Relief my Stress...

"The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another..."

(My favorite Spa at Plaza Damas)

At this age, taking care of my body should be at the top of my priorities.

When I was still working, I used to add therapeutic body massage to my monthly routine. Stress relief is one of the first benefits that come to mind. Massage therapy can reduce pain, increase energy levels and improve overall physical and mental performance. Now that I have moved to my Bidara House, I visit less and less of my spa.

Recently, when Sara was in town, we visited my spa and spent two full hours indulging in strong aromatic massage and facials. And the day after, I am feeling a little sore all over...

(A therapeutic indulgence)

Tired body and soul...

"Show me a worrying person and I will show you a person who does not know how to relax..." Albert E. Cliffe

Rejuvenate my Soul

Lovely stillness

Makes this heart of mine sing

I am best in this state

Oh the things, I can create

With peacefulness and tranquility

As my mate

Just a bit of Silence

That is all I need

To rejuvenate my Soul

And my Spirit freed

(Neva Flores Smith)

Satay tulang after a bone-breaking massage…

“Part of the secret of success in life is to eat what you like and let the food fight it out inside...” - Mark Twain

(Grilled chicken meat with bone cuts...)

I had nothing planned...

The apartment was in need of cleaning. The vacuum robot was set to auto. Just when I was about to take a short nap on the sofa, a friend called. We met at Dewi Sri Spa for an hour of strong relaxing body massage and later to our hair salon for cut and wash. The afternoon was spent at Sally Tailor in Selayang.

At night, after maghrib hubby and I drove in the heavy traffic to Senawang to tts with our bikers friends at one Sate Tulang restaurant at Taipan Senawang. It was already late but the restaurant was full with people. Taste wise, sate tulang is just like chicken satay but a good delicious peanut sauce will make a lot of difference. And like normal satay, it is eaten with nasi empit, cucumber and onions... yum yum..

Ooops… there goes my diet.

Aromatherapy body massage...

"We don't believe in rheumatism or true love until after the first attack..."

(Pure therapeutic indulgence)

The anticipation and excitement of my one and only daughter giving birth to her first born and the events that followed after had made this grandma in dire need of a moment to be alone and relax her body and mind. An hour of strong body massage will do her good.

That day when Sara went to Tamarind Spa for her 3rd post-natal massage session, I followed suit and pampered my body with a rejuvenating aromatherapy massage. It was not the best of massage but at least for a while it helped relax my tired muscles and eased a little of my back ache.

A therapeutic spa indulgence…

"Today may be one of those days when I just can't predict everything that will happen..."

My favorite essential oil - Lavender

I usually will sleep again after Quran reciting after subuh prayers, and only wake up when the sun is already high in the sky. I like my routine. I like knowing what the day will hold, and what and how I will deal with whatever I face in a day. But once in awhile it's good to shake things up.

Early this morning I drove out of the apartment for I have a date with a few of my ‘ladies of leisure’ girlfriends. We are planning to indulge in a full 2-hour aromatherapy massage at my spa in Plaza Damas. Unfortunately for the ladies, because of some confusion in the appointment, they have to share rooms with other guests. Fortunately for me, I have a single room and I was attended by my regular favorite masseur whose limber fingers helped relieve the stress and pain in my knotted muscles, which I have been ignoring lately.

I had a wonderful massage, and feeling both relaxed and rejuvenated. I am very sure tomorrow morning I will wake up with twinges of muscle soreness but it’s perfectly ok. There is a saying: If you suffer and feel pain, thank God - it is a sure sign that you are alive!

A penny for your thoughts...

'"People love to talk but hate to listen..." - Alice Duer Miller

I hate being disturbed with petty things...

I was in the middle of signing the 25-page statement with ACP Chong when I was called to join the discussion with the Legal Department. The discussion was long winded and boring. I thought today I would be able to sneak out early as I have a date with Di at the club but my happiness was short-lived. When I reached my office, there were loads of letters to be signed and stacks of invoices to be approved. And I know I'm going to be late again.

When I reached the club it was already dark and Di was already waiting. All the while, I didn’t realize that she has been coming to the club as often. Or, we have never crossed path. Or did we? Most probably, I’ve been spending the earlier part of the nights at the squash court before going to the gym. We cycled a while and I sweat a little. We decided to skip the steam room and the sauna and headed straight to the bowling café to order dinner. I sensed she wanted to talk and I was pretty hungry too. The bowling alley was empty and we had our privacy. We talked while we eat. The enlightening conversation and sharing of thoughts helped to conceal the lack of taste of my fried kuey teow….

It was near 10 o’clock when we bade goodbye and promised to see each other again for a game of squash or a soothing body massage at the Jentayu Spa, one of these days.

I was not feeling overly tired tonight but the minute I put my head on the pillow, I immediately dozed off into a deep relaxing slumber while Yanni live at the Acropolis was playing in the background….

Leisure, relaxing retreat...

“If you drink much from a bottle marked 'poison' it is certain to disagree with you sooner or later...” - Lewis Carroll

(A relaxing tranquil date...)

We slept again after subuh and woke up very late.

We were supposed to go back to Melaka for our family gathering. But yesterday I received a call from Mak to inform that the kenduri tonight has been postponed to next weekend.

Today we decided to go for urut at our spas. We drove to Sri Hartamas. We dropped hubby at 3R spa to indulge in a strong body massage by Pak Su. Sara and I went to Sri Dewi Spa for our traditional massage. I have only one session left and need to sign-up for a new package. Later, the two of us berbuka with roti canai and roti boom with rendang daging. Sara went to buka puasa at a friend's house in Sri Gombak.

Intermittent service...

“The trouble is not in dying for a friend, but in finding a friend worth dying for...” - Mark Twain

(Relaxing massage at the spa)

This morning we lingered in bed till 11 a.m. and had late breakfast of toast and half-boiled eggs.

At noon we drove to my office to retrieve hubby's bike. I was about to take the lift to my office when the Security Officer at the counter stopped me and informed that there was no power supply. I should have known. The Service Department is carrying out service and maintenance work to the Switchboard this weekend, which will cause an electrical disruption to all four Blocks.

Even yesterday afternoon we experienced intermittent interruptions in accessing e-mail services. But that was different. The IT Department was doing some anti-virus update exercise. We are lucky that the email is still available through the website. If not we might as well go home and rest. Our works depend so much on computers nowadays…

After my spa session at Dewi Sri, I had a bowl of Mee Rebus before driving home. Whole night was spent on the couch watching tv.

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.

A date with Dewi Sri...

“I have decided to stick to love... Hate is too great a burden to bear.” - Martin Luther King Jr.

(Traditional oil massage)

Went with Sara to Cak Tailor to send some blue jeans that badly need repair.

Then off to Plaza Damas for our appointment at Dewi Sri Spa at 3.30 p.m. Earlier we grabbed a bite of cheese rolls from Bread Talk and had ice-blended coffee at the Star Buck to fill our tummies. A group of ladies just completed their treatment sessions so we were straight away ushered to our room for a two-hour luxurious relaxing traditional massage.

Before we headed home, we stopped at the super-market for some provisions and bought me a terrarium at Urban Nature.

Clouds in the sky...

“In a crisis, be aware of the danger, but recognize the opportunity…” - John F. Kennedy

(Dark clouds looming in the sky)

Today is a public holiday, a replacement for Vesak Day.

Sara and I had murtabak for breakfast. It was filling and hopefully will last after the spa session. Promised Nik Aminah that I will be there after lunch. We expected a lot of people at the spa but the photo shooting session supposed to be in the morning was cancelled. Nik Aminah came when I was in the steamer and we talked while I was having the massage. We updated each other on happenings and news on old friends and wondering where Nik Kama is now. I will locate her one of these days. We heard that she’s back in KL. Sara had tomato facial while waiting for me to finish.

We went to Pak Tam and I tried the famous mi rebus. Not bad at all. Tonight Sara is going to cook cream caramel to bring to office and if she’s in good mood, she’ll cook extra for Ja too...

Invigorating breakaway...

“None but ourselves can free our minds…” - Bob Marley

(Aromatic oil massage at the spa)

I managed to catch a few winks towards the crack of dawn.

The morning was peaceful, of course, minus disturbances from sms or phone calls as the phone was off. The gang must have tried to reach me, I promised to have breakfast with some of them. I dozed on and off till noon then realized that I have to drag myself out of bed and get ready. I’d made appointment for this afternoon at Dewi Sri Spa for Sara and me.

It was late afternoon, when we indulged ourselves in the tradition and sensuality of the Balinese Spa. The one and half hour of luxurious traditional massage served as therapeutic healing to the ailing body and as well as the weary soul. Later, we went to the club to loosen up and tried the sauna, the steam room and the Jacuzzi. After all, it was not often that we pamper ourselves with such rituals.

After so much sweat shedding we went for a sumptuous dinner at the bowling café while listening to the jukebox.

Muscle fury...

“I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it…” - Maya Angelou

Today I drove to Dewi Sri Spa at Plaza Damas for a luxurious hair and scalp treatment.

I made a booking a session of traditional massage on Sunday afternoon for Sara and I. I skipped lunch, as I needed to be in the office at 3 p.m. for a meeting on National Information Security Policy. After maghrib we went to the club to workout and played a few rounds of squash. We cooled off at Spicy Kitchen and had Nan Tandoori for dinner. Suffering from over-stretched muscles and near-torn ligaments, we slept like a log.

In my sleep I dream of Rosemary, Lemongrass and Peppermint blended with Lavender and other pure essential oils used to massage my body to relax and re-energize my tired muscles...

A romantic dreamer...

“Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night...” - Edgar Allan Poe

(Will my dream comes true?)

My appointment with the spa was at 3.00 p.m.

But received a call from Nik Hasnah requesting us to come early as there was request to swap appointment by an important client. Today Sara followed me to the spa and indulged in full slimming treatment. I resort to aromatherapy massage and free body scrubs. After the spa session Sara and I went to Sri Putramas to look at the apartment. Some tenants have already renovated their apartment and moved in. We need to look for contractor to do some renovation works before we furnish the apartment.

I’ve been dreaming to have a cozy apartment of our own, a place we’ll go for quiet private retreat and take pleasure in the tranquility and ambiance of the surroundings from our 22nd floor apartment...

Vitamins & Collagen...

“Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint...” - Mark Twain

In the morning we went to the tailor to make a few baju kurung.

I have been postponing going to the tailor for so long. It was quite an embarrassment when people ask me what I have done with the materials they’ve bought for me. Have to do it, now or never. Sally was coaxing me to buy a few of her hand-painted batik. She has quite a unique collection. We went to sogo to get a birthday card for Sara. Later hubby sent me to the office to collect my car.

My appointment at the spa was at 3 p.m. When I got there, Nik M was already there together with a few others. They were introducing a new beauty treatment and I watched a doctor administering Vit C and collagen shots to some of the clients.

I wonder whether there will be side effects to this type of treatment.

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.

Rain and thunder...

“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage...” - Lao Tzu

(Flash flood in KL)

After work we met up at Lake Garden to have teh tarik.

Received sms announcement to inform cancellation of my class tonight. Hubby's class was still on. It was raining quite heavily and according to the traffic report some roads were closed because of flash floods. Called a few friends who were still in the office or stuck in the jam to detour and meet at the spa. Would have gone for a round of aromatherapy massage if we called earlier.

Bought something simple for dinner and have a round of indulgence in foot reflexology. Once the traffic was clear, went home and had a long hot lingering bath before going to bed.

Steal some kisses...

“Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened...” - Dr. Seuss

 '

Today Sara and I decided to go to the spa for a massage.

Nik Hasnah has already booked Pipah for the whole of the afternoon. I had my traditional massage and on Nik Hasnah's recommendation, Sara had aromatherapy massage instead. We planned to go shopping after the massage but decided not to as it was raining very heavily.

Late at night hubby called from the airport. He had just arrived with my favorite murtabak and ayam percik...

Traditional massage...

“I would rather walk with a friend in the dark, than alone in the light...” - Helen Keller

'
I had an appointment for a traditional massage tonight.

Pipah, the Indonesian masseuse was very good. The pleasure of the massage relieved knotted muscles and released some tension and anxiety. For dinner we had fried kuey teow. Tonight my body muscle felt so tired because of the powerful urut.

I slept immediately the moment I put my head on the pillow.

My coarse vision...

“I know God won't give me anything I can't handle..."

I received sms from my nephew, Nor Azhar to inform that the majlis doa selamat will be held at the masjid near his apartment.

His original plan was to have it tomorrow night instead of tonight. I would attend if I have not made plan earlier to meet up with the gang at the spa right after office and later have dinner together. Dinner was at Uncle Don at Sri Hartamas. Later to Coffee Bean for a cup of steaming cappuccino.

It was raining earlier and the road was slippery. Either it was foggy tonight or my vision is failing me. Or was it tears in my eyes?