Care vs Indifference

A few days ago, I was at the Indian Mamak shop packing food.


The queue was long and the space was tight.


After getting my rice, I wanted to backtrack to get some vegetables, so, I request for the young man to excuse me, while I needed some standing space. He was kind enough to let me through. While I was taking the stuff, which will total 5-10 seconds, the Restaurant Waiter gave an impatient remark because I was kinda in the way.


I was busy trying to hurry, so, I neither heard his remark or saw his face reaction.


But.


I heard the young man clearly rebuking him to be patient, for it will only take awhile.


I paused for a second and did not know how to react to this young man, standing up for a stranger, like me.


I was touched.


I went up to him and thank him for standing up for me and he gave me a very gracious, "Its OK".


Another scenario:


We were having family lunch at the same shop and have been trying to order something from the waiter for quite awhile. Then, a waiter stopped at the table next to ours. I kept waving to him but he did not take notice.


Strange.


The couple sitting on that table heard us clearly and even turned to give an indifferent stare. After looking at us a few seconds, knowing clearly that we were trying to get the attention of the waiter who was still standing next to their table, they returned to whatever they were doing.


I was shocked.


Such indifference.


The waiter walked away.


Now, I have a big question in my head.


Why the indifference or care. What causes someone to take the trouble to stand up for a stranger and another to totally ignore.

The Day Our Home Was Violated

The Robbers came and went. But look what they left behind for us to 'savor'....

Clothes were pulled out of the cupboard and drawers. Looks like
the secret hiding place is not that 'secret' after all

Awful mess

They broke the metal attached to the gate. Make sure you do something
about your gate at home

Pried open

Temporary measure for the night... Rock climbing rope with 3 carabenas

Quick Tips at Internet Cafe

1) You are encouraged to rent an Oxigen tank if need to surf more
than 5 mins


2) Unlimited opportunity to grasp all types of
'flowery' language, especially in Chinese


3) One no longer has to wonder why our young people does not enjoy reading


4) Spending RM2 per hour is still much cheaper than buying a computer,
paying tmnet RM110 every month and worry your laptop gets stolen.


5) There are grown up adults who sits there for hours playing
games.


6) Avoid loosing your laptop to Robbers as much as possible, especially if your life revolves around it.


7) Do not get overly bothered with the girl at the counter for her lack of courtesy while talking to you. Just remind yourself its not Hilton Hotel reception. After all she was not wearing an Oxigen tank. Maybe all the cigarette smoke clouded her personality.


8) Be thankful for mobile internet because that will give you as much pause as possible from having renewed experience of the above points of numbers 1 to 7.

--
Sent from my mobile device

Black Friday, 26 March 2010

On Friday at about 11pm, we came home from Cell Group and discovered that the whole house was in a mess. The back gate and door was pried open.


Clothes and books were strewn everywhere.


Cupboards and drawers were opened.


Shock and disbelief that our place of solace was intruded.


What a violation of privacy.


What a betray of trust towards humanity.


A realisation of what greed does.... from one Greedy to Another.


Anger? Yes.


Fear? Yes.


Frustration? Yes.


The children was upset. They have every right to be. So was I.... to discover the laptops, Hubby's expensive camera and foreign currencies were taken.


It was Black Friday because we have not really got over Pastor Mark's passing (the funeral was in the morning) and then this. This is emotionally draining....


Thank God, we are safe but I want to leave this house now!!!!


P.S. I am blogging from an internet cafe.

Till We Meet Again

I just heard the news that the friend whom I visited on Sunday had passed away.


Pastor Mark is home.


He is at a better place as of 9.30pm tonight. Left this journey on earth to start a new chapter in eternity with his Maker.


They say that place is a magnificent place. The "in" place to go after our expiration date on earth.

Rose (wife) & Pastor Mark

I am trying to imagine Pastor Mark having the time of his "new" life without the confine of a sick, aching and aging body. I am happy. But I am sad.


Such contradicting emotions.

Pastor Mark (in the middle) and all of us

When we were in the hospital on Sunday, Ethaniel said a beautiful prayer for Pastor Mark. He laid his small little hand on his frail hand. It was all about asking God to make him stronger, able to leave the hospital, feeling better and never sick again...


Was this an answer to his prayer?


By the way, Pastor Mark, I never really had a chance to Thank You for being a patient, kind and loving Shepherd. You alternated your role as a Pastor, counsellor, Shepherd and Boss. Your care and concern towards my family and I, has made an impact and helped in ways I am not able to articulate. Indeed, you have been a blessing.


P.S. Since you will not be able to visit me in my new house, I will visit you instead... In due time.... Till we meet again...

Please... Let it be

I was at the hospital today afternoon visiting someone. He is in a critical condition due to the late stages of cancer of the intestines.


I was quite overwhelmed with emotions.


The last time I saw him, a few months ago, he looked well and chirpy. But today. He was weak and unable to speak clearly.


I was overcome with sadness. Split between the feeling of wanting to cry and being brave. For his sake and the others around me.


When we arrived, there was already a crowd. Eventhough he was not very aware of his surroundings, I greeted him and he nodded. He knows me. I was happy, eventhough it was an awkward moment with more than 10 other people standing quietly and solemnly inside the hospital room and beside his bed.


The last time we spoke, he asked about my house and me. So, I really wanted to continue that conversation. I wanted to let him know that I have already received my house keys, I am a proud owner of the house, he and and his wife went over to pray for... I have also started renovation of the place and I wanted to show him the pictures of the progress.... I also wanted to invite him over to the house after we moved in....


And I did.


I told him about the house, how Joel & Ethaniel are doing in school and that I wanted him to visit us when he gets better.


"If God is willing", he said softly.


So, God... Are you?


Please... Let it be.

"I'm glad that I'm not a woman"

"I'm glad that I'm not a woman", exclaimed Joel.


Hmm.....


Should I feel happy or insulted?


Happy - because he is so confident of his manhood. There are untold numbers of young men in Thailand who aspires to be a female. You can see teenage boys wearing make-up. Its an awful sight. Trust me.


Insulted - because he doesn't want to be like Mummy. Haha. I should be so glad!


"Why are you glad you're not a woman?" I asked.


"Because I don't have to give birth to babies. So painful", explained Joel.


"Yeah. You are so fortunate. I am glad for you too," I agreed.


As much as I have accepted my womanhood, I do agree to a certain level that being a male has many advantages.


In the Asian culture, eventhough most women work, yet, they are expected to juggle their family lives simultaneously. Not only there are children to be taken care but housekeeping, cooking, marketing and the general well-being of the family is usually undertaken by the women.


In some countries, the women are really oppressed. Its really sad.


Are my Sons really fortunate born male?

Wow!

We have been going for BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) for the last 10 months.


I usually do the homework with Ethaniel and we are currently studying the Book of John.


We read John 1:12-13

¹²Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— ¹³children born not of natural descent,^c]">[c] nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.


Ethaniel broke into, "Wow! Wow! Wow! Born of God! Wow! Wow! I am born of God!"


I was a little puzzled at his excitement till I read the verses again.... Well, isn't it amazing? I missed it. I missed the point while this 8+ years old boy understood it completely.


Me, of little understanding that He had to impress a little 8+ years old to remind me.


I am born of God.


That is a miracle.


Indeed it is.

Have You Had One of Those Days? Part 2

Incident #4

I took the kids to the shopping mall and upon reversing my cute little MYVI into a parking space, I heard my reverse sensor beeping. Thinking that I was too near to the next car, I quickly drove forward to make another attempt at re-parking.


Then suddenly, before I could reverse in, someone drove into my parking spot!!!! A huge red pick up truck. So, I horned him to let him know that he parked on my spot. But he made no signs of driving out. I had to quickly make some decisions:

1. Sit in the car and feel really upset
2. Drive off to another spot and feel really upset
3. Come back later to puncture his tyre and feel great
4. Come back later to make some interesting graffiti on his windows, which will also make me feel great
   
5. Give him a piece of my mind and still feel upset but not as bad
   

OK... I had 5 seconds to react....


I decided to do thought #5. I parked my car on the side, at the same time observe if this fella has a ring on his nose, tattoos on his arms and bodyguards by the side. Oh goodie, none of it.


I proceeded to knock on the passenger window and told him that it's my carpark. He gave the stupidest excuse I have ever heard (according to me) ..., "Did you put on your signal light?" and I answered, "So what?". It was clear that even a toad could see that I was reversing into the parking space. Duh?!!! Blah blah blah and some more blah. If he had intentions to leave, he wouldn't have taken the spot in the first place. It was clear that he was not leaving. But I had wanted to give him my piece of mind. And I did.


I decided to give one last shot and said to the girl he was with, "Eh, you don't marry this fella. He is not a gentleman. Take a woman's parking spot". Of course, if he was not in such a hurry to leave, I might wanted to say more. After all, I was on a row....


Not so long ago, I usually react by moving to another parking spot and feel really upset. And then, I grew up and now I stand up for myself. I also wanted my children to know that they should not behave like that lousy fella. Its not right to take someone's "things" aka car park, intentionally or accidentally. At the same time, stand up for what you believe. Don't take crab when you need to stand up for what is right even if you are alone. Don't have to walk with the crowd.


I hope that "lesson" from me would have shook the fella and stop him from "stealing parking spaces" in future. He must have done it before and being Asians, most of us would brush it off and say that its a waste of time even trying to talk to bullies like that. Maybe. Maybe not. The next time you see this red pick up truck and if he ever attempts to take your parking spot, remember to give him your piece of mind. Not too large a piece, just enough to stand up for what is right.


Incident # 5

The cashier counter at MPH Book Sale had problems when I went to pay. After waiting for 10 minutes, I decided to pay cash instead of credit card.


Why me?????!!!!!

Have You Had One of Those Days? Part 1

I had a series of mishaps or "bad luck" (BTW, I don't believe in luck) incidences which was totally annoying, to say the least. You know, the feeling that nothing goes right. Everything seems and somehow feels that it WILL go wrong. When moments like that happens, I feel like locking myself in the house. Not that it will help. For all I know, the lock breaks down (which it did).


Its not major like the roof came down or I killed the neighbor's cat or something to that effect.


Have you had one of those days?


Well, it all started last week .... *back in time music*


Incident # 1


I was at the Macy Annual Sale 2009. Being the 1st day, Thursday, it was packed!!! Doesn't anyone work at 11am on a Thursday??! Or is it that all the Homemakers are out of the house (like me) and have decided to help the household budget by buying stuffs at a sale and save money (like me).


I was struggling to queue at the counter, while lugging two huge boxes of "goodies" (like Santa Claus). Its the lousiest queue I have ever been on. Like one of those queue at the NKVE highway during public holidays... Two lines which eventually end up at the same payment counter. Not realising that this was the case, I was standing for 30 mins with the afternoon heat and sweat. Well, you get the idea, it was not a beautiful sight.


Then, I changed queue and after 5 mins of waiting, they shut down the queue. What? I was asked to go next door to pay. There, I waited an additional 15 mins and when it was my turn to pay, the counter had problems with the computer.... Aaarrrggghhh! Anything else???!!! Bring it on, baby!


Incident #2


After returning home from the Macy Annual Sale 2009, I realised that they had over-charged me. Yaiks! In my hurry to get home after the sweat, heat and 1 hour of waiting at the check out cashier, I had forgotten to check my bill.


Guess what? I had to go back there again, the next day.... and not only I managed to get back my monies, but I also helped the household budget by purchasing even more stuffs.


Save money by buying.


You know, what I mean? We women are great at that, its a skill perfected through the great examples set by our Mothers and her Mother before her and it goes on......


Incident #3


Some of you might have read my blog post a few months ago, that I have started working part time. The Company provide Adventure Program to Christian groups. So, we had this particular group which was scheduled to have a program on a Saturday but due to some problems at a certain department, they had to work during that weekend. So, on Thursday afternoon at about 3pm, I received an email, requesting to postpone the program.


Aiyo!!!


First of all, its not a good idea to cancel the program on such a short notice i.e. 1 day. A lot of planning had gone into it. Secondly, earlier there were various changes on the venue, as a result, the activities had to change, so more planning had gone into it. Thirdly, the Instructors are all volunteers and would have sacrificed their weekend to block this date and now the cancellation.


Its just bad.


Especially, when I have to be the bearer of bad news.... informing the team of the postponement *bad feeling in the pit of the stomach*


To top the icing on the cake, the client didn't pay up, yet. That would have been my job. I asked them to pay, but they didn't (Irrelevant. Even if I engaged the services of Ah Long (thugs who "make" creditors pay their debts), its still my job to ensure clients pay-up). I will never know if they would have postponed the program if they had paid up (Again, irrelevant since it had already happen).


Sigh.


Stay tuned for more upcoming mishaps ......

Little Surprises Life Hands Me

My son, Joel came back from Church this Sunday afternoon (I stayed back because I was not feeling well) and raced upstairs with something in his hand. I had earlier told them not to pack lunch for me because I had just wanted to eat oats and cereals.


As he walked towards me, he lifted his hands and uncovered the plastic and said, "Hi Mum, I have a cheese tart for you".


I was delighted... till I saw it was half a tart.


I gave an exaggerated frown and said, "Half only ah?"


He quickly added, "I only bought one and I share my half with you".


*Feeling-guilty-for-having-complained-and-heart-absolutely-melted-at-his-thoughtfulness*


I asked for him to come over for a cuddle for being so thoughtful and coming upstairs to say "Hi" to his good ole Mummy before he scrambled infront of the TV (we just subscribed to Astro yesterday). Which he quickly gave a smile and ran downstairs. Oh well. A few minutes of bliss is better than none.


His younger brother, the little boy came upstairs to say 'Hi' but was looooooong gone before I had the chance to finish calling his name.


The power of TV.

Where Is It??????

3 July 2009

I hear the usual noises made by pork seller every Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. I opened my eyes and saw that it was 7.45am. I remembered that I needed to get some mince pork.

Sleepily I dragged my heavy feet and butt to the bathroom to change my pajamas. I might scare the poor fella if he sees me in my sexy lingerie, I mean hole-ly sleepwear.

Still half or rather three quarters asleep, I unlocked the main wooden door and made my way to the gate. Trying to unlock the padlock that locks the gate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 30 days in a month, 375 days in a year.... (Of course minus that few minutes a day when we need to go in and out the house). I discovered that not only the padlock was not there, but neither was the metal that was attacked to the gate, holding the padlock. I felt something amiss but my sleepy brain could not process the magnitude. So, I walked towards the Pork Seller and purchased some minced pork.

Re-entring the house, I looked towards the direction where my Hubby usually parks his Toyota Rush. Looking and staring.... Then I went through it over my mind.... I woke up this morning and Hubby was still sleeping. Why is the car not there? I quickly went to look at the set of keys in the drawers. It was there but the car is not.

Aaarrrrggghhh!

The car is stolen!!!!!

I raced upstairs... "The car is stolen!" "The car is stolen!"

The whole family was still fast asleep with saliva drooling from the sides of their mouth *slurp*.

My first question, "Does the car insurance cover theft?" Yes, it often boils down to dollars and cents. Sentimental value on a 2 months old car, still not very strong, yet. But an emotional tie to Mr $ can be very strong even after knowing him for 1 minute. Eventhough we are not good friends, I hear a lot about him. I know my children fantasizes a lot about him and the things they can get through him.

After recollecting our thoughts ....

What to do next?

Call the police....

All this transacted in Bahasa Malaysia...

Police: Hello

Me: Hello

Police: This is the police station

Me: I want to report the lost of my car. It was stolen from my house in .....

Police: I see. Can you come to the police station to make a report?

I said that I lost my car???!!!!! You want me to go to the police station? What if I did not have a car???? After all, my car has just been stolen!!! *frustrated*

Me: OK

We made the police report and all Ethaniel could think about throughout the one hour plus ordeal was, "Can we eat something? I am hungry". How different the children's priorities can be at a time like this?

It was a very memorable day.

The insurance will reimburse 100% but only after 3 months. Looks like inconvenience will roam the air for a some time.

Penang Part 1

We were on a schedule. We needed to leave the house by 9am. The weather looked cloudy, maybe it might rain. Looks like it.


After returning to Malaysia for almost 4 months, this is our first time making an outstation trip.

Since I have been back to Malaysia, things has been so busy that during weekends I just wanted to hang out at home, maybe take out a book or lie down. That is my ideal weekend. The thought of packing, sitting in the car for hours, washing all the laundry after returning, etc was a real deterrent.


I didn't pack till at about 12am the day before. Talking about last minute.


I remembered when I was a teenager, I used to pack months before the annual youth camp which was the hi-light of my life. This camp is usually held at the end of the year around December. I would save up by washing car belonging to my bro-in-law and his siblings. I was never paid any money for doing chores at home. Unlike my children.

When I was a child, we didn't go for any holiday or trips. School holidays was spent at home day after day, months after months. No trip to the beach, the park, the mountains, not to mention overseas trips. Not even Singapore. Yet, I never complained. When my schoolmates returned from holidays to the USA, I thought in my mind, "Wow, so fortunate".

Unlike my children, who are so blessed. Joel and Ethaniel both went overseas when they turned 2 yrs old. Joel have been to Australia - twice, USA, Singapore, almost the whole of Thailand, most part of Malaysia. Whilst I first boarded a plane when I was 21 years old to East Malaysia for a Mission Trip - 45 mins away, I think.


Anyway, back to the trip.


Our Bangkok Cell Member is having their wedding in Penang. We have promised them to be there months before we returned to Malaysia. The whole cell group will be there. Everyone has made the effort to fly/take the train and be in Penang to witness their wedding and celebrate this very special occasion with them. Talking about close knit family!!!


That is something I miss about Bangkok friends. Everyone is so close to each other and very often we treat each other like family members. Going out of the way to be nice, helpful and caring. Even nicer than some of our own family members who are sometimes so pedantic, resentful and selfish.

To be continued ....

Unpacking

This post is a little belated... relating my story on the unpacking of our goods..

************************

My goods arrived from Bangkok on 7 March 2009, Saturday.


We were excited.


At last, we can settle down properly. Since 5 March 09, our Landlord has given us the keys to the house. We had to do some cleaning and even some painting, which we did, the next day. It was hardwork.


The Unpackers from Allied Pickford Malaysia was unfortunately a real disappointment. Their workers consists of 3 Malaysian Indians and 4 India Indians. The foreign workers were helpful and hardworking but had communication issues. They could speak little Bahasa Malaysia and no English. The locals could communicate in both English and Bahasa Malaysia but were not friendly, unmotivated to work and ordered the Indians workers around.


The Supervisor was not managing his workers well. So, everybody was doing their own thing. Some hanging outside the house chatting with my FIL! Some just smoking....


Some example of incidences...


Putting things into the shelves.... The Unpacker opened up boxes and asked me to put plates into the cupboard!! He unwrapped and I put it in for him!! The 2nd day, the Supervisor himself opened up the boxes and just left all the plates on the kitchen top. He neither asked me to put it into the cabinet or asked his men to do it. It was just left there.


On another occasion, when I told the Supervisor that I needed my shelves to be put up, he looked shocked at me. I felt that I was doing something wrong. He rudely said that I did not mention it earlier (he didn't ask) but I did mention to the fat Malay guy on the 1st day and he said that the handyman will be coming. I also mentioned to the office staff and she mentioned that there will be another crew who does installation. Supervisor then said that he does not have a drill. Handyman without a drill? Anyway, I told him that I had one. He reluctantly called out to his worker to put up the shelf and without saying a word, went off to do other things.


Slow, slow and slower...


On the 2nd day, it took 3 man x 4 hours = 12 man hours to assemble a cupboard. Mostly 2 man doing it and 1 man "pretending to help". I noticed that he often likes to do this kind of "observing". Good trick, I must admit.


Can you imagine my frustration of having to order the workers around and trying to get all my things unpacked and sorted!! And they were more happy to sit on their butt!


It was stressful with me managing the workers all by myself, sorting the things out, cooking lunch and having my 2 children around! Thank God my BIL, Kerwin whom I requested to be around entertained the children by taking them to the park and doing some stuffs. There was no TV, computer or anything else to do. My FIL was bored stiff hanging around, so he chatted with the workers. I know, you must be wondering why the workers are hanging around chatting, right?


I didn't cook dinner that night but just ate Maggie Mee, I almost died of exhaustion! It was impossible to cook, I could see that FIL was not exhilarated with the prospect of instant noodle but unfortunately my physical condition did not position me to even think about pleasing anyone's tastebuds. All I could think of was my bed, resting my feet and having a good night's sleep.


The next day, I called the Allied Pickford office to complain and requested for another crew but unfortunately the impression has already been made. The stress was just too much for me to be a repeated customer.


I was hoping their performance could match the Thai's but.... sigh.

Upheaval Week

The last 1 to 2 weeks has been quite an emotional upheaval for my family and I.


First, Hubby has not been feeling like his normal self. Cannot blame him, he is not normal. He has to cut down on sugary stuff, carbohydrate and many other stuffs which he totally addicted to but absolutely a no-no.


To put myself in his shoes, I guess I have to imagine myself having to abstain from eating Indian curries, Nasi Lemak, Japanese food and all chilli stuff.


Aaarrrrggghhh!!!


That would be almost the end of the world for me. I just loooove all these stuffs.


Pity him.


Sigh.


Of course the overzealous me woke up early in the morning to cook breakfast for him. You know, for all my 14 years of marriage, I have never woken up to make breakfast for him. Mostly because he needs to wake up to go to work at very ungodly hours, like 6.15am. I love my sleep. Especially in the morning.


So, you can imagine me toiling at his breakfast and packed lunch for 1 hour. I was so tired after that. It was wearying me down.... but what was I to do? I was trying to help him with his new diet.


As you might have guessed, I gave up after 1 week!


My Mother was like me, a little overzealous too. We drove around town looking for herbal medications which was highly recommended by others. We purchased 8 pots of the fresh plants from a nursery. We left no stones unturned. We conquered every herbal plant in sight. So, don't go looking for it because I either have it in my garden or in my cupboard *exaggeration added to make it sound dramatic*


We had our church Pastor, Cell Group leader and Members who came to give moral support, encouragement, advice and prayer. I was really touched that my friend, S immediately organised for them to come over after knowing our upheaval week. We needed it.


My Mother also took the request to her church for prayer, worried over it herself and even came to specifically pray for Hubby. You should have seen her pray, power man! How not to feel better? Mother's Prayer. Sure God will listen.. Right?

SMS to Lawyer

I was going through my archives and managed to find the SMS which I sent to Mr Ong, the Lawyer. After this SMS, he reacted with so much of hoo-haa.. I have re-read this SMS many times to know what insensitive and rude words which have been used to caused such a HUGE reaction in Mr Ong... till he has refused to communicate either through SMS, email or phone call to us...


I feel as if we are 6 years old children in kindergarten playground.


All he could have done was to say, "I am unhappy with blah blah blah, please do not repeat it again". But instead he chose silent treatment. I pity his wife. Maybe I should send her a card to cheer her up. What do you think?


Anyway.


You be the judge.


The SMS was sent via internet. I have a lelong account which I could send SMSs and it only cost 15 sen per sms rather than THB10 per SMS from Thailand to Malaysian mobile.

********************

Pt. 1. Mr Ong, I tried to email you but it bounced back. So, I am going to SMS you the email in summary. A few part.


Pt 2. My real estate agent said 8% already given. Pls bank in at Maybank xxxxxx - ASAP.


Pt 3. V hv updates from FIL but not full info. Very difficult. Pls contact us directly to update. Becoz we dont know what's happening there.


Pt 4. I think that wld b more professional. No miscommunication. So, now that v hv the 8%. What else? FYI. We will be away from 15Dec-1Jan.


Pt 5. If u hv doc for signature. Send today via DHL & it will arrive by Fri/Sat. Let me know if u r sending.


Pt 6. So, I do expect you to contact us directly on what its going to happen in the next few days/weeks. TQ.

The end of SMS


****************************

Are you as confused as I am?


They say women is sensitive. Really?



To read blog post related to this, go to:

Lawyer "Buruk"

More on Lawyer "Buruk"

More on Lawyer "Buruk"

This is a continuation story about my blog post on "Lawyer "Buruk"". I didn't think I had anything more to write... unfortunately I was wrong.


A few days ago, I faxed a letter to my Purchaser's lawyer and following is the exact letter....

******************

Dear Sir

Payment of Remaining Sum from The Purchaser’s Bank

I would like to request that all remaining sum from the Purchaser’s bank to be paid directly to my current account MBB xxxxxxxx.

Please do not pay into my lawyer, Mr Ong’s account. The reason being, the deposit which was earlier paid to us via his account, the monies was taken from us without consent or knowledge of myself, my wife, the Purchaser, the Purchaser’s lawyer, my real estate agent or father-in-law (who was in communication with him).

After some investigation and much panic, we discovered that Mr Ong took the amount of RM2,000 which we thought was lost. I do not want a similar incident to re-occur. I am sorry to have to admit that I cannot trust my own lawyer.

Please do not hesitate to contact us should you require any clarifications at 012-xxxxx.

Yours sincerely,

My Hubby's Name

c.c. Mr Ong (My lawyer)

*****************

Honestly, I wasn't sure what kind of reaction to expect from Mr Ong. All I wanted to do was to ensure that the initial incident does not re-occur and we do not give opportunities for Mr Ong to "pay" himself again. I think anyone in my position would have done that and more.

Upon receipt of the fax, Mr Ong called my FIL and verbally abused him on the telephone, threatening to sue us and him....accused my FIL of approving the "payment" to himself amounting to RM2,000.00 and other stuffs... Poor man, almost 70 years old couldn't take it and hung up the phone.

Mr Ong also tried to call my Hubby various times. Surely to continue the verbal abuse. Of course, smarty-pants, my Hubby will not allow such a thing. He is very clever in drawing boundaries. So, he refused to pick up the calls.

It was like New Year's Day because Mr Ong has never called my hubby or myself since the day we engaged him as a lawyer..... while in Thailand or after we returned to Malaysia. Out of the blue, he now feels the need to "communicate".

It is so obvious that his ego was pricked. What an insecure man! By right, we should be the people who complains about him but instead he wants to sue us???!!! For what? On what basis he has a case? I have not exaggerated any of the things I wrote on my blog post. I have kept all my SMS messages, emails, communications or lack of it with him and etc. I even have my Purchaser, real estate agent and FIL as witnesses to his incompetence and arrogance.

Bring it on!

Who Do You Call?

(Joel goes for competitive swimming 3 times a week. Hubby sends him there and returns home before picking him up again 2 hours later)



My mobile phone rang....


Me: Hello

Joel: Hi, Mum... *stuttering* I forgot my swimming trunk *silent*

Me: What? Just wear whatever you have lah.

Joel: I don't have anything... Only towel.

Me: *thinking* *sigh* So, what do you want me to do? Don't you have Daddy's mobile. Call him lah.

Joel: Oh, OK.

2 minutes lapse.


My mobile phone rang again...

Me: Hello.

Joel: Can you tell Dad to bring my swimming trunks?

Me: Did you call Dad already?

Joel: No.


Conclusion and moral of the story:

This son is obviously very smart. He knows who will bring his swimming trunk and who will not. His Daddy took the swimming trunk to him but not before he said, "We should teach him a lesson!"


I was thinking... pity those little girls. It will be too traumatic an experience to see my young man "flashing" around the pool. The lesson which we want to teach him has too much of consequences on both him and spectators.

Touching Moment

Sometimes the most precious things in life are the simplest.


Hubby's birthday was two days ago. We went out for a simple western dinner at TGIF. The children and I planned. They were wondering what present to get him... socks? underwear? chocolates?


They ended up paying for the dinner. Both of them shared the cost by using the monies which they have earned doing chores and giving massages to pay for the meal. Daddy was really touched knowing they are so very careful with their money....


Hubby relating it in his own words via email to my sister...


"We had a quiet celebration by having dinner @ TGIF just with Chris, J&E. Guess what? J&E paid for the dinner with their own packet money. I'm so touched. They are usually very careful with their money & are saving up for some toys which they are eyeing on. So, for them to part with their money to spend on me means that I'm more important than the toys. LL, words can't describe how I feel. I'm sure you know what I mean."


Like I said, the simplest things in life gives us the most joy.


P.S. Moments like these makes us forget how annoying the children can be, at times.

Return Evil With Good

As I have blogged a few days ago, my Grandmother passed away.


I heard the following story from my Mother during the funeral....


For the past few weeks, God has been tugging at her heart to share about Christ to the women at the Home which my Grandmother was staying. So, she arranged for her friend Joanne to go to the Home to sing some songs and share her faith with all the old women.


At that particular morning, Joanne and Mum went there to sing some songs and even shared Christ with Grandma. At that point in time, Grandma have had a stroke for some time and she was unable to speak. She could sit up though. When she heard the message, there was no obvious response. She might or might not have understood.

A few hours after that, she passed away peacefully in her sleep.

This is such a spectacular story of the graciousness of God that till the very last hour, He still gives Grandma the opportunity to hear the message of salvation.


The other thing which also revealed the love of God which has been put into Mum's heart... For the last few days before Grandma passed away, she visited her regularly everyday. She must have been the only one among the relatives who has done that. Of course, not knowing that her time was almost up. She bought her Kueh Teow soup and durian, her favorite food. Grandma was teary while eating durian.

You see, the story of the fierce mother-in-law and mistreated daughter-in-law happened to my Mother. Since the day she was married to Dad, she had a very hard life. Its sad. Some people just had it harder than others.


Has anyone approached her to tell her that what she did was wrong?


Were there consequences?


I don't know.


It all seems unfair at times when we see wicked people live like there are no consequences. The lousy person who gossips all kinds of things about you, the thief who just cleaned up your house, the lazy colleague who never does his job and you have to pick up after their mess, the abusive boss who thinks that he rules the world and the mother-in-law who mistreats you and thinks that its her right to do so.


I believe, without the help of God, she would not have been able to overcome all the bitterness and pain which she faced for many years. The bias treatment, control, manipulation, hardwork, isolation, loneliness, humiliation and lack. But with the help of God, she not only managed to overcome all those emotions but had been the only relative who had shown her love in such practical ways just before her passing...


Return evil with good.


Now, how many of us can do?