Its Saturday night and the time is 11:33pm. I'm making the most of my Saturday because tomorrow going to be a busy day for me. I'm currently updating my 8gb iPod Nano Video (like the one on the right side of this blog) it has been months since I last update it and my favorite song at the moment is Broken Strings by James Morrison featuring Nelly Furtado. I don't know why but I just love the song.
Went to the travel fair this morning. Oh yah I woke up early this morning arrghhh *curse* and was in front of the pc till 10am before getting ready to go to the travel fair. Sadly, the flight to Manila is full on the dates that I was planning. It's really frustrating. So now I might have to buy the full fare instead which cost over $500! grrr..%&#$
I won a RBA notepad during the travel fair for answering a simple question the host was asking. The question was 'what is the name of the RBA inflight magazine?'. But before I can answer, she asked me all sorts of questions like my name, who was I with and where I plan to go. I was quite nervous but then again me being me... I enjoyed it! hahaha Being a frequent traveller (even some of the travel agent knows me by now), the answer to that question is 'Muhibbah'.
Next, she asked another question: what is the RBA website? And the host automatically said 'lets ask Cathy's friends'. It was embarassing and funny. My niece answered it and she won the same thing. I'm planning to go there again tomorrow, not to win another prize, but try to get a ticket. I'm planning to go to KK, Singapore or/and Bangkok in the next few months. Sound bonkers (crazy) right? Well I can't help it, I love traveling. Back living in a suitcase.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Broken Strings
Friday, February 27, 2009
Its the end of February already?
Its been quiet lately in the office. I just finished some work few days ago and now I'm just waiting for new ones. So at the meantime, I'm enjoying my free time, surfing the internet, etc. Been reading some articles on World History and I was hooked for hours hahaha really interesting. Also I've been going through some undergraduate courses offered at some uni. overseas. I still can't decide what to take! Electrical? Computer Science? History of Art? Will need more time to decide on it but it is unlikely I will be pursuing it this year.
Hmm...what have I been up to lately?
Went to JPMC last Friday for an appointment to check on my persistent cough and runny nose. Was given cough syrup and antibiotic for it and also a sick leave :) hehehe.
Meet up with Steph and Sam for lunch to discuss our tasks for the upcoming 30hr Famine. Then we managed to convince Steph to skip her tuition class and go out with us hahaha Went to the Apple store and bought myself two iPod transmitter. I couldn't decide on which one to buy so I get both. Problem solved and thanks to Steph for her opinion hehehe. Next we head to Hua ho Yayasan cos' I wanted to get some photo papers for the Fundraising carnival the next day. Our first stop was at the sport dept. and we end up buying IPANEMA slippers. Sam bought another brand cos' he couldn't find his size hehehe Then we had high tea with Fr.A at his favorite restaurant there.
Oh yah I forgot the funny and interesting part of the story. While I was reversing my car into a parking spot, Steph was telling me that she wanted to get a car but couldn't decide which one and she said that I already have this car (my beetle) and she called it 'mambang'. There was silence in the car for a few seconds and then we burst out laughing. I told her that its not 'mambang' but rather it's called 'kumbang' hahaha *lol* that became the joke of the day. And we name ourselves: Mambang Ungu - Steph, Mambang Putih - Me and Mambang Hitam - Sam after the color of our slippers that we bought. We were constanly laughing the whole time we were together. We drop by at the church after our shopping trip and Steph drove my 'mambang'. I reminded her that the signal indicator is on the left but...well u know...the wiper was activate instead hehehe. After another laughing session, I send Steph and Sam to Gadong where they parked their cars and they were surprised to find a flag on their cars hahaha Steph's expression was priceless! She was shocked because she mentioned that she didn't want to have the flag on her car. Oh well Steph too bad... be patriotic for once ;) hehehe
I dropby my gran's house on my way back. My family was busy preparing for the 'makan 14 hari'. I left quite late that night because I was hooked playing cards with my cousins hahaha
On Saturday, I helped the youth to prepare for the carnival. By late afternoon, I went back to my gran's house for the makan that evening. Went back home again that night and woke up early the next morning for the carnival. Thank God the fundraising went really well. Weather was good though super hot! My arms and legs were tanned! We had good food too! Went back to my gran's house after that (again!) and stayed overnight since it was the public holiday (National day) the next day. Had fun playing cards (again!) with my cousins till 1.30 in the morning and woke up aching badly the next day. I was so exhausted...
Nowadays I sleep early. I only watched tv once or twice a week for 2 hours max. I make sure I've enough rest so that I can recuperate fully. I've a lot of activities in the coming months which include traveling. I hope and pray I'll be ready for it ;)
Over and out...
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
..::: 2 weeks later :::...
It's been an emotional, tiring and exhausted two weeks for me and my family. We've been busy lately, mostly on weekends, had few hours of sleep and lots of work to do. But nevertheless we enjoy each other company and it brings us closer together.
Two weeks had passed, the day seems to past by so quickly nowadays. I still miss my grandpa. I think of him quite often and can't help feeling that sense of loss every time I'm at my gran's house. My family still talk about our grandpa, sharing fond memories and stories. I'm sure his memories will live on and we will shall forever cherish that.
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Tuesday, February 10, 2009
R.I.P. Beloved Granpa
My beloved grandfather passed away peacefully on Saturday morning 7th February 2009 at 9.40am in RIPAS hospital. He died of an old age at 100 years old.
I received the devastating news at 9.45am from my cousin who text me saying that our grandfather had left. Wanting to understand the message more clearly I called her and asked what she meant and she told me that our grandfather had passed away that morning. I was speechless and in shock. The news of his death haven’t sunk in yet. And then my dad called me and told me the news again. At that time I was in the church office, as usual on Saturdays I prepare the Sunday church newsletter. I break the news to the auntie who works there and she offered her condolences. I felt so numb and the sadness crept on me slowly. I still continue to work on the announcements for the newsletter and our parish priest came in the office and ask me about my grandfather’s passing. He asked me if my grandfather was a catholic and what are we going to do next. I told him he was a free-thinker and I didn’t know what are we going to do next. And after saying all that, I burst into tears. I went back home still crying. The pain of losing him hit me hard and tears kept on flowing.
My grandfather’s body was brought back to the house that morning from the hospital. Some people was already there at the house to prepare for the funeral. My uncle arranged the coffin and transportation from Seria. At first, I felt afraid to see my grandfather’s body but I told myself this will be the last time I will see him. I’m glad I chose the decision to see him, he look as though he was sleeping and knowing that he died in peace gave me and the family a lot of comfort.
The day went by quickly. As part of our tradition, someone must accompany the coffin throughout the night (wake) and to make sure the candles continues to burn until day breaks. Having gone through this funeral ritual during my grandmother’s passing (my mom’s mom), I’ve some knowledge on it though I don’t fully practice it (as I’ve my own religion). I was one of the 5 people who kept vigil by my grandfather’s coffin. We took turns and at the same time helped my aunties to prepare the food for the next day. I was peeling garlics at 3am!!! My grandparents' house was packed with my relatives that day. Most of them stayed overnight because of the long journey back. (we have to use another way to get to my kpg because the other way was badly flooded). By 5.30am, I went to sleep but it was more of a nap. As day breaks, we were busy again preparing the food for the day. Friends and relatives came and offered their condolences. The funeral was held at 1pm on Sunday, 8th February. After lunch, we make our way to the cemetery on a nearby hill for the burial. We had one last look of our grandfather before his coffin was finally sealed. We offered our prayers and burn candles on his grave. Coming back home was a blur. Most of us end up taking a nap that afternoon because we were exhausted. Friends and relatives continue to come by the house in the evening and we busied ourselves preparing for dinner.
I stayed at my grans' place for a couple days as I was on compassionate leave from work. We are still adjusting ourselves to the situation of not having our grandfather around anymore. The first few days was difficult and often we shed tears even just by looking at his photos. We have to be strong for our grandmother now and take care of her just like we did for our grandfather with tender loving care.
May his soul rest in peace. Amen.
Thanks to everyone for your support and prayers.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
*Frustration Mode*
I'm really having a bad week this week. From Monday and up till now, I'm not feeling any better, and now in the office work are piling up; emails are flooding my inbox; currently doing a virtual course which has an assignment and it is due today and I've forgotten about it arrgghhh I'm very frustrated right now !
The weather is very miserable today. Its been raining for the past 8 hours now. Flash floods, landslides are expected in some areas. What a gloomy gloomy day!
*still raining as nightfall*Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Stuffy nose and chesty cough
It's the time of the year when the body immune system is on a holiday break. I'm having running nose and chesty cough since Monday and by Tuesday, I had a slight fever. Went to the dr and get the necessary medications. I'm still not feeling well now but still can survive through the day. I took the afternoon off from work today. I thought I should give my body a well-deserved rest. We came home quite late from visiting my granpa in the hospital last night and it was raining heavily all the way home.
Been a hectic week for me and my health is effected because of it. Thankfully my work is not that busy at the moment. I hope to get back to my old self again soon and catch up on lost times.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
When there is no much hope left...
My families are on a rollercoaster ride right now. There are fear, mixed emotions & feelings. No one wants to be in this situation but sometimes in life we will go through it eventually.
My grandfather is facing the last chapter of his life now. For someone who have lived for a century, I would say he have lived his life to its fullest. He's still hanging in there but the thoughts of what going to happen next sadden us deeply though it is expected.
But whatever happen, we hope & pray that he'll go in peace.
*sigh* =(
