This was the house that we stayed in at KL. It was in Kajang, and therefore, very convenient. The house was big and clean, roomy and had lots of spaces here and there. Me and Hubs even managed a game of badminton in the front yard!

Once again, we were plunged into the wet world of Shah Alam. It was a weekend, thus the usual peak crowd was there. However, no reason why we could not have fun, right? So, we dived right in! 

As we ventured out of Kajang, on the way back to SG, we came across a couple of Pasar Tanis. Pasar Tani is a community market that sells all kinds of foods (cooked and uncooked) at ridiculously low prices. Of course, we JUST HAD TO stop by. And gobble up all kinds of breakfast and brunch. 

While Hubs performed his Friday prayer at Masjid India, we roamed the streets. This is the mecca for those who love the latest cloth, baju Melayus and tudungs. So many types. So many fashion. The weather, though, was hot. The boys amused themselves by playing on the wide sidewalk under the blazing sun. 

We arrived on a Thursday, in the middle of a hot afternoon. So hot, we did not think we would need the natural spring water that the wet world offered.

Anyways, we had so much fun. As the afternoon dragged on, we realized that the place was almost deserted and we were the only ones in the pool. What ballistic fun we had! 

On the way to Kl and from KL to SG, we made two stops at Ayer Hitam. I love one particular shop there. They stock the latest trends in baju Melayu and tudungs at the most ridiculous prices. Remember the other day we went roaming in Geylang to look for baju Melayu for Hubs and boys? Guess what, over at Ayer Hitam, they have the bajus in various colours and sizes! And at such low prices!

My eyes will always roll as I glaze over the prettiest baju Melayu and my saliva drools as I look in disbelief at the prices. I often had a hard time controlling my desire and the urge to pull out as many as 10 baju Melayu at one time! 

We had a fantastic time in KL during the ND holidays. We drove up on 9^th August and stayed at a relative’s house in Kajang over the weekend. As the mode of transport was our own vehicle and the accommodation was provided for, it was quite (a very, I have to add) cheap holiday. We only had to cover the tol charges, which amounted to MR 109.6.

We went to two wet worlds (Pedas Wet World and Shah Alam Wet World) in two different states (Negri Sembilan and KL) and walked down the usual shopping havens (Masjid India etc) in KL. Of course, we made a stop at Cosmos (Times Square) but did not venture inside as it was very late at that time.

Many funny incidents happened during the drive, one of which involved Imin. It was hilarious but too personal to relate here.  

It was very vague, the surroundings. I received a call from Hubs. He wanted to go SOMEWHERE. He ‘begged’ to go, just like every Wednesday, when he said he wanted to go for football practice. I was hesitant, but finally relented. I even gave him his jersey to put on – the birthday jersey that I got for him the year before we got married. I remembered vaguely that it was NOT a football practice that he wanted to go. It was a game that he wanted to participate in. Or something like that.

Then it was on TV. The game, I meant. I watched it. Then I stopped. Then I received calls from I-do-not-know-who, but the caller said Hubs had won. Hub had won in the game as telecast on TV. He won! But what did he win?

A wife.

I went ballistic. I got mad. I called him. I screamed. Hubs, in his usual soft spoken manner, talked to me softly and tried to reason that yes, he had won himself a wife and so now, what to do?

I cried and I screamed. Though I spoke to him via a telephone, I remembered beating his chest. I remembered feeling betrayed, remembered giving him his jersey to wear to THAT game show.

I cried and I told him to go ahead to break the news to his mum-in-law. To his sister-in-law. To hear what they would say, because I seriously did not know how to break the news to them.

Then I went to meet The Wife. Or should I say, the Second Wife.

She was Chinese, not particularly attractive, at least to me. She was friendly and when I first came to her, she was unaware that I was the First Wife. We spoke, and she told me she had two teenage children. I was thinking, additional burdens for Hubs.

I also noticed that she had a very wide mouth. Very wide. Full of teeth.

Throughout our conversation, I remembered feeling depressed, angry, miserable, low and dejected. I could not even begin to think that I would have to share Hubs with her. Hubs was to be mine alone. The restlessness stayed with me throughout.

Suddenly, there was light in the darkness. I stirred around. I opened my eyes. My head jerked up and I looked. There was Hubs. I touched my face.

Phew. It was a dream. 

In your lifetime, have you come across someone who always wants to be the centre of attraction, regardless of what means, someone who will not admit to being lesser than you, regardless of what area, and best of all, someone who openly declares – ‘I am just here to pass the time’ - ?

There is this individual who takes pride in parading outfits that are absolutely so irrelevant and unsuitable in the nature of the job. Confused? Ok, think of one who adorns a suit but works in a construction site.

There is this individual who publicly states that its presence there is ‘just to pass the time’ as the other half is so filthy rich that survival via earning a living there is not the main agenda. So please, do not disturb.  

Indeed, this world is full of funny and weird people. Once again, the Chinese proverb – noisy outside, empty inside – comes to mind.

[This entry may be relevant to mothers only.] The other night, I was preparing to sleep. I was arranging my blanket and pillow and bolster and I turned around. My eyes fell on Pau2, who sleeps with me on the queen sized bed on most nights.

He was asleep, with mouth slightly ajar. His puffed cheeks were perfect and smooth. So soft too, I couldn’t resist pinching it. He stirred and he moved.

I moved closer to him. I took a deep breathe. He smelled nice. I smelled again. The odor was addictive. I stared at his perfection for a very long time, in the dark room lighted only by a very bright moon.

Here was my youngest son. One that I delivered fairly easy and like his brother, without any complications at all. When I nursed him during my maternity days, I remembered that I never tire at looking down at his perfect features, small lips, tiny toes and fingers. I would repeatedly sent SMSs to Hubs, telling him how handsome Pau2 would one day grow up to be.

That night, I relived those memories. I felt so blessed that God has given me such gifts – in both my sons and also in Hubs. Looking at Pau2, I fell in love again – at the perfection of life that only God is able to bestow.  

15 August 2007 was the day my company launched a Fitness and Health awareness program of some sort. A group of people went around the office and passed an apple each to an employee.

A magician who dressed up as a clown went around with them. When he came by my cubicle, he saw me and (let’s call my colleague) Cactus. He proceeded to do some clever tricks in front of us.

I couldn’t exactly recall WHAT were the tricks, but it was fun. I was made to clutch a red sponge ball in my hand and miraculously, the ball multiplied into two when I opened my fist up. He did several tricks with the red sponge balls, while more colleagues crowded around my and Cactus’ cubicle. That was the very first time I have had a magic trick performed right in front of my very eyes. I was very amazed at HOW he did what he just did, with red sponge balls. Once, he even turned 2 red balls into a cube!

Soon it was time for him to go. As he was leaving our cubicle, he was waving madly.

He was saying something like: ‘Remember to eat your apple! Remember to smile everyday!’

Now, Cactus is a very friendly person. She waved along to him and said loudly, ‘Thank you for the tricks. I will always remember your balls…’

In my ‘stunned-ness’, I still manage to be even more stunned by Cactus’ innocent yet vague remarks.

Earlier, at around 5.30pm, an email from HR was sent to the entire HQ.

It was titled as above and contains (part of) the following:-

………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Dear Colleagues,

Please join me to congratulate the Top Elearners for IPAM Elearning.

They will each be receiving a $10 NTUC Voucher for their
commendable learning spirit.

NAME              DEPARTMENT  / COURSES COMPLETED

(My Name)     CPMP                      5

………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Hehe. 

Note to Hubs: luv ya for-eva!

Have you heard of Flixster (http://www.flixster.com)? It’s a site that indicates the level of compatibilities between you and your partner based on the genre of movies you like.

A few months ago, Hubs and I did this Flixster thing. Of course, we did not do it together (that would defeat the entire purpose). We did it concurrently at two different places (yes, that’s right – in our own offices). Here’s the result:-

Overall Score: 85 (Soul Mates)

Category                 Score            Match

Blockbusters             15                Good

Comedies                 17                Excellent

Action                     18                Excellent

Love                       20                Excellent

More Stuff               14                Good

http://www.flixster.com/mctResults.do?displayMctDetail=&mctUser=781950289&em.id=526744557