Seize the moment so the old adage says, and for the moment I am happy.

One evening, my mom was telling my dad about the day she bought a bracelet for me.  BTW I got a RM10 discount from the salesgirl when my mom told her I already graduated and will start off as a doctor.  That's a handy tip if you go shopping ya LOL.  Sigh what people do when they see some prospect of high buying ability.

 

The salesgirl made small talk with me while my mom were looking over the selection of bracelets.  "Itu mak aa?" she asked.  "Ya," I replied.  "You ada darah Cina ka, datuk ka, nenek ka," the salesgirl asked again.  I smiled because I get this a lot, so I said no.

"Betul ka, mesti ada ni, muka you memang macam Cina la."

"Betul, tapi mak saya ada Arab sikit-sikit, kan Ma?" but my mom was busy looking over the bracelets so the salesgirl let it slide.  I related what the salesgirl said to me.  My mom eventually told my dad as the family waited for our tomyam at a Malay restaurant.

 

My dad said, "Lain kali cakaplah, moyang saya Cina."

 

After 25 years of living, now I know why family friends called me Miss Japan when I was a kid, and why people insisted on talking to me in Chinese when I was pre-tudung, and why rowdy Irish teens taunted me in 'Chinese' when I pass by sometimes.  My dad told us about his grandfather (my moyang) who was a big tall man who wore Western clothes and a jacket when he goes to pekan M.  My dad doesn't know if my great-grandfather was a Chinese Chinese or Thai Chinese, but I know that his father was Thai.  Then my mom and dad talked about how many people in their small kampung actually have Chinese lineage. 

 

If I knew this earlier I might give an intelligible answer when people (Malay and Chinese alike... not too sure about Indians) ask me if I am a really pure-bred Malay.  Is there such a thing anyway?

 

(BTW yes CD-key... Abah told us ourselves hehe)

I've just read about the new regulations regarding hand luggage in Heathrow and Gatwick. New regulations regarding hand luggage, which means none is allowed except through a transparent bag.  Liquids, even contact lens solution, is a no-no.

 

To think that I was peeved two weeks ago about having to leave the guitar at the airport.

 

Alhamdulillah.

Whoa Nelly!

 

Just as I am planning to move somewhere else, MSN Spaces has changed to Spaces Live.  So I think I should try it out.

 

Life here is so far so good.  As usual, it is unnerving to see how Malaysians drive.  As usual, it takes me some time to adjust to hootings of lorry drivers.  As usual, I think I have gained a pound or two (already!).  Will puasa tomorrow, promise.

 

Things that are not so usual:

 

1.  I have a new kitten.

2.  Salesgirls actually smile at me. 

3.  I am teaching Agama to my sister who is taking PMR.  Talking about the blind leading the blind.

4  Unwanted attention from boys who are a lot younger. This is a lot more unnerving than lorry drivers, believe me.

 

Two more weeks before I report to my sponsor.  Que sera sera.