Diriku Blog Junkie

Diriku Kaki Joget.

Mas and I were chatting outside the Unit Diploma Pengurusan Awam office when Tuan Salim walked to his room. I, who happened to face the boss, greeted him. He looked at me with a smile on his face and remarked "eh, awak yang kaki joget". Infinity of laughter. Oh yes, I just love any form of joget!

Diriku Arkitek Tak Jadi.

I wanted to be an architect but Teaching English as Second Language (TESL) seemed closer to my heart. That was how I put my parents' justifications on why architecture was not the field to be in nicely here. Deep in my heart, I long for a career related to art. Picking up the scattered pieces of drawing ability left within me today is surely a hilarious task though. You could see how distorted Kamal looked in my first attempt at portrait, after many, many years. With Kamal, also the Arkitek Tak Jadi, as my muse, I religiously drew whenever possible. And today, I have my sketch pad and colour pencils to accompany the long day in the library.

Diriku A Teddy.

My reward for being such a good girl at work is to get Kamal's hug once we reach our place. I am in need of lots of hugs.

His Justice

I received that news. It dazzled me. When I cried on my mother's shoulder outside the clinic, she soothed me with her warm embrace and her positivity.

While waiting for Kamal to arrive from Kuala Lumpur, my parents and I merrily laughed at the witty series on television. Me, seated between them, giving my mother's right leg and my father's left leg a massage. I was soothed to have my attention elsewhere.

When both Kamal and I were alone inside our room, I cried on his shoulder. Kamal tightened his embrace, soothingly.

I wasn't soothed. What I really wanted was to cry and cry and cry until there was nothing left to be cried out. I did just that.

I am soothed now just being with Kamal and his positivity.

Yes, my faith is in God's Justice.

While I was Away

I was already marching in Akademi Bomba, Kuala Kubu Bharu, when another chapter in Along's wedding was about to begin.

May 14, Sunday. Reception Part 2.

Mak Lang flew from Brunei without Pak Lang, who was under the weather. Then, there was Pak Long. He was still recovering from a recent eye operation, yet, he attended to every thing as though it was his own son's wedding. We love you.

☙

Along and Kak Nani have just arrived from their honeymoon in Cherating. On their way back to Rembau, they stopped by my paternal grandmother's place in Kerayong. No wonder Ayah is still there since this morning. Wan has prepared sira labu!

We are fortunate that ayah did not finish the family's favourite dessert. Heh. Yes, Along and Kak Nani brought back some for us.

Bon Appetit. I will be away from this blog to finish the sira labu. 

Along's Wedding: Reception Part 1

May 13, Saturday. Reception at the bride's place.

My mother made all the wedding gifts meant for the bride, as in Malay custom. Nonetheless, she waited until the last minute to decorate one of the trays to retain the freshness of the fruits. In the end, I was the one decorating it as she got extremely busy that day.

I do not think the last-minute effort worths a picture here, but it was recommendable as Kamal commented. Although he is my husband, he is always honest with his opinions. I am considering to volunteer decorating all the wedding gifts for my younger brothers' weddings from scratch. Heh.

☙

Before Kamal and I pushed off to Kuala Lumpur, I kissed my mother and my aunts 'Mother's Day kisses'. To Kamal, thank you for the thought of buying cards for each of them. Sigh, if only I had the time to shop for a little something.

Along's Wedding: Nikah

I am back from the Fire Brigade Module and that means I am back blogging as well. For now, it is about Along's wedding.

May 12, Friday. Nikah. It was a simple event being held at a surau adjacent to the bride's place. With a lafaz, Along and Kak Nani are now husband and wife. May Allah bless their marriage.

Afterwards, we proceeded to Kak Nani's. It is only a ten-minute drive from Chembong.

More about Along's wedding in 'Along's Wedding: Reception Part 1' and 'While I Was Away' later.

Fantabulous!

Weekend was spent:

• in three states, namely Kedah, where we stayed in the serene INTURA; Perak, where we walked along the dark path and waddled through the river within Gua Itik, Pengkalan Hulu); and Kuala Lumpur, as I got back to Kamal's embrace and had simple yet lovely dinner with him and my family.

• reading The Mistress of Spices.

• drooling over the immaculately described pickled fruits in The Mistress of Spices.

As for now, I am:

• looking forward to spend the weekend with my extended family, as it is Along and Kak Nani's wedding!

• reading The Food of Love by Anthony Capella, courtesy of Miss Hal Mahera.

• drooling over the immaculately described sumptuous Italian delights in The Food of Love.

Great Expectations by Chech Dickens

Great Expectations. I really enjoyed this classic by Charles Dickens. Mainly because I could relate to Pip who had great faith in Estella. It paid.

☙

"Glad to part again, Estella? To me, parting is a painful thing."

"But, you said to me" returned Estella, very earnestly, "'God bless you, God forgive you!' And if you could say that to me then, you will not hesitate to say that to me now - now, when suffering has been stronger than all other teachings, and has taught me to understand what your heart used to be. I have been bent and broken, but I hope, into a better shape. Be as considerate and good to me as you were, and tell me we are friends."

"We are friends," said I, rising and bending over her, as she rose from the bench.

"And will continue friends apart," said Estella.

I took her hand in mine, and we went out of the ruined place; and, as the morning mists had risen long ago when I first left the forge, so, the evening mists were rising now, and in all the broad expanse of tranquil light they showed to me, I saw no shadow of another parting from her.

☙

Great expectations are great when the expectations are met, eventually.

I have a great dinner date with Kamal on Sunday. As for the cancelled lunch, I am using the time to blog and later, to borrow a great novel. Great!