In a place of uncertainty..

Prologue:
I came home early on Wednesday - due to my mistake of not checking the phone before leaving for the meeting. I reached the door of the meeting room, only to find  out it is locked & grilled! Checked my phone - it has been postponed to next Wednesday.
I already switched off my PC at the office, and I need to send my boy home anyway, so we went home early - he got to play badminton with his friend & also ride the recently available bike while I got to watch a Korean movie.

Earlier in the morning, I already prepared the soup for kue teow kungfu and mixed the batter of egg & kue teow - ready to be deep fried. Messaged my eldest, told her to fry it when she wants to eat it.
Alas, she got stomach ache & went to work - no time even for breakfast of burger that I had prepared!

So, while I was watching the movie, she came home & felt hungry. I told her to fry that thing to eat. Just heat the oil in the pan & 'throw' it in! She called for the father to do it - I insisted that you have to try frying  kue teow on your own (she doesn't want even to fry keropok lekor coz of the oil splattering - BTW she's 20 & been in kitchen classes). She started to reheat the oil in the pan & all I heard was how she was never going to fry it again after this blablabla... the father came to the rescue while I pretended ignorance.

Thursday morning:
Again, the son's tupperware remained unwashed. I started to grumble loudly - why the father has to do everything? It is a simply duty cum responsibility that I want him (mind you, he is 13 yo now) to practice.
Since I got kinda mad, I messaged the father later during office hour. I said, this kind of behaviour is totally unwarranted. How long we, as parents, are going to do everythings for our kids? Is this the way we are preparing them for adulthood? And more bebelan continues...
His only replied, in short: will talk to the kids....and a long silence follow.

I felt a bit unsure and frustrated too ...why didn't he respond to me? Blablabla...

It so happened that yesterday was my housekeeping day at Iris -which I already asked permission the day before. So, I spent time at the other home- cleaning & thinking....and purposedly went home late - after 10pm.

I came in the house- already half darken - scary, everyone in their respective room. The father is sleeping..


Later in bed, I said sorry to him...I also said, I will not talk of this matter any more - for lack of response from his side. I thought that was the end of it.... eventually after some time passed by, he quietly said he already cancelled the kids' phone line - everybody!!! I was shocked!!! Why? I didn't ask for that extreme measures...all I asked for is for the kids to know their responsibility like praying on time, and together if possible, helping out especially when we go back to hometowns. What if they resent me - as the step mother? I am sure the kids will think that I am the one who suggested the idea.

Friday, today:
My son called while I was out picking up the 2nd and 3rd daughter from school. Where is his phone? I dunno...Last night he already asked his father, why his phone has no line - a cross sign? The father said, he simply has no money....

I don't know what is going to happen next ....I pray for the best! In a way, this is a good time as any -might be too late even - 3rd daughter is sitting for her PT* by end of this month. She still failed her History & Geography - new exam format - those are the known results. She passed her English but with lower marks. During the recent balik kampung trip, she didn't bring any books - while I brought along her Math & Science 2018 trial paper for discussion.
No. 2 still failed 1 paper while No.4 failed as many as 5 subjects for the mid-term exam.

Why I shall not lead..

On Saturday, my boss emailed me - asking me to go to a meeting on his behalf, at the Ministry on Tuesday - today. After checking my schedule (now is a busy three week for everyone around) and re-shuffled duties with my colleague, I said yes. He replied to his boss's secretary's email to put forward my name. Attendee(s) of the meeting is supposed to fill up a reply form.

On Monday late afternoon, I was waiting for some info - should I make my own travel arrangement? Is there anyone else going with me from other departments? The bigger boss's secretary didn't reply till today. I dropped in my boss's office to ask about the arrangement - 1. You can ask my secretary to help you - which she (temporary replacement) knows nothing about! 2. You ask either this person or that person who is in-charge of account & claims ...but they said it was already late! Almost 4pm & I was heading to another meeting elsewhere.

I am not manja or gedik but in my opinion, when you ask your subordinate to go to outside meeting in your place, you should have facilitate the process. For info, not everyone has a secretary.

Upon reaching home, I wasted no time & search for suitable flight. As a responsible government servant, I feel obliged to choose a cheaper flight ...instead of the national carrier which I could have booked cheaper too if only much earlier booking. Booked & checked-in immediately. Based on past experience, as recent as new year holiday weekend, I can use mobile boarding pass both in Pen & Kul.

Morning 6:30am: Upon reaching the entrance for domestic departure, I was told that I need to get the boarding pass printed - OMG! Lucky that I was there with extra budgeted time...  ran to the self-check in kiosk was at the opposite end of domestic departure. Since I already checked-in, thus after looking around & trying unsuccessfully... a staff came by & told me you need to go to counter 52 to get it printed. While at the counter, the guy explained that it is new airport requirement - sigh! I did asked him nicely- Could you please print the return journey's pass too? "Nope! You have to do it in Kul."

Landed on time, 8:10am, ran to the taxi counter & somehow made it there at 5 minutes past 9am - meeting not yet started!

However, most shockingly, the meeting/briefing ended around 9:45am! Yes, I came all the way from Pen for a 40 minute briefing. There was a guy from Ganu - who came while we were all enjoying our plate of nasi lemak - nicely plated. And a couple more strolled in much later than that... sigh! And my new found friend said this is typical of this department/ministry!

By quarter minute past 10am, I was already waiting for my taxi - managed to call & meet-greet an alevel friend.

By 5 minute past 11am, I was in mits*i - what to do, my return flight was scheduled at 1:30pm so I had ample time.

By 12pm, I was on the shuttle bas heading to klia2 and arrived 10 minutes after.

Had a much needed coffee @kluangstn but the aglio olio was tasteless!

I headed to departure level by 12:40pm.

Here was when the adrenaline pumping & prayer started.

Headed to info counter - was told I needed to print the boarding pass. "You can try the 2 kiosk next to the escalator." Another girl was there - been trying & failed to print. I tried both units & error message came out in one & another one - print a useless page.

Headed to info counter again - was told to go to counter 16.

Headed (started running now) to counter 16 - people queuing - I saw a service counter on the left side & jumped queue - was told off but I explained my urgency! The foreign ladies understand - I'm sorry & thank you very much. The guy said you need to pay at counter 16.

Move queue to counter 16. I explained to the couple in front of me - they understand & allow me to jump queue but the lady at the counter said, "No, I'm still processing theirs!" The clock is ticking..boarding time was 12:50pm. A very 'nice' young Chinese Malaysian gentlemen asked me - "Are you in the queue?" Well yes but.. I agitated... still standing next to the couple in front of the counter. "Then, you should move to - indicate here with hand - behind them in the queue." I was stupefied! I know what I did was wrong - in terms of cutting queue but I already explained to the person in front of me, NOT the one at the back???

Finally, after loooong wait (Rabbi yassir...on loop while looking at hp clock) it was my turn & the girl said, "No need to pay. I can print for you BUT no guarantee that you can catch the flight!" OMG!!! Thank you3x... & that was my gun shot to start running!

Reached the entrance to domestic departure (thank God, no queue here) - at the security scanning area, I explained my scenario to one of the security ladies - no help, there were 2 long queues... my heart already beating too fast & mind already thinking of how am I to pay & claim for a new tix.. then a new queue open up & I was 1st in line! "Oh, no worries gate J10 is just nearby." It was already past 1:10pm - gate closed.

If you have been to klia2,  you know it could have been much worst than gate J10! But still I had to run and pray and run faster (I was tiring by now - I remember saying this earlier, jangan saya mati sakit jantung kejar flight sudah!).

End of experience: I sweating profusely but I made it - Alhamdulillah, never to repeat again!

Why I shall not lead? ... to be continued insya-Allah.

2017 1st

Work
Yesterday, my superior said I have done a good job! Coming from him, after he asked about no issue of resigning my post - it means a great deal to me. To strive harder, to do better than last year.. while trying to deal with staff who are cocky among other things.

Oh, he missed a meeting, second time around on December 15th. I totally ignored his message from that day onwards. And the day before yesterday, he came knocking on my door, wishing me happy new year & asking my planning for this year. I just told him, "Do whatever you want to do.." "What meeting now?"

My superior is the one who said earlier in January last year and again on November 18th, I do not have the 'seniority' i.e. AP to be one of his deputies - according to the higher registrar office. Not that I'm aiming to be one but yesterday, in all users' email notification of  new appointments - my colleague in another school was appointment as Head - she who has no AP in front of her name too.

Which bring to another 'oldie' who sent unnecesssary WA messages without miss, daily for almost a month now. I dare not blocked him but it is difficult to work closely together for a project in 2017..pesky people really annoy me!

Family
I spent almost a week severing contact (switched off my main phone till Tuesday afternoon; next switched to being unseen on WA; no updates on Insta or Fb) with all my family members due to an incident that occur through phone call, Saturday evening to Thursday. By Thursday, mak already cried and I cried crocodile tears too - being the youngest & all, such that I had to relent and say sorry (forget about keikhlasan lah!) from my siblings. My resolution is not to talk about that matter again - case closed. No wedding.

Health
I went down to the gym on Tuesday, after work. Both treadmills are not in working order - I have been putting on weight - it's scary to hit 65+kg when I wasn't even 60kg during my running days. Definitely have to sign up for more runs locally.. Oh BTW my PBIM was around 3:20 - it could have been worst!

The ones that got away...

Same old, same old stories...

Earlier in late December last year or was it earlier January this year, when my mak was around with me for 5 weeks in Penang:

1. An ustaz through another married ustaz is looking for his candidate. Age late 40-s. Reason of being single due to taking care of his mother who recently passed away -  Innalillah.....

Location: in Kedah

The matchmaker is non-willing colleague who was approached by another middle person on behalf of the married ustaz - I suspected from their joined community projects which I was involved somehow - to a limited extent. She said, here is an unmarried person looking for a wife so please contact the married ustaz - she's not interested to continue the efforts of being a go-between.

Based on the hp number, I contacted the married ustaz saying I agreed to get to know the other party. Guess what? He was shocked!!!! It took him quite sometime to respond to my message - must be he is not used to a direct female.

Fast forward, it was during intensive weeks (Jan/Feb) at work when the other party wanted to come & meet - again, the matchmaker was reluctant anyway since she planned to be away immediately after for quite some time. That was the end of it.

2. Prof that I worked with and know a lot about my stories - don't worry, we're not having an affair as per dirty mind of my colleague - we work together along with another production assistant who know a lot about my stories too. I remember, around the time I told my mak about the ustaz, Prof called me around Maghrib and said he was having tea time with his wife and somehow conversation about me being not married came out and his wife knows of one teacher in her school whose wife passed away due to sickness and how he himself taking care of the small children who are really in need of a mom.

He's very kind but shy.

Location: Perai

I said ok and on the next day, Prof called me and asked when am I ready to meet the other party? I said, I'm ok - any time subject to the other party wants to meet of course. Then Prof said, his wife said better meet up soon (aka that week) since once school reopen in January (the following week) he'll be busy as a teacher and fathering his kids.

Cut short the story, no nothing came from his side - I understood that he is not interested lah..

Fast forward to yesterday, during phone conversation, Prof mentioned that he, the widower, already got married to a PAR at his school whose husband passed away too and have children who now even call him 'Cikgu' at home. Alhamdulillah syukur.. I am happy for him.

____

Fast forward to early to mid-September this year:

My sister #5 played matchmaker - she suggested for me to get to know her coworker-at-school's husband's colleague who used to work in Seremban  but now back in AS*tar.

I was reluctant... not because he is much older (54) but I'm tired of getting to know people and my heart broken to smithereens again and again. I have K*puteh now - he's my baby - my life is complete! Even mak accepted him and referred to him as my anak. I have my family esp mak, work to take care of my basic needs, career that is demanding (was appointed as Business Coordinator from mid March) and I don't even have time to slot in my running much more to sign up for events!

Against my wishes. since I asked him to answer 4,5 questions through the middle person, my sister gave my hp no to him. So, he messaged me late Thursday evening and I just responded accordingly. Conversations were stilted - stopped by Friday morning due to me having a seminar. He only came out for air on later Satuday evening - which I replied on late Sunday evening - eve of Eidul Adha. I thought - that was it!

4. Earlier on that same Friday, I talked to my matchmaker colleague who called me earlier on  Tuesday, "Rad!!!! Jodoh you dah sampai...Dat*k Rad!!!" She was excited - I was having no feeling at all - told her I wanted to think about it. So, on Friday noon, I told her - no, I'm not interested to know this guy - coz to my mind, not fair to get to know another guy while I'm in the process of getting to know 54. Oh, this Dat*k guy is 52. 52 is a divorcee which 3 adult kids, and an future alumni of my work place but not directly under me. It seemed that he simply called her & asked her to help him find a candidate. Should I be touched that my colleague think of no other person than me? Huh!

He planned to further his study - MA & PhD. Again, at my work place. 

She asked me to pray Istikharah which I did! So, while I was at my hometown, she acted as the go-between us with me asking lots of questions including the 4Qs above. I thought I was being clever enough to filter the seedy guy: 1) What is your plan w.r.t. hajj? 2) What is your opinion, as a hubby - hypothetically of course - on the roles of a career woman and as a wife, mother, daughter too? 3) What is your hobby? During free time? 4) Anything you would like to ask me? To be fair, again...

This 52 guy answered all questions. Wow!! I was quite happy with the answer...

By Monday, after so many Q&A, my matchmaker said there are certain things which ought to be amongst the two of us only and she's not interested to know. So, i gave her the permission to give my no to him. 

Here was the craziness started:

52 first messaged me on Tuesday noon. By the end of the day, we already had a long phone conversation. Continued on Wednesday - messages & long phone conversation - we clicked together!

On Thursday, I brought my mak to Seremban through KP. He knew of my plan to drive back on Friday morning. He offered to be my driver!!! He in Perai, take a bus (Hmm.. kata Dat*k??) to KL & I'm to pick him up with lots of rambutans, duku langsat, asam gelugor, belimbing buluh, and kedondong.

However by late Thursday evening, he said - changes of plan. It was ok with me - I'm used to drive alone anyway.

By Friday, when I reach Penang - he said he still wanted to meet up but not the 3 of us as discussed earlier - he's got something to tell me.

So, we met at 5pm. 

Here, again, the short story.

He got to know late Thursday evening thru a contact that his 3 stories semi-detached unit (show off with photos on Tuesday) is going to be auctioned off to pay his business debt from long ago - 2007/2008.

Since I kept telling him before that I don't like surprises! I don't like liar & cheater too! Or people trying to take advantage of me!

So, he's playing my cards...

I said, at the end of the so-called date (went ot the GH and ended up  he spent RM8.10 at cafetaria on campus for both of us - I wanted to think about it...

By Saturday, my matchmaker colleague got help of somebody to check his old Merc plate - road tax already expired since June and not belong to him! That explained the slow drive on the middle lane.

By following Monday, checked online to prove no dat*k (istiadat.gov.my - by states), no other vehicles under his name registered at J*J, he's blacklisted (forgot PD*M or J*J list), and best of all - he's registered bankrupt under E*N & Bank Isl*m! Around the same time, he updated his newly create Fb with getting the watikah - but where is the official photos?

I told my matchmaker, I told him that I wanted time to pray Istikharah which I did - for a week! By this time, he already went against my wish for privacy & changed his tunes a couple of time - wanting to be friend only now! 

I'm just grateful to Allah for putting me in his care, insya-Allah...save me from those who want to take advantage of me.  

5. Oh...that one from 5 years ago said, "You turn me down before, onwards, sorry la, I will always turn you down." That was on July 9th. I have loss count of how many times I reach out to him but this time, I get it - I really get it! How many times should I push myself to go through the same emotional roller coaster. We did met up once, surprisingly during Ramadhan for iftar - I guess, we have lost that feeling from inside us. I wish him the best & may he finds what he's really looking for so that I can really let go & move on..

Moral of the 5 stories: I can easily love again.. 

1st...10th year of blogging or not-

I first wrote in my earlier blog in July 2006.

I was in my 3rd year of P*D study and already moved out of on-campus accommodation with both 'diploma & degree', i.e. after a  FT  6 years stay.

I moved to a shop-lot unit shared with 2 other peoples who come and go until mid 2008.
Came to Penang on 30 January 2009.

So what's new for 2016?
I've done my 1st snorkeling in Kr*bi (14-17 February ladies' trip) and gone horribly sea-sick afterwards.

I can take care of mak for 5 continuous weeks from Dec 2015- Jan 2016, all by myself. It was a daily struggle to make sure breakfast and lunch were ready before I went to office and still maintain normal office hours and only going out on weekends - girls day out - no cooking!

Now that my mak is with my siblings in N9, I really struggle to wake up early for qiam, cooking tapau lunch and reach the office early. I'm becoming lazier day by day......

I have a adopted a stray cat as my 'anak bulu'. Even my mak said, 'Anak kau tu...' (Your son..) when talking about K*Puteh.

Now that I'm appealing to go for hajj for this coming hajj season, mak is already worried over who's taking care of him. I left him at the boarding for long Xmas break (Sunday to Sunday), out station workshop (Sunday to Thursday) and Kr*bi holiday (Saturday to Wednesday). Upon reaching home, he slept next to me at nights and even licked my hair and kneaded my back/neck and whatever upon his reach. With his long claws!!

Basically, I have all that I want in life and nothing more.. I'm happy indeed!

Oh, w.r.t. power struggle at the office - I was unofficially one of the deputies for only about 1 week. I was nominated & I kindly rejected through email but still called for meeting to discuss on Thursday. I said my reasons, like do appoint others more senior academics but none of the person approached by the dean were willing to accept the position and there were others who are more than interested but not approach at all for some reasons or others.

My mistakes were in going around asking opinion of others (selected people) on whether to accept or to reject. So, one person who wasn't in the know now came to know and told me why would you want to do this petty jobs who eventually  talked to the dean to appoint another person of his choice instead.

So, by the following Wednesday, I received an urgent call for meeting from the D*an's office. Knowing that there was already a scheduled meeting later in the afternoon, it was the signal to me of what was to come...

I am ok really, I didn't want the position and I only accepted it for reasons related to the school, not personal. However, it was kinda awkward to come to meeting and people congratulated me ...sorry, you're only 15 minutes too late! Hahaha

Now, I have received another appointment letter, this time around however, no money/allowance involved so I guess nobody wants it too. Let's see whether the following 22 months is enough to prove them wrong!

Post-40th birthday trip

On Tuesday, December 22nd, I had my long last dream of getting into the water in Pantai Cenang, from about 5pm until before 7pm - happiness overloaded! Basically I just stayed 'floating' by planting my feet on the seabed with seawater level up to my waist high only hahahaha... There were others too but it was not crowded at all..given the vast stretch of the beach - Mat Salleh's nenek in bikini with her adult cucu, 2 lovely Minah Salleh ladies also in bikini, they all stayed for short period in the water; groups of Malay families - couple with 2 boys and another chap with his son. He noticed that I stayed long in the water - initiated the conversation, sharing where he came from & even told me about his house in Seremban, next to the surau in white fence wall - after I told him that I'm from Penang but originally from N9. The wife was too tired after shopping at Kuah. Paraglide offer at only RM60 - normally RM80, with insurance coverage too! If you are scared, can go tandem with the instructor.
On the return flight, I sat next to one Bengali guy on my RHS - he reeked of alcohol and told me later he stayed late until 2am with 2 Spanish ladies but he didn't sleep with them even if they asked him to. We got to talk and he is a hotel manager (co-partners with Malays) in KT, Brickfield & the latest Pantai Cenang which has just open last week. He talked about his lost love, a Malay lady named Su/Zu something. He kinda regretted not marrying her. She got married 1st, then him. But she came back to him after that which led to her getting divorced. Eventually she got married again, he is separated/divorced from his wife and now found a new partner and they still keeping in touch with each other over the years. His reason of not marrying her - being an eldest son, the tradition of carrying the family's name and it would broke his parents' heart. He is so comfortable with Malay culture and Islam and everything. And he is comfortable talking to me too - being an open person. He told me  she took care of him whenever he came to Sabak Bernam, even her mak accepted him like an adopted son - on her passing away, it caused an uproar when he joined the burial ceremony at the graveside but her brother took his side by explaining to the neighbours - he's like a son to the mother! Every morning, she even prepared his milk drink as well as place for his prayer - just like a Muslim - I guess they co-habited early on...He told me, now that his son has a Chinese girlfriend  - he won't stand between their happiness. His eldest daughter already married with lavish ceremony - Samy V*llu is family friend, Sh*hrizat also came  and few others ministers. She is already a Director at such a young age at a private university college in KL.
He still keep in touch with the ex-wife and take good care of her. I asked - he also provided well for his current partner, not thinking of marriage but in case of anything happen, she is well provided for. She is now resigned to the fact - no kids for them. And his children are now accepting his partner too.
On Saturday, December 26th, I 'floated' on Mi*mi Beach, Bt Feringghi - I noticed the sand (more like small pebbles) wasn't as soft and fine as Cenang Beach, with murky water, and stronger waves. Given that only me and my nephew were in the water, it was just a short session indeed - the rest of the family were having a breakfast picnic under the tree shade.
Overall, 2 nights in Lkw, 1 night in CH and followed by trip back to Pen - it was tiring indeed but I would do it all over again for mak! She mentioned her last trip to Lkw was before I started secondary school - some 28 years ago! - and her last flight was for umrah back in 2004.

O.M.G!!! I heard the gossip just now from P2: they, I mean, she and him, P1, are getting married - weeeeeeeeeeee!

I said, "What about the 1st wife?" yes, she knows already - agree? Well, I have no idea... me & her have already stopped communicating on Fb. Reason being, I hinted at something might be going on between her hubby and my boarder. Someone catch sight of them (she was going to LKW) at the airport during the time the 1st wife's mother recently passed away.

Refuelling

Usually, I need to refuel somewhere along my journey North-South and vice versa. If I'm starting the journey with half-full tank, then RnR Sg P*rak will be the pit stop. Otherwise, with full tank, I can go as far as Ulu B*rnam. I did try to not-stopping with a full tank once, however upon getting into NKVE - you never know the traffic conditions - crawling at times and sometimes not moving queue - I had heart palpitations, need to switch off all radio & AC - to make sure I got to the next petrol station in time. Similarly, heading North, with half-tank I would need to refuel somewhere before Ipoh, usually Tapah, if need I to, then Rawang and with full tank, Sg P*rak again.

With my mak on board, a necessary pit stop cum toilet break at Taiping (heading north) to buy fruits and Bukit Gant*ng (heading south).

Last Wednesday, for Eid, I started my journey south at 6:50am - with less than 2 bars from full tank. I was thinking of refuelling in D*ngkil - I remember, there is a Samuri Sat* Restaurant! Given that I'm very particular (or you can say loyal) with certain brand of petrol, which is not there in Dengkil, I decided with 2 bars left to proceed to the next RnR i.e. Seremb*n at a mere 34km away. Upon exiting the RnR and joining the main highway again,  the two bars now dropped to only 1-bar and just a few km after that the indicator started blinking - O.M.G! Lucky, I remembered there is a P*tronas somewhere near KLIA/S*pang ...no time to check my GPS, Waze or Google map. Off my AC & radio again, and start praying. FYI, I always refuel by the time there is only 2 bars left so I have no idea how quickly or how far the car can go with 2 bars. BTW, my PKE is an older version, so no indicator of the distance I can go with the amount of fuel left.

So, exit KLIA, and stumbled upon a petrol signage before the roundabout heading to S*pang F1. Followed the trail and thank God, after a gamble (usually I turn left to go to Bandar Enst*k or go straight for the S*pang F1), a few km away, there it is on the opposite side of the road - what a relief!

Moral of the story, better be save than sorry, always remember that the indicator moves slower when it is a full tank and moves faster when it is half/almost empty!

Over the balcony..*zipped*

The gist of the conversation was that she wanted my mouth zipped - of course, not literally! - from talking about her.

We were sharing about the tribulations (oh!) in taking care of our respective parent (parents in her case), confusing office politic (no surprise at all!) and some how linked to the fact how surprise she was when a colleague in her section mentioned that if anything, she (the colleague) will get in touch with me since we (me and her) are neighbours! She don't like it at all, she said, " ..there is no need for colleagues to know where each other live, etc. etc. If anyone ask you about me, just say, you don't know anything!" I guess, that sort of answered my dilemma - to visit or not to visit when her parents are around.

The mother is having diabetes and the father has had a stroke - now recovering but with alzheimer's disease - not much on memory and no control of certain bodily functions. So, the mother is a bit anxious when people come for visits.

I don't like her one bit! Especially when she mentioned she knows better when it comes to publishing with a certain local publisher - not coz she has had her book published before! It is just the way she talked about it...and condescending to me. And I have no problem being put under a certain label like 'P*D and single' - for the book chapters. It hurted her -being labelled 'P*D, married and no kids'. But ti could have been worse, 'P*D, divorced with kids' or 'P*D, hubby passed away and there are kids'.

I dunno what got to me, I cooked my dendeng for coming Eid, large portion for Bro#1's house since mak will be there, smaller one for lunch at office today and another small ones for...maybe my sis#4's place! But then, I was thinking of her staying alone (hubby & parents had gone south for medical checkups) thus gave her a call to pass it over and somehow we got to chat for quite some time (my legs was killing me slowly since I was leaning on the railing with my feet on the sliding doors).

___

I sent my ride for routine servicing yesterday. I told the guy that during the last service, they called me up & said I need to have the brake fluid changed too. It costs around RM400.

So, while waiting for the service being done, I utilised the computer and internet to do some work plus catch up on my reading. Again, from the earlier estimated cost of service (RM400++ inclusive of discount for AC servicing currently on offer), the guy on the phone mentioned *surprise!* there is no need to change my brake fluid but (oh!) I do need to change my brake plate. And how much it cost? Another RM400+ on top of the current RM400+. Being clever (I hope not stupid this time around), I said no, then he said your windshield rubbers need changing too..still no coz I feel I had it changed quite recently. Then he said, your AC filter need to be changed too. All in all, I paid RM500++!

Even if I learn from last visit to schedule my appointment very early in the morning since the guys are fresher, I reached the parking at 7:46am only to be told those cars in front of me come much earlier (leave their car for servicing and go to work) and I was told to come before 8am when I asked for the first early slot!

And with no wash & vacuum this time around (it took forever - waiting till after 12pm last time - not enough staff I guess), I got the call - it is ready! -  before 10:30am and by 11am, I'm back in office!

Day 5, 1436H

.. of R*madhan!

Sometimes I wonder whether I made a mistake in deciding to spend my s*bbatical leave locally. I remember asking my bro#3 for advice and he told me - in spite of my earlier intention of looking for a place in Seoul (near & cheap enough to come back home frequently) - to just stick locally for mak! In order to gain KPI mark for the school, I also have to spend some time outside my institution so I decided to spend the first 5 months internally and go back to my alma mater (just because it is nearby my hometown) for the remaining 4 months (mid-April to mid-August) where I had planned it all nicely, weekly commute (it takes 1:40 to almost 2 hours depending upon traffic & highway conditions) - going on monday mornings and coming back on Friday afternoons, just in time for a visit to the night market, and planning to spend longer time in my hometown during R*amadhan like maybe going on Tuesday and coming back on Thursdays. 

Then, I started to get the hints. During drives/conversations with my mak, she was saying things like where she would like to go during R*madhan this year: sis#3's house is ok since she stays home & not working but no shops nearby (mak rides her own bike and loves to buy kuehs or dishes outside); bro#2's house is not yet ready, maybe not even next year, he promises her that he prepared 1 room just for mak! Bro#1's place is not suitable due to no space/room for her (one room downstairs is for the sons) and squatting toilet. Sis#4's house - mak is most comfortable here but nobody is around during the day and she didn't offer even if I told her to invite mak for a visit, she still finds excuses - the siblings know that she had uttered the words - "with mak around, everybody came for visits!" - and that might cramped her busy schedules (NGOs and all). Sis#1 did not offer at all for now and when I explained the situation, she shared her intention in future to renovate the toilet downstairs $$$ and the fact that she and her son is using the only one room downstairs. And sis#5 's place is kind of cramp too with 5 kids, single story  house (no where to hide) and only 3 rooms.

During the recent school breaks, my bro#3 told me to plan for a visit to Penang since his daughter is back for summer holiday. I really want to go along with mak, since it will justify not going to Penang during R*amadhan now. Alas, planning went haywire and it was a no go! 

Then during one Sunday, I went to my neighbour's place to spend some time with her cats (Alex and co!). We talked and she basically told me that mak really wants to spend R*madan Penang! Important thing is mak just want to spend time outside the house.. and I guess (I take it a compliment) her 1 month experience with me last year is good enough for a repeat! Immediately upon getting back, I told mak about the plan for Penang (until end of June only) and all she said was, "Doesn't it cause you trouble? I told her I already arranged with my supervisor and we'll be back in time for her medical check up (bi-monthly nowadays with specialist) which she responded, " ..can actually call the hospital and reschedule you know.." And I arranged for her to spend another week or so at my sis#3's place so I can commute to Bangi.

So, here I am - back in Penang - home sweet home! I drove last Monday from TJ Seremban, at 8am. Due to heavy traffic in getting into the Seremban Tol (almost 50 minutes just to get there), we reach home around 1:20pm in time for Zuhur prayer. We did stopped by at R&R Bukit Gantang - she loves buying fruits (duku langsat and kacang putih rebus) - for lunch, around 11:35-12:20pm. 

Given that the fridge is basically empty and I was in need of cash, I had to do my groceries shopping etc. that late afternoon - after a quick mopping of floor and rest. And bought dinner (RM22 for 3 big prawns - 1 leftover, fried vege and 1 piece of lamb korma) too! 

Since she wanted rendang to celebrate the coming of Ramadhan, on Tuesday morning I went to the wet market to buy 2kg of fresh beef (RM56) - I am taking the opportunity to invite along my colleagues and neighbours for lunch/dinner, kind of early replacement for Eid celebration for this year hehehe.. I bought coconut milk, ginger, onion, lemongrass, curry powder and  spices, I planned to stir-fry French beans with squids too and that was it! Upon making the preparation, mak said, ".. and there is no kuah!" So, she suggested su'un + pucuk masak lemak. Then, she asked, "Where is the blended chillies?" But-but, you didn't mention it when I was making the list earlier... "You don't even have dried chillies?" Aiyaiyai.. mak, here in my place, you need to assume nothing is available, everything has to be bought before I can cook anything! Off I went to the grocer across the road to buy pucuk & blended chillies.

At the same time, the day before I already arranged for Che' Lan Library to deliver durians - 1,2 special ones for mak and RM20 of normal ones, he said to call him again at 10am. I called, twice and no reply - even to this day.. Lucky I already bought grapes for dessert and I also blended soursop (from R&R) for drink!

On Wednesday, I went to office to attend a whole day workshop as well as checking my letters. During lunch, arranged to meet my student for consultation on further studies (here or another place?) and met the others too. On the way back to office, I happened to come across my immediate boss when I should have tried harder to avoid meeting him for now - long story but I understand his position as my boss for now... For dinner, it was fried kangkung (no go - throw away almost untouched after sahur Day 1, put in fridge) and fried fish with chillies (my sambal not so tasty, I suspected!)

By now, I know mak's current list of dos and don'ts: No to mangoes (heavy coughing), no to karipap (muak), kue teow (lembik, memek2x.. ), and no fried yellow noodle too. Yes to huge & juicy grapes, fried chicken especially K*C. 

I stayed home on Thursday supposedly to work but ended doing mostly nothing - started R*madhan, Day 1. Brought mak to R*madhan bazaar (nearby TH) as early as 4:30pm - shouldn't go after 6pm - packed and rubbing shoulders with too many people. She choosen chicken curry (drumstick), fried vege (in egg) - both RM4.50, taufufa RM1.20 x2 (smaller), watermelon, kuih cara manis RM2 for set of 5 (ate only 3 til sahur), must-have cendol RM2 and 1 piece of fried chicken RM3 (more expensive than hometown)! Spent around RM20..

On Friday, I went to wet market again - prawns, veges, 1kg beef for dendeng (RM29 batang pinang) etc. First, I dropped by TNB counter to pay my PBA bills - all 6 months - just to avoid 90 cent agent charges. Headed to office but not doing anything much since internet was slow and everyone is busy marking final exam papers. On the way home, I dropped by the furniture shop (same row as grocer shop) to buy stool (RM45 inclusive of gst) for mak's terawih at mosque. And whole durian RM30 for two! What is for dinner/breakfast day 2? Ayam masak lemak cili api (onion & ginger for the nicer smell) and cannot remember what else.. dendeng (mak don't like much!) was ready only after maghrib. Again, another round of house cleaning in preparation for my bro#3 & family. He drove at 10:30pm and reach my parking around 1:40am. I woke up as usual by 4am to prepare sahur for mak (selection of thick black coffee Hang Tuah, 3-in-1 coffee N*scafe of one with Habbatul Sauda', even cappucino once). Fried chicken drummets and nuggets for the kids (mak loves this too) and reheated rendang. Must-have teh tarik by SIL.

So Saturday was spent lazing around the house, they read the Quran, bro and me (we had secret/silent chat too) had conversation with mak about everyone especially someone hehehe, kids with wifi & sleeping on & off...  by 10am, went to the wet market again with SIL - her menu: bihun soto with beef soup (chicken finger, balls and pegedil), daging tetel masak asam pedas, and stir-fried French bean & mushroom - selection of watermelon, mata kucing & dragon fruit/pitaya - no go for iced sugar cane juice - bad for joints. Finally,  my buah melaka or onde2 was only ready at sahur but the grated coconut was getting no good - mak said, should have mixed it with salt upon reaching home. I noticed myself are too proud to ask for help or instructions and I specially hate it if people suggest things as if I know nothing.. but turn out I know not everything!

They went back after Subuh on Sunday. By 9:15am, I already in office to meet my PhD supervisee at 10am -lasted until after 11am. What is for iftar Day 4? Fried chicken (marinated for days already), stir-fried cabbage, re-heated asam pedas and take out the chicken curry - and I made, for the first time ever, roti jala (looked more like lempeng hahaha) using just mineral bottle water with holes on the cover - remind myself to buy those pronto. Usually for iftar, I will prepare hot ear grey/apple tea with honey, I did tried lemon and honey but it was no go (blamed for upsetting mak's tummy)! Big no-no for cendol extended to day 2 - mak had diarrhoea on Friday evening.

Ikhlas.. today, I am accepting this golden opportunity to serve mak to the best of my ability - make her as comfy as possible. So, what is for iftar day 5? I plan to fried bihun - Singapore style, fried fish fillet (mak doesn't require much watery dish - I offer her fave ikan singgang) and prawn sambal insya-Allah. Alhamdulillah, thank you Allah for this much that I have now..

Rad, you dah gemok!!

Said my neighbour yesterday at the office corridor, a male, who has no reason to suck up to me. Then, an administrative lady downstairs also said the same thing - arghhhhhhhhhhhh!!! Especially on my cheek sides, she said. I did ask few other colleagues/friends but I guess they were not being honest, "No lah.. manade.. maybe baju (blouse) you pakai tu.." Tsk-tsk...

But, but it has been only 4 weeks since I have been gone to my alma mater. I did climb onto my digital weighing scale yesterday: 59.1kg, which is a bit scary but still acceptable since my weight basically yo-yoing between a maximum of 61kg and a minimum of 56.5kg (immediately post-Ramadhan last year). If only I manage to reach down to 52kg by shaking off my current excess luggage of 10kg....*sigh* dream on lah!

For the past 4 weeks, I had been running/jogging only once (the week before last week) plus a Z*mba session (last Wednesday) and on the treadmill on Saturday for 5.3km (45 minutes - I missed my thrice weekly gym session!). Food wise, I'm spoilt with choices - no nice char kue teow yet - but a plate of huge Nasi Ayam P*nyet at only RM4? Better than McD, special burger with lotsa veggies & wrap in egg at only RM3.20? Today's lunch at UNIK*B, RM5 for rice with kerabu goreng sambal, sweet-sour fish fillet and kangkung belacan plus lime drink summore? There is no cooking (gantung kuali) for me, except once or twice on weekends at my hometown. Just now, when I asked whether the fried rice & noodle selections are available - soon she said!  - the cashier also mentioned that the selection of stalls (including Arabic et al. as well as waffle/churros uols) are open 24/7! Wow....

I imagine it is pretty convenient for those in my faculty as well as those studying at the library to come out for air and replenish their energy too with good food and don't forget the spirit of entrepreneurship being nurtured (since stalls are being managed by students (local & foreign) themselves  - but I saw Indo workers too - obviously for Ayam P*nyet). But, I'm concern now about the environmental impact, I can smell the fried chicken whenever I go to the ladies at the end of the corridor on my 4th floor; I see the monsoon drain water clogging, not moving and oily, rubbish simply throw on the ground, eyesore in terms of stacks of tables, used banners put indiscriminately etc. I wonder about the proper cafes on campus and hall of residences - are they making enough money to continue their existence?

Talking about my recent gym session, sadly after about 2 years in existence, it is not properly managed. The entrance lock to the male side is jammed so the guys have to enter through the ladies side. While I was on the treadmill, a mother came in with her two kids, one about kindy or primary school age and the other around 3-4 yo. The thing is, the two treadmills are facing the wall, with no mirror. There is no way for you to know what is going on behind you, other than through sounds, or even who come in or go out. Knowing how kids and siblings are, they started to play by themselves and bicker, and the mother shouted at them while running on the treadmill next to me. And repeated the scene a couple of times. At one time, one of the guards came in & said (with a small voice) no kids allowed inside the gym and she became so mad, "I can take care of my kids lah!"  She kind of included me in the exchange but I choose not to say anything as I believe the gym is a dangerous playing ground for small kids due to equipment laying around (dumb-bells, weigh machine etc.) and given the poor maintenance and lack of caring attitude by the users, there are broken or damage parts which even I know not where to put back. I wish the father cum hubby are caring enough to look after the kids while the wife is spending time to take care of her health .. too much to hope for?

So far, I sign up only for PB*M HM n November, no other events.. which mean no urgency to keep to my training schedule. Oh, forget about better pacing too .. my knees are bothering me too especially going down the stairs.

P/s: My baju kurung for raya are ready - all 4 of them! I still need to go back to PEN next month to settle  my road tax & insurance stuff as well as few other things.
The one whose name I shall not mentioned - still no news of flight tix! I thought her extension only until May 24th, this Sunday? Aiyaiyai... I thank God for no sight of her during the short trip.

Count my blessings..

During long lunch break today, Ss, Nr & me went to visit kak Mz. She was part of my phd buddies during the 'long gestation period' in u*m (even if she was not actually registered in our faculty). On recent Wednesday, Ss passed the shocking news that Mz's hubby passed away last Tuesday - it was so unexpected! He was driving to work, perhaps had some sort of a sudden heart attack (no earlier history) and crashed onto a street light upon merging into the main traffic at highway.

And she was crying while we're listening to her immediate experience upon getting that phone call! She told us the importance of not locking our phone, in her hubby's case, lucky he brought along another phone from which the passerby used to make calls to the kids (based on call history: those two in school - not picking up - no hp in school even, then the one in college). Then her only son - the one in college- called her (who was driving to work in another direction) & said only that the father has had an accident and the ambulance was on the way. In actual fact, the father passed away immediately upon impact - total loss/damage to the car.

According to her, he was a very good son (taking care of his mother who lives together with them) & a loving husband as well as doting father to their 4 kids. The good ones are usually taken early... I remembered the story that she told us a long, long time ago (seems to me like that), how sweet their early relationship was.. she had many admirers but he was the brave one, thus they got married while still studying in US. In particular, since she was petite while he was considered huge, he used to carry her literally!

I feel her loss...to a certain extent, I can only imagine...

2 months and 2 days.. (part 1)

So, this is the story of my ex-housemate of 2 months and 2 days.. 

Instead of Feb 1st, her arrival was delayed to Thursday, February 19th. Basically, after more delays and I waited and more waiting, she arrived almost the next day, close to midnight.

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Prologue:

When I was kindly asked to host her some time late last year, I already make it known that I won’t be around from mid-April onwards – no, no problem at all coz the 1st Prof (1P) did left her that night at my place (under my care) fully prepared with his old BB phone & contact no. of a lady taxi driver so that it is easy for her to move around – just give her a call any time. Oh, BTW, it costs her RM30 per 20 minutes trip to the office – even the shorter distance to the eport, less than 10 minutes away, normally costs a minimum of RM20-25.

My preparation consisted of installing an AC unit for her room, paid by her ‘unreturnable deposit’ – thank you very much (refer to the entry in January 2015). The 1P came a couple of times to my place, first to inspect the unit with his wife when I wasn’t around (given that I, who was away & already gave him the keys to my place, he should have the courtesy to inform me BEFORE going in to check instead of after, no? She also agreed on this matter); second to pass along her comfy package for her long stay: prayer clothes, bottles of honey (coz later she told me she is taking medicine for controlling her cholestrol level such that no intake of carbohidrate from rice, pasta & no-NO sugar!), set of fluffy towels (fact:  I already prepared the room with new towel, blanket, snack & toiletries too), toiletries, chocolates & other snacks.

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I was told that since she travelled all the way from Montr*al (it was still winter there), long transit and wasn’t feeling well a couple of weeks before that, she might spend the next couple of days mostly sleeping – her jetlagged. But, it was very important for her to look presentable come Monday, thus I was supposed to help find her a hair salon to colour her grey hair – she is 50, BTW..

I cooked rice noodle soup with meat balls for Friday lunch which I shared with her. She ran out of cigarettes so the 1st trip was to walk downstairs & cross the main road to the grocer to buy her cigarettes – she wanted B*nson & H*dges but without the gory pix on the boxes, and the difference between light & non-light whatever... We passed by a Muslimah hari salon and spa – oh, I didn’t know this! – so we make it a point to visit the spa on the next day. She wanted body massage, colour her hair but using her own product –which she brought along -  Made in Italy or something. After a long discussion on Saturday’s 2nd trip, we made an appointment for her hair colour thing on Sunday – by the owner herself - and thus I spent my better half of Saturday accompanying her during the body massage. Oh, it was her birthday month too & she got discounts for the treatment. And we came again on Sunday afternoon, at 2pm for her hair appointment & again my unofficial duty as chaperon or something until almost 7pm. I did bring a long a journal article to read but ended up taking care of the owner’s bored little lady. 

She, the owner, was divorced from her 1st husband, a Chinese Muslim convert and they have 2 boys together –which I got to meet at the end of the long session. Interesting boys especially the younger one who goes to religious school & asked me why did she, not the mother obviously,  not covering her hair & I explained – similarly in Malaysia, there are Muslims who pray and also those who do not pray, those ladies who cover their hair & those who do not.... I, who was wearing pants & dark long-sleeve t-shirt & scarf, asked, “How about what I’m wearing now? It is decent – does it covers my aurah?” He said, “Hmm.. ok, but where is your socks? Perhaps you should wear an inner too coz bits of your hairs are shown...” Ouchh! Insya-Allah I promised him that I’ll do better.... He introduced me to Rude by Magic band from Canada! His elder brother is too shy...wanna be a footballer.

I don’t want to go into details...so, here are more snippets! From the first couple of weeks...

1. 8 o’clock is too early for me to go to office... (but, but before you were here, 7:30am I’m already in the office...and I was supposed to wake you up daily for Subuh remember?)

The 1P told me that the reasons he invited her *a two times hajjah plus umrah* here were to make her closer to being a practising Muslim; you need to show a good example to her in terms prayers, reading the Quran, fasting etc. She really needs/wants to quit smoking too. 

2. You have no hot shower – the water is so cold!  (told her, you can boil some water then.. I suspected she didn’t shower for days hahaha)

3. You should do your eye brows – it is not neat! (where she comes from, used to be a French colony & you know Frenchwomen how la...)

4. You are a good housekeeper! (I know this old trick, you wanted me to continue taking care of the house with you doing nothing right?)

5. She wanted to spritz her perfume on me before we went out of the house – no-No-NO!!!  Whyyy?? You don’t like the smell? (in Islam, .. *sigh* )

6. I wanted to go sight-seeing..that is why I’m here in Malaysia despite my busy schedule at work in Montr*al ..

7. Aren’t you tired of your daily routine of house-office-house? Don’t you want to go for coffee? Meet up people? (FYI, I have a well regimented & fulfilling life of my own: get out of the office by 5pm at the very latest to beat/avoid the unnecessary heavy traffic, 5:30-6:30 at the gym twice on weekdays; 7-8pm from Mon to Thurs for the #TemanL*lakiUpahan & later added with 6:30-7pm for #SuamiS*belahRumah cum dinner; tired, be in bed with some readings & usually nod to sleep after Isya’ & wake up early the next morning..)

8. You have to get married my sister! Otherwise, one day, you woke up, you realised that you are 50 and lonely! (See, meet-up-new-people above..)

9. (Everything is ..) Fisabillah! (She was asking for a discount in buying scarves for her mom..)

10. Wallahi!! You are like my sister.. I’m a musafir!! I need you... (Erm... for 3 months - you still a musafir?)

11.  Checklist of appointments that she needed to fulfill: dentist, tailor, massuese for her frozen shoulder, health clinic on campus, optician for her eyes, etc. etc.

So, on the next weekend, I made plan to spend one whole day sightseeing in Penang with her, “We should started early in the morning, 8am at the Penang Hill, then lunch some where on the way towards Batu Feringghi for the beach view & afternoon at the Chinese New Year Celebration going on at that time at the Heritage area.”

Oh, we went out of the house AFTER 10am.. after PH - about 2 or 3pm, “I’m tired... I want to go home..” On the way home, “Don’t you want to go out for coffee?” “I can sent you there but you need to come back on your own..”  Case closed!

On Sunday, we went to Qbay .. I treated her to coffee  - it was buy 1 free 1  & for her birthday too!

Don’t forget the one other time we went to Qbay after work just to find her the most suitable haircomb! God, I surrender.... And the road driving instructions... 

The most suitable Malay proverb comes to mind: Takde pasal, cari pasal...

Blog theme

I love French - whatever basic French language that I still remember after almost 18 years; 'moi' for I and 'amour' for love. Add a dash of Manglish, ah moy! And mixed them well - perfecto (which is Spanish, of course).

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Last Labour Day weekend, one of my SIL's niece got married. To a foreigner - Pak*stani. Nothing new to shout about except for her mahar or dowry of RM30K! Yes, exactly RM30,000. In fact for Selangor, the standard dowry is RM300. In comparison, my neighbour's step daughter got engaged on the same day with said/expected dowry of RM12K. Both are graduates - well, worth mentioning I guess.

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So today, a well-meaning colleague pushed me from a distance to accept a friend request on Fb. From her contractor, a Pak*stani guy with PR, wife passed away, excellent credential and everything. Initially, when she asked whether I'm ok marrying a foreigner with PR, I just said, as long as the guy is 1. not married and 2. take care of his solat, I'm ok.
But immediate friend request from him? Got me scared already. So basically I chickened out, i gave the excuse of not ready to let go, still thinking of the last one blablabla.. I'm thinking, what is the probability that this guy would understand me *being a very difficult me* and still stand by my side? We come from different background, culture and everything..

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There was this one guy closer to me in terms of relative distance - well, we work under the same roof. I kept my distance from him since 2010 due to some misunderstanding on my part - no knocking/barge in on his door, not saving his number in my contact list. As recent in January, he messages - I was out-stationed, obviously he got my no. from other colleague - with respect to a proposal for a programme. Then a series of recent occurrence make me questioned his motive: asking me to send him to the airport just because the normal taxi wasn't available at the last minute; giving only me (normal practice - just put any food on the table at the pantry for everyone in the office) a huge slice of cake in pretty box, knocking on my door and asked for not really important things BUT when I showed some responses I guessed he is not ready & chickened out - a repeat of yesteryear! I am giving him lot of space for now...literally.

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And there was the proposal at home on March 19th 2015. At the age of almost 40, at last somebody in my hometown noticed me, sufficient to send someone (a neighbour) with a marriage proposal. Alas, it was rejected straight away and I was only informed afterward. He is about my 2nd bro age of about 55/56, with his wife passed away, mature kids, used to be the assistant manager in my hometown such that the official residence was in front of my mak's place. So, the reasons being: he didn't treated his late wife right - shouted at her in public, cat-fighted with my sister, hurt my mak's feeling on one occasion such that she said, if he marries me then she will have to hate her son-in-law forever. Ouch.

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And there was that one date, almost a date, at the ripe age of almost 40 again, in mid January. I was willing to make the effort of going out of my way just to meet him, it was organized by the matchmaker but after 1 hour of sitting together in front of other people, i realized he is not going to do anything ...still not exchanging our hp number to this day. No, nothing.

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Well, if you managed to read this far, basically this blog is all about my quest for the One. Not the most perfect but just perfect for moi. I really thought I have found him, I waited years for him (between 2010 and 2015 and maybe I'm still waiting; did you guy watch that yo*tube/fb video on catfight with script for lovers' quarrel? hahaha) ...but he is not ready yet. Any excuse is a good excuse huh?

20150427 What’s new?

Well, I’m done with searching for The One – mi amour - all I have had the opportunities so far to met, only Frog Princes - and I’m FOUR-ZERO this year. Nope, no pressure at all, I’m quite sure by now if it’s meant to happen, it will happen... with the right person for moi!

I am grateful to Allah for all his endless blessings: I have my mak (so many of my close colleagues are now with no parent(s), either ones or both) and my still complete-8 relatively healthy siblings (3 brothers and 5 sisters; we started to discuss our pain in body parts here and there now) as well as 31 nephews and nieces, and still counting! They are all in my hometown or close by with exception of 1 or 2 nephews who are now soldiers based in KT & PD.

I am the one being far away (it is 5 ½ hour drive – best record so far; non-stop except once to fill up petrol, need to speed up a bit lor hence very early morning departure usually after Subuh) but I’m not complaining since my families love to drive up north and visit me. One SIL is already considered an honorary visitor with the most number of visit per annum: 4 times last year!

I love my work! I love my colleagues, well obviously not all of them but I have enough; some of them as my close friends; I volunteered at the Botanical Garden ; I am now a runner! I run HM for less than 3 hours – personal best of 2:45 (cannot compared to the winner of 1:14 hehehe). My pacing used to be 8:30 to 9 minute per km when I first started back in 2012 but now I am aiming for less than 7:30 minute, 6 minute to be exact – so that I can complete my 10K in under 1 hour *dream on*.

My abode – well, it is really a 20 stories apartment with my 850 sq ft unit on the 15th floor; balcony facing the sunset, wow -  alhamdulillah! I have yet to fully decorate the house, still thinking of the perfect wall paint colours vs wallpaper and stuff but I have had the housewarming with family and friendsin 2013; Eid parties twice in 2014 to accommodate limited space for sit-down guests as well as to separate the academic ladies and adminsitrative staff – easier to tackle, there were those who love to bring along their beloved hubbies even if I said in the invitation – ladies only! I have good neighbours in general (except for one); 4-poster bed (my princess bed, I called it), well-equipped kitchen (plus airfryer – hahaha seldomly used, pemanggang ajaib – never used, still in its box; minus microwave coz it is bad for us) such that I was able to take in a long-time guest (never, ever again – long story here) but I’m now thinking of joining AirB&B .. No bathtub in the unit but the apartment does have a non-Olympic size pool and wading pool for kids, separate gym for men & women – perfect for my training (except it opens at 9am,  on a Sunday? Come on,  I’m a morning person!)

On last week basic medical check up, the nurse complimented me on my good heart pressure and sugar level readings. I need to continue signing up for running events (next PBIM in November 22nd) and keep up my training. I, sort of, lost my running partner recently – she’s still having knee problem (she took 4 ½ hours to complete our last HM) & nowadays move on to cycling. And come September hopefully, I’m going to start again the weekly Friday noon ladies’ aerobic session. I would love to climb Kinabalu again, or Jerai (with a resort stop at the top – wow!) or any other mountains/hills – yet to do Broga or Gunung Datok in N9.

I have had also the opportunity to attend 5 basic Hajj courses – I am  appealing to go for Hajj with my two brothers and their respective wives. I really hope that I will get the offer soon so that I can make serious preparation to go from now, insya-Allah.

Surprisingly I am jotting this down at the library – the same place where I used to be, back during my miserable years. I’m only half miserable this time, hahaha.. trying to write my paper(s) now. I still have good friends here, to stay overnight with as well as join me for dinner (breaking of fast today).

On the same day I found out the reawakening of the bloggers...

This is I.T. - the year I turn FOUR-OH!

On January 10th, I finally had the AC installed in the master bedroom and the second bedroom. This is in preparation for my new temporary housemate, expected to touch down by 1st or 2nd February. Given that the wiring was covered, not built in the wall, i really need to sit down & think of painting all my walls - whole house! Still couldn't decide on the colours... white obviously to make my small abode looking not so small but I want some colours too...grey looks minimalist but shade of dark moss green for my ala Eric Leong's feature wall?

On January 12th, I had an exschoolmate friend stayed overnight at my place - after another PhD friend on last Friday. I took her for lunch at Hammerbay on the next day - very disappointed since there were not that many dishes (new chef, need to be trained all over again said the owner) as per last visit ages ago and worst yet when  I reach my car - there was a notice for illegal parking! Er, I wasn't obstructing the traffic in anyway ...but then, the whole stalls are actually illegally constructed - bring on the MPP - shut down the business then!

But then in late afternoon, my bro called to inform that he already settled (meaning got really good discount) for my 6 summons for speeding - covers 3 year plus. I promised him that I won't be speeding anymore considering the amount of money I paid to settle those summons. Huh? Oh, by the way, nothing is free in this world, I know he is purposedly preparing me to back him up when the time come....

On January 14th, I lost my cool after waiting and waiting some more for my ride being serviced. I already saw it with the sign on car roof top - Ready for Delivery - before 11:30am but it was only after 12:10pm when I marched to the counter for the service advisor to say it was ready - huh! He said, blamed it on the washing & vacuuming. I was annoyed some more since I was practically drinking cups of coffee & tea at the lounge when another advisor called me to advice on changing other parts with amounted to more than RM700! I suspected they simply wanted more of my money - no mentioned of change in expected completion time from earlier 10:30am. (I was prompt, coming in by 8:15am)

In the evening, I had my first ever steps into the pool - yeayyy!!! I learn how to flutter kick, breathing and failed at floating - need to buy the board. I invited my two single neighbours for supper at 9:30pm and we ended up chatting until before 1am! Er, we had to stop because the mother was calling hehehe ...we are thinking of steamboat next!

And today, ... to be continued.

Travelogue October

Prologue: Today is actually 5th of November already. I got my electricity bill yesterday, an insult to my austerity measure, an unacceptable RM22.02! After all, I already calculated, I was away for about 12 whole days in October. I have an almost empty fridge (& pantry too), no AC but I did use the vacuum last sunday for my one miserable carpet!

First, going back to my hometown for E*dul Adha. I already planned to drive south but at the last minutes, my brother told me to book a flight & he'll pick me up. I choosed AA so that I touched down in kl*a2 instead of S*bang.
Totally forgot that I had many things to bring home: ordered cookies x5 by my sister, maruku x5 (but I sold 2 & kept at home 1), jeruk & only a change of attire for Eid morning - not even telekung.
Return flight delayed. Mad at AA. Drive to e-port on Saturday morning for my 6:30 flight, left my car at the carpack & came back late on Sunday night, collected my car again (paid RM48 for 2 days parking) and reach home at midnite.

Second, travelled to Subang for BSN Putrajaya Night Marathon. I ran 21km category again with Maz. Our 4th actually. I threw out after the finishing line. Mabuk air or too much water, according to my bro who wanted to video-ed me towards the finishing line, came prepared with a phone call (another 2km  to go!) but alas, he waited at the wrong side of the road, for the 10km! Sheesshhh
Why I would never ran alone? Maz helped to rub my back, with medicated oil ...horrible experience indeed puking in front of many people! From my peripheral view (looking down while holding on to the railing by the roadside), I saw people dispersing away from me! Like I was going to burst with horrible sickness. maz picked me up on Saturday noon for our 12:30 flight & came back late on Sunday afternoon at 2:30pm (in time for the AGM of my building), Maz's daughter picked us up again and I reach home before 3pm.

Third, travelled to Medan for a conference. Included package tour to Danau Toba. What I remember most, the diarrhea and lots of wind in my bloated tummy. And eventually I succumb to fever & lots of phlegm - euwwww. But still no MC. Completed the course of antibiotic and all the other medicines. Scheduled flight originally was on Wednesday, 15th. Received notification of delayed to 16th. Too lazy to bother with going to KL & then only Medan if we were to maintain the original date. K.Ct picked me during her way to e-port. Came back on Sunday 8:30pm, hitched a ride back home again with K.Ct.

Forth, hopefully the last one for this month - my secondary school friend's wedding which was called off but after I booked my tickets. It will be a day trip, 12 hours in fact. On last Sunday of October, I drove to e-port for my 9:30am flight. Came back at 10:30pm & drove home (paid RM12 for parking).

I totally forgot to count in my workshop held at the 'nearby' beach (still on the island), 4D/3N of working hard till late evening but I enjoyed the morning walks/jog along the roadside & beach. Waiting for sunsets too.

Epilogue:
Day 71! I made it this far...4 days extra from last count. May I made it really to Dec 5th insyaAllah. I pray that we never meet again, at least until after I'm recover fully.
Oh, I'm running of gas too, for cooking - aiyahhh....

Upteempth update

I came back late on Thursday night, which is very seldomly done nowadays unless I have got video conferencing session scheduled. My routine now is to go to the gym at least twice after work during the week either on Tuesday or Wednesday & another slot on Friday and to be followed by another longer session on Sunday morning. This is the time where I usually find the gym with only two treadmills to be available without the need to wait @ queue. Usually I will be the only one around at that time with my music on full blast!
Maybe one or two guys next door (there is a wall between both gym and split entrance).

So, imagine my surprise when I passed by the gym to see quite a significant number of manly guys doing their workout esp. the weighlifting. Oh my! Check out their biceps & triceps! *blushed* Lucky that the gym was actually on a higher split level compared to the corridor that I was walking so I didn't get to see their lower body parts hahahaha... *blamed the abundance of testosterone*
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While I was on the treadmill yesterday (which was facing the wall, with the entrance behind me) I heard a mother came in with kids (inc. one who just is about 1-2 yo I guess by the sound of his crying). I just plodded on, alternating with running, and not long after that the loud crying began..i think not even 5 minute! So, what a mother got to do? Instead of exercising and taking care of the kids too...she left with both kids! Pity her & I am blessed indeed.. I get to do whatever I want, anytime, without any hassle!

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Now, I have got 1,2 and sometimes 3 'admirers' at the apartment. It started when I saw there is always a bowls of kibble and water by the guardhouse. I still have the stock of kibble at the office, for Kilat, the one that I unofficially adopted but roaming freely on campus nowadays. So, I make sure to pack a small tupperware of kibble and once I parked or getting into my car I will look around and call out: first time, only one came out,  undernourished and one leg has been broken. Then, it was two... and yesterday, it was three! Problem now, if I were to accidently forget to have it with me then...they will be devastated I guess! I long to keep them for good but I am already out-of-office for the whole of next week, and often time I leave home as early as 7am and might came back as late as 10pm.. what will they do? In cage? But they are outside and having the freedom to mingle around now...

Rajuk yang tak terpujuk!

Actually, there are 3 different scenarios that happened since Sept/Oct last year. One involving a very good female friend of mine, another one is about my eldest sister and the third one is the one that I really need and want to share for now, for the obvious reason - it's beyond salvageable..

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If you ever wonder & ask me, why the so-called 'volatile relationship' doesn't exist anymore, here is the utmost reason why:

I was caught red-handed! (Ops, kantoi!!)
I wasn't being honest.
I lied to him.

Instead of going to bed early as I already told him (since I'll be driving back to my hometown very early the next morning), I was out partying like mad with my bevy of male admirers till the early hours of the morning! Shish.....

Shame on me huh?

And I had the cheek to say, "Heyy..I did nothing wrong!!"

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P/s: Please read between the lines..haha!

20120112

1. I'm not born to be a leader. I have taken all sort of personality tests back in Form 4 and as recent as in December last year, both concurred with the fact that I hate being put in a leadership position. I hate managing people, trying to second guess everyone's thoughts, visioning for the future of the organisation/club or whatever - it's simply not me. What a bonus to have a deputy who works well with you, but she's leaving soon.. *gasp!* And if a certain committee member kept on mentioning about how busy she is...well, don't wait for almost a year of her doing almost nothing only to receive the letter of resignation today... A good leader should be able to act fast, decisive & spot on! Need to look for a replacement next...

2. I have been asked again.. to join 1) a long-term research cluster in the organisation; 2) co-researcher with a friend cum colleague from another. Fact, I have yet to establish myself in my own niche! After much consideration and some persuasion from concerned colleague(s), I had declined from (1) even if my heart yearn to travel to the exotic location all over Malaysia! Reason being the person who is inviting me (thank you very much!) had the reputation of jumping ship at the critical hour! I'm working hard to understand no (2) but eventually I have to start somewhere...

3. A closed friend mentioned this in passing w.r.t. matter of the heart, 'Rad, did you notice the same pattern? This is similar to what has happened before....they just kept quite.." I guess, I wonder no more - something is wrong with me.. Well, I wish nothing but the best for you - O Married Ones! *cue in background music - Adxle's Somxone Likx Yox* And from watching Ombxk Rindx, "..redha itu ikhlas, sedangkan pasrah itu menyerah!"

4. I have been summoned to court again for speeding - the second summons within 6-months! For a mere extra 13 kmph!! Kinda regret my conversion to PKE when I had been lucky in the past two year or so travelling between North and South with my trusty MAV! Tell me, how could I not push the pedal when you're travelling on the hiway, the coast is clear, and all the other Beemers, Mercs and even Kancil zooming past? Tsk-tsk....but then again, I don't another accident to happen!

5. This is my conclusion from #3: Communication, Commitment, Confidence, Compromise.
Relationship between two people need a strong foundation build from easy camaraderie, no misunderstanding, acceptance to commit to the future (even just for a glimmer of hope & tiny expectation!), confidence with oneself (please do not ever mention my hard-earned 'fxcking PhD' (his words) AND later how unsuitable we are in one sentence) as well as respect that each of us come with baggages in tow! We failed in terms of communicating effectively and all of the above but I still like you, you know!