Rest in peace, Bobo
Bobo, my office Rottweiler for those of you who don't know, died today. So sad...:( Kinda got used to seeing it everyday at work.I asked the guards if they knew what caused the death but they didn't know.Heatwave? Accidental ingestion of rat poison? Old age? I dunno.I hope Bobo's in a better place now. Some sort of doggy heaven, if there's such a thing.Labels: Personal
My first ABCs
To me, the relationship between mother and daugher is an intricate, complicated, multi-layered one that is often barely understood by the people around them and sometimes, not even by themselves.
The relationship that I have with my mother is a guardedly love-hate one. No mushy "I love yous" on every other phone call for us and she's never been the one I turn automatically to for advice or comfort when I needed some badly.
Instead, my mother will be the first person to tell me that I've put on weight and could stand to shed a few pounds. Or that my new hair colour makes me look totally trashy. Or that a girl should not be "samseng" and do things like travel alone, drive long-distance alone or do high-risk sports like white water rafting. Or nag at me that "the way to a man's heart is through his stomach," because she despairs that cooking is not exactly something I adore.
She believes in telling the painful truth as it is, you see, because in her words verbatim- that she has repeated to me a million times over, "Your parents (mum) are the only people who will ever tell you truly what they think. Other people, hmppphh...they tell you only what you want to hear!" Sometimes, in a moment of hurt, I often try to convince myself that I've read more meaning into her words than she intended there to be.
But, my mother is also the first person who is game for a shopping trip. Her patience is boundless and she's forever suggesting I try out new trends like bubble skirts or long tops with belts, to which some suggestions I accept and others I beseechingly reply, "Mum, that's just not me!"
She's also the person who painstakingly made sure that we always had a wholesome, home-cooked dinner together as a family (no TV!) every night of the year, minus holidays and dinners outside, when my brother and I were still staying at home in Ipoh. After almost a decade of staying away from home, I truly appreciate her effort.
From my mother, I learnt the meaning of perseverance, discipline, self-restrain and composure and loving yourself enough to make time for taking care of your body and appearance.
But most of all, I am thankful that she taught me my first ABCs from a Ladybird hardboard book that she bought me for my first birthday, that I have a photograph of little one-year old me biting the apple (A is for Apple!) on the cover.
Without her, I couldn't have written this.
Happy Mother's Day, Mum!
Labels: Events, Personal
Upset
How can something that appears so wrong, feel so right?Can ingrained prejudices be put aside?For they are oft unfoundedAdvices given, asked for or notSwirl tumultously in a whirpool of jumbledThoughts and emotionsWords paradeOn the black screen neath the shut lidsThe darkness of midnight embracesWhen the world is quietestThe innermost essence, screams in silenceTo be heardBeneath the sheets you PonderWonderFretWorryWeighDenyTry and reach out for helpTo decide, to chooseTradition or intuitionDare you not conform?Labels: Personal, Random Stuff
Happy 2008!
And so, a new year has begun. I think "2008" has a nice ring to it and so far for me, it's off to a good start. My New Year's Eve was quiet- no all-night par-tayyyyy at some hip and happening KL club or countdown at a trendy downtown bistro. It was one of those nights where I didn't feel the need to be surrounded by a group of people and was happy just to be comfortably ensconed at home having a nice take-away dinner after work and relaxing with close friends over a cup of tea. Peaceful and serene without the frenatic pace and stress of the usual New Year's crowd, traffic jam and noise. Perhaps I'm past the age of all-night partying (getting old!) or on a self-consoling note, it was never really my thing in the first place!
New Year's day itself was also quiet- woke up nice and late, showered, checked my emails, played some Scrabulous moves on Facebook, headed out to Cheras to check out the Esprit and MNG factory outlets, took a swim and then dinner at home. A simple and nice day, spent doing what I want and choosing whom I want to spent it with.
Of late, I think I've forgotten the best part of being financially independent and living on your own. The freedom and infinite possibilities that comes with earning and living off your own salary -without having to share it with anybody or having any hungry mouths depending on you to feed them- and the glorious power that comes hand in hand with the responsibility of having to make your own choices (and live with the consequences) in even the simplest and most basic of things eg, what to wear/not to wear, what to eat/not to eat, who to spend/not to spend time with. I should really appreciate my independent life more!
Honestly, although I actually no longer really believe in making resolutions (because most of the time I never, ever keep them! For example, sleeping earlier!;)) but here are a few things I'd like to do in 2008 just off the top of my head:
1. Re-enroll in a Yoga class.
2. Visit Hong Kong, Macau or Japan.
3. Believe in my capabilities and positive attributes more.
I'd like to end this post by thanking each and every person who has made 2007 wonderful for me and wishing all of you only the very best for 2008!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Labels: Events, Me, Me myself and I, Personal
2007: Reflections
And yet another year draws to an end. Sometimes, wishfully thinking, I wonder this: if we don't keep track of the seasons and days, will the signs of passing time leave us unscathed? Our foreheads to remain forever baby bottom smooth, the fine web of crows feet never to marr the corners of our eyes and our spirits ever unflagging, bouyed by eternal optimism, never to be burdened with the cynicism that seems to inevitably seep in with age. And maybe, just maybe we could be frozen in a quantum of time where we will forever be at our happiest, brightest and most beautiful.Alas, this is but just a whimsical fantasy I toy with fancifully when I make time for introspection and self-reflection of how I have grown, and yes...aged over the year.Nothing happened in 2007 that seems to me in retrospect, extraordinarily memorable.But maybe, resigning from my old job on Valentine's Day 2007 wasn't such a great idea. (I mean, look where it's gotten me in the relationship area)The period cramps seemed to be especially terrible this year as well resulting in my first visit to the O&G who thankfully confirmed it wasn't anything serious. I wonder if it's all the work-related stress?And of course, how can I forget my 26th birthday, where I suffered from an anaphylactic reaction from the food I had for dinner resulting in a visit to the GP.Moving into my uber comfortable, air-conditioned new room and apartment with the best housemate anyone could ever ask for (maybe because we're seldom at home together as either one of us is always travelling or working late ;)) was perhaps one of the happiest events of the year. No more termite-infested room and cockroach-infested kitchen as well as no more inconsiderate flatmate who says and does the world's most innane things like this and this. Not forgetting all the "frogs" you unfortunately, have to kiss before you find your Happily (If)Ever After. The one who told me he hoped he could see me again (but never did), the one who kept calling despite the blatant "not interested" hints, the random one liners that never amounted to anything.My mom's surgery, weddings (5 weddings in a year is a record high for me!) and of course, lots of travel sort of sums up the year that was for me.If anything, I learnt this year that the human spirit is an indomitable one. Somehow, it will find a way of surviving, of adapting, learning and changing. No wonder the brunt of it all is born physically- manifesting in fine lines, sagging skin, age spots, white hair and expanding waistlines. :)I think I've reached the juncture where I should list my 2008 resolutions but I'm not in the right frame of mind right now. Maybe tomorrow if I feel like it.Labels: Me, myself and I, Personal
