American Idol Season 10 ....so far

I have been following American Idol this season sparingly. It was not as interesting as Season 8 where they have the 2 David's. But Andrew Garcia spark my interest when he sang Paula Abdul's Straight Up. It was refreshing to hear his version. Sadly, his performances in the last few weeks has been disappointing. He is likely to be out this week and won't make it to the top 10.




But my interest took on a new turn when I heard Michael Lynche's performance today. I am not quite sure what song it was but it was so moving and beautiful, it made Kara cried. Made me cry too. Amazing how a big burly guy like him can have such an amazing effect just by singing.


Sadly none of the girls really catch my ears. They got screwed really badly last night... all the performances were forgettable.

Finding Lost Memories

One good thing about Facebook is finding long lost friends. Within 2 months, I caught up with friends which I haven't seen nor spoken to in over 2 decades. They found me in Facebook.
The disadvantages of growing up as a police man's child was that we moved a lot, every 2 years. So I never stayed long enough in any school to make a long lasting friendship. Back then, I didn't see the importance of keeping in touch. I never thought that anybody would ever want to stay friends with me. The surprising parts are that how on earth do these people remember me.

I used to think that I am so obscure... that I am invinsible. Nobody ever noticed me. But surprisingly they do. They found me and spoke to me as if we never been apart. These friends made me feel special. We had somehow shared a short moments together a life time ago and that it mattered to them. Somehow I was engraved in their memories. Old feelings come flashing back and I am 12,13, 16 and 17 again.

I was 12 and in KKB. We took a trip to Subang Airport. I failed to remember what we could have learned but what I do remember was that this was the first major school trip I ever taken. It was fun to be in the bus with my friends Yang and Syurina.





This was taken in 1986...when wearing skirts in school was still fashionable, for me. We were just messing with a camera and my girlfriends and I thought picture near the steps to the Scout House would be great. Lynda, Ros, Sharina, Yan...these were my closest girls then. The closest I ever get to have BFF back then. I remember having a huge crush on this Chinese senior from the computer club. Funny that I remember him but can't remember his name.





Our Form 1 class photo. What I remember most is Kocok. A fellow classmate as well as my neighbour in the Maktab Polis. I remembered him on his bicycle...making a very dangerous downhill turn towards his home. Always see him coming back to school. Think I had a crush on him at one point. He never knew.






We moved to Seremban when I was 15. I remember resenting my parents so much for uprooting us.... taking me away from friends I was growing attached to. Back then I never knew that in this new school King George V, I would make friends with some of the most incredible people. I would find my new best friend Zuraini who taught me that femininity doesn't mean being weak. I became close to Rizal who made me see that we can be close despite being different like day & night (he likes war stories and I don't). Thanks to Anu who showed me that being a bookworm doesn't mean that you should be an introvert.Thanks to Sushila & Sharina who made me feel that I belong in a new place.... they took me in when I first move there. I remembered the boys I had crushed on....oh well...always have a few of them at that age.

KGV brought back a lot of great memories, good and bad. I cherished all of them . I am so grateful to those friends that made me feel special by remembering me..... taking me back into their hearts and life even though we have been apart.

The First Quarters Of 2010

January came and left...then February went like a breeze. March crept up slowly. It's the 5th day of this blessed month and I have no idea where the time has gone.

So far....

1st January...
Celebrated the dawn of 2010 with friends. It was as laid-back as it could ever be. No fuss, no mess, no drama. We exchanged gifts after drawing lots. We had loads of laugh as the gift itself was inexpensive but nevertheless priceless. Ted got moonshaped candle from Mel and I got a pair of Minnie Mouse house slipper courtesy of AC.Kak Kiah however took the prize as the most creative gift wrap... a white towel wrapped in a newspaper. Adlin antics while opening the gift kept us all in knots.
We stayed up till morning talking,laughing and enjoying the musical genius of Ted&Aqasha....singing to techno rhythm.




2nd February...
Asyif Bin Asrof was born. A new addition to our family....our new pride and joy. First there were 3, then there were 4. Congratulation to Asrof & Asnida. He was delivered by Caesarean Section and the first 2 weeks were a bit worrisome as he had recurrent fever and rashes. We are still worried but I know this moment too will past. He will grow up to be strong and healthy... this is my prayer.





14-15 February...CNY
Welcoming the year of the Tiger was spend with Ted's parents and siblings. We had our own version of the Reunion dinner in Port Klang. Stuffed ourselves with seafood. The crabs was delicious but there were hard to crack. Ted cracked the plate in the process. Our family photo afterwards was the highlight. I so love the photo.







5th March
We celebrated Hakeem's 2nd birthday. small celebration but fill with love & joy. Hakeem is so animated as always & how he has grown. He is a handsome child.



The men had a bit of exercise after dinner..... lifting Aida's new Osim chair up to the second floor. They huff and they puff and they drag that huge heavy chair up the stairs.

Updates

My last entry was 4 mths ago. I have neglected my blogging for a very good reason.... I got married. Few other stuffs happened and I have been so so so busy to blog.

March 20th-22nd:
I Had my LP 123 third weekend, ending the 3 months journey of self discovery. It was an eye opener, looking at myself in a different light. I will never have it again...





April 8th-12th:
Staff Advance 128. Another amazing experienced. Ted was our captain. He proposed at the LPO in front of the graduates. He took my breath away.


June 6th:
Our wedding day... I am the happiest and luckiest woman alive. I so love him



June 12th
Our Reception in Merak Kayangan. He blew me away and I knew he love me as much as I love him....if not more.

LP Movie

Ever since my LP journey started, I haven't had time for my favourite past time - I saw a movie on ASTRO last night, The Freedom Writers. It blew me away. It is definitely an LP movie. It's about enrollment....About reaching for the impossibilities and achieving them despite all odds... It's about making a difference for others and yourself... About making a stand for your life and what you believe in...It's about exploring possibilities when you want to achieve your dreams...About support that are given when you asked...it's about being passionate for life...yours and others....
Just thought of sharing this.

A Bond Mended

My friend in Asiawork had a great idea of finally expressing her love for her dad... by having a picnic. Mind you, it is not a small task. Her idea of family means the father's siblings, their children, grandchildren and great granchildren ( all the cousin mousin....as a friend of mind would have put it). All in all she invited about 90 over people ranging from 3 months old to 89 years old. It was a beautiful sight of chaos and unity. However I did told her a letter would have been effective and cheaper. Was I wrong.....

The family haven't had this kind of gathering in the last 30 years.... for whatever reasons. But today they all were brought here by invitation from my friend who is determined to bring the family together. She wanted to tell her father how much she loves him and to show him that family does matter.... no matter how big the differences are. They were united once again, introducing each family, playing games and karaoke'ing.... We were invited as a support for her. But by inviting me, she gave me more then I could imagine. She made me realised hom much I adore and respect my parents, how I love my siblings and my nephews and my nieces..... and that I am blessed to have aunties, uncles and cousins that still asked about me now and then whenever they meet my parents.

Its true that you can't choose who your blood is... but you sure hell can choose to be grateful for what you have.

A WOW Day - Doing, Being and Having

On the 17th January 2009, I learned that just by having ideas of being in contribution, in itself is very powerful motivation. But to reapt the reward, I need to put it into actions. To have means is to do and to be.

LP 123 decided to create a WOW day for groups of children. It is in line with our vision : Love Produces 1 World 2 Be Unit3d. We wanted to create a day of fun for these children from different backgrounds, race, creed so that they can be together to enjoy it..... and have fun they did. Not only they have fun, they were WOW'ed. The best part of it is that we were there to be with them. An environment of joy is contagious as even the adults were having the time of their lives, like they never did before. We were children again. But that was only part of it....

At the end of it, during the debriefing of our journey that day, I realised that not only we create a day of fun for them.... they gave something to us too without realising it. They gave us a chance to be what we always dream about. To be in contribution. To give others hopes when there is none. To bring others love when it is scarce.... for in the act of giving, we could also received hope and love. They accepted our loves with open arms and there is nothing in this world that is more rewarding then others accepting your love with no reservations.

I am so blessed to be able to be here.... where I am.... seeing the smiling faces. Exhausted as I was that day... I felt exhilarated and inspired to do more.... to be more.... to have more....