Fruits from our orchard...

“Don't say you don't have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day..."

(Sweet pulasan)

We picked up the laundry and had breakfast nasi lemak at Tanglin before the two of us drove to Melaka. The last time we went back to visit Abah and Mak was three months ago. On the way there we stopped at Nilai 3 and have a look around the shops. The textile sales are really cheap. The weather was hot and there were a lot of people from all over to shop.

We reached Melaka late afternoon and stopped for lunch at a warong somewhere near the Mahkota Parade. Abah and Mak were happy to see us and we were feasted with fruits from our kebun. Mak packed some rambutans, pulasan and dokong for us to bring home. We didn’t get to taste our durian today as they were all hi-jacked by others siblings who balik kampung earlier than us.

We headed back to KL and reached KL early. Tonight we rested well and slept soundly.

Urban Living...

“To see a World in a Grain of Sand, And a Heaven in a Wild Flower, Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand . And Eternity in an hour...” - William Blake

(A tennis court at Block A)

We had lunch at KFC with Sara and had foot reflexology again. Later sent her back home. She’s still sleepy and wanted to spend the afternoon napping. We drove to Putramas apartment to check on the grill works. Went to Rozel showroom to look for sofa for our living room. Quite like one design set but didn’t quite like the price. Too expensive for a simple piece of furniture.

Went to a few more showrooms and finally decided on one comfortable sofa. Our order will only be ready at the end of the month in time for the renovation to be completed. We made some modifications and chose a different color scheme. The coffee table is quite unique and it will be quite a challenge to find a dining set to match.

A piece of cake...

I received this in my e-mail and sharing it with you:

(My favorite cheese cake with strawberry sauce)

Sometimes we wonder, "What did I do to deserve this?" or "Why did God have to do this to me?" Here is a wonderful explanation! A daughter is telling her Mother how everything is going wrong, she's failing algebra, her boyfriend broke up with her and her best friend is moving away.

Meanwhile, her Mother is baking a cake and asks her daughter if she would like a snack, and the daughter says, "Absolutely Mom, I love your cake."

"Here, have some cooking oil," her Mother offers. "Yuck" says her daughter.

"How about a couple raw eggs?" "Gross, Mom!"

"Would you like some flour then? Or maybe baking soda?" "Mom, those are all yucky!"

To which the mother replies: "Yes, all those things seem bad all by themselves. But when they are put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake!

God works the same way. Many times we wonder why He would let us go through such bad and difficult times. But God knows that when He puts these things all in His order, they always work for good! We just have to trust Him and, eventually, they will all make something wonderful!

God is crazy about you. He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning. Whenever you want to talk, He'll listen. He can live anywhere in the universe, and He chose your heart.

Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance.

Exercise intensities...

“Nobody realizes that some people expend tremendous energy merely to be normal...” - Albert Camus

Hubby fetched me after office. We solat Magrib at the Club and did a 30 minutes stints on the thread-mill and another 10 minutes on the bi-cycle. I tried weight lifting but wouldn’t want to exert too much stress on my fragile muscles. By the time we completed our exercises in the gym, we were sweating profusely. Another 15 minutes in the sauna dehydrated all liquids in our bodies. I met my lady friend in the steam room but our conversation was kept to the minimal of ‘hi.. how are you’ and ‘see u…’. Actually, I was too tired for pleasantries and the room was too hot and suffocating.

A lingering, cold shower re-energized tired muscles and cleared muddled mind. Tonight we slept early. No room for dreams or nightmares to disturb a well-deserved rest.

KM Fair 2005...

“Too many of us are hung up on what we don't have, can't have, or won't ever have..."

The much-awaited inaugural KM Fair 2005 was officially launched today.

Lots of activities have been planned for the event - from exhibitions, competitions and the first KBO Book Sale for 2005. Among the exciting events lined up were the official launch of the award-winning KM Centre on 1B, the kampung-themed e-payments exhibition near the Lift Lobby, and the various KM-related games.

The winner of the Persatuan Pustakawan Malaysia - Access Dunia's Excellent Library Special Award 2005, the KM Centre is the centre piece of the Bank's showcase of its KBO Transformation Programme.

After attending the launching, I joined the crowds and visited the booths. Some of the NCAC members tagged along to reap the 40% discounts on books. We could discover the book we have always wanted to read. Also, we wouldn’t want to miss out on the fun and knowledge-rich environment and brought along our Stamp-card wherever you go during these 2 days for the lucky draw.

Who knows? I may be the lucky one!

Living on promises...

"The more I see of the world, the more am I dissatisfied with it; and every day confirms my belief of the inconsistency of all human characters..."

We lie with our arms around

And sail down the river to sleep.

However long our day,
night falls on us.

Birds in the dark make sound,

Living on promises to keep.

However long our night,

dawn calls on us

Bliss of solitude...

“The very essence of romance is uncertainty...” - Oscar Wilde

After packing his stuff in his car, Iwan finally left for UTP campus around 11 a.m. Hopefully he could complete his room registration today and start class in peace tomorrow. Sara on the other hand had ample time in the afternoon to buy tudung and did some shopping for provisions at Sogo. Later at night Sara too packed her things and drove back to her UIA campus.

Now that the house is empty, I am left alone to muse over private thoughts…

For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils…

Wrong side, no entry...

“Try not to become a man of success. Rather become a man of value...” - Albert Einstein

After our spa session, we bought some bread sticks to fill up hungry tummies before we see lunch.

We fetched Iwan and headed to Plaza Low Yat to look for DVD burner. We also bought some ink cartridges for the printer. In the basement car park, while reversing the car, Iwan knocked into a car. I ended up paying RM150 to compensate the broken back light of the other car. I could not argue much as we were actually driving on the wrong side of the road. My car had a bad scratch on the bumper.

We went back home and had hot-dogs from 1901. Sara was busy printing her practical reports and Iwan was busy packing his belongings. He is going back to campus for his final semester in UTP. I relaxed my body on the couch while watching movies on Astro. 

The three of us ended up sleeping in the Study.

Fighting fatigue...

“Life is short, Break the Rules. Forgive quickly, Love truly. Laugh uncontrollably and never regret anything that makes you smile...” - Mark Twain

(Feeling out of steam)

Today is a busy day for all of us.

We woke up early and dragged Iwan and Sara out of bed. Iwan wanted to eat Nasi Lemak Tanglin before he goes back to campus so we drove all they way there for breakfast. After breakfast we went to our Putramas Apartment to meet Mohan to choose the pattern for the grill. Later hubby sent Sara and I to my office to retrieve my car.

I called Anisah of Dewi Sri Spa to request for early appointment. Our appointment was supposed to be at 3 p.m. but we thought earlier appointment would give us sometime in the afternoon to do other errands. At the Spa, Sara and I pampered ourselves in relaxing facials and later therapeutic and calming traditional massages. I dozed off several times in between treatments.

Lately I have been missing my regular hours of sleep.

Fun and Celebration...

“Of all forms of caution, caution in love is perhaps the most fatal to true happiness...” - Bertrand Russell

Tonight, the whole department was invited to attend a dinner organized by MCM, one of our outsourced agent in celebration for Taka's promotion to GM. The dinner was held at Kelab Golf Perkhidmatan Awam. While most of the staff had gone home early to freshen-up, I decided to stay back in the office to clear some work. Hubby fetched me around maghrib after fetching Iwan and Sara from home. After dropping me off at KGPA, they headed to our Club to have dinner and played bowling while waiting for me to finish dinner.

The dinner was held at one of the function room and a lot of Taka's old friends were invited too. The BBQ lamb was delicious and food was plentiful. While we were having dinner, MCM own talented singers entertained us. Later, everyone else wanted to show off their talents at karaoke.

Hubby and the kids fetched me later that evening and we drove to uptown and later to 1-Utama. Earlier this afternoon, Iwan bought 4 tickets to the midnight movie. We watched the Fantastic 4 and came home sleepy and tired and we slept like a log.

Float the Ringgit...

“The world is indeed full of peril and in it there are many dark places..."

Bank Negara Malaysia announced yesterday that the exchange rate of the ringgit with immediate effect will be allowed to operate in a managed float, with its value being determined by economic fundamentals. Bank Negara will monitor the exchange rate against a currency basket to ensure that the exchange rate remains close to its fair value. Promoting stability of the exchange rate continues to be a primary objective of policy.

This announcement represents a change in the system by which the value of the ringgit is determined. Given that the current valuation of the ringgit is consistent with our fundamentals and after taking into consideration developments in our trading partner countries, the exchange rate after shifting to this new system is not expected to deviate significantly from the current prevailing level.

Surely, a coincidence when China also announced its decision to un-peg?

A beautiful full moon...

“All that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream...” - Edgar Allan Poe

This morning we woke up late and got caught in the traffic jam at PWTC. The UMNO assembly has started and the road was half closed. We went to Tanglin for a quick Nasi Lemak breakfast and when I reached the office the meeting with Jabatan Harta has already begun. The meeting decided to go ahead with the internal renovation of all branches but not to touch on the structure of the buildings. In the other discussion room, another team was having a meeting with Gary Wilhurst from New Zealand to discuss on the polymer evaluation.

I had a lunch date with the gang today. Nik Aminah fetched Senator Ubai from the parliament earlier and we decided to have lunch at Dinar Matahari. I had to rush through lunch, as I need to attend a workshop organized by G&D. The workshop finished way after office hours.

Tonight, we went to Sri Hartamas to have Nan Tandoori at Uncle Don but had to cancel our plan when we couldn’t find any parking space around there. The place was too crowded for comfort. We went to Warung Tanjung Puteri for dinner. Iwan had Nasi Lemak and we had Ubi Kayu Rebus and sambal tumis ikan bilis. The ambiance was nice here, it was full moon and the background music was from the 60’s.

Weak and feeble...

“Try a little harder to be a little better...” - Gordon B. Hinckley

Early in the morning, the Director and I were summoned by the DG to explain on the issues raised by our department in the Board Note.

The Management was not pleased on the decision made earlier and commented that the way we handled our relationship with our outsourced agents may not benefit the organization in the long run. From now on, we were asked to refer to the Management concerning any issues related to outsourced agents. We anticipated these red tapes will certainly slow down our operations.

During lunchtime, the ladies in the department went to Damansara Specialist Centre to visit Afiqah. According to Linda, her daughter has been given 5 bottles of drips to prevent her from dehydrating. The purging and vomiting has made her cute little girl weak and feeble. At least she put up a wee bit of smile when we handed her the green little rabbit soft toy. Linda will be off the whole week to look after her little girl.

After office hubby came from home to fetch me and we went to our favorite teh tarik stall before attending our classes at Masjid Negara. Tonight, Ustaz announced the dates of the final exam. I have to start my revision, I have less than a month to prepare.

Faculty Recognition Day...

“A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on...” - Winston Churchill

It was an exciting day for us when subject matter experts, as well as our own Corporate Trainers received tokens of appreciation for our contribution and commitment in keeping the tradition of learning and training alive in the organization. For our effort in becoming resource persons for courses and seminars, we received vouchers worth quite a lot too. Last year alone, I was a speaker for the induction courses, SEACEN seminar and a few Consumer Education Programs.

And in conjunction with the annual Faculty Recognition Day, the e-learning initiative was officially launched. It is an initiative to create self-directed learners, where the responsibility to learn and develop oneself fall with the employees. The philosophy behind e-learning is for staff to desire learning to be empowering, enhancing, easy, effective and enticing at any time and anywhere. With remote access availability, we can have access to e-learning in the comfort of our homes.

The event was attended by senior management, as well as the Director of IBBM, Dr Kamal Khir, and Encik Badlisham Ghazali, GM of HP - the IT solutions provider for the e-Learning.

Anger Management...

“Never allow someone to be your priority while allowing yourself to be their option...” - Mark Twain

Sometimes I become frustrated easily, especially with someone so dear to me.

I feel that we do not understand each other well, and that is OK. I guess we will never fully understand each other. I am not into blaming others. At times I can’t even understand my own self. That too is OK. When I am frustrated, I will get angry. And when I am angry I hurt feelings unnecessarily.

I used to be afraid to show my anger, either because I will feel guilty at being angry or fear the power of anger. But lately I let off steam easily. If only I can control my anger and use the energy well, and not hurting others. Perhaps I can use the energy creatively, to help me tackle some difficult tasks.

Yet anger itself is a gift, an emotion in response to threats...

My private retreat...

“Painting is poetry that is seen rather than felt, and poetry is painting that is felt rather than seen...” - Leonardo da Vinci

(The High Court, building in progress)

My life is so hectic and unpredictable nowadays.

I am so busy with work and have no time to sit back and relax. Now that our Putramas apartment is ready for occupancy, we have started to appoint contractors to laminate the flooring for the bedrooms and study and have chosen pattern for the wrought iron grills. And, last weekend we spent some time going around furniture showrooms to look for ideas to furnish the apartment.

As we will still be maintaining our Bidara house, Putramas apartment will be ‘our private retreat’. From the 22nd floor, the living room has a magnificent view of the Wilayah Mosque, the Sri Hartamas condos and Mount Kiara. They even built a special highway to the apartment and is centrally located within 5-10 minutes drive to our Bidara house, the club, the spa and the office.

Although we would not be staying in the apartment fulltime, I would want the apartment to offer ultimate comfort and privacy. And, can also accommodate the three stooges when they come visiting. In designing the interiors, it should not only involve our taste in furniture, but also include our lifestyle.

(A private road to Sri Putramas)

I want the look to be contemporary. After all, an ultra-modern, sparse look might work well with us. The more a house reflects our taste and our lifestyle, the more comfortable and relaxed we'll feel. We're looking for ideas to decorate the apartment to help us find that balance.

Emotional Intelligence...

“If you expect nothing from anybody, you’re never disappointed...” - Sylvia Plath

'

'

Ritz Carlton Conference Center

I attended a half-day networking and knowledge sharing session on Emotional Intelligence with Bill Tredwell, the Managing Director of the HayGroup in Boston.

EI as defined is the capacity for recognizing our own feelings and those of others, for motivating ourselves, for managing emotions well in ourselves and in our relationships. We were introduced to the conceptual model of EI, which revolved around self-awareness, self-management, social awareness and relationship management. We also look at EI competencies and characteristic found in outstanding leaders and professionals.

The HayGroup, from their research of more than 500 organizations demonstrated that Emotional Competence is twice as important as IQ, advanced degrees or technical skills, in predicting outstanding performance. The higher up the leadership ladder, the more Emotional Competence becomes a determinant of success or failure. Emotional Competence facilitates the identification of 'emotional triggers' thus helping one to cope better under stressful circumstances, helps to be in-tune with others, resulting in better working relationships. Good news is, EI can be developed as long as we ‘rewire’ our responses to feelings, change how we think and alter our behaviors.

After the half-day session, I believe I am less emotional and more intelligent now.

Unfinished business...

“There are none happy in the world but beings who enjoy freely a vast horizon...”

We had roti canai breakfast at Restoran 23 Jam. The traffic was smooth this morning and it was still early when hubby dropped me off at my office. We had an urgent meeting to discuss the modus operandi of our latest project.

Immediately after the meeting we drove in a few cars to Pan Pacific for a farewell lunch for Julian. He's leaving his company to further his study. For the past 2 years in dealing with him, I found him interesting and well informed. For him it was a pleasure to work with us. I thought it was a pressure as well because at times we could be too demanding. He would be leaving the company end of the month but he still has a few unfinished businesses to complete. We had buffet Lunch and it was really filling. By the time I got back to office the eyelids were heavy and it was a perfect time to steal a short nap but I have another important meeting to attend to.

After office, we had teh tarik at the Lake Gardens before class. The Ustaz had a fever so my class was cancelled. After solat Isya, I drove in the light drizzle. When I reached home, Iwan had already bought nasi goreng and dinner was in the study while watching 'Die Hard' on Astro.

Nobel Laureate Lecture...

“Education is an admirable thing, but it is well to remember from time to time that nothing that is worth knowing can be taught.” - Oscar Wilde

The staff were a lucky lot yesterday when the 1999 Nobel Laureate in Economics, Professor Robert Mundell dropped by to give a lecture on "Exchange Rates Issues in East Asia." He earlier spoke at the 16th Asian Finance Association conference in the city.

Professor Mundell is also the Professor of Economics in Columbia University in New York.

Disturbed equilibrium...

“You have to know what you stand for, not just what you stand against...” - Laurie Halse Anderson

 

With Sara and Iwan, I visited Zu’s mom at the Institute Jantung Negara this afternoon. When we arrived, it was way after the visiting hours and after much haggling with the security guard, I was allowed to go up alone to visit. The Mak Cik had undergone a cardiac bypass operation this morning. She was still under sedative and was unable to talk much so we let her rest. According to Zu, they only found out recently that her mother had high blood pressure and they were quite surprised that her mother had a heart condition because the old lady never complained, other than the usual ‘pening-pening lalat’ after doing some strenuous chores around the house.

I too have been experiencing light headedness and vertigo lately. Usually this happens if I skipped lunch for a few days in a row, which more often than not lead to my usual gastric pain. Because of sudden surge of vertigo I sometime feel nausea and experience spinning sensation as if I am about to lose my balance and fall into a void. Twice last month I slipped while going down the few flight of steps and sprained the same tendons over and over. Even the Thai lady who massaged my legs during the foot reflexology session noticed the ugly bruises on my right leg.

My blood pressure must be shooting high, that’s my initial diagnosis.

Fear to feel...

“If my life is going to mean anything, I have to live it myself...” - Rick Riordan'

Precisely the polarities
Parenthesizing pleasure
Persuade us to anesthetize
The love we fear to feel.

A train of trivialities,
Buried, becomes treasure,
As we sentimentalize
A boredom that was real.

How might we find a fantasy?
That strides into the heart,
Awakening the winter wind
Bearing death and pain?

How might we live an ecstasy?
That picks our joys apart,
Leaving what we love behind
On wings, on winds, in chains?

Nick G

Seal With A Loving Kiss...

"When I was small, and the Christmas trees were tall, we used to love while others used to play. Don't ask me why, our love will never die..."

S.W.A.L.K. was the first movie I went to see with a boy I knew all my younger life. He was a few years my senior in secondary school and we became best of friends. Over those years, our feelings for each other grew. We cared and looked after each other and promised that whatever happened we would still be forever friends. After MCE, I applied to further my study in a college in KL and ready to spread my wings but he opted to stay in KB to be with his family and take his HSC again.

The saying 'distance makes the hearts grow fonder' is not actually true in our case as something did happened and marked the beginning of hundreds of changes in our life, big and small. Letting go was something I had to go through. I left the neighborhoods and friends I knew and loved. I met new friends, fell in love, got married and have children.

Along the way I win some, I lose some. I gained new experience, happy and sad. I never regret of things that happened. But once a while when I listen to the songs from that S.W.A.L.K. movie, I still ached with nostalgia, with guilt of broken promises. With memories of innocent affairs of the hearts...

When asked why, I chose what's best for me at that time. I think I'm wiser now and I've done more with my life than I otherwise might have. I've learned a lot through happiness and pain. This sense of being part of something larger can bring peace and help repair the disappointments in life. When I let go of my demands for how I thought my world should be, I found one of the greatest gifts of all. I found my own true self.

Cikgu Cik Sayang...

“You cannot protect yourself from sadness without protecting yourself from happiness.” - Jonathan Safran Foer

Last night, the ladies were asked to recite the surah first followed by the men. As usual, Habsah and I volunteered to be firsts so that we could chit-chat quietly at the back of the class. We whispered and giggles as we recalled our old teachers, most of them we have already forgotten their names.

Habsah and I attended one Malay medium primary school in Kota Bharu. The rest of my three sisters attended the same school too. Sekolah Perempuan Merbau was one of the oldest schools situated in the middle of KB town. I was there from standard one to standard 6. My memory of my primary school years was vague but I still could recall Cikgu Nik Fatimah, the Head Mistress and Cikgu Cik Sayang my class teacher when I was in standard 4. What I could recall of Cigu Cik Sayang was, she would have her very long cuticles painted bright red with cutex for a week, once every month.

During that period she had nasty moods and we were so very scared of her. She looked different, evil in that sense, with her long hair, extra heavy makeup, bright lipstick and long red fingernails. Behind her back we called her ‘Puntianak’ and once a while when she laughs, we expected to see a glimpse of fangs jutting out of her wide mouth. But during her ok moods, she was a good teacher and she taught us arithmetic and because of her, I excelled in my maths subjects and got me where I am now.

Quran recitation test...

“I like the night. Without the dark, we'd never see the stars...” - Stephenie Meyer

Today is one hectic day. 

From early morning to nightfall we’ve been struggling to complete the management reports and the board papers. In between, the Director and I sat with the Section Heads to go through the presentation slides to the management.

We were still in the mist of heated discussion, when hubby came. We solat in my room while waiting the drafts to be finalised for the Director to endorse. The Boss is flying to Jakarta early tomorrow morning to handle unfinished business there and Che D will be accompanying him. I am left to guard the fort.

When we arrived at Masjid Negara our classes have already started. While waiting for Isya’ each of us took turn to read the Quran. Tonight we had individual recital test for Surah As-Saj’dah and I had the opportunity to practice my 15-lines recital with Hj Rani in the office earlier this afternoon. Yet, I didn’t do quite well tonight.

Stroke of luck...

“You cannot protect yourself from sadness without protecting yourself from happiness…” - Jonathan Safran Foer

The meeting lasted long after our office hours and everybody was restless to go home. We concluded with a note that all section heads have to meet again to polish the presentation before we brief the management.

Tonight I have a bowling date with Sara and Iwan at the club. The kids were already there waiting when I arrived.

“Mak, you are late. Kita orang dah tunggu lama kat sini…”
“La… Mak saje bawak kereta relax-relax. Ingat you all yang slow motion. Hi hi…”

We played two games, with Iwan leading in both. I guessed he has been practicing his spins with Ella and the gang in Ipoh. Sara as usual trailed behind us in the first game, but beat me in the second. Most probably because of the few fluke strikes unjustly added to her scores. I suppose the machine is in need of calibration.

For dinner, we ordered fish and chips for Iwan, Kung Fu Mee for Sara and Nasi goreng China for me. With full tummy and tired body, I dozed off easily in the Study while watching TV.

A state of mind...

“I have great faith in fools - self-confidence my friends will call it...”- Edgar Allan Poe

A short essay on Youth by Samuel Ullman.

Youth is not a time of life; it is a state of mind; it is not a matter of rosy cheeks, red lips and supple knees; it is a matter of will, a quality of the imagination, a vigor of the emotions; it is the freshness of the deep springs of life.

Youth means a temperamental predominance of courage over timidity of the appetite, for the adventure over the love of ease. This often exists in a man of 60 more than a boy of 20. Nobody grows old merely by a number of years. We grow old by deserting our ideals.

Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul. Worry, fear, self-distrust bows the heart and turns the spirit back to dust.

Whether 60 or 16, there is in every human being’s heart the lure of wonder, the unfailing childlike appetite of what’s next, and the joy of the game of living. In the center of your heart and my heart there is a wireless station: so long as it receives messages of beauty, hope, cheer, courage and power from men and from the infinite, so long are you young.

When the aerials are down, and your spirit is covered with snows of cynicism and the ice of pessimism, then you are grown old, even at 20, but as long as your aerials are up, to catch waves of optimism, there is hope you may die young at 80.

Penang: Free and Easy...

“Half the fun of the travel is the aesthetic of lostness..." - Ray Bradbury

We had toast and scrambled eggs for brunch. Checked out early and stopped at the beach for durian and rambutan feast. We drove around town and headed for Bukit Bendera. The next train up was an hour’s wait so we decided not to go to the peak. After a hefty Nasi Kandar lunch, we boarded the ferry to main land and started our journey home.

The weather was fine, the traffic quite heavy, with a few accidents along the hi-way. We reached Ella’s house late at night but dinner was ready for us on the table. Again, another round of durian feast from the kebun, before we started off to KL. Iwan watched dvd to keep his Abah company. Sara and I had better things to do. We slept all the way to KL. Reached home around 1.30 a.m. Tired but happy.

Penang: Relax and enjoy...

‘Thinking is the best way to travel...” -The Moody Blues

Penang Island

Iwan and Sara will be spending the weekend with us at the chalet in Batu Feringgi. The four of us started our journey from home at 1.30 p.m. and stopped at Rawang R&R for lunch and solat. We stopped at Jaya Jusco, Ipoh to pick up Ella. It was nice of her mom and sister to drive her to Ipoh for the rendezvous. We had ample time for an ice cream treat at Baskin Robbins before we continued our journey in the heavy rain. We reached Penang Island at sundown and stopped at Gurney Plaza to buy tickets for Midnight.

Rushed to check-in and went out again for Nandos dinner. To while away our time before midnight, we went for an hour of foot reflexology. Iwan and Ella went to the night market to buy cheap stuff like dvd and imitation goods. We bought some cds too. We went back to the chalet to change into long-sleeves t-shirts and jackets as we wouldn’t want to shiver while watching the movie. War of The World ended at 2.45 a.m. By the time we unpacked and bathed, it was already in the wee hours of the morning. We slept dead tired only to wake up when the sun was already high in the sky.

Just wanna have fun...

 “There is always some madness in love. But there is also always some reason in madness...” - Friedrich Nietzsche

(The first Girl Scouts at Bachok, Kelantan)

When I was young, I suppose I did a lot of the things that teens girls do. I became interested in a lot of things like drama, dancing and singing. Although a little tone deaf, I turned to music as a way of expressing myself. I joined the choir group during form 4 and form 5 and played the recorder for the Choir Competitions in a few states. I played hockey and netball too.

I joined the 1st Girl Scout and enjoyed outdoor activities, the camping and campfires, hiking and cycling, even canoeing and yachting. I joined the swimming club when we moved to Sekolah Menengah Kota Bharu, the only school that have a swimming pool then, but I guessed I was a slow learner. Till now I can’t even float properly. As with all girls, we flirted and let boys chased us, some even let us catch them, hung around with the 'gang' at our favourite joints, Nuritake or Sun Too for ice cream or popiah goreng, went to the beaches etc. etc… I feel that I was a typical extroverted youth and later have gone through the ups and downs in life...

(The Big Five, the Girl Scouts pioneers)

During secondary school and in the girls hostel, I spent most of my time with the Big 5, my closest of friends. For almost 30 years we lost contact with each other after form 5 and in a recent reunion we met again. U is now a Senator, Nik N is a Consulate wife, A is a Guru Kanan and B is an ex-teacher and now a full time housewife and me? I am where I am now…