Season greetings

Ombak Rindu

When everyone was talking about Ombak Rindu, I got REALLY curious and started searching for reviews and what not. With all the glowing reviews I managed to convince the girls to watch the movie.

Let’s talk about the other cinema goers first.

You know it’s an adult love story. Why do you bring your children with you is beyond me. It’s okay that your kid keeps poking me with her tiny hands from the back but when your kid starts to scream and you talk to the kid like you guys are watching TV at home, is a big NO-NO.

Hilang mood weii.

And when the ‘bedroom’ scene begins, don’t complain there are kids in the cinema.

The thumbs up

Maya Karin (Izzah) was awesome. I like the fact that she dresses the way a real kampong girl would dressed. No fake eyelashes and clown make-up like other dramas/movies. The frizzy hair, the towel to cover her hair was nice details.

Aaron Aziz (Hariz) was yummilicious.

Is it just me or is Bront Palarea (Mail) looking really handsome in this movie?

Lisa Surihani (Mila) was great as usual.

The thumbs down

Mila’s makeup was too much. I know she is supposed to be a celebrity but her eye make-up makes her look as if she just got punched in the eye.

Hariz’s mother’s makeup was over the top. I wonder how many can of spray hair their use.

Mail biting that paddy stalk or whatever it is was too… unnecessary. First time, was okay la. But again and again on different scenes?

Too many ‘fade in & out’ (I have no idea what is the term for that editing) in between scenes.

There was a ‘romantic’ scene where Izzah & Hariz on the huge rocks by the beach, the moment died when someone walked aimlessly at the back.

Censorship board failed. They missed out the word 'slut' or is that word acceptable now? Hee.

Despite the lovely speech about redha and pasrah speech, the scene where Izzah & Mila sitting at the pondok also died when Maya Karin’s audio thingy made an appearance. *sighs* Come one, no one from the production crew saw that thing?

Maybe it’s just me. The movie is good nevertheless but I imagine the book would be better kan?
I will update once I finished reading my sis' copy. That's her Christmas wish. Hee.

By the way, if you’re watching the movie, bring tissues. Lots of tissues. 

colours

Black. That was the theme colour of my wardrobe many moons ago. Black IS the colour for big sized girl like me no? To give the slimming 'illusion'?

But then, when I look at myself in the mirror, I see a zombie so I added army / apple green to 'spice' things up.

Yes, I was not a colour adventerous at all.

Then one day, I woke up and decided that I love baby pink. It is the total opposite of me, but hey, it makes me feel so 'pwetty'. Hehehe.

When the whole orange fever hit almost everyone in the country, I didn't understand the fascination. Not until I bought an orange top because of the lack of colour choices and it kinda make my half-tanned skin glow. Happiness. Unfortunately, the colour screams for attention and I cannot deal with that.

I have always love Turquoise but I do not dare to wear the colour until recently.

And now, I think I am having a mid life crisis. You know how middle-aged men buys flashy cars? I am so attracted to bright BRIGHT colours and it is scary.

I have bought few ‘loud’ pieces, but I have yet to wear most of them. I have no idea where to wear it anyway. Hehehe.

I know I look crazy to some, but hey, we have to have ‘confidence’ to look good in whatever we wear. Even when we have to fake ‘it’. That’s Fashion 101 no?

Isaiah

People commented that Ekiel’s name is too biblical.
I know it is, but I wanted a ‘wise’ name in hopes that he’ll grow up to be a man full of wisdom.

I also love the meaning behind the name.

Ezekiel means ‘Strength’ while Isaiah means ‘Salvation’.

Since both are the names of the prophets, it is common to hear the names during mass and without fail the family would turn to look at Ekiel. I don’t know why. We just do.

We tell Ekiel that the priest is not happy with him because he is not paying attention to the service.

Last Saturday, the first reading was from Prophet Isaiah and true enough, everyone, the family, turned to look at him. He looked at me helplessly. After a while, he came to me and whispered in my ear “Mommy, he said Isaiah, not Ezekiel Isaiah so he is talking about someone else!”

Splash

Kissess

Sat Nite Story

No rainbows and no lemons. *sigh* I must have offended the Universe. Again.

I used to have enough patience for everyone and everything, but lately I can feel myself losing it. FB walls update about optimism and positive quotes irk me and cute-sy messages about their love and life makes me want to bang my head on the computer keyboard.

I'm a sad case kan?

There's a point where I really want to punch a guy on his face. I would have if I were a guy. I know, fighting is not the solution. *head hangs in shame*

So what do I do when I am stressed? I eat. But with Christmas coming that is just not an option. So to distract myself, I shop. Online. Or make stupid 'spur of the moment' decision.

Which I would feel bad about later.

Either or, things are just not working out for me these days.

Thank goodness Christmas is just around the corner. Something to distract myself. Managed to convince the family to change the theme colour of the Christmas tree.

Inspired by Chegu Carol’s pink theme last year, we are doing purple/pink silver this year.
Would love to have a turquoise theme, but it is impossible to get the decors.

So what’s your Christmas theme this year?

Go Tiger!

I am not exactly a football fan, but I do watch occasional football and by that it means watching it when my brother is watching it at home. But when I do watch football, I get a little too excited and make comments like I know the game well.

It’s the adrenalin rush I tell you.

So last night, with almost everyone talking about the finals between Malaysia and Indonesia football match, I have to watch it and support our national team no?

Coincidently I was wearing a yellow shirt and Ekiel was in red. The gambler inside of me made a wager with Ekiel and he jumps right in.

He decided that if Malaysia wins, he will replace me at work today. How adorable is that? If Indonesia wins, I have to take him to the game arcade and let him play his heart out.

Of course, I opt for massage for 1 hour instead because that boy can’t read so coming to do my work would be really useless.

When the Garuda scored their first goal, Ekiel turned into this REALLY annoying monster.

He boo-ed me when the Harimau scored.

The whole game was a little off I feel. There were a lot of knocking each other, a lot of drama with the *ahem* fake injury and it wasn’t the most graceful game ever. I cannot remember chuckling so much during a football match.

My dislike for surprises only made this game more nerve wrecking especially the penalty bit.

So when the ball slowly rolled into the net, I was happy. Because we won. Well, because I won. The bet. In the midst of the cheering, Ekiel came to me and gave me a high five.

After the game, I told Ekiel that he better get ready as I would like to claim my prize.

Me: Habislarr you Ekiel, you have to give me massage

Ekiel: But mommy, we are one team already kan?

Me: Eh hello, you support Indonesian team right? They lost right?

Ekiel: But I am in your team already kan?

Me: Since when?

Ekiel: Kan we high five just now!

I do not know whether I should be proud of him or otherwise.

Passion of Love

Ekiel and I had one of our ‘deep’ conversations the other night.

And it was rather painful.
There were tears and comforting hugs.

But what was said was true.

We need to make efforts to find love.

Ekiel gave me the ‘passion of love’ speech.

Ekiel: Mommy when you love someone you need to show it. Like you love me, you bring me out, buy me things. Go dinner. That is the ‘passion of love’.

Me: What if I don’t have the time?

Ekiel:  You don’t work ALL the time. You still have cuti. You go out larr.

Me: What if it doesn’t work out? How?

Ekiel: It is okay. It will hurt just a little. Like me and E. When we broke up, I okay only. Even when K say E is his GF, I biasa only. That is life.

Me: ...

Ekiel: Are you sad mommy? I can see tears.

Me: No larr where got *wipes tears away*

I cannot believe I just got ‘lectured’ by a six-year old about love.
But he does have a point, doesn’t he?

Give me a Chance

Greyson Chance.

The boy who drove half of KK kids CRA-ZY.

My youngest sister was so desperate for tickets; she actually called the Malay local radio station hoping to get some tickets.

I understand the fascination. Been there done that. I once waited outside the building of one of the local newspaper for hours for the tickets just to watch Jimmy Lam. I know, I know. Jimmy who right? All I can say is it was a pretty weird phase for most of us.

I remember coming early to the KDCA where the concert was held and I literally fought to be right in front of the stage. When he touched my hand, I was so sure that I was special like the rest of the girls whose hand he touched as he walked across the stage.

Those were definitely the days.

So when I see my sister trying hard to get the tickets, I feel sorry for her so I tried asking around but no luck. However, thanks to twitter, I managed to figure out the location of the radio cruisers which she managed to get herself three tickets.

I don’t know what made her gave my son the other ticket. He got all excited, ‘believing’ that he would go to the concert. When my mom told me my sister left with her friends and left my son at home with the ticket, I got really pissed. Only one ticket for Ekiel. Event in 1B. I don’t drive. What did she expect to happen?

True enough when I got home, my son was excited to go and I had to break the bad news to him.

Ekiel: I hate C and her stupid dumb idea. I knew her plan would not work!

*sighs* I feel you my boy. 

fashion police

After working for four continuous weekends, I finally got the weekend off.  Sticking to my weekend theme, “Save the Dugongs”, I spend my days sleeping and watching a lot of TV.

However, even with paid TV, there are still not many ‘interesting’ programmes to watch. Desperate, I tune in to our locals programmes, because we ‘should’ support our local entertainment industry no?

I was watching a little bit of a drama where a prostitutes who has two kids and she was diagnosed with AIDS. She was in the room all hysterical and a social worker tried to calm her down. There is nothing wrong with the scene really except my brain keeps asking me, ‘is the social worker going to a formal office function after this?’ She was dressed WAY too formal to meet a prostitute in her dingy rented room.

Maybe it’s just me.

But remember the scene in the bath tub and the girl was wearing a pario? And the cardigan in ‘Akinabalu’?  Something is so wrong with our wardrobe department!

It is also unfortunate that with the many fashion designer and self-acclaimed fashion guru in our country, the local celebrities looked as if they were dressed in the dark for a glitzy and glamorous affair like the recent AIM.  *whistles*

I know Christmas is coming but to look like a colourful tree is not the way to celebrate the season.

Sometimes, less is indeed more.

school placement

Life was and will continue to be a little hectic until further notice. The scary thing is, despite the headaches, I kinda welcome the rush and madness. Takes my mind off certain things. Things I rather not worry. For now.

So Ekiel’s primary school placement is out. He did not get into Shan Tao as I wanted but instead they placed him in a school I never heard of and it is located o-verrr there where the traffic is crazy. I only realised it was a non-Chinese school after I log in to their website.

Silly me.

How do the ministry decide who goes where? I am pretty sure the parents of the girl who got into an all-boy school must be thrilled.

I was told to fill an appeal form and register with the ‘assigned’ school anyway. Just in case. *sighs* Some told me to go to the education department, and some told me it would be a waste of time as the department personnel is not so very helpful AND they cannot move the students around without the school’s approval anyway.

As much as I hate asking for favours, I made my dad made a phone call. I think I need to make another phone call myself. Just in case. I am beginning to hate that phrase.

It doesn’t matter if the school is a smart school and what not. As a mother, I want what I think is best for Ekiel. And going to that school is not it. To learn the Chinese language is also important to me because to know more than two languages puts you two steps ahead in front of others. This is why I insist he goes to a Chinese school, but I am willing to compromise as long he gets to the school I *ahem* approve.

I used to make fun of parents who are so concern and particular about their children’s education.  This must be karma no?

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.