Saying hello after 10 years

Recently, i received an email bearing a super bad news - a uni friend has lung cancer stage four.

Now, this friend is not someone whom I was close to during my four years in uni. We graduated, got married, worked, had kids - without contacting one another. But i was sad to hear that piece of news.

So i picked up the phone and called her. Awkward it may seem, but dialed, i did. A simple, hello, how are you doing? And most importantly, "I'd like to help. If you need errands done, tell me. If you need transport, call me."

And she graciously accepted the offers.

Sometimes, we are shy, awkward, embarassed, cynical etc. We wonder, "What if she is not up to it? What if she needs rest? What if we are disturbing?"

Well, then let the person tells us. And we just wait till we are needed.

Sometimes we are too busy to help or offer kindness cos we have family, work, tv, dog, cat,etc.

Well, then life sucks. But life sucks generally.

Hence, a little compassion, kindness and love help. Spare some, why dont ya?

The 80s shop

Today we went to a shop which supposedly sells clothes from Korea and japan at very cheap prices. As usual, when there is a bargain to be found, it has to be hidden at some obscure places. We found it, nonetheless, climbed up a flight of stairs and to our disappointment saw clothes that befit Queen Elizabeth and well, maybe Anita Mui.

We giggled ourselves silly pointing out the gaudy purple dress with shoulder pads the size of my padded bra, which I assure you, ahem, is gargantuan. But we sensitively turned off our giggly mode when the old lady who runs the shop was nearby lest she be offended. She enthusiastically showed us around suggesting certain styles for us. My friend even politely obliged to try on a tweed skirt, which I must say will look kinda cute with argyle knee length socks. But only if you are 18. And stay in London.

We hung around a little longer cos we just didn't want to offend the sweet old lady. As we left, I even lied that I will tell my friends about her place. My friend chipped in that we'd love to stay longer to slowly browse through her stocks but not today. Another day, alright?

Some people call it vintage.

But sorry, it was just plain old fashion to us.

We went back into the car, and kicked our friend's ass for bringing us to such a fruitless place. It was a fun girls day out. Sans the kids. Just like the old times.

Al cheapo

My mom is the sort who will walk an extra mile because THAT particular stall offers choysum at a cheaper price...say like 5 sen cheaper?

And she does prattle on for days about a good bargain. Like how she found this grocery store which stocks Nescafe 2-in-1, 20 cents cheaper than Carrefour. Oh the joy on her face when she talks about the cents she manages to save.

Hence, I know what being frugal is about. I have a mom who is the Frugal Queen. Not that I'm complaining. Like my 6years younger buddy says, "Being frugal is a commodity these days."(or something like that :P) Cmon..we know we don't share the same surnames as Mittal or Gates or ..heck, who else is in the Forbes?

The other day, we had lunch - three very *ahem* wise ladies. We zig-zagged out of many topics, from tv shows, iPad games to something we never miss discussing -BAGS. All of us do love bags. But we have come to a point where we can JUST talk about them, admire them..and yet not buy them* You know, it's like walking into Pavillion, says, "Ooh, that's nice." and then walking out again, without feeling
'"I might as well be dead if I don't get that bag?" Not that I have ever felt that way despite saying, "That is a bag to die for!" numerous times.

We walked into Thomas Sabo and then out, exclaiming how those little trinkets are so-not-worth the price. Yay! I love window shopping!

We even said how we'd boycott Vincci shoes when there isn't a sale. *fol* Bet those who wear Louboutins cringe when they hear us talkinng.

But I love how 20 years of friendships has made us completely comfortable with each other. Carats? Bah! We only talk about those being sold at the markets!

I do know they have some buried blings - the real carats in Milo tins. But it's just not something we talk about or show (off). (Not that I have any to show).

*it's a different story altogether of course if the hubs offer to buy them..kakakaka!

At a party

We have been invited to several birthday parties, yeterday's being the last one (not like forever..but for the year, perhaps). I can conclude that i does not yike kiddo birthday parties.

Why eh?

Mainly because parents talk about the same old stuff - schools, lessons, tuitions. I can smile and nod for 10 minutes... 15 at max! But seriously.. 2 hrs??? C'mon! I want to hear about your inlaws! I want to know about your sex life!

Heh... not really.

Come to think of it.. I am pretty disinterested in many things these days. Even my neighbour's gardener in tight jeans doesn't seem appealing anymore. Blame it on the hormones, k?

And then..there are the noisy kids. Gah! And yesterday the boys were such bitches - uttering I-don't-want-to-fren-you at every opportunity.

The highlight of the event was of course the cake blowing ceremony. For me, very much because it signalled the end of a much dreaded evening.. and for Gooly, it was the cake itself. I think that was the time I saw his face was giddy with happiness. He stood so near to the cake, salivating. He ate a slice, smacking his lips and asked for another. Finished that and asked for yet another, "It's for my mom.."

Awwww... I tell you. I almost choked in tears eating Optimus Prime's hand. That's until he said, "Can you share some with me?"Gee.. I don't know now if he was being really sincere in fetching me the cake or he was embarassed to eat 3 slices himself?

Oh well, the night ended with my solitary thoughts of, "I will never have the courage to organise a kiddo party."

...and also, "What a recluse I have become! A hermit! Totally anti-social!"

Is this what being pregnant is all about?

A magic hat

The other day we were reading The Magic Rabbit in which the long-eared pulls out all sorts of things from a black tall hat.

It contains very colourful illustrations but very simple text. Something that would only take 2 minutes to read.

But it went on for more than that cos we were studying the images. I told him how the bunny's eyes glisten when it pulls out the best things he liked. And when he gets a little lonely, the eyes look kinda dull. I love how illustrators pay attention to details as such.

And I told Gooly just that - how the eyes are the windows to our souls. *corny*

At "the end", I asked what would he like to pull out if he had a magic hat.

"A magic hat with propeller which can fly me up," he giggled.

To where?

"Space, of course!"

Ohh.. ok. What else?

"A dinosaur...A t-rex! Hahahhaah."

And we spoke some more of what should magically appear in our lives. I love 'meaningful' conversations with gooly.

If only we had a magic hat..then I could...heh, like I am telling you :P

Cray

I noticed that Gooly, being a keen observer himself, has been calling people crazy. Well, yeah.. everyone is either loco or maniacal, but that doesn't warrant him the right to call people as such so honestly and openly. You never know what crazy people might do (I'm one of them).. *skull drilling sound*

So I put a stop to it. No more calling people crazy.

Yes mama. Sure mama. Ok mama.

But being a neologist or a word-smith, if you like... he somehow rounded up his brain cells and started to coin his own words (again) which are synonyms to 'crazy'.

He has done that before, making up the word Kum-Seng (to describe people like YOU, YOU and YOU!) but reverted to plain ole 'crazy' recently.

And then this time is 'cray'.

It's an adjective which you can use to describe your mother in law.

"Your momma is so cray.. she makes Britney and Lady Gaga look normal."*

Ahh... isn't it cool????

So now he still calls people crazy.. but it's just people do not know (except you).. which makes him safer, I think.

*we are not responsible if you are scratched off the inheritance after the usage of "cray".

CeritaSSSSS Hari Ini

My (very good) friend, who migrated to OZ, came back for a holiday last week. Yesterday was her last day. So my ahbu cooked some tauyubak and tarpau-ed some yongtaufu for her. Of course, I took all the credits. See how nice and sweet my ma is? When you receive anything from me out of the blue, it's probably from my mom. But you must pretend that you don't know, and still thank me profusely, ok?

*****************

Somebody in a small town, 5 hours away, has been diagnosed with liver cancer, stage 4. Ok-lah, I tell you, he is papah's uncle. They are refusing chemo., and are trying to give him the best last few months. A cousin invited him over to KL so she can bring him out for foodies and such. But strangely, transport is not provided.

So I thought over it and decided to offer my service. I would like to make that 10 hour journey (to and fro) to bring him over. I really do not know this uncle very well to endure a 10 hour ride in close proximity (possibly divided into two days). And I reckon the feeling is mutual on his end. So he rejected my offer!!!

Heheh.. Phew~

Kidding. If he had said yes, I'd would have been more than happy that I have done something for someone who is ... you know what. (I dont want to say DIE cos not all cancer patients die.)

********************

That day, Gooly came back holding an ice cream in a cup.

In a very poor thing voice he said, "Mom, I need to ask your permission first.."

Ohlard.. the ice cream had all melted. I didn't had the heart to say NO (cos he was coughing). He was so good, he wanted to ask permission first!

It's almost like him saving an ice cream in a pocket for me.. Not quite the same. But similar.

But as he slurped the melted ice cream, I wondered if this is a new tactic cos:

1. he really likes melted ice cream (weird kid)

2. he thinks that melted ice cream is not cold, and thus won't make him cough that much

3. he thinks if he waited 10 minutes, and resisted offers from NAINAI to chomp up there and then without telling me, then it's really OK to have that ice cream

Anyways.. I went, awwww........ such a good boy. Ask permission first ..yada yada..yada... Go ahead, drink your ice cream....

A SUCKER!! That's what I am.

You want to live where I live?

Where I live is really convenient. Not because of its amenities but..because of Mrs. Lee. Remember Mrs Lee? My back neighbour?

Since the demise of her husband, she has been chummier with my ahbu. Ahbu of course is a sweetie pie, deserving good friends everywhere.

Anyways, this has been happening for months - Mrs. Lee buying groceries for ahbu with the help of Annie, her maid. And then ahbu will reciprocate their kindness by cooking and passing the extra bowl of curry or whatever to them, so they don't have to cook. A nice arrangement, eh?

Unfortunately Mrs Lee's children are uhm.. living in their own world (unlike me who CHOOSE to live in a cave.) But what warms my heart is that Mrs Lee has proclaimed before that she treats Annie as her own child. Sometimes she buys her RM10 blouses which is extravagant because Mrs. Lee doesn't buy blouses for herself even. And there are some food she can't take as she is diabetic, but she would buy them for Annie.

And almost every day, I kid you not..She buys us kuih, nasi lemak, laksa etc. because it makes her happy. Of course we reciprocate with ..gosh.. I can't remember the stuff we have exchanged but rest assured, from me personally there were cupcakes and mangosteen. This has been going on for months! (And I hope it won't stop)

Anyways, today's meal was even more special because... ANNIE! Annie, the maid paid for the roast pork because she felt grateful that ahbu has been cooking for them. Awww... isn't that sweet?

So ahbu said in smattering Penglish, "You no so very much money.. you no buy. You keep money in pokek (pocket), no more buy, ok?"

Annie smiled and smiled and said, "Nevermind......."

There! I hope you are smiling too.

:)

What kind of eater?

DO you know who makes an awful eating companion? He is somebody who..

.. is not adventurous when it comes to food.

.. scowls when the soup is not burning the tongue.

.. curses when the rice is not soft enough.

.. wails when the waitress is not prettier than his wife. *ahem*

(Exaggerated details but you get the drift of what a fussy eater is..)

He is *drumroll*................

PAPAH! The most irritating self-claimed FOOD CRITIQUE!

(everybody ----BOOOO~~~~ BOOOO ~~~~~)

At the extreme end of the spectrum is his flesh and blood.

Presenting....*clap clap clap* MR. GOOLY!!!!!

(Pictures courtesy of Winn-iphone-lansi Photography)

See the joy on his face? See how he enjoys whatever food that is plonked on the plate? Granted, he is NOT that adventurous and cincai as me, but he still makes a good lunch/dinner date.

I am what, some people, would call "a dunno how to eat" person. I don't fancy chocolates and ice cream. Did I hear a gasp? Yeah.. I'm in the low low low percentile of 'chocolates-look-like-sai' group and "what's the big deal with ice-cream" association.

I also don't have a craving for anything. (Bags, yeah, but I can't eat those.Durh!) But I don't mind crossing the sea and swimming the mountains (note the disinterested tone) to go eat the hamchimpeang with you. Seriously, I won't mind. Cos I am happy when I see your oily mouths.

I like sushis and durians, though. Yeah, I like them. (I'm lacking passion in this area, do you notice?)

I have a friend who can find the nicest things to say about food. There was once, I brought some home-made chocolate cakes to her house for tea. The cakes were not very pretty - they were black and brown and resembled 'sai' (OK! OK!, I dunno why but chocolates look a lot like the remnants that I flush every morning!), but this girl took a bite and went, "MMMMM...... the texture is moist.. You can tell the baker had used good quality chocolates to bake these.."

I am sure she was just trying to be nice. She appreciated that I brought the cakes over despite them looking like 'you-know-what'.

Anyway, I went home reminding myself to be more like her - someone who looks out for good stuff to say instead of focusing on the bad. This is applicable for everything, not just sai cakes.

I have imparted that lesson to Papah. I really wish he can say nicer stuff at restaurants i.e those lights are so pretty.... the ice is cold and hard enough.. etc.

Ok, so what makes you go..."OMG.. I GOTTA EAT THAT *slurp slurp* OR I'D DIE AN UNHAPPY GHOST...."?? Do not say it's your own cooking, cos I'd boycott you (I am not a good cooker, and you musn't be also, to be fair,ok?)

(I know steamboat is on somebody's agenda.n :D)

Gooly is sneaky and sarky

The good thing about driving him to and from school would be the chance to have a tete-a-tete session with him. It gets better when it rains cos we get to play together too (once we reach home but can't get off the car, that is.) Actually I could possibly run and open the un-automated gate and risk falling gracefully, but why take the chance? So sit in the car we shall.

And today was the same ole thing - mucking in the car in the rain. He suggested a fighting game with his figurines - Optimus and Ironhide. I got to choose first, apparently. Naturally I took the Red&Blue one, knowing that that is exactly his favourite.

"Hey hey hey...!!" he opposed. I didn't want to give in, especially after I won it fair and square thru a game of 1, 2, zoos.

He was a good sport. He even complimented me on winning. And then he said:

"Ok, in this fighting game.. if you lose, the second round, you have to give up your Optimus Prime. If I lose, I will have to give you my Ironhide and get Optimus Prime."

Err.. I had to stop a while to digest what he said. If my calculation is correct, he gets Optimus Prime back, whatever the outcome was. That was pretty sneaky, in a diplomatic way, eh?

And then he said I smelled like a pig.

...and also like a swamp.

I laughed like mad cos they were ridiculously original. Smelling like a swamp? Gosh..that's one remark I could recycle. And I don't remember bringing him to a swamp. Now how would he know it's stinky?

For the record, I am really NOT THAT smelly.

Thank you

Some of you know that I come in a package. Mother & son package. You see me, you see him. You eat with me, you eat with him. You get the drift.

Gooly said the other day that when I go out with my friends, I talk and talk and talk and talk. And he did the Wonder Girls gesture where they open and shut the fingers. You know? No?

Ok ok.. it's like how the lil kids do Twinkle Twinkle Little Stars?

Ah....


So he said I talk and talk and talk..yak yak yak.. (imagine the hand gesture) until I forget about my own son - him.


So much so that he packs an army of toys into his bag-pack whenever I say we are going out for a drink with my friends so that he can entertain himself.


Poor Gooly.


I do feel sorry for him..but I still like to talk.


But I do have great friends who give him the attention. Like edamame who is genuinely interested in what he has to say.

I think it's amazing that someone else besides me thinks he is funny in an adorable way.

usop,

I know it's not easy when you have to QC your vocabulary when he is around.

It's also hard to answer his incessant WHYs.

It's nice that you look into his eyes when you talk to him.

It's cute to see you laugh and giggle like a little girl.

When you have your own kid or dog.. I swear I will be just like you, to them.

:)

Prank calls

One of my favourite things to do is to call up Gooly and chat a storm with him.

You must understand that he sounds awfully cute over the phone. It's a mixture of barritone and baby voice that tickle me so much. Oh and also the things he says.

Hullo..

Hi sayang..whatcha doing?

Is that you, mom?

Ya. Have you eaten?

Yep yep yep. Can I put down the phone yet?

No.. I want to talk to you.

O-keey.. what are you doing?

Working. Did you munch on an apple today?

Yep yep yep (I love this! Teehee.) Can I put down the phone yet?

(TSK! Very busy meh?) Ok. I will see you later.

Yep yep yep. Enjoy working. Bye mom. You have a good business. I'm gonna put down the phone ok?

*click*

Dem! I haven't said I LOVE YOU yet ... never mind. I will call again 5 minutes later.

Lesson learned: Record the conversation so I don't have to type it out.

Gooly the laozhi

"Call me Peah Lauxhi."

Frankly speaking, it's either Peah or Peyek. I am not so sure myself. Peah, Peyek, Peyer... oh, could it be Pierre? Yes yes.. Pierre Laozhi.

He is darn serious about his teaching job that he makes his own wordsheets.

And I, the mother has to complete them. When I am lucky, I get the 'dot to dot' sheet, which I can connect the dots anyway I want. Sometimes I get the real tricky ones like writing chinese words. Blek.

And he stamps homeworks for me too (which I throw into the bin)

If I don't do them (which is usually the case), I get sent to the principal's office (who is him also.)

This is him teaching me.. I forgot what. As if I would listen to him. Teehee.


Oooh... I have a schedule to follow too. What's BMS? Darn! I wasn't paying attention again, was I?

This is the text book he uses. ANd his lecture begins with "God wants you to be rich.."

Hmm.. Those blokes.. are they god? Hmm...

Now I wish I had paid better attention!

Gooly main masak masak

When we go to Ikea, Gooly goes to the play area. But sometimes the place is deserted or it's jam packed with kids. And then we will abandon the idea of playing there and proceed...

..to the kids' furniture area.

..where he always..always..always...play with the kiddy kitchen cabinet.


Ooooh.... the joy he has when he plays Restaurant City where he is the Chef, maitre' D and cashier.

I am always the customer naturally which I don't mind, really.

I order sushi, siew mai, ckt, coffee, ice kacang and such.

I like the siew mai he makes cos he adds meat with a dash of pepper and salt and carefully wrap them up and steam them. (I don't know how he knows the recipe.)

And then he always give great offers like free coffee.

And the price is darn cheap. It's always 1 cent for the whole meal. *grins*

And the service is quick and good. I hear "Thank you and please come again!" everytime I pay.

Even the name of the establishment is catchy - Ching Chong Ching Restaurant.

I am so tempted to buy him that cabinet. But it's so expensive!!

Anyways, for conversation sake, I asked him, "What if people tease you saying that cooking is for girls?" (True enough cos that's what my sister told him.)

He looked up the ceiling and pondered.

"I won't care!" he shrugged.

Attaboy! Good to hear that! Now gimme the hammer and nails, I will just construct the whole cabinet for you..

Right here.. in this house of NO gender stereotyping!

(Ok, before that.. where to get papan?)

Mrs. Lee's son

Remember Mrs. Lee?

I think I failed to mention that she actually has 2 sons. The older one is banished or ran away, I am not sure. But he doesn't come home anymore. The younger one..well.. he is the one I want to write about today.

But before that..

I do remember the boys being a few years younger. Just a few. So that makes them in their early 30s, perhaps? During the younger days, we have heard stories about them ..or should I say, little 'adventures' they had..

..like the time they conteng the piano with black markers.

..and also the time the older boy played with fire.

I think the fire episode was the last straw the parents could handle. He was sent away.. and then he ran away. And then.. we never heard of him again. Even when his father died, he was not informed.

Now the younger brother..

In his 30s (or late 20s, I assume), he has never worked a single day of his life.

He wakes, he walks around the neighbourhood til his legs tire him out and he never takes a bath unless necessary (like when head lice are partying on his hair)

Mrs Lee says he is autistic.

Here's the thing. Sometimes... he plays the piano. Beautifully. Like a maestro. I don't know if it's Bach or Beethoven that he plays but ohh... so beautiful.

He doesn't practice. I mean, even when he was a kid, there was no scales and arpeggio practice (unlike the other stupid neighbour kid). And yet when he plays, he plays like he is performing.

When I see him around the neighbourhood, smiling to himself, looking tattered - I am half scared and intrigued by him ..

Beautiful a.m

In an over-crowded kopitiam, I was having a hard time deciding what to eat.

Ipoh hor fun - curry mein - ipohorfun- kaleimein- eppohhorfen - kalimein.. my mind was exploding, resulting a constipated look on my usually ceria face.

Suddenly I heard, "Do you want to sit with us?"

Huh? Huh? Why? Why? I blinked and realised, an old lady with another three equally old ladies had offered a seat. I think I had stood there a while, looking as though I was without a place to sit, with an agitated face.

I declined politely, explaining that my son has reserved a seat for me next to the handsome man who happens to be my husband.

And I proceeded to decide on Assam Laksa in a much happier mood.

Just awhile ago, as I stepped out from the toilet cubicle, another lady looked at my reflection on the mirror and complimented on my dress.

"This old rag?! Oooh...it's soooo last season!" I waved off the comment.

Hahah! Of course I didn't say that!......

I think I was so pleasantly surprised that I blushed a lil.

Ahhh.. random 'niceties' from two total strangers. That's too much! Makes me wanna donate a kidney or something..

*grinz

Mrs. Lee- my back neighour

The palace that I am living in (for close to 25 years) has a kitchen that typically extends to the border of the behind neighbour. What separates us would be a grille atop a block of cement wall. Given the close proximity, Mr and Mrs Lee have developed an annoying nosy habit of watching what my mom cooks. Not that my mom minds even though she calls them "The Nosy Couple" all the time.

(Speaking of which, we have nicknames for a few other neighbours i.e. The Lion Head, Skinny Lady, Inspector, Crazy French. We are probably "The Family with Old Junk Cars".)

Back to "The Nosy Couple'.

Though my parents are in amicable terms with them, we (the kids) pretty much scurry around the kitchen without giving them much attention. I mean, we are used to the extra head or two overlooking our kitchen after living in the condition for the past 25 years.

Sometime last year, Mrs. Lee fell and fractured her leg. Mr. Lee wasn't strong enough to carry her into the car to the hospital. So they asked for help. My help. I was annoyed. I was like, Man.. I am sleeping lah.. I don't carry heavy stuff. TSK! Bla bla bla.

Yep.. I was in a full blown bitchy mode. I was gonna help but I just had to let go steam a while. The irascible me had to let the whole world know that she sacrificed 10 minutes of her slumber to help an old lady. *mutter bitch to self*

And so I went under the pressure of my 'care-for -thy-neighbour' mom. The house was fairly spacious. A Mother Mary portrait hung at the entrance. Both Mr Lee and I heaved Mrs. Lee up from the old rattan chair. As she leaned precariously over my body, I had a whiff of her body. Not smelly. Just old. Kinda like moth balls.

Recently, Mr. Lee passed away.

We all felt sorry for Mrs. Lee. She bemoans her loneliness to my mom. Of course my mom doesn't mind lending an ear. Meanwhile, us kids scurry around the kitchen as per norm not paying much attention to the lonely face at the grille.

This morning, while fixing my usual cuppa, I heard a "Miss De Cruz.."*

I looked up and as expected, I saw Mrs. Lee's face. At the tip of my tongue was, "Oh, looking for my mom? Wait arr.. Let me call her." I reckoned that there is no reason for her to talk to me, you see.

And then I heard, "Good morning to you.."

Just that. A simple "Good morning to you.." And a smile. I think I stood and blinked a few times. And I replied, "Oh good morning." I hope my smile was ok.

Strange, isn't it? 25 years separated just by a wall and yet the "good morning" came only today. Shame on me for not being the one who initiated the greeting too.

I should really make a conscious effort to look up more and smile at Mrs. Lee whom I think needs a lil bit more TLC now.

*not my real name. Duh..

When playing is serious

Hearsay, a big concept of 'play room' is coming to Bangkok end of this year. Various 'sets' will be laid out in a large area i.e hospital, police station, fire station, catwalk stage, dental clinics, salons, etc. And your kid will have a 'gala' time playing pretend. He can be a singer, a dentist, a model...whatever lah..you get the drift. The gadgets and uniforms will be 'real' stuff. Not those cheapo pasar malam plastic stuff you find in my house. That's because it is supposed to be a real-life experience where the kids will be given monies to spend, and when the fund is dry, they can work to earn too.

Fun? Oooh... a lot of mummies think so.

My take :

1) I think it's dumb. Playing pretend is ok. Imagination is good. But when you make such efforts to inculcate play, it's not play anymore. It sounds to me, this indoor park is pretty s.e.r.i.o.u.s. about making money. I am sure the entrance fee will be hefty. When you make money out of kids about character/mind building, I know you are bullshiting. Don't crap me about you care about kids development by giving them an opportunity to learn some lifelong skill. (The same for all seminars or tuition centres) **

2. I think it's dumb. What real-life experience? You want real? Put in some brothels. And have robbers in the banks. And loan sharks. Of course they will say, "We want positive characters!" Sure , sure.. there is nothing wrong with that..BUT PLEASE! Don't say its real life experience! What a whole lot of crap!

3. I think it's dumb. What's the big rush? They will grow up and work!

Ok, say you want your kid to learn about occupations -then, bring them to factories, or make an effort to explain about jobs wherever you are. And if you are really bold, you can even ask permission to use their tools. (Like, use the hair dryer at the saloon.)

Again, I am not saying that play pretend is dumb. It's dumb to PAY ( I was told it's about Rm200-300 per entrance) to play pretend when play pretend can be anything, anywhere. (Put a blanket over your head and voila , you are a ghost, you know what I mean?)

I just don't get it. You plonk a kid with good company in an empty field, a swimming pool, a sand pit, chances are..they will have a gala time.

I think what bugs me is commercialism. Yucks! Totally distasteful.

Yes, it will be fun, I reckon. But only if they charge, RM10-20 per entry?

Don't ask if my sentiments are the same for Disneyland? I dunno. Macam not the same. Oh...I know. That's because Disney is all about FANTASY........!

Ok. The end.

*Abrupt end because I need to pangsai.

** I am not saying everything should be free. Look, they gotta earn a living too. I totally understand that. But when you earn a FORTUNE from your philosophy of caring for kids' development..it's just a whole lot of crap to me.

Randomised

This was taken yesterday at sun set. Sakura feel. *do para para sakura dance by Bon Jovi*

It was Thailand's Father's Day yesterday. Also the King's birthday. There were small gatherings everywhere to celebrate the day. I was stuck at one of these 'legal' gatherings and had to stand in attention for a few minutes while they sang some patriotic songs and shouted LONG LIVE THE KING in thai. Loyalty as such is quite awesome, frankly speaking. In Malaysia..choy nei dou sor loh. Guarantee no settings -legal or illegal, organized by independent parties to show love and respect. Especially when there is no food involved.

This is a random shot of my lovely bag at my favourite spot. Stare straight ahead, and I see our pics, turn to the right - the pool and garden. My ultimate relaxing spot.

Left - sakit. Right - non-sakit

Gooly woke at 3am yesterday with a high-grade fever. There went my sleep.. as I sponged him down. This morning, he woke still feeling feverish. And whenever he falls sick, his eyes become double-lidded. Is this phenomenon normal? He even felt it - blinking, noticing the odd feeling of heavy lids and commented, " I have double eyes (lids) again.."

*chuckles*

Totally non of your biz

Last Friday was Hari Raya Haji, a public holiday in my homeland, Alaska. Thus, many monkeys were not online. One went to Spore, and another downloading lame movies, I presume.

Oh well, I was forced to go out then.

Put on a new jumper, my minnie-mouse lookalike polka doted hairband and a pair of 99 baht plastic shoes. The most comfortable, I tell you. The original Crocs must be like that.


Looked for a matching bag. Tadaa...


And bought a coupon for the shuttle van. Did I tell you our apartment has shuttle service? How cool is that? I swear, the van is cleaner than ours. And the driver.. *giggle nudge nudge* is handsome. I always wonder who the heck takes the 12 seater van cos it's always just me in it. The ride to the mall is 25 bahts. The taxi usually cost me around 60bahts.

Throughout the whole journey in the van, I wondered what I should do with the 35 bahts I saved. 3 Mc D i-screams, perhaps? And then I realized I have forgotten to apply underarm deodorant. Urrgh! If you didn't notice, I didn't want to say armpits as I was being polite.

With sweaty erm, underarms, I went looking for food and decided on a salad buffet, considering that I haven't defecated that day. After munching like a cow, I got sick of the colour green, and got bored of myself. Dang.. 145bahts for two plates of peas. I suck big time at buffets.

Oh, and I used the same plate twice cos I'm being environMENTAL. Didn't want to waste water and soap washing extra plates. Yeah.. bring me to buffets, and I will embarrass you with stunts like that.

And then I roamed around aimlessly.

So that was Friday for me. I was completely alone. Not that I am complaining.

The end.