Snapshots: Foodies for breakfast

My breakfast yesterday morning before I board the bus back to small town. Grace took me to this place in 3rd mile. The picture of Sarawak Laksa is specially taken for Wis and all the others who are far from home to enjoy the authentic Sarawak Laksa. Meliur eh...

Had the laksa as well as the bak chang and pulut udang. The pulut udang was very nice and delicious. Hmm, must come here again next time for the pulut udang.

I can't recall the name of the shop, Grace, apa nama kedai tok?

Upcoming post: Ron's Wedding and Kuching trip. Will post the other pictures as soon as I get back from the longhouse.

Selamat Hari Gawai 2008!

kampung-sesok.blogspot.com - Gawai Card

Have a blessed Gawai celebrations. Enjoy the merry making and meeting old and new friends.

I'm going back to my longhouse for the Gawai celebrations. Will be back by 2nd or 3rd.
3rd will be visiting Grace's open house. Maybe mine will be on the 4th la..hehe

Aku Tersentak

I'm speechless. Words can't describe how I'm feeling now. This sense of loss and at the same time, sympathy.

I visited my friend from Uni's fotopage, just to see how her two adorable boys, the 2Fs are doing, when I read through hundreds of condolences on her comment box.

Firwance, her husband, father of the 2Fs, a fellow Sarawakian from the same Uni and faculty has passed away. I didn't really know him that well but we have that spirit of solidarity since we're from the same state. I remembered that I had a small spat (it seems like a very trivial thing now) with him. Whatever the thing was, I had let it rest a long, long time ago.

Wance was laid to rest in his birthplace, Mukah. May his soul rest in peace. Amen.

Erna, I pray that God grant you the strength to carry on and raising 2Fs. It's not an easy task but I believe that somehow, there's a way that God has decided for each and every one of us.

Life is fragile

I *heart* Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18

I fell in love with this camera. This is perfect for me to sharpen my photography skills. The perfect camera to practice before going to high-end DSLR.

Ish...
Planning my budget now... Who says hobbies are cheap?

I've been experimenting with my Dad's Sony Cybershot. Some of my favorite pictures are:

What Would You Get When Two Sleep Deprived People YMed each other...

... They will plan a shopping trip and sleep over lah...
Kerja gila kita dua tok Deb ah...

Snapshots: The Cikgu and cikgu-to-be(s)

This evening was a reunion of sorts when I met student teachers Regina, Christina T Joseph and Rosita. Regina (L) used to be my ex-colleague from my Hotel days and also my junior in Uni (although I didn't really know her then). Rosita (R) is also a junior from my Uni days because we used to lepak at the PEMASRA room in PUSANIKA. Hehehe...
This is my 'twin', Christina T Joseph. We celebrated our birthdays within days (different years though), born prematurely at the same clinic, delivered by the same doctor, with the same complications, spent time in the Neonatal ICU at the same hospital, suffer from similar health complaints and her Dad and my Dad are friends. What a coincidence! We met while working at the same Hotel and quickly became inseparable. The only difference, she is small and cute while I am err, huge and adorable? Hahaha
The cikgu and cikgu-to-be(s)... Goodluck for your Kem Bina Insan Guru. Stock up on the sunblocks.. Hahahah

Snapshots: Reunion, Mother's Day

This is not really a reunion but more of a gathering. My relatives from Dad's side from Durin came to visit us. Yummy food galore. Hehehe... I am happy that I'm starting to know more of my extended relatives (Ibans have very huge extended families. And these are from my paternal grandfather's side). I've visited my relatives in Durin before but I do hope to visit them again. Been years since I last visited my paternal grandfather's ancestral home, in Mawan (somewhere in Batang Lebaan area). So far, haven't finished meeting ALL the extended family yet. Still got those in Kanowit, Julau, Pakan, Lasi, Tubah (and that's only from Dad's side!)
Had Rosary prayer in our house last Wednesday. I decided to hold a surprise Mother's Day celebration also to celebrate all the mommies in the prayer group. Here all the mommies (above 50 years old) cutting the cake. Mum was pleasantly surprised (gave her Mum's Day gift ages ago... Hehehe)
Lord God, bless our mothers with good health and strength. Amen.

Lord, bless our Daddies too. Amen.

Snapshots: Kuching & Baby Apu

This is my Mum, Dad with my aunty Rusea with her oh-so-cute-i-want-bite-her-cheeks baby girl Kyra (a.k.a. Apu) posing at the mandatory place to take picture in Kuching (otherwise org sik cayak korang kat Kch). Mum & Dad enjoying their retired life. Ah well, let them enjoy life...
Mum with 2 of her younger siblings. Do they look alike? My uncle looks like ah long (mati la aku if uncle reads this) and before letting him drive, better take that hypertension or ubat sakit jantung first, because his driving skills and language is out of this world scary. I'm closer with my aunty and some of my relatives say that our attitudes is almost the same (kaki pukul@buli). Hahaha
With Mum, Aunty Christina, cousin Danny@Apek and Baby 'Apu'. Photogenic genes runs in the family I guess (perasan).
The superstar diva... Baby Kyra Alexandra Yap @ Apu. My aunty's long (very long) awaited baby girl. Finally dapat jugak baby girl. We call her Apu since she always make 'Apu' sound. Hahah.. siap la kau lekat nama 'Apu'.hehehe. My youngest, cutest, most adorable, no fuss (sebab ni yang aku sayang) cousin.

Junis

Hehe...

Meet my friend since I was 5 years old. He has got to be my 'oldest' (as in years known rather than the age lah) friend.

We go waaaay back since the days we used to swim in our 'pool' (parit tali air behind my house, in case you are wondering and thinking Eeeeww, the water was clean lah), climbing trees behind my house, chasing and being chased by the schizophrenic turkey and lots of (mis)adventures.

I still remember that his favourite food is sweet and sour ikan bawal (Hahaha), got a funny story about that actually.

He's always been on the skinny side and I always bug him about being worm-ridden and that his tummy is probably infested with worms (mayoh lundong..Haha) but now he always balas balik by pointing out about me being the opposite. Shaddup lah... We may not meet for years but once we meet again, aiyoh, as if we've been meeting every day. Kutuk session again and again...

Now, adoi kawan, lu sudah jadi itu manager lo... Haiya, boleh la selalu chia aku..Hahaha... He's enjoying his work which is close to his passion, nature, and he got some kick-ass camera (aku cerumbu itu kamera). He took very good pics (sebab kamera cantik kot (tak habis2 cerumbu)). Enjoy his pics (all pictures taken by Junis himself).































































































Dude, thanks for being a wonderful buddy all these years. Yeah, we do want to kill each other sometimes. All the best in getting your 'ikan patin'..heheh..aku ka meh enggau makai ila neh..Hahah

Footnote: No, he is not the one getting hitched this weekend. I don't know his status, whether 'single and...' or 'single but...'. Benung ka nangkap ikan patin. Hahahha

My Friend's Ikat Itu Simpulan (Tying the Knot)

My friend SMSed me sometime in April asking for my postal address. So I asked him whether it's an invitation card. He said yes and told me that it was going to be held in May and he hoped I would be able to come, most of the UniCS gang will be there and we'll be sitting together (Wah..Sure geger nih!). Since it's already school holidays that time, I agreed.

So fast forward to one month later, I still haven't got a gift ready and also have not found any decent things to wear for the reception (it's going to be held next Saturday!). Hope to be able to look for a decent dress tomorrow.

Since I am sharing the gift with a few other friends, maybe we'll get it the day before the wedding. Hmm.. What to get? Anyone can help me with some suggestions?

Happy Teacher's Day 2008

Something for the teachers:

Jika hari ini seorang Perdana Menteri berkuasa,
Jika hari ini seorang Raja menaiki takhta
Jika hari ini seorang Presiden sebuah negara
Jika hari ini seorang ulama yang mulia
Jika hari ini seorang peguam menang bicara
Jika hari ini seorang penulis terkemuka
Sejarahnya dimulakan oleh seorang guru biasa
Dengan lembut sabarnya mengajar tulis-baca.

(Dipetik dari sajak GURU OH GURU karya Allahyarham Usman Awang)

It Begins

Freedom

(at least for now)

Finally done with being examiner for MUET Speaking Test.

AAAHHHHH.... (in a relaxed very malas tone)

Taking a leave tomorrow to send my niece for her interview. It was a nightmare to get the leave from my Boss, almost as if I am asking for half of her liver. Now I am thankful that I was once a debater and can argue convince her to endorse my leave.

One thing that peeved me was when she said she doesn't like it when people just go for interviews 'suka-suka'.

Ah?! WTF go for interviews just for fun? Gila apa?

So I patted her hand and assured her that my niece definitely is serious about the interview (while mentally laughing rolling on the floor)

School's having Teacher's Day this coming Friday. Exam weeks are on. Exam scripts coming in.

The headache will begin.

Mothers

To my two mothers... Mak and Mak Siko

Thanks for being there for me.
Thanks for loving me.
Thanks for accepting me as I am.
Thanks for believing in me.

Thanks for not listening to what the doctors said.
Thanks for proving them wrong.
Thanks for wiping off every feverish sweat.
Thanks for the discipline.
Thanks for the strict schedule.
Thanks for the morning mug of Milo or milk.
Thanks for the yummy foods.

There's so many things that I am thankful for.
But most of all,
Thanks for being my mommy.

Happy Mother's Day!

Hmm... Think I'm gonna treat my Mum and Dad to a seafood dinner at our favorite seafood spot in Sibu. Hehe...

My Almost 1-Mth 'New' Hairstyle

Note: What do you call constipation and diarrhea happening at the same time? I call it constiparrhea.

I'm feeling tired. Being the examiner for the MUET is rather tiring both mentally and physically (since I'm sitting most of the time).

Back to the school yesterday and today (we're having replacement school day today) and the upper forms are having their 1st Term Exam. Duduk lagi...

*sigh* more papers to mark.

One of my 'kids' is suspended (again) and as usual the family always blame other kids for influencing their kids. What about their own responsibility? Aren't they supposed to watch who their kids are hanging out with in the first place? Taking the easy way out by pointing fingers at others is never a good solution. It only creates more excuses.

On another note, my friend is being stalked by a Kucing Jate in school. She was friendly with everyone but apparently this kucing jate reads more than what was there. Since I've had my share of almost similar experiences, I gave her some advice (she's a cousin of mine too so I'm on Protective Mama Mode).

a) This place is a small town. Small towns breed vicious gossips since there's not much interesting stuffs happening.
b) The male species here haven't grasped the concept of friendship between members of the opposite sex. Sad, but true.
c) The kucing jate is looking for a mate, not a friend. Kes dah dekat nak expiry date dah ni. Sesak wei...

For the time being, my friend has to be MIA from that kucing jate's view and sticks near to me. Kucing Jate takut kat Mama Singa. Haha

Examiner's Blues

What's more headache-inducing than having to listen and evaluate barely-heard incoherent mumblings of 'the-hell-with-grammar' kids sitting for their MUET speaking test?

It's the torture of inhaling nasty pungent odour wafting from the candidates (in other words, bau ketiak hangit). That's pure unadulterated torture of the senses, I'd say.

Damn. We should have been given the permission to zap these smelly kids into oblivion. I think at their age (19 years old) they should have known and practiced basic hygiene care.

Dik, bulu ketiak tu kena cabut/cukur/trim dan sapu/sembur la deodoran. Takda la bakteria membiak, ber-koloni dan buat open house lagi di situ. Ni bau dah semerbak macam WMD. Kesian cikgu korang hari-hari tersedut bau ketiak hangit korang tu...

Today I brought my special weapon to protect against the killer-smell. Hehe

Road Hazards

Let me ask you this,

Have you ever screamed or simmer in frustration at other road users while on the road?

Answer truthfully, sapa bulak kena panah petir tau.

Ask any of my friends and they will surely tell you that my language is very 'colorful' and 'sweet' when faced with such situation. Unless I am driving with (a) the parents, or (b) my little nephews and nieces, I will surely be hollering at the other drivers. Not that I am a speed freak, I stick to the speed limit for goodness sake, but it's more on the ethics of the other road users.

Here are some of my pet peeves of road users @ Road Hazards.

1. The Driver Whose Instructor Probably Died Before Getting To That Part About The Turn Signal
These drivers still haven't gripped the understanding of the functions of the turn signal.
Come on, the purpose of the car manufacturer to put it there is NOT for aesthetic purposes, it is for use to use to signal whether you are turning into that junction, slowing down to stop or etc. These bloody drivers think that ALL other drivers are mind readers. It's not even like they are charged RM0.10 for every single bloody time they use the signal. It's bloody frustrating when I want to turn into the main road but wasting my time waiting for a stupid driver who was moving slowly only to see them turning into the junction.
fuck,fuck,fuck
And signalling at the last moment is also unacceptable you bloody idiot!

2. The Indecisive Driver
You can spot this driver from a mile away. He wobbles to the left, then right, signals left, then right, left again, speeds up, slows down and/or brakes suddenly. It's so NOT amusing when we are driving behind them. You idiot, just stay at home until you know where you want to go okay!

3. The 'Jual Ikan' Driver
His mantra is probably "Thy shall never overtake me". They will speed up when there are other drivers wanting to overtake them but then slows again when it's not possible to overtake them only to speed up again at the next straight road.
*mentally blowing up the idiot's car*

4. The Slug (Hingus?) Driver
These drivers should be labeled as 'S' for Slugs, cause they drive so slow that a person riding a bicycle can overtake them. Argh! Bagus lagi ko turun kereta lepas tu engkau pi tolak kereta tu Bengong!

5. To Turn or Not To Turn Motorcyclist
This particular type of motorcyclist really makes me mad. It's something that I usually face in Sarikei or Bintangor, seldom in big cities or towns. These motorcyclists would slow their motorcycle and moves to the side of the road, glance momentarily at others and then turns right. Sometimes sans the turn signal.
Bloody hell!
My dad was involved in an accident because of this last year. The bloody stupid aunty did that and just as my Dad was overtaking her, she turned right. Siap nak meraung-raung kat bapak aku. Bagus apa bapak aku tak biar engkau mampus tepi jalan. Dah la tayar kereta bapa aku meletup sebab engkau yang bangang. Sheesh...

Who the hell let these idiots on the road anyway? Not that I am prone to road rages, I'm more of a road snark (the habit of making deeply sarcastic comments while driving, usually when another driver has done something stupid. It’s far less criminal than road rage, and with practice it can be much more satisfying) but surely you've met such drivers.

What's your experience?

Craving For This

When it's *cough* that *cough* time of the month, I usually suffer from cravings. Not mild "Oh, I'd love some chocolates" thoughts that flits by but it's the kind of craving that stays and gnaws at me, invade my thoughts regardless whether I am awake or even in the state of unconsciousness. It's so bad that I dreamed about it and even can imagine the succulent juicy taste.

Damn.

I'm gonna get crazy if I don't get ma seafood now. I want to go to that fabulous seafood place in Sibu but since I can't drive (I injured my wrist) and there's no one to go with me... *sob*sob* I guess for the time being the ones nearby will do.

p/s: Cuthess, we really gotta go to makan seafood. like, now.

(Mis)Adventures No.1

In my last post I wrote about how I was involved in a verbal combat with a fellow and how the very next day I am going for the semi-finals.

More like a second round of verbally lashing at people.

That nutcase who promised to have another round of casting lots for the semi finals seemed to suffer from amnesia (more likely a premature 'nyanyuk' case) and neglected to inform his committee that there is to be another casting of lots.

The same nutcase that was loitering and enjoying his mighty breakfast at the canteen, while we, waited in the quarantine room for his say in the matter.

Enter an extremely irritating nutcase no.2 who somehow possessed the ability to sound insulting even when he's complimenting others. Enter sidekick no.2, a disillusioned wannabe minahsalleh with extreme stuck up-piness that it radiates from her pores.

These two managed to hear and experienced the best of me.

How dare you insult my kids who worked so hard by insisting that they are scared of going against you?

How bloody dare you?!

Meh sini aku nak cili-cili kan mulut cabul kau tu!

Padan muka. Kan dah dua2 tercedera kena laser aku...

In the end, my persistence and fighting spirit paid off and we had another casting of lots. Lain kali, jangan ingat aku ni org baru korang ingat senang2 nak pijak aku... Jangan nak gali lubang kubur sendiri la...

My kids were brilliant and we went into the finals. Although I was not there for the finals** , the girls made me really proud as they were confident and not even an ounce of fear shows when they fought against Ms.StuckUp's kids. We lost, but as I said to them, we'll see them again next year. Until then, let's sharpen our claws some more...

**(had to attend a meeting and horror of all mothers-of-horrors, Ms.StuckUp is there too. Total unprofessional behavior of hers, showing her sour face so sour that I could pickle fruits with it. Haha. Rupa-rupanya Mr.Nutcase is her husband. Patut lah sensitif gile, dah la my colleague commented that we were adamant to argue because we hate dishonesty. Terasa ye Kak? Hahahah... Kesian, perangai macam budak kecik)