Auld Lang Syne

2004 has been one helluva adventurous year. A roller coaster of eventful episodes, which affected my life, spiritually, emotionally and of course, financially.

In March, we moved to our new house in Bukit Mahkota. It was supposed to be a mark of independence. For the very first time, we finally moved to our very own house. We had to change Opi’s school, had the basic construction done and a lawn to plant all the fruit trees that Husband had always wanted. It was physically exhausting and financially straining. Not to add, rather frustrating because the things that we were so used to, are just not there in Bukit Mahkota. I was exasperated over the fact that the nearest Carrefour is in Cheras, Opi’s school is a rundown facility with broken chairs and there were no decent restaurant within 30km radius!

Somehow, the silver lining began to appear behind the cloud and I received the much-waited phone call from Shell to confirm that I was accepted in Shell IT in Cyberjaya! At least I know that I no longer have to suffer the horrible traffic jams of Jalan Tun Razak!

So I moved jobs. After spending almost a lifetime in my previous company, I finally put forth my letter. It felt good and at the same time, scary. Good because I needed the change…scary because I’ve to start all over again. People often wonder why I did it – leaving my so-called managerial position, huge cubicle, an army of staff, company phone and PDA, IBM T41…for an analyst position with a small workstation. My answer is simple – money! And (a lot) lesser responsibilities.

Starting again from bottom means I’ve to learn to take instruction (again) rather than give. I’ve to photocopy all the notes and not simply waiting for the notes to be passed to me like previously. Quite frankly – I’m enjoying myself. No more business plans to brainstorm, draft, re-draft and present. Just my work – 8am to 430pm and no more late nights.

Scenes at homes were changing too. My faithful maid/companion of 3 years left for good. Emi and I had this wonderful understanding. She knows what to do, when to do it and how to do it well. Husband and I could lead our normal social lives without having to worry too much. But she needed to go back home and stay with her parents, she needed to get married, so I let her go.

We then had to suffer one maid from hell. My life then ranged from throwing fits of angry lashes to being downright emotionally depressed.

In between, Opi started primary school, the children had their very first overseas trip, Husband completed his MBA, Dodek left to work in Singapore, Jim Bob moved to his own place as well, Pona moved job to be in the government sector and met Rusa, as much as still virtually, Baby Aqlan was born on 8th of May, Bang Jai got a fantastic job in Nilai, Odin bought his very first Satria, Mak and Abah finally decided on having our family home renovated.

What a colourful year… and what a tragic ending to Malaysia - now everyone shall remember Tsunami...

And what will 2005 brings to us?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot and days of auld lang syne?
For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne,
we'll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne.