Angie's blog

Angie is a simple girlie who believes that her life is governed by God's mercy, grace and wisdom. This blog site solely used for her to express her thoughts and experiences in life.

Wednesday, October 20

Diamonds are a girl's bestfriend

Now, now, how deep is that title? Duh? Some say that it's the most emotional purchase one will ever make (to me, it's ouch in the pockets). A symbolic meaning behind that standard solitaire is as profound as a 'new beginning' or 'infinite possibility' of everlasting love. Sure, go out and interview them ladies who own / wear them, and men who bought them, and you'll find different answers all the time. Even to this day, you see women showing off their rock of ages (some even lament that the need an upgraded ring - smack them!), and at the same time, you see also wrinkled ladies who no longer shine have a nice eye-searing rock on their finger (now, that's everlasting love!). Errr... it's a status?

Anyway, over the weekend that I was back in Sabah, both Marianne and I wandered off to Sutra harbour for a little afternoon tea but we got distracted by the Magellan diamond fair! We couldn't resist ourselves but to sign up and registere ourselves to have a little 'look-see' of what's going on in there (it's an excuse). Though, we made a pact to kick each other if we were ever tempted to purchase any jewelry, we still failed miserably! lol

We strolled into the heavily guarded hall, to be greeted by many, many desperate sales persons who were trying to get us to their booths. Flyers were pushed our ways, and a sea of people were hopping from one booth to the next, bargaining away - almost 'pasar malam' like (night market) ... it was that way everywhere in the hall. From time to time as we walked down the little aisles between booths, a sales person would shove an eye-searing diamond this and that under our noses. We were tempted like mad, and even checked out a few loose stones to see what kind of prices they'd quote us. All in great and affordable prices ... Everytime I look away from the stone, my eyes went bling-bling. Yes, nice, nice, nice but frivolous! If money grows on mango trees, I'd buy up every diamond I see hahaha. This brought me to think of Marilyn Monroe's song: "Diamonds are a girl's best friend" (sung in 'Gentlemen prefer blondes'). What does she mean by diamonds being a girl's best friend? Never in my life did I see myself talking to my diamonds, nor do I know of anyone who ever did confide in diamonds or made them bosom buddies (pun intended).

Needless to say, both Marianne and I are not blonde, but could still succumb to the temptations and walked out with a pair of diamond earrings each lol. It's good to have both the freedom and the earning power to purchase our own diamonds and not be dependant on men to buy us these pretty lil' sparkly things hahaha. We happily trot out of the hall, and finally sat down for our tea, but it didn't calm us, we ordered a beer later on with lots of oily prawn crackers - yes, to fuel the guilt lol.

I went home to show off to Mommy dearest (add on the sound effects of ooohs and ahhhs), and she had to try them on and admire it on herself before she took it off again to clip it back to my ears. Of course, all these were done behind Dad's back, as we don't want to hear him talk of us being frivolous and comparing us to kids in ethiopia. Afterall, he did get a nice flawless rock for mommy, and he got us three wonderful children after that lol.

Nevertheless, this brought to my mind of what Mom told me and sis ages ago... Mom related to us that when she had only us girls then (before bro was born) some of my Dad's sisters and sister-in-laws (the ones who didn't have daughters - stupid old traditional Chinese mentality that only sons are good) hinted to my mom that it's a pity that she couldn't give birth to a son... and mom's hurtful retort to them, "Daughters are great, they'll grow up and buy diamonds for their mommies". There goes the 'diamond' word again.

Now that we girls have finally grown up, and we really did buy diamonds for mommy - this is not to spite our aunties, but to give what mommy loves. During family gatherings these days, my aunts would come up and say to mommy, "I've never seen that before, such a nice pair of earrings / pendant", and mom would quickly add, "My daughters bought this and that for me, only daughters would do that". Yeah, yeah, indeed, that's very true. Both sis and I have bought so much jewelry for mommy over the past years.

Indeed, it's daughters who will always come home and bring gifts for their parents and even bathe their parents when they are sick, what would the sons bring or do? lol It's funny that Chinese parents still want to live with their sons and give everything to 'him' when it's the daughters who have been more filial and loyal and the a long list of good goes on... hmmm? Anyway, food for thoughts.

Mommy had always told me and sis, "When you marry next time, make sure that you get a diamond ring from him before your wedding day... after the wedding, he'll never buy you one". I guess that's the underlying meaning to what Marilyn Monroe's song all about! Errr... interesting... and I looked at all my married friends and even cousins / aunts ... they all have an eye-searing rock to show off (all from their hubbies). Hmmm.... are men pressured to present a diamond for their women to show that it's true love? Or could it be a man's ego at play as well to show that he's able to provide? Well, that's another big story all together - the love and providence thing. Let's not get into it (we want the blog to end soon if all ye out there find this is boring you to tears). It dates back to age old traditions that could even be modernised to this day's materialistic ways.... bla bla bla Tricky, aye?

Now, back to men getting diamonds for their gals - another example that's vivid in my mind is of an old friend of mine, Ramani. Now, good ol' Ramani recently proposed to his long-time gal pal, and he was said to have spent about RM16,000 for a diamond ring. I got the word from John and Jason that Ramani was lamenting that he's bloody broke from buying it. Why go through the troubles when it actually brought more worries? That's the question. Let's do without the diamonds and let the girls get it themselves (I know I'm inviting other girls to throw stones at me for saying that - but hey, girls, if you want your freedom and live a life obligation-free, it's best to get your own diamonds!). Anyway, back to Ramani dearest again, we (old friends), in our little gathering at a bowling alley a month or two ago, everyone was trying to look for Lillian's eye-searing rock... yup, we spotted it, that rock which impoverished poor Ramani! lol Lillian was of course, really proud of the gem, and was flicking her 'ringed' finger across her bangs all the time... glitter*flash*glimmer*blinding.... lol Nice, by the way! We all snickered quietly - nah, don't read this as if we're a jealous lot - we're glad for both Ramani and Lillian.

Anyway, both sis and I have discussed this whole diamond thing before, that we have enough diamonds for ourselves and don't agree to getting a man to get us things, as not only we can afford our own diamonds, grandma and mommy will pass down more to us in time to come. I'd say that diamonds are not merely a girl's best friend in both sis and my case (sorry, Marilyn Monroe!), as we see more gems in personalities than that hard, cold rock that'll not withstand the heat of fire. So, why do I still purchase diamonds? Well, it's because they are pretty to look at and I feel good that I can purchase them for myself - it's to bolster my woman ego! As for them being best friends? No, never.



Sunday lunch with Mom and Dad @ Super Tankers. The food was so yummy - Chinese herbed chicken, Bean Curd, two different types of local veggies, and cod fish! Yummmmmms Posted by Hello


Me in front of my old kindergarten! I was attending the kindie 29 years ago! lol Posted by Hello


Jo's funky hairdo for the night - this is the second dress she's wearing for the night - nice, nice, nice! Posted by Hello


After the wedding, both Mag and I drove out and met up with Florence. I knew florence since I was 6 years old! Posted by Hello


Mag & I  Posted by Hello


The Chinese tea ceremony Posted by Hello


Mag and I, taking a photo of our dresses lol - that's our lap, by the way! Posted by Hello


Just a few of us taking this group photo - we didn't want to join in the big group earlier Posted by Hello


The happy newly marrieds! Posted by Hello


The vows and the exchange of rings Posted by Hello


At the altar...  Posted by Hello


This is John, the groom... he was looking really nervous when I was about to click the button of my camera, but he quickly smiled to cover it up! Sneaky! lol Posted by Hello


The wedding march has begun... :) Posted by Hello


Awww... will you just look at that? So pretty!!!! Posted by Hello

Tuesday, October 19


This is taken right outside the church! Outside of the car is (L --> R) Agatha, me and Marrianne Posted by Hello


I took a snap at Jo in the car - we were taking off to Church - the driver was speeding as the bride is late! lol Posted by Hello


Jo laughing away and ducking her head to get into the car - on the way to church! I love this picture - so candid! Posted by Hello


Jo, all made up and pretty to be married off! lol Posted by Hello


Helping Jo put her shoes on!!! lol  Posted by Hello


Jo at 8:00am in the morning - just freshly made up and looking radiant! :) Posted by Hello


Jo's wedding dinner at Tanjung Aru Beach hotel resort. From L--> R: Me, Dad, Mom, Chris (Marianne's hubby), John (Jo's hubby), Jo, Marianne (she's stooping behind Jo), Aunty Josephine (Marianne's Mom), Dominic (behind Aunty Josephine), Uncle James (Marianne's Dad), and Bobbi (Dominic's girlfriend).  Posted by Hello

Home Sweet Home

The moment I walked into the luggage claim area, I could see both Mom & Dad peering through the glass doors, and their faces lit up like christmas trees!!! Yes, they were really happy to see the homecoming of the prodigal daughter haha!

I lugged both my baggage and backpack as I walked out of area and went straight to Mom & Dad, giving them big, tight hugs. I peered closely to their faces, and would like to give both of them a big kiss, but that won't do, it's Sabah, and it's a conservative place, and I would embarass my parents for doing that!! haha! No matter how controlled I was, my eyes were still filled with unshed tears when I looked at them - I noticed new lines and more gray hairs on them. My parents have grown much older, and it once again made me promise to myself that I should come home more often just to see them. For the umpteenth time I've been telling myself this over the years, I didn't quite make it. Year 2004 is a year to remember, as I've made it home twice - more times than I ever did in any other year over the span of 14 years since I first left home.

Though homecoming this time wasn't solely for seeing Mom & Dad, but for Jo's wedding. I love Jo to bits and pieces, and wouldn't miss her wedding for the world. I have regretted to this day that I missed Marianne's more than 2 years ago, but I promised to make it up by being there for the christening of her first born (it's still in the making, nothing in the oven yet! lol).

When we got home, dinner was ready for me - all the goodies Mom cooked, yums! They watched me while I ate, like they couldn't get enough of looking at me - that's my parents for you! Dad later on took out to videotapes, saying that he has taped down the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2004 Olympic games (Athens). It's interesting that Dad has always remembered that I have always wanted to watch things of such. I've not watched any of those for the past 2 Olympics... hmmm, but promised Dad that I'll watch it with him after Jo's wedding.

Soon after dinner, Marianne arrived at the house, as we were expected to have a short meeting with Jo on what we should be doing for the wedding on the next morning. Yes, both Marianne and I were bridesmaids for Jo. Both Mom & Dad wished that I don't have to do so much work over the weekend so that I could spend more time with them, in which I carefully did prioritise my time just for them, and some for Jo and Marianne. Everything turned out well. I'm glad.

Though at Jo's wedding, lots of things were on ad hoc basis - both Marianne and I were the main runners for Jo, and everything fell into place - whew! Thanks to everyone too - they all handled it really well. Poor Jo was stressed out like mad, and probably didn't really enjoy her wedding as much as she should have. Nevertheless, the wedding at the church and the dinner at night turned out really, really well! We're all happy!

It's a pity that I had to rush back to KL the very next night after Jo's wedding, and in my heart, I'm both glad that I will be sleeping on my own bed and having everything familiar again back in KL. Somehow, 'home' in Sabah, isn't so much a 'home' to me anymore despite growing up there. I was a visitor to see my parents, and in the house, I could still see some memorablia of my presence there. Despite all my things being tucked away and wrapped up by Mommy dearest (so that dust won't get to it), and basically, anything that was about 'me' were just pictures on the wall, and those little knick knacks and handicrafts that I made for decoration as I was growing up. I had to tear my eyes from wanting to notice this and that, as I knew I was pressing for time to rush to Jo's side, and also spend more time with Mom and Dad.

I managed to wake up really early for church on Sunday morning - I only had 2 hours' sleep. I went about my business and wandered to the little hallway to the bedrooms... there, I saw a large, framed charcoal portrait of the 24-year-old me was leaning at the top of the book shelf. That portrait dates back to 1995, almost 10 years ago, I was at the streets of London, and painters would take 10 pounds for every portrait drawn. I did exactly that, sat myself down on a tiny stool with my sister watching me, and had the portrait done. I looked at it again at this day and age, and remembered what my life was all about then. Before I got too dreamy and too sentimental, Dad walked up behind me, and joined me to look at the framed picture and he said, "you know what, the picture doesn't really look like you, white men don't know how to bring out the best of Asian features". Funny! lol Following that statement, he did some funny antics looking back and forth me and the picture lol. Mom soon joined us, with a toothbrush in her mouth, and looked at the picture - all three of us - still in our pyjamas lol. Hmmm... there and then, I realised that the sweetest thing about home is because Mom & Dad are there. I will make it home once again, really soon.






Thursday, October 14


Yes, Aunt disappeared out of the scene just to let Christina and Joseph pose with the durians - this is the second round! They really do love durians! BTW, Christina has 5 children (she looks really good and doesn't look like she's got 5 kids!) and she's a year younger than me!!! haha Posted by Hello


That's my aunt in light pink pyjamas (she refuses to show her face towards the camera, but she's chuckling away). In bright pink is my cousin, Christina, and the opposite side is Joseph, the youngest of the Yong clan on my Paternal side. Posted by Hello

Aunt & cousins @ my house

This should be blogged ages and ages ago, but nevertheless, I'm doing it now. My aunt and cousins were staying at my place in early september. Yeah, my aunt has gotten the tongue cancer despite her being careful all her life. So... she was here to see more doctors, basically 'doctor shopping' for a 2nd, 3rd... bla bla bla opinion about her cancer.

It was really sad to see her wanting to eat lots of stuff, but she had to refrain herself. You will see in the pictures, where my aunt couldn't resist herself but to take big sniffs of the durian, and also just to touch the durians again. Look at the pix at the top.


Picture taken at the Smokehouse @ Fraser's. L-R --> Sylvester, Pei Boon, Angie, Me, Dr. Nafsiah, Dr. Lim, Dr. Jeff, Angeline & Kelly. You'll see the same pix again (next one after this), but taken from an opposite direction.  Posted by Hello


At the smokehouse - we were there for scones during our 'break time' on Saturday afternoon. L-R --> Dr. Lim, Dr. Jeff, Angeline, Kelly, Choo, Chew, Himi, Anderson, Sylvester, Pei Boon, Angie. Posted by Hello