Si6

RULES

The blogger who has been tagged must write a post of six weird things about him or her, as well as state this rule clearly. In the end, he or she needs to choose six bloggers to be tagged. Do not forget to leave a comment that says 'you are tagged' in their comment boxes respectively and ask their favour to read your blog.

I was tagged by Syu to list six weird things about me:

I could laugh for five consecutive minutes, sans any reason.

The discovery was made while my coursemates and I were waiting for our ride to the faculty at the campus bus stop. In the midst of our casual chat, I announced that I could laugh for five consecutive minutes, sans any reason. A chum looked at her watch and set the laughter rolling. By then, there were other students waiting for the bus, too. Initially, everybody was plainly amused. Seconds later, my laughter infected others. By the time the bus arrived, all of us were laughing merrily. I did warn you that I would become gregarious among those I am really familiar with, eh.

Afterwards, I learned that Laughter Workshop is popular among those who are stressed out at work. Laughing for five consecutive minutes is one of the activities.

I could sleep anywhere I wanted to, when I wanted to 

(without being caught by teachers/lecturers).

Sleeping disorder was common among my chums and we were willing to do anything to catch a wink when we were not revising. I was one of them. However, my friends commented that my case was slightly unique. In high school, the most vivid recollection of such unique case took place in Pendidikan Islam class, during which my deskmate and I faced each other as though we were comparing notes when what we were actually doing was sleeping. In university, I even escaped unhurt in the most strict lecturer's class, where nobody dared to challenge her sarcasm. My classic style was holding a pen in writing position. But then again, a particular six-month course has taught me the best position to take five in a class. Simply lean against the comfortable auditorium seat and let the air conditioner lull you to dreamland. 

Adik-adik harapan bangsa, aspirasi negara sekalian dilarang meniru aksi-aksi tersebut di dalam kelas.

I became most efficient at house cleaning when I was upset.

Once, I was so upset about the breeding of mosquitos in the rented place despite the house being clean that I started to scrub the bathroom and toilet again and again, re-fold all the clothes collected from the laundry as they were not folded to my liking, sweep every inch of the house including the floor covered by the carpets, dust every thing that could be dusted, change the towels and comforter set for the second time that weeknd to cut a long story short, even re-organise items in the store room. Within an evening. All because of the mosquitos. 

Thank God, Kamal and I are moving within two months.

I do simply weird things when I sleep, like holding my hands up for a good eight minutes 

(as recorded by my ex-housemate and as approved by my housemate now).

For the toning effect, I wished I could hold up my legs as well. I am known for my somniloquy tales, too. I have written about "asingkan sayur dan daging." Recently, Kamal was posting a surprise piece in my blog at our work station while I was asleep nearby. Suddenly, he heard me saying "wah, cantiknya!" He quickly shove the laptop out of my view, turned to me, and gave a sheepish smile only to see that I was soundly asleep. 

"Mengigau lagi rupanya" kata Kamal.

I once had a crush on a national badminton player.

In high school, I even had a scrap book containing his photos from the newspapers. At that time, I had the privilege of getting the newspapers first as I sat nearest to the entrance, where the vendor dropped our dose of the outer world. I would scan the pages for his face, regardless the size, and wrote the word 'booked' on the photo. Prior to that, it was a crush on a Selangor football player. 

Each crush ended within a year, phew.

I could be too imaginative. 

Not weird? 

What about imagining that there was a big slithery one-eyed alien with the most outrageous colour combinations stuck in front of the shower door?

Such imagination particularly sprang to mind during the hostel years. I do not imagine that any longer, thank goodness. But, I would let my imagination go to the fun side once in a while to keep myself sane after all those hours spent for work.

It is fun to be weird.

I am tagging Fique, once she is back from Kedah); Ayue, if she is not occupied in her new office; Tuty, when she could blog again; Sport, when he is not snowboarding and if he had the time to read this; Miss Era, who might be busy with preparations for the exam; and, Sufi, simply because I know she will tag K-Lynn and Lola.

Cheers!

Clomid

Today is the beginning of my first cycle of Clomid. My gynaecologist prescribed it as the results of all the tests were negative. In fact, we are in perfect health to have a child. Alhamdulillah.

Boss number one has agreed not to assign me with late hours. Being back home at midnight was almost a routine. For a start, I would love to live a healthier life. Running to the meeting room is exercise number one. Heh.

Just to share my favourite mantra, "enjoy the now."

Cloud Nine

Kamal and I float. On cloud nine. At Gunung Tampin

Nieces and Nephews

I chatted with Aina, read with Aliff, tickled Haikal, sang to Aniq, played kite with Anis, and pushed the swing for Haris.

I love you, nieces and nephews.

Furnished

My severe eyebags and his self-claimed receding hairline. Aren't we the perfect couple?

The chunky tuna wholegrain sandwiches I prepared for breakfast yesterday certainly put Kamal in the mood for an outing. Anything to make me feel better. We chose Ikea.

It was all about home furnishing with us deciding to go to Harvey Norman afterward. Ah, we learned interesting facts about kitchen hood which heightened my enthusiasm for cooking. Although Kamal and I actually prefer to utilise the electric steamer, the kitchen hood would be very useful when I fry Nasi Goreng Budu for Ayoh and Mok.

On the way to Rembau today, we will stop by the model bungalow at Enstek for more decor inspirations. Kamal teased me for being very excited about moving to a new place. Heh. Here, I am reminding him of his own excitement.

We were strolling along a corridor of shophouses, searching for kitchen cabinet designs, when we chanced upon a curtain boutique. I told him I wanted to enter the shop, to which he stoicly replied, "you go and I wait here as women are better at this."

I simply pulled his hand and he half-heartedly browsed through the fabric samples. Then, came the business owner. My first question was about the different types of rods. The friendly guy answered meticulously, with detailed explanation. Kamal, seeing the calibre of a fellow salesperson, threw in another question, and, that was the beginning of an engrossed conversation on everything about curtains which lasted for a good one hour between two men. Ahem.

Deep Within

I could talk to my husband, but opinions from Mars are only sensible to the Martians. Nevertheless, I have always enjoyed idealism banter with you, Monsieur Camus. All the kisses in the universe.

My mother being a mother, she is concerned about everything under the sun that shines upon her children. She deserves a rest after raising the six of us, so no more teary phone calls from me.

Close friends have lives of their own and I thought it was not appropriate for me neither to mar the merriment of finding the perfect long skirts with Mas, nor to bother Ayue when she should enjoy the privacy in her new office, nor to pester Fique with my situation as she had more important matters to attend to, particularly those concerning Rifqi.

I do have very understanding colleagues at work. It did not feel right though to reveal too much at such surrounding. A competitive surrounding, where I could not help from feeling judged.

In the end, I turned to my understanding gynaecologist during another round of pre-conception treatment, needing a stranger who did not assume. I poured everything out of the tightly capped bottle. From the physical pain, to the heart ache, to the politic. Physical pain induced by the hormone imbalance, heart ache caused by insensitive people, and politic stirred by the egoistic beings.

All the while, she listened while holding my hands. Seeing the dishevelled me and how that could violate my chance of conceiving, she suggested medical leave. Yesterday, when I rested, I dreamt of tranquility. The truth is, when I unmasked my true emotions to the so-called stranger, I was actually confessing them to my-true-self.

The truth is, no matter to whom you turn to, it is always the As-Salam within us who provides the sense of peace.

@->--

Little Elves at Work

A treadmill is definitely the answer to my sweet tooth and other addictions, particularly the dire need to move from this flat to a place I can really call my own.

Truth is, I would like to have a new beginning to everything, except for the marriage as misunderstandings were always ended with more understandings.

Teasing imaginative children with little elves who help to complete one's unfinished tasks while one is asleep is very sinful.

It was Slippery, That's Why.

Angah and Kak Ita did bring Anis and Haris to Kuantan. Anis even wanted to follow Pak Lang and Mak Lang all the way from Bukit Kuantan to Chini, pestering us with her questions about why Jack fell down and broke his crown and Jill came tumbling after.

Love

To both March 10 brides, Di and Mimi, congratulations.

---<-@

Ayah called Kamal just now. We have arranged a trip to Kuantan later at noon, so, Kamal and I thought the call was about the trip. The news he conveyed saddens me though.

Wan Teh, my late maternal grandmother's youngest sister, has passed away on her way to a dialysis center in Melaka. Treasure your loved ones while they are here with us.

Delights in Turkish Delight

Toffee trees and Turkish delight.

Every thing else in The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe failed to catch my fancy but the mention of Turkish Delight. The White Witch has not only seduced Edmund with that sinful delicacy, but also this soul, ever vulnerable when it comes to chocolate.

A colleague went to Langkawi for the Leadership and Teamwork Course. When asked by her whether I would like anything from there, I naturally thought of chocolate. Not my usual bittersweet though. The red lokum coated with chocolate which has formed a sweet jar in my mind found its way to my lips and I answered, "Cadbury's Turkish Delight."

This morning, as I entered the office, she pulled out the chocolate from a paper bag. The world turned more delirious. I surely was the happiest person on Earth. I just can't wait to share it with Kamal.

I Want to Ride My Bicycle

I have so much to share, yet too little time to spare.

Sangfroid

When in doubt, buy a glossy magazine.

Wow, has it only been two weeks since those assignments were delegated to me? It surely felt like two years. Fortunately, I have a superb immediate boss, two skillful assistants, a circle of exuberant colleagues, and a very sweet husband. It has been two great weeks, thanks to them, as I learned new tricks at work, particularly those related to finance. I even had the opportunity to indulge in a little art while preparing tags for a high profile meeting. We laughed a lot, too. Now, that practice should be the prime work ethic.

Other than work, a lot of things have happened. There was the weekend getaway by train to Kelantan. One of my favourite moments was the early morning talk with my parents and a younger brother while others in the train en route to Tanah Merah were still asleep. Once in Kelantan, I spent quality time with my parents-in-law. On the way back to Kuala Lumpur, I had fun with Kamal, debating the existence of words he spelled on the Scrabble board, which led to a cuddle on my bunk. Such experiences were enriching to the spiritual being that I felt calm. It was amazing that I even managed to keep my composure upon discovering that Kamal's car, which was parked outside Kajang Railway Station in our haste to catch the train, had been broken into.

The blessing being in the form of a carpool for Kamal and I in my car. It is simply more fun to have someone to talk to. On the way to work, we played our version of Mix FM Ping Pong game. Kamal lost in the first game, not knowing the outlets in Mid Valley Mega Mall other than IT World. On the way to our place later, we exchanged stories at work and discussed the best place for dinner. Now that the Waja is fixed, I drive alone again. A gain, a loss. Vice versa.

On Sunday, the telephone line went haywire, which meant no Internet connection. Therefore, we went to Berjaya Times Square. It was my first time at Cosmo's World. Truthfully, I preferred to spend the amount for the entrance fee on a novel from Borders. We had fun though. Afterward, Kamal brought me to Roadhouse Grill to experience throwing nutshells on the floor, cowboy style.

Today, we will be going to Melaka earlier to play with the niece and the nephew. We are also thinking of having Guava Juice and Chai Pao at Perhentian Kuih Kampung Ujong Pasir. Perhaps, I should get the children a new book before we leave Putrajaya. Haris loves the audio book Kamal and I gave for his first birthday.

Oh, I am looking forward to this Sunday when work would be over, at least for the time being. With the free time, Kamal and I could embark on a complete Scrabble journey. For a start, I have brought home my favourite dictionary, which was previously placed in the office.

Selamat Hari Thaipusam dan Selamat Hari Wilayah.