Of quiet night, Dee Dee B and Yemeni antique window

A quiet night at home at last. Been running around at a dizzying pace these last weeks since my return from Perth. Caught a flu and cold a few days after that which took forever to heal since I had no time to rest (plus three extremely hot days in Langkawi to meet 'clients'). I finally got over it last Sunday after spending an entire day at home, and that was made possible only by cancelling all my appointments on that day and telling the temporary maid not to come for the weekly cleaning job (when are you coming back Ayu??)! A full day programme this coming weekend followed by a trip to Kota Bharu which I am trying to get out off! Aiyo, gimme a break!

Had a bit of relief on Tuesday night at the

Petronas Filharmonic concert hall watching Dee Dee Bridgewater's very animated performances of Billie Holiday celebrated songs. I am not exactly a jazz and  blues fan but I was really entertained and felt so relaxed by that evening's performance. Bridgewater provided lots of humour as well.

A full day today, with our board meeting which took forever to end and me having to explain some tiresome things! Just let us do our job lah! A pile of letters await me in my office and a line up of staff wanting to get my counsel and a dash to another institute to close a 'letter-writing' workshop for twenty of my staff (a result of my endless nagging and sometimes tantrum about their letter writing skill) and to give away certificates. Then a dash to University Hospital to visit my dear brother in law who had been admitted for fatique! I had been nagging him to eat but he kept saying he had no appetite! His wife too had fallen sick and had to go and stay with family in Bangi! In her case I think it's too much food! Oops!

Got an ugent sms from my friend Samad in Sana'a, Yemen asking me to make up my mind which antique wooden door/window I wanted him to buy for me as he is packing up to return home as the situation in Yemen is getting worse. Safe trip home brother! I hope things improve in that country where against all odds I had a most fabolous holiday back in 2009, thanks to Samad and his Yemeni friends.

.And for that matter my 10 day visit to Algeria scheduled from 31 May has also been cancelled! There must be some good in that I guess! I suppose my trip to Kota Bharu and Kota Kinabalu the weekend after next is some sort of compensation. Big deal but Yong told me 'count your blessings lah!'

Yes dear, am counting my blessing for this quiet, tranquil evening too....

A pleasant week in Perth

I was having a very quiet simple dinner under my gazebo, and texting a message to my niece Marina when the children from the opposite back house started a game of screaming and yelling (why didn't their maid or mother tell them to quieten down?). So much for a 'romantic' outdoor dinner! I closed all doors and windows and turned on the aircon and here I am in front of the pc instead.

I had just spent a very pleasant and relaxing week in Perth, a much-needed break from my hectic schedule. It was my second visit to that city, the first being in 1996.  What can I say about Perth, pretty and tidy, orderly, good services and friendly people, most pleasant weather (this time of year), many variety of food, and reasonable prices of goods (I indulged mostly in supermarket stuffs, and finally got my Sheridan quilt cover and bed set I had been eyeing at KLCC's Parkson Grand for a fraction of the KL price!). On the last day just before leaving for the airport my host took me to an antique shop and I ended up buying a nice and ornate Victorian dressing table, from the 1890s! It will be 'parked' at her house till she is posted back here! 

I stayed with my dear friend Hamidah and her family (and was invited to rearrange her living and dining rooms! haha) and caught up with my dear 85-year old aunt (bless you Teh), her daughter my cousin, also Hamidah though we called her Nim and her two sons and their family. Nim and her brood has lived in Perth some 30 years since marrying an Australian. So good catching up with them and I was treated with food, food, food on three occasions!

Also met many Malaysians and was invited out for dinner on four out of the seven nights I was there. For some reason my digestion was slower when I am in a temperate country and I was constantly feeling bloated! That aside I really felt great and so rested in Perth. Thanks Mid and everyone else.