My Christmas gift

K-A gave me a Christmas prezzy that got me crying...

Christmas this year I spent at K-A's house in Penang. I was in KL with her just before Christmas and the 2 of us went from one mall to another to look for a dress for her for her parent's 50th wedding anniversary. I didn't have much time to shop this year but I kind of knew what I was going to get for the family.

Christmas eve, I was with Ms L. It was her birthday. We had ice cream! It was really really good....anyone who knows Ms L should know by now she is so into her diets and at this moment she is into her Keto diet! Well, it was her birthday, she is entitled to her ice-cream or two!!!

Ice cream from Tokyo Cheese Milk Factory

After lunch, we went to print a couple of photos for K-A. At the shop, the guy in charge was friendly and we were chatting. Ms L asked who were the people in the photos, and I told her this is K-A's aunt and uncle and her brother's wedding etc. The guy looked at me and said you are really a friend to the family, I told him, they are my other family and Ms L added that I am her Indian sister!

K-A asked if we ever thought how Ms L and I are to others...I said no. It never crossed my mind but her question made me think. It is rare to see two ladies, an Indian and Chinese happily shopping together all the time. We go for lunches and dinners and have shopped for diamonds, clothes, cars and any other thing under the sky...even went house hunting together!! 

Anyway, on Christmas day I was at K-A's. We went for lunch with her parents and once we were back, we continued with the preparation for the anniversary dinner. Lots of last minute things to do. Her mom was busy baking chocolate cakes and I was glued to the dining table.

Towards evening, she gave me my present from under the tree. It was a lovely bag...beautiful words. When I looked inside I saw a letter, from her, hand written.

I started reading and I started crying...

I am blessed. I will cherish the letter...a reminder from my Krishna that I am loved.

Toddy for lunch!

Lunch was fresh toddy and wild boar curry!

After our trip to Lembah Bujang, we went for lunch. I found a place somewhere in Kulim, Divine Farm that offered fresh toddy. It was not that far off and we thought it would be a good idea...well it turned out to be one of our best food escapade!

The toddy was fresh and it was harvested from a single tree. It was so sweet and refreshing on a hot day. The wild boar curry was fantastic. We totally loved the food and the ambiance. We sat next to the spring and the gentle breeze and the sound of the spring water flowing and the paddy field across the spring was just perfect for the soul.

We are planning for our next road trip. Just a day trip, nice and easy...

Lembah Bujang

A road trip to Lembah Bujang was a good decision..

My road trip group decided to drive up to Lembah Bujang, I always wanted to go there and the others were open with the idea too. This time Vasu drove and I got to be the navigator.

It is always fun driving with Sara, he cracks all of us...and he was doing that the whole trip.

The chats were good, everyone sharing bits and pieces of their life and just trying to be us, crazy old ladies and 1 young boy!

These were the photos that were taken on the site. We spent about an hour exploring the place, reading and admiring the beauty. It was hot but we didn't mind it. It was a shame that not much was written about the history behind it. I feel we can do more to preserve on this piece of history that is part of our existence. 

I was trying to see in my head how people those days walked up the hill to go to temple. What made them choose the spot? What was the significance of that particular place? I was trying to imagine the temple, the splendor of the architecture. These kings were the ones who built so many temples in Tamil Nadu which are still standing magnificently strong. What happened here? Why did we allow our rich history end up as a ruin that not many are appreciating the importance of it?

After a moment of appreciation at the top most structure, we walked down to the museum,  It was pleasantly cold. Here, the artifacts were on display and I wished there were in-depth explanation of the Shiva Linga and Ganesha statues. I wanted to say I was disappointed but I told myself, at least it is not totally lost. Here are what I managed to capture in the museum...

The entrance of the museum that was in ancient words

The entrance of the museum had an ancient words board. I thought that was really cool, just wish I knew what was the language used and what was written there. 

Going to Lembah Bujang honestly got me thinking about my ancestors. I am 7th generation Indian descendant in Malaysia. When did my forefathers come to Malaysia? Were they those who came here first. My grandad's grandad settled up North. I was curious. I wished I had the opportunity to chat with my grandad about his great grandfather. I am sure I would have learnt much. I was too young then. Didn't understand the significance of my heritage. I only knew stories from my grandmother but it was more about her mother in law!!

It was indeed a meaningful road trip!

My Chettiar's Advice

I asked Chettiar a question yesterday....

I was driving to tuition Friday evening when I called my dear Chettiar. I was telling him what Ms L said that why am I still being nice to people when they don't value me. I told Ms L, I can't be like them, this is me, I don't want to change myself. So I asked Chettiar what do you think? 

He didn't answer me straight away but started talking to me about my tattoo and for that he kena scolded from me. I thought he was not listening to what I was yakking away earlier but my Chettiar totally totally surprised me with his wisdom. He said what others do is their karma, what we do is our karma, do what is right, don't think much but at the same time, don't let others take advantage of you. He asked me to move away from what affects me. I just asked him when did he become such a philosopher?? All these years, where was he?? And I asked him if I had told him lately that I love him 😊 

We continued our chat with me asking him what he thinks about one-night-stand. His answer was not something I expected from him. He was again going all philosophical about we are all human beings and we have our needs. So it is okay with one-night-stands!! I was in my head, oh my god Chettiar, I was not expecting that kind of answer from you. I told him, am not sure if that is the path I want to take, I want to feel love and be in love before I commit myself in a physical relationship. 


My Chettiar is an amazing guy, he cracks me up. He is a friend whom I can talk about anything and he never once made me feel uncomfortable to talk to. He is one of the guys in my life I am truly blessed to have. He is funny, charming and just just really sweet. He is celebrating his 50th birthday in February next year and I have already booked him for a weekend in February to celebrate his birthday with me and K-A.

I love you my dear Chettiar!

My kids and boundaries

My little boy gave me a hug last night...

My Friday night tuition yesterday started with my lil boy asking me "Is God a punishing God? I said , God is a loving God. He loves everyone and He wants us to love everyone too. He does not punish". Then my boy asked me why then my teacher scold me? I asked him back did you follow what your teacher and your mom and I ask you to do...he said no...so told him God can't be in front of you to tell you what to do, so He sent your teacher, mom and me to tell you what is right and what is wrong. He kept quiet and went about doing his thing.

A while later he asked me, last week I asked you what is God made off! I was oh my, he remembered the question and I did not prepare an answer for that....But at that moment, it came to me and I told him, well God is made of LOVE and that is why we have a loving God! He said ok and went about sticking something on the book. After a while, I asked him, you understand why God is a loving God right? He said yes, I asked how? He said God created you! My heart just skipped a bit. I wanted to cry that moment but I held back my tears...my thoughts were at that moment, Krishna, You are truly great. 

Well, today's post is about how my kids have left footprints in my life. 

I started teaching when I was 24 years old. Young, very young and was learning how to teach. I was teaching in the evening where my students were mostly much much older than me and my usual day classes they students were more or less around my age. It was in the first year of teaching I met this student. J. He was younger to me by 3 years, has long hair which he ties in a pony tail and he just loves to chat with me. This is the guy who will come to the staffroom and sit next to me and arrange my table, he was a bit of an OCD! His birthday was 2 days before mine and that  was when he looked at my eyes and said "so near yet so far". He was the first guy who sang a song for me....and yes, I was advised by my then Vice Principal not to be too close with the students!! And that was the first time I told myself to set a boundary with my kids....

Over the years, I had brief encounters where girls will give me a hug or will start opening up and cry and all I do is hold them. As for the boys, I had a couple of them touching my saree or touching my bangles when they are in my class. I didn't think it was weird, just funny, coz most of the kids, most of them Chinese, have not been close to any Indian lady to dare to touch her saree.

Last week, in class, one of my kid said "you know right I love you so much". I looked at him and said that is really sweet and thank you. He said that coz he wanted to have his test paper back to make corrections! Then he went on to ask if I have a daughter 😃. I totally cracked up at that moment, I told him, if I have a daughter, I don't mind her dating him. He said but I am Chinese, I told him I am ok with any race/religion... I was thinking then, 25 years of teaching, nothing changed when it comes to boundaries! 

Well, now with my two little boys, I took them for a movie two weeks back and I told them in the car, we cannot be running in the mall, you need to hold my hand and we shall have a good time. They were really cute, once we got down the car, both held my hand on each side. I did get people looking at me, two cute Chinese boys holding my hand and happily chatting away! These boys are breaking all the rules I have set for boundaries. They ask me anything and everything they want, they touch my face, pull my blouse to look at my tattoo. take out their shirt asking me to put lotion for them...I honestly don't know what to say but what I saw was my wall on boundaries crumbling down with these boys.

Last night my lil boy gave me a side hug when he came back after washing his hands after all the glue he was using! I melted.... So after lesson, I called him and said give me a good night hug, he came readily and just hugged me. He really made my day....to heck with boundaries!!!

A lifestyle change

Been doing intermittent fasting and walking for a good 40 minutes these days...

I started to fast during Purtassi, it was one meal a day and that was after sunset. During the day, I was just drinking water. It was something I wanted to do, my self discipline. I wanted to understand my body and see how I can manage control. Going on a vegetarian fast was not an issue but eating one meal a day was something new to me...and I was amazed I could do it and the best news was I actually lost a bit of weight.

I continued doing one proper meal a day and nights I just ate fruits and I felt better. I consistently started loosing 3kgs a month. My doc was impressed with me. Told me to carry on. I was happy with myself. So far I have lost close to 10kgs in 3 months....

My morning sky yesterday from the padang

Since last week, I started walking at my neighborhood
field. I started with a 35 minutes walk and slowly progressed to 50 minutes now. I love my morning walks...love the sound of the birds chirping. There are a few types I think. I noticed ants happily moving about. A flock of pigeons always at the same spot and the regular uncles and aunties. I noticed I was smiling, just smiling without any reasons. One of my neighbor uncle saw me, for the first time I said good morning to him and he smiled back with a nod. As I was walking I saw another uncle, smiled at him and I said good morning to him too. I loved the big grin on him. Now, every time I am at the field, uncles and aunties are greeting me with a smile and a good morning and it is really really nice.

There were times I just stayed at home and don't see anyone for the whole day or not even utter a word the whole day. Going out in the morning and looking at people and starting my day with a smile is indeed a good way to live.

Someone sent me a message this morning....every time someone smiles, it is a gift to the other person. I need to thank the uncles and aunties who is giving me this gift every morning for the past one week!

I love this moment and that is all that matters now.....