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The days my dearest visited finale

“Hey you! Yes you lurking there! Its National de-lurking week. That means you MUST post a message and say hi! 🙂 “

Saturday, I wanted to show cartcart the science center . Being the science and maths enthusiast that he was, I was sure that he’d enjoy it. We strolled to Jurong East, had a late lunch at my favourite Vegetarian stall and marvelled at how closely it tasted like actual meat.

Then we stopped by a local supermarket where Cart had the time of his life comparing as well as learning about local foodstuff.

He poured over the curry spices, the dried herbs, the noodles, basically things that Singaporeans use to cook on a day to day basis.

He was most excited.

Cartcart even quipped that he found this experience as enjoyable as our trip to the underwater world.


Look! A genuine Italian brand!

We took our time and when we finally reached the Science Center, I looked quizzedly at the ticket booth which had no one manning it. Then I realised that we went there 5 minutes too late to last entry! Even shows at the Omnimax theater till 9 pm were fully sold out.

That’ll teach me to be so ill prepared. We walked out dejectedly past children who were laughing happily in the water pool which was side by side to the pathway.

But the day was still young! We were at Jurong East! I hang out here a lot. And what better way to spend it by watching a movie together with your partner 🙂

The show that I was interested in watching was Night at the Museum, but it started much too late and the only show that was remotely watchable was Charlottes Web . I guess that would have to do. *chuckles*

The movie was pretty okay. Even with the many many changes from the original book, I think I got teary eyed when Charlotte died.

It’s a good thing that the arm rests in the movie theatre were movable and we were able to cuddle 🙂

On our bus journey back, we passed by Pasta Fresca and after hearing its jingle being played regularly on 938 live, I thought it would be nice to have dinner there.

A slightly bitter, fizzy drink that is well known in Italy

The decor looked nice enough. Cartcart mentioned at how authentic the place was decorated and even noticed that the type of fabric the curtains made were the actual type of fabric used in Italy.

Cartcart ordered arrabbiata, just to compare how it tastes to the pasta we had yesterday.

So cartcart, how much does this one rate?

5

Wow, a whole point compared to yesterday 😛

Yes, now I can safely say that this is the best pasta I’ve eaten in Singapore 😛

Heaps of cars lining up next to the mosque

Sunday, Hari Raya Haji.

Mum had just completed sewing Cartcart’s baju kurong the day before. She seemed unconfident that the outfit would fit him well because of some of the pertinent additional measurements that I didn’t take.

But when Cartcart put it on, it fitted him perfectly. When he came out to show me, I was floored at how stunningly handsome he looked in the green baju kurong. So handsome that I forgot to take a picture of him wearing it.

My Mum and dad gave him generous compliments at how good he looked. Cartcart was putting on the capal, the Malay sandals that we bought during our trip to geylang. He really looked so elegant. Mum thought that if he wore the samping (waist cloth) and songkok (hat) it would be more complete.

But cartcart seemed to be doubtful. “It has long sleeves!” He whispered to me. “I might perspire badly in this”

However, during the entire journey to my grandmother’s house, cartcart didn’t break a sweat due to the cooler December weather and the air conditioned train coach.

When we reached the doorstep, in my mind, I was wondering and hoping that everything would go al-right.

My aunts were there and the first to greet us, then my uncles, and then my cousins. We talked, and then had lunch together and just chilled. I see one of my cousin, Eusoff, deep in conversation with cartcart while the rest of the clan seemed transfixed in a Malay soap opera that was premièring.

It was pretty relaxing.

But I got nervous again when grandmother came out of the room, gave that slow and knowing smile of hers and asked me that question that grandmothers always asks.

So when are you going to get married?

Uh … Um …

When you go out with him, don’t hold his hands.

Oh …

But all in all, everything seemed okay. My worries about a drama happening was for naught. I feel quite relieved that everyone seemed pretty cool with it.

The same evening, we had new years eve dinner together at the community centre. Mum suggested that cart and I go to have a local national feel. But I think it was kind of a bad idea.

The entire concert was like a hungry ghost festival concert with music blaring at a million decibels and the singers wearing clothes that is so shiny that it will leave you momentarily blind. It was pure torture. I couldn’t wait to get out of there. But cartcart had the patience of a saint and thought it would be better to wait till the dinner course ended.

By then it was too late to take public transportation. I asked cartcart if he was game enough to ride on the scooter with me. He was! And he managed to squeeze in one of my helmets and off we went and we managed to reach the bed and breakfast in time to see the fireworks from the new year countdown from the city skyline.

Monday, New Year’s day

Today is the last day that cartcart will be staying here. I really think that a week is just not enough to spend here … I haven’t shown him everything that I wanted to show him …

Juli was free to have lunch with us today. Cartcart and I took the scooter to vivo city, where the parking area was so large, that it was so easy to get lost in there.

We went to a cafe which I thought it would be good, but turned out that the food there was below par.

Coffee with a piece of pen?

I wasn’t enjoying my fig and apricot sandwich. I have no idea what cartcart was eating. And Juli wasn’t thrilled with her fish dish either.

But it was a pretty casual affair, the three of us talking together. There is few things as satisfying as talking to friends

After we said our goodbyes to Juli, we had to rush to Chinatown to buy presents and souvenirs for his family. We only had about less than two hours before needing to reach back to my place to say his goodbyes to my family.

Cartcart bought a mask for his sister, and a lovely Chinese tea pot set for his mom and dad. We reached the temple again. And this time, Cartcart decided to enter and see the interior of the temple and witness purification a ceremony where the priest was at the altar, washing a large utensil. It was too far for me to see as non Hindus were not permitted into the holy area.

When we reached home, mum asked us to have dinner together, “I promised to make you Nasi Lemak!” We sat down together, where our family had our last meal together with cartcart.

As I walked out of the kitchen to clear the plates, I overheard mum talking to cartcart, “She’s a good daughter. I hope you will take care of her. Will you take care of her?” “I hope to do that”

I went deep in my thoughts …

At the airport terminal, even with mum, sis, aunt and my cousins there, I still couldn’t control my sadness and the tears began to roll down. One week just isn’t enough. “Why cant I spend all days with you?” I looked in cartcart’s face as he gave me a hug before reluctantly leaving for his flight.

Sometimes I feel like this is all a dream. That we are all asleep and then we wake up to our reality.

In all honestly I don’t know how long I can take this. Such happiness when we are together, and then heartbreak when having to part.

Why cant I spend all my days with him? That would be such a beautiful. He is kind, gentle, romantic, patient, wise and the sweetest person I want to spend the rest of my days with you.

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The days my dearest visited part 4 – Visiting Sentosa


Another view from the Bed and Breakfast

Friday. For the first time in weeks, the rain stopped pouring down and we finally had our respite and first sunny day!

I decided to bring Cartcart the Sentosa Island. It was easy getting there, just one train stop away to get to harbour-front and then we could get a choice of taking the ferry or the cable car. We took the cable car as it gives a nice and picturesque view from the top.

There were loads of people queueing there too! They must be the same as us, enjoying the nice sunny day.

There were so many people of different nationalities here. I could see Indians, Filipinos, Indonesians, Japanese, Americans and loads more.

Soon after, we entered an cable car which we shared with a nice Indian family and we enjoyed the sights from up above. I pointed to Cart the ferry terminal hall and the new train service that will soon be in operation as well as Pulau Brani where much industrial work happens.

A quick stop to have coffee at one of the cafe. We sat on top of a plank which was high on top of a hill where we could see much trees and the industrial island in front of us. It was such a lovely day. Though, cloudy, it was relatively cool and had no trace of rain.

There were little feathered friends like Peacocks and Mynah birds walking around and I was quite surprised to see them being so unafraid of humans. Why didn’t they fly away when we walked closely to them? But Cartcart said that they are scavengers and are so used to human presence that they aren’t afraid any more.

Something made me glad was that the place where we had our coffee, employed handicapped staff and I noticed some deaf staff communicating through sign language as they cleared some tables and chairs.

Our first stop was the “Images of Singapore” exhibition where we could see the development of Singapore from the 1700 to the present day. It has been a while since I’ve seen the exhibition and I was quite pleased to see that the place has been expanded, it was bigger and had more exhibits inside.

A scene during the signing of the treaty by Tengku Hussein and Sir Stamford Raffles


An Indian fortune teller – the parrot is supposed to pick a card to tell my fortune.

My new boyfriend. See how happy he looks! Haha!

I use Fab! To get my clothes white and clean!

I found it very enjoyable. I do like seeing historical things, especially being presented this way. Through the exhibits we saw different customs and traditions as well as significant dates throughout the years.

There was even a very funny scene that happened to us – while walking about the Malay exhibit, I pointed to Cartcart on the shape of the house as well as the roof when all of a sudden, something that we thought was a statue initially came to life and jumped in

Boy: Yes! This is a traditional Malay house and inside, they are playing a favourite pastime – checkers!

Cart: But you’re wearing Chinese clothes!

Boy: Yes! I am visiting my Malay friends!

The conversation was so weird that it was humorous 🙂

Next stop was at the underwater world. Again, it was much different compared to the last time I went there. I liked it. This time, the exhibition was categorized in different types of sea creatures. And we saw many denizens of the sea – some odd looking, some humorously huge and some extremely colourful ones.

This crab is as big as me!

But I think the highlight of the underwater world was when we were in the conveyor and felt as if we were submerged underwater.

It was very very cool.

We had dinner at a cafe in Vivo City. I hoped that Cartcart would like eating here since I did enjoy the food at one of their branch at Bugis.

So Cartcart? Upon 10, how much does this arrabbiata rate?

4

Only 4? That’s a fail!

It’s not al-dente and it just doesn’t taste right.

Wow, high standards! And I haven’t brought him to pizza hut yet 😛

(To be continued)

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The days my dearest visited part 3

Thursday, on this day, we visited Chinatown and saw the sights that there was there. It was still raining, can you imagine that?

We took in the colour and the sights. I saw many clothes shops as well as antique shops and trinket shops. Cartcart seemed particularly interested in a mask shop.

Cart: My sister collects masks, I think she’d like one of the masks here

I looked at the rows and rows of elaborate wooden, I admired the craftmanship and design. Cart asks if there were any Malay masks being song there but I couldnt tell – I’ve never seen a malay mask before.

We walked along the rows of shops till we reached the sri mariamam temple.

We heard music being played inside and I asked cart if he wanted to take a look inside.

Cart: No, I dont think I want to.

Me: Ok

We walked back to the train station and cart pauses for a while

Cart: But I’m being silly right? I’ve travelled halfway round the world and I’m saying no to seeing a temple?

—

Hema, a close friend of mine was free on that night and decided to have dinner with us at Little India. We were supposed to meet by Tekka but I couldnt seem to find her.

Me : (handphone) Where are you Hema? I cant see you?

Hema : I’m right here, by the bus stop, dont you see me?

Me: Where? Where?

Hema: Here! Here! I’m waving my hands and jumping up and down!

Me: I dont see you!

Cart: There she is (points)

Me: Oh!

We had dinner at Komala Villas, an Indian fast food restaurant that Hema recommended. We walked fast to avoid the drizzle of the rain and after many turns along the roads, we reached a nondescript area. The place seemed so ordinary but since Hema recommended it, we were game to give it a try.

Cart got a meal with some biryani rice, puri, different type of gravies, papodam and yoghurt while I had some naan bread while hema had thosai.

Me and Hema looked at Cartcart eating.

Hema: Do you know how to use your fingers to eat, cart? You curve your fingers like this, and pluck the bread, bit by bit and scoop it in your mouth

Cart: Like this?

Hema and me: Yes! Very good!

The food was actually pretty good here and I thoroughtly enjoyed my naan bread and the gravies. Cartcart seemed to like his food too.

Cart: Mmmm! How come we dont have things like these back home? This place would be so popular back, since its fast food, it would be good during lunch time. I like the food! I like everything!

I smiled at Cart and Hema and enjoyed their company and wished for the pleasant night to never end.

(To be continued)

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The days my dearest visited part 2

View from the top of the bed and breakfast.

 

Tuesday, the morning after Christmas. It was raining when we had our late breakfast of local delights. And it was still raining in the late afternoon.

Me: Argh! This rain is depressing! I wanna go out! I wanna show you around!

Cart: Having a relaxing day indoors is good too

Eventually the rain abated a little and by then it was already evening. It would be too late to go to Sim Lim Square, a location where many electrical things that would interest both Cart and me, who are technophiles.

In the end, I brought him to Funan Center and I hoped that there were still shops which were still open.

City hall was still raining when we reached there and we had to huddle close together in my tiny portable umbrella as we walked unsteadily towards Funan Center.

Cart: Wait! The traffic light is still red!

Me: What? Lets just cross! No cars are passing right now

Cart: Ahh … We’re crossing the road the Italian way 😛

We stopped a while to have coffee at the Coffee Club Express where Cartcart had his much needed coffee. Once, he said that coffee was part of the Italian DNA and that it was a daily necessity.

Cart: This espresso isn’t the best, but its still good.

Me: This hazelnut latte is really lovely

Cart: This pamphlet here says that people who likes ‘pick me ups’ like lattes are sociable, gregarious and likes to party

Me: Really? I didn’t know that. Its funny cause my favourite thing to do is to slack all day 😛

Most of the computer shops seemed to be closing as we were done with coffee (why do they close so early?) that the only place we really spent time in was the Times Bookshop where Cartcart seemed transfixed in a local cookbook.

Cart: Look at the recipes, are they good? Do you think it is authentic? What do you think are the food that I’ll like in here?

We looked at the pictures and the recipes together and the recipes looked pretty good. He liked it enough to purchase it. We then walked around the bookstore and poured over the interesting books like, “Different toilets of the world”. (Did you know that there is a toilet entirely made of gold in Hong Kong?)

I noticed the language section and was looking at the learn Italian segment. And that was when I noticed a small Malay book.

Me: Hey Cartcart, maybe you might want to buy this one, so that you could easily talk to my mum and other Malay people 😛

He took the book that I was pointing to, scanned through it, and then said, “This looks useful. I’ll get it” He actually bought the book!

There were absolutely no shops opened from the second floor onwards. (It was only 8.30ish pm) The ones which still had their lights on were scrambling to close shop for the day.

Cart hadn’t eaten for the entire day, save for breakfast and I was concerned that he might have a stomach ache like what I felt yesterday. I didn’t want him to feel the same.

Me: Aren’t you hungry?

Cart: No, I’m fine. I ate a lot at the business class lounge remember?

Me: Yes, but that was days ago! I insist that you eat!

In the end, we went to have dinner at Sakura, a Thai-Chinese restaurant that was nearby. We had to be careful in ordering food as cart was vegetarian.

Me: Hi, I’d like some vegetable soup, bean curd hot plate and some fried kangkong please. But please, no meat or fish in them whatsoever. My friend is a vegetarian.

Waitress: Ok (scribbles in big letters “Vegetarian” in the receipt)

When the food arrived, happily I tucked in to the dishes and rice. “Try this bean curd dearest, it’s really nice ” I invited him.

I saw him chewing, and then he spit out his food.

What’s wrong?

Look

To my horror, I saw a piece of chicken! I was stunned! We quickly called the waitress to have it taken away.

Cart: I cannot eat this. There is meat in it. I’m vegetarian.

Waitress: Oh! Sorry sorry! *rushes away to the kitchen*

Cart: I’m surprised. I thought we made it clear. We saw her scribbling in big words.

I felt really bad. When I was in Rome, Cartcart was extremely careful with the food that I consumed. He made sure that I did not consume any meat or meat products, especially pork. And here we were, our dinner out together and I blundered. I poked around the fried kangkong and to my utter shock found tiny shrimps in them.

It was really upsetting. Cartcart assured me that it was okay, but I still felt bad anyway.

The waitress came up with a fresh dish of hot plate and we continued our dinner.

On Wednesday, mum wanted to bring cart and me to Darul Arqam, a Muslim convert association. After parking the scooter at the car-park nearby, mum and me had breakfast together with Cartcart at the bed and breakfast and headed off to the Paya Lebar Mrt Station.

Darul Arqam was near Geylang and Joo Chiat. The place looked very different compared to the last time that I went there. The Geylang that I remembered was demolished and relocated in a temporary location while waiting for the new construction to be completed.

Mum pointed to a roof at the Malay Heritage Building which was next to the road we were walking on.

Mum: Do you see that Cart? The roof is pointed and curvy at the sides, that’s our traditional kampong house. We have houses on stilts like these because we were prone to floods.

Soon after, we reached the place and enquired at the head office upon whom to speak to. A young woman invited us to sit in the office and we had an informal talk together.

Mum whispering: This is such a special day! I’ve never been in Darul Arqam before. I’ve always wanted to go here!

Me: I absolutely don’t know what to ask her! How you doing Cartcart?

Cart: I feel nervous …

But our fears were for naught as the young woman went through the steps for understanding Islam and eventual conversion.

Young woman: How long will you be here? A week? Then it would be hard for you to attend classes here. Where are you from? Italy? So far there are two Italians in Singapore whom converted. Why don’t I hook you up with him as it would be easier for you to converse with him in your native language? I’ll do a check for you on the internet to see if there are any Islamic institutions in Rome.

Young woman returning later: Oh I’m sorry, the network is down at the moment, but if you pass me your email, I would be happy to send you the details as soon as I can.

(I found out later that the internet connection in Singapore was slow due to the earthquake that effected the Taiwan network cables)

All in all the meeting didn’t go too badly. It was a relaxed and casual environment and it wasn’t pushy and evangelical.

I observed the conversation of an ustadz with two Japanese men sitting in front of me talking about the existence of God and was quite transfixed at the quiet and patient demeanour of the men.

“Shall we go?” Mum asked, as I went out of my observation.

We made a quick stop at the bookshop where mum bought a book, “It’s a souvenir for the first time that I visited this place” Mum whispered to me and I chuckled. There were plenty of interesting things there, even a Koran MP3 player, some DVD’s and some books that I used to study in Sunday classes.

Me: I’m kind of hungry mum, Cartcart. Shall we stop a while at the hawker centre?

Mum bought for Cartcart a plate of rice with some peanut sauce, crispy tempe and begedel, a potato cutlet. She was extremely dismayed when I conveyed the story of our dinner last night and was clucking and went up to the stall owner to be doubly sure of the contents of the food.

Cartcart was really enjoying his food and I was amazed!

Me: Do you really like the food so much? I mean, its just plain, ordinary food to me

Cart: I like it! Especially the potato. If I didn’t like it, I wouldn’t eat it.

Mum: This is chendol, you should try it, and Chng Tng too.

Cart: Mmmmm!!! This is tasty!

I must say that I was very surprised to see that he likes our local food so much. Cartcart’s taste-buds are made for Singaporean food.

And I sat there in amazement and smiling at mum and Cartcart and thought at how surreal everything was. Mum eating her ayam penyet, and this white man happily eating his food in a hawker center in Geylang Serai.

I think I’m dreaming.

(to be continued)

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The days my dearest visited

Cartcart left for Rome last night. My family and relatives were there to see him off. Even with these people around, I can’t seem to hold back my tears. That heartache feeling again.

As we waved at him as he passed by the gantry, it wasn’t too long ago that I saw him at the arrival hall.

Cartcart arrived on Sunday evening. A day late due to the fog at the Heathrow airport. Back in Singapore, it has been raining. I must have looked a little dishevelled, being caught in the rain on my scooter. Upon reaching the arrival hall, I waited by the barricades. There were many other people there, waiting for their friends and loved ones. In time, the area was crowded with people.

One by one the travellers come out from the arrival hall. But where was Cartcart?

After what seemed like an eternity, I saw him, behind the glass. I smiled at him. He noticed me, and smiled back and immediately my heart warmed.

He pointed at the baggage counter, “My luggage is missing! Only after the longest time, he came out of the arrival hall looking a little sad. His luggage will only arrive later in the next flight, tomorrow. The only thing he was carrying was a small bag with his wallet and a magazine.

“Because of the incident at Heathrow, I haven’t showered for 3 days!“, he complained.

“Ewww! You stink!“, I jokingly replied.

It was Christmas eve and already about 9 pm, thus I was sure that there wouldn’t be much shops opened at this time. We went around the airport to purchase some basic necessities for him before heading to the bed and breakfast where Cartcart had his much needed shower and rest.

I looked at his face, and felt amazement that he was here. It was unreal, like a dream. We hugged, and feeling of familiarity hit me, and yet, I still felt as if I was dreaming.

Christmas day. It was raining the entire morning and it didn’t seem to want to stop. I brought Cartcart some breakfast from the hawker centre near my home. I was curious to see what he thought of our local food.

Cartcart was vegetarian, so I got him some local favourites like Roti Prata with Dhal Gravy, Potato Epok-epok and some vegetable Popiah.

He ate with his fingers, like how the locals do. I watched him pick up the food and take a bite. He seemed to like them all! He especially liked the Dhal Gravy.

“This is tasty! Mmm!”

We waited for the rain to subside before heading out. I wasn’t sure where to take him. But since it was Christmas, I thought it could be good to bring him to Orchard Road to see the decorations.

Cartcart was curious and looked all around him.

“This is a good design,” he pointed to the raised zebra crossing as we walked over it. “This will force vehicles to slow down”

“How come we don’t have things like these?” he asked, while holding on to the double pole on the bus. “I am sure it isn’t that difficult to do”

He even complimented the traffic lights

“The beeping sound is good for the blind, it changes its tone so they will move faster and I like the countdown before the light changes to red”

“So, is there anything that you don’t like here?,” I joked

“I’m just getting used to the humidity here. It feels and smells like I’m enclosed in a tropical fish tank”

I didn’t smell anything off though. Mainly because I was very used to the environment.

Going to Orchard on a Christmas day wasn’t such a great idea I think. It was extremely crowded! When we reached along the stretch of road next to Takashimaya, it was neck to neck with people! If I had to choose between being on the road, screaming at insane drivers and walking here, with loads of pushy people everywhere. I would choose to be on the road.

Trying to admire the Christmas display in a leisurely manner was quite impossible. Cart already started to get uncomfortable. So I had to abandon the city walk. Instead, we took the train to get to my parent’s place.

I peeked in to see who was there. Mum was already expecting him today, so my whole family was there. My aunt and my cousins happened to be visiting too.

I asked Cartcart in and introduced him to the family.

“Everyone, this is Cartcart. Cartcart, this is my family”

We all sat down and had a chat. Initially, my family seemed a little flabbergasted.

“Nak cakap apa eh? I don’t know what to talk about” They whispered to each other. So they started on safe topics like what Cartcart was doing and how long he will be staying here.

Not before long, we started on everyone’s favourite topic – food!

Mum : Did you know that there are a lot of different type of bananas? We could also cook them in different ways. We can even cook them in santan. If you come here again, I’ll cook you Nasi Lemak!

Cartcart brought some Italian chocolates as a gift. Mum started to ask him how to pronounce some Italian words.

“This brand of chocolate is called sperlari”

I had to stifle a laugh when I saw everyone looking so enthralled when Cartcart was pronouncing some Italian words. They all had large eyes of amazement and rapture.

Dad was a little more direct and asked him if there were any Islamic centre, there in Rome.

But all in all, my family is starting to warm up to him and by the end of the night, everyone was all smiles and seemed to accept him.

I felt glad.

(To be Continued)

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Being pretty in rainy days

RinazMsn: A common malay greeting is “Apa Khabar”

CartMsn: What does it mean?

RinazMsn: Apa means what, and khabar means news.

CartMsn: Oh! Apa khabar means Whasssaapppppppppppp!!

—

Initially, Mum and me were supposed to go to Bugis and then head to my grandmother’s house yesterday. The plan was to use the scooter as it would be faster. Unfortunately for us, it rained the entire day. The skies did not even seem to want to clear up in the evening when I came back from my training.

Mass media said that it was the worse rainfall in the span of 75 years. There were even flooding in certain areas in Singapore – some were even up to their waistlines. (But I really pity those who live in Malaysia, here the floods are up to their roof!)

In the end, mum and I decided to take public transportation instead. I noticed the bus driver driving slowly and carefully over the damp roads and stared out of the window of the train as the water droplets streamed down steadily from the dark and grey skies.

We reached Bugis and headed to Teng Joo, the shop that we frequently go to, to purchase material for our clothes. Last weekend, I went to Bugis to try to purchase the materials on my own. Then I realise how overwhelming it was. It isnt the same as going to a clothes shop with ready made dresses. There were so many terms that I wasnt familliar with. Chiffon? Georgette? Linen? 60cm? 90cm? It was really over my head.

That was why I asked mum to come along with me. Mum is a very experienced seamstress and my personal consultant. I felt more confident with her around in the maze of clothes bales as she expertly negotiated with the shopkeeper.

How much is this?

$7 per meter

Give me $6 per meter

What? Cannot lah, we wont make any profit that way. I give you discount. $6.50, can?

Come on, I’ve been such a loyal customer. I always come here. Give me $6 per meter.

Ok, ok!

I dont think I have mum’s oratorical power yet. In time I’ll soon inherit it, I hope.

We bought some lovely organza cloth for our matching hari raya outfit next year and I bought some shantung cloth in green for cartcart and me to wear. But I’m not sure if it will be completed in time. The trouble with being a seamstress’s daughter is that we always get our outfit the last 😐

Just as we were about to leave, my eyes noticed something shimmering at the corner and there, lied a bale of the prettiest cloth I’ve seen. I’m not too sure what material it was, but it was soft and had small shimmery dots. Oh it looked so classy, glamourous and royale.

I’d like to have it made into this style, the dress that I fell in love with last week while walking at Shaw towers.

Isnt it gorgeous? But I’m sure it was pricey. I didnt see the price, but did noticed the price of the shirt behind it. It was $60. I’d approximate that, that dress would cost 3 times more. But I do love the design, the pattern and how elegant it was.

I should learn how to make my own dresses. At the moment, I’m only limited to the rudimentary sewing skills that I’ve learnt in secondary school.

We didnt have time to go to grandmother’s as it was drawing late. It was still raining heavily our entire journey home. Thank goodness we didnt take the scooter. I’d be cold and wet and miserable throughout. Mum would be double that, since she cant take coldness as well.

The weather has been crazy isnt it? Just a couple of months ago it was the haze, and the months before that was the heatwave.

Whats the weather like for you?

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Marina, the musical

How did a simple visit turn into such a big musical?

Just this morning, mum came into my room and said to me, her face very serious.

“He is coming this saturday, right? We’ll go to your grandmother’s house today”

“Oh. Ok. How come?”

“Your grandmother is very sensitive, just invite her over to our house this weekend, so that you can introduce him to her. She might say yes, or she might decline, but ask anyway. Its out of respect and at least she will know what is going on with the family”

I’d be lying if I said I wasnt nervous because I do feel jittery. I’ve never brought a boyfriend home before and I have absolutely no idea how my family will react when they meet cartcart for the first time.

Maybe the whole scene will be like it came out of a mafia story – My dad sharpening his kris and look menancing. My grandma will play the matriach and stomp her cane on the floor With her eyes squinting, she’ll hiss out, “I will crrrruuuuush you like a cockroach”. Mum will be the inquisitor. I’m sure she has her lie detector somewhere.

Oh my tummy feels like a washing machine.