Must Have Title Ka?

No no no..I am not going to babble much this time. Will try to make it short and sweet.

I spoke to my pillow before going to bed last night, tapping on it gently and reminding it to wake me up at 4.30am the next morning for I had to complete marking some exam scripts. Both of my phones are not working, could not charge the batteries, perhaps because of the chargers. Hubby is away in Sabah attending the funeral of his Nenek. So, in other words, I had no alarm clock to wake me up, thus made a pact with my pillow. (Call me a weirdo, but the results have always been satisfactory.)

So, at about 4.45am this morning, my loyal friend woke me up, but too bad I did not get to complete my work as I had to prepare the kids. If only hubby was around, at least he could help out with combing of Adam's hair et cetera. I usually take extra time applying different types of creams for different areas of the face. Then comes the concealer, foundation and powder. I will try to paint my face so that I will look natural..hahahha..Try to figure that out.

Then, it was time to leave. Suddenly, I realized I left my Nano Can on the kitchen counter. For your information, since the day I discovered what this Nano Can can do to me, to my skin escpecially, I have decided to only drink, clean and bathe the water from the can. Strange but true. I am so vain, I know that.

So I went back upstairs to claim my treasure, it was already 6.45 am.

When I was driving, I realized that the car was not being her usually self. Perhaps she was telling me that, "Hey madam, have the courtesy of warming up the engine for few minutes la..".

As I was driving, I saw a sign blinking near the speedo metre, goodness, so I reached for the manual. Yeah, I was driving and at the same time trying to read the manuals, if only my phones were working, perhaps I could report this to my hubby. But I had to burst my bubbles, it was just me and the kids in the car, with that thing blinking and strange sound coming from the engine.

I drove with great caution. I would usually speed. Hubby has several times warned me about speeding, as honestly, I am still a 'P' driver..hahha. But I know I am a skillful 'P'.

Sent the kids, stuck in the jam just few metres away from school, with that thing blinking on the speedo metre and the unusual sound coming from the engine. Oh yes, I realised that the temperature was near half too.

At last, I arrived school at 7.22am. I was 2 minutes late. Dang!

The moment I arrived school, realising there are still so many things yet to be accomplished, I panicked. But firstly, I had to seek a second opinion from a colleague about the strange happenings of my car.

Affendi was very helpful, he said it is common for the temperature to be of 4 bars in continental cars. Now about the sign, according to the manual, it had something to do with the gear..oh my God, I can see Ringgit notes flapping their wings away from my hubby's pockets..not mine, ok..I do not have pockets.

So I should send her to the service center. I mean, hubby should, not me.

Then, I realised that I have not taken my breakfast, but too bad, no time as the lesson was about to start in 5 minutes. I had to rush to the class but suddenly I became lightheaded, then 'kedebab', I collapsed. Luckily I gained conscious seconds after that. My knees and palms were scratched, but my pride was injured..shoot man, punya maintain graceful suddenly boleh jatuh. I bet I fell down with style. Embarrassed, I told an onlooker that I was suppose to be on an MC, pretending not fit to work la, thus 'fainted'.

By 1.30pm, I have managed to settle some task, but there are more still on KIV. Suddenly, I realised that I had to pick up the kids from school, their school ends at 1.00pm. I was late! Rushed to the car, pressed the remote to unlock, but there was no sound. "You silly French girl, don't try to fool me!", I said. I failed to open the door.

Took the cab to fetch Sarah and Adam, arrived at 5 minutes to 2.00pm. The kids were starving. Poor kids. I had to let them play on my school ground for I had to attend to a meeting.

A friend managed to open the door to my car, but could not start the car. Then a student came up to tell me that my headlights were on. Hence, the car had to 'sleep' at my school as the battery 'dah kong'. Well, this is not the first time for her to have a sleepover here as about a month ago, I have missplaced my car keys, so took a cab home. I was understress at that time.

So I decided to take a cab to KL Sentral, where hubby parked his car before leaving on the jet plane to Sandakan, Sabah early Sunday morning.

If anyone of you today, saw a lady holding 3 bags and a plastic bag loaded with frozen kuih pau and cucur badak, with 2 kids in tow, flagging a cab, in front of SMKAB, situated on the ever so busy Jalan Kampung Pandan, well that was me and the kids.

Ah..at last, after twice taking the wrong elevator to the parking lot in KL Sentral, I have found my hubby's car. I have expected for the fees to be near RM60, yeah I was right. It cost us RM56.40. Nevermind, at least now we had wheels to go home.

Driving his car was challenging, as I am used to driving mine. Mine is French and his is Korean, thus the signals and wipers are on different sides, his is lighter while mine is the opposite, but his sound system is better, of course.

Arrived home safely. Ah at last, what a day! Took cold shower, scrubbed myself..home sweet home.

As I was about to perform my solat, suddenly I heard a loud ringing..Goodness, the smoke alarm went off. The maid and Sarah were frying some beef patties, there was smoke in the living room, Didi, my youngest was disturbed by it and she was wailling. Imagine the chaos. I found the alarm, but did not have a clue on how to shut it off. I had to think and act fast before the security calls the fire department. So took a ladder, reached out for it, and dismantled it.

Luckily we decided not to install sprinklers.

P/S: Gosh, broke my word. I have written a long winded entry. Sorry, cannot help it.

When I Grow Up

"Mummy, I am getting married", said Sarah, as she greeted me at the door. I said OK. She jumped merrily and announced, "Yeah, boleh kahwin!"

"So who are you going to marry, dear"?

"Harry Potter". Smittened.

"Why Harry Potter?"

"Because he is SO handsome (she curled her arms as she said this, eyes sparkled with excitement, lips curved into a sheepish smile). He speaks good English, I think he is very clever, la mummy, because he is wearing a pair of spectacles like I do. The colour of his skin is nice and his hair style is nice too..but he is SO handsome, la mummy..". With this, she went on skipping in excitement.

Sarah, my eldest daughter, is only 8. (She would have corrected me here, " I am 8 plus, mummy, in few months' time I will be 9". Yeah, when I was about her age, I longed to be older, for the prospect of enjoying a dose of liberty to decide on my life, made me looking forward for every birthday celebrated. But now, I wish my years to just stop adding up. Anyway, I am still 27 at heart!

Being seasoned with life's ups and downs, I believe I have become a little bit wiser. I wish I could tell her that one should not be disillusioned by the outward beauty of something. The inherent beauty should be the paramount criteria in choosing a partner for life.

But, hey..you am I kidding? I was a bum who was stuck to these kinds of cosmetic mambo jumbos in my quest of looking for that other significant half. But, I believe, a heart must be decorated with scars, before it beats on smoothly. Whatever that means!

I was 'violently' in love with Kenneth Babyface Edmonds. Even though the face is not much to adore, he possesses great talents as a song writer. I shall not elaborate more on his achievements, but perhaps it is suffice to state here that he has help to shape the international music industry.

Now, this may sound like a childhood infatuation tale for you, but bear with me, for my 'devotion' to this illusion has mould my views on the type of man I chose to be associated to.

I was in a 4 years' relationship with a rugger, whose best friend was an ex-boy of mine. I went out with this All Blacks Haka-wanna-be because, "At last", I said to myself, "I have found someone who is taller and shoulders broader than mine". In addition, he is kind and generous, though initially, those qualities were somewhere below in my wishlist of the ideal man. After years of courting, I discovered that he was too simple and laidback to my liking. Honestly speaking, I was so many times embarrased by his bad command of English. I know I was cruel, but what to do, I WAS more attracted to blokes who speak English like Prince Charles!

So, bye bye Mr. Rugger, hello Mr.Orator. This time, it was very scandalous. I believe my selfishness in prolonging with the relationship has caused great emotional damages to me and my family. What was I thinking? Mr. Orator seemed to fit in all of the criteria of an ideal man for me. He was intelligent, principled, tall, dark but not so handsome, has excellent command of English, famous among his friends (for virtuos reasons, of course), independant, but not so rich. We were an item for almost 3 years till one day, he rang me up to announce that he was leaving Malaysia, looking for a greener pasture, with another girl! I felt that I have been fooled, but I did not shed a tear, as somewhere in the little corner of my heart, I was elated with my newfound freedom.

The roller coaster ride in my life has changed my views on the ideal man for me. Even though, fluency in English was still paramount, now it was in the contents of the heart that really mattered. Later, I have found someone who seemed to fit in all the criteria. But, unfortunately, I was too blind to see things through, even though so many cues were given for any plain Jane to comprehend. Too bad I ain't a plain Jane, you need to have enough guts to tell a girl how much she means to you, or else you will miss the train. Frankly, I am glad that he missed it.

I have no regrets, not worth of fretting for. Life would be dull if you get everything that you want.

In a nutshell, I am not going to tell Sarah how she should lead her life. Especially when it is about her choice of guys (how I wish this would be a singular!). I will be by her side to provide her with some pointers, I will not preach to her and impose on her with MY worldview.

If she wants to dream on being Harry Potter's little wife, so be it, I shall not burst her bubbles and severe the trust she has given me in learning the contents of her heart. I hope she would still share with me her fear and happiness forever. I know how hurtful it is having a daughter who is unwilling to open up her heart to her own mother. I wish to bridge the gap to her heart.

I pray that she would listen to her heart and reflect on life in her journey to womanhood. I know, in the process, I would be fretting, blood pressure will be going up and heart beat becoming irregular. I do not mind, Sarah, mummy wants you to be true to your heart and to others too.

* Now, as for you, my dear friends, since we have gone through so many things in life..phew..let me entertain you with my favourite song, sung by my one and only, Babyface. Hopefully, this song would set the 'mood' of whatever heavenly mood you want to be in. It does magic to me. Enjoy! (click on it if you have the time).

For Sarah and Lydia

I look at you everyday and think how much you have grown. I still see you as little babies sometimes, but I know soon I have to swallow the reality that you are going to be like me. In your eyes, I could see my hopes for the future. I have unresolved conflicts within me that I will not try to burden them on your little shoulders.

I have stumbled upon so many bumps on my journey to where I am now. I know yours would not be a smooth one too, as you will learn life's valuable lessons through pains and tears, these make you stronger.

As a mother, I have my flaws, I cannot deny that, but God knows I am trying my very best. I do not have much wealth of which you could inherit, but I have abundant of love for me to shower on you, anytime, any where.

Dear daughters, through my journey, I have learnt so many things. I wish to share them with you:

1. Do not let anyone to tell you that you cannot do it. Who the Hell are these goons to decide on what you ought do in your life.

2. Be honest with the contents of your heart. Well, there will be people who will have a problem with that, but ignore them. They do not deserve your friendship.

3. Money is vital for happiness. You cannot live on love and air. Many disputes in marriage rooted from money problem. So spend wisely..and marry well (if you know what I mean!)

4. A good husband is a man who treats his mother and sisters respectfully. Your bapak is a good example, only that he is in his nasty mood because I provoked him!

5. Keep yourself clean, inside out.

6. Do not tell a man what he should do. Make things sound like suggestions, tell him that 'it is all up to his wisdom' to decide. So if things screw up he won't blame you..hehheheh.

7. There are no ugly women, only lazy ones! Make an effort to look good even though you are at home.

8. Sex in marriage is not everything. Studies show that married couples tend to stray due to communication breakdown. Make an effort to communicate, be a good listener, do not give advice if he does not ask you to.

9. Unlike orgasm, labour during child birth is real , you can't fake it. So do not have fear. All must experience it in order taste the sweetness of motherhood.

10. Love me as I am your mummy, but do not be afraid to tell me that I am wrong as I am only human.

But most importantly, LOVE yourself and those who love you! Good luck girls!

Corat - coret Familiku

So I'm going to have to use a bit of 'bahasa rojak' here today as to preserve the originality of statements. These are the words of my loved ones in response to various situations. Many an occasions have I been dumbfounded by these innocent but sometime rather naughty expressions. I guess I just have to share these with ya all...

#1 Rule(r) of the Thumb

My hubby's problem solving method when there was no ruler at sight - One night when he was tutoring the kids, I heard him saying in his Malay Sabahan dialect assuring to the kids, "Wei bapak dulu masa sekolah mana ada pembaris, bah, kami guna ibu jarik sajak..nenek kau endak marah pun". My son, Adam was so happy, so he right away used his tiny thumb as the ruler to draw the margin. Sarah was not satisfied, she was about to leave the table when her bapak asked what was wrong. She said she was going to confirm her bapak's little story with me, then I heard, "..alah tak payah lah, nanti bising tu...". The result: the lines were all so crooked that I made them draw them again using MY ruler.

Moral : Always eavesdrop your hubby's conversation with the kids, as men tend to use their so called practical solution at the wrong places!

#2 Black Undies

During Raya shopping at the Sogo Shopping Complex - We were at the lingerie section, there were a couple of guys around, maybe waiting for their wives and girlfriends. I was browsing around for some things there when Sarah said out loud, "Mommy, Sarah nak black underware." Surprised. I declined. Sarah continued on loudly, "Alah, Sarah nak black panties macam Mommy pakai tu, please..biar nampak seksis (deformed 'sexy'). I am a big girl". At that instant, I knew that I was getting old as my 8 year old daughter now could make the connection of the colour black and sexiness". Sigh..so soon time flies...

Moral: Beware of what you wear when you are around Sarah, as she will comment.

#3 Who is younger?

My mama is a HOT MAMA. At the age of 57, her skin is still radiant, complexion is youthful and yes, she dresses up like a hip 30+ lady too. Whereas, I am the total opposite. I am bigger in size (all la..). My complexion is so-so, my eyes are always ringed with these dark circles and so on and so forth. Oh yes, I cannot fit in my mama's clothes as there are small. So one day, as I was putting on some make up, Sarah came into the room to watch, I knew she was gonna comment on something. Then she asked, "mommy, why you always make up je..". I answered, "saja nak cantik". Then she proceeded, "tapi Uci (my mama) tak payah make pun cantik". OK, I took that as a punch, steady Ida. I kept silent. Being an innocent kid, perhaps she thought that the silence meant some sort of an agreement, so she asked me another question, "mommy why Uci looks young(er) than you, you sure she (is) your mother huh?". Aduih, mulut anak daraku laser!

Moral: Yet again, beware of what you wear when Sarah is around!

#4 The Cook

My 7 year old son, Adam was totally engrossed in the computer games that he was playing. I thought he was unaware of my presence near him when suddenly he said, "mommy, Adam nak jadi cook macam dalam TV tu la, boleh pegi sana, pegi sini. Boleh masak banyak-banyak lepas tu dapat duit boleh kasi mommy". Up to this point, I dah terkedu dah. Then he said, "mommy ajar le Adam masak, Adam nak belajar masak le mommy'. Hmm..elok le, anak pompuan nak melawa je, yang lelaki nak belajar masak. Bukan salah ibu mengandung!

Moral: Bagi je moral support apa benda our kids nak buat..kita boleh tompang senang.

#5 Carik Lain

Sarah used to tell me 'go find another bapak' as this one 'dah ada banyak uban'. Little did she know, in reality it is the other way around. Anyway, is it true that the grey hair for men actually is an indication of his wisdom and maturity?

Moral: Uban boleh dye inai Indian so biaq tak nampak. Boleh ke?

#6 Multiplying Love

One day, Sarah saw hubby and I in each other's arms. We are quite demonstrative when it comes to all these lovy dovy things. So she uttered out loud, "hah, asyik peluk-peluk je ni nanti dapat baby lagi, biar banyak-banyak sampai one hundred, sapa nak jaga kakak (my maid) mau balik Sabah sudah..". We all terkejut beruk.

Moral: Be very careful with what you do when she is around. I don't know where she got her mulut laser tu...

So that's the story of my loved ones with their wits. Goodnight!