My biggest fear...

Yesterday, I had dinner at a restaurant with a friend. As usual, I indulged in one of my favourite past time - people watching. I noticed a family; husband, wife and their 10-year-old son, who were also waiting for their dinner. The son was using a pair of chopsticks as drumsticks, pretending to be a rock drummer. His father was looking at him at his antics and absent-mindedly stroked his son's hair. His mother was staring into space, looking as if she wished she was somewhere else. I sense that the woman was not happy. The man looked as if he didn't know what to say to his wife, so he played with their son's hair instead. This pair of husband and wife did not talk to each other throughout the dinner. They spoke to their son but not to each other.

Jomel blogged about seeing a young couple who are deeply in love. New love is so amazing. One can almost see sparks whenever young lovers touch. One could sense the LUUUURVE felt by young lovers. I've seen a set of young lovers who very creatively held each other hands throughout their date whilst they shared an ice-cream sundae. They never broke contact with each other the whole time, swapping hands but held hands throughout. If they kept at it any longer, they would have welded to each other! They also never once took their eyes off each other and they never stopped talking and laughing. Surely the couple I saw yesterday were very much in love once upon a time. They must still love each other or they won't be together, would they? Or are they staying with each other for their son's sake? There must have been a time when they couldn't wait to see each other after work or spend lots of time together in the weekend. Surely they planned their time together, eg, set up dates with each other so they can catch up on each other. Surely they used to call each other several times a day just to listen to each other's voice. What has happened from the time they were young and in love till now? Did they get so caught up with work, running the household, paying bills and other humdrum daily routine that they've forgotten how to spend time with each other? The couple I saw yesterday didn't talk to each other and never once smiled at each other.

I have observed other families who behaved similarly when they're together. The first time I noticed a family behaving this way was when I bumped into a former schoolmate. This schoolmate got married soon after leaving school. He and his wife were very much in love and couldn't wait to get married so they could be together forever. I bumped into them about 10 years after they got married and they had a 10-year-old daughter. They behaved exactly like the family I described earlier. Seeing the family yesterday was like deja vu!

I know couples tend to take each other for granted after a while, when routine sets in. Not communicating with each other? Nothing to say to each other? Existing together because of the children? OMG!!!

Lone Pine

It's no joke trying to juggle work, taking care of the home which involves making sure the larder and fridge are well stocked, bills are paid on time, getting kid home from school, spending time with kids, house guests, finding quality time with husband and squeezing in some quality time with myself. Some days I feel like I'm doing too much but not achieving much. Yup, feeling the blah again. OK, snap out of it!

Recently, we managed to squeeze a few days to get away with the children. Four lovely days spent with the children, all attention on them. No need to look at the time, eat when hungry and sleep when tired.

Laura, who used to dislike getting her face wet, can now swim about in the grown-up pool. The Lone Pine pool is 4ft deep all around.



We visit Lone Pine Hotel in Penang at least twice a year. We were at the Lone Pine when I was 7 months pregnant with Laura. Our last getaway when we needed to pack only for ourselves. How different it was packing for a holiday when Laura came along. Checking if we have enough diapers to last the whole holiday, pack enough clothes in case she spit up or dirty her clothes when eating, more clothes for myself in case my clothes got soiled, pack baby food, washcloth, baby soap, shampoo, etc. The staff at Lone Pine have seen Laura grow up.

We were there again when I was 7 months pregnant with Adam. I was glad to be floating about in the pool when heavily pregnant with Adam. Laura tried to climb up my belly 'coz she had seen Mowgli do the same to Baloo!

We brought Adam's bicycle with us. The moment he opened his eyes in the morning, Adam wanted to get on the bicycle. He cycled from our room to the coffee house for breakfast. He cycled some more after breakfast and when we got back from the beach. He cycled as soon as we got out of the pool and after his nap. I've not seen anyone enjoy cycling so much.

Mish Mash

Been so long since I've updated my poor neglected blog. Here's a mish mash of stuff:

I blogged in October last year about the "anti-squat" toilets in the Putra LRT station. Recently I took a photo which shows better the anti-squat-sit-down-too-quickly-you'll-give-yourself-a-concussion device. No, I do not make a habit of taking photos in toilets.




I couldn't resist taking this photo. I think the sign was supposed to be "Keep Closed", ya? These are huge glass doors. To keep close will be quite difficult. Too heavy and cumbersome lah...



Recently, I used the MRRII to go from Ampang to Bandar Utama. Knowing that the bridge was closed for repair, I've been avoiding the MRRII towards Kepong. Seeing that it was 6.45am, I traffic would be light. Boy, was I wrong!