OK, so I have been working hard lately.
True, I have been having less sleep of late.
Fine, I admit I haven’t been eating much either.
I acknowledged that I have not drunk enough water or the like.
So I know I don’t really look my best right now.
But this didn’t hit home till I got these…. three lots of gifts from three different people!
I must say I did have a good chuckle.
And then I grabbed the first tub and lathered a good thick layer on!
P.S. It works!
Recently our cousins from overseas visited. One of them came with a cracked wrist, some kidney infection and I am not sure what else.
He went to see the local doctor here who charged him…. very little compared to where he came from!
It would appear that the system there has little help for those who don’t belong to the system. No social security disability allowances or even decent hospital and outpatient care. Such a shame! He needs to somehow get in on the system first.
Meanwhile, I do hope he will get well soon!
Long queues.
The worst thing if you are in a rush.
Even more frustrating if you knew it was your fault for not planning early. Ah!
Doubly frustrating if you knew it was your fault for poor planning BUT you made some contingency plans after all and STILL you are having to stand and queue to pay while time is fast running out…..
Which is where I was yesterday.
Stewing while tapping my foot.
Managed to catch myself and not be rude to the staff at the checkout counter. Though tempted to. I felt like asking her. “Why doesn’t your shop have something like a cordless barcode scanner to help speed things up?” But then, it’s not her fault.
So I smiled at her instead and said, “Excuse me please. Could I quickly pay this so I can go?” and gave her the exact amount…..
I live in a multiracial country. Here, we have a lot more holidays than most other places because there are special holidays for the Malays, the Chinese, the Indians and the indigenous folk. This variety of holidays translates into lots of time to visit one another and to see the sights.
It also means that intermingling of culture takes place. For instance, the giving of ang-pows used to be only done by the Chinese. Over the years, the Malays do it, but their packets are coloured green. Recently the bank gave me some ang-pows to give away – for Deepavali. These were in purple!
Now, this fusion has evolved even to the interpretation of symbols. Take this mall decoration for instance. It’s the year of the Rabbit I am told. But the main features are butterflies. Beautiful colourful and lovely butterflies.
They settle on lilies, and the rabbits are pale in comparison.
I like the butterflies actually. It really does add to the variety!
The new year is approaching. As expected, people make resolutions.
Some would be impossible to keep, to be broken within a week or a month.
Some, a little more realistic might last a few more months.
It’s not until one keeps at it for six weeks at least that it truly becomes part of one’s lifestyle.
So what are the changes you plan to make in your life?
All the colour I have been seeing because of the Joseph production.
All that flowing material, wafted up and down during the finale.
Makes me think about the sarees I have. I have quite a number. And I have my favourites.
I was pondering when would be the next occasion when I would be able to slip one on. Then I read my friend’s post about her recent outing in her sari! So nice!
But alas, I can’t think of any occasion where I can wear mine…. not without drawing tons of attention! Imagine a Chinese woman wearing a sari… and a fair skinned one too! Yes, I will get a lot of comments!
So I am left wondering for the time being….
I was supposed to collect some documents.
Before I reached the entrance, I was already impressed by what I saw. Clean, crisp exterior. The glass facade was unstained and obviously of good quality.
I opened the door and immediately two things happened – I heard one of my favorite Christmas carols playing and I detected a lovely fragrance in the air. Lemon grass, I believe it was. This delightful scent wafted around my head, playing hide and seek, one moment there and disappearing at the next. What a lovely greeting.
An interesting display caught my eye as I walked towards the desk to ask for the documents. So this was the source of the aroma!
I made my request and the lady at the desk replied – with crystal like clarity Queen’s English. What joy! She not only spoke good English, she understood and preempted my errand, handing me the documents even before I finished my sentence.
As I took the package, signed for it, it dawned on me that in one short visit, all my five sense had been stimulated! Cleverly done to create the desired atmosphere. An interesting experience and observation worthwhile sharing as I walked the six steps or so back towards the door to leave, pausing only to snap that picture above…..
Some days it just happens.
We decide to bake.
And when we do, we really bake. Lots of it. All sorts too.
It can be fun, especially when you have someone else with you.
And the music is blasting away in the background
With not agenda upcoming.
No deadline to meet.
Just bake. I like it – lots!
Just after I finished posting the last entry, I hear about Malaysia planning to build a 100 storey tall tower!
I have to ask – what is the fascination with tall buildings?!
As an icon it is not tall enough – the Burj in Dubai is much taller. Furthermore, we already have the 88-storied Twin Towers – still the tallest twin towers in the world. I don’t understand why we need to build another skyscraper.
Unless of course, it would create more local jobs … which is rather unlikely as most construction workers and consultants are expatriates!
I shall wait to see how this develops!
I have played the guitar on and off since I was 17 years old. Along the way, I obtained this super Ovation guitar. Those in the know would appreciate that name/brand.
It’s been with me since 1996. That’s a good 14 years. Last year I had to send it to West Malaysia for fixing up. It was rather bashed about because I had young enthusiastic Arrows in the house who didn’t quite know how to care for it. When it came back, the sound was never really the same but I still loved it.
Then recently I was asked to play in a meeting. What joy it was (unlike the previous time where I was so stressed!) I felt freedom to play after the initial feeling my way around. I found myself relaxing and getting into it. Nice.
That was a week ago.
Then a few days ago, a friend picked it up again, out of its case and wanted to play it.
To my horror, I found that the body had cracked open! Furthermore, the body itself had cracked in parts…. see arrows.
This is somewhat sad news. I really like this guitar. And at my age, I don’t fancy spending much money on another piece like this or similar.
Earlier I asked a friend who owns a music shop and does repairs. He is not prepared to attempt repairing it.
So I have decided that I will stick it back together myself, regardless of the sound! I am not prepared to lose it just yet!
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