Yang Hitam Itu Aishah

Yang hitam manis, pandang tak jemu.

I am si hitam manis. Nonetheless, I used to be darker during my childhood. The fact was made prominent by my younger brothers' fairness. One day in standard six, upon my exit from the teachers' room with Cimi in tow, a teacher, being confident that it was out of my hearing, remarked, "kasihan ya, adik lelakinya putih, kakaknya hitam!"

At kindergarten age, my defense against colour discrimination was to sulk. It worked just fine as my maternal grandma, uncles, and aunts, started calling me Putih, instead of teasing me about the stark contrast of my skin colour as compared to the younger brothers'.

Last Friday night, on the way back to Rembau from a family friend's open house in Seremban, with Kamal and I being in the same car as my parents, the old joke of si hitam manis arose. Surely, the teacher's remark was hilarious. Then, the surprise:

"You used another defence mechanism when you were in standard three."
"I did?"
"Yes. You came up with a pantun."
"Mak, are you sure?"

"Putih putih hampas kelapa dibuang orang. Hitam hitam baldu songkok dipakai sayang."

It became a secret joke between my parents. Ha ha ha!

More Work, No Pool

Kamal and I are sitting side by side at our work station. We have been here since 5:30 a.m.

Workaholic? No.

We decided to enjoy our dinner and watch Tuesday shows on television last evening instead of torturing ourselves with more work. My duty at the General Assembly as the Ministry Secretariat ended at 8:00 p.m. Parliamentary duty again today and tomorrow before going back to Putra World Trade Center on Friday. Long days ahead. A hearty breakfast with Kamal is a great way to start each day.

Enjoy your day too, chums.

By the way, this post is not meant as a complaint as I have worked until midnight before and I know those who work until midnight daily although their official working time starts at 8:00 a.m. :)

All We Want

Kamal and I have just discovered the existence of a public swimming pool in Presint 16, near my office. The so-called discovery is already archaic to others working here, we supposed. We planned to swim after working hours yesterday. It drizzled the whole evening though. We had Sup Sayur, Bihun Kung Fu, and Milo O in Limau Nipis instead.

From all the work, we definitely would love to exercise the stress away. Oh, the work even deprived me from at least four hours of power sleep needed to restore my energy, which has been sapped by more work in the office. How could I have that luxurious portion if the bosses kept on trespassing my dreamland?

For my nation, I willingly obliged.

So, here I am, relieved that I have just completed an important assignment. There are more. One step at a time. Now, all I want is a dip in the pool with Kamal.

A Reunion

The highlight of the weekend was Fandi and Siti's wedding reception in Seremban. The members of Chez Chembong went to the groom's place as early as 8:00 a.m. to help with the final preparation. Of course, every single thing was already in its place, so we took the opportunity to catch up with other relatives.

Me, I got to play with Anis and Haris the whole weekend. Back in Rembau, their mother got her share of iSqueeze in peace. Anis usually got her own seat when the parents went for a reflexology massage.

I have made the right decision by not taking my car from Rembau yet. As I am going to Modul Penempatan Daerah next week, I had better spend more time with him. The guy behind the car pool concept is a genius.

When the Cat was Away

So far, work has been hogging my life this month that there was not even a space to blog, let alone breathe. Phew.

Although the Head of the Division was in London for a week, the mice kept on typing on the computer. As I was about to rejoice in the completion of a very important report while dealing with the nitty gritty of other works, the cat meowed.

I swear I almost procrastinated. Just abandoned the report and enjoyed the interesting sound of the pelting rain. I am thankful though the integrity in me said no. Echewah.

I shoved the report for him to read before bedtime tonight. Me, I prefer to celebrate love. Peace. Oh, next week, I can't even have the luxury of dreaming about *procrastinating.

*Never try procrastinating at home, children. I am using the word strictly for fun. *Grin a cheeky grin*

Celebrations

Ministry of Higher Education's. Private Education Department's. Ayue's. Reza's. Fandi and Siti's. Human Resource Management Division's, and Development Division's. So far.

Ghaso Nok Negho

Ghaso non negho. I learned the phrase during the Aidilfitri holiday in Kelantan.

As I am extremely sleepy right now, I don't bother to check with Mr. Budu Bau Cheese whether or not it adheres to the grammar.

Pumping Iron

Here I am, where I was four hours ago. My record was a day straight, skipping lunch. Kamal by my side. We did exercise. He walked to our favourite breakfast stall, for the weekend dose of Kelantanese cuisine. I will be pumping iron as soon as I finish this. Ironing is that tough. Heh.

After Zuhur, we will visit Ayue's place in Seksyen 8. Nana called to inform that she will be going to Azie's open house in Selayang with Ibah, Elin, and Elis. I would like to join them as we have not met each other for some time, but Kamal and I have earlier received my cousin's wedding invitation to be held in Jalan Semarak. To console me, Nana has promised to snap lots of photos of them having a gala time.

Last evening, I tagged along Kamal to see an office space which Zam planned to rent. The place belonged to a company specialising in interior design. Refreshing as there was a mini garden despite it being an intermediate unit on the second floor. Later, I was told that the little outdoor was and is meant as smoking area. Thoughtful.

We proceeded to Zam's place afterward. His wife, Ita, served delicious fried noodle, which Kamal has been wanting to eat since the Aidilfitri break. Dani, their six-year old daughter, was excited to show us the pictures of her graduation day. She even asked me to read her a story written in jawi. Seeing her cuteness, I thought of Anis and Haris. Yay for I will be seeing them at my cousin's wedding reception in Seremban. Angah's special pizza awaits if we decide to follow them back to Pulau Gadong.

The mention of pizza reminds me that I need to pump the iron.

The Greatest Find

Of course, I still treasure the greatest find of all: cheap items, quality uncompromisable. One of them was a RM15 shirt found in Rantau Panjang, Kelantan.

A Splurge, A Steal

Splurging was made possible with the vouchers I won for the Alamanda Spend and Win contest. Among the vouchers were three from Rizalman worthed RM100 each. RM300. I had classic chain brooches in mind.

The vouchers could only be used individually though. One voucher, one item. As I have merely admired the collections through the display windows, I needed the amiable sales assistants' suggestion of items within my reach. Thanks to a discount, I got myself an elegant blouse.

In the dressing room, the silk chiffon embraced my curve. My mind was already sketching ensembles that go well with the luxurious feel. Out of the dressing room, two more vouchers.

Limited discounted items, exquisite in their own class. The perfect thing to do was to share this great find with my mother. So, I bought her a fine linen blouse with intricate details. I just had to add RM50 for each blouse. The last voucher was spent on a pair of classic brooches which I can also share with my mother.

Now, I am waiting for a perfect moment to redeem the voucher for a spa treatment.

Ginger Eno

It is time for ginger Eno. This product reminds me of Makcik Munah, my siblings' nanny, who had been with The Extended Chembong Clan for 30 years. A light eater, her nutrients came from ulam and rokok pucuk. Somehow, Eno made it as one of her favourite drinks. Let's see if Eno is really efficient for me as it proved to be for her.

Despite the bloating, cramp, and continuous burps, I toughed it out by slowly walking to Alamanda. Enough of sitting in the office. It killed.

The bloating and cramp worsened. The burps continued. Since Kamal and I have decided to dine in Rasa, I simply waited for him there, not bothering even to browse the magazines at the nearby newsstand. Instead, I watched the television, trying so hard not to merely stare at the colourful screen. The pain subsided after having Milo O. Just having a good laugh with Kamal afterward helped, too.

Zam was coming over to complete a proposal with Kamal, so we rushed home. As we would normally spend Thursday nights in Melaka with our family there, I am not sure what interesting program to watch tonight.

Eno Halia satu!

☙

On the eve of my wedding, I dreamt of Makcik Munah. She visited my parents' place with my late grandmother. I miss both of them.

Boredom and Its Non-Existence

This is not my first time accompanying Kamal at MCOBA meeting. How long it could be. Nevertheless, he lured me with excellent Wi-Fi connection. Moreover, I am going to drag him to SSPians' weddings. *Evil grin*

As Mak wisely said, "boredom does not exist."

Perhaps, I will come out with two dozens entries tonight. Nyeh. That is, if I am not occupied with my dinner. Plus, there is ironing to do once we are home. (Upon reading this, Kamal said, "sampai pukul dua pagi ya.")

I love Wi-Fi!

For Ayoh and Mok

There was the sound of Mok digging up the ground with a hoe, planting tumeric.

Ayoh sauntered into the kitchen with Kacang Goreng Sempalit from Raub in his right hand. I was already seated at the dining table, slowly peeling a Limau Mandarin, absorbing the sight, the sound, the smell, and Ayoh's gentle smile.

With Mok, I could talk about anything in the universe although it took time. Just like I take my time to be close to a new friend.

With Ayoh, there was a sense of solidarity, but never a magical moment of father and daughter. I reached for a Kacang Goreng Sempalit after finishing the Limau Mandarin. Ayoh steadily popped one peanut after another into his mouth. We were not desperate to break the silence. It did feel like a magical moment of father and daughter after all. There was the sound of Mok digging up the ground with a hoe, planting tumeric.

We smiled at the silence. Mok, putting a jug of cold drink and three glasses on the table, smiled, too. Then, I spoke.

I love you, Ayoh and Mok.