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July Activities

We weren't sure if we would make it to the Rainforest Music Festival in Sentubong Sarawak this year given the recent developments i.e. the emergence of sweet Bubba D in our lives. (When I booked the treehouses last year I had no idea that  we were soon to be parents!) And though we hung on to our bookings, we left the plane tickets to the very last minute and only just made the decision to go for sure in May. Kind of. (The option to cancel was always there at the back of my mind). 

Well am really glad that we did it.  It was quite the adventure traveling with a bub! and though SFM and I missed out on some of the action (2pm workshops were just too hot for Bubba D and night time concerts were out of the question) we had a GREAT time living in the treehouse for 3 days and hanging out with the sibs and friends in the middle of the rainforest. 

Next year we'll have to make sure we're there the entire week so we can just chill and enjoy the tranquil surroundings long after the festival crowd disperse.

xxx

SFM is in Blighty for a business trip as I type. He has been away for a week and will only be home at the end of the month. The house seems terribly quiet without him. Am back to reading my paper at dinner time and sunday is a definite stay at home day since it is just Bubba D and I then.

I am slowly getting back on track with my pile of guardian weeklies and reviews, a book, this blog and the nursery. SFM is going to come home to a jungle. 

 

Huzzah, if we can't be in Africa, we'll just have to bring Africa to us.

been ages since I read a (non-baby related) book

After some very tough weeks, things are finally getting better (touch wood). SFM is back from his business travels and so is Ms Surprise. Ma SF is in a better mood now that her 80th is done and over with and SFM is back in town. Bubba D's colic has improved... a little. Today after a phone call with Ezly Mezly we deduced that perhaps its my daily cheese lunchbox that is causing him great discomfort. I cut the cheese today and found Bubba D to be happy bunny at 3-4pm as opposed to fretful posseting redfaced rabbit. Now, the only thing that still remains to be fixed is my sciatic nerve pain. I have been wanting to call the masseuse (she of the you were beautiful once) since last week for a deep tissue massage to fix it but have not done so because I just cannot bear listening to her chit chat. However this afternoon, the pain was so intense I crumbled. Our session is on tomorrow morning at 8. Hopefully I will be A-OK by 9.

xxx

I managed my first outing without the Bubba on tuesday afternoon. Boy it was difficult to step out of the house. I must have left 100 instructions for Ms Surprise, even though I was only going to be away for 3 hours. And yes despite my best intentions, I couldnt help but call Ms Surprise to find out if he was ok after 1.5 hours of being out. Ma SF was amused and she like me am wondering HOW AM I GOING TO GO BACK TO WORK given the current state that I am in. I guess I just have to have more of these outings before 5th June appears so as to avoid being a wreck at the workplace when the time comes. Yeowsers.

xxx

Ma SF has been here for 2.5 weeks and will be leaving in 1.5 weeks. Already she feels sad at the idea of leaving us, especially Bubba D once the month is up. I feel sad too that we will not see her before Christmas. We talk about the possibility of all of us being in the same country. It seems impossible at the moment. Singers is way too hot and humid for her and Cape Town does not have the jobs for SFM and I. Jozy would be a tad closer to her but it's also crime city innit. Well, we were all rather hopeful that things would change in Zim post election but as the weeks slip by, our hopes are slowly fading. Well when I say our, I mean Ma SF and I for SFM still thinks that things will become right soon. My view - sadly I think things will get worst before it gets better. Urgh cannot believe how Malaysia's ex PM can be such good mates with Bob. Then again having seen a recent interview of him on BBC's Hardtalk where nonsense were uttered perhaps I can.

xxx

Talking of nonsense, there is a lot of that happening in Malaysia this week. A blogger has been charged with Sedition for writing what everyone on the street thinks re: murder of Mongolian Model. Sigh. As usual, these things are not covered adequately (not fairly) by the mainstream press so for us who want to know more of these things we have to read the alternative media (often online) and what other political bloggers have to say. Double Sigh.

xxx

Apart from news blogs, my guardian weekly (am 2 weeks behind) and baby books, I have not read much at all.

The Lunar New Year Break

... was very much welcomed indeedy.

We had good friends a-visiting from KL, and so most of the the time was spent catching up, relaxing, snoozing, eating and eating somemore. Bubba avis-sunflower is wondering why all of a sudden there is so much yumsteroo food coursing through the placenta.

Happy Lunar New Year everyone. May the year of the Rat be a good, happy, fulfilling year for us all!

and suddenly we feel like proper grown-ups

The changes are taking place, fast and furious:  On Boxing Day, our full time help, Cynth showed up (in anticipation of arrival of Bubba in 11 weeks time (!) ) and yesterday we went out and purchased a sensible set of wheels. 

SFM and I are still trying to get used to having someone living with us.  We are also marvelling at how pip squeak clean the floor is and trying to tell Cynth that she doesnt have to be busy all day everyday. We are so embarrased about having someone else clearing up after our piggy selves that we do the beds quickly before she comes upstairs and clear the breakfast table away as soon as possible, before she returns downstairs again...it has become a mad race.

xxx

SFM is off to HK today, back tomorow and then off again to neighbouring countries for work. He's turning into quite the busy squirrel. Meanwhile, things at work have been dead slow all of last week for me but I suspect the madness and hectiness of it all will resume tomorrow.

xxx

Am feeling a tad miserable today due to lack of sleep. The Zeds have been eluding me for 2 days now and the sinuses are acting up big time.  Non stop sneezing, stuffed face and scracthy throat. And am not able to reach out for my usual drugs. Damn. Last night was the worst, all I could so was toss and turn and turn and toss and look at the painting facing the bed trying to superimpose sheeps on the paddy fields.

treating myself to a browse at the bookshops (no purchases allowed!) and a mani/pedi before heading off for the penultimate antenatal class. gulp. feel as though I should know more than I do now.

Happy sunday everyone.

mooching at home

Looking back, am not quite  sure what we did with November, particularly the first few weeks.  I recall us coming back from Bali and having our first proper dinner guests over and later in the month hosting a tea party for Tonto's Birthday and having our friends to stay from Zim but in terms of books read, personal stuff and growth I am not entirely sure. Hmmmm

Remember when I said the morning sickness seems to be gone now...haha I obviously should not have counted my chickens ... last week saw me worshipping the porcelain bowl again and past few days I have had to either stay very still at my desk or lie on the sofa and wait for 'the moment' to pass (normally around about 45mins).  hmmm 25 weeks and am still feeling sick.  Well at least I don't chuck up each time I feel nauseous and I don't get nausea everyday (unlike some others I read about in the web).  Definitely something to be thankful about!

xxx

Our tree and lights are up yeay. 

xxx

Am thinking lots about PRL these days.  How she came around in 2005 on Christmas Eve for a quick glass of vino and passed CD of Carol and Book knowing I'd be on my own that year.  And how she collects little bits of baubles for their home tree when we were in Cape Town, Jozy and even Langkawi.

SFM, Ma SFM and her friend and myself -we had a great time we had with her and her Ma in Langkawi about the this time last year. When I remember snatches of conversations or things we cackled about-  I feel so bereft. What a tremendous loss. She was such a special person and I am sure I am not the only one who is missing her...

xxx

SFM has been busy busy busy bee with work. I've been sort of ok - working hours are getting more and more decent as everyone winds down for the year.  Soon it'll be 2008 - the magic year where things are meant to be getting good for me (according to the multiple soothsayers consulted haha).  Well lets hope this is truly the case.

Happy 1st weekend of Dec all.

December already!

The above has got to be one of my favourite places in Singers. Its an old 'black &white' (term for olde colonial houses here) tucked away at the end of nassim road spitting distance from hectic busy orchard road. The b&w has been converted into a spa and they do excellent mani/pedis and massages there. Unfortunately the latter is a wee bit pricey - not that its relevant now that no normal masseuse is willing to knead body of any pregnant women... (not unlike the masseuse in Bali).

xxx

Talking of pregnant women, this pregnant woman is now 24 weeks and has graduated from looking 'kind of porky' to 'aha she is with child'.  You would have think that  I will have got used to being preggers by now but truth is I have not.  I cannot help but look at the image in every mirror I pass to see if I recognise the person in there; more often than not, I do not. Truth be told, I still feel slightly displaced: Its not just the bump, its the totally-black-hair, the giant boobs (!), the change in lifestyle (no caffeine nor vino) and the overall  reduced manic look. Amazing Grace Jones - the bubba has not yet arrived and (my) life has already altered in so many ways.  Do not get me wrong though - I totally am loving the fact that we will have an addition to the SFM-Avis household and that the wee one will have part Sunflower part Avis genes.  The fun we will have!

We saw the little one on tele during the November checkup.  This time, the pix were slightly clearer than the fuzzy blur he has been in past scans. We saw his eyes and nose but could not see his mouth until he suddenly let out a huge fantastic yawn. Now I know why the Cruises went out and bought themselves a sonogram machine. Its damn bloody addictive to see the bubba in utero.

As you can probably read, my hormones are doing what ever they are suppose to be doing alright!

xxx

Saw 2 days in Paris at the local Picturehouse on friday night. Found it totally  hi-lario-us and recommend it to all who enjoyed 'Before Sunrise' and 'Before Sunset'. Like the befores, there is alot of dialogue, unlike befores, its also kind of edgy and somewhat nore real? if that makes sense.

Gotta give it to Julie Delpy - she is one talented cookie!

xxx

Other news: Its December and the par-tay invites have started to come in, yeay.  Our first xmas partay outing took place last night. Lots of scrumptious food and bubbles (the latter I didnt partake in sniff) and merry people. I love it this time of the year when people relax and let their hair down.

Huzzah!

In keeping with the festive season, we are having roast veges for dins this evening and afterwards will be  putting up our (plastic) tree and decor.

Double Huzzah.

pancakes and icecream

s  i have never received so much spam as i have for my entry on bangkok bachelorette last year.  i should have known better shouldnt i then to title the entry that? sigh. now i'll have to find the entry and rename it.

didnt do much last weekend. mooched about the house reading stacks of backdated copies of the guardian review (i am almost into nov now yeay) whilst the plumber fixes our hot water heater in the bathroom upstairs and SFM plays in the touch rugby tourno.

been feeling restless, like surely i should embark on a riveting hobby, exciting project, going somewhere, something? alas everything seems to require alot of effort/energy these days tha i find myself sitting still - reading and reading somemore. am consoling self that maybe this isnt too bad as according to sof, number of pages read per week/month will be dramatically reduced once bubba arrives!

my weekly pregnancy newsletter tells me that i am almost done with the second trimester and that in a number of weeks i'm on to the third? the weight and further body changes will slow me down. eh?! isnt 2nd trimester supposed to be the honeymoon period where all is good and well and am energetic? have i missed it? did the glowy dewy period pass me by without even pausing for a day? now isnt this where i echo what the engerlish footy team mantra - 'i was robbed?'

i suppose i should should should look at all + aspects of things and be thankful that i havent been chucking up and that my appetite is back. and that i can now feel the baby moving around esp when SFM mentions the words 'pancakes and icecream'.

the week in pix

HK was much nicer than I remembered it to be.  Perhaps this is because am more familiar with it this time around or just because its Azuredec's new home!

The view from my desk tues am-thursday pm. the air was cool and crisp and sky was clear blue, yahoo.

Was super that was able to work from the office in HK as it meant I didnt have to take any leave. The only downside to working as per normal = wasnt able to spend as much time with the patient as I would have liked to.

Cabs in HK city, by night (there were more, but they moved away rather quickly before I could click).

We're not doing much this weekend.  I spent much of the day reading and dozing (whilst SFM worked in the study). The most hectic activity we embarked on yday was  us traipsing to the local arthouse to see  'les triplettes de belleville' which was a cracker of a film.  Today's itinerary involve us heading to the nursery for some plants and perhaps a visit to the grocers to stock up the fridge.

Not sure if its all the movements of the week,  or the hard day at work on friday, or general pregnancy state but am knackered, knackered, knackered. As of this weekend, am in my 19th week and would have thought that am well into the honeymoon period offered by second trimester i.e. this would translate into glowy dewy look non?  Not so.  Nausea still strikes (at 11am and 5pm daily); leg cramps have started and I still dont look preggers haha which means that I still get shoved about in trains AND people do smoke their ciggies in my presence (until I say something or move away).

Tips on how to obtain dewy glowy look of suitably pregnant woman from those who have been here, done that, got the bubba in the t-shirts welcomed.

interviewing the masses

Have been busy intervewing singcitizens to find out what they do most weekends.  (almost always) the 3 answers that have come up tops are:-

1. eating/drinking (food capital!)
2. shopping (shopping city!)
3. watching films (a film every hour!)

Have also been interviewing Malaysians living in Sing and their answers have been:

1. window shopping ((shopping city!)
2. watching films (so easy can book online!)
3. eating/drinking (but the food not so good as Malaysia lah)

xxx

The Malaysians I spoke to (who are already here), enjoy working and living  in Singapore:  The public transport works, service industry is efficient, work environment is mixed and meritocracy based and the Sing dollar is worth 2.2 to the Ringgit. The longer they stay here, the less they can imagine ever returning north of the border.

Whereas the Malaysians I spoke to (who are in Malaysia) dont really fancy working and living in Singapore:  its far more expensive than KL, its sterile, full of kiasu people, devoid of mountains, good beaches and character.

xxx

On their part, Singcitizens too seem to have an opinion on what Malaysia would be like as  place to work and live:

1. dangerous!
2. dirty!*
3. traffic jam!

xxx

Then there are the others (ie non Malaysians, non Singaporeans).  They make the most out of being here focusing on the things they enjoy and ignoring the bits that are irrelevant. 

Homes in expat areas (forget HDBs think Condos) and meals in fancy eateries (forget food stalls, think bistros and resots).  Offcuts from the swiss butchers (as opposed to the wet market).  Nannies and maids from tier 1 country (Philipines at the moment, their english is soo good and they know when to keep to themselves). 

Forget about the local media. Pink prints and BBC channel  are the way to go. Politics? Who cares when everything runs like clockwork.

Weekend activities:  Touch rugby, cycles and skates in the east coast beach. Barbeques. Fine Dining.

And as for holidays: There is always the islands off the country up north. Near enough, gorgeous and affordable.

_________________________

mind you - here is an ironic story: last year as i was making my way to Sepang from downtown KL (to watch the malaysian grandprix)  the van i was travelling in full of young professional singcitizens made a pit stop in the middle of the highway to dump the plasticbags containing their food and drinks.   (suffice to say after i voiced my thoughts they didnt think i was much fun to be with and avoided me throughout the whole event thereafter).

feeling the move

same organisation; completely different role. tomorrow, i begin life as a non eagle beagle working on a variety of projects which will require me to manage the processes from start to finish.  it is a welcomed change...  wish me luck!

xxx

it is PRL's birthday today.  i was in borders orchard road this afternoon and remember how she called me from the shop sometime last year to discuss her new find, the shadow of the wind.  i saw the book on the shelves and winced. although i know she is in a better place, my heart still aches: i miss her.

xxx

this moving malarkey is funny. on one hand its so exciting to be in  a new place,  writing new chapters and discovering things anew. on another hand, the upheaval can also be uncomfortable and the space where familiar things and people stood are now void.

I miss Azuredec loads. its strange not to have seen her for the weekend. I also miss the avis famile, ls and number of very close friends who used to be in my daily/weekly orbit.  I am glad that SFM is here though cannot stand the idea that he too will be away from me even if its for only a month.( On wednesday he heads to Zim to move Ma Sunflower to Cape Town, pls say a prayer for their safe journey.)

Phone calls are good and thank god for skype but theyre just not quite the same as talking and seeing someone face to face innit.

xxx