Jogjakarta 3-6 May 2012

I wanted desperately to write that I went to Jogja and loved it. And I really should have loved it. I'm over 40 dammit. 

You'd think that the over forties should have been a bit more cultured. And really, I should have been fascinated by the arts and culture, the magnificent temples, the sultan's palace, the tamansari, gamelan music, even the legends surrounding the Prambanan temple.

Nope. All I could think and feel, was that it was such a hot, dusty, crowded place. And I didn't like it. 

But I did like the company. We had good fun. I've come to think, after so many years, that we have a really strange love-hate relationship, all of us. There were times when I fantasized clawing some of their faces out. I imagine they would want to do worse things to me. And there are times, like this, when I sit and think that I would never want to trade these colleagues.

Here we are.

This is me, at the Sultan's palace, trying to look sexy, just in case the sultan is peeping out his window. Don't roll your eyes. You never know.

And here we are again at the palace, Team Segi.

Next year, I wanna go someplace cold. Please.

Ex-boss

I wasn't always in the education industry.

Years back, in another life, I was in the insurance industry. At 23, fresh out of university, my first job was as a Marketing Services Offier at  Malaysia British Assurance Bhd. It's now called Allianz. As starter jobs go, it was okay. We were recruited to service banks and companies who were already clients, and our KPIs were to make sure we don't lose them, and, grow the portfolio. I got bored after awhile. 

Still, I will never forget Jimmy Ng. My ex-boss. My first boss. And he was a really good boss. I recently met up with him at his club. 20 years we lost touch and he still looks the same. Still got hair.

Can you believe this guy? He's 66 this year. You got to wonder what he's taking.

I spent about six months under his tutelage, then went off to work in the Penang branch. Can never thank him enough. The six years I was in insurance, I couldn't find anyone else who could hold a candle to him. Great mentor.

Thank you Jimmy.

I'm home

I've come home. Happy happy happy.

I have been in Kuching for 17 years.

Got married, had my three darling kids, and found a job that I love. Some wonderful times, some difficult times. But no matter how difficult, I am grateful for those years away. Grateful that I have my lovelies, grateful that I have learnt much, grown much. Grateful that God has put in my path people from whom I drew strength.

But now I am home.

My kids are happy. And I am happy. Every weekend there is something to do, somewhere to go. And my mum! Me thinks she thinks I'm still a baby. She's been keeping tabs on me, that woman. One day she's telling me to come home early. Another day she's chiding me on the shorts I wear. And every week, she makes it a point to bring over home-cooked food. Groan... Mum! I'm in my forties, for goodness sake! But you know, I can't begrudge her for fussing so. Mothers la kan. And she's probably making up for the 17 years of missed opportunity. I so love her.

My dad too. Every time he comes over, he finds something to fix. He has so far replaced all my door locks, changed the toilet seats, changed the lights, and fixed whatever the kids wanted fixed. Dear dear Kongkong.

Sometimes I sit back and think how strange that life has come a complete circle. I remember leaving home at 19 years old, all ready to explore the world and prove my super independence. And went all the way to New Zealand, without knowing a single person there. For four years, I studied when I felt like it, and worked when I needed money. Which was a perpetual thing really. I loved the freedom. Nobody cared what I did.

Fast forward 23 years later, I'm home. The phone's ringing, and it's my mum asking if I had eaten, what did I eat, what did the kids eat.

Home sweet home.

Chinese New Year 2012

Chinese New Year was ok lah. Not awesome, but not the please-kill-me kind of event. So it's another new year in the chinese calendar and yeah it's now the year of the dragon.

I guess I'm not too excited by it.

You see, I'm a dog. And we dogs, we don't like dragons much. Bad year, this, they say. A year where bad things will happen to us dogs. Yadda yadda yadda. It's not that I'm turning my nose up at this kind of things, but seriously? C'mon man, there are good and bad things every single year. There are highs and then there are lows. So what, right?

But what I want this year, is for Clarissa to do well in her studies, cos she'll be taking her SPM this year. I still can't believe my baby is almost 17. 

Look at her. So grown up and so pretty. And for once, she dressed ok, so I'm putting this picture up. She doesn't normally. I mean, the stuff teenagers wear nowadays! She'd put on a dress, then pair it with jeans and pull on a cardigan and tell me it's da bomb. The latest chic in fashion. Hmmpph. And I'll still always say you're not wearing that honey.

Anyway, CNY coincided with my baby sister's birthday this year. She looks nothing like me tho. Poor her.

That's her with her 3 kids and 1 hubs. My baby sister. Who tortured me when we were young. Who bit me and scarred me for life. But that's another story for another day. Happy Birthday Jojo.

And Happy Chinese Ney Year, y'all.

Happy Birthday Alex & Nat

Alex's birthday was on 7th January. Nat's was on 16th January.

Just days apart, I always try to persuade them on how much more fun it will be to have a joint birthday celebration. So it's either I have really good persuasive skills, or my kids are just the best at humouring me.

This year, we had a really modest celebration, at my parents' place.

As I watched the kids gustily sang the birthday song, and in several different keys (ouch!) I can't help but marvel at how they have grown. And how proud I am of them. Nat's my angel, the sweetest of hearts, with the most generous, giving spirit. Alex, my lion heart, fiercely independent, witty, funny, and almost, a man.

Love you, my darlings.

Happy Birthday.

Oh, to be fit..

I've indulged too much. Overdone every part of the "eat, drink and be merry" thing.

New Year Resolution. I want fitness. I want muscles. But without the hulkness, can?

And the great thing is that here, there are just so many good fitness centres and gyms around. I can even choose my very own personal trainer. Excited.

Give me six months. I'll show ya.

Hello 2012

I'm back! 

And here I am, finally settled in, happy and comfortable in my new pad.

Never thought that after 17 years in Kuching, I would one day pack my bags and go. Damn it was hard. I truly miss my friends and the life there. But of course some things I will not miss.

This might well be the hardest year ever. Yes, I've moved on to a bigger city, and to a job that is gonna challenge the daylights out of me. I do truly like my work, because it so consumes me. And that's what I like, because it's not just a job. But now, here, this is going to be totally new. A different ball game altogether. Maybe even a different league now. So I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I don't collapse and die.

So cheers to a New Year, and to greater happiness.