Wednesday, August 30, 2006

What goes in their heads

August 3oth 2006
Budaiya

I was looking at that wedding of the year pictures and couldnt help wondering... what goes in their heads during those moments.They make not a bad picture and certainly the bride is beautiful. No doubt about that.Did they ever think of those people that they had left behind ? Did it occur in their mind that they have hurt someone's feelings deeply ? Did they feel that they had taken someone's love away ?

And someone had written somewhere that goes like this...
Allah Maha ADIL..what comes around goes around.... tu namanya KARMA...Berbuat baik...InsyaAllah tuhan balas baik...Berbuat jahat...Allah ada "Standard Operating Procedure" (SOP) -Nya sendiri...So benda yang di luar bidang kuasa kita...we might as well just sit tight, and see... Sesungguhnya doa orang yang teraniaya itu dimakbulkan tuhan...

And I like that "Standard Operating Procedure" part. Nowdays we can see all the repayment cash on the spot. That is how Great... God is. We dont have to wait for a long time to see the deeds.

Question is...Can we build our happiness after we ruined someone else's happiness ?Can we live and not think that we have hurt someone... or we have taken someone's partner ? father ? husband ? wife ?Will it last... how long can it survive ?
How could someone, knowing very well that someone is already attached and still tried to snatch him away ?

What goes round comes around.What goes up will come down. That famous saying holds true in so many ways.

Been there...Seeing the love of my life being sucked into her world.Took me years,countless sleepless nights and few kilos to get over it. He told me he felt bad about it, but it was far beyond his control.No..I dont believe a word he said.

I am hoping to see that "Standard Operating Procedure"

Tuesday, August 29, 2006

Rush hour

August 29th 2006
Budaiya

Yesterday was like rush hour the movie.Started the morning with a meeting at a client's place which lasted till lunch time, had two mugs of tea and biscuits. The tea boy there is very good, he knows what is every one's drink, he would prepare tea with milk for me, everytime I am there without asking. We went for lunch with another client who came down to see his stand design, and thanfully he liked our ideas. We had seafood for lunch...lobster, crayfish,shrimps,crabs, fish, calamari and of course the normal appetiser of fried bread with hoummus dips, salads and fried rice.All these goes well with lemon mint drinks. And were too full to try the dessert. On top of that were a trio serenading the diners.And to my suprise, she sang Sheila Majid's "sinaran"... They told us that they had a stint in Kuala Lumpur for a few years.And he had a duet with Sheila Majid at a concert in KL. After lunch we were racing through all the way back to the office since my boss had a flight to catch.Adrenalin rush.Anyway he did make it to the airport in time.
So yesterday was our turn to speed like the locals do and weave in and out of the afternoon traffic. We couldnt afford to give any chance to anybody who want to overtake or sieve in to our lane.
Found another problem with the new office renovation, so we had to postponed our moving in day from saturday to next wednesday. So that will give me enough time to clear up my space.Seems that the more space we have the more we collect.It is very difficult for me to throw away things, bits and pieces of paper, old magazines, references etc. Eventhough I am not using them anymore. Old habits die hard.

Monday, August 28, 2006

Sleepless .......in Manama

August 28th 2006
Budaiya

Woke up at 3am this morning.......looks like its back to one of those old days where I couldnt sleep again. The stress from yesterday stays on and on on for all the tomorrows to come. That is life here. And without stress life is incomplete. Something is not right if there is no stress. Stress will definitely find you. So these sleepless nights see me loaded on my "tea" and reruns of tv series, and this morning it is magnum PI...!It is ancient, Tom Selleck in his short shorts and hawaiian shirts.The tea has really warmed my soul and I hope and wish that it will be a good day ahead. Another busy day, that I can foresee.Sometimes do we ever wish that we have more than 24 hours in a day ? Or my time management had gone haywire ?

Friday, August 25, 2006

Steamboat dinner

August 25th 2006
Budaiya

My usual friday again...and started off with my household chores,had my breakfast and reading the news. Hopefully today will not be as hot.
Last night we had dinner at a colleague's house. It was a steamboat feast, and I love steamboat because it is a healthy fare, not oily... but basically I love soups. I was actually thinking of making almond jelly with laichee, but couldnt find the laichee at a nearby coldstore. So I had to postphoned it till I get all the ingredients. But lo and behold, after dinner the host took out the desserts... and there was a plate with that white almond jelly and laichee... its like a dream come true... ( just a simple dream though ) There were fresh fruits, ice creams and chocolates too.
Anyway the steamboat was delicious, we had prawns, fish, hotdogs, fishballs, chicken, vegetables and meehoon. Simple meal since everyone was very concerned with their high blood pressure. One of the guy discovered that his bp had shot up to a danger level, thus everybody chipped in with their opinion. No more red meat, less salt, less sugar, stop smoking, exercise, more fish and vege in the diet, and the list is endless.
I guess it all boils down to the stress level that we have here. Sedentary lifestyle and the food that we eat. We should hide the soya sauce/fish sauce bottle from the cook...!!
Looking back, its no wonder that people in the olden days have less sickness. We were not so rich in the kampung, fish and vegetables are what we usually have. Chicken and beef are for special occassion, like khenduri and hari raya. Life was simpler and we dont take so much of canned and preserved food products. In these modern days... there are too many temptations.
How I wish I have the willpower to stick to a healthy diet.

Wednesday, August 23, 2006

Where credits are due .......

August 23rd 2006

Budaiya


Went to a meeting at a Client's office yesterday. The lady director who is also the decision maker was still on vacation, so we have to discuss things with her principals. She is most of the time in her irratible state, but we knew that is her character, so we have accepted that.It so happened the supposedly PR guy handling their account is also on vacation, so we the regular back stage crew had to fill in as usual. She was ranting why this PR guy is not around.For example, during the last project that we did, the PR guy was complimented for a job well done. The boss was saying, the client was so pleased with the project, and was thanking him.


What about us... the people behind the stage... the people in the background, who went through hell just to get the projects approved and ready ? What about those people that had to put in extra hours and worked as hard. We seemed to have been the forgotten people of sort. They only see us when they need something to be designed or drawn and as usual in a hurry at the last minute.We feel tired of this kind of treatment. We want all our efforts to be recognised as a contributor in a team.


The PR guy will not be able to deliver this project alone. It was all the while a combined team effort. Each department with their contributions. It is not fair that the PR guy gets all the credit, as if he is the one who knows and did everything.


Moral of the story - You need to make yourself heard.

- Credits should shared for a team effort.

Monday, August 21, 2006

A day of dismay

August 21st 2006
Budaiya

I am getting very frustrated since the past weeks because my blog page seems to be giving me "error" and I could not upload any images.

Friday, August 18, 2006

Friday 18th

August 18th 2006
Budaiya

I love fridays. But only the fridays where we dont need to work.
We have some fridays where we have to work when there are shows or urgent projects to finish.Saw my Boss car in the parking lot, that means he is in the office.Busy days ahead..thats for sure.

Did all my household chores.It was ( still is ) very hot today and I was sweating like I have done a workout at the gym, just by washing my balcony.Free exercise regime. Hope I can lose some weight...!!

Had a chat with a friend whom I havent seen online for a while. Too busy building his career... ( thats what he claimed..! )Some people say... if u care about someone..you shall find the time. Some other people say... if you care about someone
you will always be there, even though in silence, you will be there when needed. Well I guess everybody need their own space. I have some of those friends, whom I know will be there when I need them, and vice versa.

My blog is showing some error and I am not able to post pictures, which frustrates me.Can anybody please help?

Tuesday, August 15, 2006

Tuesday the 15th

August 15th 2006
Budaiya

Tuesday... fourth day of this work week. The heat is taking its toll on us, and worst still there is a water shortage in the evenings.
Last night I woke up at 3am ( macam puasa pulak ) and waited for the water to trickle back... until 4.30am. Only then I managed to wash a pile of my dishes and continued the second phase of my laundry. I guess it will be the same tonight.

I got a cute fridge magnet today from a colleague who went to Bulgaria for a vacation. Fridge magnet seems to be the easiest thing to buy for souveniers, I brought some from Malaysia to give the office mates too. Specially now that the airlines are strict on baggage limits ( I mean for economy class lah ).
I had 26 kg when I checked in my bag and the guy at the MAS counter didnt say anything.Wish I had put in another 4kg of dodol.
Everybody said the dodol is nice. Must get my neice to send some to me for the hari raya.
Another colleague who took Gulf Air from Singapore had to dump some of his food stuff in the bin at the airport because of over baggage. Its not worth it to pay for the extra charges.
If we can have our way, we would want to bring all sorts of food stuff that we cant find here. Well the first thing I packed was 3 pieces of 'belacan', followed by sardins,curry powder and nasi impit for raya.

Saturday, August 12, 2006

With A Song In My Heart .......

August 12th 2006
Budaiya

DUST IN THE WIND

I close my eyes
only for a moment
and the moments gone
all my dreams
pass before my eyes a curiosity
dust in the wind
all we are dust in the wind

Same old song
just a drop of water
in the endless see
all we do
crumbles to the ground
though we refuse to see
dust in the wind


Now, don´t hang on
nothing last forever
but the earth and sky
it lips away

And all my money
won't another minute buy

Dust in the wind
all we are dust in the wind
dust in the wind
dust in the wind


Today I thought of the song "Dust In The Wind" by Kansas.
It was first introduced to me by Rene and has become one of my favourite song since. Sometimes I wonder how he is doing right now... Rene who thought that he should get a younger girl to marry so he can have half a dozen kids.

In my life ... certain songs relate to me with some fond memories.
There are many others. Like my all time favourite..."Only Time" by Enya.

ONLY TIME

who can say where the road goes
where the day flows, only time

and who can say if your love grows
as your heart shows, only time

who can say why your heart sighs
as your love flies, only time

and who can say why your heart cries
when your love lies, only time

who can say when the roads meet
that the might be, in your heart

and who can say when the days sleeps
if the night keeps, all your heart

night keeps, all your heart

who can say if your love grows
as your heart shows only time

and who can say where the road blows
where the day flows only time

who knows, only time..
who knows, only time


"Only Time" brings back a love that was lost...
A love that was not meant to be. A love that "Only Time" can tell.
Too much water passed under the bridge, we were just like two ships passing by in the night.


WAITING FOR A GIRL LIKE YOU

So long...
I've been looking too hard I've been waiting too long
Sometimes I don't know what I will find
I only know it's a matter of time

When you love someone
When you love someone
It feels so right so warm and true
I need to know if you feel it too
Maybe I'm wrong...
Won't you tell me if I'm coming on too strong
This heart of mine has been hurt before
This time I wanna be sure

I've been waiting for a girl like you
To come into my life
I've been waiting for someone new
To make me feel alive
(Yeah) Waiting for a girl like you
To come into my life

You're so good...
When we make love it's understood
It's more than a touch or words we say
Only in dreams could it be this way

When you love someone
Yeah really love someone
Now, I know it's right
From the moment I wake up till deep in the night
There's nowhere on earth that I'd rather be
Than holding you, tenderly

I've been waiting for a girl like you
To come into my life
I've been waiting for a girl like you
And a love that will survive

I've been waiting for someone new
To make me feel alive
Yeah waiting for a girl like you
To come into my life

This is one of the first song that he sent me all the way across the Atlantic Ocean, at the start of our relationship. We were happy then... so happy ...making plans. Each day was a blessing.


ALL MY LIFE

Baby, baby, baby, baby, baby
Baby, baby, baby, baby, baby
Baby, Ooh, I'm so glad

I will never find another lover
Sweeter than you, sweeter than you
And I will never find another lover
More precious than you
More precious than you

Girl you are
Close to me, you're like my mother
Close to me, you're like my father
Close to me, you're like my sister
Close to me, you're like my brother
You are the only one, you're my everything
And for you this song I sing, and

All my life
I prayed for someone like you
And I thank God that I
That I finally found you, baby

All my life
I prayed for someone like you
And I hope that you
Feel the same way too
Yes, I pray that you do love me too

I said, you're all that I'm thinking of, baby
Said I promise to never
Fall in love with a stranger
You're all I'm thinking of
I praise the Lord above
For sending me your love
I cherish every hug
I really love you so much, baby, baby, baby


You're all that I ever know
When you smile on my face
All I see is a glow
You turn my life around
You picked me up when I was down

You're all that I ever know
When you smile my face glows
You picked me up when I was down

You're all that I ever know
When you smile my face glows
You picked me up when I was down

And I hope that you
Feel the same way too
Yes I pray that you
Do love me too

All my life
I prayed for someone like you
And I thank God that I
That I finally found you, baby

All my life
I prayed for someone like you
Yes, I pray that you do love me too


Next came this CD in the post. I was really happy and looking forward to a new life with him. We had four beautiful years together ( long distance..that is )
But as we all know...Nothing lasts forever... but the earth and skies...
Life has plenty of vermins...
Still the bottom line is ...nothing lasts forever but the earth and skies.

"If you give ... you shall receive...one way or another
and
if you take something from someone... someone else will take something from you..."

Friday, August 11, 2006

Another weekend

August 11th 2006
Budaiya

Woke up early today, since I need to clean up my balcony before the sun gets too hot. Managed to rearrange the stuff, swept away all the dust and am really hoping that the weather will be changing soon. My only plant is turning yellow. I was thinking of creating a garden on my balcony, getting some potted plants and install the small fountain. But I need to wait till the weather is more agreeable.

I still couldnt decide how best to arrange the furniture in my room.
Should I follow the Fung Shui advice or should I be more practical and make the best use of my limited space ?

I visited the fung Shui shop when I was in KL last week. There are plenty of such shops, so much so that it has become too commercialised. It is really amazing to look at the items and learn a bit of their values. From the stories that I have heard, it has worked well for some people and proven with good results.
So I am raking my brain how best to combine the Fung Shui and make the best of my limited space.
Deep down in my heart, I still harbour a little bit of hope.
A flicker of hope that all things will work out well in certain aspects of my life.

Thursday, August 10, 2006

I am back .......

August 10th 2006
Budaiya

Last night we met up with a group of Singaporeans at Ponderosa to celebrate the Singapore national Day.We were supposed to turn up in red and white attire, but not everybody were sporting enough.
We had dinner and some slide shows and a huge cake. And of course we sang the Singapore national song with pride.
Met up with a kakak and her pretty daughter.She invited me to her house which happens to be nearby. At least I got an additional Malay friend here.
Been almost a week since I came back from my vacation. The weather is exremely hot and it makes us feel lethargic.The office renovation is going on at full speed and we have to endure the noise and disturbance. As usual the 2 designers are keeping to themselves and extremely quiet. Not even a word of thank you come from them when I gave them a little souvenier.I find that very rude.I think one should say "thank you" when we are being given something, even though you dont like it. It is just being polite.