Let me paint the bed sheet with my saliva
And so the calender has turned November, where the northern hemisphere beckons the year end with fallen temperature and snow, while the people down under are getting tanned at surf beaches under the summer sun. Not so in a tropical country like Malaysia, where it is humid and hot all year long, with the exception of the east coast states in the month of late November till January which oversee the monsoon season.
We don't have snow here, but we do celebrate year end school holidays and Christmas. We try to uphold the spirit of Christmas as much as the hype in Western countries we witnessed on TV (I say that because I've never been to one), after all Christmas is really about celebrating the birth of Christ, secondly only comes Rudolph, Santa and the turkey.
Nana is the apple of my eyes, princess in my heart, the best gift I've ever received.
Po po loves her grandchildren. It reminds her of caring for her 3 grown-up sons.
Um, so how is everyone of us doing in Bandar Seri Jempol, this rural district we have been posted to? Finally, Peter has joined us and now our family is complete. Nana seem happier and more cheerful with Peter around, for they are slowly but surely forming an inseparable sibling bond...and healthy sibling rivalry. Nevertheless both of them coming together pack double the collateral damage whenever they both throw tantrums, hence the apartment turn "livelier", and that's not even counting the noise pollutions from our heated arguments whenever Karling finds fault with me (again and again).
Po po (grandma) came down for her 2nd visit, and stayed with us for about 2weeks. It was 2months since she last saw Peter and was eager to spend time taking care of him. As usual with Po po around, we always had wonderful home-cooked meals to titillate our gastronomic needs. We would look forward to Po po's every cooking because there wasn't much pleasure to be acquired in a place like this other than feeding on good food. As a result of Po po's culinary mastery Nana and Peter were better fed as their diet featured more variety and nutrition.
Hello cousin don't be shy. Let me pose with you for the camera.
Then came a cousin brother's wedding in Melaka. It was held on an auspicious Chinese calendar date. Needless to say my parents flew down from Kelantan as one of the honorable family guests to witness the wedding. I heard the pretty bride hailed from a well to do family and therefore my cousin Adrian successfully hooked up a big fish. Whatever the case, I was glad for my elderly uncle (eldest sibling in my mum's family) and aunt as the timing couldn't be anymore impeccable as both reaching their twilight years and are hopeful for a daughter-in-law followed by grandchild.
Grandpa and "Shu Shu" waiting for the highlight of the wedding--the tea reception.
Be ku is one of my favorite uncle of all time. I still feel I can relate to him more.
Chi Voon and Phoy took time off from their job and studies to attend the tea ceremony and banquet. It was also a time of reunion and catching up with most of my relatives who were supportive of me throughout my medical school days in Melaka from 2006-2009. My aunts would deliver home-cook food for me while uncles were warm concerned figures always approachable for chit-chat. Even though Melaka is not my hometown, I hold fond memories and strong attachment in my heart for it. We go way back since childhood when mum would bring us back almost yearly during school holidays, to visit every corner of the now UNESCO world heritage city.
This was the place me and Karling spent our (more towards my) miserable clinical years in Hospital Melaka together, before we graduated 1 year apart. We both had our water baptism by Gateway Church here, some of its members and pastors we are still acquainted with until this day. And who could forget, our grand church wedding and equally grand wedding banquet (for my standard) was held in the heart of this city, Melaka Raya, on US independence day July 4th.
Here's a revisit to our old blog, The Wedding that Caught Everyone by Surprise
The tea reception, a Chinese wedding tradition-- my mum and dad giving out big ang pows(red packets containing money as a blessing for the newly-wed).
I'm gonna wrestle you to the ground oh little bulldog, because you make me wanna squeeze~ you.
And since mum hail from a big family of 10 siblings (people those days...were so productive), there will be weddings after weddings of my elder and younger cousins. Each celebrated with equal merry making and sporadic drunken episodes which turned out rather entertaining. There will never be short of a fashion competition among the aunties, majority rolled back the years to appear younger, besides battling to be 1 step ahead of another in terms of fashion trendiness. I supposed palpable tension can be felt among rival families as they measure up number of children each own, as this can usually be translated as fertility, health and financial stature.
On a lighter note, Nana was well-behaved and easily warm up to relatives and cousin. Some who were following our not so up-to-date blog had intended to meet our star in person. Nana was particularly intrepid and fearless that day, wandering and observing her happenings, obliging in friendly faces carrying her up in their arms. When she found soft toys, she would pounce on it, all these while Peter was sleeping in the air-con room. I tailed Nana around while answering inquisition by curious relatives about her, always evasive of overzealous probing into our family affairs.
Peter was very very curious with uncle Lee's pet dog "Kendo".
If you would like to revisit Nana's encounter with "Kendo" last year, click "Kendo"
Then we revisit uncle Lee Seik Beng, who used to be our favorite childhood uncle. Known for his jovial and humorous personalities those days, it had somewhat faded through the years of trials and tribulations. My paternal relatives were all residing in Kelantan those days when my Ah Ya (grandpa) was still around, all meeting up every weekend at our patriarch's house in Kuala Krai to pay respect and spend time with each other. After he passed away, they all took off one by one migrating to the east coast city, on the rational that the retired older generation should follow their children who got job offers there.
We rarely meet since then. It was always someone's wedding that brought almost all of us together, like the occasion during my wedding. They are currently scattered all over, England, Australia, Singapore, east Malaysia and the peninsula. I continue keeping in contact with my Godfather in England, albeit e-mailing once in a few months. Up until now I've only traveled to Singapore, Indonesia and India(for studies), still more privileged than my parents who have not been anywhere overseas for holiday. Dad is delaying his plan because he wouldn't leave his private practice in the hands of others.
"Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof~"
Even when Nana looks groggy she look adorable.
After the wedding, it was back to Jempol life again. I was getting tired of explaining to relatives where might this place be located. We have started sending Peter to the babysitter as he approached 6months old. Undoubtedly she would have her hands full feeding and caring for the both of them, all by herself. We paid her good money for the physically and mentally challenging task, Rm1000 per month, which was nearly 1/3rd of my government pay.
On the other hand it may seem she was charging us a discounted price compared to babysitting fees in KL, but given cost of living in this town region was lower, plus a single child comes at Rm550 per month, I feel her fees reasonable. She was kind and dutiful towards the kids well being, didn't complaint when both of them were difficult, neither was she calculative in any matter. Subtle signs showed the aunty fancied Peter more probably because he was more expressive and vocal.
Having a boy in this family certainly takes off a lot of pressure from me.
Unfortunately Mami doesn't want to have anymore babies anymore.
Yes indeed, Peter is the cheerful charming type. The amount he smiles and squeal in excitement only equals the amount he drools. When he gets enough rest, seldom does he throw tantrums in moody state. Peter is physically strong and active on his hands and knees, crawls very fast when he's chasing Mommy or the ball. His appetite for porridge is ferocious too, and he swallows up fast, delighting in almost everything palatable. Only downside is when my boy lets loose his floodgates and cry, it causes my blood to boil and temper to flare. Everything in me could explode in those instances and it took so much within me to hold back myself while pacifying him.
Waking up on a weekend morning is a bliss. In the master bedroom, we are provided a king size bed and there's still room for 2 more mattresses on the floor, where Nana and Peter comfortably slumber.
It used to me just Papa and Mami waking up next to each other, cuddling a little bit before reluctantly freshening up for breakfast. Now, our lovely Nana would climb up in between us to "greet" and cuddle with us. Soon after that Peter wakes up calling for attention, usually in a pleasant mood. Papa and Mami then spend time playing with you both in the room, sometime with light bolster and pillow fight.
Playing in the bedroom hasn't been more fun with the addition of Peter
When Peter is bigger, he will run so fast no 1 can catch him.
If there was an opening on any weekend, Papa would usually volunteer to do locum in a private clinic for extra wage. To make it worthwhile counting the traveling time and petrol cost factor to and fro Seremban, Papa would work 12-15hours straight. Fortunately Papa was also given overnight slots in a private hospital, in charge of outpatient and new admissions, where the rate is higher in addition to minor incentives. On a weekend night there will be nothing short of few brawl casualties involving drunk African "students" who were on the receiving end by unhappy locals in bar fights.
I supposed I worked harder doing locum than I would my day job due to the instant remuneration in cash. I put myself through sleep-deprived night shifts in a private hospital because the rate was the best in town. I couldn't missed out on the opportunity to bring our family one step closer to moving into our renovated new house. Thankfully Karling was understanding, not complaining(much) in my absence from the family due to work, for she knew our combined salary wouldn't even come remotely close to covering the renovation.
My dream car Peugeot RCZ, owned by a private hospital's physician.
Gold and silver, perfect combination for a memorable photo.
Mami at Hotel Renaissance Melaka
Early December, we were summoned to another friend's wedding. Had been receiving a few wedding invitations from peers and colleagues and we had to respectfully decline most due to family commitment. This particular one, however, was held in Renaissance Hotel, Melaka(again), by a church friend who hailed from a family consisting of all doctors, which were her father and 3 other siblings. Hmmm, personally I would think long and hard before sending all my children to medical school, unless it was truly God's command. By the way her new husband drove a Porsche so, this is me being satirical, rich husband, big fish.
Me and Karling made that trip down Melaka our long overdue dating trip. The wife should eventually, if not always, be pleased lest one should face the outcome of her wrath, or cold shoulders. Couldn't have made her dream come true if it weren't for Aunty who agreed to babysit our children overnight. Papa and Mami were grateful for the opportunity given and made the most out of it, spending quality time together. The next day we were relieved when babysitter told us Nana and Peter slept soundly throughout the night, so did Papa and Mami.
Mami always wanted to look cool in boots.
Do-It-Yourself (DIY) painting, featuring Papa as Nana & Peter's superhero.
As I come to the last blog of the year, reflecting back I feel 2011 has swiftly passed me by. Work and the pursuit of better life must have clouded my one true goal which is keeping the family happy. I must have neglected my faith as well since leaving Seremban for BSJ. Could have done more to express myself that I love them, but actions come hard and I'm still working on it. In the next year, I pray I would be blessed with wealth and prosperity. After we have gathered enough funds to move in to our completely-equipped new house, I would be done with locum job and focus on my career, and family.
I have to sort out myself, while learning from trials and mistakes, gathering wisdom and maturity along the way to be more pleasing to God, and passing on my experience to the better parts of me, Nana and Peter. My new year resolution, treat my wife with more love, spend more time with Nana watching her grow, and be more patience with Peter. Struggle to hold on to God and never let Him go, despite how far I've fallen from His grace, will always have to find my way back.
Blessed new year everyone, may you live your lives by the day and live them to the fullest!!
Post Christmas lunch at Italiannes to feed the weary and hungry.
The key to a woman's heart is also through food.
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Ladies and gentlemen, "Innocence"
