Like Chicken Without Head

I am exhausted because it is a friday and I am finally letting myself relax.

Since coming back from KL, I have had to organised 03(!!!) press conference just days within each other.

On Sunday, 15 August, I organised an MoU and Press Conference (PC) between my office and RTM for our radio show. For goodness sake! it's a sunday! Lemme sleep!!!!!

Tuesday, I coordinated a Sponsorship/grant Presentation from the US Embassy to my office. It was so last minute and with the sudden anthrax scare at the Embassy on Monday, 16 Aug, we thought this event won't materialised.

This mornng, I had to oversee a sponsorship cheque presentation from PETRONAS to mu office. It was ok... not many media rep though since they were all heading to the other function room where a BIGGER FISH (the Deputy Chief Minister) were to witness an MoU. However, the food was good so I made sure I had my time and energy worth it.

So now, I am slowly letting go. No, not of my brain but letting go of the fact that I can finally relax and not have to run around like a chicken without head.

Speeches anyone?....

The Ten Commandments for Parents of Handicapped Children

1. Take one day at a time, and take that day positively. You don't have control over the future, but you do have control over today.

2. Never underestimate your child's potential. Allow him, encourage him, expect him to develop to the best of his abilities.

3. Find and allow positive mentors: parents and professionals who can share with you their experience, advice and support.

4. Provide and be involved with the most appropriate educational and learning environments for your child from infancy on.

5. Keep in mind the feelings and needs of your spouse and your other children. Remind them that this child does not get more of your love just because he gets more of your time.

6. Answer only to your conscience: then you'll be able to answer to your child. You need not justify your actions to your friends or the public.

7. Be honest with your feelings. You can't be a super-parent 24 hours a day.Allow yourself jealousy, anger, pity, frustration, and depression in small amounts whenever necessary.

8. Be kind to yourself. Don't focus continually on what needs to be done. Remember to look at what you have accomplished.

9. Stop and smell the roses. Take advantage of the fact that you have gained a special appreciation for the little miracles in life that others take for granted.

10. Keep and use a sense of humor. Cracking up with laughter can keep you from cracking up from stress.

-Author Unknown-

God Chooses a Mom for a Disabled Child by Erma Bombeck

Most women become mothers by accident, some by choice, a few by social pressures, and a couple by habit. This year, nearly 100,000 women will become mothers of handicapped children. Did you ever wonder how mothers of handicapped children are chosen ? Somehow, I visualize God hovering over Earth selecting his instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation. As he observes, he instructs his angels to make notes in a giant ledger.

"Armstrong, Beth; son; patron saint, Matthew."

"Forrester, Marjorie; daughter; patron saint, Cecelia."

"Rudledge, Carrie; twins; patron saint... give her Gerard. He's used to profanity."

Finally, he passes a name to an angel and smiles, "Give her a handicapped child."

The angel is curious. "Why this one, God ? She's so happy."

"Exactly," smiles God.

"Could I give a handicapped child a mother who does not know laughter ? That would be cruel."

"But has she patience ?" asks the angel.

"I don't want her to have too much patience or she will drown in a sea of self-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wears off, she'll handle it. I watched her today. She has that feeling of self and independance. She'll have to teach the child to live in her world and that's not going to be easy."

"But, Lord, I don't think she even believes in you."

God smiles. "No matter. I can fix that. This one is perfect. She has just enough selfishness."

The angel gasps, "Selfishness ? Is that a virtue ?"

God nods. "If she can't seperate herself from the child occasionally, she'll never survive. Yes, there is a woman I will bless with a child less then perfect. She doesn't realize it yet, but she is to be envied. She will never take for granted a 'spoken word.' She will never consider a 'step' ordinary. When her child says 'Momma' for the first time, she will be present at a miracle and know it ! When she describes a tree or a sunset to her blind child, she will see it as few people ever see my creations.

"I will permit her to see clearly the things I see --- ignorance, cruelty, prejudice --- and allow her to rise above them. She will never be alone. I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life because she is doing my work as surely as she is here by my side."

"And what about her patron saint ?" asks the angel, his pen poised in midair.

God smiles. " A mirror will suffice."

... I am Back!...

The pilot flew over the city (a first for all my flying days) so these were the first I saw.

I won't tell you about the official stuffs but rather, lemme tell you about the other interesting things.

The evening we arrived...

We reached KL at 5pm Tuesday evening. The ride was waiting for us so we all hopped on in and off we went! Clever driver (his name was Charlie) he took the KL-Nilai Highway and avoided the Puchong/Damansara traffic. It was a smooth ride and I felt very nostalgic when we passed by Bukit Jalil/Palace of the Golden Horses. Oh! how I miseed the traffic ... NOT! Reaching the city, he went into Jalan Tun Razak and diverted into Jalan Bukit Bintang. Man!!! Welcome to KL, so said the traffic jam. Which, mind you, is common in that area, during or after hours. My dinner was chicken rice at the Hailam Chicken Rice shop at the cornershop facing BB Plaza -- from a small, dinggy place, it has now turned into a posh little chicken rice cafe complete with uniformed waiters.

24-hours later....

I rushed back to my room, changed and took all my colleagues' ticket to get them endorsed. MAS office (almost 3 blocks down the road) was closing at 5.30pm so I hopped on the monorail (my first ride in it, yahooo!!!) and got there in time to get them endorsed. Then, I decided to walk back to the hotel. It was a nice walk anyway. The office traffic has not started and it was shady evening. There is the mamak restaurant that was in the news recently after it was vandalised by thugs/ccompetitors. There is the little 7-Eleven store I used to frequent when I was a trainee at Regent Hotel. There is Regent Hotel -- where i met my hubby. :-) There is Lot 10 and BB Plaza, and Sg Wang. That evening, i made my way to Sogo (on the monrail again!) and bought my hubby some work clothes. I also saw some very nice handbags but then...not in my list of things to buy.

Afternoon, 2nd day of trip...

I sat in a PICANTO!!! Coincidentally, NAZA KIA had a road show for its vehicles at The Mall where we had lunch and I saw my dream car!!!

Evening, 2nd day of trip...

I lost my friend in the mall so I made my own way, which was nicer since I get to see and do all the things that I want to. For dinner, I ordered out some croissant, talked to the waiter/server since he was alone and friendly and went back to the room. That night, I cried. Because I was tired. Because I want to go home and sleep in my own bed. Because I missed my family.

Evening, 3rd day of trip

I hated today. I nearly quarrelled with my officer and my CEO left for home the previous evening and everything and everyone suddenly seems to have a mind of their own and no one wants to follow itinerary. Worst, I am left standing at a taxi stand with a whole bunch of people with the same purpose and we are late for Brian's dinner. Simpy becasue my officer thinks it is best to take a cab then anything else. By the time we got to Bangsar Park, Brian was edgy, I was tired and his pasta was cold and there were only 5 of us compared to food for 9 people...

Saturday morning

I changed my flight ticket to saturday night insteasd of sunday night. i want to see the kids now if possible. I also did my shopping - taking my time and knowing that I know where and how much those things are.

Mona picked me up from the hotel room. It was good to see her but after a while, I wanted to go already so she dropped me off at KL Central.

I was so tired I napped in the train on the way to the airport. And I napped further in the airplane. By the time I got to Kuching, I was mentally and physically exhausted. Having my 4year old greet me at the airport arrival hall was a nice respite from all that I have gone through.

I am finally home.

Heaven's Very Special Child

A meeting was held far from earth
'It's time again for another birth'
said the angel to the Lord above
'This special child will need much love'.

Her progress may seem very slow
Accomplishments she may not show
And she'll require extra care
from the folk she meets way down there.

She may not run, or laugh, or play
her thoughts might seem quite far away
In many ways she won't adapt
And she will be known as handicapped.

So let's be careful where she's sent
We want her life to be content
Please Lord find the people who
Will be special for you.

They will not realise right away
The leading role they're asked to play
But with this child sent from above
Comes stronger faith and richer love.

And soon they'll know the privilege given
in caring for this gift from heaven
Their precious charge, so meek, so mild
Is 'Heaven's Very Special Child'.