Mak Intan Menceceh

Quick Cheap Eats

06:38, 2008-Apr-13 .. 1 comments .. Link

I see pasta a different way these days. They should be called life savers.

We eat pasta almost everyday for lunch. Gone are the days of masak lemak, ikan goreng and sambal belacan at noon. We only eat rice and proper lauk as a special treat (read: when Ma is less lazy than usual). I bet many mothers have a special salutation to pasta for helping us feed hungry mouths in the least amount of time. I want to know what about pasta that kids love so much.

I was discussing with Elisa on the different ways to cook frozen artichokes. She came up with some amazing ideas. Imagine artichoke in your kuah lodeh? Or artichoke fried in garlic and butter.

I have not tried it in lodeh, I have tried frying it like one would a normal stir fry. The slightly earthy, tangy flavour reminds you of a less acidic jeruk kobis and very tame red onion. I bet it works well with a lot of Asian dishes.

I tried adding it into my regular spicy tomatoey seafood pasta, artichoke actually tastes like chicken.

Here's the recipe if you are interested:

Half of a small packet of farfalline ( bow-tie shaped ones)
Half of a small packet of mostacolli (small penne)
Quarter of a medium packet of seafood cocktail (clam, squid heads, octopus' tentacles, shrimp)
3 cloves of garlic, smashed or chopped, up to you.
2 tbs ground chilli
4 tbs olive oil
Half a cube chicken stock
1 small packet of Del Monte tomato sauce
Button Mushroom
Artichoke
balsamic vinegar
salt and pepper
A good sprinkling of your favorite cheese
cilantro

Put pasta in a large glass( or any microwaveable ware) bowl, add enough water to sink them all in. Some salt. Microwave for 10 minutes on high to al dente perfection. Drain and shock under cold running water.

Pour the olive oil onto the pan to the count of 2 ( 1.....2...agak2 4 tbs), sweat the ground chilli for 2 minutes. Throw in the garlic, seafood cocktail, stock cube, button mushrooms and artichoke. Toss them around till they look plump and then sprinkle a bit of flour to thicken the mixture a wee bit.

A dash of balsamic vinegar would then deglaze the pan and put a little tangy edge to the dish. At this point you can put the pasta and the tomato sauce in.

Give it a little stir, add some cheese and garnish with chopped cilantro.

Yum.

Pasta was gone even before I sat myself down at the dinner table.

08:24, 2008-Apr-6 .. 0 comments .. Link

Akak kan, dapat hadiah tau...

Out of the blue, Mr Boss thought it was about time I did something special (read: totally selfish) and took all of us on a road trip to Oman.

The hadiah is, ladies and gentlemen, police and firemen....a short stay at Al-Nahda Resort and Spa.

Akak perasan goddess satu hari satu malam you. Sedap giler.

Hasilnya...

ok tak?

Barely Necessary Essentials

06:09, 2008-Apr-3 .. 8 comments .. Link

Rotidua started this meme of favourite drugstore things. Three things you would not leave home without first smearing some of them on. A bit like war paint huh? I have these items to make me battle ready for a day out.

For those who have met me in person or have seen mugshots of me a few years back would remember the amount of gunk I had had on my face. Lately though, I have decided to celebrate the 32 year old skin that I am in and let it breathe a little.

Not.

I still put on a lot of gunk to achieve that au naturel look. Life is ironic like that.

This is what I call camouflage makeup. It gives me maximum coverage to conceal my age spots, zits, scars and dry patches. It has superb staying power and spf20. Coverderm has helped a lot of people achieve that flawless finish, hence battle-ready for the critical eye and the harsh environs.

Next is my all-time favourite girly indulgence.Meteorites Powder for the Face by Guerlain.

It's a little bit fancy. But a little goes a long way. I call it my magic powder pearls. I use it in place of loose powder. It sets your make up, balances your skin tone,and ultimately makes your skin look, feel and smell better.

The third ultimo make up item that I can't do without is the NYC powder blush.

Notice that I have picked items that present kaleidoscopic colors? This actually helps me achieve that not-over-made-up look. A light Cinnabon swirl over my non-existent cheekbones, and voila, instant sun-kissed glow.

So there, my three things.

But I can't resist sharing with you what I use to get the gunk off.

Seikisho Mousse Cleansing Oil by Kose. It cleanses waterproof makeup easily so you don't have to worry about waking up with racoon eyes the next day. All the above can be obtained from good departmental stores and pharmacies. Prices vary.

So what are your 3 things, share if you please, as what is good for you may be good for me too!

TAG! You're it!

Nasib...

11:43, 2008-Mar-31 .. 4 comments .. Link

Maybe it's just my luck. My sheer bad luck with things I consider beautiful.

We lost our trusty Fender in the void deck of our old house in Singapore in our haste to get it ready for our new tenant.

So to mend my broken heart we bought a lightweight Carlos here in Dubai, not the expensive one of course, but substantial enough to poke a hole in my pocket. Small enough to be wrapped by my tiny and lean (hah! I wish) arms, nice enough to match (and not outshine) my bling-blings.

Alas, its life ended yesterday. Aishah was opening her wardrobe and didn't realize that the door was pushing the guitar down until there was a loud crashing sound.

She started wailing and exclaimed,

"It's my fault!I will tell Abah the truth!"

I didn't get mad because it was actually my fault for not getting a proper guitar stand.

Aishah had spent a good half hour staring into space, afraid of the bleak prospect of getting a good one from Abah(while I chatted with Elisa haha).

When I thought I have had my fair share of peace and quiet, I told her it's not entirely her fault. And slipped in a little piece about keeping the house tidy where everything has its own place, and that there is a place for everything.

She came away with a system. Now she is policing all safety violations (words she got from the internet) around the house much to my dismay.

You can't win. Ever.

Wait till she learns the words "health risk" and "carcinogenic", mati mak tak makan!

Logic

11:58, 2008-Mar-13 .. 4 comments .. Link

Aishah: Mami, I know when Abah is going to stop smoking...

Mami: Ha.When?

Aishah: He will stop when he dies.

Abah: Hmmm....

Sorry aaahhh?

06:36, 2008-Mar-10 .. 5 comments .. Link

Sorry for neglecting you my friends...Been updating my blogspot quite regularly lately, affording lesser time for this one.

Anyhoo,you'd be happy to know I am adjusting pretty well in Dubai.
.

The kids seem to have adapted well to the environment. We're still a little bit shaky on the putting on a brave front bit everytime the Abah has to go away, which is quite a lot! But we're okay. Kakak and Adik have been such darlings.

Alhamdulillah, Aishah loves her school. So much so that she comes home oh-so-dirty. Apparently she is quite enthusiastic in the sandbox. She's beginning to show signs that she's very much like the Abah and I when we were kids, losing things, and coming home with minor cuts and abrasions. So far she's been to the school clinic twice for playground mishaps, God please protect her.

Arzachel is already 3 months! How time flies! He's smiling a lot these days. On good days, I'd get cheeky gurgles and a tiny chuckle. And oh he's got the lungs of a champion. I can actually feel my tympanic membrane tremble, shrivel and hide, for fear of untimely death. I think this one will grow up with a voice to be reckoned with.

Now, in case you're wondering when am I going to start whining...Here it comes...

I have put on weight.

Bah!!! I thought BF-ing would help the fat melt no matter what I eat. Oh how wrong I am about that! I have lost 10kgs so far, but this week I gained two!!!

I can't go on some kinda fad diet because my milk duds need nourishing, but my 100 day pantang period is almost over and I don't know where to hide my newly acquired muffin top, you know, the saggy skin spilling over in its hideous lumpy glory. Love handles? Let's not go there. No La Perla is going to help.

I should better do something before my head sink into my shoulders. Oh no, mommie's got no neck! God forbids!

Trophies of motherhood, my foot!

Must.Get.This.Book.

Tumpas...

03:39, 2008-Feb-7 .. 5 comments .. Link

Shamefully, Mak Intan admits defeat and succumbs to artificial means, the pacifier. There was no way Arzachel could be persuaded to settle down on his own without suckling on Momma's juice( from heaven). It just had to be done.

Moms have to bathe at some point right?

Anyways.

Just as you have predicted, my lutut did get lemah alright.

But not in the way you had imagined.Or I had forlornly wished.

We have yet to get our Barry White evening. Sigh.

But! Big but here, we have procured the expertise of one jeweler to custom make my "baby bonus" ring. This time, it's going to be a singular Tahitian grey pearl with a few microscopic cross cut bling bling.

Does that make me want to make more babies? No siree! Let's just say, it's an occupational remuneration.At the very least. *evil cackle*. Nothing could EVER make up for him not being there during the delivery kan?

Dubai is quite chilly lately. But since it is THE shopping season, I went and got meself a long black leather jacket at 70% discount. Very Matrix( the movie) if you ask me.

But imagine a podgy and lumpy mother of two in it. Haha.Not pretty.

Have no luck in our search for a maid yet. So far I have called a part time cleaner once. And Mak Intan's not happy. The cleaner must think I am the client from hell. I made her scrub all four toilets with a berus. Jahat tak? But worry you not, I did not forget to tip her, walaupun dia tak vacuum bawah sofaset gua! Grrr...

Finally found a school that would take Aishah in. Tough task when it is in the middle of Spring term. Good thing, it's partly managed by a Singaporean institution,so it'll be easy for Aishah to ease into the Singapore system when we get back. Bad thing, it's so new we don't know if it's any good.

Thanks to the pacifier, I managed to hoover the hall and the kitchen. My anak bujang slept through the whirring and all.

I think I'm going to let the pacifier stay, but should I worry about him not feeding as much? Btw, it is an orthodontic pacifier, so kononnya it won't alter his jaws and teeth? We don't want to worry about braces later do we?

Oh-oh-oh, Aishah dah tumbuh gigi betul!!! Her first permanent tooth. Her lower incisors are beginning to loosen,she's so thrilled she has begun fantasizing about how much money she'd make when the tooth fairy comes avisiting.

I told her there is no such thing as a tooth fairy, and that pennies are meaningless in Dubai or in SG.

"Oh, pickles!" she said.

Can you tell who's been watching too much tv?

Lost in Space

08:49, 2008-Jan-20 .. 11 comments .. Link

When I should be giddy with excitement upon our impending reunion, I find myself feeling the oddest of feelings.

Will he still like me?

Will I like him still?

Odd. Very very odd indeed.

And very scary.

What shall we talk about? I find myself so used to not having him around, I feel a bit reluctant to get out of my new normal.

I am actually nervous about sharing the same roof with him again. I am so used to typing my words, how am I going to cope speaking to him in person? I am so used to emoticons and all things virtual, how will I connect with the man in the flesh?

Oh how will I learn to communicate with him offline again?

As crazy as it sounds, I think my marriage needs to unplug itself from the internet.

I need to relearn to love my man in the real world.

Lesson! Long distant relationships are not without occupational hazards. Ours for one has spent way too long in cyberspace,resulting in a certain degree of loss.

Memory loss.

Must upgrade CPU.
.

The Party

09:03, 2008-Jan-14 .. 1 comments .. Link

Story and pictures can be found HERE

The aftermath: Mak Intan's back needs an overhaul...adoiiii!

The Power of Prayer

06:45, 2008-Jan-11 .. 3 comments .. Link

Alhamdulillah, the recent familial conundrum has been settled as quickly as it came. All I did was mintak doa banyak-banyak, lo and behold, my issues have been ironed out without me having to bruise anyone's feelings.

Good time to be praying for more good things ah?

Thank u all for your concern and valuable advice. That was surely a buah cempedak di luar pagar situation.

***

We're going to celebrate Aishah's birthday super early this year. More than 2 weeks early actually. I have engaged two caterers, one for lunch and one for the party proper. I have also engaged a party planner.

We're going to have an "Ariel the Little Mermaid" themed party. Woohoo.

The best part is, we're going to hold it kat bawah kolong aje...no need to mess up MIL's place, no need to penat-penat...But the place is so huge, the set up would look rather sparce. Heck, Momma's gonna have a partaaayyy!

Bestnya bestnya bestnyaaa...Oh-oh-oh Elisa, I nak buat Read Aloud session jugak tau(that's if the party people don't get to sugar-charged to sit down, haha)

Will tell you about it when it's over k? I am so excited because my pantang period is also officially over! Can't wait to hit the nearest Ben & Jerry's.

Alhamdulillah I feel quite normal now. Kopi je belum berani nak minum, since I am BF-ing. How ah, can ah?

Ventilation of Disquietude

10:07, 2008-Jan-6 .. 7 comments .. Link

My kepala is the very the pusing!

It's like this.

Ada la sorang hamba Allah ni, ada hajat nak bukak bisnes kat padang pasir sinun. Memandangkan dia adalah sedara saya, tak kisah la kalau dia nak tumpang rumah saya yg kecik tet tu.

Menyesal pulak, masa baru pindah dxb dulu termengader-ngader nak rasa duduk kat palm jum3irah tapi termampu nak sewa apartment 2 bedroom ajer...terlupa yang ada sedara mara yang kaedahnya kalu datang melawat negara mana sekalipun sah-sah akan cari tempat nak duduk free. saya terlupa tabiat ni sebab saya tak buat pe'el camtu.

Sebenarnya saya tak kisahlah dia nak tumpang, walaupun dia bawak 3 lagi geng tinggal kat rumah saya, walaupun saya tahu agak pelik jugak kalau mereka nak tumpang rumah saya masa saya takde, dan kebanyakan waktu suami saya pun pergi luar negeri.

Alkisahnya, memandangkan suami saya selalu tak ada, suami saya pun kasik la dia kunci spare. Sedara rapat kan, tak kisah lah.

Nak dijadikan cerita, suami saya kena pegi luar negeri dan tetamu saya masih lagi di rumah. jadi terpaksalah buat arrangement untuk dia bagi kunci ke pak guard ke, selit bawah pintu ke apa-apa lah...Sekali dia bawak kunci iteww balik Malaysia.

bersambung...sebab anak bujang saya nak nenen...

***

ok si tambam nih dah tidur...bangas aku bah! where was i?

kunci.

alkisahnya one of his geng tu, kena gi dxb lagi sekali untuk meeting, tetapi sedara saya tu tak ikut. dia bagi kunci tu pada geng dia tu lah...saya kata since sedara saya akan join itu mamat later, tak kisah lah. sekali mamat tu dah amik kunci rumah saya dari sedara saya tu, pastu dia pun tinggal lah rumah saya mcm rumah tumpangan ah huat gitew eh...i geram sebab dia bawak anak dia sekali macam gi holiday pulak. dah la tu, lepas tinggal kan rumah kita, tak tutup aircond ok? so the whole time rumah tu takde orang bila orang2 tu dah balik malaysia, ada la dalam 3 minggu aircond tak off. mana akak tak angin kau!

pastu pastu nak datang lagi ni..kali ni sedara tu bawak sorang pakcik campur 3 lagi manusia datang duduk free-free kat rumah burung saya yg kecik tu. mana nak taruk beb? kebetulan suami saya tak ke luar negeri. mana dia nak tidur beb.

sedara saya tu suami saya kasi tidur master bedroom. yg lain2 tu kat hall ada, kat maid's quarters pun jadik...yang suami saya? terpaksa tidur bunk bed anak dia.

kira tu boleh la tahan lagi lah kan.

orang2 ni datang ke dxb untuk urusan bisnes sekali tak reti2 nak arrange transport sendiri, guna keter suami saya. abih suami saya nak gi kerja camana?

nak bantah2, sedara saya tu kira senior citizen kan, tetamu pulak tu, takkan tak kasi? serba salah suami saya dibuatnya. so dia arrange la supaya sedara saya tu, antar dia gi kerja, guna kereta tu tapi syarat petang kena ambik dia dari ofis la, nak balik rumah...

yang paling membingitkan, sedara saya tu dgn geng2 dia meeting kat abu dhabi, jauh la kiranya jugak kan...tiba-tiba ada meeting petang, tak dapat fetch suami saya. terpaksalah suami saya tumpang kawan untuk balik. suami saya ni jenis tak suka susahkan orang...sigh...

bingit ke tak???

yang saya stress sangat ni pasal suami saya dah tak selesa kat rumah sendiri disebabkan sedara SAYA. oh tidaaaak...

nasib baik dia ken agi US malam ni ....seminggu. kira tak payah la mengadap sedara saya dan geng dia kat rumah tu...sbb nak gi kerja pun susah kalau takde kereta. rumah saya tu bukan ada bus mini kaler pink.

i feel that i need to talk to this sedara of mine. nak datang buat business kena la cari tempat tinggal dan transport sendiri, kan ada allocation. kalau datang melawat ke holiday tu tak kisah lah. i mean, for him i tak kisah, we go room for 2 ppl kalau nak datang melawat. ni nak kena tumpangkan geng2 dia ni yg i tak berapa gemor...kalau banyak2 kali kasi room n board n transport untuk business meetings mereka, rosaklah rumahtangga aku beb. i sensitip tau kalau my suami tak selesa...rumah saya bukan business hotel ok.

kita kata mi casa su casa pun pakai la hotak sikit kan? ni mereka nak datang lagi in february, time tu saya dah ada kat rumah.

oh stress!!!!

Going Loco, Flying Solo

11:59, 2007-Dec-29 .. 3 comments .. Link

Mr Boss has left for Dubai last night. For some reason I felt I was not ready to be left behind.

AGAIN.

With a new baby who had just been circumsized, and a stubborn motormouth of a 5 year old whose mischief seems to increasingly challenge my sanity, especially since the arrival of the baby. Camping in the spare room at the inlaws' doesn't help either, as my novice mothering skills are subject to scrutiny ( or perhaps, it's just me being self-conscious).

I feel oh-so-tired. My arms are cramping. I am not eating right, thanks to a super blurr domestic helper..argh! Goddesses (yeah right) have problems dealing with super blurr, super slow kitchen hands...

I am not sleeping right, but that's to be expected...Baby's not sleeping right. It's been only 2 days since the circumcision.

I am most frustrated because I feel so incapable of controlling my temper when attempting to set Aishah straight (she's been so bossy with the maid) while Arzachel needs contant attention.

I am crying a whole lot these days because I have very little energy to reason things out with that loyar buruk daughter of mine.

To put it simply, I have a problem coping with two kids without the husband.

Mak Intan sungguh penat....:( His t-shirt yang harum semerbak isn't giving me any comfort. :(

I don't hate my children or feel like throwing them against the wall, so this is not the baby blues...or is it? :(

Spelling Dilemma

02:37, 2007-Dec-26 .. 8 comments .. Link

We have finally registered the birth of my son. The delay was due to some red tapes that required us to produce the original marriage certificate, which we have left behind for safekeeping in Dubai. Bah! A bit of kow tim-ing with the officials did the trick, but not before having to run around all over Singapore trying to get proof that Mr Boss and I are legally married. Bah!

Finding a name for my son was no mean feat.

We had a long list of boys' names that we naturally could not agree upon, plainly because we had little else to argue about (rindu nak bertekak), and the fact that the both of us would not settle for anything generic, we scoured high and low for good Muslim names or at least prominent Muslims to take after.

I went through a database of Muslim scholars from the Middle Ages (?) and found one that really sounded cool and in line with our pipe dreams and aspirations.

Inspired by the achievements of Al-Zarqali, a Spanish Arab astronomer/mathematician who invented the astrolabe( tak reti-reti nak Google? *winks at Lollies*), corrected Ptolemy among other amazing things, I thought it would be cool to adopt the Latin spelling of the name.

Arzachel.

Plus, to the world of science, Arzachel is a better known name than Al-Zarqali(which is actually a family name for Abu Ishaq al-Zarqali , God knows what his real name is, as the name plainly means, father of Ishaq the Engraver).

Mr Boss had some qualms about spelling Arzachel with "-chel" as it might confuse the Malay tongue.

So we considered Arzakiel...but then that would be to similar to Ezekiel, a
J3wish prophet. We decided against that because our son may have to answer to some ethnocentric individuals where we would be dwelling in a couple of weeks.

And then we thought perhaps Arzakel would help people pronounce the name properly without confusing /tjel/ with /kel/.But the the /k/ sound is more a "q" than a "k". For about a week his name was Arzaqel. I kinda like this spelling....Alas, biasalah ficklemindedness took the better of me.

Eventually, I insisted that we stuck to to the original Latin spelling as we had initially intended to name him. Who knows one day he might want to look up the crater on the moon that shares his name (google or wiki Arzachel's Crater please)

So we dubbed our gebu son, Arzachel Anwar, omitting the "bin" or "son of" for practical purposes. Mainly for speedier form filling and immigration clearance. Just like the kakak, Safiyya Aishah Anwar. Nyesal tarok nama pepanjang sey...

UPDATE: Arzachel Anwar will be circumcized at 2 pm today, so help me God.

Watch Out World (As posted on blogspot)

04:47, 2007-Dec-11 .. 12 comments .. Link

Here comes Arzaqel Anwar.

Weighing a hefty, err I mean... healthy 3.72 kg, he arrived by induction and forceps delivery at 38 weeks, 10 days earlier than EDD.

Alhamdulillah, after a relatively challenging pregnancy, my son's passage into this world seven days ago was not short of drama. Frankly, I must say the birthing experience was both humbling and rewarding, albeit traumatic(I am a wuss, I know).

The morning after was worse. I found myself immobilized by deep tissue injury and other gory story mory. Inspite of it all,Allah's grace upon our family is abundant.I feel truly very blessed.

One came in the shape of my "Internet Mom and Dad". Kak Teh and Awang Goneng had come and personally delivered my autographed copy of GuiT, with Kak Teh's DNA to authenticate it (in the shape of her luscious crimson lips) when they stormed their way into publicity blitz at a literary do here a few days ago. Sadly, I was unable to give them a proper welcome, as rehearsed in my head for years should Kak Teh come and visit. Maybe next time.

However,Arzaqel is one lucky baby. AG performed tahnik by feeding my son a drop of honey coupled with special prayers, in the hope that he would grow up to be a good son. InsyaAllah. I would forever be in your debt, AG and Kakteh.

My folks from KL are coming tomorrow. My sister is back for the holidays. Ah, can't wait to see them.

At least this would take my mind off growing crazy missing my yellowing newborn son who's getting himself tanned at the hospital. Second night without my son, seven days after his birth.

Heart pain.

Ada habuan, ada ujian....

Maternity Leave

01:05, 2007-Nov-25 .. 7 comments .. Link

“Tidak ada Tuhan selain Engkau. Maha Suci Engkau, sesungguhnya aku adalah termasuk orang-orang yang zalim.” (QS 21:87)

On that note, I'd like to announce a temporary break from blogging as to prepare for the impending arrival of my son anytime soon. I beg your forgiveness for any offence and discourtesy that I may have incurred during the course of our friendship. May you all be blessed with continued glad tidings for being such supportive and loving friends.

Fi amanillah.

An Update

05:57, 2007-Nov-21 .. 8 comments .. Link

The continuation of the Kuli Keng Series will have to wait because...

...ehemm, like Elisa, MIL and I are being hypnotized by Korean miniseries. It's like a cancer I tell you! We have about 10 more boxes to go.

I'd limit to 4 cds at one go, but MIL would watch them till 5 am ok! Much to my relief, it's easy to watch these series with kids around. No need to censor so much. But then, kids don't generally like our selection.

As a result, Aishah has been deprived of her dose of Playhouse Disney, the ban on Kids Central has not been lifted due to its violent content, so less TV, good mommie?

She is now quite Google savvy( but that does not mean, she'd get out of my hair, no siree!), so Grandma and Mommie can watch at least 2 episodes of the dramas before the next,

"Oh , Mommie, I need your help!".

My OBGYN told me that I am actually quite ripe and ready to pop as the baby has FINALLY turned downwards. His estimated weight at this point is 3.3 kg, looking rather heavyset and bagak.

Pipi dia macam kueh pau ok! Boleh geng dgn Izani agaknya...

I am so excited, yet a bit nervous. Please do remember me in your prayers. Thank you so very much....

ATTENTION: Trackbacks Need To Be Disabled.

08:14, 2007-Nov-9 .. 0 comments .. Link

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Kuli Keng: The Return of Patchouli

02:05, 2007-Nov-1 .. 2 comments .. Link

kuli def. labourers
keng def. dormitory/quarters
gweilo def. caucasian

As he unhurriedly made his way out of the harbour via a rickety boardwalk, approaching his keng with sluggish steps, as if the weight of two tongkangs were on his shoulders, the tiredness felt like hammers on every joint, his nose caught the winds that carried dreams of flower petals and snowy skin.

Not them again.

It was getting closer and stronger, almost masking the fishy smell that is his own. He chose to keep his stealth, he chose a nice spot to squat and listened hard he did. Then he saw her. Her back facing him,oblivious to his searching eyes.

In glorious frills and looking like a ghost from a distant fairy land from which the tuans hailed,she was clutching a small bundle which looked like a very expensive pillow. She placed the bundle ever so gently in between some old barrels and nervously looked around like a thief and that was when their eyes met.

They were one of the same. The same slit eyes and flat noses. Only one was exquisitely dressed and much cleaner than the other. One must have had more food in a day than the other in a year.

She managed a tiny gasp which didn't conceal her sheer terror of being discovered. Nervously without a sound, she knelt down, and squatted right next to him, like she has lived her life in that posture, not minding the mud slicks staining her long Western dress.

He looked at her and without any prompting, she broke her silence in the delicious tongue of the southern province where he came from. All the while he had kept his silence, entranced by the beauty before him, by the smell and the longing to just taste the beads of sweat on that smooth neck, excited to be that close to a woman after nine laborious years without one, he just looked and listened to her.Mersmerized.

It is when he found himself alone with the bundle that looked like an expensive pillow in his hands, did he realize that tonight, he would have to bring a gweilo's bastard back to his keng. Something told him that it would be a long time before he could rest.

...to be continued....

Kuli Keng : Simple Beginnings

08:36, 2007-Oct-30 .. 4 comments .. Link

Note: Some of you may have read this one before. The sequel is brewing......

Glassy eyed harbour hands seemingly dulled by the prospect of a peasant bowl of rice, pickled radish and dried fish.

He arranged himself in a comfortable squatting position and mechanically scooped mouthfuls of rice, producing sharp clinking sounds of chopsticks against ceramic. He placed the bowl down, chewing carefully, staring blankly at nothing in particular. Enjoying his moment of quiet.

He looked up suddenly wondering where that fresh smell of patchouli and sandalwood was coming from. Definitely not from his sheer by age sheath of vintage quality Pagoda shirt, nor his war-trodden hand-me-down khaki shorts and rubber slippers. Comfortable like second skin, yet reeks of hard backbending work.

Disturbed by the intrusion, his nostrils flared in response to the permeating smell of tuans and maams, he could not be bothered enough to get up
to see who it was, to catch a glimpse of the other side.

He could feel the shadows. Small voices that scream a secret. Disruptive like the sound of mosquitoes in your ears when you are trying to sleep.

That luxuriant smell of money wasn't his world to explore. What was it doing here? What was he doing there.

The whoosh of silk and lace, practised staccato steps of wooden heels
solidly musical yet hurriedly nervous, moved away from him.

The sound went further into the darkness yet the smell lingered for a little while.And then it was gone.

A whiff of life that was never meant to be his. He looked down into his bowl and devoured the fermented feast with renewed energy.

Somehow he knows he is better off than some. Tonight, he will smile in his sleep because he is not running nor is he hiding.

He is rich because he can afford to rest.

O Canada

01:34, 2007-Oct-29 .. 6 comments .. Link

Tears on her pillows, heart on her sleeves. The phone just would not ring.

"Where could he be? Is he thinking about me?"

Would he see her face in between the rainbows as The Niagara Falls spills its belly.

Being 24 hours apart is rough. Being 33 weeks is rough.

Big time.

Let's blame it on Canada.

Note: 18PL entry is still broiling. Patience, Mosh, patience.

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