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It’s A Warzone Out There

22 Oct

I had to see an ENT to solve my sinus nasal congestion which had taken a turn for the worse. So here I am sitting in the doctor’s lounge while outside, along the corridor, it’s a warzone out there!

An elderly patient, waiting his turn, is talking loudly on his mobile and his booming voice is echoed so loudly in the cold quiet corridor! Perhaps he is also waiting to see my ENT specialist, hard of hearing, he does not realize how loud he is.

This may not be a patient ward level but still, it’s a hospital and everyone should be more considerate for others!

Then there’s this lady sitting in the waiting room with me and her phone goes ‘You have a new WhatsApp message!’ letting the whole world know she’s connected. Attending to her alert, the furious tapping by her is so obvious with the loud clicking sound. My goodness, please put it on silent mode!!!

Even in my hard of hearing state, the noise is most irritating.

I await my turn shortly. WhatsApp Lady has toned down her volume but I can still hear water bubble effect sounds, probably crushing candies. Warzone Uncle has also finished his conversation.

Phew.

I glanced over at WhatsApp Lady; she’s not crushing candies, her reactions are way too slow!

Ah… my turn.

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She’s an ABC

22 Oct

The term ‘ABC’ has several meanings to us Asians. Typically, it means ‘American Born Chinese’ or ‘Australian Born Chinese’ if the person came from Australia. Depending on who you meet, the usage and situation, ‘ABC’ can also mean ‘Air Batu Campur’ as in our local dessert with shaved ice and toppings.

Many years ago, my brother had some friends visiting from Australia. They are a lovely couple and I think it was the first time my girls met them.

“This is Aunty Connie, say hello,” I introduced a shy M2 to the guest.

“She talks funny,” whispered M1, standing next to me.

Without a thought, I whispered back, “She’s an ABC, that’s why.”

Overhearing what I mentioned, M2 asked,“Aunty Connie’s an alphabet?”

Err… Not quite but in a child’s world, it means just that.

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I’m Good at This

21 Oct

Yes I must say I am getting better at Candy Crush than ever! The last two updates have been conquered before the new update is released. A few nights ago, I unexpectedly crossed Level 440 and tickets has also come forth from my fellow candy crushers to move on, on the laptop. Currently, I am at 445, playing it only at home after work but Zookeeper Battle is still on the iPad, at work, at home, in the car…

My fiercest competitor had surpassed me earlier, having captured the trophy at the last level and recaptured the trophy from me at the level prior. Should I take on the challenge to try to win it back? Nah.

After my holiday in Bali, I decided it’s not the trophy that matters after all, but just ploughing on. It’s good enough to be good at this, being way ahead, there’s no need to have that showcase trophy.

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I Ate Your Cheese

18 Oct

I like cheese, so do the girls. Besides the usual cheddar and cream cheese, we enjoy Feta, Brie and Camembert as well. Recently, I took a liking to Emmental, having had that quite a bit from my recent Paris trip, so I buy it occasionally to savour.

Several weeks ago, M1 said, “Mummy, I ate your mental cheese.”

“Huh?”

“You know… The one you bought recently, mental cheese, I ate some this morning.”

Emmental. Mental. Heheheh…

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Ten White, Twenty Black

17 Oct

Whenever I look into the mirror and spot a white hair, horror would fill me and I’d get one of the girls to pull it out if I can’t reach it myself. Vain, silly or otherwise, one just cannot have a white strand sticking out, shouting to the world to be seen.

Just back from my recent holiday, I decided to do an overhaul — starting with the face with a facial, the body with a massage and the hair with an inventory check on black versus white. As it was a public holiday, it was perfect to get these done.

The going rate is ten cents per white hair but a penalty of twenty cents is incurred for them to pay back if a black hair was accidentally pulled out instead.

M1 is usually more obliging for this task and makes about two to three bucks from the hubby, and about one to two from me. However, whenever I am under duress from some super duper stressful project at the studio, three bucks is easily made. M2 would add salt to the wound by stating, “Mummy, you’re old.”

Coincidentally, I just concluded one half of a very stressful project prior to the trip to Bali.

And the evidence was evident.

“I found the loot!” M2, who was available and obliging, proclaimed. Ooh… That hurts. “How many?” I cringed.

“I’d say 30 but I’d just do 25 then I’m going to bed!” Well, I can’t argue with that.

M1 who just came out of the bathroom, giggled and rubbed it in, “Nah! I think there’s 40!” Hrmph.

“Argh! This one’s a scam! Half black, half white. Does it count?” The ever dramatic M2 asked then decided, “I think no. Okay, back to 23. Right, mummy… 23?”

Sigh, the perils of a stressful creative designer’s life.

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Not Quite Back to Routine

15 Oct

We got home yesterday evening to happy constant chatter from the girls. Both just had so much so share during our 4 days’ absence from home. But as it was only 4 days, they said they did not miss us much.

It is a public holiday today and it’s a nice further break from the break to ease us back slowly into our normal ways. Not quite back to routine (work) just yet although last night, I was back to my candy crushing ways, I am treating myself to a facial and massage later. And it was a pleasant surprise that I managed to progress in my game to 437, having been stuck at 434 for some time.

Once things settle down, routine it will be until the next break!

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Homeward Bound

14 Oct

We arrived in Bali in the new MH B737-800 (notice the big iPad-like touchscreen?) and going back to KL in the more spacious 777-200 (albeit with a smaller screen, like a Samsung 7″ tab but much bigger than the Nintendo sized screen of Air France when I went to Paris in July).

Thankfully I managed to catch the last 45 minutes of Man of Steel, which I had watched when Bali-bound and could not finish on time upon arrival then.

Contented now after the meal and a satisfying coffee, I count the hours until I see my girls at home.

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The iPad-sized touchscreen of the B737-800.

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The 7″ Tab-like sized touchscreen in the 777-200.

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At the Airport

14 Oct

So we are at the airport already. The new structure is very modern. In daylight now, I do see Balinese elements slowly being incorporated, something that was missed when we arrived in the evening.

There is a pre-scan of bags before we queue at the departure check in counter. Very long line!

Done with all the necessary in an airport, we have a little bit of time to explore. Duty free is sparse and food outlets were none existent. But there’s water dispensing units everywhere.

The airport is huge! Many many times over the old airport. I believe once it’s completed, it would serve the island well.

As I sit here waiting, it is with nice memories of Bali. Goodbye and thanks, hubby and I will definitely return.

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The Last Day

14 Oct

We opted to have breakfast outside instead as we did not buy the hotel’s breakfast voucher for today. And what did we eat? There’s so many choices and we had to eat McDonald’s!

Silly us. The Egg McMuffin was palatable but the coffee was horrid, not even a hint of coffee in the hot water. Sigh….

We walked passed a street vendor and he called out to us, hoping to solicit our business. “Are you from China?” Aiks! Do we have slitty eyes or what? We just walked away.

It is a short fourth day and not by choice for when the plans were made a month ago, outbound flights were limited. Nonetheless I checked with the three of them again on their experience and all said it’s been good. Hubby is already scheming for our own next trip here.

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Chasing the Sunset

13 Oct

It was another case of chasing the sunset. Traffic was horrendous, worst than a snail’s pace and had us all worried what if we missed another sunset again?

Komang drove like a maniac and managed to get us to Uluwatu on time. It was unusually packed that even the customary sarong that one should wear ran out.

We didn’t mind this as we walked quickly to some good spots to capture pretty sunset moments. Then realization and disappointment hit!

Tickets for the Kecak Dance was sold out! Oh no! To come all the way here and find tickets all sold out was quite a disappointment. Such mixed emotions within a short span. Luckily the disappointment didn’t last long. We were all busy taking pretty sunset pictures again.

Midway, I asked how come there were no monkeys? Hubby said it was Sunday and it’s their day off. Hardy-har-har.

Soon after he said that, one appeared. Then another, and another! Oops. Better be careful with your things.

We walked out of the monkey zone, keeping an ever watchful eye on any approaching and waited at a bright spot for KW and GH who were both snapping their cameras away. After a while, a whole hoard of monkeys came out from the trees behind us! Eeeks. Who said it was their day off? Better move to a brighter spot and SW kept close to us.

Verdict on today’s outing I’d say is a mixed one. Too much time was spent traveling from one point to another and being caught in several traffic snarls. Somehow it’s different from yesterday where we traveled as much, if not more. Now as we make yet another long journey back to Kuta, I’m thinking did we plan today well or not? Hmm.

Tomorrow is our last day in Bali but I think my team of three designers enjoyed themselves despite the many long car rides. After all, it is part and parcel of wanting to see all and do all when in Bali in such a short time.

I asked hubby if he would come again? He scoffed at me and said the question should not be if but when we would come again. Despite some shortcomings and unexpected outcome, I wouldn’t be surprised if we came back soon.

Today’s count: 13,847 steps, 3.86kcal and 7.01km!

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