My Husband's Birthday

Wednesday, 30 Jan 08, 3.34pm at home

Dear My Diary,
Yes, Today is my husband's birthday. This year he's 28 years old. Last nite, I was waiting till 12.01 midnight to say happy birthday to him. And I realised that JP time is 2 hours faster than Indo time. I mean, he was born in Indo so I must follow Indo time for him to exactly, completely, perfectly, turning his age, correct? I was about to plan to stay awake till 2am when he said that he was actually born at 9am Indo time. Does it mean that I have to stay awake till 11am JP time? So, I decided to use the original boring surprise-but-not-surprise, congratulating him at 12.01am!

Since I've been in house rest for months, I didn't have any proper preparation. He also didn't expect me to do anything. Only one thing that I could do to surprise him last night. It's still up to him to accept my gift or not. At least I want to show him my good intention, my effort, and how I care about his dream. Remember I told you about my husband's dream? Yes, it's fishing in the middle of ocean!

I printed this voucher out on photo paper, put inside an envelop, and gave it to him with my pink cheeks. I was really not confident giving this kind of present to him.

This fishing trip voucher has no expiry date. It's for 2 persons. And it's very convenient to book this trip because the reservation service is available 24/7. Because the booking can be done through.....me! *ah maluu* Well, you can say that it's not fair, he's the birthday guy but the present is for both of us. I have written clearly "bring your lovely wife" Hihihihi.. you know, it's not my first time giving birthday present for him, and also for myself. I bought couple watch for his birthday few years ago. There is a saying that the one's having a birthday should share his happiness to the people around him, rite? So, now I'm just trying to implement this.

Plan for tonite? I'm not sure. Honestly I'm a bit disappointed. Why? Because suddenly his boss from London is coming and asking him out for dinner tonite. It's okay, we can have our own dinner anytime but the dinner with his boss can only happen tonite. Think positive.. be an understanding wife.. this is my first test.. don't fail.. I can do it.. because I can walk now! Yes! Yes! Think about a good thing happening lately, I can walk now.. don't be sad.. don't be disappointed.. my birthday is coming soon too.. just wait for my birthday if I want to be pampered.. I'm talking non-sense now.. don't listen.. but I'm feeling better now.

-Abbie-

p.s eh, is it possible that he's just bluffing me about having dinner with his boss while actually he's preparing surprise for me? But, I'm not the birthday girl, why should he surprise me?? Well, I'm just trying to think creative, think out of the box.

Can you see? I'm walking now!!

Wednesday, 30 Jan 08, 1.16pm at home

Hellow diary,
Guess what? Doctor said that I could start walking now!! Yippee.. Yesterday I got the x-ray result good. I can start walking on flat surface only. I still can't wear high-heel shoes, I still can't run, I still can't step on stones, I still can't walk on sands. It's okay! I'm so happy that finally I walk using my two legs. It's been so long time since I used my right leg, now my right leg is still weak. I feel like it has no strength at all. I'll need to do some practices. You know what, it's not easy! I have to slowly change my habits:
- I used to jump using one leg.
- I used to start my step with my left leg
- I used to stretch my first step as far as possible before starting my jumps (to save distance)
- I used to walk with my dengkul if I'm too tired jumping around
- I used to sweep the floor by sitting on the chair
- I used to clean bathroom by sitting on the.....bathroom floor
- I used to keep my leg straight (because I was wearing supporter up to my kemfol)
- I used to put my leg on table whenever I sit
- I used to sleep with my feet wrapped up tightly
- I used to stand a bit megol to the left because I put all my weight to my left leg

Yesterday night, my husband took me to see doctor. On the way home, we celebrated my independence day by having dinner at Pepper Lunch. Yohooo! It's been so long time since I dinned in a restaurant. The feeling was so great and relieved!

Now I can start walking slowly. Should I go to saloon to fix my haircut? I'm too excited to compile my 'To Do List' and to put remarks on the priority items.

Hihihihihihihihihihihihihihihihihi... I can't stop smiling. Suddenly one line of wrinkle on my face has disappeared. Xixixixixixixixixixi... (smiling with my hand covering my mouth, alias 'senyum tersumbat')

Hi Tokyo, I'm ready to explore you!!

-Abbie-

Is Today My Independence Day??

Tuesday, 29 Jan 08, 1.26pm at home

Hi diary,
Today is the day that I've been waiting for. Today should be my Independence Day!! But, I just don't want to be too happy first before my doctor signs my 'release letter'. Few days ago I had a dream about the Jan 29th, which is today. In my dream, doctor said that I was still not allowed to walk, I had to wait for another 2 weeks. Is it because I'm too nervous menyambut my Independence Day? Or will it become a reality? Arghh.. I don't want to believe superstitious-thing, I don't want to believe a non-sense dream. How if the result of the x-ray is still not good? How if the doctor says that I have I have to wait for another few weeks?? I really can wait no more. I want to walk now, I want to go outside now. There are many things I need to do. There are many places I need to go. Uhh, I can't wait till 6 o'clock today to see my doctor and hear his comment about my feet.

I've canceled my appointment with 'Mr.Clean-De-Bathroom' today since I'm too excited and hopeful to meet 'him' with my both two healthy legs tomorrow morning! Will I be able to do it? Will I not?

Nervous..
Scared..
Excited..
Hopeful..
What I can do now is just..
..praying hard and hanging my feet as high as I can!
Aja! Aja!

-Abbie-

King Prawn

Monday, 28 Jan 08, 12.40pm at home

Hi diary,
You saw the prawn? I told you before, that my husband's favorite food is prawn, right? I like chicken, he likes prawn. We're quite opposite in term of our favorite food. The bigger the prawn, the happier he is. Since I've been in house-rest for more than 1 month, my husband is the one who has been doing the groceries shopping. You know, the typical raw food that he never forgets to buy is prawn! And, this time, he bought the biggest prawn he ever bought! It's not lobster, it's a prawn! It's probably the Grand-Great-God-Mother of Ebi. I call it a king prawn because I assume it must be the king of the prawn. I don't know what its real name is. Well, just want to keep these pictures for our forever memory here. ^_^

-Abbie-

Another Dream, Again...

Friday, 25 Jan 08, 7.29pm at home

Dear diary,
Just took my evening shower, I'm so fresh now. Taking shower in the evening before bed time really can take our tiredness off, refresh our mind, give us a comfortable sleep, and prevent changing bed sheet every week (changing bed sheet once in a month is still fine). Taking shower in the evening with warm water really can relax any stress, moisture the skin, and make the blood circulating well. Wow, I can believe I can find so many advantages of taking a bath! See, I told you, bathing can refresh our mind and cleanse away any bumps inside the head. My head feels lighter now. So, make sure you take shower before sleeping. Ok ok, everyone knows that, everyone does that.

Talking about bathing, I just remembered something. Last night I had a dream. It was a similar dream that I had before. This is the dream all about:

I entered a bathroom. The bathroom was sooo big!! There were so many big windows in the bathroom. I tried to close the curtains one by one. Some windows were very high so I couldn't reach the curtain that was hanging at the top. Some windows only had transparent curtains. Some windows had curtains too small. Some windows had no curtains at all. I was so tired trying to close the curtains but still I couldn't close all the windows perfectly.

Do you still remember this dream, little diary? I had this similar dream on April last year. At that time, I interpreted this dream as a good sign. And my dream really came true! How about this time? God is opening another way for me again? But, this time I didn't hear the song "Dia Buka Jalan"! It's ok, whatever happen, I just want to believe that it must be God's plan.

-Abbie-

First Snow in Tokyo

Wednesday, 23 Jan 08, 7.57am at home

Hello Diary.. diary.. diary..
The outside temperature is now 4C but it's now snowing.. snowing.. snowing..!! I'm so amazed.. amazed.. amazed..!! This is the first snow that's falling in Tokyo this winter! Although it's not my first time seeing snow falling but I'm still feeling amazed because I never experienced snow in the city where I live in before! The feeling is so different! It's this kind of feeling: "opening bedroom's door once you wake up in the morning and you see a fat santa clause standing in front of you with a big warm smile while carrying a big Xmas present for you". You know, you only can find santa clause in your story book or in your dream, but suddenly he appears just before your eyes at the comfort of your home. Usually, I only can see snow when having my holiday, I mean, when I go to other place. For me, holiday time is like a dream. I don't count holiday time as a real life. So, when the snow suddenly appears just outside my home's window, it's like a dream comes true. Ahh, I don't know how to describe my feeling. It's just... OMG!! It's okay if you think my kampunganism is lagi kumatan. I'm just feeling happy. Yes, that's a good word to describe my feeling.. "happy"!

In the Korean drama, when the first snow falls, they will rush out to see the snow, no matter how busy they are. They also like to use that opportunity to meet their loved ones. They believe a good thing will come when they are able to see the first snow of the year. Oh, I don't want to believe this kind of mellow story but there's no harm to believe it since my mood of the week is "hopeful".

-Abbie-

I'm Hopeful!

Tuesday, 22 Jan 08, 9.09am at home

Good morning, my cute little diary..
Today is such a wonderful morning! Thanks God for this fresh air, cool weather, warm atmosphere, and for my perfect mood today! I'm having my breakfast; a toast and a cup of hot coffee, while listening to 'Ti Amero' from Il Divo. I know, it's a sad song, but it doesn't ruin my mood of the day at all. Actually there is no happy song nor sad song, what we feel inside the heart determines level of happiness, am I right? Of course, when we're sad and listening to sad song, it will be worst! So, don't worry about the song we're listening to, first of all, fix the heart, then walk with the chin up, and put big smile on face, although none sees us!
Looks crazy? No!
Looks happy? Yes!
Looks elegant? Not really, actually..

What am I mumbling about now? Oh yes, the wonderful morning and my wonderful mood! I'm very happy and hopeful now. Is it because that I'm counting down the days when I'll be able to walk? Yes, but there is more! Counting down the days to my husband's birthday? Correct, but there is more! Counting down to Valentine day? Chinese New Year? My Birthday? Mother's Day?? Christmas 2008??? Yes Yes Yes, all is correct, but there is more!! I'm expecting something! Correction, not something, but SOME THINGS. I can't tell you here now, I am just putting these into my prayers.. and God will make these happen when His time has come.. and I will also make these written here when my time has come.

Hey, I just realised, when we think about our days carefully, there are many days that we're expecting! Life is never boring. There is always tomorrow after today. There is always next week after this week. There is always next year after this year. And there is next life after this life! So, never feel down for too long.. instead, always put something hopeful inside our hearts and let it grow.. because life must go on. I don't know why I'm talking rubbish so early in the morning but I have a feeling that it will be a bless for someone. If none of you feels blessed by reading this, it's ok, at least there is still someone feels blessed.. which is myself *shy shy*. I feel cheered up whenever writing this kind of motivating sentence. Funny, rite? Yes, it's me, something simple and weird can immediately, instantly, right away, change my mood of the day.

This year has just started. Everyone must have a bunch of hopeful things to achieve this year. Me too! I will just start it with my simple wish, which is about my diet. Having a slim body has been nightmaring me from year to year. It has been in my top priority of 'Mission of the Year' since many many many decades ago. Still it has not been accomplished successfully till I'm almost turning 27 years old now. I thought the finish line would be on my Wedding Day. Since I totally failed the mission on my wedding day, I postponed the deadline to year-dunno-when. As I said, there is always tomorrow after today, there is always next year after this year. I wanna put this wish on my Hope List of The Year:
Hope List of The Year:
1. Getting Slimmer or vice versa
2. Settling down (includes; home, job, family, and the gangs)
3. Getting my other 'susulan' wishes come true!

Aja Aja! Fighting! Ganbate!! Jia You! Merdeka!!

-Abbie-

Planning a Kinki Trip

Thursday, 17 Jan 08, 7.22am at home

Morning diary,
My foot is getting better. The last time I saw my doctor, which was two days ago, the doctor said that I'll 'officially' be able to walk on 29th Jan. I was so happy when I heard the doctor said "Congratulation, you will be able to start walking slowly on 29th Jan! Of course after you get good result on your X-ray on the 29th". I choose not to hear the last sentence since it makes the situation unsure. You know what, I've been praying to God that I want to be able to walk before 30th Jan! Do you know what day 30th Jan is? Yes, it's Wednesday! That's not what I'm asking. 30th Jan is my husband's birthday!! It will be his first birthday after we got married. I want to prepare something for his big day. Until now, I still don't know what little surprise I should make. I think I need to walk around Shinjuku-Shibuya-Ginza for 5 hours before I can make the decision. Yes, it's me, plin-plan-gal.

Another news, I quit my job! I've resigned. It's been more than one month since the day I broke my foot. Since then, I've been absent from my job. It's okay, it's not a big problem. Being a full time housewife is also a good thing:
- I can concentrate on doing house works
- I can take care of my house members (I mean just a husband, at this moment)
- I can take care of my self (re-opening of Hargenas = Hari Genit National)
- I can focus on improving my cooking skill
- I'll have more quality time with my sisters thru msn
I believe that God is preparing something good for me now. Everything happens for a reason, right?

My husband's parents are coming in March. I'm now preparing another 5-days-trip to another part of Japan called Kinki; Kyoto-Osaka-Nara-Kobe. Most of the hotels in Kyoto have already been fully booked. I can't believe it, it's still more than 2 months to go! Maybe it's because of the sakura season which only blossoms once a year for just 1-2 weeks, and Kyoto is the best place to do hanami! (Mi = see, Hana = flower/nose, Hanami = see flower/nose. In this case, hanami means 'see flower' not 'see nose' nor 'being julink'. It's easy to remember, rite? Nose is as blossom as flower, that's why it sounds the same, I guess). Although it will not be my first time to visit Kyoto/Osaka/Nara, it will be my first time to see sakura, it will also be my first time having family trip with my husband's parents! So, I'm so excited planning this trip now!

-Abbie-

Haircut

Tuesday, 8 Jan 08, 12.06pm at home

Hellow again my little diary,
Whenever I see mirror, I'm so sad. You know why? Because I have thinning hair problem! Well, up to you if you want to say that I'm a problematic lady; from the top to the bottom, from the hair to the foot! It's true that my hair is thinning seriously. It's been almost 6 months since my last hair cut. People say that regular hair trimming is good to prevent hair loss. Yes, I need a hair cut! I need to save my head from becoming bold ASAP! I couldn't wait for my foot to be healed! So, I decided to cut my hair by myself. Have you ever heard about a barber shop called "Just Cut"? Yes, I used this concept to cut my hair.

Not bad, rite? Or bad? Do I need to go to saloon to fix my hair? Have you heard about the story of a rabbit? Ok, I tell you the story, there's a mother rabbit who wants to give carrots to her two daughters. This mother rabbit wants to give exactly the same portion of carrots to her two daughters. I guess she's also not very good in math. She opens one big bag of carrots, puts the carrots on the floor, and splits them into two. She's not sure if she has divided the carrots fairly, so she takes a weight measurement and puts those two groups of carrots on both sides. When the left side is heavier, she takes a little bit of portion from the left side and eats it. It seems that she takes too much from the left side because the right side is now heavier. Therefore, she takes a little bit of portion from right side and eats it. Now, the left side is heavier so she takes the portion from left side and eats it. It happens like this again and again till only small portion of carrots are left, and the weight is also still not balanced. She gives up and she just gives the whatever portion of carrots to her two daughters. She doesn't care whether she has divided the carrots into two fairly. This is exactly what I did. I split my hair into two, and just cut and cut and cut. Initially I just wanted to cut 2cm, now I guess I've cut more than 6cm. I don't care, hair will grow. Just assume that my hair doesn't grow with the same speed so some hairs are longer than the others. So, it's not the hairdresser's fault if my hair is like this.

Actually my husband asked me to go to a proper saloon to get my hair cut. Well, this is my motto: "I should just try to cut my hair myself first. When it turns out good, I don't need to go to saloon. When it turns out bad, I will go to saloon to fix my hair". In this case, there's 50% chance that I don't need to go to saloon, isn't it? The reasons I don't want to go to saloon:
1. I don't want to be embarrassed coming to saloon with my foot bandaged
2. I don't want to bother the train station officer again since I have to ride a train to go to the saloon
3. I don't want the hairdresser to "Just Cut" my hair since he/she thinks I'm a disable person who doesn't care about modern funky hair style
4. I want to dig my other talent, who knows I can be a hairdresser one day?
5. I'm so bored doing nothing at home. I want to experience something
6. I want to try cutting my own hair at least once, who knows in the future I don't need to go to saloon anymore and save money?
7. I want to cut my husband's hair one day, using my own head is the only chance to prove myself to him that I can do hair cutting!

Can you imagine how much money we can save if my husband and I don't need to go to saloon anymore for the rest of our lives?
FOR ME
Assumptions:
- I'll live 50 more years from now
- 4x haircut per year (to prevent hair loss)
- $20 charge per haircut
Calculation: $20 x (50 years x 4) = $4,000
FOR HIM
Assumptions:
- He'll live 50 more years from now
- 8x haircut per year (to prevent 'gondronginess')
- $20 charge per haircut
Calculation: $20 x (50 years x 8) = $8,000
TOTAL: $4,000 + $8,000 = $12,000
Hmm, it's not a small money. There's no harm if at least I try it once for all, rite?

-Abbie-

My Bandaged Foot

Tuesday, 8 Jan 08, 10.53am at home

Dear my diary,
Few days ago, I went to see the doctor again to do a follow-up check on my fractured foot. It's already been 3 weeks since the incident, my foot should have been healed. However, after having some x-ray photos and check here check there, I need to rest for another 3 weeks! Although the pain was better, the swollen was still there, the color was also still deliciously-blueish-purple like a 'terong'. Doctor said that my blood's circulation was not good. Every morning I was so scared to see my cold-blue-foot that looked like a dead body. I never see a dead body, but at least I know how it looks like from a horror movie. Doctor said that it might be because I was wearing the supporter too much or too tight or whatever, so it blocked the blood from circulating. So, he suggested another type of supporter that looks more scary than before as if I've just gotten a serious accident.

It's smaller than a cast..
It's lighter than a cast..
It's more convenient to wear than a cast..
It's colder than wearing a cast..
Because I can't wear sock, I can't wear shoe..
..my toes are facing the winds..
It's okay. I also won't go anywhere. So what if my toes are open?
I'm happy that I don't need to wear a cast!

What am I doing at home? What do you expect me to answer that question? I'm not allowed to walk, so why should I stand? I have no purpose of standing, so I sit down. I have to hang my right foot up every day, every minute, as much as I can, to make my blood circulating well. So, now you can imagine what I'm doing everyday at home, night and day, rite? I always sit with my right foot up on a table or a chair or a fridge or anything higher than my seat!

It's been 4 days since I saw the doctor last time, my foot is getting better. I will be able to walk again SOON!! I'm really looking forward to that day! It's really frustrating for not being able to walk. It's very uneasy to always bother other people to help me.. not only bothering my husband, not only my family when they were here, not only my friends, but I'm also bothering the train station officers whenever I want to ride a train. Why do Japanese have to be so kind-hearted? They didn't mind carrying me (while I was sitting on my wheelchair!). I was crying in my heart. Just because of my clumsiness, I have to bother everyone.. I'm sorry, Mr Officer.. I only stay in Japan for short term but I have to bother you so much. Believe me, this is my first time in my 27 years of history.. you're just a bit unfortunate that it happened in your country.

I used to be a spoiled girl who demanded a convenient life. When I first came to Singapore, I used to complain a lot when there was no car and I had to walk everyday. When I first came to Japan, I also did complain because I had to walk triple portion more than what I used to walk in Singapore. Now, I won't ask for a car (except if the time to buy a car has come), I won't demand so much! I will be happy enough as long as I have my two feet and be able to walk.. so I can go anywhere I like, I can do whatever I want!

-Abbie-

Sweet Memory

Friday, 4 Jan 08, 8.34am at home

Hellow again my little diary..
Merry Xmas and Happy New Year 2008, my little diary!

Time goes by. I can't believe now is in the year 2008. I still can remember clearly how people were so excited expecting the millenium countdown in the year 2000 in Singapore. 8 years went by so fast.

I just had my second honeymoon in Hokkaido island, Yokohama, and Tokyo (again), with my 2 parents, 3 siblings, 1 crutch, 1 wheelchair, and of course my husband. How can I go honeymoon without my husband? I thank God that the trip was smooth, everything was going well, except that I couldn't run and jump into the snow.

While others were playing, I had to sit on my wheelchair..
While others were shopping, I had to sit on my wheelchair..
While others were eating, I had to sit on my wheelchair.. and eat, of course!
While other were posing for photo taking, I had to leave my wheelchair and run using one leg to join them for photo taking..
While others were panic carrying me and my wheelchair whenever approaching stairs, I just needed to relax, everything was gonna be fine..

Well, that's the good thing. I was not tired at all during the trip! And it's sweeter than a honeymoon! You know why? Because.. there's no other chance when my husband is willing to carry me on his back again in the middle of the street. So, I must remember this sweet-"agak-kepaksa"-memory for the rest of my life!

-Abbie-