Bubur Lambuk - Finally!

My colleague was kind enough to grab me a pack from THE original Kampung Baru Mosque Bubur Lambuk. It smelt absolutely delicious and by the time I got home to reheat it, I was really looking forward to having my first spoonful.

There were weird things in it which made each spoonful suspicious. Since I couldn't tell what they were, I spent a few moments sifting through each scoop. It smelt of sup kambing as I guess it used the same spices. Easy to digest, this is meant to be an easy meal to line the stomach after a day of fasting for the Malays.

However, I guess I was too eager and although it was nice, perhaps I hyped myself up too much and it tasted... just okay. I wouldn't mind having it again but I certainly got over my craziness in wanting to try it so much.

Okay, I can move on now.

Tight Corner

Couldn't resist putting up this photo of Dat Fella. Found her sitting amongst the brooms balanced against the wall one hot afternoon.

Why is it that cats like tight corners? She slept there that afternoon and I often find her in that spot thereafter.

And we're still not sure if she's pregnant. How long can a cat stay pregnant anyway?! Or we should just go get some deworming pills. And if she's not pregnant, could she be a he? Missing balls shouldn't be the only way to determine the sex of a cat.

Oh well.

Dentists' Bane

I hate flossing my teeth. The flossing tape would only come in handy when I have something stuck to my teeth and I don't want to brush my teeth when it is not the time for brushing teeth.

Anyways, here is my dental floss. Which I bought in Perth. In 2003.

Was introduced to this by Grace who asked me to buy it for her when I went there. It has the thinnest tape ever and doesn't really cause my gums to bleed should I yank it into tight spots. Unfortunately, it is only found in Australia.

So when my sis-in-law comes back next week, I'm gonna ask her to get my two packs. To last me another 10 years. By then, I would have had the chance to ask someone else to bring another pack back for me. Or I'd be wearing dentures and don't need floss anymore.

Strange Names

Along the way home in the bus, at about 4am, I awoke when we were about an hour away from Alor Star and took note of the signboards to determine where we were.

It struck me that some of the towns up north have really weird names and I have passed these towns countless of times on our journeys down south. Translated literally:

Kota Sarang Semut - Ant Nest District
Arang Batu - Charcoal
Gurun - Desert

And I used to think Malaysia did not have interesting names.

Alor Star Updates

Okay, this is specially for the benefit of jo-bloggs and Khor Ling, let me update you two on what's been happening to our friends from back home:

New parents:
Raily
Han Sen / Boon Lee
Alvin Tan / Ming Ai
Khoh / Jessie

Still single and available (any single girls out there, let me know if you're interested):
Kin Hup (didn't catch up with him, not sure what he's specialising in)
Shah (he's specialising in plastic surgery - "preferably breasts", he says)
Ngek (lost a lot of weight and looks really good)

Speaking of Ngek, he was extremely surprised that jo-bloggs just gave birth. What made him even more surprised was that Khor Ling also gave birth like 7 months ago. He never even knew you guys were preggers! Oh dear, our updates are not very frequent, is it?

Wedding in Alor Star

Just got home from a weekend at Alor Star. My friend, who happens to also be a neighbour, tied the knot last night and SO many old friends came back for it that the wedding dinner sort of turned out to be a reunion of sorts. People whom I have not seen in yonks were there. Ch'ng flew in from Hong Kong, Han Sen, Boon Lee (wife), Wong, Neoh (& wife) from Singapore and many more from KL amongst the usual suspects.

It was good to meet and catch up with some them. It was a night of revelation when we discovered those who had broken off with their partners, those who are already parents and that I felt like I was the only one who put on weight. One looked at me and said, "You're looking well!" and puffed up his face while indicating that I might be pregnant. Sigh. Don't worry, I didn't hit him.

The bride was resplendent and the groom showed his romantic side as he crooned songs to her. A funny moment was when he called all his buddies to come up stage to sing with him and amongst them was one of their fathers. And this dad was so cool, took the stage to sing a few more songs and thanked everyone for coming, as though he was the father of the bride or the MC. The two sons sitting at my table could only shake their head and cross their fingers that their dad would sing the correct song.

Which is when I found out one of my friends whose wedding I didn't attend, sang "I did it MY way!" at his wedding. Oh dear.

But overall, it was great to be home. We spent all day watching National Geographic. Now we're thinking of getting pay TV.

Psychic…

At work, we would often get complaints routed back to us whenever it involves our products. Sometimes, we get ridiculous ones like this:

Customer claims she is one of the winners of the XYZ special promotion. She is not very sure whether she won in May 2006 or June 2006. She has not been informed that she is one of the winners.

Well, obviously since she has NOT been informed, then how the heck does she know she is a winner?! Our customers are psychic!

Attempt

Last Friday, my colleagues and I attempted to hunt down THE shoe for me to wear to work with my no-longer-new office suit. We went to Mid Valley after work and looked at every shoe shop in that massive place - and came out empty handed.

Feeling disappointed that she didn't help me achieve my goal, I assured my colleague that this is normally how I shop anyway. I could walk for hours and not find it. Eric, my husband's best man and the guy whom I've been telling stories about in this blog, had walked into at least 15 shoe shops in Sungai Wang with KS and I looking for my wedding shoes. With aching feet and a disbelieving look, he gave the best eye-rolls ever when I explained I couldn't find ANY shoe that I liked.

Instead, I could be just at a mall to meet someone and happened to step into a shop and spot the one. Just that nowadays, I hardly step into malls anymore. That shall be my mission next week, to happen to step into a mall and happen to look at some shoe shops then. Eric, you free?

Step One

Last week or so, I chatted with my friend jo-bloggs a few days before she gave birth to her first child. Congrats, gal! Can't wait to see little Eliza! Her sms merely mentioned of a sore bottom when I would imagine mine will be filled with profanities from the pain experienced from giving birth!

However, I have finally come to the decision that being pregnant and giving birth ain't so bad after all. Many friends tell me epidural is God's mercy to women for the sins of Eve. Of course, the relief is different from one person to another and also depends whether you have a natural birth or caesarean.

Anyway, as I was revealing this to KS, he was delighted that I have taken at least one positive step toward inevitable motherhood. I did stop him short that I am NOT ready to be cleaning poo and changing nappies or taking care of a baby every single night for 2 years. That would be Step Two and hopefully I will overcome that in 2 years time "before my biological clock stops ticking", according to an aunt.

So then I casually asked KS how many kids he would like to have. He threw me a side glance and said, "Two?".

"YOU TRY TO GIVE BIRTH YOURSELF AND TAKE CARE OF TWO KIDS AT ONCE AND SEE IF YOU LIKE TWO KIDS OR NOT!!"

Oh well, at least there's an improvement. I'm just glad he didn't say more as our new car can fit 7.

Parting

You know when you have to start clearing your wardrobe to give away clothes you can never/will ever wear again? For me, I hate parting with my clothes, even though it's a really really torn t-shirt. I especially despise having to make an old shirt into a rag. Giving it to Grace or Jan is not a problem because then I know it's still in the family.

No, this entry is not about clothes. This morning we were supposed to go trade in the old car for the new one (the salesman called this morning to say he forgot to collect the keys from his boss so we can only get the car earliest tomorrow evening). Yes, although in my head, I keep reassuring myself that we have had so much problems with the car, with it's many breakdowns and expensive upkeep, I was really really sad last night. Sweeping the car with my fingers last night, a lump formed in my throat. This car is synonymous to KS. He's been driving it since he got back from NZ more than 8 years ago and it has taken us from North to South of Malaysia.

I feel as though we're trading in an old pet with a new puppy/kitten. Sorry ol pal, you're old and tired now, we don't want you anymore. Suddenly the car looks so woebegone, sitting quietly in the driveway in it's new polish which makes it's white paint gleam in despair.

The new car will look like the many thousands out there, with no special character to it yet. The old car is not as common as this new one, especially in white. How will it fit into our lives? Will it protect us as the old one has, will it bring us the joy we hope to find?

It's been quite funny actually. My parents have been anxious and excited about the arrival of this car. Dad has been sms-ing for two weeks now, asking when the car will arrive, if KS is getting someone else to do the paperwork, getting my Mum to call to ask how we were enjoying the car (even though it hasn't arrived) until even last night, asking when we are collecting the car. I get sms-es from Dad perhaps once or twice a fortnight or even lesser so it's funny to see so many sms-es from him. He is so excited about this car as he himself was longing to get one too.

Okay Dad, we'll give you a spin in the car when it arrives. Promise!