Fancy names

Only in Sabah. I do think we have the strangest if not the craziest names for roads / housing areas / buildings. In fact, I think it applies to almost everything.

*pics courtesy of Veena Rusli

school

My son brought home a souvenir book in conjunction with the kindergarten’s 75^th anniversary. In total, there were 3 photos of my son (1 individual and 2 group photos), 1 of us during the sports day and the rest are pretty much crap - advertisements from sponsors and photos from previous events and what not.

Just say if I were to produce such book for work, I’d be jobless by now.

But since it’s free, why should I complain.

So I thought.

Then my dad told me I have to fork out RM28 for the book.

WTH?

It’s not so much about the amount that I have to pay. I just disagree with how the school is ‘forcing’ us to pay for everything; a minimum of 2 tickets (RM50 a piece) per child for the graduation dinner, costumes for school performances; donation for bazaar; photos where you can only see certain part of Ekiel, etc.

I think I belong somewhere in the middle of the lower income group and apart from the monthly school fees which increases every year, this is really inconvenient. I wonder how those with 3 children in the kindergarten (from pre-school to kindergarten year 2) do it?

I know prices of things increases every year, but unlike most people, I only got an increment after 4 years and that is not much.

I also understand that the school is in a bad shape. But seriously?

I have been collecting funds for school building throughout my schooling life. It is okay that I don’t get to enjoy the new primary school building, but hey, after 16 years leaving the secondary school, there is still no building nothing. Eh?

I was told that primary schools will not be easy too especially since I am so determined to put him into a Chinese school.  Well, we all want what is best for our child, so this is something that I and every parent have to figure out.  

Ekiel: WHAT? Another 16 years of school? How many times sleep is that? I think I will have a headache.

Me: Welcome to my club little boy.

happy place

Some people just have a beautiful way of looking at the world.
And I am definitely not one of them.
This looking at the world with my head tilted to the left is not working so great for me anymore.

*dumdumdum*

“Universe, are you done messing with me? I’d like to have a normal life. Like everyone else.”

But wait, what is normal again?

The world has become a little scary and a sad the past few weeks. News of abandoned babies, kids raping kids, a little girl got run over and no one cared... everything was a little too much for me to digest. And it is everywhere. On print news, TV, online portals, television, twitter and heck, it is even on my FB wall. And every time I log in, I have to do my own version of censorship.

I know you want to share the news as a lesson/reminder to others, but I like my wall to be a happy place, thank you very much.

I also have enough headaches with my own reality.

Unfortunately there are people who feed off my unhappiness, and no matter what I do, I will never win. So, I am becoming Oscar the Grouch, and I hate it.

But, despite all that, I am still thankful for everything and everyone.

Like Ekiel forgetting his school bag.

Or went to school without any socks on.

Because I know I am blessed compared to others.

All is well. 

K-OK?

I know it is silly but I do not what to do tomorrow. I want to go out and enjoy the great big outdoor, but when I think about the Sunday crowd and the unpredictable weather, the usual Sunday sleeping-in indulgence is more, appealing.

Maybe I should go karaoke with Ekiel.

But that’ll be a problem because he doesn’t know how to read, which means he’ll get bored and with his attention span of a monkey, he’ll want to leave. And if we don’t leave fast enough, he’ll start whining and becomes annoying.

He rather we do anything water but his mommy does not want to get burn this weekend. Got a function next weekend and I do not intend on going with my skin peeling miserably. *whistles*

Anyway, back on the karaoke. I was browsing one of the local family-friendly karaoke centres for their rates. It looked kinda cool, until I read their menu. Apparently they serve ‘delusional cousins of Malay, Chinese and Indians’. *ROFL*

This is not a joke people. Google it.

Here I am worried about my grammar, and some people just blindly upload their REALLY wrong copy for the whole world to make fun see.

Maybe I should stop worrying so much despite what the ‘buffalo wing’ and ‘apfelstrudel’ said.

40sen

I don’t drive. I pretty much depend on my siblings to get around. So one day, after work, I called home to get myself a driver. Ekiel picked up the call.

Me: Ekiel, ask C to pick me up

(Ekiel asked C)
Ekiel: Mommy, she said must pay RM10

Me: I don’t have money

Ekiel: Mommy, (whispering) you said yes only, when inside the car you give her coins. 40sen. I have in my wallet.

wed quickie

I am almost willing to do anything to punch him in the face.
But my parents taught me better than that.

random phrase 061011

something expensive

Sometimes when it feels like the whole world is ganging up on me, there is always that one person who can make me smile.

Unfortunately he is often distracted by the iphone.

So Ekiel, I am not going to buy myself an iphone even though you say I deserve something expensive.

invisible

For someone my size, I am hard to miss.
But it happens.
People just don’t ‘see’ me.

Iced milo

My FB stats are just bunch of senseless rambling.
Worst when I am bored.

Rindu cinta baru ku

Who is it you ask?
Iced milo.
I was craving for iced milo and people thought I was in love.
Hee.

Watched Eat Pray Love the other day.
Makes me miss Bali much and I can’t wait till Feb 2012!

Anyway, the scene with Ketut Liyer reminded me of our meeting during my last trip.
Memorable indeed.

Pak Ketut,
21/2 years have come and go.
I still don’t hear the wedding bells.
Oh well.
Though I may never hear the wedding bells but don’t you worry Pak Ketut, I am still sweeeeet like sugar.

speculations

It is funny how a random and unintentional action could lead to unnecessary speculations.
Very the drama I thought but even my own 6 year old son thinks the same way.

“Mommy, the picture next to you, your bf kah?” (pointing to some article in the paper)
OMG.

So funny and scary at the same time.

What is heaven?

Ekiel asked what does one do when he or she is in heaven?

My sister said, google it.

Hee.

I absentmindedly answered him that heaven is where we will be together, forever with our loved ones doing the things we enjoy.

He thinks it is great.

And looking forward to grow old and meet up in heaven.

Hmm...

Oh Ekiel, you're asking all these questions a little too soon for my liking.

a sad farewell

I try not to regret the things in the past.
Either with the things that I have done. Or didn’t do.

However, August broke not only my heart but my whole being.

It was something which was said during the eulogy that changed me.
The only thing is; I do not know what to do with this change.
I’ve tried embracing it, but I felt kinda silly especially when my good intentions are not understood.
And get really frustrated with the lack of response.

Didn’t know it would be this difficult to change an old habit.
Is this why people never change?

“It is sad that we, the family, are finally gathered all together but under this circumstance. And only during his days in the hospital, the children and the grandchildren would hold his hand, hold him, caresses him, to show our love and affection for him. Tell him how much we love him. But it is good that before he left this world, he knows how much he is loved.”

When he was transferred to QE, I make it a point to visit him whenever I can. Unfortunately I would just shake his hand and stood by the bed side. And get out from the ward with the “too many people” excuse. In all honesty, I was scared of the inevitable. I could not accept the fact that he was not the same man I am used to seeing. I didn’t know what to do. How to react. What to say. How do you comfort pain? How do you tell them everything will be fine when you know it won’t?

After two weeks of thinking and worrying, I finally broke down.

I regretted for not coming to my senses earlier.
I also regretted for always taking things for granted.
Like believing I have 20 more years before I have to go through this heartache.

So no more waiting and assuming I have all the time in the world.
I will no longer hesitate and will make more effort to show my affection and appreciation to the people I care and love. No more choosing over sleep than spending time with my families and friends.

It’s not going to be easy, but I will sure damn try.

Anyway, he finally went to a better place at his own time, and definitely after giving a good fight.

That afternoon when we “escorted” him back, I started cry-laughing as we turn into the junction to our kampong. The sun peeked through the gray clouds and it stayed that way until we got to the house. It’s touching because he hated the hospital and even planned his escape. All he wanted to do was to go home.

And finally he did.

Rest in peace Akong.
You are missed and remembered.