Of capati, Bangkok vomit and utter craziness.

I can't believe I've only posted 2 blog entries throughout last year. In fact, I've almost reached the one-year mark of 'AWOB' (Absence WithOut Blogging). Which I've only realized thanks to persistent nagging by fellow blogger friends, especially by one of the most industrious blogger this side of Penang has ever seen. Who else but Miss Blogger Extraordinaire, Chiao Ju. Who, if you must know, writes and maintains beautifully, not one, but two or even three (I lost count really) blogsites. That, on top of her scuba diving, lomo-taking, Mainland (China)-travelling, the works. How does she do it? I don't know. Babe, tell me if there's a wonder pill I can take. After all, I'm already on a 56-tablet antibiotic prescription today for my blasted throat infection. Another pill won't hurt, methinks.

If you must know, work has been the bane of me last year. I am the poster child for the "Buruh Paksa Movement", the "Orang Gaji tanpa Gaji Club", the "Sleep-Deprived-Mommy-but-who-cares-coz-you've-got-a-million-ARs-to-complete Association".

Google "Insane mom of 3 who talked to a terung coz she thought that was the phone"...and you would've found me. It was bizarre. The workload, not the terung.

It was made a whole lotta painful without a maid around. Yes, I've been maidless for the past 1.5 years, out of our own choice really, so I won't complain. But that's a different topic altogether, so let's keep the lid on that first.

Through it all, the kiddos and I have been in and out of the clinics, hospitals and mental asylums. Just kidding! Our health took its toll, and I am guilty of that for not enforcing the time to ensure good, nutritious, home-cooked food were made available for my kids. We were eating take-outs most of last year. We were on first-name basis with the mamaks, McDonalds', and Restoran Abang 'E' Capati (which happens to have the softest and most sedap capati I've ever gorged on).

Apart from the intense workload, midnight conference calls and such, there's also the frequest business travels I had to endure last year (not that bad really if you count in the shopping blitz!). Most memorable was a biz trip to Bangkok late last year, where I famously puked and almost passed out in the arms of a cushion-seller dude, in my detour to Chaktuchak Market. I swear I whispered "Kap Kun kaa" to him as I slowly blacked out.

So yes, 2008 has been quite a whirlwind. By far, the shortest year I've ever experienced. But it was all for a good cause really, despite it all. The company was driving a special global project designed to bring a world of good to the community. And that was motivation enough for me to clear those backlogs, burn that midnight oil, even if it means 4 nights of capati or a puke-fest in Bangkok!

But let it be clear. I didn't go through this craziness alone. The central force of this, my biggest supporter, and the anchor of it all (cue sappy music), is no other but my hubby. He understood my work commitments, never once complained and provided me enough pep talk and motivation to finish the year with a bang.

And what a bang it has been. The global project's a big success, everyone's happy...but sadly, there were collateral damages along the way (my poor kids, hubby and health). I owe it to them and for that reason, and those reasons only, I decided to take a whole month off just this January to chill, relax and spend time with those I care the most. I also had to find some "ME" time, even if it means watching The Nanny re-runs uninterrupted. (I wished they were showing Three's Company sitcoms, that would have been a riot!).

And golly, taking that one month off was the best decision I've ever made in my career life. I'm thankful for a very supportive manager who completely understands the pain I went through. (Think comforting your kid who's miserable no thanks to HFMD, whilst coordinating a big event right from the hospital bed!).

So there. That should explain why I went missing. But see, I've already written one loooong post...that should make up for the absence. I've even made the blog template all frilly and nice just to earn some brownie points. Suka?

So in the spirit of overtly-priced chocolates and roses, Hallmark cards and cut-throat romantic dinners, I'd like to thank my family for being my biggest supporter ever. I love everyone of you, and I swear, I'm not going to put you folks through this again! Mak tak larat!

And to my friends, I love you too and thank you for being very quirky but sane just the same.

Let's hope the blogging spirit continues in me, and if I lapse, please feel free to throw in some terungs, capatis, and Bangkok cushions my way. Just so I don't forget the misadventures of last year.

With that, adios, take care and have a safe week ahead.