Random Thoughts of a Lioness: November 2005

Monday, November 28, 2005

Office is rather quiet today. I am totally loving it. All those important people (read: Cruella, Ms Crazy, Lals and the rest) are away on errr... Away Day. Of course la I have like a long list of things to do on my 'amanat', but the thought of able to work without these people breathing down your neck is so calming.

Since I have been postponing my getaway (from November to December, now to January - you get the drift. I just hope it will materialise!), Buster took me to his office's quick getaway on Saturday. Nothing fancy, just plain ol' PD for a night. Well, at least I got myself a spa treatment and BBQ out of it. Although I can no longer strut around in my swimsuit and skirts due to the company (err..and those love handles!), it was alright being by the beach to watch the sunset and build sand mountains with the kids. I wish my REAL beach holiday will happen soon though.

Had Anne's belated birthday with Kerry and Buster last night. In honour of Ace who is away in NY, we had our dinner in Chutney's, an Indian Cuisine hidden gem in PJ. The food was marvelous and the company was even better. Been a while since all of us met up, so dinner was followed by desert in Lucky Garden, where we shared 6 pieces of cakes and pastries among the four of us! Updates: Anne is currently taking her exams while Kerry, apart from being the pillar of strength for her family, is also busy with her beau Kay. Chinaman Triad King lookalike Mikey (who sported blonde, white streaks and finally platinum longish hair throughout college) is now a clean-shaven, short haired, devoted father of a boy and a girl. Cik Wan is now working in Shanghai, and damsel-in-distress Moon was last heard working in a local bank while completing her ACCA.

Am sleepy to the max right now. Funny, since I slept for 3 hours yesterday evening, plus my normal 7-hour sleep. Too much sleep maybe?

Thursday, November 17, 2005

A Tribute to Yong

She had always been around for all of us. She was the glue that hold us all together. She would know the latest news (and gossips!) And made it her job to relay it to all of us. Although this earned her the title of CNN, it was meant in a good way. And every time us kids - the nieces and nephews mainly, had difficulty telling our parents certain things, she would be the one we all turn to get advice. She was our first boyfriends/girlfriends, she took us through heartbreaks, she even provided weekend shelter for a few of us who left home to study in the Klang Valley.

Yong is Mama's first cousin. The eldest daughter of Tok Chik (Ki's younger sister), Yong and Mama grew up together in that big house in Kampung Raja. After she completed her education in Tg Mahmud School, Yong fell in love with one of the teachers there and got married to Uncle. As Uncle was also in the education line, he and Aboh hit it off very well. Later, they moved to KT and lived about 10 minutes from where our house is. When my cousin entered their lives, everything centered towards their little princess. But she has never neglected the nieces and nephews who have had her attention before that. I am lucky for Tash and I are of the same age. Like our mothers, we practically grew up together. Yong mothered both of us when Mama was busy at school. She picked us up from kindy, took us collecting remis by the beach, brought us to the playground, read us books, accompanied us to ballet, etc. I guess it is true what Bro said to me - a close aunt covers the area your own mom can't do.

In 1987, Uncle got promotion and they had to move. It was heartbreaking for me to them leave for they were the only family I was close to at the time. But on the other hand it was also exciting for I get to spend my school holidays wherever they were posted! Yong remained the mother she'd always been no matter how long we've been apart from each other.

Post SPM : I left good ol' KT to join college. At the time when I got the offers to do my degree, I was away in the States for a month. Mama and Aboh accepted one on my behalf, and rejected the rest. I have to admit, it was the best decision at the moment. However, after a month there I was told that the terms and conditions changed. I would miss out completing my degree outside of Malaysia. I was upset, but I didn't want to make my parents feel bad. Who did I call? Yong. Who did I pour my heart out? Yong. And it was dearest aunty called my parents soon after to tell them I wasn't happy. Within two days, she picked me up and sent me back to settle things with my parents, who subsequently wrote a letter to my then sponsor to take me out of college. In a way, if it was not because of her interference, I won't be where I am today.

All the while in college, her house became my weekend getaway. Even though Tash was also away in college, I never felt more at home being there. She made sure I was fed and rested, and made it to all important functions Mama and Aboh couldn't attend. When I was overseas, she would always be there to send me off whenever I had to leave. She was the first family member I introduced Buster to, whom she'd taken to immediately. Buster too loved her from the first moment they were introduced.

Over the years, she extended the same hospitality and love to T and our younger cousins. T even had his own room in her house! Buster and I became regulars for breakfast. She picked up Jay's kids from school, who in return were at her house all the time. Even Tiny's elusive daughter became all talkative and manja when it came to their Tok Mi. Yong was indeed our mother away from home.

I spent my last two moments with her during raya. We went to Yong's house on the 4th raya - as soon as we came back from Terengganu. Although only with 10 minutes notice, she managed to serve us with 2 different kind of nasi! We also had cake for it was Tash's birthday. She was never happier to see us eat and fed us gossips about our family who celebrated raya in KL. She told us she might be going back to KT on Friday - to stay at 'Hotel Mama'. We promised to see her again before she left.

Thanks to Pak Long, we managed to keep that promise. We had dinner in Subang on Wednesday. Yong was all excited to see Pak Long, Abang, T and myself with our partners all at once. We were laughing over dinner, and we were laughing at her over desert. It was such a happy outing. Should I have known it would be our last, I would have hugged her a little tighter, and made her stay a little longer. My last conversation with her was on Saturday, to thank her for ordering Nasi Dagang for Daddy's open house. She sounded well and excited to be in Terengganu. I didn't talk to her long. My last word to her was - See you in KL!

I got the call from Aboh on Monday, 14th November at 4.45 pm. He just told me in a broken voice - I have not so good news. Yong dah tak ada. I made Aboh repeat it so many times for I couldn't believe my ears. But when I heard Mama crying in the background I knew it was true.

Yong passed away in Karak on her way back from KT. She complained of feeling feverish the night before, but refused to see the doctor when Mama suggested that morning. Pak Chik & mak Chik said she was fine all the way in the car, although she slept most of the time. She never complained of any illness. She even called Mama after lunch to inform that she was feeling better. Pak Chik decided to get a few minutes of sleep in Karak. At the fateful stop, Yong stepped out of the car and collapsed. Mak Chik came to help and put her on her lap, but by then she was already gasping for air. She never said anything, didn't answer to their calls and exhaled her last breath.

God loves her more, I know. The passing came so easy for her. But she has also left a huge void in all our lives. Uncle and Tash seem so lost. Us nieces and nephews are left with only memories of her warmth and grace. And I personally, lost my second mother.

Rest in peace, Puan Zahariah Abdul Majid. Semoga Allah mencucuri rahmat ke atas rohnya dan ditempatkan di kalangan orang-orang yang beriman.

Al Fatihah.

Monday, November 14, 2005

Open houses and raya food..

Syawal weekends are often so tiring. As the city people trying to squeeze in a day to invite friends and families over for Raya, the rest of us will end up eating 3 different sorts of rice, 5 different types of drinks, and endless variety of kuih rayas. *No wonder the clinics are making a fortune describing indigestion pills to people this festive season!*

Last weekend saw me co-hosting our own open house at Daddy's. For the first time, Daddy asked to look for Nasi Dagang. Since his not-so-skillful daughter-in-law knows nuts about cooking this Terengganu dish, I did the next best thing - order it from a Terengganu makcik. She comes highly recommended by my uncles and aunties, and these people have been eating Nasi Dagang everywhere! Others on the menu was Nasi Lemak Sambal Sotong(courtesy of a Keramat stall and BW's sambal expertise), satay with nasi himpit and kuah kacang, and Laksa Penang. I am glad to report that the sales of Nasi Dagang on that day was excellent. People were delighted to see something other than the normal delicacies. *grins*

One up for the youngest DIL! *Although it can't beat to actually cook like BW la kan? LOL*

The guests started coming as early as 11, and the last ones left well after 7 pm. Thank goodness the food were enough for everyone, and just nicely enough for dinner. No shortage, and no wastage..just the way I like it. Most of the guests were family members, close friends and neighbours. One new neighbour, an expatriate German family living opposite us found out that our next door neighbour are also German! They stayed on and chatted for the longest time. Buster's aunts from Ijok brought over their anak angkats from Japan, Indonesia and Brunei who were in Malaysia on their last day. In between running to and fro the kitchen, I could hear people speaking in numerous languages that it became not unlike a Raya advert on tv!

As usual, Daddy forgot to invite his latest menantu's side of the family until the last minute. Dah malas nak rasa hati dah...it happens often enough. Since I only invited them a few days prior to that, most couldn't make it. But of course, I can always count on T, his gf and the whole Horse Hill entourage. I so enjoyed seeing them eat almost EVERYTHING we served! Tash came with them, and for the first time that day I sat down and ate. I think most of the tables were looking at the loud Terengganu speaking crowd! Emm came right after. I was happy that at least the closest people to me showed up. By 1730 hours, I sat down to have a bowl of laksa when Uncle Pious Pilot and Aunty Nice walked in. Yay! One elder relative actually made it. Daddy and Uncle PP had a discussion on lambs and asam keping *DO NOT ask me why* while Aunty Nice told me the wedding preparation for my Emmy Award cousin Edie (this needs another entry).

The cleaning-up process was tiring to the max. Enough to say that even the sofa never looked so good.

Yesterday was spent driving and visiting 3 different open houses and a 9-course Chinese wedding dinner. I don't think I can even fit into my raya clothes after this!

Wednesday, November 09, 2005

A Belated Raya Wish

It is now the 7th day of Syawal. For those who are strong enough to complete their six days of fasting will celebrate Raya Enam tomorrow. Yours truly haven't even fasted a day since Wednesday *hangs head in shame* but am determined to start soon.

Raya was good. It was even better due to the fact that I was home *grins*.

So, SELAMAT HARI RAYA to everyone. Maaf Zahir & Batin.

Note: Will definitely update this better once I can find the time!

Random Thoughts of a Lioness