This & That

Hey all,

My arm's feeling better and better.. I've taken to removing my cast at home now, but it's always on when I go out, so people are more careful around me. Range of motion is still limited though, but I'm pushing it a little more every day. Can't wait to get back to dancing again! And of course, tying my hair with both hands, putting on my clothes normally again, etc.

Mom arrived home at 2am yesterday; her Air Asia flight was delayed by an hour. It's good to see her again. She keeps saying "things are so cheap in China", and tells us interesting tales of the happenings in her school. I'm trying to persuade her to start a blog and write these tales in them. :P

D's been sending me out on a lot of assignments lately... good thing, I guess. :P But there's only so many media parties, launches and press conferences you can go to before the novelty wears off.

I had the good fortune of watching The Fire of Anatolia on media passes (with my bro, Allegra and WY!) last Wednesday on the Gala Night... the synchronicity of the dancers and intricacy of the choreography was breathtaking! Despite the show starting late due to poor organisation and the fairly uncouth audience, I loved the show... the charismatic doumbek player; the dreamy whirling dervishes; the lightning-quick, Riverdance-like lineups; the drummer face-offs; and of course, the lovely bellydancers. Highly recommended. :)

Before the show, I was hit on by an Iranian guy in the food court of KLCC... or rather, I was approached by his sister. It was flattering, but quite strange: a very attractive girl taps me on the shoulder while I am enjoying my shish tawook and asks me if I'm married yet. Must be some Middle Eastern courting ritual? :P I ended up taking her number and she gave me a rose from her brother, telling me "You're very beautiful!" before she left. :P (I replied to her, "So are you!")

Darkluke's given me 2 bags of cowries that he got on a trip to Bali... thanks a bunch, mate. :) I've made a lovely new pair of long cowrie falls for my tribal bellydance costume, using 88 cowries and thin red yarn for each fall. I'm planning to embellish them with coins, peacock feathers, beads and bells. Thinking of taking the first pair I made apart (the ones on the left, made with black yarn), as the backs of the shells are cut.. and use them for sewing onto other tribal gear instead. So many costume ideas, so little time...

And now, for a little fun... these are the recent search strings leading people to my site:

for a minute there i lost myself - Radiohead fans unite!
veil senza card - hmm...?
new paris ss2 - excellent food, fast service, good price.. address below
broke my arm - hey, me too!
steamed talapia on the bbq - mm... yummy
KLIA - dat be vere ze planes go
Tony Leung Chiu-Wai - hubba hubba
wesak procession - I'm thinkin of going again this year...
shashkin tekbilek - excellent song
questionnaires funny - haven't done any lately
japamala blog - ?
japamala resort - a place of dreams...
black clothes dye - going goth are we?
siryn - that's me! :)
herrgard cheese fat content - sorry luv, I just eat it

Good food seekers, here you are:
New Paris Restaurant
No 62, 64, 66, Jalan SS2/72, 47300 Petaling Jaya.
Tel: 03-7955 9180, 7955 0186
(I highly recommend the pai kwat wong, deep fried eggplant slices, and stirfried spinach... everything I've had here is yummy!)

Oh, and typical me for procrastinating on my intention to record a voice greeting for him... I want to wish Dan Suitcasing a very happy belated birthday! I hope you had a great one (and a great party yesterday).. :)

One more thing... F, sweetheart, I just want to tell you again (and again, and again..) that I love you, and miss you unimaginably much. Please come see me soon? *sends warm tropical kisses to springtime Sweden*

Comeback

So, I've avoided writing more than I have to the past few weeks, since I'm typing with one hand.. but now I'm in the mood again I guess I should bring you guys up to speed as to what I've been up to tho. :)

After spending an additional 10 days with F, which were wonderful despite the arm, I embarked on the long journey home to KL on 28th Feb.

This time was without a doubt the worst journey back. I found that I'd get depressed and cry easily when tired, hungry and off the painkillers for too long. Also, after this trip I knew it would be some time before F and I could see each other again. It's his final year and he doesn't have much time off.. and after my long medical leave and extended holiday, I doubt my office would approve another long stretch of leave... sigh.

I flew KLM, so from Stockholm there was a transit at Amsterdam before the long flight to KL. The Dutch airport staff were not very friendly, but I guess they've seen their share of dodgy characters, working in Schipol. Most other people were helpful and sympathetic, though.

When we touched down in KLIA and got out of the plane I started feeling the oppressive heat and humidity - something I definitely didn't miss. Dad and bro were there to pick me up. Was nice to see them again, though they were grumpy from the heat too and having to wait over an hour because my plane had arrived late. Headed home exhausted and withered from the heat, not even able to tie my own hair up properly, in a strange drugged world of my own.

Crazily, I went back to work on 2nd Mar, Thurs. My Southern gentleman boss (let's call him D) was still shocked to see physical evidence of my injury, but seemed glad I was back. Typing with one hand isn't as fast as with both though, and I can't really write longhand, as I broke my left arm, and I'm lefthanded.

On Friday I literally couldn't get up from bed in the morning, my whole body ached, so I had to tell D I would try to go in only after lunch. He told me to pull myself together and take care, and hoped he would see me later. That night after work, I went to get a new mattress, a long overdue purchase. F had suspected I didn't sleep so well due to my lumpy old bed.

Saturday, I went to see an orthopedic specialist in the nearest hospital, and was told that with a broken limb I was entitled to at least 6 weeks of leave! Was X-rayed, given more drugs and 4 weeks of leave, and rested for 3 before D called me and asked if I was up to going back to work, as they were shorthanded. Turns out 2 of my fellow writers had resigned.

During those 3 weeks, I stayed home mostly but met up still with me best mate A in the weekends. She kindly helped me to cut food that needed to be cut into bite sized pieces, a humbling experience, but shows what a good friend I have. :) Because I became so restless, I also started working on a new blue costume (yes, the purple velvet's complete). How do I make costumes when I can't even cut my own food? Well, since I have full mobility in my fingers, I could still make beaded fringe, so I popped by the haberdasheries in town to get the supplies of beads, sequins and appliques needed. It's turning out beautifully; I'm 3/4 done with the belt fringe. :)

Another thing.. my mom's taken up a teaching post in Guangdong, China. She left for China while I was in Sweden, so I haven't seen her in a while. She seems very happy there though, teaching English to A-Levels students - I'm really glad she's enjoying herself. :)

P/S: I watched Kung Fu Hustle for the first time in Sweden, surrounded by Swedes who chose the movie, didn't understand the language, yet enjoyed it. The surreal feeling I had then probably wasn't due to the drugs.