I had a new student in my class on Sunday. I was stunned at first when I called her beside me and asked her to spell out her name as I wrote it in my register. I acted as if nothing was amiss but I went out to confirm my suspicion with the centre manager. There was no doubt about it. She’s the daughter of a wanted man. Yes, you guessed it. The one and only.

She is such a sweet girl and very bright. She was almost jumping with her hand up to answer questions despite being her first day in class. I was very pleased with her conduct and I was hoping that nothing concerning her father would disrupt her learning. Unfortunately, my fears came true when one of the boys started making jokes about the man. The jokes were nothing new. They have been widely circulated through sms-es and the boys in my class often shared the jokes among each other.

On that day somehow, the same jokes felt extremely distastedful. Not knowing the best way to handle it, I scolded the boys for talking and insisted that they keep quiet. How do I do this? How do I protect the girl from the ridicule about her father and at the same time protect her identity? None of the students knows who she is and I think it is best that they do not know for fear of rejection from her peers or worse, inviting attacks unto herself. At the same time, how do I stop the kids from talking about him at all. Kids being kids, even the smallest things are made larger than life and almost everything is a joke to them. One of the boys even went to the extent of saying that the wanted man is evil. Not exactly something you’d want to hear about your father. I know that the boy meant no harm to the girl coz he didn’t know but still, what he doesn’t know can hurt the girl just the same. Sigh.

The fact is this doesn’t only happen among children. Even as adults, we are often guilty of saying things that hurt others albeit unintentionally. Yes, we may not know that the people we ridicule or the issues that we belittle may be something close at heart to others around us but is ignorance a good excuse to be irresponsible for what we say. Does it give us a right to be dickheads? The damage is still done. Like I always say, "Kalau tersepak muka orang walaupun tak sengaja, sakitnya tetap terasa."

Perhaps we all need a lesson in empathy and learn to be responsible for what we say. Always imagine that we are in that person’s shoes and remember to think before we speak. And before we teach the children, perhaps we ought to learn the lessons ourselves.

"Aku punya teman
Teman sepermainan
Dimana ada dia selalu ada aku

Dia memang manis
Dan juga baik hati
Dan dia selalu ada waktu
Untuk membantuku

Namun aku bingung
Ketika dia bilang cinta
Dan dia juga katakan
Tuk ingin jadi kekasihku… "

- Lyrics taken from "Teman Tapi Mesra" by Ratu

It’s all I could think about these days. I’ve suspected for a while already but I guess, I was in denial myself. As far as I was concerned, don’t tell, don’t know, don’t care. But when people start noticing and people start asking, it was inevitable that it was time to ask ourselves.

Well, so now he has told. And now I know. And now I care ALOT. I’m like going around with a big question mark on my head… "Camne ni? So how?" (I’m beginning to sound like a good friend of mine :p)

I know what I know but I still don’t know what I don’t know so I can’t give him an answer to a question that I don’t know the answer to, can I? While I search for the answer, he’s being all wonderful and understanding, which makes me feel even more guilty that I don’t know what I should know. Damn… why does he have to be so sweet? Haiz…camne ni?

My friend tells me, "Always be with someone you can have conversations with because when everything is gone, it’s the conversations that you’d remember and miss." Hmm… will this give me the answer? So how? Got to talk more is it? Then I would know what I don’t know? Haiz…

Anyway, I’ve bought myself some time till the day we have to re-evaluate ourselves and come up with an ultimatum. So meanwhile, we’d just remain as status quo… TTM  *winks*

It was a night of revelations indeed…

One has been smitten and hence, out of the running.

One will always be close but not quite there.

One has invited me to dance but he’s stepping on another’s foot.

And one, has spoken.

* * * * *

Cinta - Melly Goeslaw and Krisdayanti

Menatap jalan yang menjauh
Tentukan arah yang ku mau
Tempatkan aku pada satu
Peristiwa yang membuat hati lara

Di dekat engkau aku tenang
Sendu matamu penuh tanya
Misteri hidup akan kah menghilang
Dan bahagia di akhir cerita

Cinta tegarkan hatiku
Tak mau sesuatu merenggut engkau
Naluriku berkata
Tak ingin terulang lagi
Kehilangan cinta hati
Bagai raga tak bernyawa

Aku junjung petuamu
Cintai dia yang mencintaiku
Hati yang dulu belayar
Kini telah menepi
Bukankah hidup kita
Akhirnya harus bahagia

Cinta
Biar saja ada
Yang terjadi biar saja terjadi
Bagai manapun hidup
Memang hanya cerita
Cerita tentang meninggalkan dengan ditinggalkan
Cinta…..

Watch the video on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SENBRbayHHA

I’m grinning like a silly goat as I’m staring at the screen writing this. Hehe. I’m just so happy, happy, happy

It was a great week last week. Took leave last Tue and spent different parts of it with the people I love Met Anies for lunch on Sat (missed the babe so much and I got to touch her tummy…hehe). And also got news that an ex-colleague gave birth. Alhamdullilah

It’s looking good workwise. I’m done with the MSc Applications. I was almost walking with a skip as I headed back to the office earlier after I handed over the documents to GSE. FYP presentations will be done by today. And I’ve got no events till May…. yippee

But the best thing is that… I’m going to PERTH! Hehe. (I’m dancing. I’m shaking…woohoo!). Everyone knows that I’ve been dying to go Perth since I dunno when. I’ve heard so much about it and plus, I really wanted to see how Curtin is like. I mean I studied for their degree for 3 years, received the scroll and still have not even smelt the campus. So saaadd

Anyway, this is so unplanned…haha. Sham was just telling me about some really good promo that Tiger Airways was having and sent me the link. I sent the link to Lini. She got extremely excited, which got me equally excited. And suddenly, before you know it, we’re planning the trip and we booked tickets last night…haha.

I’m so psyched though I would have preferred it longer. Will only be going for 6 days in the 3rd week of June coz i gotta get back in time for Aza’s wedding. Of coz, I won’t miss her wedding for the world so too bad lah, Perth gotta be cut short. But still, I’m psyched and I can’t wait to go.

So, I’ll be back for Aza’s wedding that weekend. Then plans for the "Most Happening Chalet In The World" is underway and that should be happening the weekend after. Then of coz, the long awaited, Hong Kong trip has been planned for end July. Still looking for more kakis for that one, so if you wanna come along just gimme a holler

Can’t wait till June and July. Meanwhile, just keeping myself cheery with the little things like dinner with 2 of my favourite boys tonite. (Ierfan, you are also still one of my faves too *winks*)

It’s funny that just when you think you can no longer stand the warmth of the blazing sun, you realise that you’d rather be in the sweltering heat than standing cold in the winter’s frost.

* * * * *

Teman Yang Ku Kasih - Azharina

Engkau lah temanku
Tempat ku mengadu
Hingga tawa pilu
Tetap bersamaku

Teman yang ku kasih
Akan ku hargai
Hingga akhir nanti
Kan kekal abadi

Ku pinta oohhh Tuhan
Agar berpanjangan
Sebuah persahabatan
Penuh keikhlasan

emmmmm…….

Listen to the full song on imeem.com

I was still in my celebratory mood after the successful event the night before. Figured that the best way to let loose after a job well done is to sing your heart out…hehe. Tried to round up some kakis but ended up with only Lin, Lil Wan and Kenduri Boy. But before I could satisfy my karaoke craving, I had to make my way to Arab St to spend the afternoon shopping with my beloved mom & sis.

Being typically kiasu, my mom had been bugging us (sis & moi) for the longest time to go to Arab St to get material for Raya clothing. And mom being moms, they normally get their way :p I had to to get some green-coloured material to match the lace that my sis bought from Dubai anyway. Planning to tailor something for Aza’s wedding (orang lain yang nak kahwin, orang lain yang sibuk… hehe).

It’s amazing how many people you can bump into at Arab St on a Sat afternoon. Is the world getting too small or did Arab St just become the most happening place in Singapore? :p I met my tuition kid and family while having lunch at Hajjah Maimunah. When I was just about to leave the place, I saw Bug’s colleague and her boyfriend. While going round the shops, I bumped into one of my ex-bf’s parents (I think the dad recognised me :p) and also, some familiar faces who work in NUS. But my favourite, "bumping" incident was with Erna and Khairul. Gosh, I haven’t seen them in ages. The lovely couple will be tying the knot in June next year So happy for them. Sempat exchange news and some gossips before my mom dragged me away for some "life-changing" decisions on what cloth to buy (notice my sarcasm :p). We should really meet up soon k babe?

I managed to slip away when Lil Wan arrived in Arab St and we dodged my mom and her friend who came along. Hehe. Terbeliak mata mak aku kalau ternampak kita dua orang…hehe. Anyway, as we made our way to the karaoke studio, Lil Wan was telling me all about Kenduri Boy’s recent wardrobe makeover and apparently, it was the day of the big reveal for both of us. Kenduri Boy had arrived way earlier and we headed to meet him in anticipation but nothing cold prepare us for what was to come.

Lil Wan and me just burst out laughing lah the moment we saw him He was sooooo different! Gone are the skater bermudas, T-shirt and cap. He was decked in a long sleeve Polo Ralph shirt (don’t play, play :p) and skinny jeans lah (as skinny as it can get for him lah…hehe). Cuma kasut je spoil. Tu lum sempat beli lah…hehe.I had my camera so I took pics of this defining moment in Kenduri Boy’s life :p

So we headed to the karaoke room after much waiting (even after we booked the place :S ). I was of coz with my usually ensemble of Indon songs.  Lil Wan who previously die, die didn’t want to karaoke seem to be holding the mic quite a bit. Lin came a lil later but we soon got jiving and did our usual repertoire of duets.Kenduri Boy was belting out some oldies (Engelbert Humperdinck can… he amuses me :p) and Rock 80’s beb. Nyanyi dengan penuh perasaan beb. Gua takleh angkat…hehe.

Then one by one, the boys’ gang started joining us. First was Gonzo, then Shah R. & gf. They seemed quite amused at Lin’s and moi’s singing…hehe. We true blue kaki karaoke lah :p We later ended up at KTM for supper where Zul joined us. It was a quick one before the rest headed for Clarke Quay for more partying while Lil Wan, Lin and moi headed back to our cosy nests.

Finally, finally, finally… it’s over!Woohoo!  The event that I had been slogging the past 4 weeks for is finally over and done. It was one of the biggest department event to date which I had to organise in a short 4 weeks that involved students and industry people (directors and regional managers, mind you :p). It was all me. From drafting invitations, to asking students for the posters, to logistics to catering… every single freaking thing and to top it up, I was sabo-ed to be the emcee for the day can. Bully rite? *huk* 

Nonetheless I’m proud to say that it was a resounding success. My bosses were happy. My HOD came to my room, thanked me, shook my hand and saluted me lah… waaaah. So honoured. Hehe.

With that over, I went to Ain’s and Adam’s Oscars birthday bash with a peace of mind but with a less than energetic body. I was just so, so exhausted especially after running around the whole day and sleeping at 3am the day before. I made my way to Pasir Ris by train and was asleep throughout much of the ride. When I finally arrived, I was wow-ed by the amount of effort they’ve put in to decorate the place. Even better were the guests who actually bothered to dress up to the theme. There was Jack Sparrow, Indiana Jones, that ghost from Scream (in yellow crocs..haha), cast from Hairspray, Gandolf from LOTR, Geisha (yes, with kimono, clogs and white facepaint) and the list goes on. Birthday girl was the character from Underworld and Adam was in an airforce pilot uniform ala Top Gun. For lack of better ideas and simply no time and energy to actually go out to find a costume, I came dressed as some 70’s chick. I was trying to look like tt girl in Scooby Doo. Haha.

Pics uploaded on http://idyani.fotopages.com/

Disclaimer: Just learnt that I could upload some pics here (I know, so selenge rite? hehe) so still figuring out the layout part :p

My first entry for April seems long overdue. Work has taken up 90% of my mind of late; leaving the other 10% just for the running of my bodily functions and keeping it sane.

Early part of the week had been madness and I was sleeping past 3am for the few days just to keep up. It sort of put me back into those good old school days with project deadlines lined up one after another; not exactly the kind of nostalgia you’d wanna relive.

I had a short reprieve at mid-week in the form of a lovely dinner with Dhirah and Ierfan. I just had to take a break before I break. The last 2 days of the week were the longest. I had to forgo my Darul class on Friday and stayed in office 3 hours past my usual just so I could churn out the report for my boss. My motivation while being stuck in office was a delicious box of Munchy Donuts which I had hoped to grab at Clementi on my way home. My heart sank when I saw the shutters were down. Bummer

Saturday though was a much better day. Headed to town after tuition for my movie marathon with Lin, Lil Wan, Kenduri boy and Gonzo. Horton was really funny; just the medicine I needed to cure the blues. That was followed by Vantage Point. I really thought it was good though the critic don’t think so; not that I care much about reviews. It was interesting how the story comes together based on the different viewpoints of the main leads. Simple story line powerful execution.

We were later joined  by Zul. So that completes the circle of 4 (though I think they have 2 other "wingers"; sort of honorary members to the group). It was the first time we actually met the complete gang since I got to know Lil Wan. It’s interesting to see how they are with each other. I was observing the dynamics of the group and I knew, so was Lin. Haha.. we’re similar like that.

We compared notes during our journey back and agreed on some things. But that’s another story for another day. *winks*

One last lap till THE DAY on Friday. Ganbatte!