Be Careful What You Wish For.
I told you people!
You Have A Type A Personality |
A
You could be called a workaholic, but you also make time for fun |
Bearing my type-A personality in mind then, let us now embark on the nostalgic and narcissistic journey through the past 20 years of my life, as requested by Mz Min, who forgot my wedding the first time 'round, for God's sake!
Anyway:-
20 years ago...
It was 1985, and the previous year had churned out the best list of Grammy Winners ever (Thiller and Sweet Dreams compared to the Usher song where he just whoops a lot and takes off his shirt). I was 5, and in my 2nd (and last) year at Rasa Sayang kindergarten. Yes, the parents had put me in kindy a year ahead so that I could be in the same class as my then partner-in-crime, Cousin I, who would proclaim himself to be my bodyguard and proceed to push other kids off the swing so I could have a go. Sweet! Rasa Sayang was where I found my predilection for doing homework, obsession for seeing a string of As connected to my name, and surreptitious bullying (we 'accidentally' kicked sand in our Cousin S' eyes, causing her first day at Rasa Sayang to be her last. Sorry, S!).
Also, kindy teachers made me wear an Arab belly dancer costume for the end of the year concert/fashion show at Sg. Wang. The year before I was a hula dancer. Were teachers fond of me exposing my belly? Hmmm....
After-kindy hours were spent playing with the machine gun and walkie-talkie set I's late father had bought for us (we were the A+ Team); and watching A Team, Airwolf and V (and also covering our arms with glue so it'd dry up and we could peel off our 'skins' a la Diana the V villainess). Hooray for TV3! Occasionally we'd surreptitiously bully I's kid sister E by: (1) Telling her we suspected she was adopted from aliens, or more frequently (2) Making her do the curvy bits in the letters 'P' and 'R' when we were doing the whole Sesame Street 'kids lie down on the floor in different directions to form letters' thing. Educational Bullying, whoda thunk it? Tash was only 1 year old, so erm, we didn't bully her.
I remember my parents actually let me watch Dynasty, or maybe they were too mesmerised they didn't notice that I, too, was gawping at the antics of Alexis. Unfortunately, 5 year olds (or was it just me?) also have a difficult time separating fact from fiction, so when Krystal was kidnapped and replaced by a doppelganger I insisted that my Mom thoroughly check my Dad whenever he returned from out-station ("Are you sure he's Papa, Ma? Are you sure? Does he have any birthmarks that you could check up on?")
Thankfully, My mother decided against committing me to the kiddie happy farm because I was also erm, obsessive-compulsive.
Evidence:
-I had to be woken up before sunrise since I hated waking up after the sun did (how times have changed!). If I did wake up after sunrise, my parents would have to endure my baffling cries of "Tak nak terang gelap! Tak nak terang gelap!" Please God don't let HRC inherit this.
-I was obsessed with things being symmetrical and/or centred. Hair parting must be in the middle. Hair-clips must be symmetrical. Pony tail must be dead-centre. You think most little girls are like this? I used a ruler, people.
-My mother made the mistake of buying me hairclips which were shaped into days of the week. You can imagine the holocaust when Tuesday's clips were used on a Friday.
-My Ladybird books and mini-Encyclopedias were arranged in alphabetical order. With library card slots inside, which my Mom got for me from work.
Please God let HRC take after her father (then again....)
15 years ago...
1990, and NKOTB was at their peak. I am not ashamed to say that I bopped to Step by Step (and made my Dad buy me the cassette with free folder and badge! And erm, The Bumper NKOTB Fan Book or whatever it was called). And I'm so proud that Donny got that role as the cop who never smiles in Boomtown. Yay, Donny! At least I don't still keep the cassette of The Best Of NKOTB in my car, like Mr Nads some people.
I also inherited myopia from my Dad's side along with the excessive hirsuteness and large feet. Thanks, Dad. Spectacles only cemented my role as a nerd/geek- what other fate could befall a kid who was a prefect and teacher's pet? You can tell I was tremendously popular. Let's not forget that puberty also made its pimply-faced appearance that year.
Also discovered Roald Dahl (thanks, Ayesha!)
10 years ago...
PMR year! Also the year of the Bon Jovi concert, which came on the last day of our PMR trials. Managed to obtain parents' permission by writing a formal letter guaranteeing good behaviour and 'adult' chaperones (Read: Ayesha's 18 year old cousin and friend). Also was in a musical directed by Joe Hasham, starring Ramona Rahman and was told to shut up by Patrick Teoh. Ok, so I was in the chorus, and it was for the Girl Guides. But Joe Hasham, people. Don't jeles.
In passing, wasn't pop-rock so much better 10 years ago? I know the one hit wonders were- give me the Crash Test Dummies over Ashlee Simpson anyday. Headbanging has never been the same since.
PMR Results: 7As. 1 B. Which sent me spiralling into a day-long angst-filled spiral because there went my chances of going to boarding school, getting a scholarship and going to Oxbridge. I know, can we all say 'Type A' now? Extended family was wonderful - got me a cake which said, "Congratulations, Kak Long! 8As... -1"
I gave a watery smile and said,
"Actually, that's not algebraically correct- it should be '8As - 1As'". Talk about bouncing back, baby!
5 years ago...
Whooo boy. Contrary to the beliefs of my anal 15 year-old self, not getting straight As did not destroy my chances of getting into boarding school or Oxbridge. What a trip.
Embarked on a longer-distance relationship with Mr Nads. Never underestimate the value of cheap IDD cards.
Discovered what it felt like to go from a big fish in a small pond to an insignificant plankton in a big sea of super-geniuses (genii?). Discovered the power of identity. Discovered what it meant to me to be a Muslim (ironic considering that hadn't happened in 20 years of being a Muslim in a 'Muslim' country). Discovered that occasional forays out of comfort zones could be fun. Discovered (accidentally, I swear) that alcohol had a kerosene-like aftertaste.
Met Michael, who whilst an Economic/Finance genius, sucked at Geography- first question to me, "Is Malaysia a part of China?" My response- "Are you being sarcastic? And how did you get in here?"
3 years ago...
Naddywoman was born!
Got married, December 22, 2002. Min cried shamelessly. My mother was dry-eyed. Maybe she was relieved that it actually happened after the madness of getting the nikah outfit the night before the wedding day, the chocolates I reserved as hantaran being lost and the odyssey of her and Tots' trip to Jaya Supermarket to get my replacement chocs and my bubble tea and getting hopelessly lost (Note: My parental home is 5 minutes; drive from Jaya).
We were long distance husband-and-wife for 6 months. Not recommended. Again, never underestimate the value of IDD phone cards.
Last year...
HRC was born! 14 hours of labour (don't worry, I was on epidural), only to have an emergency C-section and wake up to discover that I couldn't see my baby because she'd been placed in the NICU due to Meconium Aspiration Syndrome. All is well and good now, Alhamdulillah. Apart from the post-partum mini-Depression over not breast-feeding fully and not having a textbook baby (Type-A, remember?)
Also, the Tots got married. After being in denial since forever. Long live the Tots! Spent her reception hoisting my 7-months pregnant self up and downstairs to present her slide show
The Grrrls were formally formed!
The rest of the year was a blur of morning sickness, swollen ankles, expensive food cravings (read: steak, pasta and strawberries- no wonder HRC is so mengada!), interspersed with bouts of BOIW attacks. Ergh.
This year...
HRC will turn one on October 23rd, insyallah. We have about 100 immediate/extended relatives. she's the first grandchild for both sides.
Oh boy.
Am discovering the trials and tribulations of being a full-time working mother. Incidentally, it annoys me when someone is called a 'full-time mother'. Sorry, but just because someone is away from their child for about 8 hours a day, it doesn't mean that she's a 'part-time mother' ok? *rant over*.
Also, made friends properly with work-place bloggers. Who shall remain link-less to protect their identities.
Am a quarter-century old. I've not had a bad 25 years, Alhamdulillah. In fact I think I've been very blessed.
What do I hope the coming years will bring? Erm, Kita hanya boleh merancang, Tuhan yang menentukan. Personally, I make 5 year plans. I'm anal, gimme a break!
Next year...
Insyallah, I'll get a car and zip around (Mr Nads, stop rolling around on the floor laughing hysterically).
I'll bug my boss about that promotion.
I'll start saving more.
I'll start working earnestly towards the Nads 5 Year Plan, 2006-2010.
I'll be better than I've been.
In 10 years...
Insyallah, I'll...
Be Ruler of the World.
Failing that, hopefully, I'd have gotten my MBA, gotten into the Young Professional's Programme at the World Bank, and returned to Malaysia to start policy-making work in a decision-making capacity. Watch this space (God, I'm conceited).
Also, insyallah HRC would've obtained at least 1 or 2 more siblings to be co-rulers of the Universe along with her. HRC and siblings will be continuously taught to appreciate what they have, to speak their minds, to stand up for their rights, to think that they can do anything that they put their mind to, to have strength of character. Insyallah.
Footnote: I'll be 40 in 4015 (thanks, Nani! That'll teach me to edit my blog at work) years' time. I hope I have *some* of my Mother's genes.
The End.
nads went at 13:31