Mum, you would be proud soooo of me!

Dear Mum,

Am very sorry that I have not written for so long. Well you know lah, I prefer to “story” you directly, then I can add in all the sound effects and the drama gets better! But today I have to settle for just typing them down je lah. Not that I really have much of a choice anyway..

Saturday went quite well, I think, despite some misgivings. You will be proud to know that I behaved myself! And very well, I must say. Although there were times when I was really tempted to explode – who in their right minds would accept “Congratulations on your new Mum” when I already have one? New? Did we just buy her off a supermarket shelf or something ? You mean we can actually get NEW Mums? (I know that first-time mothers who had just given birth are called New Mums, but that’s a different story la kan) Hey, just because Dad has a new wife, that doesn’t automatically make her my NEW Mum. Hmm somehow it doesn’t sound right.. oh yeah, but I held my own and graciously replied with “Que sera Sera”….and a grin! I doubt that many would not understand that one, eh? Or understand it even.. hehehe

I took a really lonnnng time getting ready, dressing up for the event. Well, Dad wanted me to play hostess, as you know already, not that I kenal half the people there la kan, the people from the surrounding areas. Adik-beradiks I can do. Thankfully the ratio was like 1:10 with 10 being the number for adik-beradiks. Many of the family couldn’t make it, as coming from KL would be rather difficult and then nak balik pulak dah late night. Nak book hotel kat situ pun, you know lah the limitations kan. Dah la pulak Monday tu holiday, but Perak only! This part was where I was a bit sensitive when orang tanya.. eh apasal nak balik Ahad jugak? And I sweetly answered “Abis cucu kan semua kat KL.. Monday sekolah kan?”. And to the remark that “Laaaaa you look exactly like your Mum!” hehehe compliment tu, Mum, that made it pretty clear everybody remembers you, rest assured! Well, and THAT was also pretty much why I didn’t make an earlier appearance to greet the 400-odd guests! But then again, it DID too contribute to a much grander entrance hahaha.

I wore a black kebaya with gold-ish kerawang, with the gold diamond kerongsang, of course! Oh and kain batik with sequins (uggh. Yeah, I know, I know) Didn’t have time to ikat any of your batik lepas, I would have loved to have done that though. Then a lot more people would be shocked to see me (you). The kain batik that I wore was already sewn - I bought it ready made. I remember watching you ikat the batik lepas dulu whenever you were going out to a function with Dad.. the sanggul and then the kebaya pendek sulam. And how you used to scold me when I re-enacted you dressing up – doing up a French bun, pulling the sarong to tighten it and finally putting on the baju and the pins hahaha but you enjoyed my little dramas and over-acting, I know . Oh yes, before the baju was the eyeliner and lipstick. Last baru baju kebaya. And the corset-girdle or whatever it was called, too. I can only maintain the eyeliner – can’t leave, won’t leave home without it. After all, I have been wearing eyeliner since I could walk! I don’t need a security blanket or pacifier, eyeliners are more vogue! Oh and did I tell you someone asked if I was protesting, since I wore black? To which I replied, sweetly as always, “Oh this is so I can show off all of Mum’s old jewellery!” Hahaha. You really should have been around to see their faces. Splatt.

The DJ (yes, for the life of me I couldn’t figure out why there was one as it was so inappropriate) started to spin and loudly commented on the ceremony, guests, lights, plates, food and everything under the sun, to which I promptly despatched Abang Atan (yay!!!) to go and silence him before I went to shut him up myself, with some violent actions! Anyway he went quiet but started up again when the lights died. Hmmm this time, I did go over and threatened to shoot his brains out if he was going to turn the event into a stupid circus. Well, that was what I WANTED to do, but I AM your very well-behaved daughter and was not about to create a scene; besides which I didn’t have a gun anyway. Bummer. Now THAT would have been fun!

So all in all I think it went quite well. The newbie was friendly; she wasn’t obtrusive at all and let me have my lights and glamour! Oh well, I knew some people were surprised that I had not kicked up a major fuss (apparently I was entitled to, what a waste that I did not know of it!), seeing that I was the only daughter left, the youngest in the family AND plus the fact that I had not met her until that evening itself! Oh well, in order to make the event move-flow-whatever, nicely, and to SHOW that I was sane in mind and knew perfectly what was going on around me, I told Dad I’d take charge of the moneys involved in the customary gift. And I worked very well within budget too, with a lot of help from some very good friends. (Remember my friends from school, Mum? The boarding school ones lah. The ones I was so engrossed with on the first day of school that I didn’t bother crying when you left me there, when you were bawling your eyes out driving away with Dad in the car.. hee hee sorry Mum) They are still a bunch of very good friends, my sisters, and I am proud to state that you also managed to have met them and enjoy their (then) silliness. Shhh, Mum, don’t tell them I said silly ok, but we were, back then, all of us, and fun to boot! You would be very pleased to know that my friends have all grown up to be fine ladies with professions to be proud of, they manage homes, families, companies, hospitals, the army, the internet, the traffic (both on the ground and in the air, mind you) and fight for what we believe is right. Excellent people, you know.. and they are MY friends !!!

Ooh, I started talking about the Newbie and I veered off towards my favourite subject, ME! Oh well, SHE is OK I guess, of course expectations are never one-sided. But you know Dad. What, 65 years? Hehehe you loved complaining to me about his negative traits, simply because you wanted to announce the fact that you have been together for sooooo very long. Don’t think I didn’t know that trick! I can always spot them from a mile off, remember ? And this is not just about Dad and us adjusting to her, it is also about her accepting us all as we are, as we always have been. It always has to work both ways, kan? Well, as I have been saying every time, “Que Sera Sera” (I also remember you singing that song). My take on this all is to ADD to memories and adventures of our family’s life, not to remove and replace. There is no replacement as there never can be. And to compete with something that has already been, is simply pointless. New expectations can be set, but of course within reason. Easier said than done, I know, but I think you do see my point kan? No need and reason for theatrics lah in this case, ye tak? Buang karan je nanti pun..

Err, Mum, my fingers are now rather sore from the typing... so I hope you don’t mind if I stop here for now. There are definitely a lot more I want to tell you about, but I would probably write another time. So for now, just rest assured that everything will be fine, so not to worry. It just needs a bit of adjustment and changing the status quo from denial.com to acceptance.com. Don’t worry if you think I’m not speaking proper English again, this is just me being playful. Which as always is what I enjoy when telling you stories. I miss doing that you know, telling you stories, exaggerating the scenarios, and hearing you and Nyah laughing and giggling your err, heads, off.. And I will be OK, Mum, InsyaAllah. Really. Don’t worry about me. Worst thing that can happen to me is that I’ll just simply have another nervous breakdown. Hahaha, that was a joke, Mum ! Relax will you?

Bye now, until next time, I love you!

My Birth Month Quiz

You know the many tests and quizzes on Facebook? They can get to you, yeah? Well I did another one.. this was fun - there were a few questions (if I could fail, I think I would have, ha ha ha) and then the results came out -- tadaaaaa! Here goes.. and I obviously could not resist responding in my own fashion. Itchy fingers. Go on.. read it and see if you think this fits me. I mean, the Quiz's evaluation..

So I’m a May child and after some of the pertinent questions.. (the image is a bit blurred tho')

Different pair ? REALLY ?

Following my recent footwear fiasco ~

This really happened. At work - I asked my colleagues, AND at home with the kids and the maid!

When i asked the GUYS, it went more or less like this.....
"look ! look at what i have on today !"
"errr... what am i looking at, exactly ?"
"my shoes, lah"
"errr... ahaaaa.... so ?"
"i got the wrong pair on !"
"errr.. really ? i can't see the difference?"
"issshhhhh... one black, and one is brown, lah"
"haaa ? really ka ? nampak serupa je.. ok la tu"
"eh, mana boleh, kan lain ? kena tukar aaaaa"
"lerrrr... kaler dah dekat samer, ok la tu"
"eh, pesen dia pun lain lah oi.."
"mana ? takder pun ? aku tengok samaaaa jer ?"
"laaaa tengok betul betull, kan ke the black pair is slim flat toe, the brown is rounded..."
"ye ker ? apsal aku tengok cam sama je pun ?"

Showed (ALL) the girls....
"look ! look at what i have on today !"
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAA..... HOW COME LAAAAAA YOU........ "

So my conclusion ? Girls will always come out tops in detailing :) .. AND we're definitely sharper !

Not content being a Gemini, I'm also ESFP !

I was curious and (re)took a new Personality type test. I'd taken one sometime in late 90's in order to find a job area that was best suited to my personality then. I can't exactly remember what the results of that test were, but I don't think it would have strayed much from what I am today.

So, the results ? I am an ESFP. What's that then ? Ok, I'm putting my results description of What and ESFP person is like. They share the same description with an ESTP person:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dominant Extraverted Sensing
ESTP & ESFP What is it like?
By Danielle Poirier
www.RebelEagle.com
© copyright Rebel Eagle Productions


Extraverted sensing types are pragmatic and realistic with a zest for living life to the fullest by way of multiplying experiences. Always on the alert for what needs immediate attention or what might provide a bit of action, excitement or entertainment, they engage quickly with their environment. They seek and enjoy freedom, are good-natured, direct, and tolerant and are often the ones who provide levity.

They have a way with dealing with people on a very equal platform and are not easily star struck. Rank, celebrity and status mean little when they are face to face with another individual.

On the job, they appreciate having the right tools and are quite ingenious at finding ways to fix and repair things with dexterity. They love variety and are curious and adventurous, enjoying the unexpected. Their brand of extraversion is one of deeds rather than words. As long as things are moving along, they are happy. They like to keep things simple and immediate, going with the flow. They are helpful in very concrete ways, providing the correct tools or specific service the person requires. They often have an uncanny ability to respond appropriately in cases of emergencies, often having excellent reflexes. They act without thinking. They also tend to have natural mediating skills.

They are attuned to the environment and the myriad colours, textures, sounds, beauty and the sensuousness of it all. They are quite graceful and agile while moving through their environment. They love having fun and if things are too quiet they may provide the entertainment or distraction. They learn by imitation and are keen observers. They teach through example. Their attention will always go towards whatever provides the keenest impression on their senses.



(You can access more info off the net if you Google with MBTI. I used the test result from the online test I took on Cognitive Style Inventory© most recent revision 12/12/06 - Ross Reinhold, INTJ www.PersonalityPathways.com. The information that I have put here is just a bit to introduce the idea)


(Another extract on a summary for what an ESFP person is like from http://www.capt.org/mbti-assessment/type-descriptions.htm)

ESFP

For ESFPs the dominant quality in their lives is their enthusiastic attention to the outer world of hands-on and real-life experiences.
ESFPs are excited by continuous involvement in new activities and new relationships. ESFPs also have a deep concern for people, and they show their caring in warm and pragmatic gestures of helping. ESFPs are typically energetic and adaptable realists, who prefer to experience and accept life rather than to judge or organize it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

There you go. However, this of course does not define me as a whole ! There's still a lot to consider - the Gemini factor, the Wow! Factor (hahahaha), the alignment of the Moon and Stars when I was born, the Islamic Calendar date, the Gregorian Calendar date, Living and Growing environment, my Loves, Health, the Weather, the Feng Shui elements, and whatever Other Elements that a person is able to study and refer to. I am complicated and will always be. I will myself keep learning a new little bit of me everyday for as long as I live !

Come take my journey with me. Until I know who I truly am, bear with me !! :)

Durian oh Durian

I have always loved durian. Eaten fresh from the kulit, with santan and nasi, buat kuah pengat durian with santan and gula melaka.. Yum !! Also like durian ice cream and the cake variant. Teringat when I was about 7, went to my neighbour's birthday party. Came home gushing to Mum about how lovelythe cake was - durian cake ! Mum called up Auntie S and asked her for the recipe and baked me one - but I said it tasted different, and it wasn't the same one. Well it obviously was not THE same one !

Had some durian last night, Zahir wanted to eat the last one that we had and he got makcik to open it up. He finished the last piece just as Abtif asked for his ! Ouch.... And Adik said he had not had any either.. hee hee so told Zahir to drive out to the main road near the masjid to buy some more, and to ajak Tok to pick. Off they went and brought home 4 big ones. And he returned me the Rm50 I had given him - Tok belanja durian tonight!

2 of the durians were still young, kulit still hijau and tak nampak pun the belah yet.. so it was the pisau for them. That's when i got my durian thumb - got poked by the thorn of the big one. My bad - i should have 'smacked' the torns down earlier before attempting to open any of it.. but the durian flesh was yummy ! no 'gas' though, these were the siamese variety. The Malaysian ones would be more 'gassy' = yummy ! So Bapak had his fill of durian with rice - made some santan for him and he added a sprinkle of sugar to go with it. And malam ? He cannot tidor because too 'panas' hahaha I made sure I had some water in the 'kulit' durian - put drinking water into the skin cavity where the durian flesh used to be, and drink the water. This is a 'petua' ( loosely translated as 'wise action as practiced by the elders and handed down as advice') for reducing the heatiness in the body caused by eating durian.

I never asked for this

Why must we have to keep painful secrets ?

Why must we have our own skeletons in the closet ?

Why must we hurt in silence ?

Why must we endure all this pain ?

Why must we go through all this sadness ?

Why must we tolerate all this pressure ?

Why must we be calm in the face of all this tumult ?

Why must we be sensible and deal with all the introduced mayhem ?

Why must we understand all this confusion ?

Why must we be victims of other people’s blunders ?

Why must we suffer all this just to grow into better people ?

Why am I required to seek professional help in order for me to cope with the stress from all the problems that I never signed up for in the first place ?

Why ? WHY ? W H Y ???

Look East - O'shima in the Hicom Area

Went to lunch last week - I was craving for Japanese - nothing fancy though. There's this place (there were 3 actually!) around our workplace, and it was definitely catering to the large Japanese community working in the area, near the Shintetsu premises. The first one we went to looked really really really authentic, but I quickly noted a 'Non-Halal' printed on the menu, so we excused ourselves. They smilingly nodded understanding.

We decided to go to the one on the corner - 'Oshima' - couldn't check out the middle establishment as it was closed undergoing repair work. The four of us - R, Naf, Rie and I had a marvellous time picking out what we wanted to have. R went with his usual Sushi Set (he's been there a few times). Naf decided to try the Salmon Teppanyaki ('Yucky' went his face when he found the veg too raw for his taste). Rie loved Udon and Tempura and lots of Wasabi - so however the Udon and Tempura tasted it did'nt really matter as the Wasabi kept him occupied enough. I had the Chicken Teppanyaki (or something !) and was a bit disappointed with it as it was salty ! Too much kicap cair methinks..

what I had for lunch.. loved the Miso soup, but still too salty for my taste

I would probably go there again - for the other menu !! Ha ha ha.. Imagine a Japanese restaurant - authentic la, of course - got real Japanese people serving you, Japanese cutlery, beautiful Japanese decor.. - and having an alternative menu of TOM YAM ! Go figure...

You do have to give them some credit in respecting local tastes and flavours... or is it that the proprietors consist of people who married the two customs (adat) together when they took their vows ? I have heard of a lovely couple on the East Coast, the wife is a Japanese (nurse ?) and the husband is a Kelantan batik entrepreneur. They are living happily in a culture that they both love and will cherish. They do intend to ensure the cultures they have are lovely inheritances for their children.

Conversation with my small ones - 1

Adik	:	Mummmyyyy…. ? I think you better stop eating..!
Mummy	:	Why Sayang ?
Adik	:	Because you are getting soooo fat !!
Mummy	:	(*passed the realm of insult*) Oh well, what can I do? I AM getting old you know !
Abtif	:	(*ever helpful with suggestions*) Maybe you can exercise !! Abah always say we should exercise !
Mummy	:	But Abah also said Mummy is going through the phase where it is difficult fror me to lose weight, no ?
Adik	:	Soooooo I think my suggestion is easier.. Mummy just stop eating !
Mummy	:	Ok Mummy stops eating.. then ?
Abtif	:	Eh cannot lah, then Mummy will get tired and cannot fetch us from Kumon ! (*brilliant idea!*)
Mummy	:	I think I should resume going to the gym…
Adik	:	Yes !! Yes !!, Mummy go to gym !!
Abtif	:	(*fake whisper*) and we can go ice-skating….
Mummy	:	But there’s one small problem… this has stopped me signing up at the Calif Fit gym …
Adik	:	Apa tu Mummyyy ?
Mummy	:	Sekarang Mum call you from the office to remind you to do your homework, kan ? But when I get home, tak buat pun gak kan? I actually have to sit with you and only then you will start work…
Adik and Abtif	:	Err….
Mummy	:	So now imagine, camner kalau Mummy pergi gym lepas work, and come home late… will you do your homework at all ?
Adik	:	Mummy….. When can we go play Archery again ? *Blink blink* (*evasive manouver in progress*)

And she strikes !.. not....

Lovely sweet candies ? Hee hee the bowling balls we used..

Tuesday night bowling with the children.. my first ever run after 5 years! We missed bowling with the guys from work, as we got there late – I had to go home get my trailer… Anyway, my target was to score 50 hee hee miserable figure, I know.. but I managed a final of 87 ! Woo hoo ! BUT come Saturday…….

Adik	:	Uncle Kennyyyyy… we went bowling last night.. me and Abtif shared 5 throws each…
Uncle K	:	Ooh that’s nice ! Ok now, on with the warming up !
Adik	:	Uncle Kennyyyyy… Abah said we cannot go bowling because of golf !
Uncle K	:	Ooops… now.... you bowled with your Left hand or your Right ?
Adik	:	I’m right handed… so used my right hand lah !
Uncle K	:	You have to learn to use your left hand for this now on !
Adik	:	Whyyyyyyyyy ?
Uncle K	:	Because it’s going to affect your golf swing, that’s why ! Your Daddy says you can’t bowl, well, at least not with your right hand, ok ?
Adik	:	Maaaaa now we have to go practice with left hand ? Aiyooot that is sooo susah la Mama..
Uncle K	:	I started off with my right and averaged 195… After I took up golf I had to learn with my left, and now I average 193 with my left I’ll see you next Saturday for practice again Ok ?
Adik	:	Bye Uncle Kennyyyyyy… Eh, Uncle Kennyyyy smoking is bad for your health! You are not supposed to smoke !
Uncle K	:	OK – we’ll cut a deal.. You don’t tell my wife I’m smoking and I don’t tell her how bad your swing was today, OK ?
Adik	:	No fair ! I don’t know who your wife is and I don’t think she cares about my swing .. heee heee

Ok so there goes my right hand bowling games. I joined the guys directly after work Friday and you wouldn’t be surprised that my games were terrible ! Not that they are great to start with anyway.

We played 3 games –

27 (with 3 consecutive ‘0’ points to start with),

31 (with 4 consecutive ‘0’s)

and closed the night with 17 (5 consecutive ‘0’s!).

I took the children bowling again to try with our lefts and this time.. ha ha ha you should have seen the miserable faces ! The Girl was the most forlorn. She was soooo fed-up with the ball going down the drain not 2 feet from the line that she just dumped the ball then on. I did better this time round, although it was only the one game, scoring 56. Too bad I didn’t get a picture in time. We were having trouble with the lane all through out the game that when we ended and the guys next to us had the the same problem, the workers there went and reset our records instead!

Ouch my left arm is aching and my left thumb is now bruised...

"Aku tak dengor ??!!"

“Ma !. cepat call Tok. Tok dah ilang mana entah”

“Alaaahai, Tok gi mana ? Tadi kata nak suruh Abang bawak pergi Tabung Haji ?”

“Tu la, Abang turun lepas shower cari Tok takder, dia dah pergi Tabung Haji dulu jalan kaki”

“Abang kat mana ni”

"Kat Tabung Haji la. Tok takder sini”

“Ok you go back home and re-trace the route. Mama try call Tok lagi.”

“Abang kat mana ?”

“Kat rumah la, did like you told me to do”

“Tok ada tak ?”

“Takder aaaa..”

“Mama dah call banyak kali Tok tak jawab. Tok tu bukan dengar sangat kan…“

"Adoiiiiii how laaaa niiiii“

“Jap. Makcik kata Tok cakap nak jalan sendiri tu Tabung Haji. Okay. You go to Tabung Haji now and find Tok”

"Tadi kan Abang dah pergi, takder.."

"Go now, cepat. To the office belah depan tu”

“I don’t know where it is !”

“Ingat tak tempat Mama ajar Abang parking kereta tu ? Tempat buat 3-point turn tu ?”

"Haaaaa"

"Yang tu kat belakang. Pergi the other side facing Angkasa building, the office is there. Tanya la orang kalau tak jumpa !”

“So….how ?”

“Dah. Jumpa dah. Tok jalan kaki datang sini…”

“So did you ask him why he didn’t wait for you ? “

“Dah”

“What did he say ?”

“Apa dia ? Aku tak dengor ??!!”

“Hee hee hee”

We were panicking like anything because we couldnt find him. Worried because he is 86 and his hearing is not good. Not very sturdy on his feet as he would like to be... but his simple regular answer to my son's question can only make us shrug and smile .. Oh well ! He's safe - that is all we want to know ! Lessons learnt again and again ? Punctuality. If he says he wants to leave at 10am, and you are not ready by then, too bad for you !

Wow.. it's been more than a month !

It's been so long.. So many things have happened - and DIDN'T happen! Happy happy happy - the new dining table has arrived, to replace the old one. Got it in the same fashion, round and extendable so it can accomodate the whole family when we go home for Eid. Dad wanted to keep the old one "Still in good condition, la !" I said no. It's time to let go. You can donate the top - that is definitely still good, but the supporting bits are in terrible shape. Someone keeps on saying "ooh we can just repair this, bapak you have to do this, do that".. another someone always actually DOES the repairing so we can continuously use it, so I decided to just contribute to buy another one. The old one IS already almost 30 years old, after all ! Well-served and past it's time. Dad says, so is he..! he hee i said up to him lah to consider himself as what ever !

Sad sad sad - My sweetie couldn't make it home after all. His home Co's board meeting has been postponed indefinitely. Mad rush as he was supposed to fly home direct from AMS after his conference, tickets all ready. Imagine the mad rush to find tickets and accomodation to fly back to IFN on short notice! Bad enough the peeps at THR insisted that he get a visa to go to Europe on departure ! Malaysian passport holders DO NOT need a visa to go to Europe. Little did they know and wanted to understand ! A delay to the conference, obviously, even if they did compensate with a direct THR-AMS flight on KLM, with 3 seats allocated to him so he can sleep the night off; it was still a bad start, no ? Then it was a roundabout trip back to IFN being AMS-CDG-DXB(overnight)-THR-IFN.. fuh banyaknya codes.. I had my share of the action - did the online booking for my Sweetheart's stay in DBX. Good thing I wasn't yet asleep at that time. And since still not yet midnite, sempat transfer duit via MB2U sebab he had run out of cash. Abis nak makan kat DUbai kena pakai cash kan, as original plan he wud have arrived KUL by then !

Happy happy happy - went to visit little Justin of Emily and Chris for his full moon. The tiny one has gangly arms and legs and is seem to be on track to beat Mummy and Daddy at height and size. Congratulations, little one !

Sad sad sad - had a mad craving for Irani Kebab ! but the restaurant in YC Plaza is gone as the whole place is under reno, but happy happy happy again because we found the place on Jalan Putra to compensate. Not so great, hoping for better but enough to satisfy us for now. The Zaffron Ice Cream pacified us .. a bit ! Lovely !

Oh well so many things to be thankful for and I can't write it all here. More bits and pieces later I hope!

Tot Ziens !!

Hu hu hu....

I found this on the net at 40ana.blogspot.com :) So this is actually a reproduction from that site. Credits where due, ok !

The History of the Middle Finger

Here's something that you might not have known before.....

Before the Battle of Agincourt in 1415, the French, anticipating victory over the English, proposed to cut off the middle finger of all captured English soldiers. Without the middle finger it would be impossible to draw the renowned English longbow and therefore they would be incapable of fighting in the future. This famous English longbow was made of the native English Yew tree, and the act of drawing the longbow was known as "plucking the yew" (or "pluck yew").

Much to the bewilderment of the French, the English won a major upset and began mocking the French by waving their middle fingers at the defeated French, saying, See, we can still pluck yew! Since 'pluck yew' is rather difficult to say, the difficult consonant cluster at the beginning has gradually changed to a labiodentals fricative F', and thus the words often used in conjunction with the one-finger-salute! It is also because of the pheasant feathers on the arrows used with the longbow that the symbolic gesture is known as "giving the bird."

IT IS STILL AN APPROPRIATE SALUTE TO THE FRENCH TODAY!

And yew thought yew knew every plucking thing.