No smoking

March 20, 2023.Reading time 6 minutes.

Big moan. Smoking in eateries. Blatant and more prevalent now. Which made me wonder if the smoking ban has been relaxed or rescinded. I checked. It’s still very much in effect. In fact, Malaysia enforced a no-smoking ruling at all eateries and restaurants nationwide on Jan 1, 2019[1]. Not just eateries. The ban covered/covers a total […]

Storytelling

March 13, 2023.Reading time 6 minutes.

My mum is a depository of stories. Sometimes a little unclear but mostly interesting. Her stories have given me precious glimpses into the various phases of her life. That said, there is one peculiar but still interesting story about two young girls, who visited her and played hide and seek in her condominium. She saw […]

Navigating life

March 6, 2023.Reading time 8 minutes.

Niece number 3 recommended it. ‘Stutz’ a 2022 documentary directed by Jonah Hill about his therapist, Dr. Phil Stutz. I like Jonah Hill. I’ve watched him in several movies, including ‘Moneyball,’ ‘War Dogs’ and more recently, ‘You People.’ He is a good actor and funny, I think. ‘Stutz’ was enlightening. It had plenty of useful […]

Writing because…

February 27, 2023.Reading time 6 minutes.

I was in a bit of a quandary most of last week. I didn’t know what to write and post today. A few ideas/topics were jostling for space in my head. Most of them seemed oddly familiar. Very déjà vu’ish. No surprise there. I only write about stuff I think I know, and know I […]

Thaipusam

February 13, 2023.Reading time 6 minutes.

Thaipusam was last Sunday. I got into the mood by playing Thaipusam songs on the eve. Just like Christmas carols for Christmas. I didn’t require prompting. Astro, the satellite-TV broadcaster that my mum subscribes to, promoted its programs and live coverage of the event on its Tamil channels. There were articles in the media on […]

Trying harder to be mindful

February 6, 2023.Reading time 6 minutes.

It was only last week that I had written about trying to be mindful. Sadly, I failed. I forgot to focus and be in the present. Instead, I got myself into a tizzy. And, mistakenly posted ‘Compos Mentis,’ a draft post that still needed editing. It was a work-in-progress meant for this Monday. Why? A few […]

Trying to be mindful

January 30, 2023.Reading time 6 minutes.

I stubbed my toes against chairs, beds and doors. Repeatedly. It wasn’t like I didn’t know the furniture was there. I just didn’t have the ability to avoid bumping into them. I also managed to slice the skin off the top of one of my fingers trying to open a can of peaches. Why I […]

Happy, happier and less stressed

January 23, 2023.Reading time 6 minutes.

I finally finished watching Jane the Virgin. All 100 episodes from 5 seasons. I started last November and completed the finale in January. It was my go-to cheerer-upper. It made me smile, laugh and be happy. It helped me forget life’s bothers. It melted away anger and frustration. It made me think less about the […]

Year 2023

January 16, 2023.Reading time 6 minutes.

My husband and I went to sleep just after 10.30pm on New Year’s Eve. Yes, on New Year’s Eve. I was unusually tired, and going to bed seemed the only sensible option. And, despite the Malaysian government’s decision to cancel this year’s New Year celebration, there were still some loud light and sound displays in […]

Finding a caregiver

January 9, 2023.Reading time 6 minutes.

It was on 7 November, 2021 that I started emailing nursing and care homes. I remember the date. My husband and I were in Zenith Putrajaya for a 2-day holiday. Sister number 3 was home for Deepavali from England. She was caring for my mum. Fast forward to now. Or should I say after a […]