The countdown...

The countdown has began. Both for Ruth's PMR and my final days with the company I had been attached to for the past 9 years. Looking back, it seems that it was only like yesterday, when I stepped into its halls and now, it is almost time to bid adieus. But. it had been a good 9 years, filled with memories, highlights and of course, the "blues". A journey in itself, a part of life's travelogue.

Ruth is also counting the days to her PMR, which will be held from 7th to12th October 2009. A cumulation of three years of lower secondary education. Hopefully, she will do well.

Well, that's life. Sometimes, it can be so routine and mundane that you can predict what lies around the corner. But there are also times, when you do get a tight slap on the face and a jolt out of your skin! But, it's a learning process all the way.

Just a glimpse.....

Yes, it had been a while. Actually, more than a month since I updated my blog. Reasons being busy with office work, managing the household and supervising Ruth studies. Her PMR exam is only a month away and she is kept busy with her revision.

Mum and my brother John came over to visit two weeks ago. It had been a while since they last dropped by Bintulu. We had our reunion and celebrated mum's birthday. She still complains of aches and pains here and there. After her accident in June, she had some difficulty walking and not as mobile as before.

Hubby also came back last weekend. His plant ran into some glitches and he was kept busy for the past 3 weeks. He was exhausted and down with bronchitis and flu. Luckily, not H1N1. After some medication and rest, he recovered and flew back to Malacca on Wednesday.

Some thoughts......

It's August already. Time to reflect and take stock on the comings and goings for the past half year. Needless to say, I am still very busy with work and Ruth with school. Her PMR exam is fasting approaching and she is busy with her revision.

I am also looking forward to my early retirement by end of September. After being in the work force for the last 25 years, I feel that it is time to call it quits. Looking back, I must say that I enjoyed working, plus the moments of anxiety, stress and deadlines, of course! Well, like what they say, life itself is a journey, and the past 25 years had been part of this travelogue. Of course, there were times, too, when I admired and envied those who could afford not to work but bread and butter issues had to take centre stage.

I haven't thought much about how to keep myself busy after retirement, but I would seriously consider venturing into some small time business or try a hand at writing. See which venture turns out better.

R.I.P-Michael Jackson

I was watching the memorial service of Michael Jackson on the Internet earlier this evening. I must admit that I was never a Michael Jackson fan, although I enjoyed his music and songs. I always think that he was kinda weird personality both with his looks and lifestyle.

After viewing the star studded event paying tribute to the King of Pop, I could not help but reflect on the fragility and unpredictability of life. The one image that hit me hard was the gold plated coffin that was displayed in front of the stage during the memorial service. It serves as a grim reminder that death does not pick and choose, it comes for everyone, young and old. A man who once stirred the world with his music and songs is gone. Whatever remains behind are only memories and memorabilias. Such is life's inevitable cycle.

Remembering Dad-16th Anniversary

Two Sundays ago, we celebrated Father's Day. The occasion was celebrated in recognition and honour of the love, personal sacrifices and devotion that only a father could give to his family. It was also a day of remembrance of my late dad, who was called home in June 1993. Although 16 long years had passed since his home-going, it seems that it was only yesterday he was there, holding, guiding and mentoring me. There were so many things that I could have said and done for him, but it was never to be.

Dad's home-going was the first real blow that life had dealt with me. Although I experienced the loss of my paternal grandparents and an uncle before that, but this inevitable loss was so personal that, for a long time, I held stubbornly to the grief and ensuing mourning. During the first year of his home-going, I visited his resting place with trepidation as it reminded me of the one great loss of my life.

Dad's absence was sorely felt during our family gatherings and festive occasions. Somehow, our family circle was forever broken and there are only memories for us to fall back on.

The years rolled by. We moved on with our lives but dad was never far away from our thoughts. He still figured in our conversations and we never failed to visit and clean his tomb during the customary tomb sweeping or "Ching Ming" festival. Sometimes, when the tears came dangerously close, I chose to dwell on the happy memories that we shared together instead of the terrible sufferings he had to endure before his death.

Dad was born the fourth of ten children to poor foochow migrants from Ming Xing County, Fujian Province, China. My grandparents immigrated and settled at Sungai Baji, Sarikei, Sarawak in the early 1900's. They eke out a living as rubber tappers and pepper planters. As a young boy, dad survived the tumultuous times during the Japanese Occupation. He was a avid story-teller and would often relate his encounters with the Japanese soldiers whenever he had the opportunity. Although dad's education was interrupted during the war, he nevertheless went on to complete his fifth form. He served first as a temporary teacher, a court interpreter, magistrate and later as a district officer prior to his retirement from civil service in 1992.

My late dad was a man of long suffering and foresight. He sought to live by example and his lifestyle spoke volumes of his humility, foresight and determination to beat the odds. As a parent and father, he was always there for me, during my childhood, teenage years and even in my adult years. Many a times, he taught me to see things around the corner, which I failed to perceive due to my immaturity, inexperience and shortsightness. Inside and outside this door, he did much to shape my thoughts, aspirations and preception of life. Above all, he encouraged me to pursue my tertiary education, despite of the fact that he had to struggle to make ends meet. He was really proud when I was became the first female graduate from both sides of the family. Although, he lived a short 56 years, he was my great inspiration and role model. If he were still around today, I am sure that we would be writing his memoirs. Dad, you are truly great! We miss you.

A surprise

A surprise! On Monday afternoon, I received a call from my Indonesian maid who went back home sometime in April this year. In my April blog, I mentioned that she had to leave to take care of her mum who had at accident back home. She called once when she arrived at Pontianak and thereafter there was no news from her. I was a tad disappointed that she did not contact us when she arrived home but I suppose she was too busy taking care of her mum to bother. After all, for maids, it is often, the out of sight, out of mind thing. Not the usual, I mean, "absence makes the heart grow fonder" feeling.

She told me that alot happened since the 2 months she left. Her mum was discharged from the hospital but remains bedridden. Her sister-in-law is taking care of her. And she got married! Just imagine! She told me her husband is from the same village but working in a sawmill in Pontianak. Her family members decided that she is not getting any younger and advised her to get married. But again, it is not unusual as most maids do get hitched once they return to their villages. She did not have much choice in this matter and after the wedding, she followed her husband to Pontianak. She told me of her desire to came back to Malaysia to work, but now being married, she has to seek the approval of her husband.

Looking back, I was really surprised and touched that she called and ask about our family and Ruth. It's a nice feeling being remembered, even though, she was just our maid. After all, how many maids call back to ask about their employers after they left?

Long, long, story,,,,

It had been a while. Been too busy or lazy to update my blog. Not sure which one is the actual reason.

Well, we came back from our week long holiday on 7th June 2009. Had lots of fun visiting those historical sites, shopping and satisfying our tastebuds. Ruth managed to complete her history folio and holiday homework. But she also spent some time watching those romantic Korean movies and her favourite cartoons. With her PMR only 4 months away, I had to constantly remind her to complete her revision or else it could be another last minute rush.

I had to rush back to Sibu yesterday afternoon. On Friday evening, mum had a self accident while riding her motorbike to do some shopping. Her bike skidded on the wet road and she sustained bruises and cuts on her knees and elbows. Both were swollen and painful. She is still in pain and can only walk with a limp. According to the doctor, her knee cap was also injuried. After the swelling has gone down, he advised her to seek further treatment. It was a miracle that she was not run over by the other motor vehicles on the road. A kind soul brought her home and John brought her to see the doctor. With mum laid up, I tidied the house, took over the cooking and went shopping for groceries, fish and vegetables. It was tired and exhausting. Just returned back to Bintulu some 3 hours ago. As John is working and sister-in-law still in Mukah, we are looking into employing a part-time maid to cook and clean the house. Hopefully, mum will recover soon.

It seems that the cough bug is playing havoc on me again. Had been coughing on and off for the past week. Need to get some medication from the clinic tomorrow or else others will think that I've got TB.