It is

My mother and I, despite our stark differences, have a strong telepathic relationship.

Yesterday, when I needed her the most, she phoned me first, and I could feel the warmth of her embrace. Nevertheless, I want her to behold a strong lady who is in charge of her feelings within; not merely seeing a fragile girl who needs external protection. She knows that, I know. Furthermore, she knows that I have a good, understanding guide with me: Kamal.

That person, who is too arrogant and proud to realise her own faults, is a good lesson for me.

Aishah, you know best. Be your-true-self, and every thing is fine.

A Brother's Presence

I particularly miss laying my head on his shoulders. Very comforting. Cimi, kaklang misses you.

"Jangan sedih Kak Lang. Kalau kau sedih, aku pun sedih."

I will heed your advice :).

Bodoh Means Fun

First and foremost,  a hearty laughter! 

Fique and I did meticulously search for a more decent song for both of us, but there was none. We were not as talented as Suhardi and Eja to sing and dance to a dangdut number, thus the Aci Aci Buka Pintu. Ha ha ha! What a bodoh night in Langkawi! ;D


Thank you, Kamal, for updating the blog. What is a guest blogger for, eh?

Previously, a week in Melaka saw me catching up with movies in the hotel room between workshops. I take resting seriously now that Kursus Diploma Pengurusan Awam looms nearer. Ha ha lagi. So, on Friday, as the bosses knew I was having more meetings in Langkawi during the weekend, they let me off the hook early. Kamal was not so lucky though. He had to accompany me to the nearest mall to buy birthday present for Dina, to be passed to my sister-in-law as I could not attend her birthday dinner. He ended up choosing the present. Oh, Kamal and I also bought a gown for Anis. 

Needing the gowns to be nicely wrapped, Kamal and I headed for the customer's service counter. Surprise, surprise, Zam, one of the few male coursemates, greeted us! He is working as a management trainee there. Gossip later, ya. With Saidina gang. for sure.


After playing with Anis, on the way to Kuala Lumpur International Airport, I did speedy shopping in Jusco Seremban 2. With two out-of-office workshops back to back throughout the week, I ran out of attires. Kamal asked, "are you sure you did run out of attires?" to which I answered, "fine, I ran out of interesting attires to brighten my days, heh."

Langkawi provided more breathing space for the workshop attendees. Although a complete island tour was impossible due to the packed schedule, at least, we had a little time to take advantage of the duty free shops. Finding that chocolate Kamal and I love so much made me swear to go to Langkawi again. For our second honeymoon, dear? 

On my last day in Langkawi, my elder brother, Bakhtiar, called to announce the arrival of Haris Irfan. Hey, I got to feed him when I visited the Pulau Gadong Clan. Back in Rembau, the remaining members of Chez Chembong had a good gathering, as always. I am already missing my parents and my siblings.

Kamal kata, "I kan ada". And, I smiled, remembering that I am being loved, no matter where I am. I love all of you, too.

Haris Irfan has Arrived

Chech and I welcomed a new nephew yesterday. Haris Irfan is a handsome 3.7kg baby, born in Pantai Medical Center Melaka on Christmas Day.

Congratulations to Bakhtiar, Ita, and Anis on the addition to their happy family.

Chech is extremely excited about Haris' arrival, the second of the many more of her nieces and nephews. She loves Anis very much and I am sure Haris will receive the boundless love from Chech as well.

Love, love, and more love. That is what life is all about.

Heavenly Chocolates

A trip to Langkawi would not be complete without bringing back those duty free chocolates.

Chech brought plenty of them, including one which we had in Melbourne in July. Oh, it was so delicious. And, the taste reminded us of our sweet honeymoon.

Thanks, honey! Mwah!

Chech is Back

Yay!

Chech is back from Langkawi. As Di is currently in Kuala Lumpur, staying at Tiqa's place, we travelled straight to Keramat to have dinner with them at the brand new Putri Food Court. Siti Nurhaliza was there and we caught a glimpse of her. The food court is apparently owned by a man who formerly worked at Suria Records , hence the reason for the singer's presence.

By the way, last evening in Langkawi, Chech reportedly sang the only song she was confident to sing during a karaoke session with the officemates, Aci-Aci Buka Pintu. Everybody had a good laugh, she concluded. Too bad no recording was made during the session so that we could enjoy her singing sensation. Ahem. Oh well, hopefully I could entice her to do a private session later. ;)

My Universe

My parents, Cimi, Cajib, Camus, and I are on our way from Ayah Soh's place in Chini to Rizam's place in Kuantan. The gu circle is helping Ayah Soh to build a madrasah on his orchard, which is strategically located next to Pahang river. Love the esprit de corps among the gu and the idea of building the madrasah within the orchard.

Camus describes this experience as surreal. It is. Experiencing life with the people one loves is always surreal.

"They are special people who show what life is meant to be, who open up new opportunity to love, 

to share, to be together, to forgive. To expand."

Camus

I Found Bliss in Ironing

"I found bliss in ironing" 

Mrs. Chech.

Not.

In Seri Puteri, circa 1990s, one had to endure grim tasks to find any bliss in ironing in the ironing room. It could be equalled to the final round in Fear Factor, during which one fights one's loathings to probably find bliss eventually. Probably. Reminiscing my final year in secondary school, here were the challenges:

1. One chirped away the night like what it used to be four years ago, and at bedtime, after a last-minute struggle with the homework, one realised that the uniform needed ironing! As always, one thought to oneself, "why do today the things that one can do tomorrow" and politely asked a form three dormmate with early morning record to wake one up the next day.

2. One woke up, with the help of the form three dormmate with early morning record, with a pursuit for bliss. Yes, bliss would it be if one could wrestle the dorm key away from the dorm leader, who could be a model for mattresses, not for looking like Ziana Zain, but for being able to be exceedingly deep in sleep.

3. Bliss would it be if one did not get any blister from knocking on the doors of certain dorms to get hold of various keys to the grill doors that guard the plights of stairs to each level, in order to get to the ironing room at ground floor afterwards.

4. Being in Raja Udang was fun except for this particular fact: there were plight after plight of stairs, and the rest is history. Imagine endless processes of knocking on doors and begging for keys from sleepy dorm leaders.

5. And bliss would it be if one did not find all the ironing spaces already being occupied by bewildered juniors, who woke up earlier than the seniors, usually.

6. And it was a 100% non-blissful prospect after that discovery as one knew how the 'book after' system worked.

7. As one ascended the stairs, back to Raja Udang to bathe and continue with yesterday's homework while waiting for one's turn for an ironing space, one bumped into the form three dormmate who woke one up, and one noticed that she was carrying her school uniform. One's suspicion was confirmed. She was in fact the second link in the book-after chain! Heh. Bengong juga one ya.

8. One was only exaggerating as one actually, albeit it being illegal, kept an iron in the dorm.

9. And bliss was found.

Of course, bliss in this sense is not accurately defined because real bliss to me is not having to iron at all. Kamal commented, "It is possible. With RM400 each month, you do not even have to wash the clothes etcetera *getting pinches from me between words*"

:)

I do not feel like being anywhere else tomorrow.

I just want to stay at home with my true soulmate. No, it is not you.

Colour Wheel

Yes, of course I have tonnes of work to complete, and this post is one of those.

One of the no-money-involved bets I had with Kamal was whether or not 'green is opposite to red in the basic colour wheel'. I won after his search result showed just what I told him, but being Kamal, he did not relinquish. He actually searched for a more defined colour wheel and found one that showed green positioned opposite to purple. So, a tie there. Nevertheless, Kamal, we have an unsolved bet - Flybaits or Alleycats? 

☙

By the way, I eventually had my waffle last evening. Not a belgian waffle though. I opted for a stick waffle, which I shared with Kamal as he was enticed by the bananas on top of it. All because I felt like savouring something else for dinner. There will definitely be a repeat for the Chinese curry noodle. The same goes to the Famous Amos' ice cream with cookies crumbs on top, which I had last Tuesday. Hey, I have had all my cravings. Kamal then remembered my mother's words before the wedding, "pakcik dan makcik tak pernah manjakan dia; dia yang manjakan diri sendiri" Ha!

My mother. She is in Bukit Mas now, having a great time. As always. She deserves it for reasons I can't list here due to lack of space. I am just glad that she called me at the office before she pushed off to Kelantan. Despite being ultra busy yesterday, I managed to complete all the works with ease after talking to her. She always has that aura. Therefore, whenever I sensed depression near me, I would quickly talk to her, the wisdom. I feel your presence in me, being so loving. Thank you.

***

Love is all around me. Fique, a dear friend from 1/2005 batch, has tied the knot with her beau, Zam. Marriage is beautiful. I witnessed how my father led my mother to serenity when she battled with breast cancer. Now, they have become stronger than ever. A picture of them suddenly crossed my mind as I hugged Kamal one night this week after reaching home from work. I cried. Thinking of my parents eventually brought me to another thought. Of Kamal and I. How I was touched that Kamal has always been a good husband to me. Time is an illusion and you live what you choose.

I choose to be my-true-self. Lately, I also reminded myself to be more humble, asking for forgiveness from and forgiving egoistic egos. I even fought my own ego and won, although it took me a while. Oh, I am learning. In the process, I let my fear be my strength. I also feel like opening up to those who choose to shut off. But, first, I will have 'a tortilla shell full of fresh lettuce tossed with spiralli pasta, chilli tuna, pineapple, tomato, cucumber, yellow onions, garnished with cilantro'.

At Least, It is Not Shoe Polish!

I am craving for:

1. Sinful waffles

2. Ice cream with cookies crumbs on top 

3. Anis, the niece


Disclaimer: No, I am not pregnant yet.