Countdown 2008

Karoke much!

I wish Singapore bands/'artists' write their own songs. Or get to play their own songs. Or at least stop mangling songs I like!

2007, A year of growth...sideways, outwards, inwards and all around

To have a year to reflect upon is truly a stupendous thing. I have never had to take stock of my life or year before - life just happened, travelling on the pre-set course I had planned. But if it is one thing that defines parenthood, it is that you just cannot plan for it. Sure, there's family planning (ha ha), but can you prepare yourself for the reality of parenting? Books you can read, but nothing prepares you for the actual screaming, crying, smiling, laughing, growing baby.

As my dear Rehan grows, I find myself, for the first time in my life perhaps, actually growing. The sheer terror of responsiblity, I guess.


I don't usually offer unsolicited advice, anyway, this is not advice. Just what I have learnt.


I am glad, so glad to have waited three years before (sort of) deciding to have a baby. Three years of getting to know my husband, screaming the corners off each other have made parenthood (slightly) easier. The first three months of a baby's life is the horriblest of your married life. Mine, anyway. But forewarned is forearmed, I hope.

I spent some months being estatic and weepy at the same time. If it sounds strange to you, well, it is strange to experience.


The most important thing is not love, but forgiveness. The willingness to look not beyond your husband's (and own) faults, but to look at them squarely, and accept that you cannot change people, much, not even yourself. You can only control your impulses, your reactions. And most of the time, that is good enough.
To forgive mistakes, because it is not what has been done that is important, but what will be done.

That, at the end of the day, a baby is a neverending bond, even in death or divorce.


That, a marriage works better when you work together rather than for another.

That volume is not strength, but bullying. That silence is not acceptance, but tolerance.

That friendship exist even when friends are in absentia (my dear 2/7-ners anyway).

That one should always offer opinions with caveats, because you never know when the rug is going to be pulled from under your feet.
That certainty is not always a good thing. And that doubt is not always a bad thing.
Be careful of what you say, the conclusions that you make, especially when you are most convinced of its certainty.

That being a woman is not that bad after all. (It's society that suck!)

Mother of all inventions

Me: Sayang, where did you put the diapers?

Nazir (looking aghast): What do you mean diapers? We didn't bring it back. I put it back.

Me (nearly yelling): What?!!! Kan I dah cakap, kita takde pampers lagi. You never listen to me, kan? (yelling, nearly hsyterical now) You always never listen. (Breaking two communication rules simultaneously.) I TOLD you it was important.

Rehan, naked, happily rolling about in his towel

Me (in happier tone): Takpe, takpe, kita pakai yang kain. (smugly) Nasib baik masih ada.

Azrifah goes to computer, googles "how to put on cloth diapers". [Try it.] Lousy search results. Gets annoyed. Rehan in lap, still naked and in towel, trying to grab the laptop.

Me: Sayang! I don't know how to put on cloth diapers. And this *********************** (edited for Rehan's benefit). Kan I dah cakap, must bring the diapers home. Dah takde. You never listen. I am always right about these things. Tak nak dengar.

Nazir(getting annoyed): Sorry lah sayang.....

Azrifah ignores poor husband. Concentrates on putting on cloth diapers. Ingenious!

Me (cheerfully): Hee hee. Tengok tu! Your wife so clever.

Nazir: Rehan looks like kacang putih man.

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Rehan out sick whole of last week. Kesian maknye. (Ha ha ha.)

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Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the fairest one of all? Rehan!

eating a strawberry
sleeping like a baby

by rehan: f777777777777777777777777777777 c

Despite being absolutely knackered, and really needing sleep, with a mountain of laundry that is slowly diminishing (rain NOT helping but this puteri lilin shall not complain). Rehan is in the "I want my mummy ONLY" mood, so am feeling a little drained as not much help can be rendered at the moment. My mum, sister and father are safely at Mecca; my mum not really communicating, as we expected; my father and sister enjoying themselves from all accounts.

I just wanted to put up pics really so here they are (long overdue):

At East Coast:

My Faris!

Whenever I watch a Hindi show, I feel like learning Hindi. When I listen to a Spanish song, I want to learn Spanish. And so on. Not just to learn the language, but to know the nuances of the language, the metaphors, the culture.

And watched Lancang Kuning and wished I had paid more attention to Malay literature. I love the oldies! The characters might piss you off but at least they engage. Instead of being irritated by the dismal quality of the production. Somehow, despite the lack of technology back then, the quality of camera work and even special effects (!) is better than any Malay film since. (I am thinking, with horror, of the eighties, especially.)

Also watched Om Shanti Om. I like! Drama, drama and more drama. Tee hee.

In the middle of Chakde! India. Fascinating, in that central to the theme is the diversity of India. As opposed to the monolithic Hindi speaking India that is often presented by Bollywood. (Am aware that there is a range of Indian films that is not limited to Bollywood. But not having watched much, can't really say.)

Have lots of work. And naturally, now is when I write. Ha ha.