Haircut 100 by Edward Scissorhands

I finally had some "me" time today and went to get a haircut. I've been meaning to get my hair cut in the style I have seen in a magazine. So off I went and showed the hairdresser the picture and left fate in her hands.

Of course this being in Brunei means that when she was done, my hair looks NOTHING like the picture in the magazine. Oh, don't get me wrong - I know that I can't expect it to look 100% like the picture, what with different hair texture, Caucasian vs. Asian hair, blah, blah, blah. But I can now become the sixth ring on the Olympics logo or rather someone-put-a-bowl-over-my-head-and-used-it-as-a-mould haircut.

Oh well, at least I got my fringe - sort of.

P/S The in-laws and a cousin are here.
PP/S Dear Laukong, your brother dropped by too and graced us with his presence. I am beginning to conclude that he was born absent of manners. Yours Truly, Your Socially Correct Fabulous Half xxx

My Miami Vice

E X H A U S T E D: Lost Panda Found!

This whole parenting thing has really taken its toll. Thanks to sleepless nights for a month now, I have panda eyes.

So if anyone is looking for a lost panda, there's one here ranting on this blog right this minute.

Surprise!

The in-laws are here!! No time for spring cleaning!! Good-bibe!!

E X H A U S T E D: Out of Office

Fever and flu have gone full blast. Taking medical leave now.

Will be back soon - if still alive.

E X H A U S T E D: The Return

I woke up yesterday morning with green snort and some phlegm which are always sure signs that I am on the road to recovery. However, as I work the night shift for Kasturi, my snort started to get runny again and my voice starting to disappear.

I...A M...R E A L L Y...R E A L L Y...R E A L L Y...E X H A U S T E D.

I am starting to fear that Kasturi might just fall off my arms in my exhaustion one of these nights, or I might just drop dead, or both.

If Everyone Cared...

Love this video. Never fails to make me cry everytime I watch it. I hope it inspires you as much as it inspires me.

...Amen I, I'm alive.

E X H A U S T E D

I came down with a temperature last night. The flu has been hanging around for the past week already but it has yet to come out full blast. Even the fever last night I could tell was not the worst yet. No doubt it came from all the sleepless nights.

After having it rather easy with the boys, Kasturi has turned out to be a nocturnal baby. I should have expected this as she was most active midnight onwards during the last week of my pregnancy. I am so exhausted that I am almost reaching breaking point and nearing hysteria.

Where are you, Laukong, at times like these?

Will wonders never cease!

OMG!! Just got off the phone - the in-laws are coming! And they're staying over!!!! Must spring clean PRONTO!!

Go Broadband!

Go to hell, I mean. Go Broadband isn't all that it's hyped up to be. We've tried it in all the districts except Temburong (at this rate, wouldn't count on it either) and the verdict is as follows:

Tutong = non existent (I'm not exaggerating)
KB = shite (have to reload pages repeatedly and if that fails restart the router)
Bandar with the exception of Jerudong because it's near the DST tower (how convenient) = crap (more page reloading)

...e-Speed must be having a laugh at this minute.

The Last of the Great Spender

Dear Blog,

It just occurred to me (well, been suspecting this for quite a while now) that I have a cheap husband. I mean I take pride in the fact that I finance 99.9% of my obsessions (i.e. handbags and shoes). However, it would be nice to have Laukong lavish me with gifts once in a while - afterall, I am a girl. Case in point, I have asked Laukong to give me a "push" present after Kasturi's birth - I tell you it's not everyday he gets this sort of request from me, especially now that I have given birth to HIS long-awaited princess. Well, Kasturi is now over 2 weeks old and Laukong's flight back to Nigeria is tomorrow, and I still don't see any sign/signal/giveaway that he has any intention of buying me any.

His standard excuse these days is we need to save up for the house (at this rate, I expect we should be able to pay for our house CASH!!). Ok I agree - but up to a certain point. We have already created a savings account for that and it's accumulating interest like no one's business (Alhamdulillah) as we speak. So what's the point in having that account if we can't enjoy the rest of our spare change? That excuse is really starting to get old with me, especially when he's been spending A LOT on electronic gaming stuff and vintage guitars. Ok, so you say it's his money and he's entitled to buy what he likes.

...so in that case, I foresee a quick shopping trip for yours truly in the very near future sponsored by...who else? Yours truly of course! It's my money and I'll buy whatever I want too. But then again, so what's new with that?

Yours Truly,
The Last of the Big Spender
xxx

Express Yourself!

I've not been much of a breastfeeding mum when I had the 2 boys. However, with Kasturi I am determined to breastfeed for as long as I can. I am taking the term "Express Yourself" to a whole new level. So come on girls! Express Yourself!

All Grown Up

Yesterday marked a significant milestone in parenthood for me. For the first time my first born slept in his own room with my second born. We have been talking and planning about this for quite a while now and he has finally plucked up the courage to do it.

Laukong and I were on standby all night (well we were on the night shift with Kasturi anyway) leaving our bedroom door wide open and a mattress ready in case first born changes his mind in the middle of the night. Turns out we didn't need the mattress. He slept through the night on his own. Even second born didn't wake up in the middle of the night asking for his "auntie".

Dear First Born,
Well done for sleeping in your own room. You really have grown so much. It seems like only yesterday that we did the night shift for you, just like we are doing now for Kasturi. We are so proud of you.

Lots of love,
Mama & Babah xxx

Lady Has Arrived

After much waiting (read: telling baby to get out soon on a daily basis) and anticipation, Alhamdulillah, we finally welcome our precious princess "Kasturi" on 26 June 2008 at 05:50. Of course, Laukong was well chuffed as he has finally gotten his long awaited princess (6 years says he). Of course, I am still waiting for my "push" present from Laukong for a job well done (hint, hint). Of course, Laukong also did a great job as my birthing partner.

Speaking of new arrivals, our second maid just arrived. All credit goes to the in-laws for her recruitment. She came looking like some Sheila on 7 groupie wearing skinny pants and a baby T. At that time Justy and Nips were over to visit Kasturi, when Justy pointed out that her panties (brown at that) and butt cleavage were showing. A change in outfit soon followed. To top it all off, yesterday I almost gave birth to my uterus when I saw her wearing a T-shirt that read "FUCK YOU". Nope, none of that F*#@K YOU censored version shit. The shirt actually spelled out FUC-fucking-K YOU!!! When she turned around, the back print actually showed a drawing of the "finger". She got an earful from Laukong with his "pakaian kamu tidak sopan" pep-talk.

Looks like this is going to be an interesting journey. Score: 2-0 (big fat zero for the in-laws)

Lady in Waiting

I am starting to get nervous and restless about the pregnancy. I have already started my maternity leave 2 weeks ago and I fear I may have done so rather prematurely. The clock is ticking and after so many false alarms the baby shows no sign of entering the world just yet.

However, the thought of going back to work is not an option. I am absolutely EXHAUSTED. The commute would have been just too much and I reckon the sight and thought of the same old pathetic issues would probably put me straight into labour.

I am past 38 weeks now - which means a new record as the 2 boys were both born at 38 weeks. Hrmmmph....

The Last of the Great Pretender

Laukong arrived today - it's amazing how that has improved our well-being at the in-laws. Yesterday the broken pipe in our bathroom got replaced with a new one after being out of order for a month. We came home to find that our bedroom was spick and span clean. Normally when we go out, the room is left as is - i.e. a complete mess full of scattered toys and what-not courtesy of the 2 boys. The bathroom was clinically clean - not a smear of shit in sight.

...I rest my case.

What's Cooking?

Congratulations, David Cook! Woo-hoo!

Spooks & Spalr

24 Season 7 won't be airing until a while yet (January 2009) - not sure why it's taking so long as it feels like it is a long time since Season 6 was aired.

But anyway, while waiting for Jack Bauer, there's a great alternative courtesy of BBC Entertainment on Astro - SPOOKS. I've been following Spooks since my time in Nigeria. It makes a good contrast with 24 to see how the Brits deal with terrorism compared to the Americans. Also, it doesn't hurt the fact (says she) that the hero - if you can him that - is a bit of an eye candy. *SIGH*

To Laukong

For the first time in years, I've been listening to the radio for the past few days on my commute to work and back. I heard this song today on my way home (after a L'oreal moment of a day, I'll have you know!). It is my favourite Mariah Carey song given a breath of fresh air by one of the top 3 contestants from American Idol. Just when I thought no one could top the original version - this one takes the cake.

Dear Laukong, I am dedicating this song to you because you will always be my baby...and whether you like it or not, I'm a part of you indefinitely.

Much love,
Your always fabulous other half xxx

Ode to Mothers

To all mothers out there - Happy (belated) Mother's Day.

Had a productive day at work today - but that's not to say that I like my job. It just goes to show that when I put my mind on things and focus, I do a pretty darn good job (albeit reluctantly).

...But one thing's for certain, I love my job as a mum!! And no, no salary required.