Swimming 102 February 28, 2008

It’s been a month since my first session in Swimming 101. But as the title implies I promoted myself to a class higher today. (Although I still can’t venture into the 5-feet deep area yet. Ha!) Today we were taught how to breathe in between strokes. I didn’t quite get my rhythm right and too many times, instead of inhaling air I was sucking in water through my nose and mouth. Ouches! Well, still I deem that as progress considering where we were when we first started. Learning to trust something you’ve never trusted your whole life can be quite difficult. Like trusting the waters. This swimming thing has been more of mental rather than a physical exercise to me. I can’t say I trust the waters 100% now but I’m letting myself free bit by bit. It might be impossible to fly like an eagle but not impossible to swim like a fish.

I asked the instructor today if we could finish the lessons by March. And he said, “You mean March next year?” Hehehehehee. Can’t help liking him.

From the Blue Room February 24, 2008

I’m not really sure what guts gave me to do this. Posting pictures of my messy haven. It seems sacrilegious at first but I felt that I needed to remember me. I know that’s weird to say. Nevertheless, everything about my room tells something about me no matter how embarassing it is. Yes, yes including that cheap looking neon-blue curtains.

  

I’m surrounded by my own characteristics: those silly cows I painted on my walls show how whimsical I can be at times, the filing rack and my little notice board are my ideas of organising but truthfully I can’t stay neat for long, I hide my mess in attractive boxes or closets, and although those blinding curtains aren’t really my colour of choice but they are Ma’s work of heart.

   

I’ve said music is my life. I try to remember that everyday but it’s sad to realise that they were just words and nothing else. My CD player isn’t making any noises and my digi piano is gathering dust. Sigh.

    

Yeah. I should change. Then perhaps I could truly say that I’m happy with me and with what I do. Still, the fact will remain: I’m going to miss this room when I do have to go…

After the Rain February 22, 2008

This morning I woke up to a smiling sun. It rained last night and the grasses, trees and flowers looked so wet and alive. Took a few close-up pictures but decided on this one to share on the blog. Reminds me of a single teardrop. Though not necessarily out of sadness. Anyway it is good to cry sometimes. While it cleanses the soul from any emotional waste, it also clears the eyes from any bilas or dust or other foreign specks. Despite how ugly it could make you look (especially if you’re a wailer and not a sniffler) it really does feel much better afterwards. As if someone’s heavy arm has just been lifted off your scrawny shoulders. Next time your eyes feel like rain, let it go and let it free. Just consider yourself lucky you don’t need Eye Mo :)

By the way what is bilas again in English. Eye shit kah? Hehee

The Letter February 21, 2008

Ah. News! I received the following letter dated February 1, 2008:

Dear Truly Yours:

I am happy to inform you that your application for admission to the First Semester of the Academic Year 2008-09 has been considered. You are admitted to do two year Master of Arts (MA) degree program in Education, affiliated to XXX University, Michigan, USA, at XXX College Center.

…yada, yada, yada…

The First Semester of the Academic Year 2008-09 begins on June 20, 2008. We look forward to you joining us and wish you a pleasant and rewarding stay at XXX College.

Yours Sincerely,

XXX
Director of Admissions

It’s been my plan for a while to go back to school. And even though it’s always at the back of my mind that I’m gonna have to leave home again seeing this letter makes it even more evident and real that yes, I AM GOING to LEAVE soon. Sigh. Well, between now and June is a four-month gap. Anything can happen within that period which may twart the plan (yet again!). Hehe. Nah, not this time I hope.

Rain, Rain, Rain February 18, 2008

It hasn’t stop raining since last week and will continue to rain till the end of the week. Some parts of Sabah is flooded. Kota Marudu is one. I heard some areas are waist-high in flood waters. Brrrr I’m not sure I can handle any floods right now. In smaller news, the rain has also been hindering my outdoor activities – my swimming (pool has no shades), my Sunday hill trekking and my brisk walking at the beach. And so instead of sweating and toning up any muscles that I might have (blame it on the rain!), I ended up eating a plate of Nasi Goreng Nenas and a plate of Rojak Buah for dinner today. And as if that weren’t enough Flo and I contemplated on Roti Canai for dessert. Hehehe. Good that the stall didn’t have any otherwise we’d have gone home looking like stuffed gerbils.

Anyway, not much to talk about today. And perhaps the lack of it is a hint enough that there will be “The Encounter(s) of SL 3″. Pui!

The Encounter(s) with SL 2 February 15, 2008

Yes. A continuation of the dreaded Super Liar (SL).

Part #16 – Monday, the promised day

The whole day I anticipated receiving his call giving me the latest excuse for not being able to make it. Supposedly he would come to Tamparuli between 1-2PM and would contact me upon arrival. By 1PM I was already prepared to leave the house at anytime. 1:30PM. Not a beep from my cellphone. 1:55PM. It was pretty clear, he had made a fool of me again. And he wasn’t man enough to tell that he couldn’t make it. I left the house exactly 2PM for an appointment in KK. And decided never to speak to him again or risk bursting my fragile blood vessels.

 Part #17 – a week later

My cellphone rang sometime after 8AM. SL. I was in the middle of burning some songs and had to get it done quick. Didn’t bother to pick up the phone.

A few seconds later it rang again. I pressed the ignore button. Damn. That felt good.

Again it rang. Pressed the ignore button.

And again it rang. Again I pressed ignore and was grinning at the same time. Actually I was highly agigated.

And again it rang. Hahahaha… and again I pressed ignore. Well, I can only admire his thick hide. Tabal bah muka ni orang ni.

Well, he stopped calling after I SMSed the following: Im busy don’t call me. Give d money to MISS XXX or YYY at ZZZ. she wil b expcting u. TQ!

Immediately after that I contacted Miss XXX.

Part #18 – today

SL attempted another call which I ignored. It was 7:35. Too early to be pissed.

20 minutes later an SMS from him: Pls check with miss XXX. I will pass d cash to her on monday when i start work. Thanks. Pls reply n confim this sms.

And reply I did: I will wait monday to see if there is truth to ur word this time.

I can’t wait for Monday to come. Not so much for the money anymore but finally resolving this ridiculous situation that I have the misfortunate to be in.

Dangerous Like Acid Rain February 13, 2008

For the past five days it has been pouring lazy rain. Lazy rain is as dangerous as acid rain. It pitter-patters gently enough to lull you to sleep mid-day and hinders you from thinking intelligently or moving fast. It had me immobilised to my computer seat, eyes glued on the screen and mind whirling away to timeless wondering and wandering… Anyway. Today, well today is a little drier though the sun wasn’t exactly beaming. I kept indoors all day. Attempted to do some paperwork in my room in the morning but lost to facebook.com. Hehehe… that’s another acid rain I should be aware of. Sigh.

Sabah Tea Garden February 10, 2008

My weekend was spent stashed away in a horizon of greeneries at Sabah Tea Garden, Ranau. This is where the famous (locally though) Sabah Tea is being produced. I’m not really into drinking teas but I’ve heard that the fields and hills there make a fetching scenery. Well, I wasn’t disappointed. Our trip included a jungle trekking up Kamunsu Hill and down to Sapaon River. Also a visit to the tea processing factory. Pretty educational!

Here are some photos of our stay at Sabah Tea Garden. More can be found in my flickr photos.

 

The entrance to Sabah Tea Garden.

   

Misty morning greetings. Refreshingly green.

       

There was also a Rungus longhouse where visitors can stay the night. We opted for the bungalow (house on the left) for RM150 per night in one of the rooms.

   

The tea processing factory tour.

  

  

Kamunsu Hill Jungle Trekking. It’s been ages since I last trek inside a jungle. It was mighty interesting and envirogating change from say window-shopping :) Nature is fantastic!

   

The hypnotising Sapaon river and its rapids.

Mengkabong Bridge, Tuaran February 8, 2008

My Ordinary Day February 6, 2008

I woke up just before 7AM… rather, I was woken up by Ma to drive her to the Tamu. Some dream was tormenting me last night I think, from the way my head was aching. Can’t remember exactly what it was, though two nights ago I dreamt I met my purportedly estranged husband whom I married when I was college. He reminded me rather sadly that he forked out RM66,000 for our wedding reception and that I ran away soon after because I was terrified of losing my freedom. Hahahaha… Can’t be closer to the truth even if it was just a dream. (Darn all those heavy dinner.)

Anyway, so I washed up and dressed quickly. There was a long queue at the single-lane bridge towards O little town of Tamparuli when we arrived. Extra many people and cars this time because of the Chinese New Year holidays. Ma usually has her shopping done within one hour but it’s still considered a short wait if you plan to spend time at the Lelong tents – where the second-hand pre-loved clothes are sold. The Chinese tawkey still has his “broken tape” shouting “Lelong! Lelong! Mulah, mulah! Kain dali Sinkapo! Aramai tiiiiii…” on. Well, the noise didn’t deter me from hunting for any interesting buys and I went home not empty-handed.

After teaching a kid at 10:30, I watched TV at Astro Kirana for a while. There was a Chinese movie on entitled “Three Times”.  I think I remember reading a review about this movie a few years ago but can’t remember exactly. All plans to clean my room was delayed. Heeh. Anyway, there are three short stories envolving on the theme of love from three different eras played by the same actor/actress. It’s a pretty movie to watch, quite involving but somehow I didn’t get it. Maybe cause I missed half of it. I should google it up later - if I remember to.

Later, went out with Ma again to do a bit more of groceries shopping since most shops might be closed for 3-4 days for the festivity. I ended up buying a pair of walking shoes, a pretty rubber slipper and other unbudgeted items. So much for groceries shopping. Snort. Man, I’ve been spending money like water the last few weeks… Mostly on wants rather on needs. Came back home just in time to teach four more kids and here I am ready to lay down and rest. Can’t say it’s been a long day and I certainly don’t miss my 8-5 job.