About 2 months has passed.

Steep Learning curve.

Here I thought email was easy. Its not. I am tasked to administer the email accounts of one the departments. The emails can be categorically defined and each type needs a certain set of treatments. I need to combine the email software with the software provided by the company. This alone encompasses two set of laptops. 

Oh well.

New chapter

Today is the 1st of August. From the 21st of July, I have been on full time employment. I am now on training to equip myself with the skill to be a member of a call center agent community.

It has been a strange yet familiar journey so far. Strange as now I have to adapt to being away from home for about 10 hours a day, familiar as now I am taking instructions and then executing them, for situations that has and will test me.

It's the last of the weekend today, and tomorrow will be another day of training. 

This job offers opportunities to work from home. I rather it comes sooner rather than later.

Thanks for reading.

Fish curry.

We had this for buka today. Well supposed to have it but ended up the winner was the hot plate tofu.

1st Ramadan

This is the condiments for the mee rebus.

1st Ramadan.

Reached home late. So fortunate that the house is well taken care of. 

Meli cooked mee rebus. Managed to take pictures of what's left. 

Delicious. Alhamdulilah.

We had begedil too. 

As for drinks, there were grass jelly, ice Milo and barley cordial.

End of the day.

Did terawih today, as a family, together. First terawih for the Ramadan. Led by Adam.

At work, Adam said he was told to make mashed potatoes for today. The mashed potatoes will be blast frozen for tomorrow's breakfast. When asked if his friends had contacting him he said that they said he was earning excessive money.

Well, at least he knows how to makes mashed potatoes.

Adam's first day.

Bismillah.

I sent Adam to his first day for his internship. He has to report at 6.00 am. We reached there at 5.45. He does not seems to be too excited about it. 

He should be getting about 1k a month and that's the highest among his classmates. Some of which is not getting paid at all.

He is interning at tung lok group at tai seng street.

Tonight is the first night of ramadan. 

May Allah protect him and grant him all wishes as allah is the all knowing and all generous.

Amin.

Oatmeal

Just finished a bowl of oat meal. Took an hour and a half to finish. Let's see if the mutton biryani we bought last night would make a nice lunch.

Siput sedut.

Went to visit Hajah Maimunah at city square plaza. 6 of us decided to share a bowl of THIS. Never had this before. The meat it self is a bit slimy but tasteless but the gravy, super shiok. 

A family dinner, a once monthly affair.

Calm

I really can't believe I am calm, sitting on the bed, making plans for the day, while I know one of my cousin is on her death bed.

Caneless

Day is not over yet, but I have been walking without using my cane. Not bad...

Even managed to walk in the rain.

In other news, my half cousin, is on her last legs, or so I heard. Her grandson has just passed just a few days ago. Her daughter too has passed. I heard she has gone into relapsed.

I don't know if I can see her again for the last time.

May she be placed amidst the company of the pious and in allah's grace.

Holland

Sent wifey to her office on the other side of town so could not have my usual breakfast. Before that went to my potential ex gf to pick up the bombolinis that wifey ordered. Reach office around 8.

Went to pasir ris poly to collect the referrals letter. Thought of having bfast there seeing that I could do with a serving of nasi sambal goreng. But luck was not there, or space to eat was not there. Lots of people having breakfast.

Took a chug or two of the hot tea with milk from the thermos. 

Reached home, made a yellow pepper, potatoes and onions, thick omelette. Used 4 eggs and finished a quarter. Had a glass of soyabean. 

Now waiting for the boys to be home so I can have lunch.

Pic is of two samosas with mint sauce. Delish. Had it at madura's off syed alwi road.

Sherlock

Came home, wanted to shower and then rushed to the polyclinic to get me referrals letter. But ended up watching Sherlock on netflix. Good series. Love the way this Cumberbatch guy acted. A very refreshing, british spin on entertainment.

Ayam masak cili api.

Today's ayam masak lemak cili api is delish. Used 4-5 red cili api but most importantly, it's browned, seared chicken in the pot before the santan. 

*Note to self. 

Reading.

I want to restart reading. This pokemon go game is getting way too addictive.

Started on a book nearest to me. Star Sapphire by Han May. 9 pages in and I am already reaching out for my phone.

First advice.

Today, a bride to be asked, if there is one advise I would give to newly married couple, what would it be.

I told her, if one is angry, sit down and talk. If one is still angry, lie down and talk.

I added that it's not the position you take when talking that's important, it's the fact that you have to talk it out. She then told me that it's an Hadith... I guess it is.

I then add, then when somebody is talking it out, it does not necessarily means they want a solution, they just want somebody to listen to what they are saying.

Once a couple can do that, then it will be nice to know that once you reached home, there is someone who you can depend on to be able to listen and not judge.

National service.

Irsyad left for national service on Tuesday, that's about 3 days ago. Serving for the scdf.

Truth be told, I am worried. Doing national service has never be a good thing for me. I just hope that irsyad won't experience what I had experience then. And if he does, he will get stronger because of them.

Washing machine

"I need the softener so that I can continue with the laundry."

"Eh, bapak did not want to start the laundry eh?"

"Huh?" I glanced at the washing machine and it was already half way through. 

"Did I not tell you I was waiting for the shengsiong man to come and deliver the groceries. Only once I have received the softener, I would then continue the laundry?"

"But I saw you lying on the sofa, I thought you would have forgotten about the laundry."

"I was waiting for the softener to arrived."

And then I saw it. For about a month washing without conditioner I saw a refilled bag and a bottle tucked underneath the sink.

"Arrrgh! You mean to tell me we had softener all this while?"

"Huh? Is that what it is?"

"Meli, the washing machine is not a toy. The buttons does not give joy." 

December Holidays, Sunday 6th 2020

 Jurong Lake Gardens.

Yup, that was where we were last Sunday. It was cool morning and we spent about 2 hours. Consisting of leisurely walking and eating. It is a magnificent place to be. Its free to go in.

We parked at the north car park knowing that its the nearest car park to the cafe. The cafe is halal certified and served very hearty kampomg fare, with some dishes given a modern twist. We ordered nasi lemak, some cupcakes and drinks. 

We continued walking after that but this time towards the car park, albeit taking a different route. Stopped by the water play area. Highly recommended.

December holidays. Saturday 5th December

Can't travel. Because of the pandemic. And also borders are closed between many countries.

Decided to do a "exploremyland" type of holiday activities.

Did a soft start last weekend and it does looked good. Especially when I am more mobile.

Wifey still working, the eldest still schooling and the helper is finishing her exams. So a soft start it was to be.

Decided to start the day at one of the civil service clubs where it's open to the public, for a fee. Only allowed an hour in the pool. We were issued with coloured wrist bands and they will announce as to when our time is up. From what I gather, the timing is between a quarter past the hour to the next quarter past of the next hour.

For example, 9.15 to 10.15. If you missed the quota, you have to wait for the next hour.

My two sons, wife and her mom enjoyed swimming in the wave pool and they rented a buoy to go around the lazy river. 

Pretty soon, our time was up. Mind you, if you have a 7 year old kid in tow, the drying up, the showering and the packing to get back to the car would take longer than you would expect. Luckily I was ready for it. Sat near the vending machines where coconut, actual coconut were dispense. Sweet juice!

It was a good morning spent!