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After months of silence, what do you write when you have nothing to say? Days and activities have been pretty mundane. But I’ll have to get myself out of this “rut”. This writer’s block we are all too familiar with. This mentality of not having time doing what you love doing.

Got to start somewhere, right?
So let me tell you about my day. I am at work, pacing between my laptop, the coffee machine, conference calls and meetings for next week’s agenda.

At the back of my mind, I am planning dinner. Tarun will be back tonight from his work trip to Dallas. I told him about the broken AC. We just replaced the washer and dryer, and the AC finally gave up on us too. Our weekend is going to be pretty hectic fixing everything that’s not working.

Fun.

On a much realistic fun note, the in laws are here. And their 50th marriage anniversary is looming away. Lots to plan and do, but I don’t know where the starting point will be.

So tell me, what happened today?

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We cannot thank you all enough for all the concerning emails and messages via social media all throughout this year. Never expected so much concern and love from our online friends.

…….

2016 has proven to be a very tough year for me and my family. One week after ushering new year, we got a call that changed our lives, forever. A very tragic and horrific call.

I was getting ready for bed and the Husband was still busy with some office work when a call came in. He rushed to me and cautioned me to sit down and be strong.

Immediately I could sense something was very wrong. I questioned him about the call and is everyone back home okay. He shook his head and uttered the worse nightmare.

His sister and brother in law was found, murdered. 

I couldn’t believe what I was told. I remember going into some form of a shock and told the husband to speak to other members of the family to confirm, because this was simply untrue.

My husband at that time was surprisingly calm. And that concerned me. I had to dust myself off from this shock and immediately went into a survival mode because I knew he would need me now, more than ever.

We sat and cried together what seemed like for hours, in the midst of making travel arrangements. Both, shocked and still reeling from a huge loss, we made our way to the airport.

His sister and brother in law was found, murdered. 

After nine months, this sentence still haunts me. The inevitability of their passing will continue to haunt us.

Death is inevitable. We all are destined to go, one day.

But…..

Losing two loved ones so tragically, especially knowing that they were angelic, is something so difficult to fathom. They lived life for others and knowing that their lives were ended so horrifically, hollowed us out completely.

Most days were spent on bed, lack of food, energy and willingness to survive. Days are spent questioning, why? Why them of all the people?

Why were their lives ended so violently?

No answers. We are enveloped with silence and questions.

I won’t delve into specifics of the crime since it’s still under investigation. And frankly, what’s there to talk about when they are never going to come back?

Time has stood still for us. I’m depressed most of the time, stopped meeting anyone, refuse to trust anybody… basically, I’ve stopped living my life. Getting back into a routine seems impossible. Writing has never been this tough before.

Crawling up into bed, sobbing my heart out? That’s easier.

Blogging, socializing, photography — everything was thrown out of the door. With the support from the family, we are gradually getting back into everything we once loved doing. And just then, as if the grieve wasn’t enough, I woke up one day to the news of my friends’ tragic passing. I begin questioning my faith and beliefs. I begin questioning the existence of God.

Worst of all, I lost trust in humanity.

It used to trouble me how some people cope with loss or tragedies thrown into their lives. And when it was our turn, there aren’t any words to describe what we all went through and how these tragedies will continue to affect us all.

You both are gone, but will remain forever…  we can never move on.

Tell your loved ones how much you love them, hug all of them tighter, hold every one closer and most importantly, don’t trust anyone so easily.

Trust me, the world can be a nasty place.

…….

How do we grieve?

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You would think after blogging for 3 years, ya’ll would know everything about me. Nah. I saw this over Emily’s blog and thought to pass this on. If you blog, go ahead and introduce yourself.

Here, goes everything about me and hoping for least of embarrassment.

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Not me.

So.

Time flies! Literally! Just remembered that I did not post the remaining travelogues from all the traveling I did earlier this year. Ooppss! Guess its never too late 🙂

Where was I? Ok. Talking about Malaysia. So, after a’Famosa resort in Malacca, we drove home to prepare a surprise baby shower for my beloved sister J.

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A very long overdue post about my recent travels to Malaysia, India and Amsterdam. But a must share of experiences that I encountered along the way.

First up, packing continued till the last minute. Left for the airport. Arrived at the check-in counter. Rummaged into handbag for my air-ticket. Go figure. Of course we left it at home! Nervous to the teeth!!! Hubby rushed home…Found the ticket, rushed to the air-port and low-behold, made it to the gate just minutes to spare 😀 Was sad that me and hubby had less time to spend before my flight. Orbitz issued me book tickets instead of an e-ticket. And yes, it’s unexplainable!

Nine hours to Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam for my connecting flight to Malaysia. It was uncomfortable. And not without a drama. The book-ticket continues to haunt. I arrived barely 1.5 hours before my connecting flight to find the transfer counters empty! Gosh! I needed a boarding pass, it can’t be so difficult right? While dragging my luggage, I ran all the way to the other end of the airport to gather more information for the next flight. And what do I get? A frumpy-grumpy attendant explaining the reason why she gave away my chosen seat on flight.

The grumpy conversation:

Flight attendant (FA): Hi, your ticket?

Me: (too groggy and lousy from the jet-lag).. hhmm, what? Oh yeah, here is my book ticket. Why isn’t there anyone tending at the transfer desks?

FA: I was there 2.5 hours ago! You are late and I have released your window seat! All window seats are taken!

Me: { Flabbergasted! There is still an hour to flight} Your tone is too rude missy. And for your information, this is my connecting flight. Even if I were to jump off the plane, I can promise you that my swimming skills wouldn’t help me arriving here 2.5 hours ago! I demand to speak to your manager. And can you please be so kind and hand me a complaint form or something? Your customer service skills are much appreciated 😀

FA: Gimme a minute!

Me: Take your time, I am too tired to argue now 😉

Sigh. I went and took a seat awaiting to board the plane. A tap on the shoulder and the Manager on duty apologized instead of handing over a complaint form or explaining the atrocious behavior her staff displayed.  I was assigned a window seat finally. Any window seat is fine, not aisle! That amounts to jinxing my departure 😀

In summary, there is no harm in demanding. In a gentle gesture. Or so I thought!

Touchdown at KLIA Malaysia in the wee hours after 12.5 hours of flight. With horrid, battered and bruised face I was ready to hit the sack. Met parents at the arrival hall. Hugs and kisses. Arrived home and slept all the day. Mummy’s cooking lingered and I knew I am back into the arms of my loved ones 🙂 Sadly, left a piece of my heart in Orlando.

To be continued… This was just the beginning of a wonderful vacation!

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