Sporting Wifey Went Out Station

After a bad purging day on Monday, I came back to work this morning with some bells ringing in my ears. The finance was screaming on the ERMS data key in when bosses suddenly dragged me to Lumut for the operating meeting! Oh shoot, how could have I forgotten?!!! I then packed the stuffs, down I ran to SobRock’s car heading to Lumut.
 
I however managed to SMS dear hubby after we were stopped by the speedtrap (yes, we kena!) that I am going to Lumut for a 2:30 meeting. Meeting will finish around 5:00, AND I’ll be safely home not earlier than 8:00 p.m., forgetting that Tuesday is Dear Hubby’s bowling league night.  I got bogus immediately, big PANIC attack. How could I forget that it is his Night and I was supposed to play Sporting Wifey when suddenly I remembered that this is work related. That I have been doing the same if it is his WORK. That this is the give-and-take thing we gotta compromise having only one car around.

We reached KL at 10:00. Brother picked me up at the office gate, went back home and both man and the son were sound asleep.

My First Futsal Team

Team was formed in 2003. I played defense most of the time. Our goallie was an auntie (Kak Nor) but God, was she good!

Team was formed for a friendly match with Transpro. We won another match before Transpro's but kalah teruk with Transpro's.

We then stopped playing after that, some got pregnant (me, too) and never continued. But the recent screening of Gol n Gincu did take me back to the memory lane.



Thing is, I was never good in sport. Was in the Karate team before but I excelled in Kata and just Kata. People thought I was very sporty, but it was another way 'round. Was never in the running team during sekolah rendah (eventhough I went for try outs), then went to a sekolah agam for secondary, of course, no girls are allowed to participate in the track event representing the schools. I was never into netball, sucked at volleyball (did play once during after SRP between classes match), hardly win any when representing rumah biru for Ping Pong tournament.

And the futsal is one. It's true, that when your team scored, the feeling is like the top of the world.

One of my time of the life. Just that.

Second Time Perming

The First Time I Permed It

Just Married

Picture Taken in 2002.

Our Old Sentra

Fella now is in the Tan Chong Workshop over Puchong. Got her written off, waiting for the cheque and the new car eventually.

GartBlue is Back

Gartblue has just converted to blogspot. Go click

http://lothloriendor.blogspot.com/ and you may say how relax my life is! :)

She revealed just that after a few grunts I made of her many-days and dead modblog. She tot no one read hers!

And brushing off the opportunity to laugh at the running-around life she has?

Big NO WAY!

(my time will come soon, soon, soon)

The Rapshody Valley

Was at MidValley during lunch, bosses were looking for 1GB memory card for PDAs and me was simply tagging to have a very sumptious lunch over Little Penang (hey I need that after all the pain I endured during that long Management Meeting!)

KZU had a bowl of curry laksa and me, the Lum Mee which is basically a mee soup with some shredded chicken. I just love the noodles with green cut chillies.

While they were browsing at IT World, I stopped by ath the Raphsody Valley nearby. Was actually looking for an adaptor for my Casio but was not really sure was it the adaptor that was broke or was it the keyboard itself. The salesman was trying to sell off their keyboards, think I what, stupid eh?

However was browsing the other instruments. Have the feeling that it's time for me to start trying new instruments.
First, the guitar. Besides F, D and G, I could never find the time to strum another chord.
Or, could it be the violin?
Or, could it be the bass guitar?
Or could it be the drum set?
I will, I will definitely try playing another. Let's have that as one goal to be completed before I turn 35 eh?

Oh oh oh.... found the guitar for kid and it was so darn cute! The size is small for one and the strings are not made from the usual stuffs they made guitar string, is a bit friendly to baby's soft skin. Can't wait for Azam Zikry's fourth birthday!

Clipperseep is listening to:Shania Twain

The Right Daddy

We got back quite early from work, went to K Endon’s and Azam Zikry has just finished his evening shower. Hmm.. does he smell good after bath. We then fed him the new Wheat plus Vegie Nestum that EMA gave at K Endon’s and then had our cuppas. We got back and Daddy lay on the floor, dozing off. Mommy then dragged Azam Zikry’s hands to the kitchen and started slicing the beef. He then got bored and started screaming, finally waking Daddy up. Daddy then continued the cooking work while Mommy ran upstairs with Azam Zikry and had quick shower while peek-a-booing with Azam Zikry in his cot. When we got down, Daddy had finished cooking his extra-ordinary okra with ketchup and eggs and we had our dinner together. Then Mommy decided that it was time to bring him since he has been scratching his eyes many many times when Daddy said that he should stay downstairs longer because Daddy hadn’t find time to play.

And he did just that!

I think it is very sweet of him to find time to play with the baby each day. Well, he didn’t have to bath him up, he knew well that I can do that, but he has been the one who does the splash thing because he knows that is the play-time. He took the trouble of undressing Azam Zikry (and himself) and laughed and played with him in the bathroom.

I have no doubt that Azam Zikry is showered and will be continuously showered with his love and attention. For that, bravo to me for choosing the right husband to father my child.

Clipperseep is listening to : Blame It On the Rain by Milli Vanilli at Channel V, reminded her of Yuza, a good friend who was crazy for Milli Vanilli and one crazy-headed girl herself!

Getting Social?

Weekend was very hectic.

We spent early Saturday packing for the coming events. Starting with Fakri's open house, Azam Zikry was being charming as always, smiling to anyone he could. Then we drove to Uncle Sharifuddin's Gasing Height and the double penthouse large windows was Azam Zikry's main attraction for the day. We then drove straight to Alamanda for the bowling tournament. Dear hubby swooped the third place and our group was the second best. We won RM50 Parkson voucher each for the group and he won RM80 for the individual score. Dear hubby agreed to split all the voucher amount equally (yay!). We headed then to Syahir's open house which cook the best Nasi Ayam around. Next stop was mama's place.

Due to that heavy downpour, we slept over at Bangi with me being very very careful on the numbers of diapers I changed Azam Zikry. We then woke up and drove back to home after breakfast with Azam Zikry in his final diaper. Finally made home safely! And he poo-pooed just half hour when we arrived home! Fooh!

At noon we made the trip to Rasah, to see Imran and his parents.

Imran was basically the same small-sized baby but mine, was he so playful!! He went up and down the couch, grabbing all the toys he could while bigger-sized Azam Zikry looked. I wonder what was in Azam Zikry's mind when he stared at Imran playing host. Azam Zikry was almost in tears every other minutes, could probably caused by the very little nap he had in the car or Imran being a very much lasak big brother or both! He cried when Imran grabbed the toy in his hand, he cried when Imran grabbed his shirt and he stood helplessly when Imran was toying around him. At one point of time, he actually roared back at Imran, with his palm almost touching Imran's forehead.

Was he a grumpy baby!

Mommy, in the other hand, was actually worried to bits seeing Azam Zikry being so insociable (apekejadah word ni!). Imran's baby sitter has a few other kids under her care while Kak Endon has none. That could be the reason. Then mommy started thinking of sending Azam Zikry to preschool kinder, just to get him socializing with other kids. Thinking hard is there such place for a baby 1-year age, Mommy started thinking whether getting a baby sister or brother could solve the problem (and then a loud thunder was heard inside Mommy's head, heh Mommy , you ACTUALLY thought about getting a new one huh?). Mommy still think that umm-ahh kissing he made to people he wanted to kiss is cute but he better be more lasak than he currently is!

Hmmphh!!! The first worry of a mother when a child finally rowing in to the real life!

The Battle with the Zits

The Troy is currently on HBO. Have seen that one, well, Brad Pitt pulled me to. I was never really interested in the Greek’s ancient, except a bit on the Aphrodite, the Zeus and the Poseidon. Never came thru Agememnon before but I guess his character has always been the one who started war, any war in the world. The greed in one’s heart, the face one can’t lose, the sins one can’t forgive, these can lead to many soldiers being murdered by the fake cause they are made to believe, to the war.

For right now, I am having a great battle with the zits. Zits! I never have problems of such since I was 14. I have lived the life as a woman who is always free with zits, of course, one or two small ones came up but it went of easily less than two days.

The battle. It started with one great zit, at the upper left of my forehead. It built up within four very long days, and each day I waited to see tip of the zit, so that I can seize the white thing out which will then end the pain I’ve endured when the skin get tighter and tighter each day.

While I went through each day with this first zit, another one rose proudly at the south west of the First. This one look the same, it went up higher and bigger but the tip was no where to be seen. Then, another small one rose at the right side of my forehead. By this time, I couldn’t hold on to my fingers anymore. I poked the First with the tiniest needle I could find and squeezing I was. After two pokes, nothing came out but blood. No white thing, I agitated!

The Second, however, could tolerate the squeeze. The white thing came out with a pop in front of the mirror and I could not help but feeling like I won! Even I know the scars will stay by all these three and the zits actually have won the war.

However, like King Priam has said, “But even the enemies can show respect”, I religiously applied moisturizer on the area where the zits reside. I feel that the skin will soften and the zits will choose to leave my ever soft and clear forehead. I, then, will stay as perempuan Melayu berdahi licin!

The war, however, can’t stop me from analyzing on why such occurrence. I thought of the way I’ve been handling my face all these since the li’l one arrived.

1. I never found time to go upstairs and wash my face coming back from work. Jacket is thrown off everytime we got home, and to the kitchen I straightly head to.
2. After the Kinabalu peak conquest, I was prescribed as having the sun sensitivity problem, which I thought was originally a panau (fungal infection on your face resulting white spots). Dermatologist Ranjit has prescribed me Cetaphil for cleansing and an EGO SPF 30 for moisturizer. Cetaphil was very mild and my skin always react differently to SPF more than 15.
3. It could be the Make Up For Professional, both the liquid foundation and the powder.
4. It could be the Facial Treatment Essence SK-II, I used that for less than a day before the First one appeared.
5. It could be the hair mousse, I might have touched my forehead after applying them on my long hair. Have solved that by cutting them short.
6. It’s the time of the month.

One of these, combined or not, is definitely the culprit.

I pray hard that this battle will end, soon.

New Hair-Do Doodle a Doo

People!

I had my hair cut short! Really really short. Have you ever seen Meg Ryan in the what angel with Nicolas Cage? Or Charlize Theron in Sweet November? Yes, that short.

Go figure.

Was at Pyramid Lane yesterday for a practice with dear hubby. Decided to walk in to A Cut Above and asked about a short and spa perm. Then the senior stylist was like screaming for me not to cut it short, he said that the curls are too beautiful! (kembang hidung!) then explained about (1) the messy morning, on the mousse I have to apply while juggling with li'l Azam Zikry nappy changing. (2)Desperate for a new style. (3) If I have to spend time applying mousse and treatment, I better spend on the short hair instead of a long ones. After minutes of defending my bold move, he took a look and decided the best style. Called the ever understanding hubby to wait up outside (poor him, while dragging the bowling trolleys). Got a quick wash and within 15 minutes , ta-da, that was the new me! He was actually impressed with the new style, said that it made me look a few years younger! Whatever, but I was already grinning from one ear to another.

Will definitely go back for two tones highlight some other time.

Stopped by at the Loaf Story and bought s'thing for K Endon's kids (for the extra time they took care of AzamZikry while Mommy playing bowling and getting new cut) then couldn't stop staring at the rear view mirror while hubby driving. I do actually look a few years younger! I infact look like a tingkatan 3 girl! (hahaha masuk bakul!)

Clipperseep is listening to: Shania Twain (GOD! I love the violin!)
Clipperseep has read the headline today: Nope!
Moment of day: Waking up this morning, deciding to wash my hair and splooosh, I was ready in less than five minutes! Like I have found freedom once again!

My Childhood Crush

The Star (Focus P29) wrote about Aaron Kwok, a Hong Kong star, being in Ipoh for a movie shot. Then there was just his picture, with a lot of grey hairs, but still looking amazingly handsome like ever.

That reminds me of the crush, write again, BIG CRUSH, I used to have for the Hong Kong star when I was little.

First was Cheung Yeung Fatt, whom Alang had great crush with. He is the first Hong Kong star I ever got introduced to (on TV). His first series was based on the 1950 scenes.

Jacky Chan was of course the most heroic one. Drunken Master was my favorite, because he was annoyingly funny and amazingly fast in the movie. Jet Li was also another kungfu star but he always as mysteriously demuring, as serious as possible. He always win a fight after get beaten so bad, and always walk proudly away from the fight scene with a bleeding forehead and lips.

Then there were Jacky Cheung, Aaron Kwok, you continue on the listing..

My secret crush, is not very well known. He is Frankie Lum Mun Loong, who has a round face with a crisp hair-do. He stared in Vengeance which I saw during the long break after SRP (now currently known as PMR).

Oh the slit eyes were really huge for me at that time, and I even dreamt of getting married to a Chinese. Thought they could be as cool as the Hong Kong Stars!

Then, take a look at the picture of my dear hubby and tell me what you think?

I rest my case.

Family First

Had read my many many blog written on Monday? That was done while waiting for dear hubby to pick me up.

My husband is my balance. I don't think anyone else read my blog as much as he does. He, too, has other blogs that he reads like his Magic Friends, his losing Manchester Utd. What's your favorite blogs?

I notice that my favorite blogs are pretty much the moms' blogs. There's this one by a mom of two, http://hazelinesnow.blogspot.com/ which is very lively and interesting. A friend of mine's, http://gartblue.modblog.com/ is another one you should be looking for if you want tips of raising four kids with one nursing! Of course, there is my favorite Yasmin Ahmad, but she hardly update any these days http://storyteller.blogspot.com

Today, nothing much in the headline. The Aussie, by the way, after 32 long awaited years, is finally in the World Cup. Hubby was dancing at that fifth penalty.Today, too, the Goblet Fire is screened. Think I have to wait until next week to watch.

Have made arrangement a week ago to go back to Tuk's place at Parit Buntar on the 24th and 25th. We'll move out into the highway on early 24th morning since I hate the afternoon glaring sun! However, the fellowship of my work has decided to arrange a Hari Raya Gathering for the staff on 24th morning. Was thinking that we probably could bear the sun and shoot out straight after the lunch gathering.

Then it hits me, how many times have I made personal arrangement and re-arrange that for the sake of office events? A few tenders, that PD team building (I cancelled the ticket for two to Kuching for Susan's wedding), that there was that AKP Audit. But have people really made arrangement on their personal activity based on the event that I arranged? First it was the Buka Puasa at Toh Yuen, it was pre-arranged like two weeks in advance. Then this bowling with ever precious customer, it was arranged way before Ramadan. I remembered announcing it before Ramadan in the staff meeting so that everybody'll be aware on the date. No body rejected the date or said the date was not suitable or what.

Now, however, look at the number of people agreeing to come!

Thinking of that, I don't think I want to bear the hot sun on the highway up north. Will shoot up in the morning right, and Azam Zikry can sleep soundly in the morning sun.

It's time for me to put my own family first before anything.

Kiss RJ, baby!

Mommy: Where's RJ, Azam Zikry?

Azam Zikry: (looking around, and found that big teddy bear, a present from godparents, on the couch)

Mommy: Kiss RJ, Azam Zikry.

Azam Zikry: (moving closer and the picture tells!)

Show Me Your Teeth!

Would I Give It Up?

EMA called yesterday to come over for Raya Ziarah over my place but I however, miscalculated the hours from Mama's place back to our place. EMA arrived 1 hour early and I didn't get to see both them and Imran! Felt like crying on the way home, and was hoping that when we arrived, their car will still be parked at my gate. I really really wanted to see them, first there is this backpack that we need to return, then they are going off soon to Sydney soon and plus, it's Raya for God's sake!

Dear hubby was sympathized enough that he dragged me to Sunway Pyramid where I splurged on two tops at South China Sea (both of them are black, btw). Shopping is the ultimate and miraculous soul deprivation med. Then he savoured my hunger for Penang Food.

EMA's hubby, Hilmy, is getting this opportunity to do his kinda a POST Graduate program at Padstow, Sydney (was surfing the other day to find out where Padstow is, failure received). He'll come back, teaching at a very new aviation college. The pay is awesome but for the duration of first two years, he'll be getting student allowance which is only RM500 - or so. Imagine if the household income is RM6,000 per month, and suddenly it goes down to RM3,500, what would you do? First, there are rents, utilities and car hire and purchase to be served. Then there are groceries: food, baby's items and stuffs. Then there are your needs, like lunch, clothing, and birthday gifts to people. Car maintenance. Saving. Make up.

With a reduced income, you will still survive. Take a look at any despatch or driver whose income is very much less than you, their kids get to school and be fed normal, healthy food. The lifestyle, however, is different. My question is: Would you be willing to compromise your lifestyle for your spouse's interest?

Like Gabrielle in The Desperate Housewives, she obviously can't. She still want to live in the beautiful house, buying shoes every month, having lunch at expensive diners and asking Carlos to go to jail (wow that rhymes with go to hell! LOL) and serve the punishment.

Would I want to lose my husband over my lifestyle?

Say then, I opt to lose my lifestyle. What would it mean to me?
1. I'd say no to all the colleague hang outs during lunch. Or I'd go and order plain water.
2. I'd confine myself during the weekend and avoid the Malls as much as I could.
3. I'd do the groceries shopping in bulk, scrutinizing the neccesities of every items I bought.
4. I cook every nights, totally a big NO for night eat-out (and shut the eyes off everytime the McDonald's adds are aired!)
5. I eat home-made yoghurts.
6. I teach Azam Zikry potty at very very early age and to some extend, use the re-usable clothing diapers.
7. I take train if I could, or car pool with people.
8. Totally no vacation for the whole two years!
9. I use bedak sejuk for night cream and kiss the jar of de la Mer good bye.
10. Will take breakfast at home.
11. Have to probably chose between Movie Package at Astro and Movie Night Out (twice a month) and DVD purchasing or might have to scrap all three!
12. Start sending letters to Mak instead of phoning.
13. Start running in the park and cancel the gym membership.
14. Cancel all magazine subscription and read onlines instead.
15. Buy used books instead of spluring at MPH whenever I feel rich.
16. Home-made flash cards for Azam Zikry.
17. Probably sew my own baju raya??!

And all of the above are actually doable (it sounds like do'a ble! ). Money have bought time and hardships.

Back to EMA, I pray hard that she won't have much difficulties adjusting to the new life. It will be only temporary and anytime you need me, even financially, I am a call away. Call, on anything, don't you care cutting on Imran's food. You can cut down yours, a lot, but not him!

All the best to a beautiful friend with a beautiful soul!

Me! Me!

WHERE'S THE BOY?

Mommy: Who is Azam Zikry?

Azam Zikry: Me! Me!

The Little Garden Lover Has Spoken

The Little Garden Lover Has Spoken
Today, mommy and daddy went to work, as usual, but they came back at noon. Once in two weeks time, they will come back at noon. And the day after that, they don’t go to work. Mommy said it was Saturday.

When they picked me up, they went to kedai mamak and daddy ordered mamak fried me. Mommy, while waiting for the food, took me for a walk along the sidewalk at that kedai mamak’s shop. Everybody who came across me smiled and patted my bald head. It wasn’t my fault to be that charming!!

When we got home, we tossed around the bed for almost one hour or so. Mommy was trying to get me to nap but I was too busy playing with daddy and tickling mommy’s tummy. Then mommy said to daddy that it was time to do up the garden. Mommy went down and daddy attended me poo-poo, then we laid down some more in bed. Mommy shouted many times from downstairs, asking us to go down but I was having too much fun with daddy. Mommy, can you just leave us alone?

But I’m glad she didn’t. I never thought that the gardening could be so much fun. First, daddy put my shoes on. Then I saw mommy and daddy squatting, pulling some green things (which they called weeds and rumput jahat) from the other green things (which they called their every precious pearl grass). I wanted to help but the hose kept me busy. I thought water was supposed to come out from the hose, but nothing come out. So, I kept poking the end of the hose.

Then daddy said it was time to chop down some helicornia plants at the far end of the garden for they were growing wild. Mommy went straight to squatting, took the cutter and chopped the plants down until she got tired. Then she asked daddy to take over. Daddy, being Daddy, stood around the helicornia, analyzing on either the way he should sit or how best should he chop the plants or how many of plants he should chopped. I heard him asked some questions to Mommy but at the end, Mommy yelped, “Just chop them off!”. I guess there’s nothing wrong about analyzing but I think Mommy was getting tired answering Daddy’s questions. Hmm I wonder how can she stand it when the time came for me to start speaking and asking questions!!

Then Mommy said something about re-arranging the pots. She asked Daddy to move all the tall plants (mine! They are taller than me!) at one corner of the garden and then she’ll relocate all the small ones around the tall ones. Daddy, then, stood at one spot of the garden, looking at all the plants then started doing that analyzing thingy. He was afraid that the corner is not big enough to cater all the plants. Mommy, looking at daddy helplessly, asked whether he wanted to go inside and draw the way he planned to do that pots placement or just move the all the tall plants to that side. She moved all the small pots so that daddy could see clearly and stop analyzing.

They are so busy (talking, working and quarrelling) and I thought I could be a help. I carefully stepped on the wet grass, squatted and pulled some grass. Mommy turned to me and was surprised that her son is the kind who will just squat and do, instead of analyzing. But she didn’t know that I have done more than analyzing from far! She sweetly said, “Good boy, so smart!”. Then my head and forehead started feeling itchy, I scratched them, leaving mud and pieces of grass on my head. I then decided to be me again and explore the taste of grass plus mud, when Daddy saw and screamed. He then turned the water one and shove the hose into my mouth to clean away the mud and the grass out from my tongue and throat. I was by then wet all over my body, but I love being wet!

I was about to shout, c’mon daddy, spray some water on me when daddy decided to take me inside. He then looked at mommy to find out what was the final chore. Mommy said he has to sweep the mud off the tiles and she will spray the water to help him. They quickly worked that out with mommy secretly sprayed some water to me! I loved it! Mommy then sprayed some water to Daddy too but he doesn’t love water as much as we do. At her third spray, Daddy swooped me and took me in, after undressing me at the lawn. Hey look people, I am in diaper at my lawn! Look at my body, people! I wished they could take my diaper off too, there are things too to show.

Daddy and I had shower together then they dressed me up with the new attire Uncle Kannan gave. I thought the day will end there but then they took me to Subang Parade. Daddy saw his friend, Nazrin, who is in Pop Shuvit, playing there. Then he stopped by at Hyundai sales spot while Mommy pushed the stroller around the temporary stalls (who sells some baju kurung mommy was eyeing on and hinting daddy). When I have finally slept, they went and had dinner at Chicken Rice Shop. I woke up when they finally got to the car, dozing on and off on the way home until mommy changed me to pyjamas, drank some milk and tossed around the bed like always. I then chose to sleep under mommy’s armpit because it simply smelt good!

Daddy said it was a tiring chore but I, after much analysis done, decided that I love gardening and it’s been a spectacular day!

Selamat Hari Raya from Us

Azam Zikry wrote:

On behalf of Daddy and Mommy who obviously can't find time to reply all your raya cards, I'd like to wish all of you, readers, a very Selamat Hari Raya. Thank you for all your wishes and yes, I'll make it a point for them to send you Raya cards next year!

Hear Me Out Loud!

I haven’t felt this satisfied for such a long time!!

My team was summoned for a meeting with Finance on the provisional clause on the last Financial Audit. The person who summoned the meeting on behalf of the Managing Director was none other than the MizAnoi. I slept at three a.m. preparing the slides on my team key activities, to the tiniest little details, for I know, shouting out that the work load is unbearable will get unnoticed without a proper presentation.

As I walked in to the meeting room, MizAnoi has already written on the board the agenda of the meeting. Three of them altogether. Being as ignorant as possible, I hooked up the laptop with the projector and ta-da, the light shone upon her agendas. Then Tharan came and thought the agendas was the left-over from yesterday’s meeting, rubbing them off, clean!

I started the presentation, without being asked to speak, on the key activities of my team. Highlighting the priorities of each activity, with the security of supply being the MOST IMPORTANT task in our lives, I somehow explained on why are there the backlogs of open account. I kinda let the MD juggle, which one does he prefer most, getting the accounts beautifully closed and vessels having problem being fixed thus causing the interruptions of delivery. It was then clearly shown to everybody that OPERATION is not about checking and approving invoices, closing the accounts and capturing the data, it is actually about getting the delivery process smooth and uninterrupted.

The meeting was resolved by allocating two personnel doing the back office for the operation. It is kind of a support team, don’t ask me why is it called the back office. It sounds more like a backside to me.  Anyway, I am so glad that people actually heard us this time. Thanks to my effort!

MizAnoi, like always, was seated next to MD, occasionally whispering to him and joking around. There are times where we were talking across the table on certain issues, but she, gracefully, brought his attention to what was she thinking inside! There was this time where IDA asked us to stop talking, just to let her finish with MD so that we will get his attention. Bravo, girl!

I’m so glad that:
1. People actually now understand our work better, and which task is the first priority.
2. My boss approved my presentation without me having to go thru him first, in fact he supported every details by explaining in depth.
3. People actually asked whether we had enough, even with the new two coming in.
4. My boss kept hinting for more bodies to be in the team.
5. My colleague finally spoke her mind off!
6. My power point was in color and it was beautiful!

I never felt this good about work for such a long time. Eventhough it ended up with MizAnoi volunteering nothing and do nothing but suggesting, it went well. We have made our points and Finance actually understood them. Whether the MD understands that enough, I don’t know.

Another point of satisfaction: both Finance and my team clearly saw that MizAnoi sat there, doing nothing but kissing the MD’s butt. Don’t even know where does she belongs to, her activity doesn’t appear in any of the ERMS nor the Team Main Activities.

The world is so round, MizAnoi, one day you’ll be up there and one day you’ll be down. Just make sure people are around to help you when you are down there.

I can’t stand stupidity!!

Was evaluating a tender submission which some people obviously have quoted much lower than the rest. Lots of analysis was done, risk analysis, total cost value, implication, duration of years, market outlook bla.. bla .. bla you name it.

Action sheet from the board coming back saying that the contract is to be allocated EVENLY for the people. Read: EVENLY.

What was the use of the rating, risk analysis I did?

Then the two very expensive submissions (which I have rejected in my evaluation) were asked to reduce their rates to match the lowest.

What was the use then of the tender process? You might as well ask me to invite all the players to sit down together and come out with one number.

Talking about working smart huh?

Clipperseep is currently listening to Vanessa Carlton which piano arrangement was fantastic! At least there’s one good thing of the day filled with the stupid directives.

First day at work!

After ten (read: TEN) days on leave, I’m back at work! Things going smooth this morning, clearing up some emails (which email box shows 329 unreads), sent the letter due to be sent before Deepavali, with some calculations to be fixed, got the big boss to sign the letter and started comparing the calculation of the new tender evaluation done by both my boss and I. During lunch I got to get Kak Satiah, who made the most delicious coffee in the whole Crystal Plaza, to give me her great massage.
Then I suddenly remember that the Thailand visitors are coming today and I am to chip in my energy, time and courtesy to entertain them tonight! Quickly made arrangement with wonderful husband, dropped by at the Gym to wash off the smell and feeling of Nona Roguy massage oil at my back and shoulder. Put on my makeup and went to KL Hilton pick the gentlemen up. We then went to Saloma’s Bistro which the food are so ordinary.
Saloma’s Bistro has the reason on why we picked her up. She, the stand-alone bungalow in the middle of the busy junctions in the heart o KL, has some cultural dances which are are the soul of the bungalow heart. As I watched the many different types of dances, I was lucky to be able to catch the glimpse of the bungalow’s soul. Even though she does have other section of the bungalow which entertain people differently, this soul of hers smell differently.
It smelt the courage of very few people left in Malaysia who fought in their way to preserve the country and its history. As I watched the many types of dances coming from different states, I know that my heart has fallen in love with m own country’s heritage, the beautiful dances. I couldn’t even name the dances: some of them sound like Bukish Zapin (what?) but the tiny fingers of the female dancers and the stomping feet of the males are extraordinary, at least to me.
Years ago, if you ask me whether I know where does this certain dance come from, I’d be proud to say that I didn’t know. It shows that these dances are so OLD and I am the young generation who knows only Vanilla Ice, then Mariah Carey then BackStreetBoys then Jennifer Lopez then Beyonce. I’d be laughed at by my friends if I know that the traditional dance of Perak is so so so (I am so have to find out the name of the dance! It’s killing me!!).
Tonight, however, I feel so humiliated. As I am writing the blog, I am trying to find out pieces of strength to be able to stand and call myself a Malay? What would I be leaving Azam Zikry with so that he’ll feel the dignity to be a Malay? Where is the dignity in my life if I can’t even name the dance coming from my own state?
I don’t know what has gotten into me, it could be the bungalow who obviously carried a long forgotten history in the midst of the funky musics, or it could be the beautiful music but I was trying hard to hold up tears in my eyes. Azam Zikry sweet face kept popping out and I wonder whether he’ll grow up as the kid who hate to be laughed for knowing the traditional dance name or the kid who tried so hard to stomp in between the bamboo in the Kadazan-Duzun dance.
We were then picked up by the company’s driver who happened to be serving the first lady of the CEO. I secretly whispered that if I were her, I will establish the program of “Malay Dance Perseverance” in the company. That will be my first contribution to our heritage.
And why shall I have excuses of time and name to start on the persevering steps?
Can’t think anymore, just feel like hitting the sack.

Raya Movie

I was given the opportunity to see Sembilu 2005 and Sepet (once again), during the recent Raya.

Both stories are similar, about a boy and a girl who fell in love, coming from two different races (or origin) but one is waaaaaaay much better than the other one.

Sembilu, was mainly written, I think, to suit the booming personality of Vince.

Sepet, is then, a very honest movie, beautifully written.

I got tired of the luxury shown by the houses people in KL living in in Sembilu. The house seemed rich but it looks stiff. However, Sepet's houses are normal houses (both Orked's and Jason's) but you can somehow smell the love in both houses.

So, movie makers, stop showing us all the rich people's houses but start filming the houses with love. Stop showing us all the fast cars and start filming the kapchai ridden to deliver love letter.

Can't wait for her next, Gubra.

My Son Pretends that He is Still Breastfeeding!

Weird isn’t it, he goes to sleep (be it the afternoon nap or the nighty night) while licking my shirt (in between my two breast). Try watching the way his mouth moves while his eyes doze off, you’ll laugh to his pretentious breastfeeding.

Whatever keeps you with mommy!

Went to Hamdan’s in law’s house at Kepong to give away the stroller we bought him. His mom in law cook this special mee soto that kinda brushed all the weird feeling over my throat for eating that MUCH of rendaang and ketupat (gotta spell that rendaang with double aa or word will intelligently want to spell check that to rending).

Then stopped by at Sarah’s at Bandar Utama to see her two weeks old Alisha. Baby was sound asleep and we got to meet Sarah’s mom, whom has a very strong character.

tak ada kena mengena dengan sesiapa, just a thought of mine

I strongly feel that a new mother with a newborn shall not be made to change the diaper nor bath the baby by herself, she shouldn’t be doing all those in the first place. That is why all ladies should go back to their moms’ during the first confinement. Having a baby is very challenging, plus you yourself is not recuperating. I had terrible backache due to nappy changing in Azam Zikry first weeks.

I know that moms are supposed to learn changing the nappy and bathing the baby but hey, give us a break for at least a few weeks. Wait until the back that has been bent for nine months recovered.

I hate, just hate, all those people who made the new mommies change their babies’ nappies. Bukannya kitorang tak nak change, we want, but can you guys wait until the pain of delivery ceased to let us ‘learn’ through experience?

If you mothers made us change the nappy and bath the baby, we will opt to stay at the hospital for the rest of two months and you, grandmothers, will miss the opportunity of ‘boasting around the world’ on how cute your grandbabies are!

Done bitchin.

Two More Days for the Eid

Am currently at parents’. Little Azam Zikry refused to let me out of his sight. He just wanted me, occasionally played with his Ateh and Pak Ngah. The rest, he couldn’t bother to be friends with.

Got a call from Nik, wishing Hari Raya. Knew from him that Reena, a very good friend of mine had just reconciled with the husband. The word Nik used was “Kawin balik”. I was so puzzled, that means they were once divorced at such a young marriage.

Reena and I were really close, she was the first to say hi to me when I first transferred to that school. How could I forget the days where the seniors were hitting us hard and she was there, chirping all the way. Neither could I forget the milk she made me when I was sick. I knew her parents, was there when her sister got sick. She was one of the most bubbly friends God made for me and she had this special laugh that is so different from the rest. We didn’t go to the same class and I always looked forward to hear her stories, thought that her class was like the coolest at school.

We were still friends when we graduated high school. Losing boyfriends, changing jobs, gaining weight, we were there. She then had her special circle of friends, oh who could possibly not loving her, but still I have a special spot in her heart and her in mine. She did the make up for me during my engagement day, I was there during hers. Were there for each other during our wedding days

When she decided to leave that college boyfriend, no one knows that the guy was actually abusing her. She kept that in secret, until the courage came to leave the boyfriend. When the stories she poured in, I can’t help but feeling GUILTY for not being there for her during the rough times. I mean, a good friend can sense that the boyfriend is no use, right? But Reena kept it so so well, she in fact told good stories about her Shakaze, how romantic he was, how hilarious he could be at times.

And thing happened again this time. Not the abusing part I hope, but the rough times, and how could I not be there for her? How could I not sense it? She could be so lonely at times, so angry at herself probably for choosing this path of life and I was NOT THERE for her.

Dear Reena, if you are reading this, please know that my heart went out for you. I know things are going well right now and by God, I’m so glad you guys worked it out. I respect the boundaries you have drawn between us, that it is no longer like the crush you had with the pakcik kantin, or the hatred we both felt for the spinster warden, that this is personal, that this is your life. I must admit that I feel a bit left out on your personal life but I do respect the choices you have made. Just know that I always be there, to take you out for window shopping just to make you forget certain things at home and NOT talk about it. You can always laugh the way you laugh weirdly, and I can always choose to make fun of your laugh but we can NOT talk about it. It broke my heart to know how lonely you could be at times, again, I am here for you.

Like Desperate Housewives’ Gabrielle said, “A good friend offers sympathy, but a great friend pretends nothing happens”.

So, here I am, pretending nothing happens, and you still owe me that baju you kept!

Selamat Hari Raya

Selamat Hari Raya!

The First Syawal is here, finally!

We spent four days at my parents', then driving back to home, put up a night, then spent the last Ramadan at Azmady's parents'. Azam Zikry refused to let me out of his sight, at both my parents' and Azmady's, so I didn't get to be much of a help. Mama did all the cooking by herself, poor her! But she managed to do all those by herself and still keeping the kitchen clean, neat and organized. The only thing I got to help is ironing her dining table cloth. Better than nothing huh!

SMSes came rushing in wishing Selamat Hari Raya. I have a pre-written text to reply all those but splashed in a few personal sentences to those who I think deserve it. Cool Selamat Hari Raya SMSes are spread all over the town for e.g. I got the "Sorry I baroo bar lake dairy London!" from Azrina (Manchester ex student, same org) and Boy (Smapian, MFI). I have this thought of inventing my new own SMS and how cool it'd be when it is spread all over the town during the festive and how cooler it'd be receiving it back again but then the little one always become the excuse of not creating one... Seriously, I didn't have much time to organize the words in my mind and jot them down.

Downstairs people are watching Sepet which I think is THE most honest movie I've ever seen. Can't wait for her next film, Gubra which review I have read in her blog. I got to blog since Azam Zikry has gone to dreamland (remind me to write about his new habit of getting to sleep: lick mommy's chest)

Lemme tell you about the first Eid we had. We, of course, dressed in deep red, he and Daddy in Johore's baju melayu and me with Kebaya and Batik. Mak has done some adjustment on his sleeve which then made the Johore's look so funny, macam baju kedah. Imagine this, the sleeves are so short but the badan are so labuh! Haha.. he looked cute, anyway. And dear Daddy look so ever handsome in red. After Daddy and Tuk Wan and Pak Ngah and Pak Su came back from the Surau, we did the traditional raya thing, salam and memohon maaf. Mama and Papa basically were standing when we wanted to salam them, I then dragged Mama to sit, telling her it's time for her to be a tuk (a grandparent), sit and wait for the kids to salam and minta maaf, Ma!! I kissed both of my in law's. Then Shaniza called from London, we took turn to speak to her which Azam Zikry chose to scream instead. (oh ya he is getting syiok already with his annoying scream! I am to find out a way of putting him to stop to those ears piercing screams)

We then go to visit Pak Hamzah and Azam Zikry got to play with Amir Haziq. The boy is a month older but got a lot more teeth than him. We then visit the other neighbor which house has frightened me. There were clothes, books and basically JUNKS everywhere in the house. I dared took a step into the kitchen and its image stuck in my mind until late afternoon! Whooh.... That is basically the most DIRTY house I've ever been in entire life!! But their kids are great. They are friendly, down to earth, great with Azam Zikry and drive sporty cars.

We went back then to put AZ to sleep for one hour and a half then shoot to Prof Adib's, mama's gynae at Jln Chenderai, Bangsar where I met Juli, her daughter who works with MAS. She talked about having a red book policy on procurement on all the GLCs companies and I am yet to find out.

After that, we got nowhere to go so we decided to pay a relatives' late Deepavali Visit at Jln Limau Manis. But the real reason I wanted to visit is because I haven't seen their triplet. Yes, you read me right, TRIPLET. Two girls and one boy, they are Dravid, Anushka and Marisha. When we first walked, they are seated discplinely in their dining chairs, alligned in a straight line in front of the tv, watching Aladin while having dinner. They have their own play ground, siap ada pagar, and they DO have lots of books. At the age of two, they are still closely guarded by their parents, their grandparents and two maids. Nak tinggal pergi dapur pun the mother will call the tata to come and watch one of the girls. I wonder how Shamala and the husband have their own lives. But I guess, the kids ARE their lives.

My goal, to see the TRIPLET, one of the many wonders of the world, is achieved. I came back, letting Azam Zikry nuzzled my caftan, feeling contented and so much relieved for God gave me one angel to love. I am sure three are A GREAT GIFT but for now, lemme settle for one who is more than happy to nuzzle me.

Tomorrow we gotta see Hamdan at his in laws' to hand him over his stroller.

Selamat Hari Raya. May yours be as fulfilling as mine.