Yesterday, I had another episode with my Mom. All I wanted was to freaking use the car. And as usual, she will give every possible reason in the whole wide world to not allow me use the car. Trust me, I am super sick of it. I just don't understand my Mom sometimes. I help around at home with the chores. I try to complete every single request/favour without giving excuses and what do I get in return? A small freaking favour to use the car is as if I'm gonna crash the car and die in it. Come to think of it, I'd rather experience that than to stand one day listening to my Mom's "creative" excuses.

Up to this day, I have absolutely no idea why I need to ask my Mom for permission. My Dad will willingly pass me the keys and a few questions asked by him is normal because it is out of concern. I respect that. But what is stopping him passing the keys to me is, well you've guessed it, my Mom. I have secretly asked my Dad for the keys on one occasion but still it failed. You see, my Mom is like a secret agent/spy. She has her ways to know that the car is not in the parking lot. And she'll end up confronting my Dad. Dad doesn't like it when my Mom complains or "whines" at him. I'd say like father, like son.

On another occasion, Mom actually GAVE me the permission to use the car. Dad was out at that time and the car was available for use cos' his friend gave him a ride. While I was out, Dad reached home. My Mom confronted my Dad and started making noises. I reached home, Dad started questioning and I told him the full story. I was just as confused as my Dad was.

I don't understand it at all! The car belongs to Dad. Dad paid for the car. Dad pays for the petrol. Dad pays for the season parking. Dad pays for the parking coupons. Dad pays for the parking charges. Dad pays for the road tax. Dad pays for the insurance. Dad even pays for the air freshener in the car! So what right does it give for my Mom to disallow me to use the car? IF there is AT LEAST one thing in the car that Mom pays for (a major component) then I am more than willing to keep my mouth shut and respect her decision.

For the past few times I have used the car, I, without hesitating, would pump petrol with my own money to AT LEAST half even when the meter is above the quarter mark. It is because I am allowed to use the car, I took the responsibility to contribute. I even bought a personal cashcard using my hard-earned money for use!

So anyway, why the picture above? It is these times that I wished I have the money to get my own car. Well, I am going to buy my own car someday and no one will be allowed to drive it, especially youknowho. Subject to approval.

I don't care if I've gathered sins from venting an entry like this. At least I have let my feelings out. It is really making me sick.

I'm pissed.

I am not a huge believer of Astrology and how horoscopes that derived from it is shaping what we are. Sometimes you would feel that the horoscope knows you better than you know yourself and you go "Oh man, how did it know?". Scary much? In this naive world and wild perceptions, we choose to believe what these horoscopes say. On the bright side, I guess it can help provide that little boost and arrive at the point of realisation - Which I am very sure most of us faces that all the time *winks*

(Note: I don't know how much of the above I've mentioned is making sense, but this is 1st hand raw thoughts that is jamming up in my head)

For example, today's horoscope "Your family is much more important to you today". Little sister went on her school trip to Korea and that sentence just gave me a little pinch. Today, I realised that no matter how annoying you are to a certain family member (in this case my little sister), you will always love him/her even more. Before sister went into the transit area, family exchanged goodbyes with her and *salam-ed (to kiss an elder person's hand in the Muslim culture). Sister then started crying and all. I was heartbroken to see her cry honestly cos I know she will miss the family back at home, as much as we will be missing her.

It was then that Dad started commenting - "It is only these times that you kids will start to realise how much you will miss us (parents) when you are away far or vice versa. Taking our presence for granted back at home". Received another blow and it totally made me realise deeper. Then on, I started to appreciate the people around me even greater.

Even after sister had gone into the transit area, I gave her a call telling her to be careful and more importantly have fun. Left a message after the call: "Bye, take care! :D Saranghaeyo!" I love my sister even more now, and missing her badly. Awwww... Can you feel the love? Haha!

I know it's going to be a long way to go still. But I wonder how it will be when she gets married. I can't possibly hold on to her. It's the period of letting go that is going to be hard. Hopefully by then, I am mentally prepared for it. For now, all I am concern is to hold the responsibility of shaping her - to be a better person. I want to see her succeed in life.

That's gonna be the end of my ultra random entry.
Cheers!

Alright, I think it is best if I be polite and update a little. I should really get out of the habit of updating once each week. It is unhealthy isn't it? Oh boy, what have I got myself into. There are just too many things to update. Ok lah, I should pick the one that is more prominent in my brain cells - Hari Raya.

Hmmmm, I must say that during the fasting month (which I must add went passed in a blink of an eye), the anticipation was pretty much at zero level. But as Hari Raya neared, with all those good work-outs (painting the house) and making our place look nice, the mood began sinking in. And I must highlight that it felt good. The mood is still there. Can you imagine if one day Hari Raya feels like just an ordinary day?

Part of me was thankful. Parents decided not to visit our house at Malacca. With all those dishes Mom cooked for our last Iftar - it was awesome! I seriously can't imagine waking up in the morning of Hari Raya to see Maggie Mee on the table.

Anyway, the 'malam raya' (the night before Hari Raya), headed to Thomson because Mom wanted to get fresh flowers. I helped Mom picked and she allowed me to arrange the flowers in one of the vases. Haha! I know it sounds a little sissy but I enjoyed doing it. I show you? Heh....



Then headed to Geylang - Mom wanted to get curtains for our living room. By then, I felt so sick; as in unwell. With all the people flocking down to do their last minute shopping, bloody hell. I wonder how can they survive the pushing. I hate it especially when there are ignorant smokers who would smoke in such a crowded place. I was literally holding my breath just so I won't be a prime victim of being a passive smoker.

Got home close to 1AM and stayed up till like 4AM to finish up clearing the stuffs, and make last minute decor improvements. I will stop here for now and continue on with Hari Raya itself in another entry. Don't wanna get carried away and turn this entry into a bore. Heh.

Ciao!

"In the end, it's this small things you remember. The little imperfections that make them perfect for you. So to my beautiful children, I hope one day, you too find yourselves life partners who are as beautifully imperfect as your father was to me."

"Funeral" is a new TV commercial launched by the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) which looks at relationships in a different light, through a woman at her husband's funeral. Ultimately, it celebrates the beautiful imperfections that make a relationship perfect. This is fresh off MCYS latest Viewers' Choice 2008 win for last year's Family TVC which promotes the importance and value of family bonding.

I just love this commercial so much. I am deeply and greatly moved by it and believe it or not, it felt like as if I was one of them there, holding my tears back.

Whichever family you are from or how old you are, cherish them.
They are God's gift to you, as you are to them.

Other things may change us, but we start and end with the family.
-- Anthony Brandt

Cheers!

Saturday turned out to be a boring day. Usually down with the normal routine which I have practiced for a few years now; which is to head down to my former secondary school and teach. But since Saturday was an off-day for the band, it seemed empty. But looking on the bright side, at least I get to wake up later than usual. Long since I rise up from bed when the sun is directly above me.

Spent most of my early afternoon sitting in front of the computer with nothing but Facebook of course! Haha! Headed out for dinner with family as soon as Mom and Dad came home from some wedding. Dad drove down to Tekka Market for the awesome eating place there. Killer-Thosai and killer-Teh!

It was still early when we were done with dinner. Mom asked where I wanted to go. It did not take me long to think of a place - Marina Barrage. I went there once and it was a pretty neat place to chill. The breeze, the crowd, the lights, the splashing of water from below and the company of parents and siblings, just could not get any better.

Headed down to the Water Playground and that is when my inner child got unleashed! Haha! Took my sandals off and went into the shallow pool of water.

Referring to the 4th picture - Mom placed her hands in the way of the water's direction and water got splashed everywhere. My back got terribly wet but it was kinda fun. My sister and I felt like a kid when Mom was playing with the water in an attempt to tease us. Haha!

Then Fauzi texted saying that the guys are heading down to Simpang Bedok (SB) for supper. I got Dad to drop me off at SB. The things we always do at SB - Eat, drink and socialise. Since SB was kind of crowded and noisy, we decided to head somewhere much quieter afterwards. Changi Beach was full so Pasir Ris Park was the next possible destination.

There is where I unleashed my inner child again! And I am not the only one for the record. All of us were in our kiddish mood! We played this tilted saucer thing which goes round and round. It was pure fun I tell you. Trying to get that thing to go one full revolution was already a tough task. And the fun part was when Izzat got off from that saucer. The moment he got off, the saucer spins fast. I got dizzy but dizziness was the thing that kept the fun going. Haha!

As much as I want it to go all night, home was our prime destination.
Head down to Fauzi's blog for pictures and possibly a video of what we did. Haha!

Gonna end this entry abruptly.


Ciao!

p/s: I was re-reading the entry and realised that at some parts of my entry, it makes no sense at all. Not really in the mood to edit and so I shall leave it as it is.

Mom had this sudden craving for 'Sup Kambing' last night. She has had it before and have been talking about it, but I, on the other hand, never really got the chance to taste it. So, upon hearing (while watching American Idol) that Mom wanted to satisfy her cravings, I got changed in a jiffy (during the commercial break) and waited for the rest.

Thank heavens the performance show was over before we left the house. And if I may add, Adam Lambert (one of my favourites) performed the best in my opinion. Left home for Upper Boon Keng. It is somewhere behind Kallang MRT station.

When I got there and looked at the shop's signboard, it has garnered "accolades" from many. Namely, Channel 5's "Our Makan Places: Lost and Found", Channel U, Channel 8, Singapore Press Holdings, Makan Sutra and many more.

They have quite a variety - Sup Otak Kambing (Sheep's brain soup), Sup Lidah Kambing (Sheep's tongue soup), Sup Tulang (Sheep's Bone + marrow soup) and the ordinary Sup Kambing. At first, I was feeling brave enough to try the brain and tongue soup. I thought, I have to try something out of the ordinary and THIS WAS IT! But eventually, I sanked in and decided to just try the normal soup. Haha!

And when the bowl of soup arrived (accompanied with a plate of "french" bread), I was greeted with the strong aroma of the soup. The soup was hot and thick. And how about the meat that was drowning in the soup? My answer, SIMPLY DIVINE! It was so soft that it melts in your mouth; literally!

Out of 5, I would rate it 5!

Unfortunately, I do not have the exact address for it. For all I know, it is at a hawker centre behind Kallang MRT Station (Upper Boon Keng area).


And what other way to enjoy a bowl of Sup Kambing than a cold cup of Pokka's green tea. The ultimate best!

This is by far, to date, THE best Sup Kambing I have tasted. No? You tell me. Haha!


Ciao!

It was a Sunday afternoon (22/1/2009) and all of you would have to agree with me that by staying at home the whole entire day is not gonna make one smile (On the assumption that nothing can/will be done). My eyes are always glued to the telly; especially on Sundays. And my pursuit of trying to get Contract Law out of the way got "swept under the carpet" (Hehe).

So, while Dad went into his office, Mom, like I have mentioned above, seized the opportunity to practice her driving. Surprisingly Mom drives really well! I was surprised myself. She took every turn confidently when she sees one. She's so eager to polish up the things she's been learning in driving school.
Way to go Mom!

After that little session (which lasted for 45 minutes), off to Simei to have Kaya toasts and did some grocery shopping while we were there.


Dad then drove up to Changi Beach. It has been a long time since we sat by the beach to enjoy the breeze and serenity of the beach side. While we were there, I got rather pissed. Read on.

We saw the ice-cream man riding his thing. Since it seems appropriate to have one, we decided to get ourselves ice-cream. Mom wanted the scoop version (the one with balls of different flavoured ice cream clamped with a bread). So do I. Before he could leave, I ran over.

Translated:-

Me: Uncle do you have ice-cream scoop?
Uncle: Scook? (Take note of the spelling; therefore resulted in a DIFFERENT pronunciation)

He then ringed his bell loudly, and continued to ring it. Read on.

Me: Scoop. Ice cream scoop.
Uncle: What is SCOOK?! (As he said that, he gave a disgusted face and pointed the 'menu' to me)
Me: No uncle. I don't want the 'potong'. I want the scoop.
Uncle: Scook? What the heck is scook? (And for the record, he was still ringing that bloody bell of his)

I got pissed to the point that I felt like snatching the bell away from him and throw it out into the sea. It was THAT bad.

Me: ARGH! Nevermind ah Uncle! *Walks off*

Tell me, idiotic or not? I don't mind if he did not have the scoop version. But what made me loose my patience was his bloody bell. The more words that came out of my mouth, the louder he ringed that thing. Sheesh!

Funny thing was, as I walked back to where Mom and Dad was seated, they started laughing. Thanks eh! Haha! Nevertheless, despite the "unhappiness-with-the-ice-cream-man", I enjoyed every single moment with them. From laughing out loud to sharing stories, it felt nice :)

More updates soon!
Ciao!