WEEK 2

Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009 – A Day at the Museum

We planned for a day in the city starting with the American Museum of Natural History in the morning followed by lunch in K-Town with my younger sister.  Hurricane Danny was expected to bring a down pouring of rain.

We dropped mommy, daddy and cheh at the front steps of the museum since it was raining.  We went to park the car.  Cheap as we are, we skipped the museum parking lot.  However, we found a spot at the back of the museum.  We were congratulating ourselves on our good luck until we realized we can only max out for an hour, which means we had to return the second hour to add more time on the meter.  We shrugged it off.  We headed towards the museum and saw an “entrance” from the back.  We walked briskly towards our target, and as we climbed the stairs, we missed the HUGE lake in front of us and sauntered straight into it.  By the time we realized our mistake, it was too late.  Our shoes and socks were moist but still wearable.  We shrugged it off again.  We walked until we reached the corner of the building and realized too late, that there was no outlet.  We had to back track AND walk through that sea again.  If only I knew how to part it – ala Moses, that would really be a miracle.  Alas,  I have no such gift or guardian angel on my side.  I tried to jump the ocean.  Being vertically challenged really helps my cause.  This time, our shoes and socks were thoroughly drenched.  I peeled off my socks, wrung it out and stuck it into my bag. Couldn’t shrug this one off this time, not when we were reminded with every squish that we made scrambling to the museum.

When we finally got there, we both ran to the toilet.  I stuffed tissue-paper into my sneakers.  Hubs just dried his socks out a little.  That was how our day in the museum started.

It was a dreary day but the sun eventually peeked out by mid-afternoon.

We had awesome Korean food, starting with a seafood pancake and beef vermicelli, followed by grilled king fish, seafood tofu and octopus rice. Not to mention that we were served a scrumptious array of appetizers including a delectable and refreshing cucumber dish.

After that, my parents went to my younger sister’s place to stay for the week.  More cleaning days ahead for my mom!

Sunday, Aug. 30, 2009

Since my parents are at my sister’s for the week, I have time to “dirty” up the house again.  There are projects to be completed before their return and definitely before the impending wedding.

• Paint, draw and set the Kidrobots
• Print pictures to complete the scrapbook
• Have to learn and hopefully master the songs for the wedding

Worked on the Kidrobot since last night.  Had a few mishaps of rolling heads but let’s hope today’s work will be more fruitful than yesterday’s.

One down.  One more to go.  The dining room looks like it should be cordon off with the “caution-keep out” tape.

Monday, Aug. 31, 2009

Merdeka Day. Fifty-two years ago, Malaysia declared its independence from Britain.  It was a day of great joy for many then.

Today, it is a somber passing of a painful reminder.  It’s a reminder that oppression and injustice is alive, breathing and flourishing in the country.  Fellow countrymen are being brutalized, raped and murdered right in front of their noses, and no one seems to care.  What used to be a “quota system” is now a standing rule and one that is understood and taken as a norm by many.  It’s like dirty money under the table.

I am a Malaysian.  I was born and raised there.  I have family and friends who have been with me since the first day of my existence.  There are schools and cities that have left wonderful memories for me. All the teachings in school about living in harmony, and understanding one another is a fabrication.  It’s a facade to what is being practiced.  Harmony and understanding only extend to the ruling party and race. It’s do as I say and not as I do.  Otherwise there would be hell to pay.

I am a Malaysian.  I am, however, treated like a second-class citizen.  “Negaraku” (the national anthem meaning “My Country”).  No, it is not mine.  It is a country of ONE race and ONE religion.  If you are not of that race or belief then it’s best you learn to be subservient. I cannot voice my opinion without the fear of backlash or repercussions. I am better off being a second-class citizen in someone else’s country.  At least I can fight for my rights and stand up for myself.

Today I declare my independence.  I am not the first.  Neither will I be the last.

Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2009

Without my parents at home, things were a little quiet.  But I’m on my way to finishing the Kidrobot.

Catching up on our anime, especially KimiKiss and Hayate no Gotoku.  The house is going to the dumps.  Have to clean soon.

Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2009

Happy Anniversary, mommy and daddy!  This is their 36th year wedding anniversary.  When I called to wish mommy, she said, “What la.  Nothing special.”  So unromantic.

We have to start cleaning – again.

Thursday, Sept. 3, 2009

I lied.  Supposed to clean today before mommy and daddy come back tomorrow night.  Too tired doing free work.  I can just see mommy in her cleaning frenzy again.

Friday, Sept. 4, 2009

They are finally back – bearing gifts… they brought back pork, yam, lotus root and all other assortment of food stuff from the city (like Jersey doesn’t have things like that).  Just barely managed to finish the leftovers from the week before on Thursday night.  I had to explain to mommy why we didn’t eat her Siamese chicken, which she made before she left for NY.

We had an all-American dinner of take-out pizza.  Food was rubberized but dinner talk was very entertaining.