Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Unlikely Angels

After years of not taking public transport, last night I decided to try out the efficiency of our KL transport services. I was fed up of waiting for hubby to come get me from the office, KL was jammed up as usual, and I decided to save time and money by taking the monorail instead of the taxi. I have heard many horror stories about our public transport system and about the people that take them. Some may think that it is weird that I should try to experiment with this now that I am 8 months pregnant, but those of you who know me knows that I am a 'spontaneous' person. Haha.

So I left the office on foot and walked uphill to the Raja Chulan station which took me about 15 minutes. But to much relieve, I managed to climb up the stairs to the payment counter and another flight of stairs to Platform B. First thing I think of is...'How does one on wheelchair get up here?'...there are no escalators. (I think a lot about the disabled nowadays because I happen to be working with one). Another "Mana Boleh" for Malaysia...woo hoo!

Anyhow, the moment I stepped on the platform, I realized I was going to be sardined all the way to my stop. There were SO many people and from what I observed the monorail to be all this time, the train is SMALL. I panicked, knowing this means trouble as I have been rather klutzy since getting pregnant. We stood waiting for the train to come and I was paying particular attention to my now very painful, swollen feet that needs rest.

I started 'assessing' the people around me. Since we are all in the mood of celebrating our 50th Merdeka and the spirit of muhibbah, I wanted to confirm the theory of why Malaysia was voted the 3rd rudest country in the world. So my first 'targets' were these two jokers standing right in front of me. They were talking loudly and fidgeting (more like pacing) non stop although the whole platform was packed. I was afraid they will step on my foot. One of them was 'wearing' a Malaysian flag and I remember thinking to myself that it's way too early to celebrate Merdeka. Then I remembered that its the Asia Cup and Malaysia was playing tonight...so maybe they are off to see the game, who knows? Anyway, he continues pacing and playing with his flag...putting it on his head, then taking it out to wear around his waist and then decided to be Superman and used it as his cape. Frankly, in my head, I (too) quickly summarized 'hooligan'.

Now the first monorail comes around the corner and everyone starts pushing. When the train stops, I know no one can board because the train was way too packed. I saw a mat salleh push his way OUT of the train and started cursing when he finally managed to get out. I thought, "Great, how am I ever going to get home now?" We waited some more and I passed more judgements on the two jokers in front of me. The second train comes and the pushing became more intense. The train stops and people realized that there are gaps in the train which they can fill! The pushing becomes violent and I get squashed. I couldn't push anyone and obviously nobody gives a s**t about me being pregnant. Then I heard a voice behind me shouting. It was the flag guy. He started shouting at everyone to let me pass, "Oi kesian lar, ada ibu mengandung!" So because of him, I managed to board the monorail. He was my first angel of the evening. I felt embarrassed that I had passed unfounded judgements on him earlier, but quickly forgot my bad behaviour at the next stop.

I was trying to balance and stand in the packed carriage when I made the conclusions that my friends (and the TV campaign/ad) were right....NOBODY will let a pregnant woman/ elderly person sit. There was a frail looking makcik standing next to me, and I decided 'Heck! if she can toughen it up, I will not complain'. However at the next stop, someone stepped on my swollen, painful foot because she wanted to get out. More people tried cramping into the train and at this point I was getting really pissed off. To add to my "pissyness" a young couple boards the train, holding each other tight, as if the girl will fall down. They cramped close to me and I wanted to smack them. Again, I started making judgements about them, trying to stereotype them with my small, stupid mind. Before I can comprehend what was happening, this young boy tapped on the shoulder of a seated moron, and asked him politely to give up his seat for me. The moron (a strong looking Chinese man wearing a shirt of a Japanese car manufacturer) looking utterly embarrassed, got up and mumbled something. The young boy replied him with a smile and said "Thank you bro. Dia pregnant lar. Thank you ah." I sat down and my second angel looked at me and smiled. I smiled back (still embarrassed about judging another decent human being) and he asked if I am OK. I thanked him and wanted to cry.

Since life is all about living and learning, I got 2 lessons from my experience last night:

1. Matthew 7:2-5 declares, "For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, Let me take the speck out of your eye when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."

2. There are still decent Malaysians who will prove the world wrong about us being rude... MALAYSIA BOLEH!!!

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Our Amazing KL Road Systems

They say that pictures tell a thousand words. Well, here's one.


It was another day for me, caught in the jam on the way back home. I was just thinking how amazingly 'smart' our people are when it comes to planning (and carrying out) road works because I was caught in the new Imbi jam. For those of you who know (or don't), they have changed the road system along Jalan Imbi and never even bothered to do up the roads properly. It all looks a little crazy at the moment. So I was sitting in my car, half falling asleep and half singing to whatever song there is on the radio, when I saw what you are seeing in the picture above. I just found it extremely hilarious. Although by accident, I pressume, this ulitmately reflects the efficiency of our road systems and planning...random selection of road works as they please.

Thursday, March 22, 2007

Christmas 2002 - What happened?

I and many others clearly remembered the Christmas cards we received from Ah Loke that year. It says that we were to meet again ten years from then, under the tree. We moved on with our lives and all of us went our separate ways. Through the years, not much thought was given to the request made by him. For those of us who still saw each other once in a while, there was mention of it in passing. But again, nobody really anticipated Christmas 2002 as it seems too far off.

Many years passed and it was finally here....year 2002. It was a new millennium, everything changed and suddenly, we were all excited about Christmas that year. For me, it played in my head so many times how it would go down...Ah Loke and I would drive to Wesley, go for service, come out and meet up with 'the gang' under the tree, holding hands and everyone will gasp in shock to find out that we are now dating. That he will also bring along a golden retriever puppy which carried a diamond ring around his neck and Ah Loke will propose to me in front of our extremely shocked friends.

But of course, nothing in my life ever played out the way I imagined it to be. Basically all that I envisioned did come true, however not in that order...

We didn't meet up under the tree that year, most all of 'the gang' did not turn up. However, we do meet up a couple of times a year for Chinese New Year, birthdays, weddings, engagement, funerals, etc. Ah Loke and I have become the trustee organizers.

'The gang' found out about us dating much earlier before December that year and instead of shock, many laughed at him. You see, karma is what it's called. You laugh at your friend and call him incenstrous for marrying one of 'the sisters', you think people will forget? So forget they didn't and laughed at him for dating that sister's best friend.

I got the diamond ring after that year and have been wearing it ever since. We used it both in our engagement and wedding ceremonies. It is not big diamond, but one that is most beautiful to me...yes, cliche, I know. But it was the first diamond ring I ever got in my life. However, there was no proposal. ???

The golden retrievers came later. First Sunshine, then Snow. And of course, we had to get our baby beagle, Charlie Brown.

But the whole 'gang' was there for our wedding, including those who we do not meet regularly anymore. I think that makes up for Christmas 2002. And I'll be seeing them again at Lauren's 1st Birthday Party!!!!!!!! My baby is one years old. :)

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

On the Way to the Isle

When Trinar posted the photos on Friendster, it brought back many wonderful memories of events leading up to my wedding. I could not have asked for more, with friends coming back to KL for the wedding. Trinar flew back from Sydney, Suannie and Cynthia back from London and of course, Jeremy who came in for the one night from Shanghai. But my gals really made it totally unforgetable.




At first was the dinner at Suet's place. It reminded us yet again how time flies. When we met, we were still 8-9 year old girls in pony tails. When we sat down and looked at ourselves again, it shows that true friendship endures through all, even time, problems, dislikes and of course, distance.



The following was tying up chopsticks and writing thank you notes at Trinar's. If i have not friends likeTrinar and Suannie, I would have been in deep s**t. Eh, not bad on the ribbon tying department now, is it? Ivan would have not been able to make it look more than a shoe lace tied by an 8 year old.



Of course, the hen night. Dinner at Taishojin was marvelous (never thought that I would enjoy Japanese food that much). The party at Zouk was crazy! Champagne is always good for the soul. The vomitting is not. So much for all the tequila shots you crazy b*itches! Thanks for holding my head and hair back and tucking me into bed that night. You gals are the best!


Finally, the grooming sessions. Coleen, thanks for making me beautiful, and for the singing. Who does not love your voice?

All The Clichés


All The Clichés

The tension between us rise
All the damn mysteries in life
Is it really better left unknown
Why do we have to leave it alone

You say let sleeping dogs lie
I say let them just die
But the lips say is alright
My entire being says give it a try


The heart belongs to you
The soul’s been given, you fool
All the stupid clichés in a song
All I’m feeling is too wrong

To the one who ain’t you
They say I have to be true
I have waited hell too long
To still be in this lame form


No, it’s not wise
But why can’t I let it fly
Out of my life and out of my mind
Guess it’s about time

You look, I smile
Laughed hardest, by a mile
Walk on my friend
Hope’s crushed into sand


Pull your punches
Pull out all the stops
Pull out my heart
And make it stop…(beating for you)