Thank you for being my friend

I was looking forward for today because I have a date with my old girlfriend from uni days, Lynne. She's practically the only friend that I still keep in regular contact with. Though the term 'regular' is very loosely used here. We meet once in a blue moon. Even this date has been planned since before puasa and postponed so many times.

We had a good time. We talked about family, relationships, friends, children, careers, and best of all, went down memory lane together from the dreams that we had when we were younger *sigh*, the multi-level business that we got so excited about, the heart-breaks and so much more. This is why meeting old friends is so heart-warming especially when you've gone through a lot of things together. See how we grow from the naive, sweet, young thing to mature, sophisticated woman of the world.

Lynne and me are in fact the total opposites of each other. It started way back in uni. We became friends from a mutual friend, Shaz *wonder what happened to her* and from then on, we became good friends. Lynne's other friends who are more in tuned with her personality, didn't understand why and how we can be friends. But that doesn't matter and didn't stop us from becoming good buddies. Lynne is friendly, I'm aloof; Lynne is soft-spoken, I'm direct; Lynne is stylish, I'm simple; Lynne is dreamy, I have my feet on the ground.

Our friendship stood the test of time. Though we're not as close as we used to be but whenever we get the chance to meet, we can just pick up from where we left before and that's just so cool.

I like old friends because they know how far they can be honest and straight with you. The one thing that I remembered most from our conversation today was the part when Lynne commented that I'm more relaxed in my appearance after I took off my hijab and more so, after I have my son. She added that I used to be more 'jangok' *she used the exact word* when I was wearing tudung before. I guess she's right. I've never been a fashion follower or dress as well as Lynne but over time, I've taken a more relaxed approach on appearance. Maybe I don't have a corporate code to adhere to. People in my profession knows that appearance is one major part of first impression and the only impression that counts is the first. I better be careful not to get too relax, huh Lynne? Thanks for telling it to my face :) Only Lynne can do it with such grace and tact.

Believe it or not, it's already 10 years since we graduated. We've become so different from where we started. I started of as a career-minded, competitive, strong person and I see Lynne as a soft, sweet, and pleasant woman who is happiest being married to her dream-guy and have children. Now, the table has turned the other way around. It's Lynne now who's career-minded and determined to climb the corporate ladder and it's me who's the dotting mom. Corporate image means very little to me. I've left the corporate world for more than 5 years now. I'm glad and thankful that I took my current career path as an independent wealth advisor that gives me the flexibility to juggle my time between work and family. Lynne did say I've mellowed and looked more content now. I guess accepting who I am is the key to it all. I know that there'll always be someone who's better than me, smarter than me, richer than me, have a bigger house than mine, drives a bigger car than me, and a lot more. Enough of trying to outdo other people. I design my own destiny and if I don't like something with my life, all I need to do is do something about it. For now, everything is just dandy.

To my dear, dear friend Lynne, thank you for being the wonderful person that you are. I love you *muahhh!* I pray that you'll always be in my life and may we alway be friends for ever and ever...

7 signs that your child loves you...

This was the title of the email sent by BabyCenter.com to me a few days ago. I read the seven signs and smiled when it says your pre-schooler loves you when he comes running to you if he falls or hurt himself. Danial is exactly that. Even then a cut is healed, he still points it to the scar and ask either Azrai and me to fuss over it. He's also looking for approval from us. For instance, earlier, Azrai fetched him from the daycare centre as I have a late appointment. He then took Danial for a haircut at Alamanda. I joined them later for dinner and a quick browse around.

Since we came separately, Danial opted to go home in my car. He even wanted to sit on my lap while driving. When we got home, Azrai gave him a quick bath. He didn't want to put his diaper or clothes on so instead of forcing it onto him, we told him that we're not going to be friends with naughty boys who don't want to wear their jammies and ignored him. He was near to tears and when I check on him and asked him whether he wants to be a good boy and put on his jammy, he immediatly lay down so that I can put his diaper on. He says he wants to be a good boy and be friends with us. After I put on his jammy, he gave me a big hug and say friend. He went out and hug his Babah too. Priceless moments...

My Sewing Class

Since Azrai got his mountain bike and plans to kick start his new hobby, I've decided to revive MY hobby. Sometime in July, I've purchased a sewing machine. It comes with 12 months free sewing classes, anytime, seven days a week. I went to a few classes. They thought me how to do free hand embroidery with the machine. I got the trainer to demonstrate and I did the rest a home.

Then, I had a miscarriage, this and that; my sewing machine sat at a corner collecting dust. I bought August project which is baju kurung which I didn't collect until last Sunday. I've been sneaking some time to do the baju kurung. I went to the class on Monday and Ain, the trainer showed me how to take measurements. Next, to draw the pattern on paper, cut it out and transfer it to the cloth. Today, I finished cutting the cloth and had to sew the edges with a special machine that trims the edges off the cloth.

Throughout these two days, Ain the trainer is the person who's in charged of me and my project. I don't know why and how the selection process was made but she seems reluctant to work with me which made it rather difficult for me to warm up to her. Everytime I finish something and call for her to check on my work, she'd look up from whatever thing she's working on and gave me that dark, frumpy look. Then, she'd take her time to put aside her needlework, and seems to drag her feet to come to my aid.

The point is, it's been a long time since I have to work with somebody who's reluctant to work with me. It ruffled my confidence a bit. I take it that I'm a people person and I can get along with people quite easily. Granted that not everybody will love me but I'm generally well-liked. When I'm in this situation, it made me feel uncomfortable. What more, she's the teacher and I'm the student. I forgot how shitty it feels when someone does not welcome your company.

Nevertheless, I started the project and whether you like me or not, I'm going to see it to the end. I gave her the benefit of a doubt that maybe she got off on the wrong side of the bed or she's by nature a frumpy, grumpy person. But then again, I saw her joking and laughing with the other students and trainers. So, what is it about me that gets her nerves up? I'm a pretty independent student. I know how to handle the machine. Ah heck! Who cares! At the end of the day, I'm the paying customer and she's paid to teach me whether she likes it or not. I have patience... and I can be thick skin to ignore her attitude towards me. Maybe she needs time to warm up to people. I have time... I can wait...

Azrai's new toy

Yeay! It's here! Azrai's birthday present this year is a mountain bike. It's a Giant Anthem something 2008 model. My brother, Adik just got back from Taipei today with a big package. Azrai was well prepared. He took Khalid's Toyota Unser for the weekend to pick up his bike.

He's been suckered by Khalid to take up mountain biking. Part of the reason is to get some form of exercise. I'm OK with that I guess. But when it comes to doing things, there's no second best for Azrai. He has to go get 'the' bike to start his new hobby. But that's OK too I guess. After all, it's not that he's on a spending spree throughout the year. Plus, it is difficult to come up with a birthday present that he'd trully enjoy. I might as well get him something that he wants than waste money on something that he doesn't need.

In comparison, this is nothing compared to a friend of ours who's searching high and low for a superbike that fits his budget. Could it be, the middle age crisis? I'd get Azrai a bicycle any day compared to a Harley, or whatever superbike there is out there.

Enjoy your new toy hubby dearie.... Kalau jatuh, bangun sendiri yea...