Lucky

Despite the few issues that happened in my life especially in the past year, I consider myself really blessed and lucky to have walked out pretty much unscathed.

The children are in good health,
They are cared for and loved by both parents,
We have a roof over our heads,
We have enough food to eat,
We have transportation to get from point A to point B,
We are together,
We are happy and have fun with each other,
We have a future to look forward to.

All things considered, we are doing alright.

Let's be happy and welcome all the wonderful things and people that/ who will enter our lives.

On Being Loved

Currently recovering from post-break up blues. Moral of the story: do not start a new relationship soon after the previous one ended. Trying to stay strong & grounded.. and pragmatic.. and rational.. and practical/ sensible.. and taking everything in, one day at a time.

It was a good relationship, so I'm not exactly in despair.. however the circumstances were not right.. the stars were not aligned in our favour, so to speak.. although the experience did gave me a taste of what loving someone means. Will look for that in my next relationship, maybe in 5-10 years' time.

For the time being I would rely on me. Gather my wits & all my resources. Stay cool & carry on!

Penang

We had the privilege of staying on Penang Island for a working weekend. Whilst we were unable to savour the sights and sounds of Penang (as we were working throughout the day), we managed to do a simple night-time foodie trail to Kg Sungai Pelet (Mutton Briyani), Sungai Dua (Prawn Noodle) & Padang Kota/ Fort Cornwallis (Char Kuey Tiaw).

While passing Fort Cornwallis on our final night in Penang, we saw some children playing basketball next to the fort. Imagine that.. playing sports next to a piece of history!

Riding on the Penang Ferry was another priceless experience. Once the car is parked inside the ferry, we joined the people who streamed out of their vehicles to watch the sea view by the deck. Well the water's not very clean anymore, but there is a certain beauty and calmness about the sea, especially at night time.

The Royale Bintang Hotel where we stayed, well.. it has a certain classic feel which is very charming. It would appear that the colonial architecture is pretty-much preserved which lends to its old-world fabulousness.

With the right people in your company, Penang is really an enjoyable quaint island which I do not mind visiting once or twice more. Most of the destinations in Georgetown appear reachable by foot. This I would definitely try out in my next visit!

Boredom

A friend of a friend decided to have an affair with a single guy because she had been married for more than 20 years to the same man & is feeling bored (no more sparks). Why do people do these things anyway? If I was married to a good man & I feel bored I'd probably take up paragliding.. or go on hiking trips.. or holiday with my gal friends.. but then again that's me, the one who gets dumped for being boring & unexciting.

The basic deduction that we arrived at after the conversation is a lesson in being grateful.. for the husband/ wife/ partner who has cared for you most of his/ her life, for the children born out of that marriage/ union, and for all the little + big things.

As I approach the first year of being single, I still go back and forth analysing what went wrong.. albeit with less scrutiny. The HUGE lesson I've learnt is this: there is NOTHING that I could have done to change the inevitable, so I have accepted the situation. I have loved in the best way I could, with many3 shortcomings in his eyes but loved him I did. If all that I've done was not enough, then we were actually never meant to be with each other. Love is about feeling secure, about growing in each other's presence, about supporting each other during our down times.. at least that's my current definition. Let's continue to love, shall we? Let's love in the biggest baddest way possible. Why not? Life is too short.

Equilibrium?

Here I am. Almost full circle. One year ‘anniversary’ coming up.

One year ago I was a terrible wreck, thinking that I will never survive the pain and anguish.

But guess what? I did and am surviving. So are the children.  We're doing this together.

What I have learnt is that I must do things that will make me happy.

And remember to breathe. I am going to be okay.

Mouse-ke-tool

When we came back from dinner tonite we heard the pitter patter of tiny feet and saw a glimpse of a mouse running from one corner to the other.

We opened the door and asked it to leave. No response.

We moved the sofa where it was hiding. Can't see it anywhere.

How now???

Based on the tips found on the internet (of course!).. we scattered some screwpine leaves ("daun pandan") near the staircase.. hopefully it won't be inclined to go upstairs where all our clothes and bags are... horror!!!