Kuala Kangsar for the weekend...

Hello Blog… It’s been a while since my last post. So much has happened since then. I have wanted to post, and there is so much I want to post; but I have been so busy. Maybe I’ll do it in the future. Work and other stuff have been keeping me preoccupied these two weeks. I had to travel to KL and back for a few meetings. Boy that was tiring. I am glad that a few things are moving along now. For the company that is. So let’s start about today’s post.
A large portion of today was spent in the car; we drove back from Kuala Kangsar taking the old route. It sure took longer; an hour or so longer; but the trip was quite worth it. We managed to spend some quality family time together (Mama, Abah, Tanti, Anna, Puteri and I). Trips on the PLUS highway seem so rushed and business related to me lately. It’s been too familiar to me. I have recognized some trees and houses along the way; having traveled from Penang to KL and back to many times. The trips are just becoming too familiar. Anyway, let’s not talk about that. Not today…
Abah wanted to so much to ‘sembah’ (introduce) Puteri to his grandmother. She’s old and cute. Having lived 94 years she’s buried all but one of her children. It was quite weird to see your great grandmother and your niece in one place. Puteri was quite comfortable around her great great grandmother. Imagine… if she met her grandparents; then she has lived through seven generations and four sultans in Perak. She has seen a lot. For someone at her age, I imagine she is in good shape; she could walk and still do things without any help at all. Her eyesight and hearing has been deteriorating lately though. :-(
Ku Izah’s (my grandaunt) house is quite comfortable; as opposed to the old house they used to stay in. But the situation is quite similar to what happened with my mom’s family. The family usually wants to go back to the great grandmother’s house. Not her house. But everyone seems to be accepting it now. It might be unfair to Ku Izah also if everyone is condemning her because she DOES take care of great grandmother. Enough of that now… Let the elders deal with the family disputes.
Ayah Chu was quite excited with our visit. Maybe he is bored living with two old ladies without anyone to talk to. He made us spaghetti and lots of other food. I think I’ve eaten a week’s worth of calories in the two days we were in Kuala Kangsar. But he seems happy, so it’s okay. It’s not like we do it all the time. Ku Izah didn’t mention about the Raja Ampuan’s land… I was really hoping to hear how much she was willing to take for that piece of land. There’s still much else to tend to; but having a house there would be nice. After all, uncle Murad bought over great grandmother’s land. At least we’d have a kampong to go back to. If the Teluk Intan project goes according to plan, I’ll make her an offer.
I called Sharifah Nawal from there too. It’s been ages since I heard from her. At first she didn’t know who I was… why would she? We haven’t seen each other in 13 years. Well, we managed to ask what each other is doing and set another rendezvous online tonight (she’s already 1 hour late though… >:-|). It would be nice to know what she is up to now. All that I know so far is she works in DHL and she is still single and available… hubba hubba… anyways, she’s off limits… for now a least :-P
That’s enough for now I guess… I’ll write later okay… I promise.
~ShaZ

Viva La Lunchroom....

Hey I am back. Actually I learned something from that guy I met yesterday. I especially like what he said about hospitals being a sick-care place instead of a health-care. He told me that money is not the most important thing in the world. Sure if we spend RM10 for a cup of coffee at the hotel coffeehouse and listen to music played u get pleasure out of it. But if we don’t have good health we cannot enjoy as well. I guess it’s true to an extent. I guess it’s a rich men’s philosophy. I know people who jeopardize their health and well for work and for what? MONEY… So some people see things differently. But it’s a good point though. I may have not put it nicely here but it really is a good point. Although I strongly believe that money IS equally important.
Yesterday night I was really beat for some reason. Perhaps it’s because I really enjoyed the LONG sleep from the night before ^_^. I made a mental note to retire early that night. So I switched on my notebook to check my email, and send out some legal documents to be reviewed by some of our financiers. That took some time. Fooled around with my Neopet and before I know it was already 1:00 am. So much for an early retirement. :-P
At that point Lenny signed in. I really like talking to Lenny because I really don’t know him that well and he’s about my age so I feel I can open up to him. I almost only interact with ‘old’ people so when I am chatting with Lenny it’s like I am talking to my friends back in KL. Gosh I miss them. On the other hand I really like the lifestyle here in Penang. Everything is not in fast-forward mode here. It takes only about five minutes (max) from my apartment to the office. There’s hardly ever traffic (I make it a point to stay off the roads during peak hours) and it always feels like I am living in a resort. Well, Lenny is a guy I met on Skype. He’s Singaporean and he’s really very smart. I subscribe to his blog nowadays and chat with him whenever I can. It’s like a window to the KL life for me, except I am not a witch like in Snow White. Anyway, we spent most of the time last night talking about sofas. His family is moving to a new house so they’re searching for a new sofa. I ended up recommending him to the places that we went back in KL. I learnt that no everyone goes for the Chesterfield set that I find 'to die for'. I think I must’ve have bored him because at one point he told me I should’ve been an architect or an interior decorator. Well, I wouldn’t have minded taking any one of those courses but I really do like Chemical Engineering as well. I also recommended that little shop in Lot 10. They have the most comfortable feather-down sofas. They also last like forever. I know this for a fact because a friend of ours bought the set and use it as her TV couch. Its really very durable coz after a few years it still looks like new. Well, enough about that.
Nothing much happened today as well (surprise of the century eh?!... :-P). Had my regular pool and sauna session and Mama made chicken pie for lunch. It was really nice. I always prefer home made ones to the ones we get from bakeries. Since I am watching my weight I only had two pieces. Considering that in only had peanut butter sandwich this morning (sprinkled with white chocolate chips… shame on me…) and the fact that I am skipping dinner; I should be loosing some weight (soon... yeah right). Hopefully.
Met Mr. Loke in the sauna as usual. We had our opening conversation about the business condition in Malaysia and how businesses are suffering now. By that time the thermometer was already showing 175 degrees. Gosh I was really cooking in there. He must’ve have noticed it too because he followed me when I left the room for about five minutes. We went back in and it was time for my free lesson in golf (he has been trying to get me into golf for months now… soon… I keep telling him). Somehow the conversation drifted about this good Chinese masseuse. He told me she was partly the reason he won last year’s Penang Turf Club Championship. Oh well, I’ll go visit her one of these day. He promised to hook me up when this woman actually comes back from China. I sure could use some fixing for my back at this point of time.
It was about 7:20 pm when I came up, did my dusk prayers quickly and got dressed to go to Giant Hypermart. Need to the formula milk for my cute lil’ niece. My credit card statement also came in today. I just counted the figures… One… Two… Three… Four… no fifth digit… okay I am still alright. I really am spending a lot nowadays. Don’t really see where the money goes to though. Oh well, at least I am happy… to an extent.
Hey I forgot to write about my chat with Reef. She’s the gal I was really close to back during my internship in Puchong. She was telling me of her preparations to go to Germany in March. Her brother is getting engaged too. Everyone seems to be doing well (my friends from uni that is…). I am happy for them… Wish I could feel the same about me. I must be some unthankful brat… but I feel that there’s still plenty that could do… it’s stupid to want more work right?! But that’s really how I feel. I don’t like to feel useless. I’ll work for that lunchroom of mine. This time I won’t let no stupid fat agent nor the bloody bloodsucking landlord fool around with me. I’ll work on this. Hopefully, it will keep me occupied for some time. Heheheh… I still want that La Pavoni coffee machine… (I blame Lenny for this…) I’ll be back soon…
Oh… today’s episode of Mi Gorda Bella was good…
~ShaZ

Another boring day

Not much happened today as well. One might wonder if anything ever happens with me ever. I have been pretty depressed lately… still… I really don’t know why. Everything just seems wrong. Maybe it’s because I’ve gained a little weight. Or maybe it’s this big zit on my left cheek. Or maybe it’s nothing at all. I just can’t figure it out. Or maybe I’m just stupid. Yeah, maybe that’s it.
The second half of yesterday gave me some relief. I got my regular swim and sauna. Actually, nowadays… it’s just my swim and sauna that gives me a little peace of mind. It’s something I could do without thinking too much of anything or anyone. Just keep counting the laps. Thank god for the 8 ½ feet deep pool, I just hate swimming where my feet touch the bottom.
Damn… the phone is ringing…
Now where was I?... Hmmm…
Well, enough about that… by the time I was done it was almost 8:00. I came up, changed, had dinner and before nine I was already in bed. My sister woke me up at midnight or so and gave me a cup of hot chocolate. After that cup I slept through the night like a baby.
Today started out well… umm… yesterday now… had a big breakfast. Worked on my notebook most of the time… although I have yet to get my Masters proposal complete… well the Senate is not sitting until middle of this month anyways.
Had a meeting at 3 o’clock at the Evergreen Laurel… I just had coffee… sat there and listened to some rich guy talk business… I have been having a hard time to concentrate lately. I kept phasing out, even when I was presenting the cashflow projections to him. I hope he didn’t notice it though.
I’ll write more later…
~ShaZ

If a dog can pull it off... so can I

Not much happened today. The family took the baby (my niece) to the clinic to get her Hepatitis jab or something like that. I stayed back. Wanted to get some laundry done and I needed to call the bank. Need more cash!!! I like doing laundry when I am stressed. It just releases me somehow. By the time I was through with laundry it was already almost noon. My stomach was already reminding me that I haven’t had my usual dose of coffee. I switched on my laptop and chatted a bit with Lenny. I was pretty depressed from yesterday’s meeting and we discussed about my getting away from work and working part-time selling perfumes. I seriously DID consider doing it. The thought of just going to work everyday just to sell perfume to complete strangers (or idiots…) really did sound appealing. No decisions, no headaches, no four hour negotiations, no big-headed-pompous-stupid boss who doesn’t appreciate your work, and no depression. Just work. Lenny didn’t seem to agree much though but we did agree I need to go out more and get me a good pair of boobs. We didn’t chat long because I really needed something in my stomach. I ransacked the kitchen but in vain. There was literally nothing to eat in the house. I got into the bathroom and take my usual 45 minutes to get ready (I just don’t get people who rush…). My mom brought back rice from some ‘mamak’ restaurant which was quite good. There was a big heap of curry soaked rice with a quarter of a chicken and some veggies for every one of us.
After lunch (or brunch, or breakfast… whatever), everyone was too sleepy to get anything done, myself included. I decided the bank can wait until tomorrow. Got some shuteye until about 4:00 pm.
That afternoon, during our aimless drive (we had nothing much to do… lolz) I saw something that touched me. We came across this dog that was limping crossing the street. We slowed down. After it crossed the street it stopped limping and started to walk like any other dog. Even a dog could learn to pretend to be limp when crossing the street so people would take pity and slow down instead of honking at it. What is the world coming to? It’s like my having to smile at my boss even though I feel like strangling him. I just need to cross the street after all… I’ll just pretend. I am still pissed though. Just less…
~ShaZ

2005.... *sigh*

I have been neglecting my blog again… that’s just because I have been pretty stressed lately. My shop is not turning out how it’s supposed to be. Besides I haven’t had much time to myself. My uncle came down from KL so we spent most of the time showing him around, and looking for a new shop (… because the last vendor that took our deposit apparently had some problems with the previous tenant. It’ quite a bitch really… well this tenant of his gave him a notice before his two year contract is finished. So he told the landlord to just forfeit his deposit and forget about the whole damned thing… but ‘no’… this bloodsucking sonofab*tch want to sue the guy to pay him another year’s rent. WTF!!! So his lawyer; bless his soul for advising me to back out of this one and told the property broker to return my cheque; called the whole thing off. My check came back looking half chewed… would it have been valid in such a condition anyways. I know I should not mind but the there’s that little feeling of anger in my heart; it’s like a disgrace of my cheques; with MY signature to be treated in such a manner. Enough about that…). My uncle is really a fun guy, he works for DRB HICOM and we call him Uncle Mie. He is actually my mum’s cousin but my grandparents took care of him so he’s like a real uncle. He took care of me and my sister too sometime back. Well, the shop that I plan to set up is basically for him and my sister. They seemed eager to do it and I am happy to be able to help.
We drove around the island; taking numbers that agents have pasted on shop lots for let. Anyways, we had a good time. He is happy too, I think.
The New Year’s Eve was spent at home. I was a little sad that all the festivities were cancelled because of the Tsunami. I guess it’s for the best. Going out would mean more damage to my credit card limit anyways. So we stayed home and stuffed our face. Uncle Mie is a good cook and he likes cooking. So he cooks the food when he’s around. He made a large lunch and that day. We had rice, fish, chicken and vegetables. I ate like a pig (even without my pill… way to go…). So I am proud to say I entered 2005 stuffing my face with food… hahaha… what a way to go…
New Year’s Day was spent at home with my family. Uncle Mie’s ticket is at 5:30pm so we thought we’d spend the day at home. I played with my niece most of the day.
My Master’s proposal is still lying on the cabinet; catching dust; I just don’t have the mood. Maybe I’ll get some of it done today. I should have time. I have been neglecting my everyday swim too… Gosh I feel bloated.
We sent him to the station and I, mom and dad went around some more to find a new location. There’s just not one to our taste. We were all starting to feel pretty depressed by then. We drove back and by the time we got back the sun had already set. I was; by then; developing a bitch-of-a-headache. After prayers I dozed tried to sleep a little but couldn’t… was still too pissed. I turned on my notebook and checked my email. Saw Michael there and chatted with him a little. He’s a cute character… I told him I was depressed and he told me to watch a movie on my notebook… Simple!! I wish it were that simple. Leonard came in later, I was happy… I like chatting with Leonard. He makes me feel like an idiot most of the time but I like him. He seems very honest. Well, we chatted about boobs and asses and Marion… hehehehe… and not to mention how I hate low cut pants. Thank you Lenny for cheering me up. I better sign off now. I have a meeting in a few minutes… Damned businessmen.
~ShaZ