Mumble no. 57

Ah the end of the year. It is almost here again. Know what this means? Shopping, baby! As sale event will take place in all retail outlets in conjunction with a public holiday in the month of December. My mom and half brothers are planning to come staying with us in Pasir Ris. It is also the holiday season for college and university brats so they have the perfect excuse to travel and see the world. Yeah, right.

Hopefully Abi and I can take them all out dining, shopping; tourist style. Actually we ourselves have never really explored explored the Lion City so I think the time is just right for us all to find out what is so unique about the country. Hmm.

Year end is also the time for my husband and me to have that beach holiday, again! Of course a bunch of other boys are coming along, too. Remember Krabi, guys? I hope it is going to be as crazy as last year’s trip with a lot of drinking taking place (tongue). I already miss those sleepless card playing nights. Body massage; one must never forget that. And I cannot wait to taste lots of different but scrumptious food!

Also in this entry I have to say what I should have said a long time ago, since the middle of this year to be exact. I am afraid that if I do not do this, very soon, I am going to lose my mind. So here goes:

I have been coming to work, day in day out without having any specific job to do. No matter is either important or urgent. I am tired of doing it but have no intention to leave the company I work with so far. However recently, and I feel it the strongest today; I am beginning to not see the point of repeating this everyday anymore. You may think I am weak but that is how it has been all this while. Help?

Looking on the bright side of this so-called issue, I enjoy going to work for being with colleagues, drinking and eating three times during the day on breaks. As if socializing at the office is not enough, I meet the girls for more drinks outside or for dinner especially when we all fast on that day. In addition, my paycheck is on time at every end of the month, without fail. And just to make things clear, the company is doing well and there is no sign of it going to be shut down despite the slow economy nowadays. Hey on second thought, I may get through this because I am a cat that is patient and love to be spoilt with free money from a great company (grin).

So there I said it. It is a battle for me getting up to work on weekdays. I actually look forward to weekends because my life is much better and fun with Abi around. Although it is also a fight opening my eyes in the morning these last two days but I was glad to have done it with him (kiss), waking up that is. After all, we could use a beauty sleep having traveled back and fourth between the two countries.

Busy bee

It is impossible for me to detail out all happenings for the past one month. So here is my life in recap:

Last weekend, I drove down to Singapore with brother-in-law, his guy cousin and mom-in-law. We met Abi’s kid sister and her boy cousins at Pasir Ris home.

Mom-in-law cooked her famous “mee mama” on Saturday much to everybody’s delight. Although eight hungry kids had to wait for their turns as we were short on plates (sigh).

However, Sunday meal was even better not only because there was stingray asam pedas, omelet, fried prawn and vegetable prepared by mom-in-law; but number of people had also reduced (grin) when three had left prior to lunchtime. More food for the rest of us, yay!

By the way I grabbed a UNIQLO t-shirt and sweat parka from the Tampines outlet, when in fact I needed were the leggings! Maybe sweet husband does not mind buying them for me at ION Orchard, pretty please?

Last two weekends, my husband and I flew to Langkawi. Well, we kind of needed some rest after Raya, without any specific plans. However, we did go to places we missed the last time we visited for example the Cable Car and Underwater World.

Riding our way up to Gunung Mat Chincang was an unbelievable experience. Of course I was scared but it was also a good way of embracing my fear of height. You did enjoy that too, right Abi (kiss)? Meanwhile, the many species at the renowned marine park did not failed to fascinate us. We both especially loved the penguins; they were darn cute and funny!

We stayed at perhaps the only 4-star hotel in Kuah town, which meant duty-free shopping was just walking distance away. We could get to the shops as soon as they were opened in a matter of minutes! And the hotel's buffet breakfast was not disappointing at all and I had eaten a lot before we began our so-called adventure.

We had char koay teow dinner for the first night and sup tulang northern style on the second. For lunch on day one it was grilled kembong, terubuk, a beef dish, fried veggie with rice and drinks at just RM20! We took it easy on our last day as we had northern laksa, mee rebus and cendol for late lunch by the beach.

I got to love everything about this island; the breathtaking landscape, the northern dialect (loud but entertaining) and the flavorful food. Even the RM1 nasi lemak was tasty, unlike in KL. And to a real shopaholic (read: yours truly), shopping became a small part of the agenda when discovering Langkawi was a lot more fun. There are always more things to see, which is why we are coming back for sure.

Abi and I did not have much to do in the last five weekends sadly due to I had to work on Saturdays. Except that a girlfriend forced another school friend to cook pasta for us so we could pay her a Raya visit. Yeah we enjoyed torturing our girlfriend like that but we had fun, right girls? Anyhow, the spaghetti was delicious and so did your so-called serunding (wink).

A university girlfriend got married on last three Fridays. I attended her marriage solemnization that night without Abi but had to skip her wedding reception on Saturday. She was one of my apartment mates back then. All of us were reunited again celebrating her blissful day. After all I had been attending all these girls’ wedding except one.

I almost skipped the after dinner if not for sup tulang they served there. The truth is, I was supposed to fetch my husband later that same night but I had to call brother-in-law for back up. Surprising Abi with his new lift (thanks, bro) I stayed a bit longer to catch up with the girls.

Hey congratulations, dear. May he take really good care of you and take you wherever you need to be. Still not confident to drive, are we? Anyway, cheers!

My AUSMAT friend invited my husband and me to his open house on Sunday. Actually he just bought a new home not very far from my office so we went there to check it out. We arrived rather late but thank God there was still food! The guys had a nice chat while I shoved whatever I could down my throat (burp), before we said good night to our hosts.

So that was it, all my Raya weekends in an entry. It was cool although tiring but that was because of the office moving thingy. Oh my workplace was relocated and it had only been eight days today. I am still inhaling the fresh paint odor which is making me uneasy. Well, life or work has to go on, I guess. It is survival of the fetus, anyway. I hope I am strong enough to face same old at-new-office politics but let us pray I do not have to step on other people’s heads to pave my path here. So are you like, scared now?

Hari Raya 2

Abi and I celebrated our first day of Hari Raya in Penang. In fact, we were already on our way over there two days prior to the big day. I had also promised myself to break the fasting with grandmother; and dad in Sungai Petani. I managed to fulfill them all, thank God.

We performed our Raya prayer at the Al-Jamiul Badawi Mosque in which the former Prime Minister and family were also present. Tun was not able to be around during such festive day like this for more than ten years due to his duty but now he was back in his hometown to join the celebration.

After that my husband and I visited a couple of my relatives’ houses and we were off to his grandmother’s. We hit the road about one in the afternoon and arrived in Kuala Pilah in one piece before sundown. Brother-in-law was planning a barbeque party so we did not want to miss that!

On the third day I was already in Pasir Ris to accompany Abi who got just a day leave from his office (poor baby). For your information the official public holiday for Hari Raya in Singapore is one day only. Here in Malaysia we get two days but my office would be shutting down for five days so, yay!

Anyhow, this only means that I could follow my husband (been there), would do a bit of post Raya shopping (done that) and might try (I repeat, try) to visit my relatives or his relatives over there. If they are already back in town that is.

By the sixth Hari Raya we both will be back in KL. Only then I get to see my mother and her side of family. I am crossing my fingers though. Plans can still change depending on the energy we have left for attending all those invitations. Traveling south-north-south-then-north-again can be exhausting even for diehard travelers like us.

I am praying for a quick but safe journey home. We are all set for it and going to make this trip happen. The truth I do not really mind about going everywhere in times of celebration but I only care if Abi is going to be around. However, I am looking forward to cooking and eating festive foods with no regrets! And most importantly, we will try to be there for our families even if it means we are going to be on the highway a lot.

The reason I am telling all this is because you can know our whereabouts. If we are not at your open house party, we may be at someone else’s farther from yours. I know it is tough being us but a couple’s got to do what a couple’s got to do. Although kindly find it in your heart to not make this a big deal and pardon our lack of appearance, literally.

So may you enjoy your festive holidays. Please do not drive but stay home during Hari Raya so we can hog the road!

p/s: Happy birthday mom-in-law! I hope our duit raya was enough for you to buy a nice gift for yourself (wink). It is your special day so I wish you have a good time today.

More eats

On Monday I went out with the girls from office for breaking the fast. This time our choice of venue was a restaurant that carried an American name but served all kinds of Italian food.Ironic? Sarcastic? Tongue in cheek? Well I am not sure, you be the judge.

Anyhow, restaurant’s concept apart, it was a cozy eating place and near to both our office and the highway toll so we could go straight home after dinner. And the food was not bad at all. The dish was infused with local flavor a bit (cili padi on a pizza, anyone?) thus well suited any Malaysian palate. Besides, the portion was huge!

A girl friend and I had to ask them to pack our pizzas because there was insufficient space in our tummies. And I had been eating it for two days now. Surprisingly it tasted normal and hey, I am still breathing. Living proof, right here.

Last night there was a department break fasting do. It was considered our final feast together during fasting month this year. A department member was kind enough to sponsor about 70 percent of the buffet dinner price that we all needed to pay. I am praying that God bless him with longer life on earth and much more wealth for his deed!

It was held at one of the cafés inside UKM. And dinner was delicious despite of the extra hot flavor in some dishes. I am guessing the Chef hailed from Negri Sembilan. So I braved myself finishing every single dish I put on my plates. After all the sweat and tear I invested in them, I pulled through in the end. Good job, girl!

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In order of appearance:

(1) Break fasting with mom in Gombak Setia. Check.
(2) Break fasting with parents-in-law in Paroi Jaya. Check. Twice.
(3) Break fasting with the girls from office. Check. Twice.
(4) Break fasting with brother-in-law and boy cousins. Check.
(5) Break fasting with Abi’s grandmother in Kuala Pilah. Check.
(6) Break fasting at the airport. Check. Twice.
(7) Break fasting with gossip buddies. Check. Twice.
(8) Break fasting with division colleagues. Check.
(9) Break fasting with the boys to skip reunion dinner. Check.
(10) Break fasting with investment dealers. Check
(11) Break fasting with fellow staff and volunteers at a certain NGO office. Check.
(12) Break fasting with Abi in the quiet of our own home. Check. Once.
(13) Break fasting with department members. Check.
(14) Break fasting with big sister. Check.
(15) Break fasting with my grandmother in Kepala Batas. In progress.
(16) Break fasting with dad in Sungai Petani. In progress.

Alright looks like my fasting month routine is almost complete. And best of all, I managed to do it with or without you, Abi. Of course it was more fun dragging you around and tagging along with you (wink). I sure hope to repeat all of this next year. God’s willing.

Beauty mark

The car got into its first accident. Well, not exactly traffic accident. On Monday evening, Abi and I just arrived at the executive suite where we were staying during his training. At the parking lot, my husband was a bit distrustful about the car next to us would bang into ours if the driver opened the door.

So he tried very hard to adjust it further away from that car. He squeezed it really close to the pillar and there you have it: a scarred side mirror on the driver’s right.

I rephrase, it was Abi who did it. I almost died when I heard the screeching sound of the side mirror against the pillar. My other half was of course, crazily traumatized. Enough said.

It had only been three months since he bought the car. My husband tried to calm himself by saying, “There is always a first time for everything.” Hmm. Why did it not sound right to me somehow?

I must admit the scar just breaks my heart every time I look at it. And I refuse to comment on your driving skill, Abi. Anyhow, it is in fact your car and you scratched it on your own, thank God. Although it is a universally known truth that I always have issues with tyres but now we know you have a so-called relationship with side mirrors (wink).

Well, we could not turn back time and undo the unfortunate event now, could we? Therefore, I say we try to forget everything and put things behind us because it was not a good memory after all. But I will tell you what was, despite all this.

The fact that we still get to rest our tired bodies and relax our minds at the hotel was the best part of the day! Allow me to bring you on a tour.

I did not want to get up from that bed. I swear. Ever. However, instead of staying in with my husband (one could only wish), he must attend some training and I need to come to work. Darn. I will miss you bed, I promise.