Mat Iji? Mat Iji Who??

Last week, when I was still working, I got a phone call. Blackberry showed a prefix of 016.

Hello me said
Hello voice from the other end said. a male.

Ni Kak R******** ker?

Iya.

Ini Mat Iji.

Ha... Mat Iji? the way he spoke, as if, I should know him.

Matttt IIIIjjiiii.

Sapa?

Ni xxxx (his real, full name) dari MYEG.

Ohhhh, sorry.

Ni akak punya road tax. Saya ada kat bawah, kat lobi. Boleh akak turun?

Dik, alamat tu kalau tak silap tingkat 14 kan?

Yelah, saya naik (ada sikit irritated suaranya)

That was my 3rd renewal. The first time was in July 2008. I took all the trouble going to AmBank in AmCorp Mall to do my insurance and then climbed up the hill on the opposite of AmCorp to JPJ to renew my driving license and road tax. Masa tu, my confinement was just over. In 2009 I decided to out-source all the trouble to Jah. Everything went smoothly. Insurance renewed. Road tax renewed. Minus the hassle. For 2010, obviously I'd gone and asked her once more heh heh.

So, this is my car, parked in front of our gate. VeeVaaVoom yang berjasa selama 3 tahun dah. It first made its way into our home gate on 4th July 2007. Born on the 4th of July, as I always put it. Happy 3rd Birthday lil fella!

* Read all my entries on this little fella, here.

On a totally unrelated matter, for lunch today, I prepared Beef Chop Suey (recipe here), ikan gelama goreng and the infamous budu.

Eksiden

eksiden pagi tadi.
bontot keta kena langgar.
tertido katanya.

Driving Lesson - Part 2

If you see this mokcik driving her little fella, please

(1) keep your distance

(2) give way when she signals

(3) don’t stay behind her, she’s slow

It’s been quite a while since the little fella came home but I’ve driven it only twice. 1st time during the weekend to Suadamai Area where the kids’ kindy is, then to Mines area, then turned back to BTHO. 2nd time was yesterday. Back home to BTHO from my office in Bangsar. That was my 1st time driving a medium-range journey. Oh, btw, the little fella needs servicing this weekend. The meter almost touching 1000km already.

I swear people were looking. Even Tebby commented so. A few guys on bikes ‘senyum-senyum kambing’ when we stop at one traffic light. They must have seen me swerving left and right. My God, my hands were not steady and I was jiggling all over. So did the car I think. There was a big slow lorry right in front of me and I had no choice but to overtake it. And I signaled like 2-3 minutes before eventually had the courage to change lane. By then the slow lorry was way ahead! Ha.. ha.. ha.. I fumbled at the toll-booth. The TNG has no cradle in the little fella. It is fixed is the other car. Tebby said he would not help and acted as if he wasn’t there. So I had to manually hold the thing and aimed until it gave out the sound. Thank God it’s an auto car. I have lesser things to mind.

I met my first obstacle right after I took the exit to Kuchai Lama where I had to cross 2 lanes to get to the other side to go south. The distance was barely 20 meters. The traffic was heavy. I inched sideways while trying so hard not to bump into the car in-front. However, I miscalculated the speed of cars coming from behind. And I was not sure of my orientation as well. I looked into the side mirror but I could not tell whether the cars I saw coming from behind were from really behind me or actually at the lane next to mine. I braked. A jeep honked. And honked. And honked. In fact he was still honking even after I managed to get to my exit. *grin* sorilah Uncle. I am drawing a plan to just drive forward and make some rounds to get to that da** exit next time. If I can’t get in that way, I still can do it some other ways right. It may seems stup** and unnecessarily inefficient but for now let’s just call it ‘safety round’. Janji mokcik and the car sampai rumah in one piece. To that Jeep Uncle, waitlahh a few months, you’ll be waving me with respect. (eh, abang ipar aku ada pakai keta Jeep tu. Hijau jugak.. tah tah dia…)

I had a fairly good drive from the point where I gained popularity from the honking event in Kuchai Lama right up to the toll-booth in BESRAYA. Like any other amateur driver, I decided to join the long Q to get myself to Mines exit. Much to Tebby’s disappointment as he always jumps it.

We stopped over at Petronas for gas. Even for that, I was still trembling. Oh… angkat… cucuk… tekan… sangkut… Jangan tak tau, mokcik ni nak buka penutup tempat minyak pon tak pandai! Acara mengisi angin tayar ditangguh dulu as it was getting late. We proceeded to BTHO. First to Suadamai to fetch the kids. They were perplexed seeing Tebby getting out of the car. They got overly excited when the saw me at the driver’s seat. Iman even decided to join me there. Nevertheless, the three of them sat at the back seat. Susah rupanya nak menjawab soalan-soalan anak-anak while trying to focus on the road.

For yesterday, Tebby gave me 70 points (with 100 as full marks).
Aik.. 70 marks aje?
Ye lah. Considering that you could not tell your orientation and miscalculated the speed.
Well, you can’t expect me to be so terer overnight
Well, then don’t expect high marks from me as well.
*b grin*

I’m sure we all know about those ‘baby on board’ stickers. I should get one. ‘Amateur Mokcik Driver On Board’ would do I think. don't you?

Alhamdulillah, after almost an hour, we got back home unscratched. I thought I was going to have a nightmare but I did not. Maybe that Jeep Uncle did. Maybe..

it's true what Sikulat has commented in my recent entry. i have many things to be thankful about. i mean really really thankful. by writing this down, please do not perceive me as boasting or anything to that effect. i am merely sharing bits of my life, like any other things that happened in my life.

one thing to be thankful about - i finally could fetch my car from the dealer's compound. that little fella (maybe i should name her. it's a 'she' according to Kakak, btw) has been stranded there for a little less than 2-weeks. our system that was supposed to automatically generate the cheque, went kaput and restoration took place about 4-5 days later. you see, no cheque no car. system problem was one thing, the people was another. i do not want to dwell on the negative part of it but i am so so indebted to Kak Normah from HR who helped me a lot through the whole process. finally last Wednesday, 4th July, the fella was taken out and brought back home to where she should have been week earlier.

another thing to also be thankful about - i've sold my ESOS. 6 of them in fact. i have another 2 lots to go. since i do not have mountains of cash, i used financing to disburse my ESOS from T*. somehow, the process was longer than the other 2 times before. the first time, i used TA Credit. second time with Alliance Finance and this time around, Kenanga. somehow, the third time, it took so long to be listed. in fact too long that it really irritated me. there was anger. there was frustration. I wonder how Zarid could remain calm and collected! eventually mine were listed on Tuesday 3rd July. on the same day, 2 lots were sold at 10.50. Another 2 on Thursday at 10.60. i have another two listed at 10.80. usually i just give 3-4 days. if they can't make it, i'll list them at lower price.

well, grand finale of things i am thankful about - i am promoted! Mr GM himself called me and informed (during the same teleconversation, he has listed the things i need to do within that 2 days before the week ends). naturally the promotion comes with added responsibilities. i am trying hard coping, emotionally (been balik lewat and kids complaining) and physically (take-home work and staying up late to finish). it's BP time now. a very 'good' time to be promoted, huh.


okie dokie, need to hang the washed laundry.

Look Who's Finally Home!

don't ask me how i feel driving it because i haven't even sat on the driver's seat, so to speak. and when i do, don't ask me about the performance of this little fella. i last drive 6 years ago, a wira-aeroback 1.3 manual bearing the plat of TY 113. i am so so not in place to comment. so far Tebby is satisfied with the car. he said, this fella picks-up and doesn't drag when it shifts between gears. the interior finishing looks a bit plastic in many ways but at least every piece is fitted nicely where it should be. no a little too less or a little to much.

kakak was ecstatic when she saw this fella in our compound yesterday. she said, finally Tebby's car has a girl-car to marry. she always says Tebby's car is a boy for some reason only she knows. when we brought this fella for a little joyride last night, she said all other 'boys' (male car that is) were looking with interest. yes, she can get a bit carried away at times.

Iman, by nature is one curious little guy. he refused to walk on his own when we pass this little fella. he peeked and looked. and closed his eyes, resting his face on my shoulder. exactly how he reacts when meeting strangers. when we were finally inside the house, he was still peeking outside from the window. as if inspecting this little stranger.

but they both love the cars nonetheless. Iman, unlike other times when we need to use other than Tebby's car, willingly climbed up and behaved himself. kakak helped Tebby to remove all the plactic coverings and commented the different between this and Tebby's car.

maybe i'll start driving next week. i sure have a lot to learn. i don't know how to fill the gas even!

Indulgence Part 1: Self-Pity

saya masih tak gembira. in addition to what happened recently, i still have to do the tasks from my previous post, on top of the new ones. that is so rubbing salt to wound. and i am getting mails with instruction, even from the previous boss.

i've been having problem with the cheque for my ViVa. alhamdulillah, finally, i got it today. insyaAllah, i'll fetch the car tomorrow from the dealer. funny, i am not even excited about this. donno lah, maybe at seeing it real-life will change my mind. we'll see about that tomorrow.

they say, don't indulge in self-pity. when you fall, you must get up. i think i'll just lie down awhile staring at the stars. i haven't done that for a long long time...

Good News Bad News

Berita baik..

Whoaaa... bilalah ESOS ku nak float nih.. Dah lebih 2 minggu dah disburse ni. Err... 2 minggu 1 hari, to be exact. Harga melonjak-lonjak naik. Kot buleh dapat untuk RM2 seunit.. wah gempak!! *tamak* *tamak* (macamlah ada berbakul-bakul sahamnya ehem!)

Kereta Padi dah sampai. Tengah uruskan untuk dapatkan cek. Sebenarnya duluuuuu lagi dah sampai tapi sbb loan lambat, kereta tu letgo kat orang lain. Almaklumlah company loan ni bukan cam bank-loan kan. Yang pentingnya dapat jimat about RM100 sebulan as compared to loan loan. Kalau 8 tahun loan.. banyak tu! Camne lah nanti ni, dah berzaman tak drive ni... *ketor lutut already*

Berita tak berapa baik..

Tebby's handphone went into the toilet bowl this morning (tak tanya pulak samada dia telah mengautnya semula atau dia flush terus) Dah masuk dalam air tu, nyawa2 ikan pun idok rasanya. Kalau setakat masuk air, mungkin boleh lagi kot, ni masuk dalam air terus. Air jam*** pulak tuh. Oh, just to note, inilah handphone Tebby yang ke-2 yang masuk acara berenang dalam toilet bowl. Wajarkah saya hadiahkan dia dengan handphone baru sempena harga saham naik (belum apa2 lagi tuu.. baru dengar guruh dilangit tu... abis air setempayan ek?)

One of the pokok bunga I bought last weekend dah bunuh diri. Habis layu kecut berut. *kuciwa daku*. Sib baik yang lenlain masih segar-bugar termasuk periuk-kera Kakak. Periuk-kera tu kan, dahlah mahal, pastu nak kena ensure bila siram tu, air mesti masuk dalam periuk-periuk yang ada tu. Mungkinkah bunga tu mati sebagai pembalasan Iman pegi bukak paip takung air kat nursery tu tanpa kami menyedari? Wei.. sampai nak kering tauuu.. sabor je lah. Pastu kami tak bagitau tokei kedai, kami tutup aje paip tu semula. Mungkinkah? Ampunnn...

Sekian. Terima Kasih.

Tale of Viva, Tale of Tebby

Salam to all.

Updates on my ViVa. Got the undertaking letter at 45 after 5 on Monday and sent it to Pero2 in Kajang the next morning. (Thanks a lot to Kak Pah from HR, tho she may not be reading my blog at all! I pestered her all day) They're keeping the car for me until they get the cheque from T*. I don't know if they bluff. They told me the car would be available in 1.5-2 months time when there was in fact ready-stock and when it did arrived in their showroom much-much earlier than expected, they insisted that payment be made within 3 days. Gilo apo? Kalau duit saya berbakul-bakul, tidaklah saya membeli ViVa itu okay. At this point, kalau ada jodoh saya dengan si ViVa Kajang tu,.. adalahhh... kalau susah-susah sangat, anggaplah dah tak ada jodoh... sob! sob! Yang pasti kalau tak dapat ViVa, saya akan pinang yang lain pulak he.. he..

Anyway, semalam Tebby tak sihat. At 33yo, he's still very much a child in certain aspect. He ordered McD delivery of a Quarter Pounder, 2pcs of Fried Chicken. That were, in fact, normal in my household, we're gastronomic-disasterous when it comes to eating. When I asked him about soda drink, he just smiled guiltily. That earned him a spank. You see, Tebby had 'Gastritis Haemorrage' (spelling?) atau dengan kata mudahnya gastric berdarah and that is not not not good. He's been postponing appointment with Dr Mazlam and having hard time not to consume the 'donts', soda included. See, I have 3 babies to take care of. All manja one somemore!! But sorry guys, I am all Iman's at night. He'd wrap me around in his little embrace until he falls asleep.

Anyway, Achik and Che De (my SILs) came over last weekend. Kakak went shopping with them in Alamanda and got herself Twyla. Twyla is a cat in Barbie's Twelce Dancing Princesses, btw. [Excerpt from wiki ~ A cute kitten in the palace, who tries to act tough in front of her enemies. She is very proud and brave and does not get along with Rowena's monkey Brutus. She believes that she is a tigress (the reasons behind this belief are unknown and not explained in the film, though she seems to truly believe it), as shown when she tells Brutus that she is descended from "a line of fierce tigers from the jungles of India"] She knew well she would not be able to get one had she gone with us so... Achik and Che de were definately better targets. Achik brought along some food-stuff for us. A few boxes of cookies and a few more of 'instant' things. Thanks Achik.

the car is here, the loan is not!

keta dah sampai!

masalahnya loan masih sangkut! mamat Perodua tu dan tak dan nak mintak settle everything within 24 jam. saya kata mana sempat, dengan orang tengah cuti nya apa nya. so, i got 3 days to get an undertaking letter as proof of my loan capacity. with that they'll keep the car for me. the letter is being prepared by HR. i just hope thing will run smoothly and i don't have to come to a point that i need to yell at anyone.

My car *ehem* is available already.

*hooray not yet* My loan is still pending. Submitted last week and the processing shall take about 2 weeks. Perodua is holding the car for only 3 days. If I fail to submit an undertaking letter of sort, Perodua will release the car for the waiter after me. And I, will have to start the Q again. So, there was I this morning sorting things out. Alhamdulillah, the letter will be ready today, InsyaAllah. And I, can get my car! *but not to be too excited yet until I see the letter in front of my very eyes*.

I have a lot to do after getting it, inclusive of pumping gas into the tank!

Padi Dah Menjadi!!

kalau padi katakan padi

tidak aku tertampi-tampi

dah jadi memang menjadi

YESSS... VIVA ku akan sampai sebulan dua lagi