untitled

I logged in several times... and I have been to this same empty page several times... I want to write... but nothing is flowing...

Thoughts I have are negative... I could not write anything that is suitable for public consumption.

I don't want to write about mundane stuff... though i have been guilty of that on more than 1 occasion...

Hence, I am officially taking a sabatical from blogging... until i feel better...

work...

It looks like January is going to be a busy month for me. Attending meetings almost everyday of the week, next week and a couple of times per week till the end of the week. I just hope that it would be useful and beneficial to all involved!

You know how meetings are... They run all the time, people spun stories, promises are made... but not everything are done as claimed. and it would eventually turn out to be a waste of time! I had the pleasure of attending a couple of meetings in my work life that was absolutely brilliant, but meetings like that don't come along often!

On top of that, I will be moving to a new premise probably in March. Suggestions made are considered and will be instated as soon as money is available. I now wonder who will help me run a big space like that!

Looks like 2008 is going to be activity packed. Would i like it???

New year's resolution

What is one thing that people always talk about at the change of the new year? Without fail, they like to talk and ask you about it... read the title... "What's your new year's resolution?", "Did you keep your resolution last year?", "Are you changing your resolution this year?"... and more...

I heard it on the radio... I read it on blogs.. I read it in facebook and friendster.. I was also asked several times... and what is my answer? I do not believe in making new year's resolution.

I used to make one (or several, as it was), as i was growing up. I used to make up and change things until a few years ago, when i realised that its futile... Why? because

• you don't keep it.
• you struggle to keep the not important resolution.
• you wonder how you can keep it.
• you worry about what would be a good resolution this year, because you want to be original.

Instead, i make little oaths to myself. Something achievable anything through out the year. And i give myself a time frame to complete it. An example would be,... I have a temper. Its bad and short and explosive. When i was much younger, it was much much worst! I remembered in Uni, when i was really mad, i used to slammed the door. It freaked my house mates... and i realised that it was a bad thing to have an uncontrolled temper, that controlled you...

It must have been October-November 1996, i made myself a promise that i would control my temper... and i had a plan how i was gonna go about it.... and i managed it... my temper is much better, but i won't boast how great it is..

I have not made any new year's resolution for a long time. the same will happen this year. However, i had plans on how to improve myself ot my work... i'll share if its achieved...

What is going to happen...

I just had a look at this building i was supposed to relocate to.... huh! sounds like news... well,.. that is because i have been keeping mum about it until now. Its not that BAD (fingers crossed!) I was a bit apprehensive before my move to KB... and i am so now, with this move... but, if things were moving to a better direction, why not.... I'll embrace it, even if i am apprehensive about it.

Anyways, I started the new year by attending a wedding of a family member in KB. I don't even know this girl... and we are supposed to be cousins!!! I attended because ... I dunno... what possed me...

I was waiting in the heat, though the food was nice, the fact that i waited for the bride and groom, and finally seeing them and thinking to myself "Who the hell is that!" and.. "I have never seen those people in my entire life"..... so... why was i there????

That just really got me really worked up. I mean... why should i attend a 'family's' wedding when i don't even know her... Why should i attend that function, when i have never seen her at any of our functions... Come to think about it, I have never even seen HER parents visiting MY GRANDMOTHER even during raya..... and we make a habit and tradition visiting my grand's brother (the bride's grandfather) every 2nd day raya!!!

If i can list things i hate... its soooo easy! and it'll be long... its been a few days.... I am still feeling angry and upset with myself for attending that wedding! ARGH!!!!!!

Happy New Year!

Its 6 O'clock and i was woken up by my regular alarm to get up!! I had an early night last night, so it wasn't too much trouble to get out of bed.

This year (well, more so last year), unlike any other year... there was no great family do, no get together amongst friends, no crazy texting "Happy New Year". This time round, the change of year is just another day!

A few weeks back, i was listening to the radio. Though I dislike the DJs, they raised something worth sharing. They were saying that we should list down things we are grateful for, happy that it happend in 2007. As I was listening to the radio, i tried to list my own 5 things, but it was so hard.... so let me try again.

5 things that i am happy for that happened in 2007:

• I lost some weight. Now the problem, is losing more, or maintaining the loss!!!
• I managed to maintain a savings. Not much but enough to furnish my new room.
• I purchased a nice big TV for myself. My first own TV, excluding the one i share and purchased with friends in UK.
• I read books :) Though I should make more time for it.
  
• I am happy i am in KB... away from things... and able to breathe and savour things around me though its hard work and exhausting!!!

So, there we have it... that took an hour, mind you, to figure out.... To list things i am unhappy about in 2007 would have been easier...

To all, Happy New Year. Should you decide to list things you are grateful for, I wish you great ease, than the time i had to go through.

I've been tagged...

I have been silent for a while... a lot have been asking questions. I have no reason, other than i was lazy, overwhelmed at work, emotionally 'unstable' for a while.. hence, i had been de-stressing through working like a mad woman in the clinic, stitching and watching Korean DVD. A good cry, and 'prying' into someone else's life had always made me feel good and re-focus back to my own reality!!!

i have been tagged to write a lot. One is on first love by Twinkle... however, i am postponing that as long as i can.... i thought about it.... I can't yet write about it without being emotional and tears pouring down my cheek.

Therefore, I am going to reply to the Tag i got form Burt instead. Before that....

• I would like to congratulate young family members that had gotten their results and passed with flying colours.
• I would like to congratulate the 2 newly wed people - sarul and diana. Of whom is yet to give me a picture of their wedding for framing!!! I'm feeling their present is un-needed!!!!
  
• Conratulations to those that had realised love, fell in love, is in love (That would be everyone!!!) and will joint hands in faith (Sabrina)!
• Thank you to Haslin for the wonderful gift. It proudly sits in my room, near the 'Main" attraction spot in my room, the TV!

I would like to apologise to others that i had:

• misled
• hurt
• waited ages for a blog entry

Without waiting long: Here are the Tagging rules;

1. Each blogger must post these rules.
2. Each Blogger starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
3. Bloggers that are tagged need to write on their own blog about their eight things post these rules. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.
4. Don't forget to leave them a comment telling them they've been tagged and read your blog.

Eight random facts/habits about me ~

1. I am afraid of going bald.
2. I toss and turn in bed before i wake up in the morning. Its such an ordeal!!!
3. I don't have many people I call friends...
   
4. I am reserved. I rarely open up to people.
5. Despite popular theories, i have had only 1 boyfriend!!
   
6. I just realised my secret desire to be a 'pampered' housewife.
7. I hate ONIONS and TOMATOES!
8. I want companionship!!! Someone i can talk to and hug freely!!!
   

These are the people tagged:

1. Iskiness
2. Balsy
3. Twinkle
4. June
5. Haslin
6. Adeline
7. Wardah
8. Anyone else that seems to be reading this blog entry!!!

I would like to wish everyone

• Selamat Hari Raya Haji
• Merry Christmas
• Happy New Year
• Selamat menyambut Tahun Baru Hijrah 1429

Pictures of cross stitches... project delayed for 6 years!

This project was meant for my niece; Hannah. It was supposed to be finished just after she was born and now she is almost 6 years old!!! I shall never live this down. I had plenty of reasons why it wasn't completed sooner... and its all REAL!! None of that excuses mentioned in Twinkle's blog entry!

I kept it in a box for at least 3 years thinking would be moving house soon. I was misled. Then, I only had backstitching to do... I completed all the back stitches in 5 days i think.

So,... Haslin and June... This is proof 1!! More to come...

I took picture of the details :)

The charms were easy to add...

cross stitching

I was invited by 2 of my friends to go to a bookstore not well known to people. This book store offered books of different ranges, particularly romance. However, other genre are widely available.

I browsed through the shelves... i was tempted... but there weren't anything i was dying to get. As i was about to give up hope, i spotted a stack of magazines.... and lo and behold... a stack of cross stitching magazines...

I was immediately in cloud nine. I looked through several magazines and found a few charts that i was interested in stitching. The lady charged a dollar per page - scanned with colour. To some that may be a bit steep and perhaps it is... but its better to get charts you wanted to stitch than buying several magazines with nothing that holds your interest. In the end, it probably is more economical!!!

Anyways,... my 2 lady friends were not quite convinced that i stitch... and i stitch quite beautifully and neatly!!! I take pride in my work. They required proof of my work... hence,... in the next few blog entries, you will probably see me showing off my work just to prove to some friends what i am capable of ;P :) All in good fun :)

reflection on work...

When do you think one can be free... to have time to one's self to do want to do what one want... to have one's agenda without being interrupted?? In my experience, you won't have that chance, however, one should seize every opportunity available to carry out tasks or fulfill one's demanding social calendar to one's best ability!!!!!

Often also, you cannot please people no matter how hard you try. There are always things that are unsatisfactory. However, i personally believe that you have no one to please except yourself. If you had done a good job - it should be enough. we should not find approval in others.

These thoughts of wisdom was a result of a meeting i had this afternoon. Meetings always made you reflect back. Not all meetings are bad :) :P i believe in "Good Attitude" and responsibility towards work commitments. ;)

Busy...

Dearest (especially Burt and baby) people...

I have been busy lately.

1. I have a cousin's wedding to attend, hence, i drive up and down KB just to be there.
2. December is generally a busy month at the clinic... and so... been occupied with work.
3. Moving house is not that easy... i have many boxes to unpack during the weekends.
4. I have friends to visit and see...
5. My house is at the ulu, and so, i take every opportunity in "TOWN" when i am there.
6. Another cousin is getting married in February, and i am getting ready for that.
7. I have patient's new schedule to prepare for next year!
8. I am tired.....
9. I have nothing to write, though i have been tagged to write about 'my first love' and 'music'.

And so... i hope every stays calm... I shall blog soon... and i hope very soon...

Shall i blog about music? my first love? or just a meaningless forwarded email?? or a questionnaire?

locked in the toilet

I told my patients that i would not be taking any leave end of this year... hence, attendance to the clinic has been super good! I am always full.... justt enough to clear my table before the next patient walks in... sometimes.... i dont even have time for that.... the patients are already knockinng on the door.... but.. it has been good.

This afternoon, i had an autistic patient comin to the clinic. We were going to work on language, particularly counting and more vocabulary in sentences. He wasn't in a good mood for the past couple of weeks, and had to do therapy outside therapy room. He hides behind mummy's back just to avoid me.

I was clever today.... Since KB had much changed... i brouht him for a walk around the hospital.. counting.. holding hands... and looking around... we still achieve my goals, but executed differently. I somehow managed to get him into my therapy room and started to do work.

Then,... "I need to go toilet" he said... and so we ran to the public toilet. I supervised from outside... giving verbal instructions. "Sit on the toilet", "Are you done?" "Flush the toilet" then comes.. "Open the door"... and.... pull.... pulll.... pull.... and then... scream.... the door wouldn't budge...

"SHHHHHH. Calm down. Listen. Sit and wait" (he is not ood at waiting... post 5 seconds, he is up again!) he locked the door from inside and didn't know how to unlock it.

i had to quickly run to the next bunch of men... and asked them to help me open the door from inside. The boy... was already screaming. making him understand help is on the way is not easy. I have to keep my voice up just so he can hear me above his screams... then.. "Shhhhh. I'm coming. Lets count. 1 2 3..."

Needless to say, the door opened... and he rushed out. I was gonna hug him because he ot me worried... but he had not washed his hands... so that was first. "wash your hands" and "say thank you" then we walked off.

I finally gave him the hug in the clinic... and we talked a bit about how he felt. I had plenty of words...

I told the mum what happened... Mummy smiled. She said... He's locked h imself iin the car once. But he was able to follow instructions as the windows was clear. Mum understood that he is unable to follow instructions! Thank god!!

Anyways... Next time any of my kids wants to go to the toilet, we run like the wind... but doors are AJAR!!!

its easier to diss other people's flaws than to think and reflect about yourself... Plus, i find it a good sport! :P I am not particularly mean, but... truthfully... its a sport everyone enjoys... the tongue lashing :) My specialty is often 'sindiran'. (the mind does not think too well at the moment as i can't think of the equivalent English word!!!)

I see no harm in giving honest opinions especially when asked for it. I usually do not save or reserved the option of going safe, slow or even 'nice'. In my experience, when you express empathy and/or sympathy,... people often feel they are understood and do not take the high road to 'reinvent' them selves or make a wrong, right...

Opinions are exactly that... opinions... however, facts of life, and rules that need to be obeyed are something else... Example, when i say to a patient that he/she should seek counselling or even report to the police of abuse happening at home to him/her and his/her children... I expect it to be followed. However, when it is not, I can't help feel disapointed. I won't mask the feeling of disapointment to spare the other person's feeling as I, feel it is wrong to subject yourself to such a torment, what more innocent children!!!

I especially hate hiprocacy... that just makes my blood boil. You say something to one person but as soon as you turn you back, you say and act something else... I do not tolerate it... But somehow, that is going beyond the scope of this entry.... back to it...

It is also nice to have the option of expressing one's self... say towards a group of friends. I feel that if you can't express your truest opinions and thoughts to the people you love or trust... what is the use of having them? be alone. be a hermit.

Plus, when people are in the heat of expressing their opinions, people are often thoughtless (of which i am) and... what ever was said should be taken with a pinch of salt... However, the validity of such opinions remains logical, credible and resonable. minus the heat!!!

Anyways, no one should force their opinions on others, regardless it being THE BEST opinion and SHOULD be followed. However, the person giving the opinion reserves the choice to be disappointed with the stupid person who asked for it but did not follow it in the first place. My opinion that is :P hahahahahaha...

Translation

A lot of people think translation work is easy if you are fluent in the languages you are translating! WRONG!!! Its a lot harder and complex than just translating.... especially when you are translating into a more formal language than the normal 'slang' we use everyday.

I find using proper Bahasa Melayu everyday a challenge. What more using Bahasa Brunei. and when i have to write reports in Bahasa Melayu, i cringe and always ask if we get the alternative of writting it in English instead.... Its not that i am not fluent in Bahasa Melayu.. i think my skills are acceptable, and my standard malay is pretty impressive... however, using Bahasa Melayu in a formal, business setting is different from speaking it.

Often, words you rarely use when you speak are needed when you write to express yourself eloquently and politely. Often, my boss would say... "Your Bahasa Melayu is horrible" or just laugh it off and asks me to re-write it again.... She often would also give guidelines... and words she thinks is important to be used. Yesterday, we had our routine monthly staff meeting. I handed her a letter i wrote in Bahasa Melayu and she said my usage had improved. I smiled. It was a lot of effort :P

I just finished translating and reading through passages that needed to be done for a book i am collaborating in. It felt like my head had split into millions of pieces... i can't feel my head... everywhere i press.. i feel pain... i don't even know if the sentences made sense or not!!! But i hope it does, because i can't do it any more... I had been doing this since early this week... and its a torment... i cannot live with a pounding head! simply cannot.... its not negotiable!!!

With that done, i have several other pieces of work that needed me using Bahasa Melayu... Thank god i had sense to purchase DWIBAHASA kamus early on in my professional life!!! But today, tonight... I'll stop here and take a break... start again on Tuesday!

What does love mean?

This was forwarded to me by a friend.

A group of professional people posed this question to a group of 4 to 8 year-olds, "What does love mean?"
The answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined. See what you think:


"When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love."
Rebecca- age 8


"When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth."
Billy - age 4


"Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other."
Karl - age 5


"Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs."
Chrissy - age 6


"Love is what makes you smile when you're tired."
Terri - age 4


"Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make ! sure the taste is OK."
Danny - age 7


"Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more.
My Mommy and Daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss"
Emily - age 8


"Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen."
Bobby - age 7 (Wow!)


"If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate,"
Nikka - age 6 (we need a few million more Nikka's on this planet)


"Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it everyday."
Noelle - age 7


"Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well."
Tommy - age 6


"During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling. He was the only one doing that. I wasn't scared anymore."
Cindy - age 8


"My mommy loves me more than anybody. You don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night."
Clare - age 6


"Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken."
Elaine-age 5


"Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford."
Chris - age 7


"Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day."
Mary Ann - age 4


"I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones."
Lauren - age 4



"When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you." (what an image)
Karen - age 7


"Love is when Mommy sees Daddy on the toilet and she doesn't think it's gross."
Mark - age 6


"You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget."
Jessica - age 8


And the final one --

Author and lecturer Leo Buscaglia once talked about a contest he was asked to judge. The purpose of the contest was to find the most caring child.

The winner was a four year old child whose next door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife. Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's yard, climbed onto his lap, and just s at there.

When his Mother asked what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said, "Nothing, I just helped him cry"


When there is nothing left but God, that is when you find out that God is all you need. All you do is simply say the following small prayer for the person who sent you this.

God bless all my friends in whatever it is that You know they may be needing this day! And may their life be full of your peace, prosperity and power as he/she seeks to have a closer relationship with you. Amen.

Seven deadly sins

I read Burt's blog and he had this... and i decided to take it... hehehehe... the results don't lie :P I am memang pemalas :P My family can vouch for this,... though i can be hard working when i want to... take the quiz and see for yourself, what you are...

Greed:	Very Low
Gluttony:	Medium
Wrath:	Medium
Sloth:	High
Envy:	Very Low
Lust:	Very Low
Pride:	Low

Take the Seven Deadly Sins Quiz

Growing old...

My parents wanted me to accompany them to "beraya" to their friend's house which is about 20 mins away at 90 km/hr. This was their high school friend and her name is Dk Damit, though she is more popularly known as Dk Small. I like the popular version better. and she lives up to her name.

My parents promised to met up another friend 'Amin" at the petrol station at Lumapas. However, this friend, not knowing where lumapas was, he stayed at the Limau Manis's petrol station... We waited and waited... only to find out her was still there... needless to say, we were going up and down the roads for a hour. We were late by 1.5 hours!!! (I had a headache!!!)

I was eating away and te parents and their friends were chatting and discussing and remenicing old times... things they did.. fun they had... they alsoo exchanged words and news such as whom is where... how everyone's health is... and whom had died, why and where...

It came to the soberring topic of aging. The lady (Dk Small).. she was saying that in her area, there are not a lot of the old people now. Most of them have died... and that leaves her and her siblings to be the "elders" in their village.

She also said that she had never imagined or visualised herself to be in such a position. Time flies too fast for her to realise it, then... it just happened.

It was as if, she changed from a youth having fun, to an aging old-ER woman instantly!

It didn't stop me thinking.... One day... I will be growing old... and would be one of the elders... what then???

Funny things about being a Speech Language Therapist...

A friend emailed me this :) I love it... read on...

TOP TEN REASONS TO BE A SPEECH LANGUAGE THERAPIST (SLT)

10. We have ways of making you talk
9. We know what the name of the little thing that hangs in the back of your throat is called
8. SLP is more than just lip service
7. [wil/`vtutraenskraib]
6. You're always analyzing your friend's speech
5. You think it's cool to hear someone swallow
4. Someone has to help Cindy Brady
3. We like to hear ourselves talk
2. You know how to say "larynx" correctly
1. You can legally brainwash people by making them repeat the same phrase over and over again

TOP TEN REASONS TO MARRY AN SLT

10. Get your mother in laws hearing tested free
9. Translates pet talk
8. Uses appropriate sign language - except when driving
7. Early diagnosis of dementia
6. Unlimited thickening fluids
5. Steady income - for weeks at a time
4. Free oral-peripheral exams
3. Good vocal hygiene
2. Knowledgeable in tongue-thrust remediation
1. Can distinguish women from cross-dressers based on pitch, intensity and intonation patterns

TOP TEN REASONS TO DATE AN SLT (MY FAV top 10!!! HA HA HA HA!!!!!! Its so wrong... yet so funny!!!)

10. We'll prove that doing it slow makes it smoother
9. We can make you scream in all the right ways
8. One hour sessions are our speciality
7. We'll teach you how to make the "OH" face
6. We know how to get your strongest muscle up
5. We know the value of frequency
4. We love intensity
3. We know how to swallow
2. It's all about tongue placement
1. We do it orally!

YOU MIGHT BE AN SLT IF....................

10. You casually drop the words "diadochokinetic rates" at parties to impress your friends
9. You are the only adult you know who still plays with bubbles on a daily basis and enjoys it
8. You write your child's first words phonetically
7. You get excited about flavoured tongue depressors
6. During informal conversations with friends, you often interject "good speech!" or "nice talking!"
5. You take dysfluency data during speeches and sermons
4. Children seem to gravitate to you during social events
3. Instead of saying to your friends "What a cute baby!" you say " Does he vocalize in two or three syllables?"
2. You can recite the Ling 6 sound test backwards
1. You make casual eye contact with people's mouths during casual conversations

at the hospital

I went to the hospital, bringing our housekeeper, to see the skin specialist after she had done something to her skin to aggrevate an allergy - creating such ugly and worriying rash, spreading through out her body... I just left her prescription at the pharmacist's window, waiting to be billed.

It was a busy day, and it took a while. All seats were occupied. I didn't really have much choice but sat in front of this lady and her daughter. They looked unkempt. I am such a snob that i looked down on them... thinking how they didn't take the effort to dress up, like the lady didn't clean up well... her dress weren't pressed properly.. her scarf did not match and more horrible thoughts....

As i was sitting there... I looked at the lady and her daughter closely. Having said they were not 'properly' dressed... i noticed the kid had more discipline than other kids properly dressed (beautifully and more expensive) in the hospital at that time. She sat properly, quietly. She hugged her mum, because she gave her a sweet from her tatty bag.

The lady and her daughter exchanged glances, hugs, kisses. it was genuine. It wasn't one of those hugs kids give you because they want something in return!!! I was humbled... I quickly appologised (in my head)... I realised I was a snob.. judging the exterior without knowing what's inside...

I am sure the lady would not want to be in a situation where she is not at her best... where she cannot give her children the best,.. but i suppose, that was the best she could afford at the moment... I felt so ashamed of being a snob. I never did realise i could be one of those people i loathed to be!!!

I then was forced to think back to my childhood... Though I wasn't as 'poor' as the lady and her child appeared to be, but i was far from being affluent. There were times, I wanted things but was too expensive. There were times i wanted to join in school trips, but knew it would be a ridiculous thing to ask. But all these times, I never had a friend saying to me... I am sorry you are poor and unable to join us....

To the lady and daughter at the pharmacist... I am truly sorry... I learnt a valuable lesson... You made me realise, there are always things within ourselves that we can improve and change, if we take the time to reflect... Thank you..

you know...

Recently, I have relocated to a new address. It is far away from where i used to grow up in. Readjustment is a necessity not just for me but the whole family, including extended family members. We are no longer free to make plans at a whimp's thought. I have, and so have the others, know we now live deep within a village...

You know you live in a village when:
1. You leave the house at 6.30 am but still gets stuck in traffic on your way to work every morning.
2. People drive insanely slow on the roads.
3. You think your heart will explode from driving at 50 or worst 35 km/hr on roads leading to the main roads / highways.
But others are blind to your hardship.
4. Road users just exited their lanes though they see your car fast approaching. And when you are behind them, they drive
at a ridiculous speed of 20-40 km/hr when you were going 80 km/hr.
5. You no longer drive fast. Instead you drive constantly at a speed not exceeding 80 km/hr to reduce consumtion of petrol,
hence budgeting your needs.
6. You do not feel the urge to move from the house unless something major happened - its too far!!!
7. You are no longer invited to impromtu activities as it takes you more than 30 minutes to just get to Gadong on a non-
busy day of normal traffic flow.
8. People on the road home recognize your car and hoots or waves at you.
9. People realise your family's car activities, and stare as your car moves up and down the lanes passing their houses... and
you think... God! Tongues are going to wag!!
10. You wake up on morning, and the air outside is much cooler, and there is peace and an element of serenity to the
surroundings.
11. You see monkeys, squirrels and cows everywhere.
12. You see different kinds of the bug variety and bigger mosquitoes.
13. There is mist linggering around the trees even at 7 am.
14. When it rains, it pours. HEAVILY!
15. The roads are not looked after properly by the authority.
16. You dont go home late as the roads at night are dark and it gets freaky.

I am sure the sister-hood has more to add to the list... Its not a complaint... its a re-adjustment after 30 years living around Bandar Seri Begawan / Gadong area where its about 5 minutes away from each location at one point in our lives to this.. its a big change... but a change, which i am sure everyone agress, we all are making constantly. Living far has taught some of us to plan the day ahead well... also manage time more wisely... so, yeah... something good always happen out of things / events.

Some pictures of the kids while they were in my room, enjoying each other's company as well as watching Harry Potter and Barbie :) as well as drinking Soya Bean and eating 'keropok'.