Sunday, January 25, 2004

I left my last entry hanging ;p Well, I went to KL again. Who wouldn't go for an all-expense-paid trip rite? Let's save that story for later.

Goodbye to you my trusted friend...
On Wed, my colleagues and I had planned for a get-together with a few colleagues from other centres. It was one of our dearest colleagues' last day. The venue, our office which is a bungalow converted into a pre-school.

My manager was supposed to have a meeting with us at 5pm, but he came late at about 5.40pm. We kinda panicked cos we didn't want him to know anything abt the gathering. After the meeting, he sat in our office, chit-chatting away about our sales target, operations, etc. My colleague from another centre kept sms-ing me, asking if our manager is still there. I told him to order food fr KFC and Pizza Hut 1st, and that I will call him once our manager leaves.

We couldn't keep him (manager) any longer...so I said "hmm...sorry. it's kinda late now. we wanna swim in the pool actually." He thought we had to finish some office work (no way!!!). So, he left. Hooray!!!

I went to collect the satay that we had ordered at Pasir Ris Park. (so expensive! 50 cts per stick!) One by one of our colleagues came, including an ex-colleague. The GOH brought her baby daughter. We chit-chat and gossip till abt 10.30pm. But the GOH had to attend to her baby most of the time. It was a very "enriching" gathering with some insightful information. I reached home at 12midnight.

When I reached home, I wondered where can I even get the strength to pack my bag for the KL trip. We planned to leave at 6.30am. With me nearly dozing off, I juz dump my stuff in my huge haversack. Thk gdness Ayie changed his mind abt leaving at night.

All-expense-paid trip to KL
The reasons why I finally decided to go to KL (1) My bro is paying for everything (except my shopping) (2) I can cover more shops at Masjid India (3) Mum wants me to bring Haikal along cos he's bored n has no madrasah classes on Sat (4) My sis-in-law needs company.

As usual, my brother (Ayie) was late. I could have slept longer! He fetched Haikal and I at 8am. Ayie mentioned that he has booked 2 rooms instead of 1 room. That means freedom and privacy for Kak Kas and me. We need not wear our headscarf for the 3 days! Cos the initial plan was to book one room.

Due to the long hols, there was traffic jam everywhere...longer than ever. We passed by KLCC and saw huge no. of tourists fr India, China. Never seen KLCC that crowded! It's as though there was some concert. We reached Concorde Hotel slightly after Zuhur. Haikal - in the same room with Ayie and Saiful (my bro's fren), Kak Kas, Anggun and me together. After our prayers, we went to KLCC. Didnt buy anything there. Ate at Nandos'...yummy grilled chicken!

After Maghrib, we left for Balakong, to visit Tok Ismail...my granduncle. Despite thousands of times going to Balakong, Ayie lost his way. So, we kept going in circles (twice to be exact) at the roundabout near Mines Resort. The people at the back of the car were tired and sleepy. By the time we reached Tok Mail's place, my eyes couldnt take it. I was really full too. My grandaunt served us fruits and a feast of traditional Bawean dish. I had to apologetically declined her cos I couldnt eat anymore (Kak Kas and Haikal too). Lucky thing there wasnt any Sambal Belacan or Lemak Pucuk Ubi, otherwise I would juz stuff it in! I juz ate the longans and oranges.

After watching a few mins of "Jutawan Fakir" on VCD, we left. The kids were sleeping so soundly that Kak Kas had to carry Anggun. Haikal was so blur when I dragged him out of the car..."where r we?" he asked. Haha! Poor bro...

On Friday morning, we woke up early for Concorde's wonderful breakfast. After that Ayie and Saiful brought the kids to swim, while Kak Kas and I took a cab down to Masjid India.

The first stop: Mydin Store. There were so many tudung to choose..beaded, embroidered...! I bought some for mum, my colleagues and myself. And of course, brooch, to go along with the tudung I bought. So cheap! The nice ones cost only between RM10-16. Kak Kas surpisingly bought lesser stuff. Indeed proved Ayie wrong cos he said I wont shop at KL cos I've been there only 3 weeks ago. Ya rite! I spent about SGD70...not too bad for 6 scarves, 5 sets of brooch, 1 top rite?

That nite, we went to Lot 10 and Sungei Wang. Juz walked around cos nothing seems to interest me and Kak Kas. Moreover, most of the shops were closed for the CNY. It's ok, Kak Kas and I can still survive with Masjid India.

The next morning, Kak Kas and I head for Masjid India again, after breakfast. This time I didnt shop much. It was Kak Kas' turn to buy for her colleagues and mum. I juz bought one more scarf and brooch (those cheap ones..RM4.80 for a dozen!, which I gave half to Kak Kas) and serkup Waheeda. I wanted a purple shawl but a gal took it!! It was the last piece! Sigh...It was a short one-hr shopping trip to Masjid India for the 2nd time. We head back to our hotel, and stopover at the Hard Rock Cafe juz to take a look at the souvenirs.

We checked out after our Zuhur prayers. A long-ride home...terrible long jam after we left Macap. I think we could have reached SG at 7pm, but we reached at 8.30pm. Ayie and I were talking abt how much we need to sleep...n how late we wanna wake up the next morning...until Kak Kas looked at us and said "I can, u two cant. U have classes remember?" Agghh!!!

Ayie looked so sleepy when he fetched me in the morning juz now. I took a nap all the way till Changi Rd. Pity my brother...but glad that he's so helpful and indeed a motivator for me.

naniz @ 9:15:00 PM