Saturday, September 20, 2008
It must be the blessed month of Ramadhan.It was a long overdue reunion.Almost 24 yrs overdue to be exact. Over the pass few weeks, I was 'connected' back to my old primary school mates through Facebook. A slew of emails & chat sessions soon followed, accompanied by physical phone calls to get in touch with more of our primary buddies. Memories were shared, stories about teachers, crushes in our now defunct primary school were exchanged fast & furiously. All of us shared the same sentiments, how we missed those innocent days. We forgot how at one time we were in the period of 'Geng dia, tak kawan dia...;p' , how naive we were back then, & now laughing earnestly about it. How different we looked now & if we were to pass by each other on the streets I doubt anyone of us could recognise each other.
We set up a meeting, a last minute one.To meet up for Iftar. Unfortunately it fell on the 19th. I have already made plans with my secondary school sisters for our inaugural annual Iftar session but I would not miss this reunion, not if I can help it.
So Last night after a familiar noisy & giggly session with my sorority sisters at Jl Pinang, I zoomed all the way to CCK to meet with the buddies whom I shared my innocent & fun childhood with. I was late. But better late than never. I didn't expect to be so emotional when I met all of them after 24 long years that I actually shed a tear as I hugged each one of them...its been too long...memories of my childhood flashed before my eyes. It was a happy one I remembered. They commented how tall I am now & I cant help but feel like the petite little girl that I was in my primary school days :)
Even though I only shared less than 2 hours with them, its enough for now to 'quench the missing thirst'. We'll definitely meet up again...a blast from my past to add more colours to my present :)
Thursday, September 18, 2008
I'm feeling giggly & lightheaded. I felt like it was our courting days...For the past 2 days, the car have found itself stashed in the workshop of AStar at Portsdown Road - perhaps on a bright side it is a good time to get polished up & do a wee bit of touching up before Hari Raya - not only humans must be brand new you know...but again its just another reason to make myself feel better after the grazing incident;p
So for the past 2 days I have been having a 30min morning exercise routine of sending Amirul to school via the cool breeze morning walk. Bus no 185 have been a blessing as it takes me from home to Fuhua in less than 20 minutes in all its air-con comforts. Since I'm taking a 'longer' walking distance (to the bustop, to the school, fom the school bus-stop, u get the drift) I feel like a student with heavy eastpak on my shoulders accommodating my not-so-light Macbook snuggly in it.
Today, on my way back from school I had a pleasant surprise. There, waiting patiently at the void-deck near the bus-stop is the dear husband grinning widely with a little tinge of slight irritation. I later discovered that the slight irritation was caused by my not answering his sms which in turn made him wait for 45 minutes all the time hoping that I would not be taking any other route other than the one I was taking today. I apologised for not answering - as my HP was neatly tucked in the pocket of my eastpack which never left my shoulders wall the way from school to the bus stop, hence the inability to pick up (or hear) any ringtone or sms for that matter. But we didn't ponder over the unanswered calls instead I was reduced to giggles hearing how he was thinking about whether I have reached home first while he was still waiting earnestly like a Mat under the void deck, or if I was already at home lying on bed catching up on my newspaper reading for the day. The little things that he does never fail to surprise me. In the end all was well....
I found out today Joo Ji Hoon's 'Antique Bakery' will have its movie opening on my birthday. (yay!) So this year, apart from celebrating it with Takuya, I have another gift in the form of Ji Hoon's movie :) at least these are the things I know for sure I can look forward to.
I also decided to clean 'the cobwebs' from my recipe book to warm myself up for the great 'Raya Kuih Baking Marathon'.Yes, I've decided to put on the oven mittens & play the dutiful housewife, daughter & daughter-in-law bit by whipping up some Raya cookies.
Come tomorrow, I'll be meeting up my Saint sorority sisters for Iftar. (always look forward to it). On the same night, my primary school chums are having a reunion after 20 yrs....I hope I can make it for both events, dont ask me how, I'm just hoping, we'll just wait & see how it goes, play by ear.....gosh, I cant wait...I am already STILL grinning from ear to ear...
Monday, September 15, 2008
I had a bad start to my morning.A big truck grazed the side of the car this morning. I was on the right of way, the right lane, it came out of nowhere & shoved our car aside. The damage is minimal. I have yet to tell the husband. I can imagine what his reaction would be. I wonder if he'll blame me. I hope not as it was not my fault. I stopped the car & the big truck stopped too. It was an apek & auntie. She insisted I turned out of nowhere. So I said it was a straight road, where could I possible turn from?? So they gave me a sad face & story about how they are making a hard-earned living earning less than 1000 per month. Mind you it was raining. I was going to school & the traffic was merciless. This was the last thing I need. So I asked for his particulars. They pleaded & refused to provide me. So I told them I'll take down the license plate number & since its a company truck, the other details too. Then they drove away. Leaving me, almost drenched. So till I reach home later, I am going around teaching with a heavy heart. Test of Ramadhan I believe. Then I read this, it made me feel slightly better. For now. at least...
Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road?
BARACK OBAMA: The chicken crossed the road because it was time for a CHANGE! The chicken wanted CHANGE!
JOHN MCCAIN: My friends, that chicken crossed the road because he recognized the need to engage in cooperation and dialogue with all the chickens on the other side of the road.
HILLARY CLINTON: When I was First Lady, I personally helped that little chicken to cross the road. This experience makes me uniquely qualified to ensure -- right from Day One! -- that every chicken in this country gets the chance it deserves to cross the road. But then, this really isn't about me.......
GEORGE W. BUSH: We don't really care why the chicken crossed the road. We just want to know if the chicken is on our side of the road, or not. The chicken is either against us, or for us. There is no middle ground here.
JOHN LENNON: Imagine all the chickens in the world crossing roads together, in peace.
BILL GATES: I have just released eChicken2007, which will not only cross roads, but will lay eggs, file your important documents, and balance your check book. Internet Explorer is an integral part of the Chicken. This new platform is much more stable and will never cra...#@&&^(C% .......... reboot.
BILL CLINTON: I did not cross the road with THAT chicken. What is your definition of chicken?
AL GORE: I invented the chicken!
LEE KUAN YEW: We have installed crossing lights at all traffic junctions. All chickens should be able to cross safely to the other side.
LEE HSIEN LOONG: Gantry points have been set up. All chickens wanting to cross the road are advised to top up their cash cards first.
ABDULLAH BADAWI: We have to be fair to all chickens. Some want to cross over the road, some do not. ........ Zzzzzz ........zzzzzz ....... Now what were we talking about? Ah yes, chickens. We will form a Royal Commission to decide whether it is right for them to cross the road.
MAHATHIR: Now even the non-bumi chickens want to cross the road? How can they disrespect and disregard the bumi chickens? We must be allowed to cross over first. It is our right!
ANWAR: We have enough chickens waiting to cross over in September.
SHAHRIR: All foreign chickens are welcome in Malaysia but they must not cross over the road within 50km of the border.
Wong Kan Seng: I am sorry that the chicken was allowed to cross the road. It was an HONEST MISTAKE. Let’s move on.
Funny I thought...
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Today is the 14th of Ramadhan, we will have about slightly more than 2 weeks before we celebrate Hari Raya. I have been to Eunos every weekend in Ramadhan but have yet to 'step' into the Raya Bazaar in Geylang. I dont know why but somehow I am not really keen to walk around in the humidity inducing tents to browse things that I don't need but eventually end up buying anyway. The preparations for this year are somehow a bit more subdued. I have yet to feel the sense of urgency or impending excitement as yet. I remembered last year, I worry about matching shoes & bags, but not this year. Maybe I've come to my senses that spending money on accessories that I only wear twice a year & perhaps the occasional wedding does not justify me investing my hard-earned money on. Perhaps also the fact that I have ready apparels & accessories that I strongly feel I can still parade around which can last me for another good year or 2 more. I dont know if I will be making as much raya cookies as I did last year. Last year, my Martha Stewart mode went to an overdrive & I baked cookies that I realised lay rested peacefully on the kitchen shelves til the Aidilfitri month was way over & spilled into Aidiladha. So this year I am resolute to bake only the necessities, & at that, in moderation too. My RM600 worth of baju kurung is still waiting to be collected at Larkin - just waiting for the husband to give the 'green light' along with the mum & dad in tow of course.
Back to my routine, we(as in me & the husband) completed 24 episodes of Goong in 3 days! It can be done, helped tremendously with your remote control fast-forward skills(especially in long facial poses & scenes)in which your skills at speed reading (of the subtitles) will be made full use of. I was surprised that he relented to watching Goong knowing his preference for more serious & mature story-lines. The fact that he's warmed up to Yoon Eun Hye convinced me that he will definitely enjoy Coffee Prince or even Mawang at that. I dont know why but I can never(& hope I never ever) get tired of watching Shin & Chaekyung. & I there are word out that these 2 will be paired up in another drama again next year :) So there is definitely loads to look forward to in the K-Drama world. One thing we do not have to wait til next year would be the release of Ji Hoon's movie 'Antique Bakery' next mth (yay!) & the much-anticipated drama with Hye Kyo & Hyun Bin airing in November. Currently Amirul & Amira's favourite karaoke song in the car is Goong's 'Dang Shin Eun' & the all-time favourite 'Ah reum da oon sa ram' from My Lovely Samsoon...never mind its in Korean, they actually do mouth the lyrics word for word. Its amazing how fast they catch on to these things...
Monday, September 08, 2008
For the past few days, I was hooked to Facebook. Although I have been on it for a few months, only recently have I been immensely interested in my updates & notifications. I suddenly find myself, getting 'acquainted' again with my good friends from primary school - thats like a blast from my almost 30 yrs past! My former colleagues have been added to my contact faster than I can say 'FACEBOOK'. Old friends that you almost forgot their existence suddenly is smiling back at me through my screen. Its a nice warm feeling I must say. To see the familiar faces that reminds you of where you were & what you did back then rekindles all the fond memories that I almost forgot. I saw a video of me at my former workplace, joking & having fun with colleagues.I can hardly recall it was recorded at all. I saw the faces I remembered I spent time with during recess in my primary school which no longer exist now. I saw the faces of the guys I used to have a crush on when I was 10 & thinking to my self now, 'What was I thinking then???' Nowadays I walk around with a mild smile on my face after getting in touch with my past. Like my former colleague Chang Kang put in words - 'Sometimes we have to visit our past to live in the present' - how apt I thought. aaah, the wonders of technology, thank you Mark Zuckerberg :)
Speaking of present, I have yet to catch a glimpse of Song Hye Kyo & Hyun Bin around town :( I read they are leaving on Thursday night.(yes,yes, I shamelessly read the forums of fan groupies) & Hye Kyo will make an appearance at Laneige Wisma Atria at 5pm this Thursday, but without Hyun Bin & since its Ramadhan, I think I can scrap the whole idea of meeting them there. Maybe at the airport then....must pester the husband to say hi & bye to 'Tae Woong'....;p
Thursday, September 04, 2008
What do we know, now its already the 4th day of Ramadhan. And the unevitable did happen - too soon I should say - at least once in every Ramadhan, missing out on Sahur. We did have 2 alarm clocks, one in my parents room & one in mine. I do not know what time the alarm went off in their room, but mine was set at 4.45. But as the norm - a mistake now I know - was to put the alarm at snooze & doze off for an extra 5 min or so & that morning, I dozed off all the way to 5.20! So I woke everyone up, all i a daze, & all of us, including Amirul survived on one piece of Nutella bread for the day. Its not too bad for me as I've gone by the day eating very little but I think it was quite a challenge for Amirul. For the first time he whined about being thirsty. I think It was made worse as we were shopping for Hari Raya garbs at Geylang on that day too. Luckily I was sane enough no to walk & stroll around the bazaar in the sweltering afternoon heat, or else he just might 'break-down', my boy. But he survived, did very well indeed, even survived the temptation of having his sister gorging down chocolate rolls right in front of his eyes albeit a little wincing.I've always regarded Ramadhan as 'Spring' time, as its a time of 'renewal', time where we reflect & contemplate our self-being. Its a good month.
Talking about Spring, I finished watching 'Spring Waltz' & 'Dalja's Spring'. Over the 2, I prefer Daljas Spring by a mile. I was also introduced to another 'eye-candy' in the form of Lee Min Ki. Although I have to mention that he only looked good in this series & not others that I have seen - maybe because he played a lawyer in it, all nicely-suited up.Dalja’s Spring’ is the story of Dalja, a 33-year old single at a crossroad of whether to remain single or get married before she gets older. The drama aims to comically and candidly portray the reality and undying pursuit of romance of a thirty something single woman.
The love triangle of Dalja, Taebong and Gijoong brews conflicts over love versus marriage. Taebong, a hunk six years younger than Dalja, works as substitute dates and becomes Dalja’s fake boyfriend. Gijoong is the type who dreams of an ideal and rational courtship. The drama also highlights the life and work of women in their thirties through Dalja who is a talented managing director at a home shopping channel. One of the better dramas I've seen which portrays & acknowledges a woman's struggles & challenges in many forms, whether you are single, dating or married.
'Spring Waltz' is the fourth and final installment of Yoon Suk Ho's season drama series. The first drama was Autumn Tale, followed by Winter Sonata and Summer Scent.
The story begins with Eun-young’s plane ride to Austria, where she happens to sit next to Inna (Lee-Na), who is on her way to meet her childhood love, Jaeha. However, Jaeha(a.k.a: Chris Y), who has now grown up to be a young, accomplished pianist in Austria, seems not pleased with meeting Inna again after 15 years for some reason. Eun-young, on the other hand, excited about her first overseas trip, bumps into Phillip (Jaeha’s manager and best friend -Daniel Henney), who has mistaken her as Inna of whom he was suppose to pick up at the airport. The four meet, each in different turns of circumstances and incidents, and their story of love, fate and destiny begins.
I find that the storyline moves a wee bit slow & the lead actor,Seo Do Young' is a bit too 'soft-looking' to my liking. But Daniel Henney is a ife saver although he again plays the 2nd-choice love interest, which I feel is purely & utterly ridiculous as who would NOT choose him over Do Young?? But then again I digress, the storyline is such & if she did, I guess it would be a different story altogether.
With the one week holidays almost ending, I have been a 'good girl' staying home (mostly) & keeping sane with the 2 kids vying for my attention. Once in a while before bedtime, I'll try & squeeze in time for my drama-addiction for an hour or 2. Amirul & Amira are watching 'My Girl' as I am writing this & are enjoying every funny antiques of Joo Yoo Rin. Amirul was so affected that he pestered me to buy tangerines when he saw Yoo Rin picking up then in basket-loads in the first episode! Well, I'm not complaining of course, as I get to feed my drama-kraze & get to spend time with them. If only they could cut down the "What is she doing, ummi?" or "Why is it like that?" rantings for a lil bit as I enjoy 'My Girl' once again...:)