Success is an option

Last night we had dinner with Gina at the hotel she was staying.She's here for a conference for specialist doctors and also presenting a paper.She looks well and she deals with little children who have dental problems.For the moment there are only 25 of these specialists in Malaysia.She deserves this because she worked hard for it.
There was so much to talk about and we almost forgot to eat.We click even though she's so much younger than I am.As I watch and listen to her I can't help but notice that she's so much like her late mother my late sister-in law.She even laughs like her!Well, she's her mother's daughter.It also reminds me that we are all getting on in age and that we should strive to do better (for the young ones) and not to be fastidious and fussy (for the older ones like me).For this life is short and we have no time to stand and stare or pick up silly quarrels over silly things!!

DE JA VU

Went back to BP to visit the columbrium.On the way home we dropped by 336 to take a last look before it was flattened by the bull-dozer.The whole area is scheduled to be flattened to make way for the expansion of the BP hospital.
There was a feeling of wistfulness because that was the house I grew up in.It was a rambling old bungalow house with massive rooms and a quaint kitchen located downstairs.The old 'jambu' tree by the kitchen was where we,my sisters and I spent our time.The ants and the occasional vists by furry caterpillars did not put us off from climbing it and eating the fruits while reading a book.And we were champs where tree-climbing was concerned.We could shimmy up the tree in seconds.The only tree that we were forbidden to climb was the coconut tree by the front door.Yes that's the tree I'm talking about and that's my sister and I trying to look sweet and demure for the picture.
Like the learned say...we need to change with times but thank God for digital cameras that allow us to store such precious memories of the past.
(The jambu tree is in the background to the left.The kitchen's to the right)

Happy days are here.

Remember the two little devils in disguise that I blogged about?Well,they sprang a surprise on me yesterday...a nice one at that!!!They presented me with a present ..a mechanical pencil and in my favourite colour.They were sort of shy to give it to me in front of the others and so dragged me to a corner.I guess they must have missed me last week when I took the day off to go to KL.So absence DOES make the heart grow fonder.YAY!It was an enjoyable session yesterday and I hope each lesson will be so.
The last 10 minutes was spent on story-telling and they came up with "the three little pigs"..their own version.It must have been their own because I know the wolf did'nt lie under a BANANA tree to rest!#%*.First they read it aloud and LOUD it was.Then they decided to do it with actions.So while I narrated they acted.They were cute,really cute.I saw 2 little sweeties in front of me.I hope they'll be just as sweet tomorrow.

About pending death

Denan and his family came to visit today.He looks gaunt and tired.His speech is slightly slurred and he is often breathless.Amin says the cancer is at its last stage but Denan nor his mother know about it.I feel sad.Here is my brother-in-law sitting infront of me and I know it might be the last time he is visiting his Kak Teh.We'll be going out for dinner tonight and he wants to go somewher near the sea.So we'll bring him to Senibung and he requested for 'udang galah'.I hope they have it tonight.
Things like this always make me sad.I don't like deaths and I don't like hospitals.My Dad and Mom died in the hospital.Doa Kak Teh untuk kau Denan.

Another dilemma?

Drove up to KL to pick Haireen up from her residential school.She wanted to spend the week-end here in JB..for a change.She's not to happy about life there.They have a very tight schedule and she claims she does not have time for herself!!What do I tell her.I tell her the choice is hers and that the road to success is NEVER easy.To my mind she's just being 'manja'.Everyone is rallying around her to make it easier for her and she does not realize it.I feel sorry for H because he's running around all the time.EVERYONE'S running around for her.Time to knock some sense into her.
We managed to squeeze some time for shopping and after that came straight home.The heavy downpour along the North-South Highway was an experience!If not for H's good sight,we would have taken shelter somewhere till the storm receded.
Today Haireen and I will go to the hair salon for her trim.Life in the hostel does not do wonders to your hair..and everything else!!!
Tomorrow we'll send her back to KL.It's another long trip but what the heck..she's my grand-daughter!!

My special days.

Today's Mothers' day.I've often wondered why 10th May is MD.Are mothers invisible on other days of the year?Yes?You ungrateful wretch you!
Every day should be mothers' day and Fathers'day and teachers' day.They are the people who guide and mould you and whom you practically see each and every day.
I have my special days which I think are very important and should be celebrated!The first is birthdays.It is a day for me (note that I don't use the word 'us' or 'you')to be grateful that I've been given another chance to live this life on Earth with my loved ones.Some people disagree with me for they say it is 'sambutan orang putih dan kita bukan OP'.It depends on how you look at it.When my late father-in-law was alive,and if he happened to be in Muar where we were living and it was my birthday or anyone else's,he would read the doa.I like this form of celebrating.Presents and cakes are just extras...but welcome ones!
Wedding anniversaries are important but only to those who have had a good marriage.There's no point celebrating whatmore remembering, if your marriage is on the rocks!I celebrate mine with him.
Hari Raya is the last .After the fasting it is time to be proud of what you have done and to celebrate.Of course ,in-between when someone dear informs me she's got her doctrate (ahem),I celebrate quietly within me.The latest good news that I've received is when Hadifah my pupil in my last school before I retired,tells me she'll graduate this July!Hers is truly a story of grit and determination and I celebrate with her.I'm proud to be part of her life!

Her dilemma is also mine

Last Friday,I received a call from a dear friend.She had bad news for me.Her cancer had returned.About 12 years ago her kidney was stricken with cancer and she had to go for surgery.It was a success and her follow-up was to go for annual check-ups.Among the medical fraternity,if it does'nt strike after 10 years you're considered to be safe from that debilitating disease.But she discovered it had recurred not from her annual check-up but from a scan she took because she had swallowed a bone.One thing led to another and the result was the cancer was now in her sternum.The surgery cannot be done immediately what with the swine flu scare,so it is scheduled for June 10th.
I was aghast at the development of her health and for once I was at a loss for words.I guess it was better that way as I think she needed a good listener.It would have been futile if I had told her not to worry and that everything would be alright because that would have been a great lie!Cancer wil never be alright.It just the beginning of a long and painful journey to meet your Maker.
I will be visiting her very soon and I pray to God for strength to be calm and not break down.I want to tell her that I will be there for her in her time of need.So God please help me help her go through this with grace and strength.AMIN