I had a friend who could see objects from the other plane…if you know what I mean. I heard stories too that children have these abilities as well - (and I have witness those on a few occasions), until they reach a certain age. Anyway, my experiences with the supernatural have been very rare. I have had the sense of being pushed down on my bed as I lay asleep – that honestly was the extent of my brush with the spirit world. And I am glad for my limited sixth sense.

That said, I believe my room is occupied. I prefer saying this rather than the H word because “haunted” makes it sound soooooo scary. And I’m nervous with this stuff. I believe it more and more. I don’t feel fearful or threatened so I suppose this is a good sign. But still, the idea of having something in your room – your private space, is still pretty hard to swallow.

It began I guess with my IPOD suddenly playing by itself – playing loud ROCK music that it disturbed my housemates watching their DVD in the lounge. I  - was out for the night that evening. And then there were the times when I was lying in bed reading or busy falling asleep and I would feel and hear a sigh or whisper on my exposed ear. I thought it was just the wind escaping from the geyser or perhaps from a tiny slit on the window pane. And then there was that morning when I felt the perceptible dent forming on the edges of my bed as if someone was pushing down the mattress edge or sitting on it. I, was lying on the bed – pretending to still be asleep. And most recently – my body being locked in position (on my side) while a decent breeze blew over my head for a good 3 – 4 minutes. And guess what? the window above my head was shut and my fan was switched off.

Last night, though this one I cannot confirm ( and there could be a chance I was dreaming it), I heard a whoop sound over my head again. It was a deep “whoop” sound. Not mine. Male. And it woke me up. And for the first time, I did ask for divine protection. Even if I did not feel threatened. I wonder if it is a friend that I should know about. I cannot help but think of that.

I come from the east. Westerner may not be easily susceptible to believing stories of the supernatural kind, and even though I live in what you may call a progressive western country I am no westerner. My own culture is rich with tales of the supernatural. My great grandmother was, according to my ma, a white witchdoctor. My grandaunt practices “bomohism” ( if such a word exists). She used to see into egg yolks to check if someone put a spell on someone and things like that. I know this because I watched her a few times when I was much younger. In Malay folklore, there are these beings called “toyols” – little naughty djinns of dead kids or babies who according to old wives tales – are kept to do some evil person’s bidding to steal wealth from another. Freaky hey? Here in South Africa, the Africans have a similar folktale – theirs is called the tikolosh. Not too sure what these things do really but I have heard that it spikes much fear among the Africans, that they put their beds atop bricks so the tikolosh cannot harm them when they sleep. Somehow it reminds me of a Kadazan “spirit” in my childhood – what we called Lima Lima Sen.

I woke up this morning unable to sleep. My leg is constantly in pain these days. And a sinister ( okay maybe not) thought has crept into my mind. What if there is really something …and that something has decided to follow me around? Should I be scared of that? That’s kind of freaky isn’t it? Suddenly I want my friend to be here to tell me otherwise.

I’m hoping its just my wild imagination again. Despite the fact that I’m too old to have wild imaginations now…

Interpretations of “Love”  - Maulana Jalalludin Rumi (1207 - 1273) - sufi, poet, theologian.

Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it.”

The minute I heard my first love story,

I started looking for you, not knowing how blind that was.

Lovers don’t finally meet somewhere,

they’re in each other all along.

Translator: Coleman Barks

When I am with you, we stay up all night,

When you’re not here, I can’t get to sleep.

Praise God for these two insomnias!

And the difference between them.

Translator: Coleman Barks

Your love lifts my soul from the body to the sky

And you lift me up out of the two worlds.

I want your sun to reach my raindrops,

So your heat can raise my soul upward like a cloud.

Translator: Shahram Shiva

There is a candle in the heart of man, waiting to be kindled.

In separation from the Friend, there is a cut waiting to be stitched.

O, you who are ignorant of endurance and the burning

fire of love—-

Love comes of its own free will, it can’t be learned in any school.

“We love: that’s why life is full of so many wonderful gifts”.

Today marks the 3rd day since the zimbabweans voted in the latest electoral polls.

Wow…I am touching on a very crappy issue here ( for me..that is). I know. Mention politics and I close an ear, zip my mouth, shut my eyes - walk away. That’s how much I hate talking about politics ( even though it affects us very much so and we can’t exactly run away from it)…but anyway.

It took just one night for the Malaysian GE poll result to be announced I reckon.. and this is day three of the ZIM polls and it is not over yet. I am tempted to say… it is the African way… but let me not get there. There are talks of possible rigging again by the notorious “adolf” mugabe’s ZANU PF party, even though the latest news is that ZPF has lost its parliementary majority. Forgive my ignorance… what does that mean then?  Surely it means they have lost ruling power…

I think the world is watching with keen interest and “concern” over ZIMBABWE this time around. With the standard of inhumane living conditions in Zim at the moment ( this excludes the likes of those politicians like MG of course… who word from the grapevines says he spent over USD5mil for his 80th birthday…..money he could’ve used for the interest of his suffering people), it is only right to do so.

But wait…here I am supporting the demise of Mugabe as ZIM’s president….. and I  hear this interesting fact about Mugabe being welcomed in Malaysia??????!!!!!! That his wife owns several chains of hotels there?? WTF? The man is a tyrant for heaven’s sake… I hope it’s old story and that my country will not be such a dumb-ass as to support a dictator such as he.

I’m boycotting that hotel chain btw. If you are one for humanity… you should too.

I had my bonus the other day ( unlike so many others…i only get mine at the end of the FY…my boss does not celebrate Christmas!!) It’s just a wee little bonus…but it was enough for me to indulge in a little bit of shopping last weekend. ( Whahahahaha….i was on cloud nine last saturday).

As my budget was limited, mission possible was to find me a pair of stretchy knee high boots… ( because I have tried last year to fit into those normal kind of boots..but my huge calves just wouldnt budge….yes..arrggghhh!)… Don’t give me that " you know you’re wasting moolah" look….I need these..after all winter is coming….* I love seasonal weather..so much fun with clothes*, and maybe a few more jerseys ( It’s still sunny here but the wind has definitely become a little bit nippy for my iklim khatulistiwa skin).

Mission accomplished. I got them boots ( I love..*aahhhh*) It’s dark brown, and it doesn’t have that sharp pointed end that makes you look like you’re wearing genie slippers. A Fact…pointy shoes may look nice and elegant,and du jour… but try and see yourself sideways/profile…a little too long and they can make you look fugly. Mine narrows to a flat end ( not quite pointy but still keeping to the slendering and leg lengthening pointy idea…). I had an almost breakdown in the departmental store ( Edgars) when the zip refused to budge past my Fat ( hereditary) calves… but Thank the Lord for spandex..phewww.

Speaking of GOD, Happy Easter everyone….

Where was I ..oh yes..

A day meant for clothes and shoe shopping ended up with me exceeding my budget on the nice smelling stuff…@ the perfumery.

I’m very particular about smelling like powdery  "air mawar" ( rose water)  and the likes - thanks to my college years of commuting in Intrakota buses sardined in between heavily scented ( though maybe "pungent" is a better description for it) ladies going to work. That smell still gives me nightmares..(that’s why I never buy Rose scented things…)

But despite a distaste for the "rosy" scent… I do like florals though.

Wanted so much to get Narciso for her.. but to blow a grand on a 50 ml bottle? I’m no celebrity… and I don’t earn mega bucks. Settled on Jean paul Gaultier *2. I have one word for this unisex ( BUT ….I dont think so..) EDP - CANDYLICIOUS! It was soooo sweet that I felt tempted to lick my wrist off when the lady sprayed it on my skin. I guess that was the idea hey…grrrr..sexy!

And then on impulse, I got Davidoff Pure Water Woman as well. ( out of guilt because JPG was awfully sweet..I had second thoughts after buying it.).

Another impulse buy yesterday… I thought they were absolutely classic!!  I’ll probably never wear them as they are too elegant, but it was one of those love at first sight buys…

And to think I never buy these kind of shoes before… maybe it’s a sign of maturity for moi…..heheheheh.

Shopping makes me sooooooooo happy……*sigh*:-)))))))

Two weeks ago, my housemate C had this brilliant idea of making her own dress for a wedding she was to attend  ( rather attended ) this last weekend. Having returned home from a morning of shopping empty handed one Saturday and with time running short and a limited budget to consider, the idea came to be formed.

YT was duly assigned to sketch a few dresses for her… which I did, and after a few moments of consideration, C set her mind to work and we started on her dress!

Two weeks and a dress gone wrong later, ( we much prefer to call that a “learning curve” but anyway) C wore this beautiful Grecian inspired gown to the wedding. And received only but praise for her workmanship.

Coming from a woman whose fashion making skills extends only as far as paper and pencil… and a woman who has never actually sewn a real dress in her life….our first collaboration was not too bad! ( hehehehe). That said though, putting our ideas to the real material was not an easy and mistake proof effort!

But I’m really pleased of how it turned out. C was fantastic and for an amateur tailor, she’s quite the professional in terms of her workmanship. Having seen my art  come to life… (so to speak), I’m so excited and chuffed about getting myself properly skilled so I can start making my own beautiful dresses and see them on real people!….

C wasn’t done with the dress when she put this on… hence the wonky hemline…. but it looks beautiful on her nevertheless…( don’t you just agree?) 

and here was my sketch..from which we made the dress.

In the works ..is an extra length hooded jersey. I can’t wait!!

(OMG - Do I sound like a mom with three kids now????!!)