Archive for November, 2007

The other sides of the stories

Today has been an incredibly interesting day.

The tear ducts went into overdrive as I tried to pop in contact lens, and I found myself blinded by the pain and sting.

And it just started a very long day of.. revelations, amidst the tears.

And then, the other sides, emerged.

Sometimes, I wish my intuition doesn’t burden me with that much questions and answers, because my quests for them, are often unpleasant.

Then again, the resignation I have within me, is not something I should, and I can blog about, simply because, this is the best I deserve.

Don’t try to convince me otherwise, cos simply, most of you don’t know me. At least not the ugly me I have tried to hide, yet so much want to rip it open so I could seal my fate.

***

It has been an amazingly beautiful day. In a very warped sense.

Towards the end, all the good hearts around me made me bawled.

Cos I don’t feel that I deserved any of that.

When I had headed towards the cab at the end of the night, I was slightly disgruntled when the driver refused to drive up to the pavement, and had made us walk towards his cab.

He stayed in the cab and not moved.

I wouldn’t have mind if I didn’t have Minibean in my arms and Eileen Ong was helping me with the bag and the pram.

As she helped to put my bag into the seat, I tried to juggle Minibean in one arm, folded the pram with my knees and used my free arm to lever it into the boot.

Most uncles would help, but not him.

I wasn’t needy, but I was feeling kinda guilty from the girls’ help for the night, and I was very grateful to Eileen as she offered her assistance just before we went off.

I got on the cab and the uncle didn’t seem too friendly.

I asked him to take the PIE, up Bukit Timah, and he didn’t respond to me even though he did exactly what I asked.

As it approached King Albert’s Park, I started to dig for the fare as Minibean was slowly drifting into a deep sleep and I didn’t want to rouse her when we reach.

To my absolute horror, I realised I didn’t have enough change, cos I had mistaken the 15 ringgits to be Singapore dollars.

I only had 12 bucks case with me and I know the midnight charge is definitely to be at least 15 bucks from Orchard. And with that part of Orchard, it was likely to be more.

I asked uncle to stop and I was terrified of his reaction.

He asked why and I told him I didn’t have enough, and since he isn’t from one of those companies with Credit Card payment, I couldn’t quite pay him in full if he goes the distance.

He told me he couldn’t allow that to happen, and I could just tell him. He told me it is okay I don’t have enough, and what if I get into trouble if he left me there. Though it wouldn’t be any trouble since it was a 24 hour fast food joint, and I could have just hopped on another cab.

By then, cab fare was 9 plus and jumping.

He didn’t stop and he drove on up the expressway.

His niceness took me by surprise, and I wept.

I wept as I held Minibean close to me, and she was jolted awake to my sudden display of emotion.

It is the 2nd time she saw me cry. And I am not proud of it.

I started to dig out every single coin that I had, and separated the Malaysia currency from the Singapore ones.

The end fare was 14.70, and I had 13.70.

I asked uncle if he wanted the ringgit in between my uncontrollable tears, and he asked me to keep it for myself as he got out of the cab to help me unload the pram, and told me to pay him whatever I could.

My eyes were too blurry to read his name. I told him it wasn’t an easy day, but I am thankful how he made my night.

I wouldn’t have expected that out of him, yet he surprised me.

He said “take care”, before he hopped on his cab, and drove off until I had entered the lobby door, pressed for the lift, and finally, entering the lift.

I couldn’t stop tearing as I entered the door to the quiet home.

***

I nearly slapped Minibean today.

Or rather, the thoughts crossed my mind.

Now I understand why my friends, some of them the best parents I have seen, had told me how it had happened to them, even however unlikely it could be, or it seemed to me in the past.

I remembered one friend told me how much anguish he had when his girl wouldn’t stop crying and he had to kill the urge to slap her. After that episode, he convinced me to believe all babies cry.

Few months ago a friend asked me if I ever had the urge to slap Minibean, and I seriously considered the toughest of time I had with her, and I gleefully and honestly said no.

I told him, the thought had not crossed, not yet. I was being realistic after how everyone told me it would somehow in one way or another, happen.

And it finally did, today.

Babies cry for whatever reasons. Fear. Attention. Discomfort. Sometimes, maybe just for the frustration of their inabilities to communicate.

I left her in the cot today, and I think she might have wanted to head out. Or maybe just the need for some attention.

She wanted to play “Fetch” as she threw all her stuff out and screamed at me to pick up for her.

Everytime I picked them up, she would throw again.

I couldn’t give in to her as I was trying to establish some contacts for a proposal, and the constant delays that came in was making me somewhat frustrated. I was trying to get everything together as I head out to town in the afternoon. The preparations are always extensive.

She stubbornly wouldn’t stop wailing and it was a contest to see who give in first.

She didn’t want to let go of my phone, and it was in a drool-y mess, and its function screwed as I tried to operate it again.

Its screen were into dying stage…

And she was still crying.

I felt totally helpless and I just wanted to cry together with her. My reasonings with her didn’t work. Neither did my soothing.. and I eventually asked her, “What do you want????”.

She stood at the side of the cot screaming at me with tears streaking down. And everything seemed to come crashing down as I suddenly felt so useless. And it was as if her wails fuelled all those helplessness, and further telling me what a bad mum I was.

That was when the urge to slap her to shut her up came in.

I reached my hands out to her, and I carried her up into my arms, and kissed her.

I hugged her tight and prayed she would stop crying, and I just didn’t want to fake the babytalk with all my might anymore.

At that moment, I had hoped she would just feel me, and just.. stop crying as I cuddled her tight.

It seemed to work miracles and… she stopped.

As if breaking the ice, and thankful that it worked, I found the confidence within me to make her laugh. As if lovers patching up, I sulked and tickled her and she broke into fits of giggles and I held her close, thankful that I didn’t do anything I would later regret.

It is always just a matter of split-seconds, they say. Especially for people who often bring their emotions from adult lives back home.

I know some people might be horrified to hear this from a single-mum, and could not reconcile with this, but I am just painting a very real picture of parenthood in whole.

It is like an urge to scold someone back when he insults you. Some people curb it, some people don’t.

Many parents will feel the dread and frustration very early, cos of the constant waking ups in the first couple of months, but I was just lucky that I was well-prepared for that and it was a breeze despite the awkward hours.

Maybe, I am just not well-prepared for this transition. Not when so many things are happening, or rather, not happening.

The difference is, identifying and choosing an alternative, than giving in to a thought.

***

She is getting curious, and getting really active. So much so that I wish I am still a teenager as it becomes really physically demanding.

***

And it was one of the sweetest days I have ever spent with her.

I carried her and headed to take a cab to town, I wanted to feed her porridge so we ended up at Crystal Jade.

The journey wasn’t an easy one. I was totally feeling lost as I alighted. Feeling totally alienated. I was tearing as I pushed her pram down the slope.

I so shouldn’t have put mascara today.

It was an overwhelmed feeling. The other side of the story for this is, a simple one.

I don’t have to know it to see it. I don’t have to see it to know it either.

***

Someone bought me a book today. The kindness is so much appreciated though… my reaction might not have display so.

The Zahir. I would love to start on it now, but Minibean’s presence means no lights on – Baby snoozing.

Maybe I didn’t think I deserve such kindness from someone so random.

The numbers. The pictures. Thank you. Really.

And I think that’s the precise reason why I tend to drift away people who have been so nice to me.

I simple, grew afraid.

I want to, hide away.

***

I always have this fear of going to town. From the days of my low self-esteem in early 2000s, to the painful days last year, it seems to bring back so much memories and fears that I find hard to reconcile with.

I braved Orchard today.

And of course, every step out, will always meet with some kind of force, to be pushed back into the box.

I was tearing even during lunch.

But I spent great time with her, seeing her so happy with all the attention.

I fed her porridge, and felt great sense of achievement that she was drinking lotsa water thereafter.

She was happily pulling stuff off the shelves, and I tried not to bring her near chinaware.

I braved the escalator(2 storeys one!) with her in one arm, bag on the other shoulder, and pram in hand.

I even brought her to Strip and the staff loved her as they played with her as I did my waxing.

She was so happy to see me and sprung right onto me as I walked towards her.

We walked around Borders before we walked down Orchard to get myself a belt before my jeans fall to my ankles.

She had a little nap as we crossed to the other side of Orchard, down Wisma and towards Takashimaya.

I teared again.

I know not what.

Crossed over. A friend who wasn’t feeling too well messaged me too.

As I replied to a few of her messages, my tearducts went into overdrive. Stupid mascara. I looked like a ghost most of the day.

I hope you are feeling better already.

***

Met up with Wenmei and we headed to Paragon for dinner at Bakerzin with Eileens and Roumin.

Minibean was so happy with all the hype around town, and she was just too happy to explore the new places, and people as Mummy smothers her with plenty of kisses.

She was bored and I brought her to walk around the shops upstairs, and gee, *waves to Lynn cheh cheh* someone asked if she was Minibean! I think she was feeling totally honoured to be recognised and she was all smiley and friendly. Very excited too.

So much so she was refusing to let go of the escalator handle as we ventured down to join the girls.

It was very nice seeing you. :)

***

We even went to Karaoke after that.

She loved it. She was pinching my fats so much that I have scratch marks all over my tummy now.

She was just leaning close to me, smiling at me, looking at me for most of the karaoke, though after her nap she was totally active.

I was outside with Eileen when she was napping, and it was just bad that my ex-colleague saw me in a wrecked state.

I went back and she was awake, and was happy to see me too.

I fed her fruits hoping she would poo. It must be a great coincidence that less than half an hour later, one MTV with a guy sitting on the toilet bowl came on, and Minibean pooed.

She was putting up a great fight as we pinned her down, spread her legs, and tried to clean her up.

Thanks girlies for all the patience tonight though I know an active baby is a pretty new addition and needs a bit of getting used to.

And I think her bag fetish is very much roused.

And I know you girls meant very well when you all insisted I didn’t sing much and split the cost amongst you four.

I really, really, enjoyed the much-needed company.

***

I got back home and I know she might feel a little scared if I wasn’t right by her side.

Normally I would put her in her cot and let her wail as I do a quick shower.

But today, not sure if it was the guilt of the anger towards her earlier on, or that she had been an incredibly awesome company that, I didn’t really want to let her out of my sight.

I brought her into the shower room and put her at the side of the bathtub. She stood there, held closely to the tub as I showered, careful not to drip water on her.

She watched and she giggled, laughed and made faces at me as she watched me shower.

I sang, babytalked to her, as I washed my hair, conditioned it, and did a quick body wash.

I scooped her up after I dried myself and changed her into her PJs.

I cradled her, sang her twinkle twinkle little star, with her baby pillow tug under her chin.

I heard her yawn, gave her a goodnight kiss, and placed her in her cot.

Finally, I had the time to clean her bottles, emptied the very messy bag, put her dirty laundry aside, and prepared for tomorrow’s day out.

I blew dry my hair and just wanted to record this day.

How devastating it was, and how… amazing she had made it to be.

And of course, not forgetting you guys.

And if I can just say it, I am sorry for many things.

For, the other sides of the stories, that I had assumed or made to believe, and didn’t turn out to be.

Best laid plans

Despite being caught in the rain and being really tired, I didn’t get much nap yesterday afternoon, before I started to get things going a bit.

Chores. Contacts.

I still didn’t manage to break my pattern yet.

I tried hard to divert my attention, and it was just one of those days when I knew the day was going to proceed on with too slow a pace, too heavy a heart, and too depressed a person. It just wasn’t going to be easy, and it wasn’t easy.

I was contemplating of getting laid to counter those devastation that had brewed within for the recent days.

Actually, I wasn’t quite looking to be laid. Then again, I just thought some sort of intimacy of me burrowing into someone’s chest and soft nibbles of lips would bring me further away from my real world.

Then again, I am sure my candidates would make sure the otherwise will happen, and I know I am bound to regret should anything happen. So, I hugged my baby pillow which gave me lotsa comfort, and drifted off to sleep.

Then it became funny.

I got a booty call today.

From CBB no less.

FF has faith in me that I will get laid by next week. Gasp!

Anyway, we had a strange SMS exchange that happened when we were both semi-conscious. His message came in at 4am which he had woken up abruptly, which strangely, I woke up 10 minutes later and saw his message. It lasted 45 minutes, before his reply came in at 7 plus in the morning, which I supposed he was getting ready to head to the bank.

Another quick exchange, before I drifted off to sleep again.

I am surprised I could send decent messages when I am semi-conscious.

Oh, he wanted to borrow a shower room in the midst of his very busy schedule today., cos he has a DND to head to. Cough.

In which…

FF says:
ARE YOU STUPID
FF says:
SAY YES
FF says:
YES YOU CAN BORROW FUCKING SHOWER FROM ME
FF says:
kekekeke
FF says:
sorry your whorish friend is talking here
Tingism. says:
i wouldnt mind seeing him all dressed up though
FF says:
FLIRT BACK
Tingism. says:
i did.
FF says:
SO PROUD OF YOU
Tingism. says:
too bad lah i told him i aint ard
FF says:
WHATTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT
Tingism. says:
OH OH!
Tingism. says:
he jus asked for a sexy picture from me

Okay. Waking up with a bad breath, sans makeup, with glasses isn’t exactly sexy.

So no.

And now *cough* he promises a sexy one tonight in exchange.

Should I.. should I not..?

Hmm……………..

Tsk. I almost forgot how to play the game. Maybe I am half reluctant cos besides the slight attraction to these 2 guys(say, the other is TBB), and that they both look similar, both are smart and funny… tall and skinny(finally I meet tall guys!)…

The strange thing is, whenever they get suggestive, I don’t get chills down my spine, nor do I get butterflies in my stomach, nor do I get aroused just thinking of it. No urges. More like a challenge to a flirty banter. Unlike.. oh well.

I simply laugh. I simply get amused. I simply think of the right replies to give. Oh and I simply conceded that these players are so at the top of their games.

And then when I get bored, or when reality strikes me again…

.. I simply walk away.

Ain’t so sure

I ain’t so sure about everything, anymore.

The doubts crept in fast and steady today.

I just don’t know anymore.

And it seems so much easier to take things out on yourselves than anybody else.

Full-stop

Comma.

Full-stop.

Comma, comma.

Quote.

It is a rainy morning.

I am still up doing some work.

Much to complete before.. the week ends prematurely for me.

It was a nice, cosy night out. My intuition served me right and I just had to stay out to stay sane. Over countless teh-o-pengs and a milo-peng.

Some insane person came all the way down, and feigns(cough cough) sickness so work is out for the day.

I mean, reaching home at 8 plus drenched by the rain, when you start work at 8 plus is not funny.

So I stayed sane.

I stayed detached.

Nagging feeling doesn’t go.

Don’t life’s greatest ironies just seem brutally, hilariously, cruelly, sad?

They do, to me.

Glaringly so. In ways you guys will never understand.

I met up with a stranger today. No, last night, I mean. Not entirely but our paths might have crossed twice very long ago.

Very, very long ago. I do have vague impression of him… from 11 years ago.

And then, we drifted on. And then, hereforth, we drift on.

Unsure

If there is one thing when it comes to how I do serious things(not applicable to how my life is), is that I don’t really like uncertainty, or to be unsure.

It is enough to push me to do things I normally won’t get out of my comfort zone to do.

Just not too long ago, I had exasperatedly wanted to take matters into my own hands, simply because I didn’t like how everything is heading all directions.

I mean, really, sometimes I don’t like communication with certain work-related people, but let’s say when things really get out of hand, I will want to sort it out.

Yah. So yeap, I wanted to shove the person-in-charge aside, and take things into my own hands cos I didn’t like the pressure thrown on from the other side.

Anyway.

Sometimes you meet bad clients. The kind when you probe and they tell you it is nobody’s business when you want to eliminate the uncertainties.

The contempt was so strong to sniff.

It takes all I had in me to NOT say anything harsh back. It freaking does, and if I had wanted to take things into my own hands because of uncertainties prior, of cos it does.
I mean really, if I pass on the responsibilities just to get more uncertainties, I might as well shove the person aside and get things done myself.

Which I am freaking tempted to.

Of course, I am just a vendor, it doesn’t matter to anyone how I would feel. At the end of the day I am just a worthless piece of shit, who has to endure hypocritical, unfeeling, insincere words coming from them.

***

I am unsure of myself. Somewhat.

I am quite glad I got a couple of things done today.

I went for acupuncture and massage for my bad back and my knee ligament which has been acting up due to the cold weather.

I was told my back is like an old lady’s. I mean, hello? I carried a load in me for like 9 months, do you expect anything less?

I even went to scale my teeth after accumulating 4 years of tartar, cos my gums are bleeding excessively every morning.

The immigration number is totally dead, and I just couldn’t manage to reach ANYBODY. And I am not sure if my email will ever get a reply.
I made some arrangements for an upcoming dinner. I also called up some help for an upcoming event. I still didn’t dare to call my cousin. Dammit.

I got back and I could feel more of my back and then I just fell asleep.

Only to wake up to do the thing I have been doing everyday(yes, JD, it didn’t stop on Sunday).

Now, I just hope there is enough rest to last me throughout the night.. cos there’s much to be finished today.

I am.. unsure.

Of myself.

Scared. Even.

Protected: Nothing. To you.

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Remedies

Making things right.

Nope, nothing to worry about, I hadn’t ditch myself into the dark side of self-righteousness.

But baby steps, for much of the stuff I have procrastinated…

Over the weekend, there wasn’t much to be done, though I had wanted to head out for errands.

I didn’t, cos I got the next best thing to a booty call. Mahjong call.

I almost forgot how it was like to play mahjong. It was too mindboggling.

And I broke my Kripsy Kreme virginity. I now know the reasons behind all the raves behind the famous donuts.

I have to assure you guys I ain’t anorexic. In fact, one of the ‘remedies’ I have been doing, is to tune my body to a healthier lifestyle. I have been eating more regularly, which includes breakfast, and I didn’t even eat breakfast for so long.

And the 8-glasses of water regime.

Somehow all of those went to the tummy. Sigh.

I had gained 2 kg. I am almost 46kg, when couple of weeks back, it dipped to 44kg.

***

Started the day with some work. Arranged for a meeting, and things are on track and going according to timeline.

I had wanted to call my cousin to ask for a quote, but I decided against it. The problem with such people is that, no matter what you do, it can never be right. You don’t call to tell them your changes, they say you are blarblarblar, when you do, they say you are spoilt and pushing them and the world doesn’t revolve around you.

So I just called up a friend who agreed to be my backup to help me with the house in case my cousin is taking too long, and getting too rude. In fact, he said he could help me to get in done before baby’s birthday.

I called up the inefficient ICA, which had their line engaged, for hours.

I thought they might have changed their number. I called up directory services without realising I did it subconsciously as I was busied with other stuff.

And then I rambled on about how I needed help with appealing a case and how I am a PR blarblarblar.

And then they connected me to the number, and I was still thinking they were diverting me to another department, before I realised I was talking to a phone directory operator.

So embarrassing can!!!!

I left home for errands, and then it was like speed shopping.

Things I need, I buy, I dump into my very big bag.

And then I went to the bank to get some financial stuff settled. Some money that was supposedly deposited by a friend didn’t go through at all, and I asked for advice.

It was said that it was banked into my account, but it doesn’t reflect in records, and the receipts hadn’t came in.. so I was getting a little desperate.

It was put off for way too long, and I can’t afford to put it off any longer.

Oh. And I begged another friend.

It is a long story. But let’s just say a month before I was supposed to give birth… someone came to me asking for help because “his grandfather was hospitalised”.

So it was a sum of money loaned out… and it was promised to be return in a week cos he knew it was for my labour fees.

Of course. A week became a year. And I should be glad there wasn’t any complication that would require additional charges.

I was almost crying and I even wanted to tell him to treat this as a favour. He didn’t reply. Like how he didn’t last week.

So I messaged him again today. I was edging on begging. To get back my money.

Last I heard, he used the money for betting, not for grandpa.

Honestly, I loaned him base on the trust that he wouldn’t cheat a pregnant woman and how he expressed how he knew I would really need the money for my labour fees.

Then again, in this age and time, ‘trust’ and ‘friends’ one kilo how much?

***

I did a mental calculation yesterday.

By next month, the month of joyous festive, I would be officially a bankrupt.

Hurhur. I won’t be having pay for a while, and even though I have some savings, my debt is due next month, and the countless bills and cord blood banking fees would be due next month as well. Medical bills and all of the above added up to be much more than my bank account could take.

Not forgetting, it is baby’s birthday.

I am just relieved I don’t live hand to mouth for the past month, so it could last me for the year end. And I think my cousin’s contempt just made me want to tie up the loose ends of my financial issues.

Or else, I wouldn’t be so pro-active about getting my bad debts back.. and I don’t like how it is dragging a bit too long. Don’t get it wrong, there are some debts I already written off for whatever amount they could be, cos some friends are really needy and I would have loaned out the money thinking I would never get them back. But these 2 cases are a little different, and that’s why I am adamant about remedying the situation.

***

So anyway, somehow I missed the Jamu drink my jamu massage lady brought for me during my confinement. I saw a Jamu shop in Jurong Point, and I headed in, and then I bought some cheap and good body scrub(better than those expensive brands, and it’s 3 for $10!), and looked for the lemony jamu drink.

I struck up a conversation with the Malay lady in the shop, and then I spoke about my confinement.

And then she suggested some boobs enhancement pills for saggy boobs due to breastfeeding, and slimming pills(uhmmmm…… I told her I don’t really intend to slim down further).

She turned, and swiftly grabbed a bottle of pills placed prominently on the middle shelf, before she lowered her voice to a near whisper, “This is very good, and very useful, many women use this, you will need this, very good for after giving birth.”

I didn’t understand the picture of an alluring girl on the bottle, and as I turned to the back to read, she discreetly turned away and walked two steps away.

I freaking blushed.

It was for vagina tightening(!!!!).

DO I LOOK LIKE I NEED IT?!??!?!?!?!?!?!?!??!!

Kegals baby, kegals! Save money! But it wasn’t that expensive for a bottle…. but I was so embarrassed that I tried keeping a straight face as I walked out, without breaking into fits of giggles.

But I didn’t give my poor pot pot any remedy.

Honestly, my jamu massage lady did tell me about this looooooooooooong time ago, I just didn’t expect how much uhm… raves they would receive.

I became such a social idiot that I was actually shy. Gee, how could I ever be?

But huh, I think I should recommend it to all my girlfriends.. those who have swaykee luck. *Chuckles*

Not that I don’t have swaykee luck. I am celibate, you see.

***

I should go for my much needed medical check up soon. I already delayed it for 4 years already.  Who knows I might have a relapse without realising it. Hurhur.

I am having a toothache, and my last dentist appointment was also 4 years. I could feel that there is a cavity somewhere on my right lower jaw.

And towards the end of the year, my knee is giving me problems again in the cold weather.

***

There was a very scary display of thunderstorm this morning.

And it woke me up from… my kinky dream of someone we spoke of last night over mahjong.

Yes, yes, that one, FF.

It was scary.. the dream and the thunder. But I know it was a very very scary thunderstorm.

I was almost crying as I hid myself under the duvet, under the pillow, with my heart racing, trying to shut out all the thunders that was going on non-stop.

I slowly heard the thunders getting further… and further.

***

It was an unexpected missed call.

It was someone I hadn’t spoken to in a while, and hadn’t expected to call.

I hesitated for a while, as I didn’t think I was ready, but I met up anyway, cos I hope there was something I could.. help to make a friend feel better.

On a Sunday night, just as the session with the girlies ended. Oh. How I miss Sunday nights.

We met up in the heart of Orchard, the part where it never sleeps.

As we had an elevated view of the buzzing late-night crowd, we spoke of much stuff, and had something to eat.

We found ourselves looking into the dazzling lights, at the Coffee Club across.. and though I do not know what was on my friend’s mind, I had mental pictures flashing by, peppered with snippets of myself giggling and laughing.

I found myself unable to express well, until tiny bits of information of the past month came trickling out, yet could hardly make a complete picture. Too tired to think, too whatever to feel.

I spoke of my cousin’s attitude, and then I just snapped back to the dazed, don’t feel like talking self.

It was late, before we finally made our way home. It felt good to have a companion who doesn’t try too hard to understand. Maybe that was what both of us had needed last night.

I was saying how I wish it would rain… it would be nice. A cosy night of rain. Under the duvet. Warm and cosy.

Thanks for sending me back, and I hope you feel better soon, too.

At the end of it, I was glad, I was there.

Stubborn migraine

It must have been a very lonely day.

I woke up in the morning to empty out the cabinets.

I don’t have a single call. Then again, I haven’t had calls in a long while. Calls still unsettle me these days. Like only bad news beckon and little else.

I watched television. Lotsa television.

Somehow everything on television made me cry. I am not a vulnerable person(shut up. I am blardy not), but it was like blatantly in my face.

It was about divorce… to begin with. It was alright until this Taiwanese artiste spoke about how she feels like a useless single mother, and how she missed great deal of her child’s growth. She looks glam, she looks foxy, she looks… nothing like the low self-esteem person she claims to be.

She cried when she spoke about her young child. About how she was confident she could cope on her own until reality hit her in her face and she crumbled.

I cried harder.

Oh and then. There was another program, and 4 children spoke out against their step-parents, and how they could never get along with them.

It makes me scared. It makes me feel afraid that I would never find someone who loves Minibean like his own, and provides her with the fatherly she oh-so deserve.

The other night, I was talking to a friend who dropped by and the mention of how I feel bad depriving her of her rights to be a Daddy’s girl… just…. oh well.

I switched channels.

It was Cast Away.

It was painful for me to watch the first time. It was almost too painful to feel that loneliness. To be back into a place, where you don’t belong anymore, and you have to start all over again, leaving all the past behind. That the only companion, is an inanimated objected. I think it wouldn’t leave such a bad taste in the mouth if it wasn’t the fact the wife moved on and married someone else.

I switched channel.. only to watch a comedy about how a guy was trying to cover each little lie.. with another little lie, and to be living constantly in fear, until he came to terms with himself and let the truth set him free.

Strangely, I switched the channel after it finished and it was a foodie program. And of course, what else can the foodie program do right?

Then, somehow, the eatery they recommended, is the place… my estranged step-brother owns.

I saw the lady who is supposed to be my sister-in-law, and despite one simple exchange we had before, she didn’t connect the resemblances.

Then again, I believe if he had known who I am, he would have driven me out of the place.

You know, the feeling of an over zealous child trying to be affectionate to someone who hates children?

Yah. Most of my life I feel that way about… most people.

I am piecing things back together.

But whoever you are, you are wrong.

I was never, ever, confident.

Never.

And that is why, recent events just made all those denials of myself came out in the light.

Cos the facade just couldn’t be hidden anymore.

And it seems like, that esteem issue hasn’t, and will never, go away.

I am a pet

I actually like the spaciousness of it.

Dad had wanted to throw a dinner for baby’s first year, but I really ain’t keen.

So it scales down to a small family dinner… for both my parents’ side of relatives. It unsettles me and I told Dad I don’t really want such a big affair cos.. I don’t want my relatives to take it the wrong way.

Dad asked me to invite my friends. But honestly I don’t want my cousin to have anything to say(I think he is the kind you do this, it is not right, you do that, also not right). But he insisted on something like a nice dinner cos he wanna show how much baby means to us.

And, I had wanted to call my cousin for a quote or even to make some price comparisons and changes, but I am afraid to have to bit my lower lip to sit through the insults and rudeness that I didn’t call.

Honestly, I wanted to get everything done before baby’s first year. So.. I don’t know.

Anyway. In my rare appearance on MSN, this acquaintance, messaged me.

And the hilarity of the conversation, did make me laugh. I mean, it was quite amusing.

And this acquaintance.. I don’t talk to him much, and I don’t recall having more than 5 MSN conversations with him in the past 3 years(he added me on MSN after he found out my break up with the ex) after he added me.

And mind you, he is someone.. uhm, close to 30 years old?

XX says:
ger
Tingism. says:
yo hello
XX says:
did u check ur human pets in facebook?
Tingism. says:
nope nope..
Tingism. says:
facebook is so complicated haha
XX says:
me n this “YY” been buying u
Tingism. says:
uh huh
XX says:
in the end i no $$$ le
XX says:
so he bought u
Tingism. says:
wah. gulp. i feel like a goldfish
XX says:
YY ur frd?
Tingism. says:
jus an acquaintance.. not someone i know very much…
XX says:
ok
XX says:
but he so inisistant on buying u
XX says:
so i give u up le
Tingism. says:
hahaha maybe he jus doing it for the fun of it
XX says:
wah…
XX says:
but i wanna own u lehz..
XX says:
tell him give u to me ya?

*Purr*

Sometimes I think I would have fared better as an animal or something. :)

I saw their history on facebook.. and gee, I realised their tussle had went on for days already.

And I didn’t even log in to see whatever had happened!

And oh, someone else bought me too *giggle*. Thanks for the takoyaki!

Mirror

I sat in the living room, dazed.

The cluttered living room is bleeding away.

Silence. Empty. Hollow.

And then, there seems to be so much vast space.

***

Despite the great weather to hole up and sleep, I took a great deal of tossing before I finally drifted off.

It was late. I didn’t sleep much the day before. It was cosy. Something was just lacking.

I didn’t hear the phone, but I heard the door bell. I sprung up from my sleep.

Still a cosy day, still considered early for a Saturday morning.

***

There are many furnitures of this house that was bought hastily by people of poor co-ordination.

I was part contributor at a tender age of 13/14(I mean, honestly, how could anybody forget that?), with mismatched furnitures that piece together the house.

Slowly. I became afraid of the living room. Slowly. I didn’t like my room. Slowly. I changed my room. Slowly. The room is the only place I would go.

Until baby came.

I have the bad habit of keeping everything because they are of sentimental value. I threw away a lot with the lovely help of Enqi, and I remember that night was one of moroseness.

Then things started piling up again. Things were thrown, but not furnitures.

This time, I heard about how furnitures in good condition could be donated to Salvation Army, and they would upkeep it to either sell it to raise funds, or donate it out.

I realised how great condition my furnitures are, for they have been in my house for.. 12 years.

But, much of the furnitures are never used in this house. Simply because, it was just, a house, and never a home.

I am trying. Trying to make it a home. For her.

Nothing much were carried away on this morning.

4 pieces of it.

2 side cabinets. One of which is the one I always habitually put my keys, wallet, letters on whenever I got home. The glass display had countless gifts that don’t really make a picture together, but meant much to me. Oh, I even threw away a Evolution IV model that was given to me by a jerk, but kept the fully painted(albeit disabled) Evolution V I made myself.

And.. that keychain, from Shubin.

And.. some others, that seems juvenile, but had pieced together, and made an impact on much of my life.

And then, there was a big table that was just a shelf for many years, never quite utilised the way it was.

Except when I was 16. When I first had internet. When I was first hooked to IRC, chatting to multiple friends at the same time.

Back then, it was friends I knew. But never from my own school.

They showed me what selfless, genuine, and down-to-earth are.

It made the spare room, my bunk for a while, because the small area made it oh-so cosy.

Now? Uhm, well, I just put the smaller table(it is a set with the big one I gave away) next to my bed in my room.

Very cosy.

Very lazy.

And then.. there was the mirror.

Ah.. the mirror.

***

When I was staying in UK, the house I lived in had this huge mirror that greets you at the foot of the stairs.

It wasn’t a big house, but one I love very much, cos it was… cosy like a home.

Whenever I felt a little out of it, I would sit on the steps, and stare right into the mirror. I would even talk to my housemate there whenever we felt a little homesick.

People took it as vanity.. somehow it was just strange to look into the mirror and ask myself questions.

Sometimes the person in the mirror just didn’t seem like myself.

And sometimes, I cringe at the sight of the person staring back at me.

It was like, I could blame, could scold, could ask, could just… be angry at the face I detest.

It is so strange.

***

It was last year, when Minibean got back home from hospital, when Potato, Midodo and MrsBudak helped to carry the dressing table into the living room to make space for baby.

It is funny how when the table was in my room, it was hardly stared into.

My nanny insisted it was in too good condition to throw, and Salvation Army was too busy since Christmas was their peak, thus, I.. kept it. The girls put it right at the windows of the living room.

Slowly. On it sat the beautiful bouquets from Belle and Glenn.

Then, it seemed to hold a place in the living room as I slowly placed more stuff in it. Then, because of the good lighting, it became a must-stop place everytime before I rush out.

I remember the very first time I ventured out whilst still in my confinement, I had worn a red turtle-neck top, and piled on makeup right at that table, just before I met the girlies, yes Potato, that day at Marina Square, when your first words made me laugh, smirk, giggle…

It was reflecting the Christmas tree behind me, that is no longer in my living room.

And then, it became like a part of the hall.

And then, more things went in.

And then, sometimes, the occasional surprise cuddles from the back, or hanky-pankying.

Then, it became a place for me to bring Minibean to, to get better acquainted with her reflection.

When my mahjong table became a permanent fixture in the hall for me to write, plan, sit around to talk, I often stare into the mirror just behind it.

And then, I slipped back into the mode of… how it was like when I was in UK.

I often shifted my glance into the mirror, whenever I want to avoid eye-contact with whoever I was talking to.

It wasn’t moment of vanity, but one of questions.

For the past month, I often sat at that place, in that chair, and looked into the mirror. Just. Stare.

I was trying to look through something, or to find something in that reflection but it was just.. empty.

Somehow, I felt a little lost, when it was finally removed today.

The mirror must have felt very abandoned. From how it had meant so much, served so much, and given the hope to be kept with all the things piled onto it over time… and suddenly, it loses all its meanings and.. is gone.

Maybe, it wasn’t the cabinet.

Perhaps, I just need a new mirror.

***

In the past couple of weeks, I learnt.

Sometimes, you could turn your back to someone, but it doesn’t stop the urge, the need, the hankering for a pair of arms to suddenly wrap you from behind. A strong pair. To offer all the comfort that you need. No words.

Nothing. Just an embrace.  An embrace that lead to that churn in the tummy, the tingle in the skin.

Nobody has to move. Nobody has to have those usual bursts of fire to have that sparks of chemistry setting off.

As you turn your back, you want to walk away. But you realise you are actually have never moved. You are just on the same spot.

You don’t dare to move. You don’t even dare to breathe.

Because, it is the moment when you yearn for the pair of arms, that sometimes, would never come.