!! Ever since that incident, I've been wary of crows. Not to mention that they can fly and just conveniently unload poo on you or your car.

Another incident that came to mind involved my sister. She was about 3 or 4 years old and during this time, we used to follow my mum to the market. We had to walk through a kampung area where there were geese, dogs and my sister's favourite animal, CHICKENS. My sister is afraid of these birds although she just LOVES to eat them!! Anyway, back to my story...one morning when we were on the way home back from the market, mum saw a few chickens running loose and shouted at my sister, saying "Look! The chickens are running after you!". Being terrifed of the birds, my sister started running blindly and promptly ran into a pole! Haha!! This story has stuck in not only her memory but also my mum's and mine!

And then there were the times when the electricity would go off for a few hours and when it was dark outside, the neighbourhood adults (i.e. my dad) would put on bedak sejuk and "become" the ghost, scaring us kids. Or the time, when we had water-gun fights. My mum actually bought the super-power shooting water-gun to fight off us kids who had the cheap, sundry-shop type. When things got out of hand, out came the garden hose!! Boy were we soaked!

Leaving in a neighbourhood where most of the neighbours are friendly and respectful made all the difference. I can't imagine all these happening if we were living in an apartment of condo.

To watch my younger cousins now, as they grow, I actually feel for them as they will not have these kind of memories - of playing out in the garden with the neighbour's kids or having a parent actually join in the fun!

Sighs....what wonderful memories! Ones to treasure till the end..

Another year....WISER!

It's June the 4th...my favourite day of the year simply because I made my parents the happiest people on Earth, 26 years ago when I was born. Lol! How perasan!!

Sighs...another year has passed since I celebrated turning 1/4 of a century. Today, two people who called to wish me commented on how "old" I was getting!! Oh PLEASE!!! Haven't they heard?? 26 is the new 20!! :D Somehow, I don't find myself fretting over being "a year older". Yes...when people comment that I am nearing 30, I do brush it off and all; but honestly, I don't see the fuss. I feel young, I look young (hopefully!!), so why should I THINK OLD?? If anything, I'd rather say I've turned a year WISER, SMARTER, STRONGER...anything positive!!

My mum and a friend of mine from work can't seem to understand why I like celebrating my birthday. To them, if it's possible that no one knows it's their birthday, that'll make their day. As for me, the more people know, the better it is!! I probably take this trait after my dad. He's the type that would call people to "hint" to them that it's his birthday or our birthday, much to our chagrin!

I started getting SMSes and calls at the stroke of midnight. By morning, my hp had an attack from a barrage of SMSes. It continuously beeped. Then I came online to check my emails. I took leave from work as I don't want to spend my birthday working!! Anyway, as the page to my email downloaded, the list of notification emails from Facebook greeted me. I went through everyone of them, despite knowing that I could just log-in to Facebook and read it at one go. As I read one notification after another, my heart warmed at the greetings and wishes from family and friends.

Then I logged into Facebook and re-read the same greetings!! I know - WEIRDO!! Sighs...recently...I've read a few comments from people about how impersonal Facebook is although it does help us maintain contact with people we've not met/seen for ages. Reading my greetings/messages, I had to disagree with those comments. Because, without Facebook, I'd probably get less wishes/greetings/love. Less family and friends from afar would take the time and spend the money to call or SMS. And I wouldn't even expect them to. But with Facebook, things have changed. LOL...I'm beginning to sound like a Facebook advocate!!

Anyway, I'll stop here for now. I need to go get ready as I'm having lunch with a good friend. It's our birthday lunch - it was her birthday yesterday!! :-)

Fever

I was so excited that the Thomas Cup finals were about to start. As mentioned in the mass media, it's been 18 long years since we last won the Cup. And that too on homeground. Since the finals this year is once again on homeground, expectations were high. After all, there has been so much talk that we've the best preparations, the best team, the best everything.

And so the finals begun. We got off to a great start having been given a walkover by Nigeria; not that we'd have lost. Hearts all over Malaysia nearly suffered a heart attack when we lost to Japan. So close was the fight and yet, we lost. Hearts that nearly stopped beating, starting racing again when we gallantly fought and won against Denmark. What a match it was against the Danes. I was literally on my feet, pacing and there was a point when Choong Hann was playing that I actually had to leave the room, for fear that I would throw up my dinner due to the excitement!!

But alas...our joy over the hard fought victory over the Danes to enter the semi-finals was short-lived. We lost tamely to the Chinese. No excuses there. Was China the better team? Well...in my opinion, Malaysia too had a good team. But apparently, the Malaysians looked and proved that no matter how good we were against the other teams, we were intimidated by the Chinese. Chong Wei is one good example. He was superb against Hato and Gade but against Lin Dan, he was a mouse! I doubt that he would have won the All-England had Lin Dan been his opponent in that final.

And so...our wait for the Thomas Cup continues. Having watched Chong Wei lose to Lin Dan, the only "fever" I experienced is from the incredibly hot sun that has been bearing down on us these past few days.

Work related emails/SMSes etc

Ever since high school, I look forward to Saturdays and Sundays. It's the time when I get to relax, sleep in, do nothing and just enjoy being at home (or going out, which is rare). During my school days, Saturdays were when I spent my time finishing all my homework as fast as I could so that I could spend the rest of the day and Sunday, doing what I want: watching TV, reading story books etc. It was the same for me during college. And now that I am working, the weekends are now much more valuable.

Being stuck in the office for 8 hours a day in front of the computer with limited people whom I can talk to, the weekend is when I get to just free myself from any thoughts and stress of work. As it is, the moment I leave my office when work is over, I try to forget or rather, I leave all thoughts and traces of work behind. I don't believe in carrying home work. Heck...I'm no longer in school where I have "homework"!! Apparently SOME people don't think so. To them, if it's possible, you should eat, sleep and dream of work!! They call that "passion". I call that INSANITY!!

I mean, there's a limit to doing work. Especially one that is as boring, mundane and monotonous as mine!! Yes...I know that boring and mundane means the same thing...that just emphasises the fact!! And so...to receive emails, SMSes or even calls during the weekend which concerns WORK, I abhor it!! Why can't people just let other people enjoy their weekend?? Even if I were to be in a job that I love, I don't think I'd want to read emails/SMSes that concerns work. I have a life besides work! God...if only this people would learn!

Sighs...oh well...as the days pass by, I'm getting really sick of my work. I've been searching for a new job for nearly a year and a half now but with no luck. I've been to some interviews and that's as far as I got. :-( It's especially more difficult finding work in Penang though there are hundreds of vacancies (since the majority of them are for IT, accounts, engineers).

Well...as my search continues, I'll just have to tahan getting work related emails/SMS during weekends. If only I could block those emails....hmmm....

Addicted to books

Last year, I had written about my love for books. How I love the smell and feel of a new book. This year, after my short trip to S'pore, I went to a bookstore in KL and came back with two new books - Angels and Demons and a 3-in-1 Mills & Boon romance novel. I reached the end of boths books within days.

Just last week, I attended the Popular bookfair and came back with 5 books. Usually, there are not many good selections at this annual bookfairs. But this year, there were quite a few interesting books on sale. And they were cheap!! I came home, grinning and excited with my new purchases!! I got:

1) A Different Kind of Man - a Silhouette romance novel
2) Feels Like Home - also a Silhouette romance novel
3) The Expected One: Book One of the Magdalene Line
4) The Brotherhood of the Holy Shroud
5) Secrets of the Widow's Son: The Mysteries Surrounding The Sequel to The Da Vinci Code

The last 3 books were bought coz I was influenced by the mystery, excitement and complexity of symbolism, religion, cults etc after reading Angels and Demons and The Da Vinci Code. And the fact that the books were so cheap (some up to 70% off), I just couldn't resist getting the books.

I've finished reading the two Silhouette novels and I just started reading Secrets of the Widow's Son, to which I am totally absorbed in. It's not a novel nor does it have a story line. Rather, it is "a spellbinding, speculative journey into the world of Dan Brown's next bestseller" written by investigative journalist David A. Shugarts. It is a book of facts. Not my usual reading but I am pleasantly surprised that I am actually enjoying the book.

Sighs....as if spending money on 5 books in one go is not enough, there's another bookfair going on as I write this. I'm so torn, as to whether I should go and risk spending more money, or forgo the fair and regret missing all the books that I may buy should I have gone. Hmmm.....I'll most probably cave in and go for the fair. But heck...it's good to buy books as they are investments. Besides that, I'm not the only one reading the books. There's my mum, sis, grandmother and even aunt who will all share the joy in reading the books.

Oh well...as I fight with myself on whether I should go for the fair or not, I think I'll go back to reading my book and see what else I can learn from the book. More knowledge on the Illuminati, Freemasons, the Holy Grail....

Horrendous drivers who don't deserve to be on the road

This year, I prayed to have good luck for me and my family. But ever since the year started, we've been having a phase of bad luck!! Accidents after accidents have happened. First, mum's car was hit by a motorcycle, completely denting the door and smashing the window. Then...just about 2-3 weeks ago, my car got broken into, ending up with a stolen CD player and also a smashed window!! If that is not enough, mum lost her purse just a few days ago.

To add salt to all that...having returned to the parking lot after getting our hair trimmed, my sister and I found that my front car bumper was on the ground!! There were people surrounding my car as we approached and the moment I saw the car bumper on the ground, my heart fell. WHY??? NOT AGAIN!!

The culprit was an Indian lady named Indra. She was supposedly reversing her car out of her lot, and instead of pressing the break, she pressed the accelerator, "bumping" straight into my car!! I can't even call it a bump coz the side of the bumper is actually broken, so is the small signal light. She was apologetic and said that she would bear the entire repair cost. Fine...I had no problem with that. The problem (with her) occured when we had to drive to her mechanic's workshop (he was already there by the time I reached my car).

The workshop is located at Jalan Perak and INDRA...made a whole fuss about not knowing where the place was, she's not familiar with Penang etc. In the end, I told her to follow my car, which she did at the speed of a snail!!!!!!! I had to constantly keep her in my review mirror for fear that she would be lost!!

And then....having reached the workshop and straightened out the matter, she had another "blonde moment". She apparently didn't know how to go home to Tanjung Tokong. By now, I was pissed! I mean..it's so obvious that she's just acting. So I asked her if she was from Penang. Her reply? Yes, she's from Penang but she "hasn't been back for a long time". I so don't believe her!! I also found out that before she hit my car, earlier in the day, she had already hit someone else and dented her car. She said she managed "to avoid that" but I guess by "avoiding" that, she increased her bad karma. She even told me that once, she had driven all the way to a place without putting her handbrake down!! God....she soooo does not deserve to drive!!!

After complaining and complaining about not knowing how to go home, the mechanic who I think had heard enough told her that he'd lead her back to Komtar (coz she said she only knows how to go home fomr Komtar)!! What bullshit!! She could not even do a simple 3-point turn to get out of the workshop. The mechanic had to do it for her!!

People like her should not be allowed on the road. I know that accidents happen. But if you were to talk to Indra woman..you'd understand my frustration.

***

Anyway...I was relating all this to my uncle and he said that currently, the Indian astronomical signs/planets are changing its course. Therefore, everyone is being affected. I hope he's right. I don't think I can stand another ordeal!!

Day 2 in Singapore

My second day in S'pore started with us having breakfast at the foodcourt behind the apartment. Since I tried the Chicken Congee the day before, this time, I tried the Fried BeeHoon. Unlike in Malaysia where the Beehoon is the only thing that you order and eat, here in Singapore, you have a choice of adding veggies, crabstick meat, luncheon meat etc. Being used to eating just plain beehoon fried with a bit of beansprouts, I didn't know what to add to my order. In the end, I took some veggies and a meat-roll thingy.

After breakfast, we walked around the apartment block to take some pictures and just exercise our legs. There was a kid's park, an exercise area for the old folks and a stony path where one can walk barefoot to improve the blood circulation. Still being child-minded, I headed straight for the monkey bars and managed to prove that I am still as flexible as ever!!

[Me showing off on the monkey bars]

Once I had my fill of picture taking, we headed home, had a bath and then our day REALLY started.

We first headed to Mohamed Mustaffa. It's not unlike our Mydin here. It's opened 24 hours and it's HUGE!! I got some souvenirs for my mum, sis and Trish and by the time we finished browsing the place, it was time for lunch.

Lunch was at a very interesting place nearby. I say "interesting" coz the restaurant is named....

Haha!! Uncle Stephen and Aunty Lita soooo wanted to take me to this restaurant ever since they found it!! Of course, the restaurant is an Indian restaurant and so we feasted on capatis and pooris.

Once lunch was over, we took a cab to Orchard Road. Now...the last time I was at Orchard Road was more than 10 years ago and my oh my...has it changed!! Well...I can't say that it has changed much coz I can't remember how it was the last time!!! Anyway, we walked through Orchard Central, took some pictures, then headed to the "never-ending" escalator ride up to the roof!! It was one escalator after another, just going higher and higher, so much so that the cars on the road looked like ants!! Despite being nervous standing above so many other buildings, the view was great!

We then took the MRT to the Ang Mo Kio Hub. It was where we were supposed to take the bus to the Night Safari. We walked around a bit and then ended up at the food court for tea. At around 5pm, we took the bus to the Night Safari.

The Night Safari was a nice experience. The entrance to the place itself was impressive. Everything was animalistic, from the decorations to the food eateries to the dressing of the people there. Unfortunately, we were only allowed to take pictures of the animals without using the flash on our cameras and so whatever pictures that I took came out dark. I did get some nice shots of the area though. :-)




By the time the Night Safari ended, we were all tired. We took a nice bus ride back to Ang Mo Kio Hub before getting on the MRT and heading home. It was a really tiring day but one that I would repeat at any time!!

I had a wonderful wonderful time in Singapore. It would have been nicer if my sister was with me and if the stay was longer. Now that I've had a taste of Singapore, I'm definitely going back for more!!

Thanks to Aunty Lita and Uncle Stephen for the wonderful time!! Love you guys!!

Back to Singapore after more than 10 years

The last time I was in S'pore...well...I can't remember anything from the last time I visited S'pore. Other than the fact that my dad was still in the band, my sis hadn't even started kindergarden, my mum had long hair and I was in primary school. The last time I was here, I visited Sentosa Island and the zoo. I sat on the cable car, walked on Orchard Road during Xmas and had my first taste of a hash brown.

More than 10 years later, armed with my OWN passport (my sis and I used to share one with my mum), I am back in the country where everything is FINE!! hehehe....

Taking the morning 7.30am bus from Penang yesterday, I arrived in KL at 11.40am, was picked up by Aunty Lita and headed straight to grandma's house for lunch. There was Rendang Prawns, Spinach soup and Black Pepper Chicken waiting for us when we arrived. As usual, everyone commented on how I look (i.e. no weight gain from the last visit), asked about how apah, amah and Vay were etc. After lunch, we went to look for a money changer but none were open as it was Maulidur Rasul and 99% of the money changers here in Malaysia are Muslims.

Aunty Lita and I headed back home to have a short rest and also pack our clothing into one bag for easy travelling. Jared managed to come home for a very very short while, then he headed off to work.

Since our bus to S'pore was at 6.30pm, we had a light tea/dinner of Roti Telur and Roti Bawang before we boarded the bus. We also bought nuggets just in case. The KL-S'pore bus was something. I had my own AV set, complete with headphones. Unfortunately, I fell asleep while watching a movie and decided instead to listen to music the rest of the way. Upon arriving at the S'pore immigration, we were "detained" there for nearly an hour as one Dubai passenger had problems with his passport. Finally, he was detained and our bus was allowed to leave. We arrived at the S'pore bus station at around 1am, took a cab straight home and just got into bed.

I got up at around 8.20am today. Just as I finished brushing my teeth and washing my face, Uncle Stephen came home from work. :-) The three of us then walked to a nearby foodcourt for breakfast. I had coffee and chicken congee. As the portions of food here is big, Uncle Stephen had to finish my congee.

After breakfast, we headed back home where Uncle Stephen went to sleep, while Aunty Lita and I got ready for our outing. We first visited Uncle Stephen's mum, who lives in a nursing home. She was surprised to see us as she was not expecting any visitors. It's my first time meeting her and I must say...Uncle Stephen is the spitting image of his mother. Not only do they look so alike, their characters/personality also match. They both love to talk; they both love to laugh; and they are both loud! :-)

After spending about 45minutes with her, our next stop was Uncle Maurice's apartment. He lives on the upper most floor of the building and his apartment was instantly recognisable, what with all the plants outside his gate. Entering his apartment was like entering an ornament shop. It was filled with pictures, statues, plants etc. If entering his apartment was an experience, entering his room was like entering a mini Catholic gift shop. He had small figures of Jesus in places, Catholic scriptures/booklets everywhere, frames and frames of pictures of family members...I refrained from touching a single thing for fear that if I did touch just one small thing, there would be a whole domino effect!!

We had a Chinese lunch with Uncle Maurice, after which we headed to buy numbers. After walking back to his apartment and taking some pictures, Aunty Lita and I took the bus and headed to Toa Payoh for some sightseeing and shopping.

From the numerous taxi and bus rides I've had since I arrived on the island, the cleanliness of the entire city is spectacular. The roads are so clean, you can't even see a single dried leaf!! That's how clean the roads are!! Besides that, every building is so neatly and cleverly painted that ALL the buildings look new and clean. It's really pleasing to the eyes. Of course, being new to S'pore, I had a small problem when using the travel card. Nothing major or anything but funny enough to be told. You see, the travel card is for convenience. When you board the bus or take the MRT, you just have to tap the card. Unfortunately for me, I "tapped" the card at the wrong part of the machine and I thought it was not working. I was so worried that the bus would just close its doors and continue driving on before I could get down. I kept saying "the card's not working, it's not working" and I must have had a funny look on face coz Aunty Lita was laughing!!

That evening, the three of us headed to Changi hospital to visit Uncle Rufino (my grandfather's eldest bro). He had been admitted the day before. There, I met his wife Aunty Shirley, his daughter Jacinta and her husband Tyrone, and their two kids Naomi and Clarissa. This was the first time I've met all of them. I'm really glad that I managed to meet Uncle Rufino (or uncle Nonoy as he is known) this time. He's already 78 and with his weak heart and declining health, this may be the last time I get to see him. Now...there's only one other Soliano brother that I've yet to meet and that's Uncle Frisco.

After the hospital visit, we headed to Downtown East for dinner. We went to a place called the E! Hub. It was like a mini-Genting, with all the games and food courts.

As the day was long, we headed straight back home after dinner. Tomorrow is another long day. I'm not really sure what the plans are yet but there's the Night Safari that we'll be going to tomorrow night. Then it's back to KL on Monday morning. Sighs...

Happy Birthday Amah!!

I'm writing this 3 days earlier and posting this on the day when one of the most important person in my life celebrates the day she was brought into the world. [I'm not sure why the date says 20th when it should be 23rd]Though the number that tells you just how long she's been in this world may seem old, in reality, she's as young as some 20-year olds. In fact, my friends say that she's younger and more hip than ME!!

Here's wishing my mum, amah, a VERY VERY VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

E - elegant

S - sensitive

M - motherly

E - entertaining

R - rockin'

A - adorable

L - loving

D - daring

A - always around

Red packets, Mandarin Oranges, Hearts

It's February 14th and this year, the day is extra special. Not only is it Valentine's Day, it is also the first day of Chinese New Year. So it's double celebration everywhere. For some friends of mine, it's triple celebration as their birthdays also fall on the same day!!

It's a long weekend, so naturally everyone's on holiday and travelling. Relatives of mine are no exception. 3 of my father's 11 siblings are back in town. So we kind of had a mini-reunion yesterday. Before that, my family and I were invited to our neighbour's reunion as it has been their practice to invite us every year. This year however, the food served was slightly different. Instead of the aunty usually cooking the whole meal, they catered. What did they cater?? Indian food!! Prawns, chicken curry, mutton kurma and Briyani. But then again, it's not something surprising as 90% of my neighbour's friends are Indians!! It was like there was a Deepavali celebration last night!! :-) Oh...and I got an angpow!!

Today, one of my colleagues was getting married. So for the first half of the day, I was in Bukit Tengah celebrating her wedding. It was unfortunate that my camera decided to go crazy today. I was so looking forward to taking pictures!! I'm not sure if it's the battery (coz I loaded new ones in) or the camera itself.

Being single, I've no plans tonight. I'm not even sure what I'm going to have for dinner since almost every Chinese shop is closed!! Tomorrow, I'll be driving across the sea to visit Trish. It'll be my first time driving to her house and surprisingly...my dad did not object!! I also have Yean Ling's house to visit but am not sure when I am going to do that.

Sighs...so far, I've been eating so many oranges!! It's as though oranges are going to be extinct!! I'm always like this during CNY. I just eat and eat and eat oranges. And then for the rest of the year, oranges are out of my diet!! :-)

I'm still waiting to eat Kuah Kapek and the sticky "Tikoi". Usually my neighbours will give us a plate of goodies but as I am writing this, I've yet to receive it. :-(

Oh well...as I wait to receive the goodies, I'll just go and eat more oranges........

Here's wishing everyone a HAPPY VALENTINE'S AND HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR!!

Usual catch-up

So I met up with one of the few friends that I have in my life - Trish- for dinner yesterday. The meet up was long overdue. Though we SMS each other and chat online everyday (during work, hehe), it's not the same as meeting up and talking face to face.

She picked me up at around 7-ish and since we had decided (earlier in the day, online, while I was at work) that we would have Tandoori for dinner, we headed to the Tanjung Bungah Ananda Bahwan. Yes...it's a long way from where we both live but then, we can't get the same environment anywhere in town. We of course do have to pay slightly more for the food, but heck...it's only once in awhile. Plus, the food is good.

Our meetings/catch-ups usually lasts for hours. If sitting in her car and chatting alone takes 1 hours (everytime), whatmore should we expect when we have dinner? :-)

We had a lot of food: Cheese Tosai, 2 Tandoori Chicken and nan, Briyani rice, ice-cream and drinks. Of course, by the end of the meal and night...I was stuffed!!

We chatted as we waited for our food to arrive; chatted as we ate our food; and chatted as we left the place. I think we sat through at least 2 groups of people, who came, ate and left the table beside us. HEHE!! It's no wonder we got "chased" out of the place once, a long time ago!!

Our meeting this time round lated about 4 hours. I suppose it would have been longer, if she did not have to drive all the way back to BM.

When I reached home, after changing into my pajamas and cleaning my teeth, I immediately fell asleep!! This, despite me having drunk coffee the entire dinner!! I woke up this morning feeling so AWAKE and fresh!! My body must have needed the rest. I can't even remember if I dreamt or not!!

Well...that's another entry in my blog. I'm not sure how I'm going to keep updating my blog when nothing exciting happens in my life. Sighs...

Valentine's and CNY is approaching. So let's see what happens.

55 years and still going strong

[Dad's the one on the right - with the guitar]

It's my dad's 55th birthday today and I'd like to wish him a VERY VERY VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Muax!!

100th entry - Not a good week

This is my 100th entry in my blog. I would say that it is indeed an achievement as I never thought I'd have so much to write about!! Haha!

Anyway, this is not a happy entry.. Since last Friday, things have not been going well. As I said in my previous entry, I got sick last Friday and that ruined all my Thaipusam plans. Then there was the accident on Sunday which sort of crippled my family as we then had to survive and juggle our life with one car. Ok...I just re-read that sentence and it makes my family sound so ungrateful. I mean, the fact that we have two cars doesn't mean we live in luxury. The two cars are a necessity. But I digress.

I went back to work yesterday after being on MC for the first two days of the week. It was nice to go back and catch up on the gossip. After all, what's work without gossip? It was back to usual. Work in the morning till 5.30pm, then home to watch AI and Glee. [Just to side-track: I actually bathed with cold water last night coz it was so damn hot and I couldn't stand it. For those who don't know me, cold showers and me don't get along. It can be hot outside and I'll still bathe with hot water. But to actually break my "normalcy" and bathe with cold water...that's something!! Climate Change!!]

I woke up as usual this morning. Got ready for work, read the newspapers, had my cup of Milo, waited for mum to get ready coz she was sending me to work. Then....the car wouldn't start. Thinking it was out of petrol, dad went to get some but that did not solve the problem. After many futile attempts at trying to start the car, I had to call the office to inform them that I was on emergency leave. And all this is happening on my dad's 55th birthday!!

I'm not sure whether the Gods are testing us; whether it is fate that we all are to be together on my dad's birthday; or whether we're just having a bad start to the month. What I know is, this has been a bad first week of February.

I hope that as the weekend arrives, things will get settled; and by the time Chinese New Year comes, we'll be doing much better.

Damn! I got it!

Damn it!! I caught the sick bug that was going round my office!! I've been sick since Thaipusam eve which was bad coz I had to stay home and couldn't follow my relatives as they made their way up to the hilltop temple. I was feeling slightly better on Thaipusam day itself, so I managed to go see the kavadis and to the temple t pray.

Sunday was bad as I could hardly stand straight. My head felt so heavy, my nose was blocked and I was constantly having a coughing fit!! I practically slept the whole day. To make matters worse, mum got into an accident. A motorcycle hit our car on the driver's side and the window completely shattered. Mum was ok, thank God!! But the window and door are wrecked! To add to that, eventhough we were not at fault, the fact that we got hit by a MOTORCYCLE doesn't seem to matter as MOTORCYCLES are NOT LIABLE!! What kind of law do we have??!! In additonal addition, we've got to spend money due to some 3rd party mumbo-jumbo!! Gosh!!! And then the car insurance and road tax is about to expire nest week!! And due to the accident, we'll lose the NCB which actually saves us some money. But now we have to pay the full insurance fee!! Sigghhssss...........

I've been on medical leave since Monday; mum has not been to the shop for the past two days; and dad has been running around trying to settle the insurance claim etc. What a hassle!! I'm not sure how it's going to be tomorrow when I return to work: coz I'll be taking the other car. Unless of course dad wants to send and pick me up.

The weather has been soooooooooo damn hot!! I'm pretty sure the weather has contributed to my illness and also the tense feelings among everyone at home.

Dad's birthday is this Thursday and he's turning 55. What a week to go through before he reaches that milestone!! I'd thought that he would be retired and living comfortably. But alas, that is just a dream. Sighs.

I hope things settle before Thursday and my dad will at least be able to breathe easier.

Oh well...

Sick

I haven't had the inspiration to update my blog ever since 2010 started. Nothing exciting has happened so far although I told myself that this year, I should be doing exciting things.

I've had added work given to me at work; work that is urgent, which means I've to juggle my time completing everything. Then, there's my impending one-month exposure trip to the Philippines in April, for which I am half-excited and half-dreading. I definitely want to visit my "mother" land after having spent a month in India in 2008. This will give me the opportunity to improve my Tagalog, eat Balut and learn about the other half of my race. My sister is sooooooo jealous so much so that she has said that she'll hate me if I actually made the trip there!! hahaha!! Well...that's still two months away and anything can happen in that time.

Thaipusam is on Saturday. I'll not be vegetarian or be carrying any milkpots this year. Although I have the urge to go bald every Thaipusam, I never do it. I have a fear of my hair not growing back EVER..and then what?? No way am I going to risk it!!

Dad's birthday is in a week's time. He's going to be 55. Mum's birthday is also in February and she'll just kill me if I mentioned how old she is. Hehe!! She's one year younger than my dad!!

My sis just finished her exams and so she'll be on leave for the next few weeks. She has said that she would be spending her time polishing up her driving skills but just how much she improves, remains to be seen....

Well...that's all for now. I think I'm coming down with a cough as my throat is soooooo irritated. There's a bug going around in the office. I hope I haven't caught it.

2010

OK...so here's my first entry in 2010. As I said in my last 2009 entry, I have made no resolutions this year and already...I feel free!! Haha....actually...I feel a bit apprehensive. I don't know what is in store for me; I do not know what to expect. I like routine to a certain extend. However, to me, the unknown is always scary. It could be a good surprise (like me winning a million ringgit!!) or it could be bad. Either way, not knowing what the future holds for me is rather frightening instead of exciting.

As I look back at 2009, I realised that I need to do more exciting things. I feel as though I've led a rather boring existence. But at the same time, I'm afraid to step out of the comfort zone that I've build around myself - either at work or socially. That has to change.

Maybe this year I'll go speed dating. Or para-sailing. Or go on a holiday. Learn a new language, maybe Spanish or improve my Tagalog. Anything. It's not a resolution I'm making. But rather, it's something that I feel I want to do so that I won't regret not doing it.

I'm 26 this year. That's 4 years to 30. I want to do something/or a few things before I turn 30. Since dating 100 guys before turning 30 seems to be out of the question, I'll have to look for other things to do. Hehe... :-)

Oh well...that's entry No.1 for 2010. Let's see how many interesting entries I'll post up this year!