Banknote Conference in Washington D.C....

“Once the travel bug bites there is no known antidote, and I know that I shall be happily infected until the end of my life...” – Michael Palin

(The Capital Hilton Hotel, Washington D.C.)

Banknote Conference in Washington DC, USA

Attachment Program in FRB Richmond, USA

(19 - 26 February 2005)

I will not be updating my blog for the next two weeks. My flight to Washington is at 8.30 a.m. tomorrow morning and I have not packed my bags....

Well, I am sorry I have to go, the sun is starting to melt my snow!

My Overseas Travelogue: munmus.blogspot.com

Next Trip: Sweden 2005: Stockholm - The Land of the Vikings...

Play the game...

“Life's hard. It's even harder when you're stupid...” - John Wayne

'

Lately the AG has been giving us conflicting instructions. Reacting under so much pressure from top management has made him think irrationally and has made us stay late nights. We have exhausted our resources to comply with his demands, which I think are not realistic. Defying his instructions will put you in a very difficult situation so we are going to play along with him. Hopefully his decision will not worsen the situation.

We’ve taken the whole scenario as a joke.

Not in attendance...

“Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go..” -TS Elliot

We had teh tarik at the Lake Garden before we go to class. I informed Ustaz that I would not be attending the class for 2 weeks. Hopefully someone could take down notes for me to revise later although our exam will not be until July or August.

Had burger for dinner and tonight tried to start packing clothes and things that I need to bring for the trip. Most probably need to bring thick warm clothing as it is still snowing in Washington and Stockholm.

Bruised and battered...

“An eye for an eye will only make the whole world blind…” - Gandhi

(Bruises on my body)

My body was still sore from yesterday’s fall. I had bruises all over the left leg and arm. And a small cut on the shin of my right leg. I don’t know how I fall but I remember that I tumbled down the stairs like a paper doll. Hubby came around noon and we drove to the Mall for lunch. I had Laksam and he tried the Lontong at the Laksa Shack.

Tonight I had a full-body traditional massage. The Indonesian lady’s nimble fingers relieved the soreness away from my body. She advised not to shower tonight to ensure that the ointment get absorbed into the muscle. Tonight I slept so soundly.

I even forget to switch off the TV and lights.

You’re still my Valentine...

“Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions...” - Dalai Lama

We used to celebrate Valentine's Day when we were young...

Hubby was supposed to collect our tickets from the travel Agent but was told to collect them tomorrow instead. We went to Sri Hartamas for a quick lunch and time was too short to have long conversations but it was enough to be together away from work.

I want you to understand
that I loved you from the start.
And I want you to know,
no matter how many miles we may be apart,
you'll always hold a special place in my heart.

p.s Happy Valentine’s Day, yang...

I’m missing you...

“Memories warm you up from the inside. But they also tear you apart.” - Haruki Murakami''

It's funny, all those little things

I never thought I'd miss,

Like all those conversations we had,

or the first time we kissed.

I guess that what I'm trying to say,

is I miss and love you more each day!

It hurts me not to see you,

or not to know if you're ok.

Al-Hajj al-Mabrur...

“We should all start to live before we get too old. Fear is stupid. So are regrets.” - Marilyn Monroe

I was deep in my sleep when the phone rang. It was Mak asking me whether I’ll be going to the airport tonight. Ngah and Kak Idah are coming back from Makkah. Later Nor called to confirm the ETA and informed us that he’d already booked a room at Pan Pac KLIA for his parents. Ngah and Kak Idah will be flying back to KB very early tomorrow morning.

Everyone was there at the airport. The flight was on schedule. Ngah and Kak Idah look fine and happy. We had home-cooked dinner in the hotel room and stayed for a while, listening to their stories and experiences during their stay in the holy land.

Bunking with the gang...

“Things change. And friends leave. Life doesn't stop for anybody.” - Stephen Chbosky

Iwan went out very early today. Will not be coming home tonight. He wants to play futsal with old school friends. The last time they played, it lasted until early in the morning. This morning, I have my own program with my gang too.

Late afternoon went to the office with Sara to take my laptop. Need to scan some of old pictures of schoolmates. Went to The Mall for lunch at Laksa Shack and did some shopping. When we reached home, feel tired to go out again. Saufi came from campus and bought nasi goreng. Ja also eats with us and later went out motor biking in the rain.

Of Angel and Evil...

“I love you as certain dark things are to be loved,  in secret, between the shadow and the soul.” - Pablo Neruda

To release off tension, together with Sara and Iwan we had Nasi Bryani at Restaurant Bidayah at Bandar Baru Selayang. Later Sara and I went to Nor Chahaya Salon for hair trimming and scalp treatment. It’s a pity to depart with several inches of my locks, which is too long to manage.

We had dinner at the warong again and later Saufi came to fetch us to go to Mid Valley to watch Constantine. This is a story about a desperate but skeptical police detective (Rachel Weisz) enlists the help of Constantine (Keanu Reeves) in solving the mysterious death of her beloved twin sister, their investigation takes them through the world of demons and angels that exists just beneath the landscape of contemporary LA.

A deranged mind...

“The best of us must sometimes eat our words…” - J.K. Rowling

This morning Iwan was really pissed off with the neighbor when he was shouted at without any reason. I heard Iwan shouted back. The husband acted as if nothing happened and continued pruning the tree in front of their house. Have to ask Iwan to come in the house to avoid further havoc. 

Lately, our neighbor has been acting like she needs to see a shrink. She will shout and sometime spray water at people. I would like to suggest for her to be enrolled in Anger Management’s Program, if there is such a program.

The unlucky rooster...

“Death ends a life, not a relationship...” - Mitch Albom

It was Chinese New Year. We stayed in bed till noon. Feeling lethargic all of a sudden. Wasted whole afternoon catching up with sleep. The three kids were also napping in the study the whole day with nothing specific to do.

At night we make do with dinner at the warong because nobody wants to venture away from the comfort of our study. Watched TV and all of us ended up sleeping in the study till morning.

A heartrending interlude...

“Numbing the pain for a while will make it worse when you finally feel it...” - J.K. Rowling

'

Tonight we discussed about our trip to Washington.

Although it’s my business trip, hubby will accompany me throughout the trip. We will transit in Stockholm and will spend a few days there. It would be fun, a full 2-week holiday together! But he has to be away on work assignment again before the trip.…

As the glimpse of a burnt-out ember
Recalls a regret of the sun,
I remember, forget, and remember
What Love saw done and undone.

And the best and the worst of this is
That neither is most to blame
If you've forgotten my kisses
And I've forgotten your name.

Treasured quality time...

“Whatever you are, be a good one...” - Abraham Lincoln

Today I skipped the tudung styling session although I have registered for it earlier. A few other friends went ahead with the session. I ended up with the gang at the club playing a few rounds of bowling.

A friend is planning to go to Pulau Redang during Chinese New Year and trying hard to persuade me to come along. I would rather spend time with the kids at home as all of them will be coming back from campus during the long break.

Wide eyed dreamer...

“It is sometimes an appropriate response to reality to go insane.” - Philip K. Dick

Woke up very late. Lately I haven’t got enough sleep.

Feel so sleepy all the time. We had brunch of roti sardine at the Mamak restaurant. Most probably this will be my lunch for the day. We drove out in separate cars to different destinations. Nik Aminah has already made booking for me at 3.00 p.m. and we promised to meet up at the spa later. I saw new girls at the spa, most probably some trainees.

Nik Aminah and hubby were at her club, entertaining someone important, so she’ll be late. I was already finishing and ready to leave when she came. She has cooked something last night and wanted me to appraise her latest cuisine invention. The dish smelled nice. I’ll leave it to Sara to comment later.

Late delivery penalty...

“If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.” - C.S. Lewis

J Lucas and Julian were already waiting in the meeting room when I returned from lunch. They want to bring the signed agreement back to UK. I sensed the urgency. Failing which, we may not get the first delivery as scheduled. Managed to get Dato’ Daud and the company Secretary to sign and affix the common seal. Could see the pleased faces of the two Britons.

Microbes & Amoeba...

“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle...” - Plato

(The corona virus under the microscope)

'
Lunch with Nik Aminah at the Hazz Sri Hartamas. We called Wan Amnah and she was excited to hear from us. Wan Amnah was my classmate during secondary school. She’s one quiet girl, and very studious too. The last time I saw her was in 1974 – 1978 during our diploma years at the School of Applied Science. She was with dear hubby in Microbiology class and I was doing Diploma in Animal Health and Production. After working at UMBC for a few years, she quit and becomes a full dedicated housewife looking after her four kids.

Back then, we were seen in our white lab coats and me with my thick Anatomy books. We thought one day we would be a Microbiologist and a Veterinarian… ha ha..'

Unspoken words...

“My thoughts are stars I cannot fathom into constellations...” - John Green

'

'

Dear hubby called during lunch time and sent a few sms messages, which I was too busy to answer.

I told him I was worried with something unresolved and feeling disappointed. At night we had dinner in silence, as I was not in the mood to talk. Later I shared my frustration and disappointment and let loose appalling emotions.
 

For with this silence I long to be,
Speak without words of understanding,
Let not mistake this silence for neglect,
For this silence is love in my own way.

Out of the loop...

“A clever person solves a problem. A wise person avoids it...” - Albert Einstein

I was feeling angry and sad when I received a call from Mandy Villa. It was regarding the progress of our apartment. Sometimes I feel that I’m always out of the loop, not knowing what’s happening. Most probably I always take things for granted. I’m always forever trusting. Because of that I felt frustrated, with no one in particularly but mostly with my own self.

In this silence I love you.
And with this silence I give to you.
In spite of this silence I cherish you.
But still the silence; I don't understand you.