The Parts of Melaka I Remember

We had decided to head interstate for a little couples’ trip quite some time ago, but, as these things often go, we didn’t actually settle on the destination until we were much closer to our departure date.

After tossing around a few ideas, we eventually settled on one place.

Melaka

It wasn’t exactly a spontaneous decision—we had been planning to go interstate for a while—but the destination itself was very much a last-minute conclusion.

Because of the rather intense weather we’d been experiencing, we initially planned to set off earlier in the day. The idea was to beat the worst of the afternoon heat and avoid spending too much time on the road under the blazing sun.

There was another factor to consider too: I wasn’t exactly a seasoned motorbike passenger.

Being the passenger on a motorbike for a longer interstate journey is a very different experience from simply hopping on for a short ride around town. My body wasn’t exactly accustomed to sitting on the back for hours at a time, so we had to factor in the possibility of making multiple stops along the way for me to stretch, rest, and generally recover from being a human backpack.

So, an early start it was.

For journeys like this, I usually have two places that I mentally consider my “halfway point,” depending on where I’m headed.

If we’re going towards Port Dickson, Seremban, or even A’Famosa, then the Southbound Seremban R&R is usually where I feel like I’ve officially made it halfway.

But if Johor Bahru is the final destination, my halfway marker shifts further south. That would be the Alor Gajah Overhead Bridge, which locals commonly refer to as the Alor Gajah Restoran Jejantas.

There’s something oddly satisfying about having these little mental checkpoints during a long journey. You know that once you reach a certain place, you’ve crossed an invisible line and can tell yourself, Okay, we’re halfway there.

For this particular trip to Melaka, reaching the Alor Gajah area meant we were getting close enough to our destination that the journey no longer felt quite so daunting.

Of course, being on the back of a motorbike meant the journey itself was already an experience. There was the heat, the wind, the traffic, the occasional need to stop and stretch, and the constant awareness that I was very much relying on the person in front of me to get us safely from Point A to Point B.

Still, there’s something rather different about travelling by motorbike.

You’re not sealed inside an air-conditioned car, watching the scenery through a window.

You feel the heat, smell the surroundings, and experience every change in weather firsthand, which, admittedly, sounds romantic until you’re sitting there wondering why the sun seems to be personally targeting you.

But despite the discomfort, we eventually made our way towards Melaka.

And, thankfully, this was only the beginning of our little interstate adventure.

We crashed for the night at Mercury Boutique Hotel, which is within walking distance of the Stadthuys—I’d say around 10 minutes or so. My boyfriend’s desire to bring me to the popular Jonker Walk Night Market was actually the main reason we settled on this hotel.

Jonker Walk Signage

 
On our way to the Stadthuys and Jonker Walk Night Market, we came across the Maritime Museum (Samudera Museum) and decided to have a peek. Mind you, there is an entrance fee for all visitors, although I can’t remember exactly how much it was. The admission fees are tiered, with different rates for citizens and non-citizens.

The museum is housed inside a carrack—a replica of the Flor de la Mar. Inside, you’ll get a glimpse into Melaka’s history as an important trading port, as well as how foreign traders and their influences helped shape the city into what it is today.

As for the night market itself, well... it just wasn’t really for me. It felt very much like a typical biweekly neighbourhood night market, albeit in a much more touristy setting. But hey, at least I managed to walk away with a souvenir—a Mandarin keychain bearing my last name—from one of the nearby shops.

So I suppose the trip wasn’t a total loss.

Christ Church Melaka, Stadhuys

In hindsight, the hotel was worth what we paid for.

The room had decent air-conditioning and a functioning chiller, which was always a plus in Melaka’s heat. There was also a water dispenser conveniently located by the elevator, along with a complimentary set of toothbrushes and toothpaste.

Parking can be a little limited, but most guests seemed to park their vehicles under the bridge opposite the hotel and inform the receptionist. Apparently, doing so allowed them to secure free parking.

If you head towards the back of the area, you’ll find a marketplace, two shopping complexes, and plenty of food options. Just opposite the eateries is the famous Menara Taming Sari as well.

Overall, the location was pretty convenient if you’re looking to explore the main tourist spots around the Stadthuys and Jonker Walk area without having to drive everywhere.

The next day, we moved to Swiss-Garden Hotel Melaka for a longer stay, thanks to an online promotion being offered on Booking.com. Truthfully, that promotion was probably the main reason we decided to stay there in the first place.

At first glance, the hotel seemed pretty convenient. Since it is situated above a shopping mall, The Shore Shopping Gallery, we could simply head downstairs whenever we felt like doing a little shopping or needed to pick something up. No need to drive anywhere or figure out where to park—just take the lift down, and you’re there.

One of the places we checked out was Menara Taming Sari, home to the famous Gyro Tower. The viewing cabin itself slowly rotates while moving up and down, giving you a 360-degree view of Melaka from above. And let me just put this out there: if you have a fear of heights—or heights tend to make your legs go weak—you might want to think twice about this one.

View from Gyro Tower, Menara Taming Seri

The ride itself isn’t particularly long, but being suspended high above the ground while slowly rotating and looking down at the city can be quite an experience if you’re not comfortable with heights. I wouldn’t exactly call it relaxing. Still, if heights don’t bother you, it’s certainly an interesting way to take in the Melaka City from above.

We also took a river cruise along the Melaka River, which was probably one of the more relaxing activities we did during the trip.

The boat ride takes you past various historical sights and buildings along the river, allowing you to see a different side of Melaka without having to spend the entire time walking around under the heat. There’s also a voiceover during the ride introducing the various places and landmarks along the route, which I thought was a nice touch. Just don’t expect to catch every word. Depending on where you’re seated, the narration can easily get drowned out by the background noise from the boat and its surroundings.

Even so, sitting back and watching the scenery drift past was rather pleasant.

By the time we were done with everything, we ended up having a rather late dinner at Chan Mari Chan Muhibah Bistro @ Rumah Melaka.

 

Scenery of Melaka River, Chan Mari Chan

Fish & Chips / Chicken Chop

For what it’s worth, I wouldn’t say the prices were particularly cheap. In fact, they were almost on par with what we’d pay back home, which wasn’t entirely surprising given the restaurant’s close proximity to the river.

Still, when you’re hungry after a long day of walking around and sightseeing, sometimes you just eat.

Seriously, hotels with accessible balconies have a completely different aura at night.

There was one night when I simply couldn’t sleep, so instead of tossing and turning in bed, I decided to sneak out onto the balcony and admire the night view. From up there, I could see Kampung Morten in the distance, quietly nestled along the river. The whole place felt surprisingly peaceful at night.

Scenery of Kampung Morten

 
It was one of those little travel moments that wasn’t planned at all, but somehow ended up becoming one of the more memorable parts of the stay.

Although, in hindsight, there was a slightly amusing realisation: we could have just continued staying at the first hotel. It was already within walking distance of most of the places we wanted to visit, after all.

But then again, if we hadn’t moved to Swiss-Garden, I probably wouldn’t have had that balcony, that night view, or that spontaneous little midnight escape.

So perhaps the hotel switch wasn’t such a bad idea after all.

Of course, no trip is complete without the journey home—and ours wasn’t exactly smooth sailing.

What was supposed to be a relatively straightforward two-hour ride home ended up taking closer to four hours after we got caught in a rather unforgiving downpour.

And let me tell you, there is absolutely nothing fun about being stuck on the road while drenched from head to toe, especially when you’re already starting to shiver from the cold.

By the time we finally made it home, I was exhausted, wet, cold, and more than ready to collapse into bed. At that point, I was half-expecting to wake up the next morning with a raging fever or a full-blown flu.

Somehow, though, my body decided to surprise me. I still find it rather amusing that I managed to drag myself back to work the very next day without the slightest sign of a fever, flu, or even so much as a sniffle.

After spending hours getting drenched in the rain and shivering my way home, I honestly expected my immune system to file a formal complaint.

But nope.

The next morning, there I was—back at work as if nothing had happened.

Perhaps the human body is a little more resilient than I give it credit for. Or maybe I simply got lucky.

Either way, after three days of travelling, sightseeing, walking around in the heat, getting caught in the rain, and surviving that unexpectedly long journey home, I think I had more than earned the right to complain about being tired.

A Quick Update

And so, it has been ages since I set foot in the blogosphere, especially now that I'm living the life of an office worker. Most days, I'm spending close to 10 hours in front of a desktop with an awkward posture (read: curled shrimp). This has resulted in those monthly sessions with the chiropractor to hopefully keep the situation at bay.

As for the gym sessions, yeah, that's on me. I haven't been able to drag myself out to face the treadmill and lat pulldown. The moment I'm awake, it's already the afternoon or I'm glued to the mattress.

And so, since the special someone sensed that work was making me frazzled, he suggested a couple's date at the cinemas, so here we go.

We were confused for the first part of "Thunderbolts" because we hadn't watched the prequel beforehand. My chiropractor had forewarned me about it as he went for it almost immediately after the cinema premiere. Apparently, it was a continuation of the previous arcs, leading to "Fanastic Four: First Steps".

I mean, for those who watched "Thunderbolts", the scriptwriters had made it rather obvious.

Then, I heard great reviews about the movie called "Blood Brothers". Since it was a locally-made, locally-produced movie, it was time I supported our film industry. Again, my chiropractor had already watched it, advising that while the first arc of the movie will leave questions, the finale will connect all the dots together as the answer.

We watched "Mission Impossible: Final Reckoning" only because rumors were swirling that this was the end of the franchise. Seeing that I had already watched the first two films as a child, it was only just right to watch the final one as a closure. Man, lots of the scenes really references the previous movies and how the characters are connected.

As for "How to Train Your Dragon", it was because I had heard rare reviews about it. Since we arrived late at the cinema, this was the only one available that suited our schedule. Not to mention, the cinema rewarded us with the poster. It was one of those movies that didn't leave me bored even when watching the second time. I had already watched with my college friends a day after its premiere and gave my copy of the poster to them.

The Updates - Life and Movies

And so, hiding myself indoors has its downsides - sure, the lack of sunlight has affected my brain, but it has made the isolation dangerously comfortable.

However, the most important thing is that the lack of exposure to fresh air is making me unable to focus on work. Staring at the screen leaves me sleepy, while leaving the windows open tempts my taste buds.

Though the same issue remains: I'd crave home if I'm outdoors and vice versa.

And with that, I forced myself to blend into society instead of continuing to be the hermit that my childhood friend says that I am, heh.

Instead of having my meals to go, I try to dine in at the cafes/restaurants and savor the atmosphere. Or spend a little more time at the gym, working out the stress away, slowly training your muscles, or having small conversations with acquaintances there.

Heck, an overseas-based college mate of mine even informed me months earlier to set aside the specific dates. He wanted to catch up with me while he was back in town after being away for years.

Man, the significant trajectory of my life has sent me spinning in circles. First, my career prospects have been altered due to the recent operational changes, which is a pain but understandable. So, that leaves me back to where I started, but it's okay.

Bite the bullet in persistence, hoping for the best.

Secondly, after years of being guarded and having emotional walls raised sky high, a special someone decided to sneak in through the tiny gaps and slowly knock them down with persistence, assurance, and patience. His actions, combined with one game-changer, eventually moved me.

Here's to a happier future, I guess - though I wouldn't want to say much since we're still in the early stages.

The game-changer? A particular incident at the theme park, where I panicked after being confronted by two of my fears simultaneously. It was one thing to cough nonstop, but it was another thing to be pale and trembling. No matter how I squeezed my own hand or calmed myself down with deep breaths, all I felt was one thing: exhaustion.

Being on the verge of tears as well, I wished that there was someone who could take care of me, allowing me the chance to be gentle and meek again. Being independent and strong all the time was draining the life out of me - and yes, it didn't help that I'm more aloof now than when I was younger.

That aside, since the special someone sensed that work was making me frazzled and snappy, he suggested heading to the cinema for a break.

The Official End

Issuance of the Death Certificate 

A funeral home would be able to assist with this as they would lodge an application at the nearest National Registration Department on your behalf. However, if you are in a rush, it's advisable to apply yourself as the next of kin. The department's more likely to issue the certificate earlier when the applicant is the deceased's next of kin—or that was what I heard. 

So, if you intend to apply personally, visit the NRD's website for the specific checklist before you head over with the documents. You could save the extra time of going back and forth repeatedly. 

For me, since I was paying the funeral home, I figured it would be better to let them handle everything as they are the experienced folks. It took quite a while, but it didn't matter as I was able to wait. (I honestly didn't want to run around, nor did I have the patience to do so.) 

That said, before you proceed to get the death certificate, ensure that you have copies of the deceased's IC. The NRD would destroy the original IC once the death certificate is issued (to prevent fraud, I'm sure.). 

And yes, it's always better to have extra copies lying around. 

Once you have the original death certificate, the first port of call is to have copies of this document before storing it in a safe place. You'd need it virtually for everything bearing the deceased's name—cancellation of accounts, cancellation of prepayments, and the grant of probate/letter of administration for properties, among others. (As for the grant of probate/letter of administration, you're better off dealing with the lawyer on this. Even better, do it when the deceased is still alive and has legal capacity to make uninfluenced decisions.) 

Any supplementary documents bearing the deceased's name shouldn't be destroyed as long as they used to own properties while alive. It'd be safer to prove their identity and ownership that way, too. 

Final Thoughts 

It'd be much better to deal with matters of death while the deceased is still alive. Trust me, a lot of unnecessary headaches can be avoided.

The Hospital Dream

I dreamt that I worked in an environment similar to a hospital, but my colleagues and I were in different departments. Then, as we were heading in from the entrance, we saw that there was a crowd surrounding a certain area of the hospital. Someone shared that when they walked past one of the rooms, they overheard a man and a woman arguing at the top of their lungs due to personal matters.

Photo by Freguesia de Estrela on Unsplash
That was why we weren't exactly surprised when we heard that the deceased committed suicide, as we connected the dots. Though we were sad, we were not close to the deceased.

The camera then panned to the next scene.

I thought I had lost my keys in the locker when I was clocking out. Someone—I don't know who—clad in a bath towel and hair towel reminded me that I might have misplaced it when I had a shower and a change of clothes. She even offered to help me locate the keys.

Photo by Ray Sison on Unsplash

At the end of the workday, I was dragged by someone—let's call him Guy A—as we ran toward the train station. It felt very much like the NYC subway, but we ended up detouring to the bus station for reasons unknown to me. We found another passenger—let's call him Guy B—in his trenchcoat, seated below a board indicating the station name hammered into the brick wall.

Then, the scene panned to someone's home where we were seated around a round table, deep in a discussion as we planned a hangout after work or during our mutual off-days. However, I had to collect parcels on the day that they had in mind.

Guy A even suggested to lose the contact lenses and wear my glasses more often.

So, here we go for the dream interpretation.

For the scene where I was entering the hospital grounds, it's possible that I'm assisting others to recover from whatever hell they are going through at this point in time. The dream website proceeded to elaborate that "each scenario holds a mirror to your inner world, challenging you to reflect on whether you're in need of healing or offering it to others".

This actually is in line with what I have read about astrology and dates of birth. 

Oh, about the scene where I lost my keys, I wouldn't be surprised if this is the main theme of the dream. The dream website indicated that "losing your keys in a dream can symbolize feelings of frustration and anxiety. You may feel like you are losing control or that you are not able to find your way. This dream may also be a warning from your subconscious to pay attention to your surroundings and be more careful with your belongings".

The same website also clarified that "losing a key means that an informal dispute with someone will upset you. This will hurt deeply and you will not be able to find understanding among your loved ones. The same dream can portend the loss of an important opportunity..."

Bull's eye, I must say.

Not only do I feel like I am lost in life, but I am starting to misplace the very exact thing - keys. Yes, keys. It also never helped that, thanks to a misunderstanding/dispute, I have severed ties with one side of the family's relatives, too.

As for the kind soul—the one clad in a bath towel and hair towel—who asked what happened, ChatGPT mentioned that this could symbolize vulnerability, cleansing, or transition when read together with the loss of keys, yet it might also mean that my unknown side has been projected in terms of matters of the heart.

For the scene with the subway passenger sitting against the brick wall beneath the signboard, I think what ChatGPT meant is that this figure represents a passive observer—or a part of me that feels helpless—trying to reach out, but held back by obstacles and limitations.

From Where Do We Move Forward

Issuance of the Death Certificate

Let's say that you decide to engage the services of the funeral home for the burial or cremation. There would be a chance that the funeral director would ask whether you'd like them to handle the paperwork or if you'd want to liaise with the National Registration Department.

I guess it depends on how soon you need the death certificate. It's advisable to do it yourself if you are in a rush to get the document, although be prepared with the list of required documents (head to the NRD's website for the updated checklist) and the time needed to travel to the department. Getting the mortician to do it works just as fine, but it would take some time to file the application instead.

Regardless of which option you select, ensure that you have copies of the deceased's IC, especially since the NRD would require you to hand in the original IC with the application for the death certificate.

I can't fully remember how long it would take for the certificate to be issued, but I'm sure you'd be notified once it's ready for collection.

Use of the Death Certificate

With the original death certificate in hand, ensure that you have copies of this, as it is evidence that the person's already… well, deceased. As long as you are dealing with anything that is under the deceased's name (yes, even if there is a will), this is the required proof.

It also enables the wills & probate lawyer to proceed with the application for the issuance of the grant of probate (if a will has been drafted and registered when the deceased was still a fit and proper person) or letter of administration (when a will is absent). I won't delve much into these two, as a lawyer would be in a better position to advise you.

On another note, if the deceased has a living spouse (or ex-spouse), ensure that the death certificate has been safely kept along with the marriage/divorce certificate. Should you need to deal with the government department, it would come in handy to ascertain your connection to the deceased.

Dreams of Emotions

Here we go.

Photo by Ajin K S on Unsplash
I dreamt that I was seated on the balcony attached to a room, enjoying the silence provided by the day. Yet, instead of being able to see my environment, I ended up staring at a concrete slab (a brick wall) painted white.

At the end was a deep, murky floodwater as high as the wall itself. Just a bit more, and the water would gush forth into the room and ruin everything in its wake.

Yet, I was indifferent, choosing to calmly return to the room, shutting the sliding door close behind me. The room was also in white and lacked furniture, looking more like a living room rather than a bedroom.

Since I can only remember this segment of the dream, it will be difficult to pen my thoughts on this, as there's only so much to work with..

If I must venture a guess, the murky waters are a representation of my feelings. I won't deny it; my feelings are all over the place right now-between the work stress and the negative news that have been piling up, there's only so much I can stomach at one go.

Maybe it's also an indication that I'm close to my limit, and just a tad bit more will send me into a nervous/emotional breakdown. In an attempt to prevent the collapse, my subconscious is nudging me to address those issues while there's still time.

The indifference? It might also be a representation of my current emotions. There's a good amount of detachment and apathy towards certain matters, to the point where I'm questioning if I'm emotionally blunted or en route to depression. Heh, I should listen to my subconscious and express those emotions through exercise instead of swimming with it.

Better yet, take a well-earned vacation interstate or abroad.

Bodies of Water

If I'm being honest, this could be in direct correlation with the previous post. Or maybe my brain is so stressed from work that it's protesting, craving some time out, leading to such a dream.

I dreamt that we were in a super bright place (read: and I mean, really bright. The kind where you'll be blinded by it). It wasn't a huge place, but rather, it was a brick-and-mortar store with a welcome counter that could be seen as soon as you set foot inside.

It was after the rain, so it made things a tad bit messier. Near the entrance was an Ikea bag full of towels, indicative that the place is a hotel or deals with accommodation. We were all huddled around the place while I leaned against the concrete structure, aptly painted white.

Not only was the atmosphere full of petrichor, but some of us were drenched, having been surprised by the sudden downpour.

Then, the camera panned to the upper floors of the place where the rooms were. Much to my surprise, two resident Shih Tzus came running over, greeting me and roaming freely. They were definitely welcoming me in their own special way. (Ngaw! So kwute!)

Even as I walked ahead, one of the Tzus clung to me. I spotted an open kitchen available for the guests to use. The way it was designed gave off a warm vibe, as if encouraging people to gather around for small chats or homemade meals.

The housekeeping team also busied itself with ensuring that everything was available and accessible. Looking down at the furry four-legged, I noticed that one of them clung to me while the other one remained near the housekeeping team and continuously barked at me.

After that, we found ourselves driving past this lush greenery with a lake.

Not too far away was a graveyard, giving off a peaceful feeling to all visitors and passersby alike. A bridge connected one part of the area to the headstones, and a building sat behind the greenery.

Okay, I'll be candor. The Shih Tzus in the dream? They are the extra replicas of the ones I had in real life when I was younger. I have no idea whether it is my subconscious reflecting its true feelings through them—or them visiting me in spirit.

The one clinging to me? That's Big Fat for you. He never exactly glued himself to me in real life, preferring his actual owners over me. Yet, he would look for me to satiate his cravings… for milk. A specific Kiwi brand, at that.

The one barking at me? That's Gangster Girl. She might have behaved like a hyper-independent child who knew how to play her cards, but that didn't mean she disliked me, though.

The lush greenery?

This might be universe's way of telling me that I've slowly recovering from the hurt that has weighed me down over the years, thus allowing me the emotional peace that my subconscious desperately needs. However, on the flip side, it could also mean that I'm craving for a break.

The lake itself? Well, it's water, and water is usually associated with peace. I'll presume that this could be a revelation that I'm about to gain balance in my waking hours. I mean, I'm not someone who intentionally seeks bodies of water, though I've been reminiscent about a specific memory of the past.

Could this lake be referring to that? The happier times?

Oh, the graveyard. Yeah, a part of me suspects that it might be me undergoing a period of transformation or letting go of something. If you ask me, it has to be that specific memory. I've wondered, on and off over the years, whether things would have changed had the variables been different.

Now that I know the other party's happy and stable, I have been toying with the idea of a silent departure. Not the literal meaning of the word, but rather fading into the background.

That said, there's another reason why I'd dream of a graveyard, but it's one that I'd rather not discuss publicly. It would bring in its wake a lot of unnecessary questions.

From Where Do We Leave

Although this isn't my first rodeo, it still packed enough of a punch to knock me off my feet into a state of confusion. Basically, today's post will touch on the topic of the death and burial of a loved one.

Adelaide Fringe, 2018

Death in the Hospital

In all honesty, it is easier on the loved ones if the deceased takes their final breath in the hospital. The necessary paperwork would be conducted with their assistance, including the issuance of an official death certificate.

That's when the postmortem comes into play.

At this stage, the next of kin (usually the spouse or registered emergency contact) would be notified. That way, they can arrange for a mortician to schedule a wake service and/or a direct cremation.

The body is usually released once the postmortem has been completed (provided the cause of death isn't suspicious), but is subjected to the signing of the release forms and the identification of the deceased.

(P.S. My memory of the process of claiming the body from the hospital is rather fuzzy. It's been years since I last dealt with this.)

The mortician would then bring the body back to the funeral home for cosmetic preparation before the wake service.

This is why one should always be prepared for their last rites. If it is expressed in a legal document, it's even better because no one can question it... and the next of kin wouldn't need to run around like a headless chicken.

The moment the services of the funeral home is engaged, the funeral director would ask for instructions on how the deceased's remains are to be handled—whether there would be a wake service or not, and if the deceased would be laid to rest or cremated. If the family is unsure of how to approach the matter, the mortician would also advise on the best course forward, taking into consideration their financial, moral, and religious situation.

Death Out of the Hospital

Depending on where the deceased was found, the process could differ slightly. It'd be best to err on the side of caution and do your own due diligence.

For the purposes of this post, I'll be discussing this from the context of them dying at home.

The next of kin's first port of call would be to call the emergency responders (your country's equivalent of 911), informing them of the death. They would then dispatch the EMTs to the said location to further assist with the situation. At the same time, the first responder would guide you on the use of the AED defibrillator or perform CPR over the phone.

The EMTs have a duty to ask whether the family would want to continue the resuscitation and inform them of the consequences spanning from that—including the possibility of blood bleeding from the eyes, nose, and mouth. The pooling of blood, you would say.

Once the mobile electrocardiogram machine confirms that the deceased no longer has a heartbeat, a representative would have to head to the nearest police station to apply for a burial permit and engage the services of a funeral home. (The body would need to be handled soonest possible due to rigor mortis, hence the urgency.)

Because the investigating officer would need to verify the death (as required by law), the scene where the body was found would need to be secured. That is, until the police issue the burial permit.

The police in charge would then receive the oral report and draft it into an official one for you to verify and sign. After that, the report would be given to the sergeant in charge to sign off (after they have been satisfied with the details) before it is forwarded to the headquarters.

Once the headquarters okays the report, the burial permit is then issued and given to the informant, giving them permission to move the body.

For this, expect to spend hours waiting at the precinct.

(P.S.S. Depending on the nature of death and age of the deceased, the police might also request that a postmortem be conducted. The sergeant in charge would contact the informant directly with the updates if further documents/procedures are needed.)

The permit allows the funeral home to transport the body for the cosmetic procedure, getting ready for the wake service, or the cremation (as per the family's wishes).

When it comes to death, there's so much paperwork to be dealt with, so this is actually not the end of it.

Food Exploration

On the bright side, because stepping out of the house has been a draining activity for me, I've just decided to order everything - yes, including meals - online and have them delivered to me.

Paying that nominal amount for the delivery fees would be much better than having to deal with crowds of humans and risking a full-blown meltdown.

That in turn has led me to discovering more food and beverage outlets in and around my neighborhood.

The Calm in Chaos

I'm running around like a headless chicken as of late. Between work, the constant need to research the websites for specific medical items that I need, and the imbalance of life, there's not much downtime again. Ugh, what kind of life do I even have?

In short, I found myself in the hospital decades later, not as a patient but more of a next-of-kin. I was supposed to be concerned in my panic for the patient's well-being, but my behavior resembled more like someone who was disconnected from the situation.

Lol, no wonder the emergency physicians were caught aback by my reaction. I think they were used to dealing with frantic next-of-kins instead. I mean, this wasn't my first rodeo. The last time I was in the hospital, it was for the afterlife matters - and I had the same barely-there reaction.

Who knows if I had disassociated without even being aware of it both times?

But if there are some things that I've picked up from this experience, it's the importance of medical insurance. Even if you aren't open to purchasing an insurance policy, it is still pertinent to have a medical one. You wouldn't know what tomorrow would bring, so it's best to be safer than sorry. At least you wouldn't have to pay the medical bills out-of-pocket. I got mine in the end because of this reason (and am thinking of buying a second one to cover my soul too).

That said, for a future reference, I shall list the items needed in the event that someone I know or I myself end up being warded. At least I wouldn't get into a state again. First thing's first—your medical card. Or at least a copy of your medical policy in the event that your attending physician needs to liaise with the insurance company. It also works as a proof of your medical/health insurance—as long as it is still within the valid period.

Next would be your next-of-kin or someone to deal with the medical matters. Your next-of-kins are usually the close family members (parents, siblings, and children or relatives). Apparently, the definition is not legally fixed, so you can have anyone of your choice by way of a Power of Attorney to execute your standing instructions. (You're better off speaking with a lawyer for further details, though.)

Third, be prepared with the level of care needed after discharge. Depending on the seriousness of the condition, the person's competence, and their mobility, be prepared for the round-the-clock care and their stubbornness. The latter part will be a challenge as it will chip away at your emotions and wear down your patience.

Them patients are extremely—and I emphasize, extremely—capable of uttering the meanest and most demeaning words possible… and deny ever doing so. Not all, but some of them—so just be prepared for this.

And now, the list of items

-Adult diapers (especially if there is limited to no mobility whatsoever)

90cm x 90 cm underpads

-Underpads (mattress-sized [if possible] or the largest size [90 cm x 90 cm]) to avoid the risk of spillage/leakage (with adult diapers comes the use of this)
-Reusable absorbent bed pad (this works like the underpads, but it's washable)
-Wedge pillow sponge cushions (this helps when the person needs to be turned every few hours or so without breaking the caregiver's back)

Baby wipes

Antibacterial wipes

-Loads of wet issues/baby wipes and antibacterial wipes (for those days when it is necessary to wipe down the body and the bathroom's just a no-go)
-Medical gloves and masks (if you're dealing with soiled diapers)
-Comfortable clothes

Antibacterial Spray

-Air fresheners or sprays (so that the place won't start reeking)

Una Breve Bienvenida a la Blogosfera

(Translation: A Short Welcome to the Blogosphere)

Oh, look at what we have here.

It's been almost a year since I dropped from the face of the blogosphere. I mean, my last post was in May 2024, and it wasn't a complete one.

 

Taken from one of Sunway Pyramid's parking floors

Anyway, you might wonder, what could have pulled me from the blog for such a long time. Well, the answer could come as a surprise (or not, depending on who's reading). It's work; I've been so focused on work and fulfilling the hours that I forgot about this little project of mine.

Nothing much changed, except for the increase in hours, but it has taught me one thing: why folks always stressed the skills of time management and boundaries. If one isn't careful, the fragile scale tips over to the side where they spend more hours, which results in a dangerous domino effect.

(Trust me! I've lived through this twice!)

Yet, it is arduous for me to stop thinking about work. Whenever I catch a breath, I keep having the sneaking suspicion that something will happen or I will just commit a vanishing act for hours.

Workaholic, much?

Self-isolation, much?

At some poke bowl shop

Perhaps, but I do have moments when the mere existence of humans ruffles my feathers.

On the side, I have discovered a lot of F&B outlets mushrooming in locations within driving distance from my neighborhood. While a couple are my new haunts, I haven't given the rest of them a try, considering how I am unable to get myself out of the house and can only rely on Grab/FoodPanda to make the delivery. (My temper tends to rise whenever I am in a crowded area, so it's best to remove myself from the equation to prevent any blowout.)

But really, 2024 has sailed past with such speed that 1) I barely remember living the year or 2) I've lived through in a dissociative state. Now that we're in a new year - the year of a snake, let's see if I am able to carve enough time out of a busy schedule on a weekly basis to juggle this blog and my work moving forward.

I'd need the appropriate content to work with as well. I can't be plucking something out of the sky, right?

Consider this a brief post, while I crack my head to brainstorm a proper one.

Blurry Images

So, in the midst of the busy workload, my subconscious decided to give me some respite by sending messages through the dreams. I only remember bits and pieces of it because it was a late night and an early morning.

I dreamt that we were in Puchong. Or at least we were because of the neighborhood mall that we patronized. The layout was as exactly how I remembered it to be, even though I've never lived there in real life.

The person I was with was taller than me, and while he wasn't sinewy, it was evident that he frequented the gym from time to time. Don't ask me why, but his presence gives off the aura of safety and being cared for.

We found ourselves in a quiet shed near the mall. Even though it was constructed with zinc, it was bright and airy. There was even a decent-looking couch and a table fan, which made us feel lucky that we were there after-hours. Since we had the shed to ourselves, we merely made ourselves comfortable and I fell asleep.

Then, we had to attend to some matters. Seeing that barely anyone knew the existence and location of the shed, I left my backpack there since it was burdensome to lug it around. By the time we returned, there was a senior citizen tidying up the shed. So, I took the opportunity to ask whether he saw my passport (since I couldn't locate it anywhere).

He mentioned that he hadn't seen it either and asked whether I was the owner of the backpack. When he arrived, he saw the bag but didn't want to move it since he knew the owner would eventually return to get the item.

…

Then, in a change of scene, we all found ourselves in the living room of a decent house, working out the arrangements for bed. Since there were a handful of us, it meant that we all had to bunk up and share beds for a while.

Mr. Protector took the room upstairs while my mom and I took the one downstairs with another lady. She was a known associate, but I couldn't remember her name.

Truth be told, I won't need the help of a dream interpreter to assist with this. The moment I saw the neighborhood mall and Mr. Protector in the dream, I already knew what was going on—it was my subconscious's way of sending help.

Sprinkles of Stress

Ironically, this was something that I dreamt about, and here's how it went:-

Credits: Photo by Alice Triquet on Unsplash

I was in a high-rise building overlooking a lake. Opposite the lake was an island-looking place with a bench, and seated on the bench was a mother with two young children - a boy and a girl. The mother was in the middle and reading to the youngsters on her left and right, respectively. 

They were separated from me by that pool of water in the lake, whereby the high-rise building was on one end, and they were at the other end, making them the only ones on the other side. It was as if they were on their private island.

The next minute I knew, I smiled like I was relieved and satisfied that everything fell into place as I collapsed onto the floor. As this happened, the camera pans to someone else - a man of fair complexion - as I landed on the ground with a thud. 

In the next scene, there were office colleagues around for a corporate event. Two women were gathered around a four-tier cake that resembled a wedding cake at the same place where I had collapsed, while I, still very much alive, was observing their behavior in the distant corner. Time travel, much?

Then, I was in a public area and trying to reach out to someone acquainted with me. However, before I could vocalize my thoughts and call out to him, I noticed that someone else - a woman - had approached the said person. So, I didn't bother to do anything and headed out on my way with my trusty umbrella to take the escalator down… to somewhere.

Riverbank Promenade, SA

There was a sense of relief while walking in the rain; it was as if I craved to be in it and wanted it to flush my buried emotions. Even though I could hear someone calling my name, I ignored the person and walked faster to blend with the crowd and cause the person to lose sight of me. I even ditched the umbrella aside in the process. Yet, he narrowed the distance between us, and as I continued walking ahead, I noticed two people walking past me with spectacles soiled in the rain. 

One even looked at me with a sad face, as I continued to ignore the person who had called my name from earlier. 

And it's time to decipher the dream, bit by bit. 

I remember feeling at ease and relieved when I saw the lake; it was as if everything was falling into place when I saw the bench and the small family. Gosh, it might even mean that the water could be drawing me in. According to the online interpretation, they mentioned that "If you can see the lake is huge, this symbolizes that great changes are on the horizon. If the lake is deep in nature, it means that you have a fear of deep emotional situations. Lakes in dreams generally signify an emotion and energy in which you have taken to yourself."

Well… can I reserve my comments on this? I have an idea of where this is going, but I don't think it's suitable for the public domain. 

For the part where I collapsed after seeing the bench and its occupants, it sounded more like my body decided to give up on everything and end things. However, the online interpretation has an alternative: "You may dream of collapsing when they are desperate for rest and rejuvenation. There may be a sense of exhaustion experienced in daily life on a physical, emotional, or mental level. Fainting can be a sign of concern about the well-being of a family member. This dream may indicate the dreamer's wish to protect and care for their loved one or even a subconscious awareness of a family issue."

Oh my, this is absolutely accurate - I've been swamped with the sudden influx of work, thanks to the timing of the year and the changes in work scope. All I want at the end of the year is just to sleep, instead of seeing or meeting any human to maintain the level of friendship/relationship. So, I guess this is the indication from my subconscious to take a chill pill and one breath at a time instead of biting off more than I can chew.

As for the part where I tried to reach out to someone but was ignored in the end, I think it is merely a reflection of my psyche as a result of the above. (Yup, the desire to stay at home and not breathe in the fresh air is rather strong now.)

There are two contrasting suggestions to this. One interpretation is that "Dreaming about getting ignored is likely related to your inability to express, or understand, your emotions. Or in your waking life, you feel or assume that you’re just being taken for granted by someone you’re trying to please." Judging from this sentence alone, I'd say it just goes to say that I'm repressing my emotions in exchange for stability or peace - and it's affecting my subconscious.

Another interpretation is that "Dreaming of being ignored may be associated with your emotional detachment from others. It’s probably because of past events that greatly hurt you, which caused you to feel safer when there are no attachments." Maybe the subconscious is craving more human contact whereas my ego merely wants to push everyone else to a safe distance since it feels that there is a danger if I'm too close to anyone.

The part where I took the escalator to head to a lower floor also speaks of something. The online interpretation suggested that "When you dream of going down on an escalator, this indicates that you may fail to meet your expectations. You dedicated yourself a lot to get into a more comfortable position, and now you have almost lost everything. Someone envious would make this happen. It would help if you thought smart and don’t let your efforts go to waste. Your achievements are the result of your work and sweat. Hold on tight and stay firm in what you are doing."

Again, a sign of asking too much from myself? Perfectionism about to say hello?

A Dream of Swimming in Stress and Insecurity

I dreamt that I was in a brightly-lit commercial store and having a chat with an acquaintance about the products and services that the place offered. I was seated behind the counter while he was leaning over to make it easier for him to hear me.

At the same time, a good friend was done with his business and about to leave the store when his gaze landed on me. Knowing that he wasn't of the same nationality as me and he loved hugs (like really, really loved them), I took the initiative to give him a goodbye hug.

One thing led to another and we left the store together while behaving like we were high on alcohol as we made our way down a dim alley. Obviously, I was worried, but when I saw the streetlight shining on a signboard at the end of the road and with him there, I knew that I was okay because we were about to arrive at the main road.

So, here comes the dream interpretation.

From the get-go, the moment the place appeared in the dream, I already knew that this place exists in real life. Even the placement of the streetlights in the back alley too.

About the part where I gave the good friend a hug, I actually don't know the person in real life, which makes the interpretation a tad bit difficult. I suppose we can approach it from two angles - where I know the person and us being strangers in reality.

"Dreaming of hugging a friend – If you dreamed of hugging some friend, that dream could indicate that your friend needs some help from you, especially if your friend was the one hugging you. If you hugged your friend in your dream, that dream could be revealing your current feelings of loneliness and isolation." - Dream Astro Meanings

Judging from the way the said person behaved in the dream, it was giving me the aura of someone else - a person whom I know. I'm not sure whether he needs my help because we've barely been in contact for a long time now, so maybe it's me who is subconsciously feeling the effects of self-isolation?

How about us being strangers in real life?

"Dreaming of hugging a stranger – If you had a dream about hugging some stranger, that dream often isn’t a good sign. It could indicate being gossiped about by someone. This dream asks you to pay attention to the people you trust or spend your time with. Sometimes, this dream could indicate some unexpected meeting with someone. Someone could make a surprising visit to you, such as a close friend or a relative. You might unexpectedly see someone in a place you hang around a lot." - Dream Astro Meanings

Considering the fact that I don't know the said person in real life, I suppose this dream is more like an advance warning to be on the lookout, but hey, who knows that it might be hinting at the second part whereby there is an unexpected meaning with someone?

"Dream about street light means awareness. You are experiencing a high level of stress. You are a team player and work well with others. The dream is about your unconscious mind and its suppressed content. There is an unexpected setback in your plans or goals." - Dreams'opedia

As for the streetlight, I'd say that there is some element of truth in this since the nature of my work borders will be a typical example of it.

The conclusion? Either I'm stressed and insecure in my daily life or just so uptight that my subconscious is trying to search for something to knock the stress out.

2023/02/02

So, This is Goodbye

A view of the KLIA airport tarmac | Somewhere from the Malaysian Airlines' Golden Lounge

So, this is goodbye.
The broken hearts scattered along the uneven trails
Coated with remnants of a happier time;
Echoes of laughter filling the air
And ever-lasting brightening smiles.

Memories that taught us love,
The love that once connected us.
Separated by divergent routes with a common goal
Remain the dreams we once shared,
Cemented in our psyches.

The light in our eyes,
Dimmed by the hardships we endured.
Our beliefs,
Fractured by the silent nightly battles
And diminished by the consequences.

History dragging us through familiar territories.
A chance to make amends,
To change the past.
The scarred soul able to make a difference
And silence the bleeding hearts.

4 Items to Personalize Your Office Cubicle

For today's post, we would be looking at items that you can use to spice up your office desk. This has been a topic on my mind for quite some time now, considering that we spend at least 8 - 9 hours at the workplace or maybe even more, depending on the nature of job and industry.

First thing's first.

The most important thing is ventilation. Without proper ventilation, the entire floor space will smell like a musty house. If you're part of the lucky few who has access to your own working room, it is recommended to leave your window open first thing in the morning when you arrive at the office for a wide array of reasons. 

Number one, the weather won't feel like you're on fire and number two, remnants of the cool, fresh air dawn still remain.

Scented Gel / Diffuser

Photo by Nguyen Dang Hoang Nhu on Unsplash

I understand that windows are a luxury when the cubicles are located on an open floor space, but that doesn't mean that it is the end of the world. You could either use a scented gel of an accepted fragrance (I won't recommend lemon because not everyone might fancy the citrus smell) or diffuser with concentrated essential oil.

Snacks

Chinese Candy

Your office pantry might already have this, but you should also have your own snacks to quench your hunger before or after lunch. Quenching thirst is a given, but not many office workers are aware that you can keep light snacks at your cubicle for those rare days of sudden hunger, especially when hunger is dependent on our individual digestive systems and physiques. Apart from staying awake without the need for coffee, I'd highly recommend earphones (if allowed) because it permits you to tackle those long days in concentration or an extra kick to complete that arduous task. (This is something that I personally do when I am rushing on paperwork).

Utensils

Last, but not least, you should include an item that totally screams you to personalize your cubicle and makes you feel at ease while working. It can range from anything like your own mug all the way to a tiny houseplant (that is heat-resistant and doesn't need much watering) as long as it doesn't pose any inconvenience or take up unnecessary space.

Photo by Cotton On Australia 

The truth is that how you intend to decorate your cubicle entirely depends on the space constraint and your style. You could opt for a basic cubicle where only the stationeries and workload can be found, include a calendar, or even pin motivational notes on the divider of your cubicle - there's no hard and fast rule about it.

The Orange Couch Cafe, SS 15, Subang Jaya

That rainy Wednesday afternoon led me in the direction of a path less traveled and into the lane where cafes and bubble teas are part of the mushrooming list of outlets.

Orange Couch Cafe's unique decoration
And that was how I found myself at the Orange Couch Cafe to sample yet another round of their desserts, which shall be introduced later in this review. The moment you enter the cafe, you'll be greeted by hints of Australian-inspired flair with shades of light gray adorning the walls and acting as a silhouette to the minimal decorative pieces. It radiates the cafe's warmth in welcoming you with a homey aura while you sit back and spend moments with your food companion or just chilling out with a cuppa.

The seating area
To your left stands a refrigerated display of enticing cakes for your selection before you place your order with the cashier. Slightly further to your left is the windowsill, which takes advantage of as much natural light as possible to spill into the floorspace while eliminating the excessive use of artificial lights. To your right and ahead of you are the selection of sides, but taking center stage in plain view is the cafe's namesake - an orange couch that is so popular that it warrants advance reservation to avoid disappointments.

Now, let's see the desserts to be recommended.

Orange Couch Cafe's menu

Orange Couch Signature Coffee (RM 16.00)
At first glance, this drink looks like a mug of extraordinary goodness with its balance of colors. You have the mellow, bitter coffee with the orange pulp hiding at the bottom with a slice of caramelized orange resting at the top. Its taste packs as much punch as its visual impact; there is an explosion of flavors including the acidity, bitterness, and sweetness on the palate that leaves an aftershock of tanginess.

It is recommended to stir it before drinking so that the flavors can blend together unless you want to have a cloying surprise.

(No-Bake) Avocado Cheesecake (RM 15.00)
For someone who isn't in love with avocado but swears by her love for cream cheese, this was an absolute winner for me. The cake itself has a creamy texture with slight traces of avocado that is balanced by the cheese in each spoonful, but it doesn't feel mushy either.

While explaining more about the cake, the cafe owner added that it's the cafe's bestseller and a hit favorite among customers, who would return for subsequent visits to satisfy their cravings for this dish.

Chocolate Roulade with Matcha and Mango Cubes (RM 15.50)
I knew I wanted to give this dessert a try the moment I saw the item in the refrigerated display because of its visual appearance - chocolate on the outside but green on the inside with specks of yellow cubes. There is a play of flavors in this roulade as the baker has successfully married the contrast of the ever-so-bitter matcha with the faint traces of sweet chocolate and the sour-sweet mango cubes, making it one of the cafe's bestsellers.

The first bite would introduce you to the chocolate before guiding your palate to accept the matcha through the second bite and surprising you with the faint mango at the end. Due to this combination, the roulade in itself is not overly sacchariferous.

Flat White (RM 12.00)

A part of me would always associate this drink to my undergraduate days in Australia.

This particular flat white is on the strong side, but not overly bitter to the point of being overwhelming. It's just perfect for coffee lovers who are in need of that caffeine kick.

Rachel Berries (RM 23.00)

This is one of their six waffles under the Sweet Waffles Series, all christened with the names of the main characters of "Friends". It consists of the regular-sized waffle with a drizzle of melted chocolate, crumble nuts, a mini pretzel and a scoop of berry ice-cream on top of a side serving of mixed berries.

Matcha Lemonade (RM 15.00)

This drink is one of the four varieties offered under the non coffee series, so don't worry about not being able to visit this cafe if you're not a coffee drinker. For the lemonade, it was actually ordered as a replacement since I wanted to try another drink other than coffee.

Don't let the color confuse you; this is a tangy drink in the sense that there is a faint touch of acidity with a sprinkle of matcha powder and balanced out by a spoonful of saccharine. Such a combination has resulted in the harmonious kick of punch from the lemonade and bitterness from the matcha without either flavor being the dominant one.

A quick chat with the owner revealed that he spent time in Melbourne before deciding to pursue his dream to dabble in the F&B industry, hence the presence of this cafe.

The location of the shop is as follows:-

The Orange Couch Cafe
11, Jalan SS15/4C,
47650 Subang Jaya,
Selangor
Instagram: @the_orangecouch

It might be a tad bit arduous to locate this cafe, so the nearest landmark is diagonally opposite Nasi Kandar Pelita SS15, Subang Jaya. It is situated a row behind SS 15 Courtyard/First Subang.