Monday, September 29, 2003
fuckwittage.
with some incredulity, allow yourself to be regaled with the tale of how a daughter stupidly forgot her mother was leaving to australia for a two week holiday, and only realized after chit-chatting on the phone with an aunty.
its not like this daughter doesnt live at home. and its not like she and her mum dont talk.
but the silly girl fought with her mum the night before, didnt come home, and only answered her phone the next day when second aunty called.
second aunty: sheahnee ahhh...your hairdresser what her number ahhh??
me (stupid from sleep): di koh ahhh, its 03-12345678. why lah?
sa: ya lah, i want cut hair. i call your house, your father donno. your maid donno. your mother oso not home...went australia...
me: *bangs head on wall* *falls on floor in shock* *picks self up* *drops again on floor with shock* aiyaaaa, when did she go?!!
sa: aiyaaaaa, this morning ahhh....you her daughter oso you donno ahhh...cham lah!!!
allow me to also regale you with the tale of how this sister forgot how old her brother is this year, and when wishing her brother happy birthday, actually said:
me: hey boy! happy birthday!!! so its your big year! *silence* errr...isnt it? *22? 21? 22? 21?* *how old is he goddammit?!!* err, so yeah, err, so happy birthday! its...ANOTHER...BIG YEAR!!! yay!!! *stupid sister! stupid sister!* *bangs head on wall*
note: irf anie of theze begeenz to souwn enkoherent, plees tek nowt eet mey bee er reezowlt awf a seereeous kownkuhshon.
its not like this daughter doesnt live at home. and its not like she and her mum dont talk.
but the silly girl fought with her mum the night before, didnt come home, and only answered her phone the next day when second aunty called.
second aunty: sheahnee ahhh...your hairdresser what her number ahhh??
me (stupid from sleep): di koh ahhh, its 03-12345678. why lah?
sa: ya lah, i want cut hair. i call your house, your father donno. your maid donno. your mother oso not home...went australia...
me: *bangs head on wall* *falls on floor in shock* *picks self up* *drops again on floor with shock* aiyaaaa, when did she go?!!
sa: aiyaaaaa, this morning ahhh....you her daughter oso you donno ahhh...cham lah!!!
allow me to also regale you with the tale of how this sister forgot how old her brother is this year, and when wishing her brother happy birthday, actually said:
me: hey boy! happy birthday!!! so its your big year! *silence* errr...isnt it? *22? 21? 22? 21?* *how old is he goddammit?!!* err, so yeah, err, so happy birthday! its...ANOTHER...BIG YEAR!!! yay!!! *stupid sister! stupid sister!* *bangs head on wall*
note: irf anie of theze begeenz to souwn enkoherent, plees tek nowt eet mey bee er reezowlt awf a seereeous kownkuhshon.
happy birthday yeanski!
today my bro turns 22. and as im sure you can guess, im rather proud of the boy.
he has grown up to be a mature, responsible young man, with a very bright future stretched out ahead of him like a yellow brick road.
if you'd asked me, say, 5, even 10 years ago, where i thought my brother would be today, i'd tell you he'd be a handsome boy, doing great in uni, and loved by all who know him.
and i really can see this is as true today as i believed it would be then.
ask anyone in his uni and theyll tell you he's a hit with the canteen ladies. ;)
if you asked me today, where i think my bro would be, maybe 10 years from now, ill tell you this.
that boy will go far. mark my words. he has a dream and he's out to pursue it. he knows what he wants and he's out to get it. and he never forgets the little people along the way. the boy will go far.
so how do i know this?
because.
because he and i are made from the same mould. we have the same determination, the same grit, the same drive to make it as far as we can possibly make it. we know we can be as good as we make ourselves out to be. and we have always had the same driving force--our parents--behind us every step of the way.
not to say i think ill go far. but something has always told me i wasnt made to just sit back and take the world in. im here to do something. and if its something great, hey, so be it. ill do whatever comes my way. and if it doesnt come my way, ill go right out there and fight for it. that something also tells me my bro gets by with the same attitude.
best of all, we have each other to pace ourselves, to nudge each other along.
sadly, i cant say without a doubt that every brother and sister thinks this way.
but i guess yean and i grew up knowing we had to be there for each other.
and most siblings DO need each other. problem is, too few know it. and i believe im lucky to at least realise this.
as i hope all of you do, should you have a brother or sister out there. its not too late to form that bond. or to show you care. you may fight, bicker, chase each other around the house with dangerous objects (the way me and yean used to...*sigh*)...but at the end of the day, only one thing really matters.
you are both made from the same mould.
so go out there, and for god's sake, make sure you do great things with it.
Thursday, September 25, 2003
bitch bitch bitch
most days i hate my job.
yeah ok...in the beginning i loved it. i loved the heady excitement of not knowing where i'd be tomorrow or who i'd be interviewing the day after, being on air and feeling the tingly nervousness of it all...and oh! the perks! the perks! free tickets to concerts, loads of freebies, hair and make-up sponsorships, clothing discounts....
sadly...these days, i guess im just too bogged down by office politicking to care much about the perks, the upsides and the few pros that used to outweigh the cons. what i used to love about the job is the same thing that makes me not want to wake up in the morning and come to work anymore. i dread the idea that i may be in pahang tomorrow. and i loathe the fact that i have to report to seniors who treat me and most other people i care about here as if we're so easily dispensable.
the politics of the workplace never cease to amaze me. they can make an otherwise lovely place to work a minefield for promising young upstarts who have so much to offer and so many ideas to contribute.
yet, in less than two years on the job, i feel old and wizened...hardened by the disappointing reality that no matter how hard you try to prove yourself to others, there will always be someone eveready to put you down. it could be your boss, your colleague, even that partner in crime you so readily thought was suffering right along with you. every new office policy is interpreted with suspicion, every constructive idea is dismissed as part of some crazy conspiracy theory.
perhaps its time to move right along, and discover a new work culture. from what i hear, every other malaysian company seems to suffer the same malady. what might it be like, perhaps, in a multinational company? or even, say, in another country?
i have nothing holding me back, and everything to offer. i have fresh ideas brewing and so much to prove.
now all i need to believe is that there's a place out there.
a place which can actually appreciate a person with a sincere desire to contribute.
or isnt there?
yeah ok...in the beginning i loved it. i loved the heady excitement of not knowing where i'd be tomorrow or who i'd be interviewing the day after, being on air and feeling the tingly nervousness of it all...and oh! the perks! the perks! free tickets to concerts, loads of freebies, hair and make-up sponsorships, clothing discounts....
sadly...these days, i guess im just too bogged down by office politicking to care much about the perks, the upsides and the few pros that used to outweigh the cons. what i used to love about the job is the same thing that makes me not want to wake up in the morning and come to work anymore. i dread the idea that i may be in pahang tomorrow. and i loathe the fact that i have to report to seniors who treat me and most other people i care about here as if we're so easily dispensable.
the politics of the workplace never cease to amaze me. they can make an otherwise lovely place to work a minefield for promising young upstarts who have so much to offer and so many ideas to contribute.
yet, in less than two years on the job, i feel old and wizened...hardened by the disappointing reality that no matter how hard you try to prove yourself to others, there will always be someone eveready to put you down. it could be your boss, your colleague, even that partner in crime you so readily thought was suffering right along with you. every new office policy is interpreted with suspicion, every constructive idea is dismissed as part of some crazy conspiracy theory.
perhaps its time to move right along, and discover a new work culture. from what i hear, every other malaysian company seems to suffer the same malady. what might it be like, perhaps, in a multinational company? or even, say, in another country?
i have nothing holding me back, and everything to offer. i have fresh ideas brewing and so much to prove.
now all i need to believe is that there's a place out there.
a place which can actually appreciate a person with a sincere desire to contribute.
or isnt there?
Wednesday, September 24, 2003
yean, at 1
i was browsing thru old photos today and stumbled upon this little character stuffed into a waste basket.
i think often of my bro, all the way in queensland, australia.
seeing this pic brought tears into my eyes as i remember little things about us growing up.
like the time mum brought home a huge live crab from work, and yean and i ran helter-skelter all over the house looking for a place to hide. i squeezed under a cupboard, and yean followed suit...only he got stuck and couldnt get out...because even at 2 the little bugger was fatter than me at 4!
or like the time i used to want to play dress up, and...longing for a little sister to play with, and seeing how i only had a little brother...i dressed him up in his blanky, sunnies, a floppy hat and handbag...oh oh oh...and mum's high heels to match! *heehee*
and what about the time i found a pair of nail clippers and wondered just what kind of evil use i could put it to. plonking my poor innocent lil bro behind the telly, i proceeded to clip clip clip a nice bald patch right in the middle of his head. come to think of it, i also now begin to remember the nice spanking i got after for that little fiasco.
my bro is now all grown up, and studying third year biotech at university of queensland. he is handsome, charming, and a true gentleman.
i think of all the fights we had, the scuffles, rude words, and the one time i wished he was never born. and i take back every mean thing i ever said to him. by golly, i love that kid. and i sure am proud to have him as my little brother.
still down and out
ok ok. i concede!
being at home sick for three days is losing its appeal.
i havent done anything, so im at a loss over what to write about my pathetic lil life.
i cant say anything, coz, yes folks, the voice is still on leave and i dont know when she'll be back.
i cant read anything, coz my sinus is killing me and looking at anything just gives me a sodden headache.
the fact that im even here blogging is a miracle. let's just say its a cry of help to the outside world!!!
thank god for mum and dad who are feeding me and checking on me every hour or so to make sure im still alive.
thank god for kai who visits me daily to reassure me i CAN still be loved despite looking like a spotty pastie.
thank god for zab who chats with me online to ensure im still linked to the goings-on of the outside world.
thank god for geev for taking me to the clinic.
thank god for these three days away from the office (!).
and god-willing, shen should be roaring back into action tomorrow, voice intact, and bent on taking the world!
amen.
being at home sick for three days is losing its appeal.
i havent done anything, so im at a loss over what to write about my pathetic lil life.
i cant say anything, coz, yes folks, the voice is still on leave and i dont know when she'll be back.
i cant read anything, coz my sinus is killing me and looking at anything just gives me a sodden headache.
the fact that im even here blogging is a miracle. let's just say its a cry of help to the outside world!!!
thank god for mum and dad who are feeding me and checking on me every hour or so to make sure im still alive.
thank god for kai who visits me daily to reassure me i CAN still be loved despite looking like a spotty pastie.
thank god for zab who chats with me online to ensure im still linked to the goings-on of the outside world.
thank god for geev for taking me to the clinic.
thank god for these three days away from the office (!).
and god-willing, shen should be roaring back into action tomorrow, voice intact, and bent on taking the world!
amen.
Tuesday, September 23, 2003
down and out
yes folks.
im down, out and voiceless.
without so much as a whisper, i am rediscovering the joys (and necessities) of sms and msn messenger.
you know you are sick when you have to pathetically sms your dad at work to beg him to bring home porridge.
and when your phone rings, you cant pick it up for fear:
a) your epiglotis will fall out
b) you will do irreparable damage to your already ailing tonsils
c) you will scare your callers off with a voice that is distinctively louis armstrong-like or worse still, bjork-like.
d) you will risk coming across as rude
i asked kai yesterday whether i could even come across as husky. you know, in a sexy kinda way.
sadly, he only rolled his eyes and retorted, 'no, shen' in a very non-positive way.
*sigh*
it isnt much fun, sitting at home, all quiet, reduced to a sludgy porridge diet and a panadol-lemon juice concoction my mother insists on making which tastes more like dish-washing liquid than anything else.
then again, all i have to do is remember...the alternative is being at work, freezing my ass off, cooped up at my desk with a shawl wrapped twice around me and miserably hiding behind my huge vase of fake flowers to escape the sight of my ridiculously stupid boss.
in hindsight, i figure being at home sick is a far better deal.
p.s. although i must admit...i do miss my dear friends zab, kev, karen and angeline heaps n heaps! hang in there guys...
im down, out and voiceless.
without so much as a whisper, i am rediscovering the joys (and necessities) of sms and msn messenger.
you know you are sick when you have to pathetically sms your dad at work to beg him to bring home porridge.
and when your phone rings, you cant pick it up for fear:
a) your epiglotis will fall out
b) you will do irreparable damage to your already ailing tonsils
c) you will scare your callers off with a voice that is distinctively louis armstrong-like or worse still, bjork-like.
d) you will risk coming across as rude
i asked kai yesterday whether i could even come across as husky. you know, in a sexy kinda way.
sadly, he only rolled his eyes and retorted, 'no, shen' in a very non-positive way.
*sigh*
it isnt much fun, sitting at home, all quiet, reduced to a sludgy porridge diet and a panadol-lemon juice concoction my mother insists on making which tastes more like dish-washing liquid than anything else.
then again, all i have to do is remember...the alternative is being at work, freezing my ass off, cooped up at my desk with a shawl wrapped twice around me and miserably hiding behind my huge vase of fake flowers to escape the sight of my ridiculously stupid boss.
in hindsight, i figure being at home sick is a far better deal.
p.s. although i must admit...i do miss my dear friends zab, kev, karen and angeline heaps n heaps! hang in there guys...
Thursday, September 18, 2003
snakes and lizards
ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls.
allow me to make an important announcement.
i have made an almighty discovery and wish to share it with you.
please be informed that there is actually a sub-species of human called the repto-sapien.
after much study of this kind, i have concluded that you may find, upon close observation, repto-sapiens come pre-packaged with forked tongues, rancid breath and a serious psychological disorder called "inferiority complex".
be careful when they open those vile jaws, as many have fallen victim to a particularly noxious venom that may either weaken you at the posterior, rendering you utterly spineless...or render you so helpless that the next stage, if unchecked, could leave you at the mercy of other repto-sapiens like the first, all itching to poison you further.
without access to a rare yet precious anti-venom, aptly named 'realfriends', you will, ultimately, be left for dead, isolated or worse still, have your bones thoroughly pecked clean by a close relative of the repto-sapien, the vulture.
should none of the above adverse reactions occur, you may suffer either one of the only two other possible options, where survival is remotely possible.
you may, at first, suffer from the initial painful effects of the venom, after which, you recover remarkably and go on to knowingly transmit the venom to others. this is arguably the worst reaction of the three, because it means you have metamorphosised into a repto-sapien yourself. this is the repto-sapien's only means of multiplying.
sadly, it is because your immune system was weak to begin with that this repulsive transformation is possible. in your mind, so intoxicated by the venom, you believe that without the transformation, the only option left for you would be a most certain death.
the last of the reactions to the venom of the repto-sapien is by far, the most rare. few survive and make it to this stage. this is where the intended victim is constantly hunted by the repto-sapien, but the venom has little effect, if any at all.
the possible outcome of a venomous attack will leave the 'victim' immune, and in the best known cases, much stronger than before. in several undocumented incidents, it was observed that the victim remained unscathed, resulting in the ultimate extinction of the repto-sapien in the affected area.
be warned for possible repto-sapien breeding grounds. this vile sub-species thrives in workplaces and in schools. do not rule out the family home. although such instances are rare, they are feasible. pay particular attention to the advertising industry, television industry and any other environment suitable for its breeding conditions, i.e. workplaces dominated by incompetent fools.
allow me to make an important announcement.
i have made an almighty discovery and wish to share it with you.
please be informed that there is actually a sub-species of human called the repto-sapien.
after much study of this kind, i have concluded that you may find, upon close observation, repto-sapiens come pre-packaged with forked tongues, rancid breath and a serious psychological disorder called "inferiority complex".
be careful when they open those vile jaws, as many have fallen victim to a particularly noxious venom that may either weaken you at the posterior, rendering you utterly spineless...or render you so helpless that the next stage, if unchecked, could leave you at the mercy of other repto-sapiens like the first, all itching to poison you further.
without access to a rare yet precious anti-venom, aptly named 'realfriends', you will, ultimately, be left for dead, isolated or worse still, have your bones thoroughly pecked clean by a close relative of the repto-sapien, the vulture.
should none of the above adverse reactions occur, you may suffer either one of the only two other possible options, where survival is remotely possible.
you may, at first, suffer from the initial painful effects of the venom, after which, you recover remarkably and go on to knowingly transmit the venom to others. this is arguably the worst reaction of the three, because it means you have metamorphosised into a repto-sapien yourself. this is the repto-sapien's only means of multiplying.
sadly, it is because your immune system was weak to begin with that this repulsive transformation is possible. in your mind, so intoxicated by the venom, you believe that without the transformation, the only option left for you would be a most certain death.
the last of the reactions to the venom of the repto-sapien is by far, the most rare. few survive and make it to this stage. this is where the intended victim is constantly hunted by the repto-sapien, but the venom has little effect, if any at all.
the possible outcome of a venomous attack will leave the 'victim' immune, and in the best known cases, much stronger than before. in several undocumented incidents, it was observed that the victim remained unscathed, resulting in the ultimate extinction of the repto-sapien in the affected area.
be warned for possible repto-sapien breeding grounds. this vile sub-species thrives in workplaces and in schools. do not rule out the family home. although such instances are rare, they are feasible. pay particular attention to the advertising industry, television industry and any other environment suitable for its breeding conditions, i.e. workplaces dominated by incompetent fools.
Wednesday, September 17, 2003
she turns to the left, he turns to the right.
and so...they never meet.
they spend their lives in solitude, in melancholy, swept away by the changing times, and weather...wondering if there is someone out there for either of them.
little do they know, their someone is, and has always been, right under their nose...literally.
and much, much closer than they think.
this is the tale jimmy liao relates, in dreamy pictures and few words, in his book 'turn left, turn right'.
this is the tale for many of us out there, who have ever been caught wondering if there was such a person as The One.
this is also my tale.
idealist that i am: silly, whimsical, unfailingly and unflappably swayed by a hope that has so often been dashed, then restored.
i did not dare discover how the story ended, for fear it might not end the way i hoped.
but when it was read to me, aloud, in bed, as a child is often told her bedtime story...it ended, sure enough, the way bedtime stories do.
in happy ever after... although implied, nevertheless obvious.
the story ends, i sit still in bed, i look into his eyes and think.
that's how i hope my tale will end.
or better yet, never end at all.
they spend their lives in solitude, in melancholy, swept away by the changing times, and weather...wondering if there is someone out there for either of them.
little do they know, their someone is, and has always been, right under their nose...literally.
and much, much closer than they think.
this is the tale jimmy liao relates, in dreamy pictures and few words, in his book 'turn left, turn right'.
this is the tale for many of us out there, who have ever been caught wondering if there was such a person as The One.
this is also my tale.
idealist that i am: silly, whimsical, unfailingly and unflappably swayed by a hope that has so often been dashed, then restored.
i did not dare discover how the story ended, for fear it might not end the way i hoped.
but when it was read to me, aloud, in bed, as a child is often told her bedtime story...it ended, sure enough, the way bedtime stories do.
in happy ever after... although implied, nevertheless obvious.
the story ends, i sit still in bed, i look into his eyes and think.
that's how i hope my tale will end.
or better yet, never end at all.
Monday, September 15, 2003
casey.
casey is, simply put, my best girlfriend.
she has been since we were 14 years old. that's 10 years now and counting.
that girl is the most spunky, fun-loving, light-hearted person i know.. with oodles of personality to boot.
(kai, its NOT what you think!)
she is down-to-earth, oftentimes blurrer than the blurrest sotong (eh?) and quite literally, the life of every party.
well, at least she used to.
these days, my best girlfriend is a jet-setting air stewardess with SIA, seeing places i will probably never see myself, earning a salary that makes me positively envious, and a body most women would die for.
she has become serious, heavy-hearted and filled with a lot more wisdom from a slew of bad experiences.
and these days, i sometimes feel like i hardly know the girl who used to cry on my shoulder in moral class, come to me for lovelife advice and allow me to stay over with her when i needed her friendship the most.
these days she is busy earning money to support her family, has a lovelife that is beyond anything my advice can offer, and isnt even living in the same country i am.
but i often feel, when friendship is tested by distance, differences in opinion and most of all, by growing up and ever more apart...and yet...and YET, it survives...that is when you know the friendship has been worth your while. not that i ever doubted it anyway.
and so...though she may be far away, and i rarely, if ever talk to her, and we disagree on most counts about many things...she is still the one person whom i feel knows me best, simply because she was there through all the tough times. she may not have offered the best advice, or heard everything i had to say...but she was there, regardless.
i also know for a fact that if i were to ever need to count on her for help, she would be there in the blink of an eye.
i believe a true friend is not one you must meet everyday of the week to keep the friendship alive.
if you have a friend like casey, you'll come to realise that though you may be far away, and rarely have a chance to speak to one another...the minute you do see each other again, you're back to talking to each other as if there was never a moment the two of you were apart.
that, my friends, is true friendship.
she has been since we were 14 years old. that's 10 years now and counting.
that girl is the most spunky, fun-loving, light-hearted person i know.. with oodles of personality to boot.
(kai, its NOT what you think!)
she is down-to-earth, oftentimes blurrer than the blurrest sotong (eh?) and quite literally, the life of every party.
well, at least she used to.
these days, my best girlfriend is a jet-setting air stewardess with SIA, seeing places i will probably never see myself, earning a salary that makes me positively envious, and a body most women would die for.
she has become serious, heavy-hearted and filled with a lot more wisdom from a slew of bad experiences.
and these days, i sometimes feel like i hardly know the girl who used to cry on my shoulder in moral class, come to me for lovelife advice and allow me to stay over with her when i needed her friendship the most.
these days she is busy earning money to support her family, has a lovelife that is beyond anything my advice can offer, and isnt even living in the same country i am.
but i often feel, when friendship is tested by distance, differences in opinion and most of all, by growing up and ever more apart...and yet...and YET, it survives...that is when you know the friendship has been worth your while. not that i ever doubted it anyway.
and so...though she may be far away, and i rarely, if ever talk to her, and we disagree on most counts about many things...she is still the one person whom i feel knows me best, simply because she was there through all the tough times. she may not have offered the best advice, or heard everything i had to say...but she was there, regardless.
i also know for a fact that if i were to ever need to count on her for help, she would be there in the blink of an eye.
i believe a true friend is not one you must meet everyday of the week to keep the friendship alive.
if you have a friend like casey, you'll come to realise that though you may be far away, and rarely have a chance to speak to one another...the minute you do see each other again, you're back to talking to each other as if there was never a moment the two of you were apart.
that, my friends, is true friendship.
to marianne...
to marianne, who will no doubt be browsing through once she's free enough to do so, in toronto, canada.
hope you've had a decent flight, and of course, a decent reunion with *ahem* mike. ;)
it was a pleasure meeting you, although im sure kai still cringes at the thought of us having a cuppa and schmoozing over old horror stories of him in his uber-geek days.
*heehee*
hope you've had a decent flight, and of course, a decent reunion with *ahem* mike. ;)
it was a pleasure meeting you, although im sure kai still cringes at the thought of us having a cuppa and schmoozing over old horror stories of him in his uber-geek days.
*heehee*
ikea: the toystore for adults?
haha. i love ikea.
kai and i went there yesterday and spent hours, yes, HOURS browsing through everything in the new double storey, warehouse-sized ikea.
ok ok, i admit. i have bought into the ikea dream. but what's wrong with that? i actually know people who openly snub others who buy into ikea. to them perhaps, ikea is the poor man's key to a lifestyle previously thought to be unattainable. who ever thought that the lower middle class could have a house fit for an interior design magazine...and all furnished for less than 2 grand too? the ikea dream makes a stylish home affordable to the masses. and who ever said the masses had no right to stylish homes in the first place? sadly, those who'd rather snub ikea do so simply because they just cant stand others enjoying a life on par, if not materialistically, then at least as stylishly, as their own.
for me, being at ikea transformed me into a wide-eyed little girl who wanted everything, EVERYTHING, on display. poor kai had to handle this uncontrollable terror of a kid who went around exclaiming "ooh i want that" or "ohhh, isnt that lovely" or wow...look at this, looook attt THISSSSS" *bounce bounce*. you could've given me little pink bows for my hair and a lollipop, and it wouldnt have looked out of place. nuh uh, not one bit.
needless to say, little-terror-kid-with-lollipop-and-bows made it through check-out with tonnes of stuff...and all for a hundred buckaroos too.
them yuppie interior-designing "im-too-cool-for-ikea" snobs can come eat my dust.
you got that right.
kai and i went there yesterday and spent hours, yes, HOURS browsing through everything in the new double storey, warehouse-sized ikea.
ok ok, i admit. i have bought into the ikea dream. but what's wrong with that? i actually know people who openly snub others who buy into ikea. to them perhaps, ikea is the poor man's key to a lifestyle previously thought to be unattainable. who ever thought that the lower middle class could have a house fit for an interior design magazine...and all furnished for less than 2 grand too? the ikea dream makes a stylish home affordable to the masses. and who ever said the masses had no right to stylish homes in the first place? sadly, those who'd rather snub ikea do so simply because they just cant stand others enjoying a life on par, if not materialistically, then at least as stylishly, as their own.
for me, being at ikea transformed me into a wide-eyed little girl who wanted everything, EVERYTHING, on display. poor kai had to handle this uncontrollable terror of a kid who went around exclaiming "ooh i want that" or "ohhh, isnt that lovely" or wow...look at this, looook attt THISSSSS" *bounce bounce*. you could've given me little pink bows for my hair and a lollipop, and it wouldnt have looked out of place. nuh uh, not one bit.
needless to say, little-terror-kid-with-lollipop-and-bows made it through check-out with tonnes of stuff...and all for a hundred buckaroos too.
them yuppie interior-designing "im-too-cool-for-ikea" snobs can come eat my dust.
you got that right.
Friday, September 12, 2003
quarantined
yes, exactly. quarantined.
no, not because of SARS.
because of the budget.
i never realized prior to today that on budget day, journalists with access to information on the budget contents are quarantined in the office until the prime minister's budget speech ends at 6pm.
at the extreme, those with full access to the information, such as assignment editors and producers, are confined to a little room with no access to the rest of us and no access to telephones or internet. we have police officers watching us and listening closely to everything we say. we must speak in guarded terms if we know anything about anything at all. such is the so-called 'privilege' of being in the know.
there are the perks of course. lunch is provided. black pepper roast beef, breaded chicken, vegetable au gratin and bread pudding with vanilla sauce. yummm.
there is the downside too. you have to watch your mouth. and that, i am beginning to find, is tough tough tough. just one slip of the tongue, and you realise there is a cop lurking behind you. yikes.
i am greatly looking forward to 6pm, except...thats when the real work starts. the interviews, the recorded phone conversations and the mad rush to script out everything you've been bursting to write the entire day. the panic sets in as you realise you might not have time to say all you want to say. or that you've only got two minutes allocated for a story that you could write a 5 minute script for.
deadlines time-limits stress paranoia panic euphoria boredom keeping-mouth-shut...
all in a day's work.
lois lane sure lived a charmed life by comparison. *smirk*
no, not because of SARS.
because of the budget.
i never realized prior to today that on budget day, journalists with access to information on the budget contents are quarantined in the office until the prime minister's budget speech ends at 6pm.
at the extreme, those with full access to the information, such as assignment editors and producers, are confined to a little room with no access to the rest of us and no access to telephones or internet. we have police officers watching us and listening closely to everything we say. we must speak in guarded terms if we know anything about anything at all. such is the so-called 'privilege' of being in the know.
there are the perks of course. lunch is provided. black pepper roast beef, breaded chicken, vegetable au gratin and bread pudding with vanilla sauce. yummm.
there is the downside too. you have to watch your mouth. and that, i am beginning to find, is tough tough tough. just one slip of the tongue, and you realise there is a cop lurking behind you. yikes.
i am greatly looking forward to 6pm, except...thats when the real work starts. the interviews, the recorded phone conversations and the mad rush to script out everything you've been bursting to write the entire day. the panic sets in as you realise you might not have time to say all you want to say. or that you've only got two minutes allocated for a story that you could write a 5 minute script for.
deadlines time-limits stress paranoia panic euphoria boredom keeping-mouth-shut...
all in a day's work.
lois lane sure lived a charmed life by comparison. *smirk*
Thursday, September 11, 2003
my stud muffin has a new blog
Wednesday, September 10, 2003
for those who have ever given up on love
Once upon a time, there was an island where all the feelings lived; happiness, sadness, knowledge, and all the others, including love.
One day, it was announced to all the feelings that the island was going to sink to the bottom of the ocean. So all the feelings prepared their boats to leave. Love was the only one that stayed. She wanted to preserve the island until the last possible moment. When the island was almost totally under water, love decided it was time to leave. She began looking for someone to ask for help.
Just then, 'Richness' was passing by in a grand boat. Love asked, "Richness, can I come with you on your boat?" Richness answered, "I'm sorry, but there is a lot of silver and gold on my boat and there would be no room for you anywhere."
Then Love decided to ask 'Vanity' for help, who was passing in a beautiful vessel. Love cried out, "Vanity, help me please." "I can't help you", Vanity said, "You are all wet, and will damage my beautiful boat."
Next, Love saw 'Sadness' passing by. Love said, "Sadness, please let me go with you." Sadness answered, "Love, I'm sorry, but, I just need to be alone now."
Then, Love saw 'Happiness'. Love cried out, "Happiness, please take me with you." But Happiness was so overjoyed, that he didn't hear Love calling to him.
Love began to cry. Just as she was about to give up, she heard a voice saying, "Come Love, I will take you with me." It was an old man. Love felt so blessed and overjoyed, that she forgot to ask the old man his name. When they arrived on land, the old man went on his way. Love realized how much she owed the old man.
Love then found 'Knowledge' and asked, "Who was it that helped me?"
"It was Time", Knowledge answered. "But why did Time help me when no one else would?", Love asked.
Knowledge smiled and with deep wisdom and sincerity, answered...
"Because only Time is capable of understanding how great Love is."
The Facts of Life:
1. At least 5 people in this world love you so much they would die for you.
2. At least 15 people in this world love you in some way.
3. The only reason anyone would ever hate you is because they want to be just like you.
4. A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don't like you.
5. Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before he/she goes to sleep.
6. At least you mean the world to someone.
7. Without you, someone may not be living.
8. You are special and unique in your own way.
9. Someone that you don't know even exists loves you.
10. When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good comes from it.
11. When you think the world has turned it's back on you, take a look, you most likely turned your back on the world.
12. When you think you have no chance at getting what you want, you probably won't get it, but if you believe in yourself, you probably sooner or later will.
13. Always remember compliments you received, forget about the rude remarks.
14. Always tell someone how you feel about them today, because he/she might not be around tomorrow.
15. Treat each day you're alive as if it's your last.
16. If you have a great friend, take the time to let them know that they are great.
*courtesy of someone on the www who still believes.
One day, it was announced to all the feelings that the island was going to sink to the bottom of the ocean. So all the feelings prepared their boats to leave. Love was the only one that stayed. She wanted to preserve the island until the last possible moment. When the island was almost totally under water, love decided it was time to leave. She began looking for someone to ask for help.
Just then, 'Richness' was passing by in a grand boat. Love asked, "Richness, can I come with you on your boat?" Richness answered, "I'm sorry, but there is a lot of silver and gold on my boat and there would be no room for you anywhere."
Then Love decided to ask 'Vanity' for help, who was passing in a beautiful vessel. Love cried out, "Vanity, help me please." "I can't help you", Vanity said, "You are all wet, and will damage my beautiful boat."
Next, Love saw 'Sadness' passing by. Love said, "Sadness, please let me go with you." Sadness answered, "Love, I'm sorry, but, I just need to be alone now."
Then, Love saw 'Happiness'. Love cried out, "Happiness, please take me with you." But Happiness was so overjoyed, that he didn't hear Love calling to him.
Love began to cry. Just as she was about to give up, she heard a voice saying, "Come Love, I will take you with me." It was an old man. Love felt so blessed and overjoyed, that she forgot to ask the old man his name. When they arrived on land, the old man went on his way. Love realized how much she owed the old man.
Love then found 'Knowledge' and asked, "Who was it that helped me?"
"It was Time", Knowledge answered. "But why did Time help me when no one else would?", Love asked.
Knowledge smiled and with deep wisdom and sincerity, answered...
"Because only Time is capable of understanding how great Love is."
The Facts of Life:
1. At least 5 people in this world love you so much they would die for you.
2. At least 15 people in this world love you in some way.
3. The only reason anyone would ever hate you is because they want to be just like you.
4. A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don't like you.
5. Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before he/she goes to sleep.
6. At least you mean the world to someone.
7. Without you, someone may not be living.
8. You are special and unique in your own way.
9. Someone that you don't know even exists loves you.
10. When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good comes from it.
11. When you think the world has turned it's back on you, take a look, you most likely turned your back on the world.
12. When you think you have no chance at getting what you want, you probably won't get it, but if you believe in yourself, you probably sooner or later will.
13. Always remember compliments you received, forget about the rude remarks.
14. Always tell someone how you feel about them today, because he/she might not be around tomorrow.
15. Treat each day you're alive as if it's your last.
16. If you have a great friend, take the time to let them know that they are great.
*courtesy of someone on the www who still believes.
happy birthday my stud muffin!
today is my stud muffin kevin's 21st birthday. our little brother in the newsroom is FINALLY the legal drinking age! *burrrrp* its about time buddy ;)
now, kevin, for all those who do not have the good fortune of knowing him, is one of those bubbly, chirpy people who can either be annoying, or fortunately for kev, extremely endearing.
a typical conversation with kev would go something like:
K: Hey Shen, I had a dream about you.
S: Yeah? Bout what? (kev, innocent tho he may look, seems to dreams a lot about me. ahahahaha)
K: Well, I dreamt that... (fill in blankety-blank-blank)
example:
K: Hey Shen, I had a dream about you.
S: Yeah? Bout what?
K: Well, I dreamt that we were gonna have a party together and we were planning the menu and you wanted to serve assam laksa and teh ais to all our guests...
errr...yeah...whatever kev.
but that's definitely kev for you.
so, my little stud muffin...fresh out of the oven and into adulthood...
happy birthday dear
and
WOOKOOKOO!
now, kevin, for all those who do not have the good fortune of knowing him, is one of those bubbly, chirpy people who can either be annoying, or fortunately for kev, extremely endearing.
a typical conversation with kev would go something like:
K: Hey Shen, I had a dream about you.
S: Yeah? Bout what? (kev, innocent tho he may look, seems to dreams a lot about me. ahahahaha)
K: Well, I dreamt that... (fill in blankety-blank-blank)
example:
K: Hey Shen, I had a dream about you.
S: Yeah? Bout what?
K: Well, I dreamt that we were gonna have a party together and we were planning the menu and you wanted to serve assam laksa and teh ais to all our guests...
errr...yeah...whatever kev.
but that's definitely kev for you.
so, my little stud muffin...fresh out of the oven and into adulthood...
happy birthday dear
and
WOOKOOKOO!
Monday, September 08, 2003
loving and letting go #2
of course, in retrospect of what i wrote earlier today, there is also another category of love that i just only now recall.
it is called "love and utter hopelessness".
this is when you try your best to make all the people you care about happy...but regardless of what you do, you fail miserably. and then, knowing that this is your fate, you eventually give up on love because you no longer know how to achieve the ideal state of "love and make yourself and the one you love happy".
you may fall into this category if you:
a. have been terribly hurt before
b. have been afraid of being in a relationship again
c. because of that fear, you think you may never give up your heart again
d. and when you do, you give it carefully
e. and when you realise you dare to love again, you give your love wholeheartedly, even though you fear doing so
f. but that is never enough because the one you love will always resent your fear and the complications that come with it
g. and regardless of what you do, or the fact that you dared to go that far for him, will never be enough for him
h. you are resigned to the fact that no one will ever understand how much you fear loving someone again
i. and no one will ever understand that when you dare to love again, it is only the person who dares to love you back who will be worthwhile
j. reality-check: there is no person selfless enough to dare loving you back
if you understand any of this garble, you belong in the category of "love and utter hopelessness" and like me, should give up on the idea of ever loving anyone again, simply because you can never, ever find happiness for yourself, or give happiness to others.
note: you should also reconsider ever trying to make it work, because you can only go so far before it all comes back to you via a startling reality-check.
it is called "love and utter hopelessness".
this is when you try your best to make all the people you care about happy...but regardless of what you do, you fail miserably. and then, knowing that this is your fate, you eventually give up on love because you no longer know how to achieve the ideal state of "love and make yourself and the one you love happy".
you may fall into this category if you:
a. have been terribly hurt before
b. have been afraid of being in a relationship again
c. because of that fear, you think you may never give up your heart again
d. and when you do, you give it carefully
e. and when you realise you dare to love again, you give your love wholeheartedly, even though you fear doing so
f. but that is never enough because the one you love will always resent your fear and the complications that come with it
g. and regardless of what you do, or the fact that you dared to go that far for him, will never be enough for him
h. you are resigned to the fact that no one will ever understand how much you fear loving someone again
i. and no one will ever understand that when you dare to love again, it is only the person who dares to love you back who will be worthwhile
j. reality-check: there is no person selfless enough to dare loving you back
if you understand any of this garble, you belong in the category of "love and utter hopelessness" and like me, should give up on the idea of ever loving anyone again, simply because you can never, ever find happiness for yourself, or give happiness to others.
note: you should also reconsider ever trying to make it work, because you can only go so far before it all comes back to you via a startling reality-check.
Sunday, September 07, 2003
loving and letting go
one thing ive discovered about life and love is this.
you can never hope to keep a person, for nobody in this world belongs to you. you can have him for as long as it suits his/your health, timing and opportunity...but beyond that, it is out of your hands.
you can either love and lose him to death, love and be hurt, love and be without luck, love and get bored, or love and be forced to let go. either way, the prospects are none too encouraging.
of course, you can always let go, and in good faith, hope he may return. but at the end of the day, you know you still cant keep him forever. there is no one alive who can promise you that. and if there is, he's a bloody liar and dont you trust him!
all you can do is know that you love him *enough* to let him go. its his happiness you desire, and if to keep him means he cannot be all that he desires to be, then you do not love him as much as you think you do. you only wish to avoid your own loneliness. and love and selfishness, sadly, do not mix.
such is the way of life and love. makes you think twice about doing it all in the first place, huh? but im sure if you had to do it all over again, you would.
but why?
because even through the inevitable sadness of loving and having to let go, you know you still had him for a little while...
and that, if anything at all, is reason enough to try.
you can never hope to keep a person, for nobody in this world belongs to you. you can have him for as long as it suits his/your health, timing and opportunity...but beyond that, it is out of your hands.
you can either love and lose him to death, love and be hurt, love and be without luck, love and get bored, or love and be forced to let go. either way, the prospects are none too encouraging.
of course, you can always let go, and in good faith, hope he may return. but at the end of the day, you know you still cant keep him forever. there is no one alive who can promise you that. and if there is, he's a bloody liar and dont you trust him!
all you can do is know that you love him *enough* to let him go. its his happiness you desire, and if to keep him means he cannot be all that he desires to be, then you do not love him as much as you think you do. you only wish to avoid your own loneliness. and love and selfishness, sadly, do not mix.
such is the way of life and love. makes you think twice about doing it all in the first place, huh? but im sure if you had to do it all over again, you would.
but why?
because even through the inevitable sadness of loving and having to let go, you know you still had him for a little while...
and that, if anything at all, is reason enough to try.
Thursday, September 04, 2003
and now...zab is leaving
yes, folks. the sorry truth. zab is leaving ntv7. my one real friend here is going..going..gone. not that i dont have other buddies here, but zab's been here with me since the beginning, we've gone thru loving the job together, hating the job together, hoping together, and disillusionment together.
of course, ive always been the more optimistic of us two, but that's because zab has had to deal with so much more fuckwittage than i have. i put it down to the fact that she has never once backed down when fighting for her rights. whereas i can never say no when bullied.
the result? she leaves for greener pastures and a greater future...while im sure i shall continue to sit here, feel sorry for myself and rot. only this time, i will have to sit here alone, with no one to pass on that little extra encouragement, that little extra oomph, that little extra courage...and that little extra hope.
i wonder if her going will be the catalyst i need to get up and leave. to wake up and perhaps see there are greater opportunities out there for me, and for all us other sorry fools still waiting here and hoping things will start looking up one day soon.
i sound as if this place is a shit hole to work. no, it isnt as bad as i make it out to be. but at the same time, its not a place to grow and prosper. neither is it a place where i can see myself 10, or even 5 years down the line. on top of that, take a look at our management hierarchy that consists of sad, sad people who cannot bear to see others do well, for fear of themselves coming across as the incompetent people they really are. *sigh*
so zab...if you have to go, you've got to go. take your time at ntv7 as a reminder that anywhere else you go will be a better place, that will always appreciate you more. not that angeline, zan and i dont appreciate you enough already.
*sniff*
of course, ive always been the more optimistic of us two, but that's because zab has had to deal with so much more fuckwittage than i have. i put it down to the fact that she has never once backed down when fighting for her rights. whereas i can never say no when bullied.
the result? she leaves for greener pastures and a greater future...while im sure i shall continue to sit here, feel sorry for myself and rot. only this time, i will have to sit here alone, with no one to pass on that little extra encouragement, that little extra oomph, that little extra courage...and that little extra hope.
i wonder if her going will be the catalyst i need to get up and leave. to wake up and perhaps see there are greater opportunities out there for me, and for all us other sorry fools still waiting here and hoping things will start looking up one day soon.
i sound as if this place is a shit hole to work. no, it isnt as bad as i make it out to be. but at the same time, its not a place to grow and prosper. neither is it a place where i can see myself 10, or even 5 years down the line. on top of that, take a look at our management hierarchy that consists of sad, sad people who cannot bear to see others do well, for fear of themselves coming across as the incompetent people they really are. *sigh*
so zab...if you have to go, you've got to go. take your time at ntv7 as a reminder that anywhere else you go will be a better place, that will always appreciate you more. not that angeline, zan and i dont appreciate you enough already.
*sniff*
dont we just love them pirates. arrr.
them pirates of the carribbean *swoon*. what can i say...
i walked into the cinema for orlando bloom, and came out with renewed appreciation for johnny depp.
i have always thought of johnny depp as an inspiring and versatile actor. whatever roles he has picked in the past have reflected a maturity that only an actor truly confident of his abilities can carry off. as edward scissorhands, gilbert grape or (captain) jack sparrow...this man is one to keep watching for, if not for the dark bewitching melancholy, then for that utterly irresistable rogue-ish charm.
*swoon* (oh is that me on the floor?)
as for orlando. oh orlando. thou art beautiful, beautiful. cant say just yet that you're a versatile actor. perhaps its just been good role selection and a wild streak of luck that's done it for you so far. but if you continue with those wise and timely choices for your roles, you'll no doubt be the next big thing behind ol' cruiser (for whom ive since lost all respect and adoration since hooking up with that fluffy penelope). *snicker snicker*
ah well. should pick meself up off the floor now, and get back to work.
i walked into the cinema for orlando bloom, and came out with renewed appreciation for johnny depp.
i have always thought of johnny depp as an inspiring and versatile actor. whatever roles he has picked in the past have reflected a maturity that only an actor truly confident of his abilities can carry off. as edward scissorhands, gilbert grape or (captain) jack sparrow...this man is one to keep watching for, if not for the dark bewitching melancholy, then for that utterly irresistable rogue-ish charm.
*swoon* (oh is that me on the floor?)
as for orlando. oh orlando. thou art beautiful, beautiful. cant say just yet that you're a versatile actor. perhaps its just been good role selection and a wild streak of luck that's done it for you so far. but if you continue with those wise and timely choices for your roles, you'll no doubt be the next big thing behind ol' cruiser (for whom ive since lost all respect and adoration since hooking up with that fluffy penelope). *snicker snicker*
ah well. should pick meself up off the floor now, and get back to work.
Wednesday, September 03, 2003
me in the lobby with a toiletbrush
yes, yes. a toiletbrush.
in the lobby of ntv7.
my colleagues actually believed me when i told them i dont earn enough, and had to resort to offering toilet cleaning services in order to pay my bills. *snicker*
ok, ok...so i dont earn enough. and no, my salary is never paid on time. but the truth is i am working on a program for oral-b. yup, you guessed it: on how to brush your teeth (not that i know the right way either, but hey...i get to learn something too)
like, for example, did you know that brushing for more than two minutes does you more harm than good?
and that the strangest place a toothbrush has ever been is up a 69 year old man's rectum? apparently, he thought it would be a good way to relieve the pain of haemorrhoids. uh. sure, mate. whatever floats your boat buddy.
uh huh. i am at risk of becoming one of those sad people who must pepper small talk with facts to appear articulate and interesting, except i will stand out for my incredible knowledge of toothbrushes. *sigh*
so how did i end up in the ntv7 lobby with a toiletbrush?
see, we're really doing a gag shoot: a man will walk into a store and ask for a brush, and be presented with all sorts of brushes (including the aforementioned toiletbrush) until he finds his toothbrush. ha. ha. ha.
it does look cooler on tv than it does in words. really.
ok ok. im trying to convince myself too.
wish me luck?
in the lobby of ntv7.
my colleagues actually believed me when i told them i dont earn enough, and had to resort to offering toilet cleaning services in order to pay my bills. *snicker*
ok, ok...so i dont earn enough. and no, my salary is never paid on time. but the truth is i am working on a program for oral-b. yup, you guessed it: on how to brush your teeth (not that i know the right way either, but hey...i get to learn something too)
like, for example, did you know that brushing for more than two minutes does you more harm than good?
and that the strangest place a toothbrush has ever been is up a 69 year old man's rectum? apparently, he thought it would be a good way to relieve the pain of haemorrhoids. uh. sure, mate. whatever floats your boat buddy.
uh huh. i am at risk of becoming one of those sad people who must pepper small talk with facts to appear articulate and interesting, except i will stand out for my incredible knowledge of toothbrushes. *sigh*
so how did i end up in the ntv7 lobby with a toiletbrush?
see, we're really doing a gag shoot: a man will walk into a store and ask for a brush, and be presented with all sorts of brushes (including the aforementioned toiletbrush) until he finds his toothbrush. ha. ha. ha.
it does look cooler on tv than it does in words. really.
ok ok. im trying to convince myself too.
wish me luck?
Tuesday, September 02, 2003
zab won an award!
word has it that my dear friend and colleague zabrina has just won a media award for her tv report on breast cancer.
zabrina writes, produces and presents reports for 7dipihakanda, an ntv7 production dedicated to community issues. it isnt uncommon for zab to be whisked off to malacca one day to visit a girl afflicted by unsightly allergies, the devastating result of wrongly prescribed medication...or on another day to be catching on camera examples of notorious Malaysian impatience.
zab is also one of the most dedicated and talented reporters i know, and she deserves every bit of appreciation for her hard work.
go zab! we love you!!!
zabrina writes, produces and presents reports for 7dipihakanda, an ntv7 production dedicated to community issues. it isnt uncommon for zab to be whisked off to malacca one day to visit a girl afflicted by unsightly allergies, the devastating result of wrongly prescribed medication...or on another day to be catching on camera examples of notorious Malaysian impatience.
zab is also one of the most dedicated and talented reporters i know, and she deserves every bit of appreciation for her hard work.
go zab! we love you!!!
the sequel hollywood didnt think about
lol. this is the part hollywood would never tell you. never underestimate the importance of #7: meet the friends.
this is the stage where you dig up the down and dirty on the one you love and decide whether the relationship is worth the risk or not (i.e. a valid deduction if he has a prison record, used to date guys or has a blow-up doll lurking underneath his bed).
and yes, ive met the friends. tiffany, shao yi, shean min and marianne, to be exact. ;)
its a real treat when you find out that the total babe you date was once a self-confessed uber-geek in his college days, and that a sunday morning was once strictly for a mamak breakfast, teh tarik and the mandatory newspaper.
watch your boy cringe at the memory of a wardrobe that once consisted of standard-issue white t-shirt, jeans and dad's checkered shirt thrown in for good measure. or laugh at the story of the time he honestly filled in a trick questionnaire about his sex life...only to have a copy of his answers sent to all his friends. hahaha!!! (cheers marianne!)
*giggle*
will write more...when i get over that one. *snicker*
this is the stage where you dig up the down and dirty on the one you love and decide whether the relationship is worth the risk or not (i.e. a valid deduction if he has a prison record, used to date guys or has a blow-up doll lurking underneath his bed).
and yes, ive met the friends. tiffany, shao yi, shean min and marianne, to be exact. ;)
its a real treat when you find out that the total babe you date was once a self-confessed uber-geek in his college days, and that a sunday morning was once strictly for a mamak breakfast, teh tarik and the mandatory newspaper.
watch your boy cringe at the memory of a wardrobe that once consisted of standard-issue white t-shirt, jeans and dad's checkered shirt thrown in for good measure. or laugh at the story of the time he honestly filled in a trick questionnaire about his sex life...only to have a copy of his answers sent to all his friends. hahaha!!! (cheers marianne!)
*giggle*
will write more...when i get over that one. *snicker*
Monday, September 01, 2003
meet the parents
ive been dating kai for nearly four months now, and been his girlfriend for just slightly over one. inevitably, in every new relationship, there are the stages you must pass before you know the relationship is really worth your while.
they are, in this order, but not strictly:
1. the heart-to-heart talk
2. the first kiss
3. first base --> etc.... ;p
4. the first fight
5. the first "pujuk" & make-up
6. meeting the parents
and last night, i met the parents.
of course, i had heard the stories, seen the pictures and heard their voices over the speaker-phone before meeting them. but nothing ever really prepares you for meeting them in person.
i talk as if ive never met parents before. but it really IS different when in all your previous experience from past relationships, you met parents by fluke when you picked up the boyfriend from home, or when you dropped by for a casual visit. done that way, the "meet the parents" stage becomes a simple "hi aunty-hi uncle" encounter, which really diminishes the pressure.
but...it really REALLY is different when your boyfriend doesnt stay with his parents and the first time you meet them, it is for dinner at a fancy restaurant.
note: expectation is bound to panic you, especially when you know his parents have seen you at work before, that is, on tv in an ugly suit. ;)
so i meet the kid brother first, who really is so cute i want to pick him up and cuddle him, but risk being written off for being overly spontaneous.
sit down, have a coffee, calm the nerves, and do a good job at looking cool, calm and very very confident.
can i do it? can i do it? stand up without falling over? laugh without laughing too self-consciously? shake hands without paralyzing mom/dad from arm socket downwards? talk without sounding overly chatty/snotty/mousy/chirpy/(fill in blank)?
lift goes *ding*.
door opens.
mom and dad appear.
followed by middle brother.
stand up (dont fall over), shake hands (just right), how are you? nice to meet you. im sheahnee (short, sweet, to the point). *beam*
by the end of the evening...i figure...that was lovely, i can do that again.
and it wasnt that difficult after all.
they are, in this order, but not strictly:
1. the heart-to-heart talk
2. the first kiss
3. first base --> etc.... ;p
4. the first fight
5. the first "pujuk" & make-up
6. meeting the parents
and last night, i met the parents.
of course, i had heard the stories, seen the pictures and heard their voices over the speaker-phone before meeting them. but nothing ever really prepares you for meeting them in person.
i talk as if ive never met parents before. but it really IS different when in all your previous experience from past relationships, you met parents by fluke when you picked up the boyfriend from home, or when you dropped by for a casual visit. done that way, the "meet the parents" stage becomes a simple "hi aunty-hi uncle" encounter, which really diminishes the pressure.
but...it really REALLY is different when your boyfriend doesnt stay with his parents and the first time you meet them, it is for dinner at a fancy restaurant.
note: expectation is bound to panic you, especially when you know his parents have seen you at work before, that is, on tv in an ugly suit. ;)
so i meet the kid brother first, who really is so cute i want to pick him up and cuddle him, but risk being written off for being overly spontaneous.
sit down, have a coffee, calm the nerves, and do a good job at looking cool, calm and very very confident.
can i do it? can i do it? stand up without falling over? laugh without laughing too self-consciously? shake hands without paralyzing mom/dad from arm socket downwards? talk without sounding overly chatty/snotty/mousy/chirpy/(fill in blank)?
lift goes *ding*.
door opens.
mom and dad appear.
followed by middle brother.
stand up (dont fall over), shake hands (just right), how are you? nice to meet you. im sheahnee (short, sweet, to the point). *beam*
by the end of the evening...i figure...that was lovely, i can do that again.
and it wasnt that difficult after all.
