Turning Back

As usual, we will go to my club on the eve of a public holiday (10.12.07) for karaoke. Haven't been there for quite a while cos I was not well and with a bad cough, how to sing? Anyway, my usual group of friends called and said they were 'thirsty' so there we went. Not a large crowd but then becos the dj was new, he messed up all our requests which made some people pretty upset.
There was a girl there who sang very well that night. I have not seen her before but I know she will be back soon.
I have been a member of this club for almost twenty years. That means, all the people who frequent this place would know each other.
Met this friend (J) who used to sing with me some 11 years ago. For unknown reasons, he started telling me that he has totally wrecked his life for the past five years. He lost his family and many of his friends. He admitted that it was his fault cos he was arrogant and was flirting around.
First I told him that where family is concern, there is no overnight hatred and that he shoud try to make back. Well, at least if you try, you will know the answer rather than to keep quiet and feel sorry not knowing if they are prepared to forgive you. As for friends, if they all leave you, I have learned that they have never been there at all so go and make new ones.
The place was pretty noisy so he said that he would like to sit down one day with me to tell me all about it.
Anyway, I requested the two songs we used to sing and that was:- the night chicago died and river of babylon. My, my after the song, he thanked me and told me that he felt real good after the shouting/letting out.
I am glad that helped him, probably he had a good sleep that night.
I hope he will find a way back into his family again.
Any one out there have better suggestions PLEASE???

So funny!!

Had an invitation from an ex colleague for his son's wedding at the Palace of the Golden Horses. So decided to go with my friend Poly and then stay over at her place.

Both of us have not been to that Hotel but manage to after we missed the junction and reversed a short way back. To avoid the jam at the race course junction, we were the earliest guests. Poly was very hungry, so we scout around for some food but at 6.30pm none was found around the hotel. So both of us had two full glasses of drinks and ate up most of the tibbits they served. Then the minute we were allowed to enter the ballroom, she ate her share of cake as well. That shows how hungry she was.

Then came all the ex-colleagues - that is Poly's ex. I join in after all of them left if not we were working at different locations. So there were lost of catching up for all of them and yes there were nice to include me in their conversation.

So the dinner went well with all the slides and the cake cutting, wine pouring, toasting and our friend dedicated a song to his son and new bride.

Going home from the hotel is no problem BUT as soon as we reach the junction of Bandar Tun Razak, for reasons unknown, there was a crazy jam. The whole area was jammed up with triple parking of cars on both sides of the road. Poly said she has never encounter this before. So it was lucky me.

It took us about 35 - 45 mins to reach her flat from the junction and guess what???????? There was black out. It NEVER happened before in her 3 years stay there. So it must be me again lor. Climbing up to her second floor was not problem cos a nice gentleman has placed a candle on the stairway. I told Poly, earlier that I will take 1/2 a sleeping tablet so that I can sleep better but now looks like I have to take the whole tablet. Then she said........'U remember to breath arh!!' (After talking about Freddy, she is worried that I will just go too).

I slept on the floor in the hall and Poly joined me. We chatted and Poly started snoring ( and I thot I am the one who took the sleeping aid). Thank God the current came back at about 1.30am and we both went back into the room to the comfortable bed and air-con. In spite of the sleeping aid, I did not have a good sleep cos of the new enviroment. I got up around 10.00am. Had my shower and started packing my things when Poly jumped out of bed and she got a shocked when she saw that it was 11.30am. So I told her, I took the sleeping aid and YOU got the effect.

Went for breakfast at Sri Petaling then to Tong Kee to pack some tarts and so on. Then took Poly for a hair trim. Then for dinner and send her home.

Exercise!!!

Exercises is one thing I dread but definitely much needed. My other half always reminds me to do my walk on the treadmill. Tq much appreciated.

I have stopped walking for sometime due to my health. Each time I fet the cough, my lungs would get congested and thus I cannot breath properly and so on and on. Well, maybe I am just giving myself some silly excuses. Anyway, I have started again trying a 5 mins then a 10 and supposedly more and more.

The first few steps was ok but then after ten steps it is like your legs are tied to a 10 ton brick. Each step really take a lot of effort. Then I decide to turn my mind to other things and...............

Automatically I thought of my dear friend Freddy. I thought of him because he use to hold my hands and ask me to take care and do more exercises and eat more healthy food cos of my health problem in 2005. He would also supply us the health food that he sells - oats, sugar free jam and peanut butter and so on. Mana tau he goes earlier than me. Guess God needs him more than us.

Then I think of all the bloggers. All of you can write so well. So many topics to write about, so many nice pictures to along with the nice things you say or do. Then I look back at the treadmill meter and tarrrrrraaaaa.......... it is time. Thank God.

When one's mind is busy time flies. This is why I always look forward to a busy day at the office so that time flies and it is time to go home.

DO NOT WASTE TIME.

My last post "Lost a close friend" makes me realise that any next moment could be our last.

So my dear friends and family out there, please do not waste the precious time we have. Call/visit those whom you might have neglected. When that person is gone, there is no use crying over his/her dead body or talking to his/her soul.

DO NOT WASTE TIME.

Lost a dear friend.

Had a call from my friend Wendy and could not hear a thing she was saying cos she was crying at the same time. She slow down and told me that Freddy is gone...................................... I was not sure cos there was no sign of any sickness. So I called his office but the office dare not confirm it, so I asked for the eldest son's handset number. I called and he confirmed it.

Freddy and wife Stephanie has been our close friends for the past 35 years ........... way before we (both couples) got married. Each time we have dinner together, he would hold my hands and tell me how much he appreciated our friendship. Each time I think of his words, tears would just flow down my cheeks whether I am in the office or in the car or even when I am on the phone with my daughter. Shireen was very concern and ask me not to go to the funeral parlour because my health this year is real horrid BUT I just have to go and see him for a last time.

It is so sad the way he died. He collapsed at the bank and NONE came to his aid. The post mortem shows that if someone would have just gave him a hard push at the chest area, he would have been saved. Worst was, there was a doctor at the bank at that time. He was only 59. It is so hard to accept his death. And I know it is worst for Stephanie who share most if not all her time with him.

But I pray Stephanie will be strong to go through all these as she still has four sons who need her most at this time.

Meanwhile, Freddy, we will all miss you very much and may you go in peace. Bless all your love ones who you left behind.

WHAT DO U CALL THIS???

I was asked to leave the company when I wrote to my boss for an increment after working with him for 9 years. Earlier there was a decrement and thanks to my immediate boss who recomendded my increment back to where I started just before he left the company.



When he asked me to leave somewhere in December, he said that he will give me enough time to look for another job and will compensate me 3 months salary. Then just before chinese new year, he gave me a cheque and told me that it was my bonus and I said a big TQ.

Comes March before he went in for his heart operation, he gave me a letter which states that he is giving me the 3 months salary he mentioned and one month of which I have taken in advance during chinese new year.

This really shocked me as much as it upsets me. In the first place, I did not asked for any advance pay so why should he consider that as an advanced payment?????

I suppose that might have caused the heart attack which I supposedly have without realising it which was confirmed by my heart doc. Oh yes! if I had died then, I would take it to grave with me. Can anyone tell me any reason why I shouldn't??

Each time I think of it, I get very very upset cos I feel so cheated.
Well, you can't blame me for hoping that the same thing will happen to the person who does this to me cos the world is round and EVERYBODY has ups and downs in one's life.

HALO

Hi! Been silent for a while because I just did not think of any interesting to say.

Went back to work in a totally new enviroment. Must say that it is an eye opener for me. Did not realise that there are so many things to learn in that industry. Been there a month and sad to say that I still have not learnt 5% of the trade. I must thank my guru though. She has been very helpful cos my boss is not in most of the time. Thank you - Angeline.

Was not well recently and got myself worried sick thinking it is my heart which causes me to have difficulty in breathing. So I had to make an emergency appointment to consult my doc. He checked and finally found that it was the new medication that I took for balancing my hormornes. So he gave me something else to ease it. Phew!! I thought another angioplasty.

Another sad news. My uncle (late ah yee's husband) passed away on 28.6.07. If I had been a healthy baby, I would have been given to him for adoption. He adopted my half sister instead. He loved me as a daughter anyway cos I was a good girl since young. Ahem!! Ahem!!

I feel very sad for him cos he actually worked till he die. I believe many people goes through the same but then this uncle had a daughter who was married to quite a wealthy guy. She probably could not buy him a bungalow or employ maid for him but I am sure that she can offer a trip to nearby countries when he was ok, or maybe help pay some of his medical bills. When I went back to see him some time ago, he actually cried when talking about her.

I may sound cruel or maybe cocky but I just cannot accept her. With her is just hello - goodbye. Nothing more nothing less.

Hard to believe there are such children. Pray that God will wake them before it is too late. Hope that whatever ill-feelings there is between parents and children - all will be forgotten after a good sleep.

First day at new job

After 2 solid months of rest after my surgery, have become kinda of lazy. Started worrying 2 weeks ago whether I can get up that early as I have been getting up at 9am, or whether my rusty brains can pick up the tasks.
Comes 30.5.07, told the whole world (my family - hehehe) that I have to sleep early so that I can get up in time to go to the new office which is a couple more miles from the old one. Aiya! lagi teruk, toss and turn the whole night cannot sleep. And when I finally got to sleep, the alarm clock and my handphone reminder rang.
Surprise the road was not that bad - of course it is school holidays now. Manage to reach the office at 8.08am. Hope the traffic flow can maintain like this all the time.
On the way home, I paid the toll and turn wrongly to the federal highway and join the jam again. How stupid. Grrrrr!!!!!!

Shocking/upsetting matter

I just learn this from a close friend Jenny about a week ago. It is a shock to me and find it upsetting or rather worrying too.

Another "friend" Hellen (wrong spelling intended) asked Jenny to take care of her mom who is 84 yrs old. The old lady has 4 kids. 3 sons and 1 daughter. Jenny asked for RM2K .....AGREED. Asked to let her continue her part time - 1/2 day 3 times a week ..... AGREED. So Jenny offered to fix the astro and air conditioner for the room. BUT Hellen rejected the offer. Strange as any daughter would want their mom to stay in a comfortable house.

All the children told Jenny not to bother them for little matters. Hellen stay in the same town but told her mom that she is working out-station.

Maybe the old lady is naggy or selfish but whatever it is, I think the children have no choice cos that is THEIR MOM and she is already 84.

This really makes me miss my mom. I get sort of jealous when she chose to stay with the eldest son and not me.

Anyway, Jenny did not agree to take care of their mom by the end of the day cos she was afraid the the old lady might not last long at her place.

WE - ladies n gentlemen - must learn from this and try not to be tooooo naggy when we get older. Not easy but try to be a friend to the children.

Perfect family

When I was young, I go to loads of movies with my mom.

Some of the shows I remembered has very good stories, like loving understanding husband, nice and accomodative parents-in-laws and very very filial children. There is so much harmony in the family.

The kids place their family NO. 1. Come home early, have meals with family. When they grow big they take care of the parents and help in whatever way they can in and around the house.

I thot these are only in shows. But I really do come across this type of family but sad to say only one.

My aunty in Singapore. She has 4 children, 3 girls and 1 boy. All the children are married and have 2 kids each except the youngest who married late and only one (at the moment). All except the youngest one who is married and migrated to Hong Kong, comes home for dinner everyday. They all have a maid each and drop them mom's place every morning (Mon - Fri). Every weekend they will take turns or plan together to take the parents out for dinner. Every few months the children will plan a holiday for the parents. When they come home they sit in the hall watch tv and chat. Mom is fair to daughters, son and all the in-laws. Whatever she cooks/buy - everybody gets a fair share.

Close to perfect eh?????

But nowadays, if our children are not involve in drugs or crimes - we can thank God already. Agree parents????? Some might think - "I've enough of kids".

Exactly what my aunty said. But I told her, just wait. Wait till you hold the baby then you tell me. When she came back for a short holiday, she made so many calls home to check on her food, sleep and whether she has done her biz (pang sai). YA IMAGINE. She even worrys about whether she shit or not.

Isn't that nice to have such a family atmosphere???? Good for the parents and the children. Can see your children/grand children everyday and for the children, have someone trustworthy to keep an eye on their kids and come home to warm home cook food.

A dream - for me at the moment.

Line Dancing

This is not an advertisement but my club - Lake View Club organized buffet lunch every sunday and it is very reasonable. That is why some of the dance studio take the opportunity to make some money by organizing some practice there.

I use to go there for lunch and I just can't help peeping. My! some can really dance well. There are vegetable sellers, fish mongers, tailors, canteen operators, bus operators and so on and on. The ages ranges from 25 to 65. Ya, the olders ones moves slower but they did not miss the steps and variations. Some dances like soldiers but they can remember the movements. Makes me feel so cacat. I have had wanted to take line dancing but up to date still - just wanting. Never really 'tik hei sum kon' to do it.

Went to one once. When I learn the first step, they have already gone to the third. Aihh!!!!! so 'pai seh'. I really admire those who can dance well.

What a mistake!!

Went to visit a friend in Penang who is diagnosed of lung cancer. She is a very jovial lady. In spite of being sick she was telling us this joke.

She was sent to the hospital by her friends. She was trying to catch her breath when a doctor asked her some questions. Come to this question, do u have any children. She said, "I don't have any children........" then she try to catch her breath again. The doctor then send her to the ward.

The following day, a lady called up and happen to speak to the same doctor, tried to ask about this patient Madam Veronica Ooi. Normally doctors are not allowed to tell unless he/she is the patient's immediatel family. So he asked "who is this"? She replied, "I am the daughter". Puzzled the doctor told her, " cannot be, she told me that she don't have children". Quickly the doctor went to see Veron and told her. Then she said to the doctor,"I was breathless yesterday and could not finish my sentence - I do not have any children her in Penang. My daughter is in KL and my son is in US" .

Wonder whose mistake this is??????????????????

Marrying the dead.

This is a true story told to me by the bridegroom's sister-in-law. The story goes like this:-

One day this boy A came home with some jewelleries wrapped with a pc of red cloth. Couple of days later an elderly couple came to their house and related their daughter has come to their dreams and told them that A found the jewelleries and even taught them how to find him. So they have to admit. The couple came to confirm a proposal. Ya, WHAT PROPOSAL????

Seem their daughter who passed away some years ago asked for a husband. Now where can they find a husband for a dead person?? Normally people would burn the paper ones but she doesn't want a paper one. She wants to have 'ming fun' (a surname/title). So they came up with this idea - they call it fate. Whoever (male I mean) picks and keep this gift will become her husband. At first A and family disagree until A became very sick for unknown reasons. This time they approach the couple and finally an agreement was made. That is they will go ahead with the marriage provided A can still marry a human. OK - agreed by the dead.

The ceremony:- nothing less than the normal human's marriage. The exchange of gifts, house all decorated with red ribbons and even dinner for the immediate family. Coming to the prayers, A has to go thru with a live chicken.

Couple of years later, A found a girlfriend and then decide to get married. Yes they sought the medium and ask permission from the dead wife. All went well, she agreed provided the 2nd wife pay respect to her.

I would say A is lucky cos he married a reasonal spirit. What if she disagree?????

So guys, be careful, things don't just fall from the sky - hehehehehehehe!!!!!

Foul Languages

I notice as I read from some of the blogs that nowadays foul languages is going so freely. To some people they may think that by saying or writing such words, it might make them more "yau ying". My personal feeling is that it is so degrading oneself. I can accept when one is in anger but not all the time.

I am really ashame to admit that some of my family members say them like it is a holy word. The minute they open their mouth such words will just automatically come. Don't you feel proud and happy when you speak to somebody, say a child who speaks good words and is well mannered????? He or she says thank you and please or may I? I for one will. I am sure a lot of parents out there will agree.

I am indeed proud of my children cos I always gets compliments from my close friends. Yes, they do speak some foul languages when they are pissed off. But I pray they will kick that off.

Nick Names

This incident goes way back almost 40 years ago. My mom use to go for mahjongg at this uncles's place who has a shop that collects rubber sheets from the small rubber estate holders. He has a few sons and I remembered well that one of them is called 'Tai How' (big mouth) cos his mouth was bigger than others. Then there is one who has a big patch of eye brow called 'Or Bai ' (black eyebrow). This is just to give you a few examples.
About four shops away there is another shop owner who is called ' Mo Tuen Tuen ' (suddenly).......God help me, I don't not know who name him like that or why.
Anyway the story is:- one day Tai How was reading the newspaper and reading out loud to Or Bai, aiyoh don't know why this guy mo tuen tuen go and burn the house down and kill 2 people. Then Or Bai's reaction was:- HUH!! why Mo Tuen Tuen go and burn people's hse????? And Tai How replied:- " don't know why he mo tuen tuen go and burn the house".
Did you get the joke???? Obviously after a couple of minutes of who, when, why..... the matter was clarified.
Don't know why some people mo tuen tuen nick name 'Mo Tuen Tuen"

Song title

Ace wanted some jokes. This came to my mind as I was mentioning Karaoke. Was with some friends at my club and if there is crowd sometimes it takes quite a while for your turn. We were waiting and my friend Richard ask if I have put up my song. I noded and said "you needed me". He quickly shake his hands and head. I was wondering why but I repeated "you needed me". And he did the same. Then I realise and laughed and told him that, that was the title of the song I put up. And he felt so embarrassed. But up to date we are still good friends - no hard feelings.

Ya I know....silly joke/silly man.

First quarter of the 2007

My! My! My! So many happenings in just the first quarter of the new year for me. Well, first I was retrenched by the company with whom I have worked for 9 solid years. Sad but it is ok otherwise I would not realise that there are other companies out there who still wants senior/matured people like us to manage an office. Yes, I went for an interview and got the job with a higher pay but then I have to reject it when they wanted me to start immediately which I have a good reason to.

Then I had a goooooood surprise when Wen conspire with all my kids and gave me a surprise birthday dinner. Oh yes it is great and thank God my heart could take it. Honestly I was feeling kind of upset cos we choose the wrong spot for the dinner. We invited my brother, a friend and families and the place was sooooooooooooooo crowded and we were so late. I was so worried that my brother and that friend would be hungry and as the saying goes, a hungry man is an angry man. Anyway. when Wen and Jon came, all went well cos, those two I mentioned... no food , no problem, got drinks - solved all problems. kekekekekkeke!!!!!!

And I am happy to meet up with some of the bloggers. Met Shasha (n baby), Laundry Ah Mah, Ace, Kenny, Winnz and Nonya (2xs). Honestly, first I felt kind of out of place cos all them are so young. But later, it ease off. Hope able to Karaoke with you sometime. Sorry I missed the one with Wen. Heard that you all like to joget a bit eh!!!! Well I can sing some songs with fast tempo.

Then I had to do a surgery - to remove a fibroid. It was not that big, just as big as a fuji apple only. Joke was, when the Doc brought it in, my husband was looking around it and asked where is the fibroid and the doc told him, "the whole thing is the fibroid"............. yak!!!!! it was horrible. After the surgery, I am suppose to take 6 weeks rest that is why I rejected the offer. It was like having another baby. Same cut where I had my son, Shawn. Tks to Eve who keeps on advising me to have it OUT. No regrets.

Then I have another surprise when a niece who finally told me some dark secrets which she has known and really making a fool out of us. Anyway, everybody has their own lives to live and only they themselves can make the choice. So be it.

Then I have the sad news from a close cousin whose 7 years of friendship/partnership turns sour and she has to rent a room to stay on her own. This is scary. 7 years is a long long time. How could the friendship just disappear like that........hmmmmm I wonder what went so wrong. OR was the friendship ever there in the first place?? Debatable eh?????

And then just 2 weeks ago, a relative's house was broken into. Did not have much time to ransack the whole house but manage to get the car spare keys and the bank statements. Seem they came back 3 days later to try to steal the car. Luckily the husband's car was blocking hers so they could not remove it. AND NOW, they have phobia staying there. Is there a safe place anymore??

Here we go for the first quarter.