Counting days

I am counting days now. For many things, not just a specific. For one, today is the last of my many days in this city of angels this time around. Tomorrow, it's back to reality, but no, I am not complaining.

When tomorrow comes, it is a testament that live goes on and that we are all living. In matter of less than a fortnight, I will be stepping into another part of my life. While some may fear for me, worry for me, be apprehensive for me, I am just taking in stride. I have none of those, because time and again, I have been shown that I have not made a wrong decision. So far, that's it. And I truly believe that I this is the correct path to thread. For that person is he.

Counting on also to the day that I would have to hand in the forth love letter in my life time. I am thankful for the opportunities given. Choose I have to, so I have chosen. Wrong or right, I will have to make it. Bless me please.

Counting down also towards the first ever baby in the family! Coming soon, in the last month of the year. Though not mine, I am excited. It will be a very happy delivery from the stork for our family and I truly believe that my parents will be the happiest of the lot.

Also, in another few days, if everything falls into place, another new nest will be created. Our nest. Fingers crossed that all will take place as plan. Thank you so much!

Another important count down is the coming home a traveler, done for after 2 years abroad. Hmm... it's a waited homecoming especially for my parents, I believe.

Oh, so many events to count down to, so lets be patient in counting down to all of these.

Rain and Sun

Here I am, sitting on the couch, facing a cute Mini, with the headphones on my ears and the tv in front flashing news from around the world. The weather has been a little gloomy today, with thunder and lightning accentuating the early morning rain. While the rain has taken a respite, the clouds are still looming over, creating an overcast on this city.

I welcome the rain, though. I might had grumbled a little over the fact that the sunny sun had been blocked by the clouds, but at least rain brings about a fresher feeling today. The most welcomed raindrops had helped to wash away the dustiness and exhaust fumes from the never-ending traffic in this city. The short rain had helped to maintain the keep the crowd away, at least while it lasted, from the streets. Without it, yes, for a moment at least, the traffic eased for while. It would never stop, but it eases. Even for while, I but welcome it very much.

Yet today, I am chasing the heat from the sun. The sun has been given a little break by the rain. Nay, a little longer today, what with the clouds brewing between her and this city. The shine is what I need, for today, on my last day here in this city, for there are many pieces of clothing to be cleaned, dried and then packed. The sun continues to hide, but she understands. She still decides to share it's heat with me. A little sharing goes a long way.

You can't always get what you want, especially not the weather. He is our master, we function our lives around him. So it's a good day today. I am thankful with what he gives me.

Boredom, and its cure...?

This is one bored girl posting a short post about boredom! If there is any one day which she had felt boredom, this would be the most boring day of her entire life. A life of waiting is really a boring activity. Calling is not an option, as it would simply fall under the label of being POSSESSIVE. So this girl has to be contented to being bored, on her own, in a familiar country, in an unfamiliar apartment, with a very loving guy doing every other thing, except being the cure for her boredom...

Happy holidays, my dear!

Looking forward to my holidays, I am.
Oh, you are having holidays?
Yes, I am.
How long will you be off? A day? Two days?
No, my dear, I will be off for a week, one whole week! Seven days!
Wow, that's long! And your boss approved of your leave application?
Hah, my dear! I think I've not update you about me for quite a while. Sorry! It's the school holidays, I will be having my school holidays! I forgotten, perhaps you are not aware, but I'm teaching now. I'm working in a school now.
Oh, really? You are pulling my leg, aren't you? You were traveling around last time, weren't you?
No, I'm serious. Here, look at my tag. Remember, years ago, I told you about wanting to go for that course? Well, I didn't, but I did get to being a teacher, in the end.
Hmm...that course, yes, I remember now, but I thought, you had said that didn't want to go for that anymore? I'm confused!
Well, yes, not for that course, but still I would like to teach. And now, I am!
In that case, that's nice, really. I am all happy for you. No wonder then, your break is so long, a week, and without the need to apply! I'm envious! Hahaha!
Don't be, my dear. Think in this angle, at least you are able to take holiday anytime you like, subjected to approval from you boss, right? We teachers have to follow the school holidays, unless it's a real emergency. And do you know, I actually fell sick one day, and had to skip school, and would you believe it, I actually felt guilty because I couldn't have my classes! So after that, I really thought, yeah, if it's bearable, why not, right? Anyway, that was a wonder! Didn't think that I would one day feel that way.
Wow! Me too. I remember. We use to try our best to use up our sick leave allocation. Haha..That's a good and positive change. I believe, you are more responsible now, than before. At least, I hope so.
Me, too.
Anyway, do enjoy your holidays. I'm sure you will not be here right? Where ever you go, take care, all right? Just be alert and on full guard, especially on the flu issue. Wear a mask, gal.
I will! Thanks for your concern. I will try get you a gift.
Oh, don't worry about that. But thanks anyway. Happy holidays, my dear!
Oh, Happy holidays!

Price of Netball fun

Netball! Who would have thought I would one day play netball! Certainly not me!

I couldn't recall when was the last time I played netball. It must have been during one of my PJK lessons in secondary school. What did I remember from that lesson? Nothing, apart from my dislike for games, and netball especially, simply because we couldn't run when we have the ball. The rules, the players' roles, the points system, everything else I had 'returned' to my PJK teacher (so sorry, teacher).

So when it was announced that there would be a netball tourney for all teachers and staff, I was just dumbfounded for a while. I couldn't react. As it was made compulsory for everyone to join the tournament, reluctantly, I prepared myself for the game. We were divided into six teams.

When the day approached, I did was a little apprehensive. I did not manage to join any of the practice sessions a few days before due to other commitments. So, praying hard, I just hoped. Hope that everything would turn out alrite. And that I would not humiliate myself.

My team members met up about half an hour before the tourney started. Apart from my leader, the rest of us had never played a netball game before, and have negligible knowledge of the game. Strategy wise, we try our best to construct one. But one good thing, all of us were very positive and enthusiastic. Perhaps, we held on to the spirit of, lets just have fun!

Each team had to play 5 rounds and everyone has to have a turn in a game, or at least half a game. We were the opening 2 teams. After being awarded an 'egg' in the first game, I had thought we did pretty alright, managing to score at least a point in each subsequent game. Very excellent job to my fellow team mates, especially to my team leader!

I played in almost all the games. 90% of total playing to be exact, embarrassing myself as the goalkeeper for my team. The scorching sun didn't help though, sometimes shining right into my view. But the worst was my physical state. I realized midway during my second game, that I am really not fit! I felt drained at that time. Luckily, each round was quite short.

Tiring as it was, I must say that I had a great time, playing. Once we all let our minds to just have fun, and of course, try to win in the process, it was really great. It was the waiting for the next games that made me feel more tired actually. However, one thing I observed during the times in between was, Ms Doris, you were the most 'polite' player that day. And you had the best shoes! Wished I had taken a photo of that. :)

So netball, I played you once again, after so long. Great fun, but had been paying the price of having fun for the past 2 days. Body ache!

Cardigan, my saviour

Never in my whole life did I think that my cardigan would one day save me! Yes, a cardigan. A plain black cardigan. A knitted garment like a jacket, which opens down to full length of the front, that cardigan.

Today, I had the privilege to join another field trip, this time to the National Science Centre. It was supposed to be a routine field trip, where I was assigned to accompany a class. As usual, we went by bus, this time 3 busloads full of children with about 12 teachers, 2 for each of the 5 classes of primary three children, while 1 teacher acted as the lead and another held the duty of the official trip photographer.

I was in bus 2, supervising 8 children. It was during the trip heading there, that it happened. I had found an empty seat right up in front, while 75% of the children under me were all seated at the back end of the bus. So, after a while, I headed to the back of the bus, wanting to check out how they were doing. After all, I had to supervise, didn't I, and that was what I was doing. Supervise. Chatting, networking, being friends :)

Anyway, there wasn't anymore empty seats there, so I had decided to just lay my butt down at the edge of one of the child's seat. I didn't realize that it was a little damp. After sitting for some time, I noticed the dampness. So, I asked him, if he had spilled some water on his seat. He innocently nodded to my question. I had thought nothing about it, since I saw his water bottle laying there. It was just water, I said to myself. It would dry up once I leave that seat.

I wasn't sure what made me check out the back of my pants, but I did. Then I saw. The awful stain. The awfully big stain of dark red. The patch was so big, that it covered an area almost as big as my hand, if not bigger. It was really so so similar to that of the period stain, except for the location. I looked at the boy and asked what exactly did he spill on the seat. He pointed to a little bottle, placed on the holding net in front of him, filled with red colour liquid, some sort of juice. I was aghast! This cannot be happening. Not on the day that I wore beige coloured pants to work!

The stain was so so visible. Even the boys around me said it was not alright. It was noticeable. One smart alec even had the cheek to tell me that it looked just like stain from 'the girl's bleeding'. I was speechless, totally embarrassed yet at the same time, I was amazed with his knowledge. This came from a nine-year old boy!

No option. I took off my cardigan, and wrapped it around my waist. I was a little apprehensive a little for doing so, as the top that I was wearing was sleeveless. I did a little calculation in my head and arrived to the conclusion that I would rather be reprimanded for wearing sleeveless rather than die in embarrassment in public by walking about in a pair of stained pants!

So, that was how I went through the day wearing sleeveless top to work, for the first time in my whole working life. And that was also how my cardigan came to be my saviour just now. Seriously, I was just thankful that I did not simply wear a T-shirt as my top but instead chose a cardigan to complete my sleeveless top. I really thought that I was just lucky, plain lucky! I am just thankful!

I.. WANT to

Another sad piece of news was given to me last weekend. A friend's father passed away, unexpectedly. Details to how he died was little fuzzy, as no one actually knew what exactly happened. For sure, though, his death was real blow to his family, my friend, especially since I heard that her mother and sister were with her celebrating her convocation and they were all doing some light traveling in another continent, overseas when the news broke.

This event, after the news of Yasmin Ahmad unexpected demise end of last month, and before that, the much publicized sudden but mysterious death of a political aide of a certain state assemblyman, dig me, a little.

Life is so fragile. That time waits for no man. That said, I had always had the mentality that tomorrow will be here for me to continue what I want to do, or am lazy to do today. With those news, perhaps, I should rethink hard the outlook I have over life. Realign my thoughts.

Tomorrow is really a gift for me. For everyone of us. Today's our celebration. We should not just waste the seconds given to us for today, with thoughts tomorrow will come. Yes, surely, as long as the universe continues to exist and bring with it, its gift of time, we all should use it wisely and as best as it can.

Pretty sure that many of us have come across at least once, the phrase, live today as if there's no tomorrow. How true that phrase is! We should cherish and treasure what we have now, the people that we know and love, the life that we are living, the environment we are in, the things we love, be more mindful of our acts and thought. In everything, just simplify our thoughts to produce our best at every second of our time for each of them.

I want to. After all, what if my tomorrow don't appear?