Plays, passports, travel

We went to see the play "The Swordfish, then the Concubine" on 9th Aug, and have to say that we totally enjoyed it. There was a lot in there which is very close to the heart of all Malaysians (especially in the current rather turbulent political times), but it was obviously still appreciated by the Singaporeans too. Well done, Chye - as always, your play lived up to my expectations. Looking forward to the next one now - hopefully it wont take another decade!

I never did get round to renewing my passport when I planned to - mainly because when I called the office on the Mon (11th Aug) morning I got a recorded message saying that the Malaysian High Comm was closed! Well, I guess it was just as well I didnt go there as planned :-D Procrastination sometimes does work in ones favour.

We did go to Melaka on 16th/17th Aug - to see my brother the Doctor being (re-)installed as the Melaka Medical Association (MMA) President for the next one year. He made a truly excellent speech, FULL of double entendre, all about the constitution (the MMA constitution, of course... what did you think I was referring to?). I do wonder how many people actually LISTENED to what he said, as there was so much truth in it, and it was so appropriate for the current (aforementioned) turbulent political times.

Anyway, while there my sis-in-law told me to come to Melaka to renew my passport, as it can be done almost (almost) on the spot - as you can get the new passport in just 2 - 3 hours! Wow! I was blown away - first time I realised that there IS an efficient government office (not talking about immigration as a whole, just the department that handles passports!!). So, we are back to Melaka again this weekend, just to get my passport renewed, and to celebrate my gorgeous nephews 16th (did I get that right?) birthday, and for a last chance (this year) to spend time with my most beautiful #1 niece before she heads back to Moscow to continue her medical studies, and to show my most beautiful #2 niece a necklace I have for which I would like her to make a matching "funky" bracelet. Like my sis told her - make it for your "older but still hip aunt", to which I added "very hip-py" aunt!

I havent mentioned it before have I??? - but my gorgeous #2 niece designs and makes her own costume jewellery. Prices range from RM15 to RM30, depending on complexity of design. Check out the designs below. Those of you who know who I am and are interested in the designs and want to buy - or get new designs (she comes up with new ones all the time), well, get in touch with me by email, and we can organise the commissioning and purchasing :-D.

Deep Forest:


Satin #1:


Sinai #1:


Solid:


Yellow Rose:


As you can see, the names of her creations are as interesting as her creations! For all would-be designers out there - DO NOT STEAL THESE DESIGNS. They belong to my #2 niece and nobody else!!!

And what kind of materials does she use? Craft wire, beads, glass, wood, miscellaneous items of interest, quirky shapes, etc. Basically anything that catches her eye and her imagination.

Till next time... may each day be better than the last.

Countdown to year end already....

Phew, already in August. OK, let me ignore the fact that time is passing too fast, and let you know what has been happening lately.

Let's see now... one of my friends suggested that I should send my post about visa issues to any of the papers in KL, so I took her advise, re-wrote it slightly, and sent it to a good friend who works for the Star. So he is going to see what he can do :-p. Of course, whether or not anything comes out of it is a different matter altogether. We all know how 'responsive' the Malaysian govt is... NOT!!! ... to such issues faced by us lesser mortals.

What else? Oh Yes, we are going to see "The Swordfish, Then The Concubine" tonight, and are definitely looking forward to it. Just read the first review in the Today paper, and it was very very good! Meeting the playwright for dinner at 6.30pm this evening, then going for the play after that, with him, of course.

Today is Singapore's National Day - and I get MONDAY OFF!! Yippeeeeee... as it is the client company policy (for the project I am on) that where a public holiday falls on a Sat, they give Monday off.... So I am going to take the opportunity to go and renew my passport. Hmmm, have to get passport photos with blue background first :-p Must remember to do that this weekend!

Next weekend (16/17 Aug) we will be in good ol' Melaka. My brother is being re-installed as the Melaka Medical Association (MMA) President, so the MMA is organising a dinner bash, and Comedy Club (Indi and Alan) are performing. Should be good fun!

Till next time, stay healthy and happy!