Spilling the Juice

Feeling great at the moment. It’s been two weeks since I got back from my trip to KL. It was more an emotional time for the whole family as Ma, the two boys and I went there to send the two boys to further their studies.

Some infrastructures are so different now but at the same time, its as if I have never left. I still remember my way around KLCC, taking the LRT, the aroma of old and new. Tangy,  aromatic spices, mouth watering treats both sweet and savoury just a few walks away from where you are…It was definitely home but the reason for being back there was different.

Although the boys have been to KL before, its totally different when one go there to study…I know its may seem hard for you boys as we all miss you and pretty sure likewise as well but it gets better with time.

The only thing that I found irritating was how some of the taxi drivers could discriminate the locals. If you are foreigner, some of them would charge unreasonable fares to go to a certain destination when it only would take you about 10 mins drive the most. Worst still, they are supposed to be using the metre! But there are all reasons for this scrupulous activity….I would leave to debate that another time.

Anyhow, it was a definite blast. The mega sale was on but I only bought a few handful for my self while the rest was spent on pasalubong. Met up with most of the kutus. Can’t really say slackers anymore as all of em’ got huge responsibility as adults with proper jobs already…heheheh ohhhh Murrets…eels…Saraaaaaaaaaah…Minks..and etc!!!!!! Guys I really had the most fun time…and I really thank you for that. Hopefully, one day we could all meet up again…and by that time Murrets will have her first young un’ hahahahhaha…

The only thing sad was leaving Mr. Chan as he had work and  just after a month after the wedding, it doesn’t seem like a good idea to apply for leave. But we’re definitely looking forward to our upcoming Perth trip next year for Gemma’s graduation. Need to start saving now =-)

Its getting really busy again…this time it is a mixture of emotions. As the days get shorter and shorter…the reflections get stronger. Remember a time when you were just but a tiny tot and that every single star in the sky amazed you…your dream was just to get more candy or who gets to be the leader of playing "House"…then it came to the days when you wished you were already a teen, crushes on that tall, dark and handsome older teen that never noticed you. Then it was the time when you wished that you were in Uni and there you are wishing that you were already working…see how fast time goes by…

My point here is that every important turn in your life has some sort of solemn ceremony  or ritual tagged to it. Take for example the time I had to leave Brunei to pursue my further studies in KL…it was the end of my high school life and the beginning of my college life.  Family came along to ease the transition for the first 9 days but right after it was the beginning of my College and Uni life where it had really taught me more than I can ever imagined. Then it was the time for that to end…it ended with a graduation ceremony…I remembered the night so vividly…a sea of maroon gowns amidst the warm summer night sky. You could feel the excitement of the family and friends as they took turn to take pictures with their lucky graduate. I remembered my mom and dad have never been so proud of me as that day.

It is an adventure this life…there are many things that are still a mystery to me that have yet to be unravelled. I am excited as I am about to cross another threshold. This time, I have a partner to join me in my adventures…perhaps as  most married couples may say…" Life is never the same again"…for better or for worst!

Fight. Kiss and Make Up. Fight. Kiss and Make up. As the ceremony draw near, I am reflecting on the things that had happened that lead to this path so far. It’s a strange feeling, perhaps to say the least, a tad nervous. Couples have shared their stories with me and my loved one ,that its not easy and it requires work. Even before the ceremony its already hard work. I don’t know what life has in store for me or my family but I do know that we must live for the day to its fullest capacity.

There’s not a day that passes that I don’t think about missing my family when I am no longer living with them or the uncertainty of the future. However there is a quiet joy knowing that no matter what happens, my family is always there. It is our weakness and it is our strength.

It has been awhile since I’ve blogged. To tell you the truth I have been preoccupied with a lot of things especially with all the preparations. So its really nice that despite the work loads I am able to find time and  just blah.

Anyways I was searching over a few shops yesterday for Easter chocolate Eggs and you know what? I couldn’t find any!!! I really wanted to give em’ to whoever to came to the house but to no avail, not one egg. I know I could have been more creative in decorating a chicken egg but there was not enough time to do it.

But then again does it really matter whether you have the eggs or not?! I mean its the celebration of life renewed, life reborn and can you believe it…I fasted from my beloved chocolates for 40 days…I have to tell you it was really hard at some points…At time you just want to give in…but in the end it was well worth the wait…for a few minutes anyways…as I had some tooth pain right after eating a small Mars bar…there goes the anticipation…

Hmm other than that, Grandma and Grand Aunt is coming pretty soon to join in the up coming celebration so I can’t wait…sad and happy…oh well…that’s life for you.

Its the New Year! Happy New Year to all you gorgeous people out there who I haven’t been able to wish you in person or through smses. 2006 has been a roller coaster ride, lets see what 2007 has to offer.

The other day I was in a near distressed situation and two very good friends sat down with me to give me some really good advices. In fact the very next day, Max lent me one of a book that inspires her.

Here’s a little excerpt which I thought was really interesting and a mind opening revelation…

    " Least Effort is expended when your actions are motivated by love, because nature is held together by the energy of love. When you seek power and control over other people, you waste energy. When you seek money or power for the sake of the ego, you spend energy chasing the illusion of happiness instead of enjoying happiness in the moment . When you seek money for personal gain only, you cut off the flow of energy to yourself, and interfere with the expression of nature’s intelligence. But when your actions are motivated by love, there is no waste of energy. When your actions are motivated by love, your energy multiplies and accumulates - and the surplus energy you gather and enjoy can be channeled to create anything that you want, including unlimted wealth."

-Taken from Chopra, D., " The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success",P. 55.

Digest the words, think on it, Act on it. It’s really powerful!

Yesterday was a crazy time. All in the name of finding the perfect venue for my birth day gathering. Finally decided on a low key, dressed down hang out and spend  the night at one of Le Gallery’s suite. If one should ever come to Brunei to visit and you have no place to stay, this place is a perfect place. Cosy, Contemporary and Cost saving. The ambience is surprisingly refreshing. Opulence is definitely not on the choice of words for this hotel but more like retro chic. Somewhat like what you would find in one of those artsy designed boutiques. Driven by shapes and colours with funtionability in mind.

On the subject of the party, it was well worth all the trouble in the afternoon and I would like to thank Izan and Max especially for all the troubles to come with me to look for a venue at the very last minute. It wasn’t a normal drink till you get plastered party but more like the answer to a chill pill. The party’s theme is appropriated in accordance to the mood; "A pajama party"…Although some of the loved ones couldn’t make it last night, it was still a success. Mix the loved ones with takeaways from ayamku’s , junk food, a bottle of dear ol’ Chivas (thanks to Brandon) a b-grade movie (Conan) and a slap stick comedy (white chicks)…it was the ultimate PJ party ( will upload the pics soon).

Before I sign off, I want to thank everyone who wished me, you don’t know how much I miss your company and wish that some of you guys were there last night. And to those who made it last night, it was a pleasure  having your company. Part of my birthday celebration is a celebration of the strong bond of friendship with you guys. Though friends come and go, it is the moment that we celebrate. A celebration of one’s life isn’t complete without the company of loved ones (be it near or far). Mom, dad, sister, brothers, extended family, best friends, good friends, friends and boy friend…thank you for your blessings and love. I am truly undoubtedly blest.

Here something that I haven’t done in ages…sleep for 10 hours. Unbelievable but true…I usually sleep late y’see and get up really early. It’s weird but I guess years of waking up really early to go to school has sorta put a permanent time or rather number of hours that I can sleep. Its usually about 5 or 6 hours, 7 hours max…eargh…those permanent eye shadow and eye bags…hehehe

Anyhow…yesterday I got knocked off…I slept at 9 p.m. and woke up at 5 a.m. only to sleep again at 6.30 a.m. and wake up at 7.00 a.m. in time for my daily exercise and house chores. But I guess this busy month explains it all…lack of sleep has got me so deprived that it drove me to shut down while I was watching some telly to catch up on my vegetative inner child. I’m not complaining though as the busyness or the buzzzziness has paid off…We (My kids and I) managed to win the Inforama competition for level 1. A big congrats to my kids as well as to Teacher Beth as she and her kids managed win for level 3. *YAY* for us…hehehe

Anyways back to the topic of sleep..actually it was more towards what I was thinking when I woke up at 5.00 a.m only to find that the telly was watching me. I was thinking about my childhood days…How I used to lie down on the mat with my cousins and watched the stars. My aunts, uncles and parents would be barbequeing and drinking the night away…but I would always remember the mat, the stars and the fragrant calamansi plant that was close by…

Its vivid and surreal at the same time…you may be wondering what on earth am I remembering all the childhood memories for…but it just happens…the flashbacks…and this time it was a lovely one…Do you remember yours?

Just for one night only, everyone let go of their inhibitions…one night, all pride down…one night, all anger aside…one night, laughter surrouds the four walls. For on that night, for the sake of someone special, someone so dear, the source of my strength and humbleness, anything was possible.

Happy B’day Mother dearest, our source of inspiration. We would never know the meaning of sacrifice, generousity if you weren’t in our lives. May there be more blessings and miracles to come. Through the fights, anger, laughter and happiness…through it all, I am lucky…I am blest…I am inspired.

I love you Ma.

Gems recently shared something with me in regards to the Bisaya race. Recently she googled on the word Bisaya. Most of it were about the Bisayas or popularly known as the visayas (a race from the southern Philippines) but nothing much on the Malaysian Bisaya with the exception of a reference from Britannica online, about a minority tribe on the North-western part of Borneo. According to Britannica, only about less than 7000 are of this race. I happen to be one of them, yet at the same time I am not a full bisaya.

Can you believe it? It’s such a small minority. The sad part about is that I can’t even speak the language. There was even a note in the online encyclopaedia that this tribe could be originated from the Bisayas of the Philippines. Whether we originated from there, I HONESTLY DON’T KNOW…But I do know that dad told me once that the bisayas were initially pirates originating from the Philippines.

Nonetheless, its quite interesting…yet sad as the culture slowly seeping away due to the ever changing socio-economical climate of the world. I am interested in learning, its just the lame old excuse of "I’m too busy" that’s stopping me. Perhaps who knows, like Gems suggested…write an English-Bisaya dictionary!!!

These past few weeks have been nothing short but bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz…Check out a normal day’s routine…get up really early, exercise and/or do the chores, take a quick shower, have lunch, warm up car….work…come back home home….tuition….quick shower…go out with hun…dinner…sleep…and the cycle repeats itself again with some writing assignment, art observation and the occasional dancing parties thrown on the side…and lets not forget the school work…

It feels good and it can get really tiring but it keeps you busy…before you know it, the day is over…

Sundays are usually good though…gives me time to reflect on the week before and to rejuvenate for the coming week. At this point in time, I am still struggling, but at the same time I know what I have and what I am doing is teaching me to be tougher. I know that there are greater things on the way so this is just something to prepare me for that time. Every single day I learn new things from kids…from what’s the latest hip song to the latest cool flash games to play on the Internet. Ever heard of adventure quest? hehe