Let's Play Mom Said

When I was growing up, mom said:

Don’t sing in the kitchen, else no one will ask for your hands in marriage. The reality of that was mom does not want us to be so engrossed in our singing sensation, that we will forget the cooking on the stove, thus burning it.

When I was growing up, mom said:

Don’t cut your finger nails in the night; else something bad will befall you. The reality of that was mom does not want us to accidently cut our fingers in the semi lighted room, while doing our nails.

When I was growing up, mom said:

Don’t open the umbrella in the house; else a snake will start to come to the house. The reality of that was mom does not want us to trip on the umbrella and hurt our selves with the sharp edges of the umbrella.

When I was growing up, mom said:

Don’t sew any tear or button on your dress while wearing it, else you will have bad luck. The reality of that was mom does not want us to hurt our selves with the needle.

When I was growing up, mom said:

Don’t hit on the side of the pot while cooking, else you will deliver a baby with cleft lip. The reality of that was mom does not want us to dent the side of the pot by doing so.

When I was growing up, mom said:

Don’t take any herbal medication while you are breast feeding till at least after 3 weeks, else the baby will be very heated up which might result in an outburst of rashes and fever on the baby.

When I was growing up, mom said:

Don’t drink the pure turmeric juice while you are still in confinement and breast feeding, else you will experience terrible constipation, while the baby will be yellow.

Well, mom always said a lot of things, analyze what she said, and believe what you want.

Thank you Mak.

An Indian Encounter

One evening, by the river in a beautiful garden, we encountered an Indian family show.

Michael Jackson! I'm Mourning!

‘Ma, my condolences 2 u. Ur bf passed away dis morn. Michael Jackson hs left d building…….’ This was the text message that I received at the wee hours of my time here, to be more accurate I received this message at around 01.04 am.

Earlier on I had heard commotion between hubby and my Chef Diva on the truth of the story, as they both were getting news on WOW. Hubby on the TV and the confirmation of his demised was undeniable. I just pulled the pillows over my head not wanting to believe what was said on TV, and play act at sleeping.

We had planned to go for his final concert in London, which will not happen now. However, I was glad that I had the opportunity to attend one of his concerts back home many years back, lucky enough to be given the VIP seat, lucky enough to enjoy every second of those moments, lucky enough to even share this moment with my eldest sister and my Chef Diva.

You just cannot get enough of MJ, so when he was in Singapore, believe it or not I travelled there, got the concert tickets, only to be ditched by him twice as he was in reclusions amidst the accusation of child molestation. I never stop following the life of MJ.

When my brother tore down all of his posters that I had in my room, I was just devastated, the torn posters were left on my bed, so vindictive he was, just so I have no choice but to see the posters shattered. I remember taking the torn posters, folding them back again nicely, with tears running down my cheeks. Since then no more of MJ’s posters were on my wall, but I kept a little scrape book instead. This way no one can take that away from me.

Ah ……. That was my experience with MJ, still to me he is the king of pop and will forever be, in life or otherwise. RIP MJ.

‘Have You Seen My Childhood?

Al Fatiha for Michael

Count Me Out

I was asked the question if I will return home to have the ‘cukur jambul’ (shaving of the hair) ceremony, my answer was short, No. There was a pause of silence before another question was put forward, but why don’t you want to have one, my answer…. because I don’t believe that that was a requirement of our belief, period.

When the kids were babies, I was exposed or forced to believe that a lot of nonsense celebrations are a part of the religious belief. Looking back if I could change a lot of things practiced then I would without a doubt.

I am not worried anymore on how many tongues will be wagging once the words go around about my perception of cultural against religious belief. Well, I am not the least concerned. You can talk as much as you want, but you can’t take away what I believe in.

Even during the wedding, they were puzzled why I do not have the ‘merinjis’ (blessing) ceremony, I would rather they go on wondering, then carry on with something that is so not warranted by my belief. People often forget when they combine the demands of culture upbringing against religious requirement. They are not ashamed to carry on with the cultural needs for fear that the society will scorn at them.

Good luck to your worldly belief, just count me out.

I Miss The Magical Peace Lord.....

I can still remember the first time I set foot in front of the magnificent worshipping place, my heart was beating so fast, as I walked slowly to be closer to this piece of paradise, warm tears just automatically rushed down my cheeks, without realizing it I was sobbing like a baby, not really knowing what were the reasons, because there were many.

It was a lucky first time experience for me, as the place was not too crowded, may be because it was summer, and not many people like the hot temperature as well as the sudden sand storms, or maybe I was privileged as a guest of the Diplomatic mission, whatever the reason was then, I thanked the Lord for the invitation to His home.

Kissing the black stone, being on my knees in prayers, I keep asking the Lord to give me the strength, the patience, good health and the ability to carry on with four kids on my own. Alhamdulillah, my prayers were answered, though together with that I was confronted with more challenges to remember Him always.

Now after many years from my last trip there, my heart is yearning for another visit, I could feel the calling to visit His home again, I have so many things that I need to talk to Him about, I have too much tears welled up in me where only with Him I would like to share, and the little secret I have been holding is growing bigger, and only to Him I want to whisper. Call me Lord; give me the capabilities and freedom to visit your home again.

Give me peace Lord, call me Lord and let me be your guest once again. I miss the magical peace Lord of your home.