The year that was...2011

Another year has come to an end, and what a year it has been.

The year started with me changing positions at work and getting a raise. From being a programme assistant, I became and still am a research and personal assistant to the Executive Director. In addition, I continued being part of the PPT team, which would later achieve judicial success in India. I'm proud to say that my background in law really helped! I've questioned my qualification and the path that I've taken since graduation. Am I wrong in not wanting to practice law? Should I have gone on the expected path instead of taking the road less taken? My work and achievement so far have somewhat quelled my doubts.

April was a really tough month. Bad news plagued my family and I was in a quandary. I questioned my decision in continuing to work in an NGO. While I am quite happy with my job (of course there's the occasional unhappiness), there are times when I wished for a better paying job. Do I give in to being materialistic or do I settle for what some people would say is my "safe" world? Finding something new is not easy. Working in an NGO apparently doesn't count as experience but rather it's just character building. Nevertheless, I thought it through, made adjustments to my budgets, stuck with my job and in the end, managed to survive and still save $$.

Back to my quandary, a family talk was held. Emotions were high; there were tears, shouts, silence...sighs. After much discussion, a solution was reached. But still, I could not breathe a sigh of relief. There was still much to be solved.

June came and I turned 27. I had a new hairstyle and the day was spent with family and close friends.

August saw Vay turning 21. There was no big celebration but a small gathering was held at the shop. "Small" soon turned into quite a crowd. Vay had her first HIGH moment from drinking wine, and Kiran experienced the camaderie at the shop for the first time.

September saw Kiran, Vay and me registering to be voters. Up til now, we have yet to check the status of our registration. Hmmm....

October was Deepavali month. This year, Vay and I decided to make murukus on our own, without any help from our mum and grandmas. We bought all the ingredients, borrowed the "machinery" and enlisted help in the form of Kiran and Trish. It was a great success! We all had fun and the murukus turned out better than we expected. My grandmas even said it was better than theirs and bosated this to my uncles!

November was busy busy busy! I was to go to India for two weeks and I had just three weeks to prepare. So much preparation and I don't mean packing my clothes etc. It was work! It would be my first time in Bangalore.

The first 12 days of December saw me galavanting around Bangalore and Kerala. I had decided to take a short trip after my event in India. I returned to Malaysia on the 12th, got sick for about a week, went back to work for a few days and then went on leave. The office shut down on Dec 24th and will only re-open on January 3rd 2012.

Looking back, I feel like I've been through a lot. Stuff that made me grow up, mature and made me look at things from a different perspective. I've had to take charge even when I didn't want to; I've had to be firm and be "the parent" at certain times. I've had to make difficult decisions and be the "cruel" one for some people's best interest. I've also resumed/begun concentrating on the positive.

This way of thinking, which I attribute to The Secret, had in ways impacted my life. I find it easier to think rationally in times of hardship and somehow...in the end, things always turn out right. Coincidence or not, I don't know but I am not going to spend time analyzing.

Two really wonderful things that I simply must highlight for this year:

1. Mum's health
Got a shock when we found out that her pacemaker battery had died and that she needed to replace it, an operation that would cost at least 20K. The happy news: went for a 2nd opinion and was told that she did not even need the 1st operation. Mum can live without a pacemaker, at least for the next 10-15 years. She's healthy and she's fine!

2. Dad's book
After writing his book for about a year, and after much quarrels and delays, things are finally in motion! The first edited draft is ready, meeting with sponsors are on-going (one has already agreed)...I see light at the end of the tunnel.

So...as the New Year begins in less than 12 hours, I look forward to greater things happening. A raise in my salary, maybe. A new job, who knows? A boyfriend...HAHA! Well...to great things in 2012....

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Last day in Bangalore

So on our last day in Bangalore, Rosmah and I wanted to make the most of it. We had yet to get our fill of shopping. Plus...we had a bit more work to do.

Having reached Banaglore at about 7am that day, we headed back to our hostel, washed up, had breakfast and then we were out.

We first headed to the money changer, then off to Commercial Street we went! There were lanes and lanes of shops, so much so that we got confused! I think we walked around the whole area at least 3 times. We managed to do some shopping but of course, we were not satisfied but we had to settle with what we had as time was running out. I shopped till I had almost no Rupess left! We walked so much, I felt as though I spent so much and yet...when I look at my purchases, it didn't seem like much! :-(


Anyway...we returned back to our hostel at around 4-ish and settled whatever work we had left. After that, it was time to wash up, check our packing and off to the airport, where we had dinner. It was a bitter sweet time for me as I felt that, just as I got used to living in Bangalore, it was time to return home.


I can truly say that I enjoyed myself there eventhough the first week was stressful and hectic. Though I was really dreading the trip, I now admit that it was worth it. :-)

Visiting Family Friends

Like on all trips, I had to make the customary visit to family friends. This time, it was KAru sitepa's ex-colleague, Narasimhan Uncle, who is originally from Chennai but happened to be living in Bangalore at this time. He was working with my uncle for the past few years and had only returned to Bangalore on Oct 2nd. He had resigned from the company as he apparently couldn't stand the work ethics of the Chinese people here.

My uncle had given me his contact information, asking me to call Nara Uncle should I face any problems. But prior to my trip, my uncle had already emailed him, informking him of my arrival. So how could I NOT at least call him and say hello?

So I called him either on December 4th or 5th which was like 10 days after I first arrived. I apologised for not calling earlier etc and he said that if I couldn't meet them, he and his wife would come to the hostel to meet me. No way!!! So I compromised and said that, I'd call him once all my events are over and I'm free.

That day happened to be December 7th. I called him and we made arrangements to have dinner that night. He came in an Auto with his wife at around 6.30pm. We went to his house straight, where we had tea and chitchatted for a bit. We then met up with his daughter at a restaurant for dinner. After that, he saw off his wife and daughter, and then together we took an Auto back to the hostel. Customary visit all over and done with! *phew*

They even wanted to accompany me on my trip to Mysore and Kerala, but I managed to talk them out of it, using the excuse that I was travelling with colleagues and we had plans of our own. This was not true as we had yet to make any plans but still....! :-)

Still in Kerala...then back to Bangalore

It was already almost 2pm so the next stop was lunch. Since we were in Kerala, we wanted to eat Seafood. After all, Kerala is famous for it's seafood and having had only chicken and sometimes mutton for so long....seafood was a welcomed change.

Fasulu/Fasula took us to an eatery by the roadside, which was fine as many tourists and locals were also there. It was better than having to go to an air-conditioned restaurant or hotel. It just wouldn't feel local.

There were plenty of choices but we had to stick to our budget. In the end, Rosmah and I ordered prawn fried rice and spicy grilled fish. We had imagined finding big, succulent prawns in the fried rice but alas....much to our dismay and disappointment, the prawns were not small but TINY!! And then the grilled fish came. Hmmm.....I expected ikan panggang. Well....ikan panggang it was but let's just say it left much to be desired.

After lunch, we were back on the road again. Fasulu/Fasula took us to see the Kochi Synagogue. It is also known by the names of Cochin Jewish Synagogue or Mattancherry Synagogue. It is the oldest working synagogue in the Commonwealth of Nations. But alas....as it was a Saturday, the synagogue was closed. :-(

[Jewish Synagogue]

Next was The Mattancherry Palace, also known as the Dutch Palace. It features Kerala murals depicting Hindu temple art, portraits and exhibits of the Rajas of Kochi.

[Dutch Palace]

By this time, Rosmah and I were dying from the heat. If Bangalore was cool and windy, Kerala was so hot! And I was wearing a long-sleeved, slightly thick top with jeans, thinking the weather would imitate Bangalore!

We had to get back to the jetty by 4-ish, so after the Dutch Palace, we headed back to the jetty. Although it was still early (our bus back to Bangalore was only at 9pm), we decided to head back so that we could wash-up and get ready for the loooong ride home.

We missed seeing a few other places but the few that we visited was worth it. We also made a short stop at the Fish Market after the Chinese Fishing Nets and a short stop at Fort Cochin Beach. Many people told us to visit the famed Kerala Boathouse but as we only had a day, there was simply not enough time. One would need at least 2-3 days to enjoy the boathouse experience. It's like staying on a floating hotel. That's one experience I'm hoping to experience with my family.

Anyway...so we reached the hotel, rested a bit, washed-up and then headed to the bus station. Getting to the CORRECT bus station was another problem!

The Auto took us to the wrong bus station!! Thank God we left early, and thank God the correct bus station was only about say...1km away. So Rosmah and I walked all the way to the correct bus "station" which was actually a sidewalk on the main road!! I should have guessed that there was no bus station coz it was written on my bus ticket, "Platform 0"!! To make matters worse, the bus was nearly 45 minutes late, scaring both of us into thinking we'd miss the bus!

The bus this time was nicer and we did not have the last row. The almost 11 hour bus ride was smooth as the bus took the highway instead of the hilly road we came on the last time. We reached Bangalore slightly after 7am the next day.

Part 2

After breakfast, we headed down to the reception for some information; where to go, how to get there etc. Armed with what we hoped was enough information, we took an Auto to the local market, Broadway. The place was sort of like Campbell-Kimberley Street here in Penang. Rosmah bought two saree cloths that she planned to use to sew baju kurungs; I was still searching for things to buy.

After that, we took an Auto to the Main Boat Jetty, where we paid Rs.5 each to board the jetty that would take us to Fort Cochin. I was expecting to be seasick but alas…I didn’t. The boat ride took about 15-20 minutes, and upon reaching the Fort, we were immediately mobbed by Auto riders who wanted to be our guide. Armed with our experiences from haggling in Bangalore, I must say that we managed to get a good deal. Our Auto-cum-tour-guide, Fasula/Fasulu and us agreed on Rs.150 for a trip to all the tourist attractions.

[Main Boat Jetty]

First stop was the famed Chinese Fishing nets. Truth to be told, it was nothing spectacular. Rosmah and I stood around looking at these net things and there weren’t any fishes!! Apparently, it was not the fish season! *roll eyes*

[Chinese Fishing Nets]

After that, we were taken on a ride through what I would call the “landed-roller-coaster”. We went through small alleys and narrow streets, up and in potholes, bouncing our way as we passed the Jewish and Dutch Cemetery (I don’t know why this is a tourist attraction). Fasula/Fasulu even expected us to take pictures!! Of what...I don’t know! Then we stopped at St. Francis Church, the oldest European church in India. It was under renovation or refurbishment, so nothing grand to see.

[St. Francis Church]

Of course, on the way, Fasulu/Fasula made stops at expensive Kashmiri shops, “just for see”. Apparently, he gets one ‘point’ every time he brings customers to their shops. On our trip alone, he managed to get 4 points. He had wanted to collect 6 but Rosmah and I managed to stop him. We refused to get out after the 4th shop. It was just tiring and time consuming, having to pretend that we were interested. Also, every time we stepped into a shop and said we were from Malaysia, the reply was always “oh...Malaysia…truly Asia!!” Grrr!!

Fasulu/Fasula then stopped at a small local shop, where I managed to buy two tops. Yay! My first purchase, or rather second, after the holy strings I bought atop Chamundi Hills. After that, we were taken to the Spice “Market”, which turned out to be a small spice shop. There happens to be numerous Spice Markets, which are actually small spice shops. Market!!

To be continued...

Traveling in India - Part 1

So I am going to skip the remaining days of my stay in India and just jump to when Rosmah and I decided to extend our stay. After much thought and persuasion from the local partners, Rosmah and I decided to extend our stay for another two days.

With that decision made, plans to re-book our tickets were done in a hurry and cost us RM250. *cringe* But what the heck I thought. It’s not every year I’m in Bangalore.

Once we got our new tickets, we had to plan our itinerary for the next two days. We didn’t want to waste any time. Therefore, after asking around…a lot…we decided on this route: Bangalore-Mysore-Kochi, Kerala-Bangalore. Looks like a hurried trip and hurried it was.

So on Friday morning at 6am, Rosmah, Chela and I set off to Mysore, in our rented taxi. Initially, we thought we’d forgo Mysore as we were getting mixed reviews about the place. In the end, Mysore fitted our itinerary and I was ecstatic as I got to see the famed Mysore and Summer Palaces, temples within the palace grounds and a temple atop Chamundi Hills. We reached Mysore at almost 9am, had breakfast and then toured the city.

[Mysore Palace]

[Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace]

[Chamundeswari Temple, Chamundi Hill]

Rosmah and I then headed to the bus stop to catch our 5.30pm bus to Ernakulam (Kochi’s twin city). Since it was a last minute booking, we got the last two seats on the last row. And since the journey was through a hilly terrain, it was like sitting on a roller coaster for 11 hours!! Yes…we only reached our destination at 4.30am!!

In addition to reaching the place so early in the morning…we didn’t have a prior booking at a hotel. Thank God there was a decent hotel just 100 meters away. So we checked-in, had a bath and fell asleep. Waking up the next day at around 8-ish, we changed, had breakfast and our day in Kerala began.

Day 12 in Bangalore

So like I predicted, the moment my colleagues arrived, it was work work work. As you can see, I stopped at Day 5 and am now continuing from Day 15.

Once we moved from the apartment to UTC, everything was in full swing. The momentum just grew, and before we knew it, it was already December 3^rd morning – THE DAY!

Day one was chaotic! There was no proper organization, everything and everyone was everywhere….it was unbelievable. Not everything was bad though. Things went as smoothly as it could under the circumstances. Many people were helpful, although sometimes, too many cooks spoiled the soup.

Day two was better. Things were more organized, people knew what they were supposed to do; we managed to find a rhythm. Of course, the photocopying and printing was constant. In fact, I was still printing up till the last day of the Tribunal!!

Day three was more relaxed. It was the ending of the testimonies and presentations and it was only a half-day event. My duties were not over though. As I was in-charged of taking care of the jurors, my problems started as soon as they started deliberating! The printer we provided to them was not working and it took Rosmah and me three trips to 9 Marks Inn to fix the printer. And still….it did not work!!

Day four was supposed to be a fairly free day for us but no….Rosmah and I were up super early to get the damn printer fixed!! Thank God for the spare printer that we had with us. If you’re wondering why we didn’t replace the spoiled one with the spare one….don’t bother asking…it’s another story altogether.

Day four was also judgment day. After years of blood, sweat and tears, it all came down to this. Was the tribunal going to decide in our favour? Were we convincing enough in our evidence and calls for justice? Did our messages get through to them?

Judgment: The tribunal found in our favour!! YES!!! Almost all my colleagues were emotional. Even the lawyers had tears in their eyes. It was a momentous occasion. We all know how hard we’ve worked towards achieving this, and to have our work validated and recognized….what a feeling it is!!

The renowned law professor Upendra Baxi mentioned that the indictment was really good. The jurors had initially thought that the indictment was written by the lawyers. Upon finding out that it was not them, but rather us at PAN AP who came up with 274 pages of solid facts and evidence, they were highly impressed. Upendra even said that it was worthy of 3 PHDs!!! Now that’s a compliment I’ll take to my grave!!

Post-tribunal: we had a de-briefing session. Boss gathered all 5 of us to thank and congratulate us for a job very well done. I was especially singled out, quote “Shakun…you were the best! Everyone was jumping on you to get this and that printed and all, and you just kept cool. It was good that you managed to keep cool!”

The four days just flew by. Up until now, I still can’t believe that the tribunal is actually over!! I was supposed to leave on December 9^th, but having talked to some people here, Rosmah and I decided to extend our stay till the 12^th. This would give us ample time to go sightseeing and shopping. This was such a last minute decision and I haven’t even given thought to the added expense this would cost me. But I know that, should I not extend my stay, I would regret having miss sightseeing and shopping.

I suppose I can say that I deserve this short holiday and that the extra expense is a bonus for me.

BUUUSSYYYY!!

iSo my last entry was about Erwin and me waiting for my other colleagues to arrive. And since they arrived, it's been work work work non-stop! We sleep about 4-5 hours a day and are either out, running errands around Bangalore or stuck in the apartment sorting materials. Usual bedtime at the apartment was around 2am and we're all up by 7.30am.

After staying in the apartment for a week, we moved to the united Theological College. The place is so serene and green. It's just such a beautiful place. :-) Pics will be up once I am back in Malaysia. I wanted to take lots of pics but alas....there's just no time.

So the tribunal started yday and God was it hectic!! I hardly sat, walking up and down the hall, running here and there, doing this and that. But just imagine, I was in the same room with such distinguished people like Upendra Baxi (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upendra_Baxi), Gianni Tognoni and Ricarda Steinbrecher!

Day two (today) was much smoother and a bit more relaxed. I managed to sit down for most of the session. Lol!

Tomorrow should be equally, if not more relaxing as it's already the closing arguments and then the jury will deliberate.

There's supposed to be livestreaming of the event, so check it out: www.agricorporateaccountability.net, although the internet is just crazy!j

So...till I come online again!!! Namaskar!

Day 5 - early update

As Erwin and I waited for our colleagues to arrive, we got news that one of our colleagues was denied entry!! And that too the coordinator of this whole event!!

All because of a fact-finding mission that he was part of last year. It was in Singur, the police stopped them (I'm not sure if they got arrested) and apparently, that did the damage. It's on record and now, Gilbert is being deported!!

The danger of my job just got to me. We're all here on a tourist visa but are actually working!! I don't think anything bad will happen...but one can never be too sure!!

Geez....if this doesn't prompt me to make a move...I don't know what will. Gosh...I'm still reeling!!

Day 4 continued

So Jacob finally arrived at 2.30pm and we headed straight to get the folders. It was quite a long way, so thankfully he drive his car. He sort of gave me a tour. We passed beautiful buildings like the High Court and Parliament (if I'm not mistaken). Took pics but uploading will have to wait!

After getting the folders, we have to detour to the event venue to meet some people (all guys and old) but they were very fatherly. They were even impressed with my name and was telling me about the story linked to my name. :-) Then they commented saying how they old people were advising the YOUNG like me! And proceeded to rub my head! Lol!

Then on the way to the printing shop, Erwin called me from his local SIM!! Seems our SIMs were not activated coz we gave the wrong address!! We should have given our Malaysia/Philippines address instead of our Indian address here! Hmph! Anyway...YAY that it's working now!!

I reached the apartment at about 5.30pm, switched on the TV and came straight online. My days of solitude are about to end with the arrival of the other staffs late tonight. I'll try to update my blog as much as I can before I get separated from the internet.

I'm anticipating not stress...but rushed hours and days ahead....

Day 4

So I'm all alone in the apartment. Erwin has a meeting with some people and since I'm not needed, I opted to stay back. I was initially supposed to meet up with Jacob at 10am but he got delayed and only arrived at noon, where upon he only stayed for less than 10mins before rushing off.

I'm meeting him again at 2pm, hopefully this time he'll be on time. We're supposed to go check out the "bigger" printing house, check to see if the references are done and also get the folders. Hopefully this will all be accomplished today before everyone else arrives.

Since I'm alone, I went to buy some snacks and water. Jacob had shown us a small supermarket yday and so I went there. It's only one straight road from the apartment and then one right turn. Easy enough to find and not get lost.

I've been here four days already and still, I'm not familiar with the ways. Erwin on the other hand is like a native of this place. I suppose it's coz it's his 2nd time here.

I'm dying to take pictures but so far...there's no opportunity or I forget to take the camera. Plus...what's the point of carrying the camera when I'm alone? Who's going to take pictures of me? I sure as hell can't trust strangers on the road. Maybe when the team arrives and we move to a more scenic place, then I can take pictures. Sighs...

This is my update for now. I don't know if I'll update again later. I've been so bored with work that I've been youtubing bloopers and series'. Lol!

Day 3

So I got out of the apartment today. Jacob and Vasu (local organisers) came after lunch. We had a short meeting then we split into two groups, heading to different directions to do different things. But before that, I broke a mug; accidentally pushing it off the table when closing the laptop. Jacob commented that there’s an Indian saying that when someone breaks a glass/mug, there is good luck/something good is about to happen.

Well…I’m assuming the “good” thing that happened to me is that I finally got down to sending the over 700 files to be printed. I managed to get a good deal (with Jacob’s help) of Rs.1 per print on one side, so that comes up to Rs.2 per sheet. That’s half the price of the usual print. Also managed to look for some folders.

However, my joy and relief were short-lived as when I told Erwin (later on) that even though the printing rate is cheap, it’ll still cost a lot coz it’s over 700 files, with an average of 20 pages per file, he said Rs. 1 is expensive! Multiply that by roughly 3 copies each file…what do you expect? He said I should have gone to a big printing house as I’m bound to get it cheaper there. He said I am not assertive, and that he notices that I usually just accept things as it comes along. I take that as attacking my personality. I argued saying I did look around but he just refused to listen. In the end, my mood was spoiled. I told Jacob and Vasu about this and they both told me that the rate I got was as cheap as it would be. No other place would go lower even if it was a big printing house.

To ease my mind, Jacob agreed to take me to a “bigger” printing house tomorrow just to check the prices. He doubts that they would go lower than Rs. 1. Also, he and Vasu both said that Rs. 1 was indeed really cheap and yet, Erwin compared it to the rate in the Philippines!! Grrr!! Anyhow, I’m going to check the other place tomorrow just so that if anyone else asks….I can tell them I’d done my homework!

Dinner was good and I had my first mug of alcohol with Jacob. Kingfisher beer. I think I drank it the last time I was in Chennai. It’s not as strong or gassy as Tiger.

Sighs….chatted with Vay and Trish for a bit. Am still moody so I guess I’ll have to sleep it off. Other colleagues are arriving tomorrow night…so I guess my quiet time is over. Well…at least I’ll have some female support.

Boring Day 2

So it's Day Two of being in Bangalore. And well....BORING!! Spent the whole day sitting on the couch, in front of the TV and laptop, working. Going through more than 700 e-files has taken on toll on my back and eyes! I'm done with the files and no way am I looking at it again!! I'm just sending it out for printing. I don't God-damn care what people say or comment after this coz they weren't the ones coursing through 700 over e-files!!!

Lunch today was butter chicken masala and it was YUMs!!! There's still balance, so I'm having it for dinner.

Plus of the day was this morning when I Skyped with my family. There's no webcam at home but they could see me thanks to my laptop camera! First time Skyping with them and how wonderful it is considering my local SIM is still not working!! I don't know if I got cheated or I have to 'recharge' i.e. top-up my card.

I'll probably be going out tomorrow. There's an update meeting and that would probably be the last meeting before everyone else arrives and the market starts!! Sighs...I'm going to miss these quiet days of just sitting in front of the TV and working. No small talk. No pressure. No stress. Lucky Erwin is not a workaholic.

Time seems to be dragging. Every time I look at the time, it's still early. Hmmm...

Familiar sights and sounds

It's only been a day since I arrived in Bangalore and already, things are coming back to me. The non-stop honking of every vehicle on the road; the passing of the train, whether I am in the city or in the village; the imbalance in the number of men and women; the time difference; the food.

I was dreading coming to Bangalore but, I will admit that it is a change from the norm. Of course, there's no specific work hours or meal time. We just go with the flow. "Lunch" was around 4pm today and dinner for me was at 9.30pm. Also, I kinda like the 'tourist-sy" feeling. In Malaysia, I'm 'Indian' but here, I'm Malaysian. I look like anyone on the road especially here in Bangalore where the girls are fairer than the girls in Chennai. Not that I am THAT fair! But my dressing gives me away; and also the moment I open my mouth.

But then again, when I went to the money changer today, he didn't even ask for my passport or ID. Erwin had to produce his! Lol! I did notice some old ladies looking at me, probably commenting on my 3/4 pants and top. Well....I wasn't the only one dressed in modern clothes. Everyone, male and female were all in western outfits!!

One thing that I am proud of is the fact that I went out the whole day in 3/4 pants and 3/4 sleeved top with a jacket tied around my waist, and I didn't feel cold. I only felt cold in the Auto coz of the breeze. My mum was soooo insistent that I was going to suffer! Lol! But thank God for the heated shower coz the water is simply icy and I probably wouldn't have showered without the heater!! Well....I can't very well NOT bathe for 2 weeks! yuck!

So...day one is almost over. Day two is going to be work day; with the rest of the days being spent on more work. Sighs.

Let's hope that once the Tribunal is over on the 6th, I'll get a chance to go around and shop on the 7th and 8th. I REALLY want to see the big Shiva statue but I heard that it might be far away. Oh well..

Greetings from Bangalore!

Hello hello from Bangalore, India! So after much dread, I finally boarded the plane to India. Dear Trish took half a day off work yesterday to send me off. We had lunch together with my mum, then we went to fetch my sis from college and then headed home for a final pack and change of clothes. Dad also rushed back from KL just to see me off!! So sweet!

We checked in fairly early and I had nearly two hours to kill. But once I said goodbye to everyone, my flight to KL was delayed for nearly 40mins!! Aiyoh!! And of course...though I had a window seat, next to me was an Indian guy who thankfully didn't smell but was coughing and clearing his phlegmy throat the entire flight!! Ew!

Then when I reached KLIA, I had only a short time before I had to board the flight to Bangalore. That also...I was told the wrong gate and had to rush from gate 4 to 8!! Grrr!!

Thankfully, though my row was a three seater, it was only me and Erwin (my colleague) and he had the aisle, me the window. :-) I also had my own TV compared to the last time when it was a general TV right in front.

I had so many things to watch, read or listen. I could have chosen to watch HP7(2), Spy Kids, Toy Story etc. In the end, I chose a teen flick for easy watching. The flight was 3 hrs and 40mins, which could have allowed me to watch two full movies. But alas, I feel asleep.

Many people told me that Bangalore would be very cold. Sure enough, when we touched down, the temperature was 20 celcius. It was also raining but surprisingly, I didn't feel THAT cold. I could stand it.

Upon reaching the apartment where Erwin and I were to put up, I found that the place had no fan. Only air-conditioners!! Thank God there's a heater as the water is like ice!

I cooled my room for a short while before sleeping the whole night with the air-cond switched off. Not that it matter, coz apparently, the electricity kept going on and off.

This morning, after a short meeting with the local organisers, we went to walked to the event venue. After that...Erwin and I took an Auto to Brigade Road I think, to get our local SIM and buy water. Just looking for those two things alone took us nearly 4 hrs!!! There's no 7-11 or mini-mart where SIM cards and water can easily be purchased.

Plus...being a foreigner, getting a local SIM card is a hassle and it apparently takes 24hrs to activate the card. :s Also, we went to a few places to check out the exchange rate coz we needed to change our money.

Having skipped lunch, we ate at...McD's!! Lol...we figured that it's safe and that the next few days would see us eating solely Indian cuisine.

We walked so much today and also under the rain!! I'm hoping my legs won't punish me tomorrow and that I won't get sick. Touch wood!!!

Till my next entry when I find the time and when the electricity and WIFI permits me to do so.

Flying off again

Wow....how time flies. My last entry was about my preparations for Diwali and in a blink of an eye, Diwali came and went, my one week leave that I had waited for, for so long ended too. Now, I'm exactly a week away from returning to India.

3 years and 10 months ago, I boarded a MAS flight and went on my first single, overseas work trip to Tamil Nadu, India. In a week's time, I'll be boarding another MAS flight, this time to Bangalore, India. I spent a month in Tamil Nadu. This time, it's just two weeks.

Already I can feel the difference between the two trips. Back then, I had just started working and was a subordinate. An assistant. This time, I feel important (not that I didn't feel important back then). It's just that this time, I'm considered experienced. Having handled a conference where there were more than 1000 women, this time should be a breeze. After all, we're expecting only 300 people. Lol!

Also, back then, I stayed in a hostel-type accommodation, 2 hours away from the city. This time, I'll be staying in a service apartment, located in the heart of the city. Later, when I move into the college hostel which is nearer to the event venue, I'll still be within the city grounds. Not bad! Plus...Bangalore is supposed to be THE IT hub of India. Let's see how well my Internet connection will be.

Of course....since I'm soooooooo family oriented, I'm having a hard time digesting that I'll be away for 2 whole weeks. In a whole other country. In a different time zone. I suppose I got this from my father who always had this hard-to-leave-family moments whenever he travelled with the band.

But then...I'm sure I'm going to enjoy myself. After all, even though I'm there for work, everything is paid for! Food, accommodation, communication, transport. All I have to worry about is shopping money of my own!! Haha...not that I intend to splurge like I did last time. I'm not even sure if I'll have the time to shop. But I'll definitely get little souvenirs, as memories of my trip. Not forgetting lots of pictures!!

Well...I'm not sure when's the next time I'll write another entry. Perhaps when I am in Bangalore. Who knows?

:-)

Diwali preparations

Diwali, or Deepavali as it is known in Malaysia, is just two days away. I'm on one week leave and I feel as though the days are just flying by.

So two Saturdays ago, Vay and I decided to make muruku. For years, we used to go to my grandma's house to help make the muruku. Last year, we decided to make our own and well...it didn't turn out that well as it turned out too hard. Though we got all the ingredients right, we fumbled with the one "ingredient" that would hold all the other ingredients together: WATER. Our muruku lacked water. Lesson learned!

This year was Round Two. We were determined to nail it this time. We got all the ingredients (remembering that water was crucial) and this year...we had helpers!! Trish and Kiran volunteered to help shape the muruku i.e. using "serious-looking contraptions" to press the muruku into shape.

After scalding my hand while trying to mix the dough with my bare hands (the coconut milk and water had to be boiling), the dough was ready to be pressed. And this was when the fun began! As Vay and I demonstrated the right way to use the muruku device, both Kiran and Trish had the O-M-G look on their faces. Kiran kept "shrieking" as she tried her hand at pressing the muruku dough out of the device. Her device apparently had a "mind of its own" as the dough just kept coming out without her having to press anything. She got used to it after awhile.

Trish was the total opposite. Not only did she get used to the device quickly, she also managed to press out quick neat and nicely shaped murukus. Kiran too had her "moments of good coordination" and by that I mean, she managed to produce some nicely shaped murukus. Vay was in-charged of quality control and transferring the pressed murukus to me. I was solely in charged of frying them.

After 3.5 hrs of laughing, sweating and getting our hands dirty, we managed to make more than 250 murukus!! Now that's quite an achievement! But...I think the most important achievement was getting validation from my mentor a.k.a. grandma.

So after clearing the house and packing the murukus into tins and bathing, off to my granny's house I went. All my aunts were there and of course, everyone tasted. And the verdict?

Drum roll please.........

All gave me the thumbs up!! One aunt even said that mine was better than theirs, and they too had done theirs that very day. But the mother of all comments came from my grandma, who said: "Very nice. So next year, you can do for us also lah!!!". Woohoo!!! :-)

That was two Saturdays ago. Last Saturday, Vay and I did our clothes shopping. This was indeed last minute as we just didn't have the time and it has been raining every evening for the past two weeks. Anyhow....after inspecting every shop there was in Little India, we finally bought our clothes at Kamdar!! And that too with added discount!!

So we're sort of done with our Diwali preparations. We decided not to buy any cookies or cakes etc as we decided to save $$ this year. As it is, starting from yesterday, our days are packed!

Yday = birthday dinner

Today = Diwali BBQ

Tomorrow = Diwali eve and dinner

Wed = Diwali

Thurs = Diwali dinner

Phew....as you can see, it's all eat eat eat! Lol!

Here's wishing everyone a very Happy Diwali!

Me the hypochondriac 2

So I went to the Doc this morning, to check out my bump and also subdue my paranoia. The first thing the Doc said to me was, "It's not cancer". Lol! Ok...so I sort of knew that. I had been thinking more along the lines of swollen lymph node or blood vessels.

So he checked my pressure, felt my bump (which at first, he said it wasn't a bump) then proceeded to tell me that the whole area was swollen. It felt like a protruding bone. He said it could be an injury but I have not fallen or hit my head in recent times.

He couldn't help me much, saying that for things like this, I would need to go to the hospital to get a CAT scan or MRI. But he's pretty sure it's nothing serious and that the headaches are caused by my fiddling and pressing the bump.

He prescribed some painkillers and anti-swelling meds and told me not to worry.

Well...for now...I'll gladly listen to him. I think it's a mind over matter thing. If I can just ignore the bump and not dwell on it every minute of the day, I'm sure I'll be fine.

Me the hypochondriac

I have a grand-aunt who's a hypochondriac. She reads magazines, books, articles and has, somehow or rather, almost all the ailments that she reads about. From having agoraphobia to having heart palpitations. Sometimes it's just tiring listening to her complain or moan about her "ailments".

But then.....recently...and I stress...VERY recently...I feel like I'm turning into a hypochondriac. Last week, I found a bump on the right backside of my head. I panicked although it was not painful. I asked my mum and sis to feel the bump and they both said they could feel it. They said it was nothing and that it'll go away. But that didn't subdue me. I continued worrying coz I was also getting occasional bashes of short, sharp, throbbing pain on one side.

A week later and the bump has reduced in size but I continued worrying. The bashes of pain comes and go and the bump, although small , is still there! And it's nagging me!

Vay is close to smacking me as I'm constantly asking her to feel my head. My colleague and Trish told me it's nothing to worry about and it's probably an inflammation. But worry-wart me turned to Google; and of course, that's never a good idea. Results varying from brain cancer to migraine to tension headaches popped up, confusing me even further. Stress could be one contributing factor especially since I'm not the type to vent. Hmmm....

I'm pretty sure the pain is migraine, no thanks to PMS. But I can't neglect the bump! And....being the psycho that I am, every time I touch the bump, I feel nauseous. Geez!! So I've decided to see the Doc this Friday to check it out. I hope I don't have to have a CAT scan or MRI. There I go again!! He most probably will just tell me I'm insane.

But until I get it checked out, I know I won't rest well. And I'll most probably get beaten up by Vay.

WTH!

And I thought it was off my back. But noooo...........!!! What's with all the matchmaking??? Geez!!

There I was, sitting in a meeting that was supposed to last only 3 hours but was already way past the 3 hour benchmark and I get a call on my HP. It's from one of my aunts. I ignore the call. 10 seconds later, my HP vibrates again. It's one of my aunts again. I answer the call, thinking it must be something important.

Me: Hello
Aunt: Shakun, aunt so-and-so here. Are you busy?
Me: Yes I am. I am in a meeting. Anything?
Aunt: Oh...nvm. Call me back after your meeting.
Me: Ok.

So it's nothing really important. Or so I thought. Then...I get an SMS from my mum. Apparently, my aunt has found a groom for me. She called my parents to have a SERIOUS talk. The guy is apparently tall, fair, good-looking and is a cop who's about to be promoted. Uh-huh....I know my aunt's taste and I can just imagine how the guy looks. Just think, when I told her last time that I prefer guys with no moustache, she told me that guys with no moustache look like monkeys!! :s

Knowing how I feel and what I think about arranged marriages, my mum and dad called my aunt and said no. My dad told them that I'm not ready, now's not the time etc. My aunt had the audacity to tell my father that "there won't be another chance next time."

WTH???!! First of all, who cares if there's no "next time"? How/why is it their problem? My dad said that they're just being nice and CONCERN about me. PLEEAAASEEE-lah! I know them. When it comes to things like this, it's all about competition between the cousins and aunts. Oh...this cousin is married, this cousin is getting married next year, now it's your turn etc.

Seriously-lah, don't they have other more important things to do than meddle in my life? What is it about me wanting to be single that they don't understand? When they asked me during Raya when I intended to settle down, I told them point blank that I am not interested. Big mistake! I got a lecture on how/why I should have a life partner to take care of me; how I am at the "right" age and that I shouldn't wait too long etc. Geez!!!

I'm a very patient person and there are people who can attest to that. But I know that the one thing that will push me to my breaking point is all this matchmaking business. I told my father yesterday that if I hear one more time this issue of marriage and matchmaking, I'm going to tell them off. Dad told me not to upset THEM!! All this while, my sis and I have been the goody-two shoes; the polite ones. Wait till they see me angry. Their whole perspective and impression of me will change. And honestly, I don't care what they think of me after that. There's only so much dabbling and harassing I can take and sooner or later, I'm going to have to tell them to shut up! In addition to this, I'm also being harassed about being able to cook so that I can please my future husband and family. OMG!!!

Trish is so excited about this however. She wants to see the guy's picture; know who he is etc. Baliw!! You're welcome to him Trish but just don't get me involved!!

GEEZ!!! Leave me alone already!

Geezz

God! I can't believe how lazy I am to update my blog! Not that I have much to update anyway, but still.........

So the other day, last Wednesday to be exact, mum, sis, Trish, Sumayah (cousin) and I went for ladies night at SS (Slippery Senorita). As it turned out, since it was Merdeka night, there was NO ladies night but we still got in free. Of course....being the earliest there, we had the whole club to ourselves for about a half hour before the crowd started trickling in. As Prem was working that night, we of course had great service. Plus....dad's friends are the managers, bouncers, waiters etc, so we were constantly taken care of!

The Filipino band was horrible sadly but since I had good company and with non-stop alcohol, I had a great time. Believe it or not, it was my first time clubbing!! And that too with my mum present (and later on, my dad!!!). Being at the ripe "old" age of 27, and that was my first time clubbing! How ULU!! And....with parents around....who will approach us??!

Well....I guess it's because I've grown up around the club scene when dad was with the band. Plus, having parents that are so liberal, who'll allow me to drink and go out without questioning, I guess that's why I've never had the urge to go clubbing. I remember back in college, when my friends used to go out every night and I wondered what the great pull was?

In fact, that one night in SS was proof that I have not lost out on anything by not clubbing. I certainly don't mind losing out on being in a room filled with smoke; and then coming out of a club after that, all reeking of alcohol and cigarette smoke!! Ewww........my hair still had the smoke smell the next day even AFTER I had washed my hair!!

I don't think I'll make this clubbing thing a regular affair but I certainly wouldn't object to a once in a while clubbing. The next round is probably during Deepavali; plans are being made, but that's all just talk for now.

Sighs...I'm so not looking forward to waking up early tomorrow for work. My boss is not here, so that's a plus point but still....

Of piercings and tattoos

It's been almost a month since I last updated my blog and that too was to say that I have been so busy.

In truth, I am sometimes just plain lazy to think and come up with an entry. I don't lead a very exciting life, so talking about my everyday life is just so boring!

Over the past few weeks, I've celebrated my sister's 21st birthday (it's all on her blog), have been busy with meetings, workshops and trainings at work, and ... hmm...I can't really remember what else.

So I went out with Trish and my sis yesterday, and after much nagging and persuasion, I managed to get my sis to pierce her second ear hole. I got my second ear hole right after Form 5 and that's been like 9 years!! My sis has left school for 4 years and only NOW she's getting one. Lol! She says she feels like a rebel having two earrings on one ear! *roll eyes*

I wanted to get a 3rd one yday but the MILD OCD in me is giving me doubts. For those who know me, I must have everything in even numbers, else I'd feel weird. So having 3 earholes on my ear is making me think twice. But then again, if I get a 3rd piercing, I'd have SIX holes, and that's even! Gosh.....I sound mad! As of now...I'm still debating on whether I should get another piercing or not.

On another hand, I feel like getting a tattoo. Mum has no objections provided I tattoo HER name! Though I think she's just joking. However, getting a tattoo is serious business. One, there's the risk of getting HIV. Two, it cannot be removed (which I'm not worried about). Three, there's the cost; getting a tattoo is not cheap! So for now....I might just have to settle with permanent marker ink on my skin (and the risk of skin cancer) or the traditional henna. Hmmm...

I'd better stop here before I start rambling on and on and on....

In case I don't have another entry for the next one month...here's wishing everyone out there,

A HAPPY MERDEKA AND EID MUBARAK!!!

August

It's already August!! Puasa has started. My sis's 21st birthday is in two weeks; then it'll be Raya, then Merdeka. Before I know it, it'll be Deepavali and then Xmas!! Whoa.......time is indeed just zooming.......!!!!

Been busy at work. Rushing this and that. Plus there's this big Tribunal thing that is happening in India in December, so we're all gearing up for it. I've said that I don't want to have any work stuff here in my blog, but I can't seem to help it as work takes up half my time. Just the other day, my colleagues and I were rushing to finish a proposal. The call for the proposal came out about 2 1/2 months ago but due to delays and procrastination by a certain someone....we are had to bear the brunt of her actions!! We managed to submit the proposal on time so we can only hope that we get the funding.

On another note...my grandparents and aunt and uncle came for a visit!! It's been years since we all last saw each other, so it was great fun meeting up!!

Am at work now...curi-curi writing this...hehe....

Sighs....

I’m writing about this because I feel that I’ve endured it for far too long and no matter how many times I tell myself that I should not let it bother me, I always get affected anyway. I get irritated; I get annoyed; I become bitter. And I hate it when that happens.

--

I’m the type of person who likes to stay home. I read, watch TV, listen to music or sleep. I go out occasionally, when I feel like it and when the time is right. I like having a routine. I don’t have that incessant need or feeling of always wanting or having to go out. I’m not a social bee or butterfly or whatever. Being a homebody doesn’t bother me. I’m comfortable staying at home and having what some people would call, “a boring” life. Yes…there are times when I myself feel that my life is mundane and that everyone around me has a much more fun life, especially since I’m still young. But that feeling comes and then subsides like the waves in the ocean. If I want a change, then it’s up to me to do something about it.

This ‘complain’ entry has been long coming. I’m not sure if I have a similar entry written years ago coz I can’t remember (though I won’t be surprised if there is one). So…like I said above, I’m the kind of person who likes to stay home; and anyone who knows me, knows that. And because of this, I’ve gotten so much of crap comments about me being old, not fun, uncool etc. Some even say that I won’t meet anyone i.e. bf, husband etc if I continue this way.

I’m apparently older than my parents; so much so that people say I behave like I’m the parent and my parents are the children. Now…I’m blessed with having superb parents, who are not only open about everything, they are also fun, young (for their age), hip and they get along with anyone of any age. If anything, they are the best parents anyone could ask for. They are welcoming and people just flock to them like how bees flock to honey. Can I help it if I am different from them?

I don’t know if it is insecurity or jealousy or that I just have a warped mind, but there are times when I actually think twice about introducing my friends (the few of them that I have) to my parents. I know…sounds sick right? While I love the fact that my parents are so accepting and accommodating, and that my friends click with them so well, I tend to feel that after awhile, my friends tend to prefer my parents. After all, I’m the “old” one, no? The one who always says no and is as controlling and uncool as an 80-year old spinster. Even my own mum says I'm old and boring and have no life. Sighs. I’m always told that my parents are cool and that people are jealous coz I’m so lucky my parents are not like parents. Yes…my parents are great. Thank God!

What I don’t understand, is why people just can’t seem to understand and/or accept that I (and my sis to an extent) am a homebody. We are different from our parents. Just because they made us, doesn’t mean we are their clones. So I don’t go out so often. So what if (back in high school), the few times that I actually went out with my friends, we went to the State museum? It’s not coz we’re boring or nerds, but one friend in the group had not been to the museum and had wanted to go. I didn’t know we had to go clubbing or do the “normal-typical” stuff that teens do.

I know I turn down many invitations to go out and that me accepting one is rare. I don’t mind the many invitations (at least I know I am remembered and that people actually want me around) but what I really hate are the remarks. My parents always encourage me to go out; in fact, I don’t think they’ve ever said no to me whenever I wanted to go out. So, permission is definitely not a problem. Finance is an issue coz how can you go out and NOT spend? Yes…I admit that I rarely go out as I prefer to save whatever little $$ that I can. After all, emergencies have cropped up and these little savings are the saviours. And...I'm not complaining about this mind you.

All I am saying, or at least trying to say is this: do not compare me to my parents. They are from a whole different generation. Yes…they are the more fun, upbeat, cool type. I am not. We don't even have that much in common when it comes to having fun. Maybe that's why my friends like them more. Hmm...I sometimes wish that I was (and try to be) like them. Easy to talk to, friendly, approachable. But alas, I have my own personality.

Sighs…reading back what I have written above, it sounds as though I need to be lying down on a sofa, next to a shrink. :s I sound like an imaginative, childish, lunatic who has been cooped up in the house for too long. Maybe I do have a problem and I’m not seeing it!

Geez…do I still post this up now? I guess so.

[Disclaimer: This entry does not point to one person but to the public as a whole.]

Forgot

For awhile there, I had actually forgotten that I have a blog!! :s Crazy I know!! It wasn't until I saw my sis reading her blog, that I remembered about mine!! Lol!!

Must be "old" age!

Mistakes

I love English. In fact, English was my favourite subject in school, simply because it was one of those subjects that didn't need studying. As long as I paid attention in class and spoke proper (i.e. not broken) English, I THOUGHT I would be fine. I always scored As in English for every exam, so I thought that my English was fine.

That is until I started my blog. Ever since I started writing, there are almost always a few mistakes that would be found. From spelling to grammar to sentence structure. Even if I re-read my entry and double checked it for any errors, people would still find mistakes!!! Geez!!

Has my standard of English started to dwindle? Okay...now I'm getting paranoid. Is it "has my" or is it "have my"???? The MILD OCD in me is starting to run on overdrive. HELP!!!

Of course...I am grateful that these mistakes are pointed out to me. I continously do the same for my sis and she hates it! I guess it's good that we each have our own 'spell and grammar checker'.

Well...I hope I've written this entry with NO mistakes. If one is found...then I'll just have to shrug my shoulders and go "Oh well..". Plus...I consulted mum on a few "has my or have my".

Compliments

Today marks one week since I changed to my new hairstyle; and I must say that I'm still glowing/enjoying/beaming from all the compliments that I've gotten so far. I have received tonnes (hehe....that's just an exaggeration) of compliments and I can't stop smiling. Once again, I owe it to Trish. :-)

So two days after getting my new hairstyle...I washed my hair. And what do you know...my curls went missing!! Lol....instead of curls I now have waves. I got a fright when I saw the amount of hair that dropped while washing my hair. Must be all the dye-ing, straightening and curling cream. So I decided against using the foam thing that Trish kindly loaned me. Of course...she's been asking me ever since if I have tried the foam thing yet. I haven't Trish!

Some people prefer the "new" hair without the curls. Personally..both suits me fine. But I'm leaning towards the wavy hairstyle as it's so much easier to maintain. Just wash, dry and run fingers through hair. Hehe! How lazy!

Vay says I've become vainer. I have to agree. This is the first time I've had a side fringe and it's kind of irritating having the hair cover your eyes. I keep pushing it away from my hair. I don't want to push it up for fear of spoiling my straightening. I know....terrible isn't it!! Plus...I keep checking to see if my parting is straight and that my hair is ok! Gosh...what have I turned into!! Vay can't stand the "new" vain me.

I like my new hair and the new length. Mum says it makes my hair looks healthy, full and it's nice. So I've decided to maintain this hairstyle for awhile.

Now that I've changed my hair, Trish wants me to have another make-over i.e. make-up and nails. I'm still resisting coz I'm so not the make-up and nail type of girl. I don't even know how to put on eyeliner let alone a full set of make-up!!

I suppose I could start wearing skirts...hell...no way!! HAHA... Extremely skinny, hairy legs are a definite NO-NO!! Hmmm...let's see what there is to change next......

Finally...

Finally...after much thought and going back and forth on my decision, I've done it. I've cut my hair! As I said in my previous entry, I have this phase every year, where I want to cut my hair. So yesterday, after having lunch with Trish, I got dragged to a friend's hair salon. I say 'dragged' coz up until we paid our lunch bill, I was still having second thoughts!

Anyway, so we went to the salon and after looking through a few books, we finally decided on a hairdo which we thought would suit me best. Shoulder length, with a side fringe. And since my hair is wavy, there would be curls at the ends. I straightened my fridge though so that it would slide down the side of my face and not curl up and give me a "curtain". This was the first time I was applying any chemicals to my hair (besides dye-ing my hair, that is). We reached the salon at about 2.45 and I was there until at least 6.30pm!!

Trish was soooooo excited and even took pictures of me in my various stages of my transformation! I don't think I'll put the pics up though coz I don't think they're very flaterring.

So, three hours and 45 minutes later...my hair was done. I had a new look. My reaction: I LOVE IT! I've always either had short, boy cut hair or long hair. I've never had shoulder length hair like this before. I actually feel girlier. Lol! And....Trish paid for me!! She said it was my birthday present! How sweet! We have this tanding arrangement that we would not get eacho ther gifts since our birthdays are just one day apart but then...she broke the agreement this time. Not that I'm complaining. THANKS TRISH!!!!!

When I went to the shop with my new do, everyone said it was a nice change!! :-) They said it made me look younger, much to my sister's horror! Now she's got even more reason to be angry at me! Well....dear sis....you can cut your hair too and then you'll look younger!!! :P

The result:

Change

So every year around the same time (well...more or less) I get this intense desire to go through a change. Change in hairstyle that is. I had short hair all through my high school life and then I decided to keep my hair long through college. At the end of my final year, my hair had grown to almost my waist! The last time I had hair so long was probably back in Std. 5!!

Anyway.....every year I visit the same hairstylist, almost always just trimming my hair to shape it. I don't want to go back to having short hair though some people say I look nice in short hair. To me, short hair will only emphasise my long, small, thin face and long neck! I'd end up looking like a match stick.

So I'm back in this phase again! This time it's before my birthday. After having gone through the dilemma of "should-I or shouldn't-I?" I've finally decided that I want a change!! Hahaha...mum and sis says that my hair is nice enough; dad always says no to going to the hairstylist, so no point asking him; Trish thinks that I should get a change coz she's seen me with the same hairstyle for the past 5 years it seems. But I disagree!

I think I want a slightly shorter (probably shoulder length) do this time; and since I have wavy hair, my waves/curls would cover my long neck. I also have to change my parting. I've been advised numerous times to maintain a side parting but the moment I leave the hair salon, I'm back to center parting. This time, I vow to maintain the side parting. I want to have that sexy, side falling hair! Lol!

Anyhow...now that my mind's made up...I can't seem to find a proper hair salon. Mum advised me not to return to the same hairstylist for he just repeats the same hair style for me every time. The one I want to go to is only free in early June!! Plus...I have to look at my budget. I don't intend going for haircuts costing above RM50.

Sighs....let's see how my search goes. Ironically, every time I go through this change phase, there is always a delay. Either I can't find the time or the hair salon is not available etc.

Hmmm...

Of being lazy

Hey Hey....so I know I've not updated my blog with interesting entries lately. Not that there's been much to write about. I've just been lazy. After spending 8 hours a day, 5 days a week on the computer, I don't feel the need to log on to a computer during the weekend. I think my eyes need the rest too.

Therefore, I've decided that I'll only update my blog WHEN I feel like doing so. I doubt I have many readers anyway, so no one is losing out. And from the chat messages I get on my chatbox, I'm sure my blog is viewed as a passing glance by people who have too much free time on their hands.

Hmmm...

Too much things on my mind

I know I said I'd have a proper write up about the Marathon Tribute, but I've decided that I'm just too worn and lazy to do it. The pictures on my FB should tell you how it went. Plus my sis did a pretty good entry on her blog already. So no need for repetition.

I've had too much things on my mind lately...I'm about to explode. I think maybe this is one of the reasons why I can't put on weight. Worry, stress and good genes!

I found a pendant of Lord Ganesha today in my office garden. Probably dropped off someone's keychain. I saw it while walking out for lunch. It was still there after I came back, so I picked it up. I don't know if it's ok or not to pick it up...but Lord Ganesha just happens to be widely revered as the Remover of Obstacles and more generally as the Lord of Beginnings.

He also happens to be my Family God. And at this point in my life...He's just what I need - remover of my and my family's obstacles and beginning of good times ahead!

Music Marathon Extravaganza

Had a fantastic 12-hour music marathon yesterday,mingling with the who's who from the Malaysian music industry. Old friends of my dad's, all musicians, came up to Penang for the event and it was blast. Great music, great company, great time!

The highlight of the event for me personally, was when my dad took to the stage in the wee hours of the morning, during the jam session. Joined by oldtimers, dad was back in his element, solo-ing on the guitar to the cheers and applause of the crowd.

I didn't realise how much I missed seeing and hearing him perform, until I saw him play last night. Zul from the Headwind band first took to the stage and after a masterclass performance from him, he introduced dad, who showed that he was just as good if not better! :-) I couldn't stop smiling and cheering! And I could see that dad was very much enjoying himself.

Vay recorded his playing and though it's a bit noisy, you can still hear him play. I'm having a tough time uploading it to FB though. I'll have to find another way to share the video.

More on the event in another entry.

Books...glorious books

My favourite event of the year is back: the Popular Book fair!! Every year, for the past 3 years, my sis and I have been regular visitors of the fair. And every year, we return home with an armful of books! No regrets as it's money well spent!

This year, we came back with 7 books. Most of the books were cheap, from RM5 onwards.

The books we got:

1) Wish Upon a Star - Romance

2) Uptown Girl - Romance

3) Love Bug - Romance

4) Going the Distance and Running the Risk - it's a bumper omnibus edition

5) The Last Gospel - another "Dan Brown" type of book

6) The Last Secret of the Temple - Thriller

7) INXS: the official autobiography

As you can see, my sis and I pretty much stuck to the same romance-dan brown genre. The last book is more for my father since he has a similiar project in the works.

Sis and I found another two books that we REALLY wanted to buy and though they were on discount (20%) it was still too expensive. They were new books. We even called my mum to ask her if she could buy us just ONE book but she said it was too expensive. :-( I guess we'll have to go to Leo books or Book Xcess to find if they have the cheaper version.

Anyhow....7 books will probably keep me occupied till my birthday in June, depending on how fast I read the books. But I am content with my purchases for now. :-)

Brother(s)

It's on my Facebook; I've also written about "it" in a couple of entries here. My friends know; his friends also know. All in all, it's Facebook official.

What am I rambling about? Am I finally in a relationship? *grin* No! Lol...rather the question should be, WHO am I talking about?

Jared Cheow. Jared John. Jared Soliano Cheow. Whatever he chooses to call himself, my sis and I simply call him BROTHER.

Yes, he's Chinese. Yes, he's from different parents. Yes, he looks different from us. But that's where the differences end, for as much as we are different, we are in fact much more alike.

To the world,, he's my cousin; to us, our brother. We grew up together; played together; laughed together; MADE FUN of our parents together! Fights? None that I can remember of. Though two years younger than me and four years older than my sis, Jared is very much the bigger brother (and I don't mean his size!).

We keep in touch through Facebook and SMSes; and though we rarely call each other due to our schedules, we never fail to meet up whenever one of us are in each other's hometowns. He is the son my parents never had; and my sis and I are the daughters his parents never had. Jared is also one guy I know who will always be there for me.

But...

Unknown to many, I have another brother. And come March 1st, he would have been 21. No...he's not my sister's twin.

Eric Joseph Cheow. Son of Douglas and Lita. Brother to Jared, Vayshna and me.

A fair boy akin to a mat salleh boy, with brown hair and a cheeky grin. I barely remember interacting with him, though I vividly remember being told that he always had to have a small pillow behind his head whenever he slept in the "buaian". I also remember him having his pacifier always pinned to his t-shirt.

Eric left us too early; choosing instead to go up and accompany his father and maternal grandfather. I simply believe that he got his 'key to freedom' much earlier than us. Later, he would be joined by paternal grandfather, great-grandfather, granduncle and great-grandmother. A congregation of great people above, watching us. And amidst them, a young, fair-skinned boy, running around, laughing, playing.

I remember him every March 1st, always wondering how it would be if he were still here. Would he and I be close? Or, would he and my sis gang up and attack us, the elder siblings? Or, would he and Jared gang up on my sis and I? What would most probably happen is the four of us joining forces against our parents!! Now that seems more likely!! :-)

And so...while my sis and I grow closer to Jared, our brother on Earth, I believe that the three of us can be assured that, not only do we have our great Father and relatives above us, protecting us and showering us with blessings, we also have our brother in Heaven, looking down on us, smiling, laughing, watching...loving us.

And as much as we love and miss him, I'm sure that Eric knows. And with that knowledge, I'm comforted.

Happy Birthday

To the most wonderful person I know:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMAH!!

Here's wishing you many many more years of good health, happiness, success, love and wealth!

Muax!!!!

Xin Nian Kuai Ler!

Tong Tong Tong Cheang!

Here's wishing all my Chinese family and friends,
GONG XI FA CAI!!

May the year of the rabbit bring you much joy, happiness, success, wealth and good health!

:-)

2011

It's the 4th day of the first week, of the first month of 2011! This is my first entry of the year and I hope that there will be more to come.

I decided last year that I will not be making any resolutions this year. It's not because I've failed or broken any of the resolutions I made for last year; I managed to tick off a few and there were one or two that was not achieved. Nothing major but still...

So it's been kind of a hectic first week. There's a 3-day meeting going on now and thankfully...I'm not involved! This gives me the time to ease back into working life (after a 10 day break) and get back to routine. I was fine on Monday, managing to get up early without any hassle. But Tuesday and Wednesday proved slightly difficult as I was tired upon waking up in the morning, despite sleeping early the previous night!!

It's Thursday today, which means tomorrow is Friday!! For those of you who reads my blog and is my friend on FB, you'll know that Friday is my favourite day of the week. Lol!

Well...I don't have much to say except that I had a blast during Xmas and New Year! I hope to have a blast all year through!!

I have one major matter that I hope to achieve by mid-year or at least end of the year; it's been on hold for quite awhile now and I think it's time to jump on it again. I'm not saying what it is for fear of jinxing it...but WHEN I do achieve it, there will definitely be an entry about it!!

So wish me luck!!