Nothing Butt The Truth

I skipped school today.

It was unintentional, really.

Japhia and I didn't hear the alarm ring.

The alarm DID ring but the problem was Japhia's phone speakers went kaput.

So when we did wake up, we were far too late for school.

Japhia: HOW?!?!!?! Mom and dad is going to kill us!
Janna: I don't know.
Japhia: I know, I know. We go out the window, climb down and go somewhere nearby to kill time. Then we come back at 3 o'clock [the time we normally reach home].
Janna: Yea, we arrive in our uniforms huh?
Japhia: Yea we wear it now.
Janna: No, don't be silly. What about our bags?
Japhia: We bring them along.
Janna: That's stupid. We can't do that.
Japhia: Then how?
Janna: We hide our bags under the bed.
*Japhia nods in agreement*
Janna: Then we climb out the window and sit on the roof [until we figure something out].

So that was the plan. Why take a scolding when you can have it otherwise?
Let's take a peek on what's other than wise.

Japhia climbed out with her History book and handphone [of which we took pictures with and played games]

while I climbed out with Chemistry.


Our butts got upclose and personal with the roof.

Guess which position was most comfortable.

A. B. C.

Our badonkadonks seriously hurt on the undulated roof tiles due to lack of thick padding.

A callipygian like me could lose the adjective if I were to spend another hour on that roof.

And suddenly we hear a voice...
Voice: What are the both of you doing there?!

*thinks to self* I'm quite sure that Voice is referring to us. Oh shoot!

Japhia and I exchanged glances.

Our movements blew our cover.

The both of us greeted Voice, "Hi dad!" and burst out laughing like crazy.
Dad: What are the both of you doing there?
Janna: Japhia's phone speakers spoil ady so the alarm didn't ring, so we overslept and missed school.
Dad: Yea, but what are you doing there?
Almost simultaneously, we replied...
Janna: Studying?
Japhia: We scared you scold.

And the three of us started laughing our heads off.

Dad: I must call mom to come and see you two silly girls. MEI! Come upstairs.
Mom: What?
Dad: Come upstairs.
Mom: Where?
Dad: Girls' room. AND BRING THE CAMERA ALONG!
Mom: What's going on?
Dad: Look at these two silly girls.
Mom: What happened? Why aren't the both of you in school?

*repeats the most valid reason available*

Mom: Why didn't you tell me? I could have sent you to school.
Janna: We woke up too late for school.



And we all started laughing like crazy.

Dad: I heard sounds. Then I saw something that looks like a head. I thought someone was trying to break in. Turns out two silly fellows sitting there.

Lesson learnt: Just tell the truth. It could save your butt.
Bright side: It was fun while it lasted. We saved on electricity while enjoying the fresh morning air and mild warm sunlight.

Fathers' Day

Before our alarm clock days,

You’d have to force me out of bed,

You’d pull away my pillow

Use it to hit me in the head

Japhia and I, sound asleep

You’d come in midnight, intentionally

Tapping us on the back, saying

“Time for school, get ready!”

The siblings and I would watch TV

Body slumped, legs swinging

Then you’d suddenly appear

Singing off key and belly dancing

The phone rings and you’d pick up

And the caller asks for Janna

Although I’m right next to you

You’d reply, “Sorry, she’s in India.”

You and I are in the car

And you’d stop at the traffic light

Randomly, you’d punch my face

And we’d get into a fun fist fight

In your sermons, you’d tell people

Only at 35 can I get married,

Of procreation and grandkids

I’m sure you’re not worried

Very often, you’d ask me

“Are you hungry? Want to eat?”

Since I barely say ‘No’

How to keep fit?

Anyhow, dear dad

You’ve been a great blessing

Happy Fathers’ Day

And thanks for everything

Inspiration Strikes Again

AFTER GOD-KNOWS-HOW-LONG,

new poem. :)

Click here.

Write? Right.

I was flipping through the newspaper one day and saw this rectangular box of information in The Star.

There were three noteworthy lines:
1. Write an essay.
2. The theme is 'The Best Things in Life'.
3. Grand prize winner wins trip to Dublin.

...and so I did write.

About a week plus before the 15th of May, I was informed that I was among the top 20 winners and was invited to attend the Award Presentation Dinner in Istana Hotel at some Jalan Raja Chulan in KL.

I didn't think it was a big event because:
1. Istana Hotel sounds so...un-istana-ish.
[I even inquired of a friend from KL if he had any idea about Hotel Istana and he was clueless.]
2. I've never heard of IMPAC Dublin Literary Award until now.


But I was wrong because:
1. Istana Hotel is pretty istana-ish.
2. The IMPAC Dublin Literary Award is pretty prestigious. [I've been living in a cave so please forgive me.]

Menu for the night.

The food was...okay. The ambience was better.

The VIP table.


Out of the 20, there would be:
1 grand prize winner
9 merit award winners
10 consolation prize winners


The grand prize winner is...

*drumroll*
*
*
*
*
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*
*
*
*
obviously not me. Lol.

The grand prize goes to Hillary Wee Wei Lee. Love his work.

Congratulations to you, Hillary.
[Named after Sir Edmund Hillary. Anyone wants to be named after the Sherpa guide, Tenzing Norgay?]

Receiving one of the merit awards.
[a certificate, a cheque and a book prize]


Reading excerpts from my essay.

Before the whole event, we actually had a rehearsal and the guy conducting the rehearsal said
"If you're a consolation prize winner, the good news is - you don't have to read your essay."
Thanks to quick calculation and natural reflexes, I exhaled a loud sigh of relief in a picosecond.
He looked at me, surprised and asked for my name so that he could just adjust a 'maybe whatever' to a 'certain consolation'.
:S
ANYWAY.

VIPs with the 20 winners.

Overall, it was a pleasant and remunerative experience.
The best part about it would be the memories that I've brought back with me...
...the newfound friends...and the experience...and the cash.

---------------------------------------------

My first attempt:

The Best Things In Life

With just his pinky, he pushed the King’s Pawn forward and I met him in direct confrontation while I made a random statement, "The best things in life are free."
"Do you think so?" he asked.
"I believe it is so," I answered as he brought his Knight forward.
"Relationships are the best things in mine. Family and true friends cannot be bought with a price. Families are fixed but friends are free to come and go. I love my family and friends and to have them love me in return is just too wonderful to describe. Without them, life would be quite meaningless. Anyone can afford relationships. It does not take a million bucks to keep them and if it did, then it would perhaps not be worth it."

Having said all that, I mirrored his move.
"What do you mean?" he asked.
Nonchalantly, I answered "I did say it was free and if anyone would relate just for money, the relationship would not be worth it."
"What if that million is the ransom for my life? If you could afford it, would you pay up?" he asked, smirking. I sensed a trap because this was not just a friend; he was my mentor and almost family. After five seconds of quick thinking I replied with an affirmative.
He came with the question, "Now what do you think is the price of our relationship?" "Priceless, I must admit," was my reply.
"Exactly my point," he countered and continued, “The best things in life are not free. For family and friends you have to work at it. You cultivate your relationships with time, effort, care and love. That’s why some people can have family and friends and still be lonely and cold while others can have friends that are as close as family and sometimes probably, closer than family. Freedom for example, is one of the best things in life but to gain it, many have fought and gave their lives to the cause. What we enjoy and take for granted today has been bought with the sacrifice of many. They cared and were committed enough to trail blaze. There is blood, sweat and tears invested into it. Therefore the opposite is true. The best things in life are priceless because all the riches in the world are not enough to purchase it. You can never measure them with the empirical because their worth is immeasurable and possibly infinite. Love, peace, and joy may not come with a price tag. Freedom, justice and faith are not commodities for trade but these are the most sought after and have value far greater than fame and fortune. The plus side to the best things in life is that it is attainable to anyone. I agree with you that not everyone can afford a million bucks but everyone can afford to give some of themselves to others to make a difference in their lives which in turn brings meaning to relationships. Therefore whatever they’re giving to a relationship to keep it strong and vibrant, that’s priceless.”

I listened and looked intently as he performed a mild attack with his Bishop. I set the standard classic Giuoco Piano opening which I was sure he would notice and wondered if he knew about the Kostics Trap played in Cologne by Borislav Kostics versus Muhlock. I do understand and value his opinions and this part of me just wanted to spur him forward and so I queried, “If money has the ability to buy, what would the best things in life be?” I smiled as he took the bait in haste because it would have been a painful risk and a long game if he had not. His Knight looked threatening on the board.
“Well, allow me to quote my dad. He said a fortune could buy you a house but not a home. It could buy company but not friends, bed but not sleep, medicine but not health, education but not wisdom, possessions but not fulfillment. Whatever the things money can buy the value and excellence of its counterpart transcends it,” he quoted with eloquence and passion as if he had it etched in his heart.

It almost seems pathetic as I move my Queen to attack his Knight. “I suppose this is pretty subjective and though all you’ve said is truly noble and excellent, there will always be people who would prefer and choose otherwise. By the way, what do you think of the other extreme? Aristotle said that the best thing in life is...unreachable?” I added.
“My dear, Aristotle thinks that this life is too wretched to live and his best thing would be not to have been born, not to be, to be nothing and the second best thing would be to die soon for all who live. Does that sound good to you?” he asked while he forked my Queen with his Knight.
I laughed for we both knew the exact opposite was true. He sipped his coffee, bit into a croissant and proclaimed, “The best croissant in the world comes from Grandma’s oven.” I agreed wholeheartedly as I moved my Queen as far from me as possible to take his Pawn and the rest of the moves were pretty much forced.

“Actually, most of the favourite things in my life are free. The shapely thick clouds, the splendid shimmering stars in the dark night sky, the many beaming faces of the moon, the smell of rain before it pours, the comforting sound of raindrops on rooftops, the waves breaking on the beach and the sand running with it, the fresh green fragrance in the cool morning air as you step on the grass, the cool breeze on temperate sunny days, beautiful picturesque skies...” I pointed upwards to the almost indigo sky. It’s all invaluable to me.
“Most of yours, are mine too. It’s a pity that not many realize or appreciate their worth but the ones that seek, will find them,” he stated.
He held my hands, looked me in the eyes and asked, “What’s the best thing in your life now?” “As of now, to love and win,” I smiled radiantly. “Checkmate. And you?”
“In this case, to love and lose,” he whispered.

From The Bridesmaid's Journal

On the 18th of April, we witnessed the union of Adrian and Sok Yee in Church of Praise, Ipoh.

I absolutely adore weddings.


Congratulations!
to

Mr. and Mrs. Adrian Woong

PS: I LOOVVVVEEEE Sok Yee's dress: beautiful bead embroidered bodice and centerpiece.




Exchange of rings.

Sealed with a kiss.

Prayer of benediction.

She even looks stunning from the back.

Wedding certificate

Ring bearer and flower girl

An adorably petulant flower girl

Ring bearer and best man, Daniel Ding

Bridesmaid, me and flower girl

Completing the bridesmaid's and best man's duties.

Peace launch for the bouquet brawl.

"Something borrowed,
something blue,
something old,
something new..." He is.

He said, "I have my reasons for standing here, okay."

but the next bride-to-be is

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Wing Yin.

Will someone please take initiative, propose and fulfill his dream?

Okay, maybe he didn't catch it but we had such concern that we practically surrendered the bouquet to him.

Instead,

This little boy did and gave it to the little girl in pink behind him.
Hhhmmmm...maybe a new beginning but we'd have to wait for about two decades for this story to culminate to an end considering their ages.

Time to rest my legs after all that standing.

If someone could just provide a pillow...

Sparkling tiara and pins off, headache gone almost instantaneously.

The final curtain. Bye.

To the new addition, welcome

We bid each other goodbye at Mines Wonderland the last time we met and after AEONS my dear cousin, Josephine Chan is finally back from New Zealand...MARRIED as Mrs. Sheldon. Welcome home Jojo and welcome to the family, Bradley.

Mr. and Mrs. Bradley Sheldon and I.

We were reunited with my mom's side of the family at Ah Yat Abalone Restaurant in KL.
We got to see Aunty Lily from Melbourne again this year. =)

The food venue is famous for its namesake...

Among the yummies:

Sometimes, I can't help but think that being intensely expressive is in my family genes.

ME, Andrea and my brother.

Kenrick and Kennard.

See what I mean?

Singapore Once More

After Ministers' Retreat [which was in Johor], my dad drove us down to Singapore where we were reunited with our Singaporean relatives. This trip was weighted with food.

On the day I arrived, I had dinner in Kazu Sumiyaki Japanese Restaurant at Cuppage Plaza where we had splendid Japanese food. It's a small yakitori establishment and our waitress Linda selected the 'must try' delectables and presented an introduction for every entree.

Sarah and I while waiting for food to be served.


This confection of sugar, mochi, ice cream and sauce tasted as fantastic as it's presentation.

I, unfortunately haven't got pictures because as soon as the food arrived, we went for a clean sweep in hunger before I could snap a shot. I do not work when hungry. The spring vegetables, chicken, fish, squid, bacon, foie gras, pork, prawn, udon and rice was great and the wahgyu beef was indeed excellent.


The next day, the adults and I went for a morning walk at the Southern Ridges of Singapore.

We began with the Forest Walk.


Ficus microcarpa

Little huge ant.

Grafitti and ant on bamboo.

I love the invigorating colour and scent of the forest.

Daddy said,"This is the best position....to hide my tummy!"


Tree silhouettes

End of Forest Walk, Beginning of Henderson Waves

Singapore's highest pedestrian bridge connecting 2 hills, Mount Faber and Teluk Blangah Hill.

It's undulating wave form of steel and granite is quite remarkable.
The math of this piece of structure should be interesting.
Dad in praying mantis stance in front a ribbed alcove.
[Correction: the crane stance. thanks to Josh and Jonan. :D]

The curved deck is made of all-weather timber, yellow balau.


The supermodels of the deckway



Lulled by the harmony of fauna amidst the lush green forest.

Uncle Terry trying to sit up.

I am sitting up the correct way. :P

Daddy trying to get up.

We completed our walk with breakfast at Vivocity to replenish what we walked off.


Then, we went to La Petite Cuisine that runs on minimal service and reasonable prices at Serene Centre for authentic french cuisine to lunch.

Soup de maison

Panfried foie gras with orange confit served with salad

Filet of chicken with cepes and spaghetti

Dory in basquaise sauce and rice

Ravioli of prawns and foie gras in light lemon creme

Ravioli of spinach in lemon creme

Sarah and I helping ourselves to delicious spaghetti with ham in creme sauce.

Then, we moved on to Island Creamery which is Singapore's local confectionery [also at Serene Centre, two doors away from La Petite Cuisine] to dig for dessert.

They had weird ice-cream flavours like cendol, pulut hitam, teh tarik, bandung, horlicks, ping-pong , milo, tiger beer et cetera. Ooooooh! I want my beer... in ice cream...tiger sorbet.

Chocolate mudpie

Broken oreo cookies on layers of ReversO, Kahlua Latte, and Cookies n' Cream


Baked Alaska

It's strawberry ice cream on sponge cake, covered with meringue, torched with a flame for the caramel effect.


That would be us digging into our chosen ice-cream scoops of ReversO, Cookies n' Cream, Strawberry and so on.

On the same day, we had

A healthy salad with a japanese peanut salad sauce and vinaigrette.

Pumpkin soup.

Grilled lamb chops, beef steak and sausages.