Back to my Hometown - Last Day

I think it was my dad that woke me up that morning…”Get up…time for the morning mass…”
As I scrambled for my phone between the bed sheets to check the time, it was half past five in the morning…got to get in for that icy cold shower…I think we were about few minutes late for the mass coz by the time we get to St. Joseph Cathedral, it was almost the start of the First Reading. As my mind still half-awake, my eyes started to wander around the church for its ambience never fail to capture my admiration. I’m gonna miss this grand old church..sigh…

*******

My dad was not able to send me to the airport as he had something to do while my mom, she got to go to work. So my dad asked my bro and my sis to send me instead.

I still remember few years ago when my family and I were at the airport, my sis was 10 years old and she kinda emotional and honestly I have never expected to see tears flowing down her cheeks. I was so touched despite the fact that back then I was never quite close to her since from time to time we tend to argue over small things. (Well maybe we have been staying under one roof for way too long) I gave her a hug before I went in for the check-in.

Well that was then and now I should have known better than to take her for granted. I know that I’ve never said how much I love her, my bros and my parents. I’m a no good when it comes to express how I really feel…maybe it’s just the way I was brought up. Sis, I hope it’s not too late for me to be your Big Bro eh?

So few minutes before I check-in for the flight, my bro and I went to a corner and began to take a few puffs “together-gether” before we were joined by two other cute chicks. So I jokingly told my bro “Hey lookie, someone must have drawn them to us…definitely not me…”. Perhaps it’s quite true that he’s the better looking one haha… coz we noticed that a while ago, they were glancing somewhere at the end of the building before deciding to stand behind us and smoke as well. Ignored them…coz I just need to spend a moment with him and my sis and after all I got plane to catch…

Back to my hometown - Day 7

I got a date with Josephine later that night and simply didn’t know where to bring her. Somewhere quite…how the hell do I know…I have not been in Kuching for quite sometime now…think Jamie think…and suddenly my phone was vibrating and found out that it was Steph. What is it now? “Keluar mauk klak?” she asked with that monotonous tone of hers. I was a bit hesitated to go out at first since I need to get enough rest for tonight until she said that she would come over to my house to pick me up. Oh great!...that didn’t leave me with any choice but to wait. Yup I waited and was dozing off for a short nap when my sis knocked on my door saying that some cute girl was waiting outside.

When I saw her waiting in her car, I just forgot how adorable she looks like. Looked at my watch and it’s 3:21pm, no wonder it’s phreaking hot…I didn’t feel like wearing anything fancy so I just put on my white sleeve shirt, a grey short pant and the ‘Selipar Jepun’ on (which apparently Made in China). As we were halfway down the road, she told me that she want to go to buy something at Riverside Shopping Mall…what ah? Are you kidding me Steph?! With me dressing up like that, I think I would be lucky if I escape the DBKU when they’re on their mission to catch all the stray dogs in the city. So typical of her – full of nasty surprises and wonder why she always does that to me …oh why?

As ‘torturous’ and ‘awkward’ day it was, those feelings were so insignificant when the two of us finally sat opposite each over a lunch table. She was so different today, a bit gentle and soft-spoken. Why is that? Made me forsaken all the things that I felt about her the other night… We talked and talked till we didn’t realized that it was seven in the evening. An outing with her, this time it was just nice…

******
Back in my room, still unsettled of what to wear and how to groom my hair, everything went haywire…even my younger sis came to my rescue, as she was my hairstylist for that evening. Suddenly my phone was beeping again and to my surprised, it was Radin and she finally decided to go out with me. ‘Oh shit! Tonite?’ I don’t think it was a good idea coz I was pretty occupied with my plan for that evening. So blar blar blar…

In the end, I found myself dateless for the night…one was stuck in Lorraine’s kitchen baking cookies (for charity of course) while the other one suggested that we go out on Sunday. Hmmm so much trouble for nothing…so I sat in my room thinking of at least something to do. Noticed the ‘The Rule of Four’ was unattended for a few days now…picked it up and began to read it till I felt I asleep..sigh….

Back to my hometown - Day 6

Went out ‘yumcha’ at Lo Yau with my younger brother Josh when Steph sent me a message. So I decided to give Steph a call that night only to realize how unpleasant she can be at times. And yet I still can’t define the kind of friendship that we have. After all these years, still don’t quite understand her. I just don’t know why I still keep up with her attitude. As far as I know she’s one sensitive and hot-headed person. Didn’t bother me though.

Perhaps the history that we had few years back when I was a young fool and she’s just young and foolish too. She even cried for me on the phone (the fact is – I can’t stand a girl crying for me coz it makes me heart weak) when I told her that we should only remained as friend. Nothing more. Was I partly to be blamed? She should have known better that I was in a relationship before deciding to pursuit me like a hungry horse (wait! why horse? Err..maybe that’s the only animal I can think of right now). Maybe she used to get whatever she wants but not me. I guess she learned that I was not happy with my girlfriend (and never loved her). But that was not a good reason for her to barge in and expect everything to be liked she had wanted it to be.

Anyway it was long time ago and we have put it behinds us and I am grateful that she’s able to accept that friendship – the only way to show her how much I appreciated her all these years. Despite all that, that night I decided to give up on our so-called ‘friendship’.

Back to my hometown - Day 5

It was a hot day. Went to pick up Josephine at her office and gosh, she still as radiant as before. But she kinda unhappy about her weight. Well it doesn’t really matter to me coz your personality always appealing to me and besides you look just fine to me I thought to myself as I knew damn well that I won’t be able to say it out with that very sentence. How I miss being around her and I lost count of how many years I haven’t seen her. Okay I admit it that I did have a light crush on her when I first saw her back at the college. Just felt glad that she was able to make it for the date. So I brought her to Willie café which always been my favorite ever since I was in the secondary school. Must be the ‘tomato mee’…

*******

Later that night, my parents threw a small BBQ gathering with their friends and I was allowed to bring my own companion for the night. Since it was not planned, I just couldn’t think of anyone better to invite other than Elizabeth. When I called her up, she frantically surprised to know that I was in Kuching after months and months of being away. Since everything happened quite unplanned, I bet that within such a short notice, it quite hard for her to get ready…I didn’t mind that as long that she could come.

Thirteen minutes later, I was outside of her house and saw her waiting by the entrance. I could barely see what she was wearing until she sat beside me. Oh no just when I least expected it… she was wearing a low-cut strapless dress for the BBQ… too much skin but I think it should be just fine.

Back to my hometwon - Day 4

Was practicing on the drums set when Maclean came over to my house and went straight up to my room upstairs to greet me with his trademark laugh. It’s almost ended-up as nothing but a hi-bye kind of conversation if not for his invitation that I should hangout at his place instead.

We were walking up the stairs when I saw his beloved baby girl waiting for his daddy to come home. I forgot how long since the last time I saw Mac’s little baby girl and she’s so adorable. Mac told me that her 4th birthday is coming soon. His wife Sue, was in another room when she decided to come out to see me. Didn’t know what to say to her but I knew better that I should just forced a smile on my face. Not until ten minutes later that I found out the reason why he wanted to see me. He wanted me to check on his pc at the club his working at. With the sight of cables spring out from its backside panel to the mixers and other deejaying equipments I don’t even know what. Well I said I’ll try to make it later that night and perhaps have a few drinks and with him being a prominent DJ at that club, getting a few more free jugs of beer was quite tempting.

******
Late in the evening I received a call from Angie asking me out to have a ride in her car around the city. Well since I haven’t seen her for quite sometimes now, that was the best thing to do that night but…means that I might not be able to attend to Mac’s request and yes I didn’t…

Back to my hometown - Day 3

The day passed by with me spent most of my time by the drumsets. Just need to improve my timing beat that’s all. During a break, I went to the backyard and begin to wander restlessly for a while as I browsing thru my phone list for someone to go out with tomorrow or any other days. I shortlisted a few and it was between Radin and Josephine. So I messaged both only for one to reply to my invitation. It was Josephine, Great, just as I have liked it rather than Radin whom I barely know. So it was going to be a lunch date.

Back to my hometown - Day 2

Woke up quite late today and the first thing that I decided to do that morning was to sit myself in front of the drums set. Yes just sit. About 30 sec later went to the bathroom to take my shower when my dad called me up to remind me to collect my new MyKad at JPN.

So there I was at the JPN office, waiting for my turn to collect my MyKad. About fifteen minutes later, my number was up and I was so thrilled to get hold of my Mykad after been waiting for such a long time. Oh wait how come I look so ‘different’ in the photo? With that clean-cut hairstyle… I look so sheepishly innocent…

Back to my hometown - Day 1

Woke up around seven in the morning with such an excitement knowing very well that I’ll be off flying back to my hometown within three hours…woohoo! In fact I have been browsing thru the net for the KL Transit fare just in case I decided to take a longer trip up to KLIA. A longer trip it is but the fare get cheaper though (it’s cheaper by one third). Strange but I heard they said that the government wanted the locals to navigate the suburb (with the like of Putrajaya the so-called Hi-Tech City but more like a dead town to me) more frequently while they are on their way ‘fleeing’ the city. Well alas I decided to take the longer trip instead because I like doing something that I’ve never done before and whether I ended up somewhere else but KLIA…errg that’s not for me to worry of right now…gulp.

Half an hour later, I found myself waiting at the Putrajaya station joined by two other couples. Don’t even know them and don’t wish to know. But what gets my attention was the way the girls speak. They pretty alright but the way they interact with each other was so made-up. I mean they trying so hard to sound like someone from the movies or something – foolish. Heck no, they not my girlfriends…

Hmmm..exactly 28 minutes when the KLIA was in sight, not bad. Should be taking the KL Transit from now onward. Blab la bla…reach the Kuching Airport at one and was waiting for my family to fetch me instead of those two girls. Hmmm…there they are! Oh wait why did they simply passed me by? So I quicken my footstep toward them from behind and gave a light tap to my bro. when they saw me, my brother laugh like he’s seen some funny features on me. Ok let me guess…must be my hair huh? He said “hey bro, last time when I got the long hair, you said that I looked like one of those junkies…but now look at you…” followed by a louder crack…

******

went for an evening mass at St. Joseph Cathedral with my siblings and I just couldn’t help myself but to compare this church with the one in KL, this one obviously outclassed St. John Cathedral in lot of aspects. From its building structure, the ambience, the church devotees and that choir group. There’s one moment between the readings when one of the choir girls step up to the front and started to sing the hymn with such an extraordinary voice…I was there listening to her beautiful voice and at the same time keep telling myself that this one church is simply ten times better than the rest of the churches that I have ever been to…damn!

******

Brought my family for dinner at one of the top steamboat restaurant in Kuching. And ehemm the bill was on me. Anyway, a Carlsberg promoter approached our table and when she was close enough to the table, I was in awe to see her in that sexy skimpy Carlsberg dress and she’s definitely one gorgeous lass! I mean if she’s been staying in KL all along, she would definitely be one of the top model…and that the least she can expect of…waaa. So I err ordered four big bottles from her and err still didn’t get drunk…wonder why.

Six months ago when I left, Kuching seems to be such a stale place to live but since my arrival this afternoon, it is so appealing if not better than KL…but I’m soon gonna miss Kuching coz six days down the road, I’ll be in KL again…sigh…

toastmaster...

Went for the Toastmaster Meeting right after office hours. Got to know Eingeline and boy was she nervous or what? She was to be among the five persons assigned to have their speeches later. And her husband was there as well to give her moral support. Honestly I think she’s a natural and talented speaker and I like one phrase that she had used during her speech – “A single friend is an antidote for thousands enemies”.

Delina? She was there too and I learned that she is actually from the Land Below the Wind – not Australia but Sabah. Several days ago, out of boredom, I did a Google of her name and to my surprised, she was among the team that represented one of the Malaysian universities to participate in the World Debate Competition. Should check the ranking…very impressive indeed!

can i still write songs? better try...

Just don’t know why but these songs by The Strokes keep spinning in my head for days now. Even without the earphone on, I could still feel the beats, the raw guitar riffs and the rhymes went on and on. Maybe I could simply pick a few of those songs so that me and my brothers can have something to practice on once I am back in Kuching. With 3 guitars and one complete drum sets that we have in our room on the ground floor for jamming, why not? (just forget the neighbors next door ‘coz it’s better to assume that they can bear the noise every night) Maybe I’ll go even further by writing a few songs…just like the old days… Better get my rusty high-pitched voice well tuned and singing a couple of songs by Gun n’ Roses will do for now.

anymore champagne?

Nine staff in Hogan department got their promotion recently. Tang and Jess were among them. So they decided to hold a dinner buffet at PJ Hilton right after the office hour. Well it wasn’t at the ballroom like last time but in some classy restaurant I don’t even know what to call it. Me, Ah Bee, Aiesas and Amy were seated at a table at the corner. One thing for sure was that the food they laid out on the table was much better than what we had during our ceremony last Thursday.

And did I mention about the champagne? It was superbly fine. I mean I could gradually feet it flowing thru my veins and spinals before it ended up in every cell in my brain. Now I know why champagne always been the favorite for this kind of occasion. Beer? Nah too lite; Wine? It’s just too much. Champagne is just nice. Must have been very expensive champagne huh? Maybe I should buy a few for a toast once I’m back in Kuching.

me? a Good Samaritan?

I was waiting for the train to arrive when I was asked by a perturbed looking man for the direction to KLCC. The way he speaks made me certain that he is non-Malaysian. It sounded so foreign to me – might be Korean or even Japanese. As I switch myself to a Good Samaritan mode, I can’t help but to carry on with the conversation. I was overwhelmed with the idea of talking to some foreign dude. A middle age (37 years old) Korean guy, he introduced himself as Charlie…err what? Was that English or I simply mistakenly heard of what he had said?

Anyway he is on a three-day business trip in Malaysia. I got to know that he used to be a Hardware Engineer for a giant corporation with the like of Quantum Corp. back in Seoul. Of course the conversations were nothing more of tourist-type kind of questions. “May I know how old are you now?” he asked me with that furrow eyebrows that we usually watch in Korean dramas. “Oh I’m 26 …err no. It’s 27 actually…” I reply lamely. “Oh, you know most of the Korean youth, they get their very first job by the age of 27 or 28. This is because we have to spend 35 months in military service.” Wah Lau Wei! That’s like three years wor…and yet some of our Malaysian youth and even parents are whining of such duration that they have to spend serving our very own National Service, and that’s like 4 months only!!!

******
Arrived home at around eight something. My housemates were not around so my guess was that they might be at the pasar malam nearby. Two hours later, decided to go out for dinner alone and how wrong I was of that when I bumped into my former manager, Mr. Azhar with his so-called apprentice, called ‘Kucing’. Was it Kucing or they were really referring to something else like dog-worrying mammals? Anyway Kucing happened to be an assistant manager. One hour later, another friend of them joining us and he’s in some kind of managerial position as well for a restaurant in Sungei Wang.

Oh this is great! I thought to myself. What am I gonna talk about? Cobol debugging methods or the Sims 2 game? Three managers in the same table over dinner talking about their sales and daily routines, when will I get the turn to chip in the conversation. Ah I know! Football!!! So there you go, bull’s eye that was. So the conversation lasted till two in the morning…whoa! Should move my ass back to the house…yawn yawn…

there she goes again...

Last night was just superb. So I decided that today I better be a bit low-profile and be sober instead for the rest of the day. Pek Mun, one my team manager was walking by before she stop and asked “So I guess all the expenses for your dress was worth it, right?’ Well of course it was I thought to myself…

******

It was around 9:30pm when I heard Nicole decided to call it a day. As she was leaving her cubicle and was walking slowly toward my cubicle before passing by, she suddenly said jokingly ‘Jamie, don’t pretend ah…”. Perhaps if I just tweak the meaning of the very sentence like this – ‘Jamie, don’t pretend ah …that u don’t like me…’ LOL! I guess Aiesas overheard that when I noticed her sliding on her chair to the side of her cubicle and loudly clearing her throat sarcastically. Well actually she knew quite well that I have a bit of infatuation for that cute Nicole. But that’s okay because isn’t anything beyond that.

me? the King of the Night? say what...

Oh boy…looks like I have to use all the words there is in my dictionary to describe the glittery and yet memorable night that we had during the ceremony. It all started with a flow of beer running down my empty stomach that I get to lose some of my shyness, slowly gained my wackiness and of course some crazy ideas of how should I turn out tonight. I didn’t want the night to die out of my dullness but rather something I am natural with – spontaneous crazy act. Something I miss of being for quite sometimes now. Just don’t know how to write it down in words yet, and mind you not, it is still quite difficult for me to snap out of it. All I know is that I was really off-the-wall. Never let snapshots went off without me being a part of it. From an icy cold moment to God knows what happened to me next.

We have this one event when some of these well chosen honorable guests were picked among the high profile staffs as to let them to decide who were to come onto the stage to do some catwalk in our very own traditional costume. I was among the 8 chosen one. When it was my turn to do the walk, I think I inexplicably transformed into my wackiest character. Before I got to the other end of the stage, my hands were so itchy that I subconsciously unbuttoned my shirt as to do a rather raunchy exposure of myself. Where the heck did that come from?!!! Just couldn’t explain how that erratic antic ends up in the eyes of these poor and traumatized crowds. But eventually I did get the loudest cheers didn’t I? Woohoo! Honestly I’m still strictly like that whenever Im with my brothers and my younger sis.

Yup, the event started to hype up slowly. People started to dance and we even formed this ‘train’-hoping dance by crazily moving around the room. And once again I unintentional ended up on the stage when Janet (one of the singer from the GTO band) invited me to dance as the King of the night. Not to forget that Hindi-dance moves by Nel and Prem…I think they did it quite nice and at times…seductive…yeah? The funny Chiang was enjoying the night (was so unlike him the other day) , Kar Wei, KK, Andy – they dance yeah…all right… Bee, Man Pengand Winnie…still a bit shy lei…errr…but Daniel, I noticed him as stiff as a stick. C’mon lar man, Cheer up. Your time will come k? Rudy, Fitri and Faiezul? Were smiling all night long…. What a ‘ ‘Gemilang’ night that was!

I might have forgotten all the senior-ranking staffs around me, I might have unintentional disappeared from some of my colleagues who were sitting somewhere in the corner, I might have look like a fool out there tonight but it doesn’t really matter because all I ever wanted was to enjoy myself tonight. Well was it worth it? Well to be chosen as the King of the Night by the Majority? It’s priceless!!! With that and everything else that I did, I claimed my throne!!!!

what to wear tomorrow?...the dinner

We were gathered at the R&R to rehearse the Gemilang song sang by Jaclyn Victor. At first most of us did feel a bit awkward to open our mouth to even sing few lines from the lyrics. i mean why Gemilang? Why not other simpler song? Yeah right?! like it would be my glory night anyway! Well what the heck…shouldn’t let the singing part ruining our night tomorrow ‘cause I think it is indeed our night and I should have fun..yea?

******

I went to Central Market to look for some suitable traditional dress to wear. Initially I’ve reminded myself to get a batik when I realized that wearing something else which might be a bit expensive might worth the money I spent on. It took me about half an hour before I decided to buy a Chinese traditional dress instead. I do hope it worth every penny of it (because of buying it, I have forego my intention of buying stuffs for some of my friends especially Angie when I promised her some earrings.)

Now back in my room, while I was trying the costumes, I just can’t help myself from imagining that tomorrow night, I’ll be the King…whoohooo! But will I be? At all? Let’s wait and see…

darn it...how could i be so d*mb at times...

As I have expected, me and Debbie didn’t go out and I didn’t get the chance to show the church that I always go to. Luckily, I didn’t take her seriously knowing her that well. But what upset me was that she didn’t inform me earlier that she might not be able to go. That’s it. So I sent her a friendly message to ‘char kuey tiaow’ her attitude if she is to have friends around her. Well she did apologized though. Was i really that upset? Nah...just pulling her
legs and felt a bit bored waiting for the mass to start, that's all. well that's no good Jamie

******

I was in the LRT on my back from the office after a lengthy dart session alone (maybe I was alone and maybe I wasn’t) when I spontaneously (accidentally) asked Steph to pick me up at the airport next coming Sunday. Only to realized that my plan might backfires. Why? Angie would be there as well and things might looks nasty. Darn it! Shouldn’t have asked Steph or Angie to pick me up at the same time. Definitely is my fault. Sometimes I just don’t know how can I be that dumb? I guess the only best thing to do right now is to find reason (a very very good one of course) why one of them shouldn’t drive all the way up to the airport. But what could it be? Worry not, still got 2 weeks to think of it…phew….

Asian faces in Amazing Race...whoa!!!

Me and my housemates decided to roam the city although initially I was a bit reluctant to go. Everything was fine until Marina started to show how upset she was at something ( I don’t wish to know). After we parked the car, we walked along the sideways in Sungei Wang with me decided it would be best if I tailed them a bit further behind as to give them spaces to talk and settle things down. To be frank, it kind of embarrassing for grown up adults to keep contantly arguing over something insignificant. And right in the middle of public eyes, it’s such a disgrace. I know couples they do argue from time to time. But to do it in front of me while I’m with them, it’s just sad…real sad…

And so there I was standing somewhere isolated from the unpleasant view of those two sour faces. I just forgot that just by standing still expectantly alone might have made me look like one of those ‘bapa ayam’ or pimps notoriously strolling down the sideways. With a cigarette in my hand, some passerby did give me a curious and awkward look. Some girls even stared at me as if I was a debutante gigolo in Sg. Wang. Alright! That’s not cool at all, isn’t it?

Oh yeah…I think they should be perfect to join this Amazing Race (national t.v. somemore). Just imagine that.

lovely tattoo that is...

I decided only Chiang would come along with me for lunch with Mag instead. And we were at the mall about seven minutes earlier than her. We were waiting for her when I turned around and saw her walking toward us. She was wearing rather pink-colored cardigan covering her sexy shirt with a low-cut neck. Even in that she still looks terrifically adorable. Of course that’s always Mag that I’ve known.

Unfortunately Chiang have to leave for the office early due to his on-going training and maybe that’s going to be the last time that we ever gonna have lunch together since I’ve decided not to trouble her with my invitation for lunch every now and then anymore. Because I learned from her that her boss starts to be a bit demanding of her. And besides, she got classes to attend to and having her to juggle between these things would be much of a hassle for her then. (Unless if she’s the one who ask me out for lunch instead. Imagine if I can’t make it upon her request that would be tragic isn’t it?). As I have promised her earlier, I was to bring her to the Korean Restaurant and luckily it wasn’t as packed as it might have at this time of the hour. Well gradually the place started to be crowded and I think I have to talk a little bit louder.

As we were talking about life and stuff like that, I noticed something that I haven’t seen for quite sometimes now. It’s her tattoo just right above her right breast. Even now I could still picture her tattoo quite clearly. It’s of a witch riding a broom overshadowing a yellow-colored moon. I just don’t why but I like it – the motif and the color-blend. For a moment I thought the time went elapsed as the sight of the tattoo itself was kinda recalling back my memories of years ago. Oh yeah, if Mag’s tattoo is above her right breast, then when Mandy showed hers to my amazed eyes, it is above her left instead. Mandy’s depicting a sun but it is more of a typical tattoo-ink colored. Hmm..the moon and the sun? I got to learn that Mag and Mandy are best friends since secondary school and that explained why both went to get their own tattoo each. What a great friendship they have there. So unlike me and my so-called best friend Mac. It’s kind of ---err…a long story goes best untold…

You see, when I first saw their tattoos, I was quite amazed with what they have decided to do. They were still a student back then and having needles piercing thru their delicate skin was never less than a daring act. I did thought of commenting on her startling tattoo…but then again I think it won’t be proper at all. Because when she let me see it, it was years ago and this is now. Things changed right? And so do people…I presumed.

But what would happen if one eclipses another? Like the sun and the moon and perhaps like me and Mac? You wouldn’t want to know…

* did I mention how adorable she looks like? Nicely dyed-hair and that smile and the clear brown eyes of hers… (Didn’t mention them to her though ‘coz I think I would be too much of a compliment for her in one day :-))

this time i didn't stutter my tongue...phew

Over lunch, Fitri can’t seem to stop worrying about his plan to go Bangkok. Touring for a week in some unfamiliar places, I guess he has reasons to. Anyway, I found out that the air ticket to Thailand is much more cheaper than flying back to my hometown, Kuching. Hmm, maybe in months to come, flying to Bangkok for a holiday seems to be a great breakaway from my ‘Hi-Tech’ job. Gotta bring friends along as well.

After lunch, Nicole came to my cubicle and started to throw those darts against the board. The way she throws them make her looks quite adorable. Anyway some of my colleagues told me that she as well might have been taken. Well whether that’s true or not, still it’s good for her. And why should I bother? Shouldn’t I? Anyway this time around when I spoke to her, the words came out flawlessly and yup I didn’t stuuttt..tt..terrr my tongue. I guess that’s a sign that I resign her just being a colleague no more no less. I hope it stays that way…sigh…

Oh ya! Decided to call Mag for lunch and was overjoyed when she promised make it even though she would be late tomorrow. Like they say better late than never because I don’t like to go lunch alone on Friday. So there you go, I’ll be off with her for lunch and perhaps Chiang will be joining us as well. This time will she even show up? I mean really?

debbie asked me out...err why is that?

To my ultimate surprise, Debbie messaged me asking me out this Sunday and I mean what was that all about. Why out of a sudden? Why now? But since it is to be on Sunday evening, I was a bit reluctant to go because I don’t think I would like to miss my mass session. So instead of meeting her somewhere, I invited her to come along. Would she want to? Let’s wait and see.

******

Now, back in my room, lying on my bed with my full belly (of course after that gloomy affair between Fadzil and Marina during dinnertime) my mind started to linger around the moment when Debbie was still around. She has this tomboyish attitude - rough, aggressive and boy the way she walks, it’s like nobody business. Well she always likes to ask me why I was so ‘weak’ unlike any typical tough and macho guy she expected me to be. What a silly question that was. That’s what her first impression on me and how she slowly learned how wrong her perception was. Duh!

Anyway the first time I saw her, I thought she was a Sabahan chick only to find out that she was not but a big-eye Chinese gal. I like the idea of having her as a friend only since I came to realized that she’s taken. Being an uninvited third party was never my agenda. Way no! But only if she doesn’t open her mouth to speak her mind out, only if she doesn’t move around and walk like she walks and act like she acts (only if she the last girl there is) I might consider that. Fighting a battle for a wrong cause…errr well on second thought, I prefer not to. Don’t play that type of game. Never been (well if my memories serve me right) and hopefully never will.

what am i gonna do...

Was browsing thru my Friendster mail inbox when I decided to check some of the recently posted bulletin. There was one where it’s about a girl sharing her frustration and disappointment of her relationship with her boyfriend.

Questions from a heartbroken gurl....
1. What will u do if ur boyfren lie to u for the
whole ur relationship time???
2. How do u feel when u trully love sumone more
than u love urself but they betray it???
3. How do u feel if ur boyfren flirting with other
gurl when u at a place to study for both of u and
ur boyfren??
4. How do u feel if u found out dat ur boyfren
having sex with other gurl while u still his
girlfren???
5. what should i do, even all the question above
happen i still love him with all my heart???
6. what does it mean dat i still love him???
7. am i stupid???
8. what have i done wrong???

The guy apparently was cheating on her ever since she left for her study somewhere abroad. Thing like this is more or less likely to happen between couples I thought to myself. Out of pity, I checked on her profile and WTF!!! Isn’t that my younger brother’s girlfriend pictures?!! And her name confirms it all…that is her. I met her on a few occasions because sometimes my brother would bring his girlfriend along whenever we went out. I didn’t see it coming but was dumbfounded nevertheless…this is not good. As far as I know, sometimes my younger brother would share his secret with me and sometimes I simply brushed them off assuming that it wasn’t that bad after all. I never quite welcomed such a revelation but still he’s my brother. He did mention about his relationship a few times but I would have never expected to read about it online. I guess finding out this exact issue from a different perspective totally altered my point of view.

Should I interfere or something? Or simply let it be… Who am I to say anything about other’s relationship? People do make mistakes every now and then and I must admit that I was once like him. Advising him on stuff like this will make me look a bit unusual. I love my younger brother but on the other hand, cheating on your girlfriend is definitely a no no...I mean it's just so wrong Just let them learn by their mistakes Jamie, and perhaps that will do it…hopefully

******

Went down for a puff through the back exit and noticed that the stall didn’t have the tables laid out at their usual spots. Perhaps that old guy was doing some cleaning to that front section of the building. Couple of hours later, I went down again for a puff and still those tables were not there. What’s going on here? This started to look a bit unusual here. So when I bumped into some of my M.O. colleagues, they said that we would have a new place for our tea break because a new café is to be opened soon. Means that the old guy who used to have his tables laid out at that very section would no longer be allowed to do that any more. Ah ha, could smell some competition here, anytime soon.

So me and Daniel went down to buy something from his stall and I saw him pondering of something while eating a bread for lunch. Thinking of his stall I guess. He didn’t seem to be in his usual cheerful mood. Took another bite from that bread, started to make me feel sorry for him…sigh…what can I do?

*******

(* Suddenly it reminded me of what Fadzil had told me weeks ago that ISCM has planned to extend its office by occupying the second floor which currently accommodates a private college. Oddly he asked me to keep it quiet. I mean what’s so secretive about it. Maybe they just want to give us a surprise huh?)

unconventional behaviour

When I boarded the Putra LRT, I noticed that most of the commuters had their eyes fixed in one direction. (Unfortunately not on me) there was this old guy, white untidy long hair with split-ends, sitting alone all by himself, laughing out loud, making noises which didn’t make much senses at all. Of course, such an impression would make any commuters felt uncomfortable left alone kids. But I found it quite amusing though, the way they looked at him, like a bit disgusted. They might think that this old man was lunatic, crazy etc hence normal people felt intimidated. Now why is that so?

It so reminded me of myself a few years back. When my mom got an offer to work in Psychiatric Hospital in Kuching, we have to move away from my hometown in Sibu. Being a teen with rebellious attitude was typical but I was still a novice though. Anyway, feeling furious at anything around you was not my kinda things (not yet). Moving to another city was great and exciting but I worried about my mom and her new job didn’t make things any much better. There’s one time when we have to wait for her before she finished her shift, a patient was left wandering around the parameter and he ended standing next to our car. I was so scared err a bit scared of course. After few minutes, he left. And me still in one piece, intact came to my senses that there’s nothing much to be worried about.

I was frightened because I didn’t understand them. These patients, they are not as harmful as I ought to think but just lost in their own mind somewhere. Some I guess are so depressed of their own life that they hide themselves somewhere in their minds, but when they decide to come out to face the reality, they have lost in their own nutshell. Now I’m grateful that we do have this kind of institution where they can seek for help and guidance. To tell you the truth, I have never been so proud that my mom decided to accept that job offer and in fact I’m really proud of her. Something that I never had the chance of telling her…

Maybe nowadays being normal is hard to do, but being eccentric is like walking in the park…

my phone went 'kaput'...

Got a call from Angie few minutes before midnight and how I missed talking to her. Up till now I just don’t quite exactly know how am I related to her. She is among the few female friends that earned my trust and respect. One of the things that I like about her is that she is quite an honest person. It has been few months since I didn’t meet up with her. My brother used to tell me that now she looks more ladylike but trendier (any such word). We talk for a while and at one point, I even try to make myself sound angry over someone (her friend)…I mean really really angry, only for her to reply and asked me “how’s my life?” What? That’s it? C’mmon lar, I put a lot of energy (mantra) for being angry (or pretended to be angry) over something (which is nothing). Perhaps she would never buy that I will ever get angry over something or someone. Well I guess she always right. Anyway can’t help but to ask her of the Gundam figurine that she had asked me to buy.

Since I have just reloaded my phone, I think it would be better if I started to reply those messages that Steph had sent me a while ago. Just as I was about to sent the first message, my old phreaking phone suddenly went kaput. Darn it! I think it must have survived well over its expiry date. But why now?! Just when was about urghh…Why oh why?! So I hurled the phone against the wall in my room. Erggh…are you crazy? Actually no…just make a do with its cover only. Don’t know why but I can’t seemed to emulate any act of violence…sigh…now with the sight of broken plastic on the floor, I decided to pick that (frightened phone…yah man…as if I have served it a warning) and try to ‘revive’ it back to life…but this time I accidentally broke the tiny switch placed on top of it…well you know what they say, ifrom bad to worst. So I just gave up and left that fateful phone lying in the middle of my bedroom floor. Nah just a phone…better get a new one though.

she didn't make it...

Of all the weekdays, Friday is the day I’ve been looking forward to. Either it ended up all well and thrilling or gloomy and mind numbing instead. Today was the day I have invited Mag to come along for lunch. I wanted it to be a simple arrangement. Initially I have asked Chiang and Daniel to come along. But as we were making our way out of the office, Nel said that she would love to join us as well. I guess that’s quite okay for her to join us. Well few moments later, I came to realize that the number wont stay at four any longer since more and more of my colleagues decided to have lunch at Amcorp Mall with us as well. Heck why not, the more the merrier right? Looks like I have to introduce her to my colleagues afterall I thought. But if I can remember it correctly, the last time we went all out for lunch together as a group, she wasn’t there. And I can’t explain why but I could sense that this time around, the same thing will happen again. Will she show up? Guess I have to wait and see…

******


As Daniel and I were waiting for her at the mall, it’s already 20 minutes to one. What been holding her up? I even called her office only to find out that she was not in the office…yet. Suddenly my phone rang and it’s her!
“Jamie, sorry I can’t make it today since I’m still in my college…”
“Oh really? It’s ok then…” with me struggling to keep my voice cool.

So I guess I was right, she wont be able make it and I was quite certain that I was to spend the rest of my Friday feeling gloomy. But wait! That was not the only reason that I was there. I mean I’ve promised Daniel that I would treat him for lunch since I’ve been promoted while his was contract was unfortunately extended for another few months. And today was the day. But he read me well when he still noticed that I was still feeling disappointed.
“it’s ok Jamie, I’m still here ma…” he said jokingly.

Well with that I managed myself to smile. So off we went to a Korean Restaurant. The place was packed as usual when we help ourselves to our table. Before heading back to the office, we had just about enough time to play one round of pool. Haha…I’ve beaten you man…well of course it seemed to me that he intentionally played lousily so to make me feel the glory. Really ah?

[more later...]