my JAWI day

Yesterday, I went to JAWI to file for the Big D. I wore a checkered Thai silk baju kurung Johor (the real thang ok, sebab jahit tangan) and the tudung mawi that I bought from pretty zienta. I was really a bundle of nerves. Some friends offered to accompany me, but I thought, it's just filing. And I kind of like the feeling of experiencing this alone. Sick, huh?

When I got to JAWI, I entered the wrong parking basement. I'm always doing this membabi-buta thing when I'm nervous. Finally found the correct parking space and had to walk quite a bit in the hot sun.

There were a few buildings there, I was quite at a loss. The signages on the buildings were written not in NORMAL jawi font but in freaking calligraphy. It took me 5 minutes to read one signage. As expected from clumsy me, I went to the wrong building. And obviously looking lost, a guy came up to me and asked, "Akak nak pergi bahagian penceraian ye?" Hmmm.. I do look like someone who's getting divorced ke?

So finally I found the place. Pressed the B button to get my number and it was attended to immediately. Hats off to JAWI for that. I was greeted by this young lady, too young that it made me feel quite awkward talking to her about this - I was expecting some motherly makcik with a soothing voice... But she was very nice and helpful. She said that I didn't have to file at JAWI, I should just go straight to the Mahkamah Syariah and get a court date. Then she asked, "Suami dah lafaz ke?". I said, no. "Kalau dah lafaz, senang la kak." she continued. Bring the H along and it should be quite straightforward since it's consensual.

Consensual. That's the word of the day.

So right after that I went to see the H over a cup of teh tarik. He was calmer, more rational and most importantly, in a very consensual mood. We spoke about this and agreed to go to the Mahkamah Syariah together, but no dates set yet. I should've just dragged him yesterday to the court.

Bila la akak nak senang ni...

hola amigos

Had a really nice mexican lunch at Las Carretas today with the girls (suze, pretty, zztop and cuppacake), rocky babu and A Friend (muchas gracias for the treat!). As usual, was hogging the nachos and then the chicken wings. Didn't take any pictures, but cuppacake did snap a few (bila nak upload kat multiply ni? - cuppa dah upload here!).

Las Carretas is one of my favourite food haunts actually. When I was pregnant with Ali I absolutely crave the steaks there, they have one of the best barbecue sauces in town (at par with Celestial Steakhouse in Kelana Jaya) it tastes just like the barbecue sauces in the States - the authentic N'Orleans ones, y'all. It's probably made from scratch I think, didn't get to ask the chef :)

Highly recommended are the beef backribs, steaks but ultimate fave is the nachos!!!! Crispy tortillas topped with loads of cheese, sour cream, guacamole and jalapeno slices. And must add-on the minced beef.

Sinful, heavenly, utterly divine. It will have me dreaming in Mexican.

p/s: I actually forgot that tomorrow is my filing day at JAWI.

kaca dan permata

In trying times, you will know who is a friend or foe. Honestly, I have lost a very, very close friend ever since my 'marriage standoff' became officially public. Initially, I felt so betrayed, so hurt - but eventually, I thank the Almighty for showing me who I should trust and who I shouldn't. So, no regrets.

In difficult times too, you will bump into pleasant and unpleasant surprises. I was wholly terharu when my SILs offered their emotional support when I went back to Kedah. I did not expect that from them, because I thought H did such an excellent job portraying me as "the slut". Ironically, I was suprised when a very close family member turned her back against me. It was sad, but like I expected, anything can happen.

Thank you Zaza, for being there - although not in person, but on YM whenever I need to vent out. And to my 87-91 friends who have been a therapeutic group for me to hang out with! Last nite's dinner was fun - steak sandwich, cheese rolls and durian for dinner. What a way to gain a lifetime on the hips!

kenapa aku mangkuk sangat?

Ladies, I don't think I'll be getting the KFH job... Here's why:

From: raja.zaxxxx@kfh.com.my [mailto:raja.zaxxxxx@kfh.com.my]
Sent: Friday, June 29, 2007 2:05 PM
To: Ja*m**n Za**i
Subject: Re: Writing Test

Dear Jasmeen, Thanks and look forward to receiving the one in Bahasa Malaysia next week.

Regards
Raja xxxxxx R. Dato' Seri xxxxx
Head of Communications & PR
Kuwait Finance House (Malaysia) Berhad
Level 18, Tower 2, MNI Twins11, Jalan Pinang
50450, Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia

I was suddenly stunned. We had to write this two essays for the writing test, as part of the job interview lah. I submitted the first one to her, then continued on the second one. Suddenly I got the above email. Bila masa pulak ada BM test ni?

Actually the second topic was supposed to be written in Bahasa. I was reading the questions waaaayyy to fast.

Writing Test

Please write a few paragraphs in English on what you think of the traffic situation in Kuala Lumpur. What can be done to improve the situation?

A two page write-up in Bahasa Malaysia on what can be done to attract more tourists to Malaysia in view of “Visit Malaysia Year 2007”

How could I have missed that! The Comms Head must think I'm too gelojoh for the job. Boo *freaking* hoo. Let's keep our fingers (and toes!) crossed.

one tiny step

I really should be sleeping by now because I didn't get my full 6-hours last nite.

OK, so I emailed my boss and told him I want to take Wednesday off. Why? Because I finally decided that I should go to the Pejabat Agama and file for my divorce. Why? Because I don't believe that he is going to let me go just like that. Without a fight. Whatever it is, I have to file my grievances first.

Yeah, it's a tiny step. It's just a plan. What if Wednesday comes and I chicken out? What if I go to the Keramat Pejabat Agama and they do the "oh-you-have-to-go-to-the-one-in-kajang" act? Will I just get back in my car and drive off?

I am so adrenaline-pumped right now it's not even funny. Bring it on!

Will jazzmatazzed have the balls to fill in those forms?
Will she just wake up and decide to just go to the office?
Will she move from making that one tiny step to taking the big leap?
Catch it all here live on Wednesday!

show me da money

I shocked myself today. Yes peeps, I went to Kuwait Finance House for a job interview this morning. Now I can't really tell you why exactly... A bank? I've never imagined that I'd even consider working at a bank. Me and banks are like oil and water. But I figured I need the money so bad (I asked for quite a chunk from what I'm paid now) AND I think the most important thing is that, I WANT TO FACE MY FEARS.

I've always been terrified working for a financial institution. The only thing I know about finances is - SHOPPING! So here I am applying for a Corporate Comm managerial post at Malaysia's largest Islamic bank. Whenever I draft press releases and something financial comes up, it's straight to the finance people - I don't even bother trying to understand the NAVs, EPS, P&L what have you. Whenever I write drafts for the annual report, I had to read line by line - revenue, turnover, EBITDA and it will take me a while to digest them. When it comes to the bullshitting and the operations review, I'm faster than a speeding bullet.

But the interview was interesting, I got asked (among many other questions):

1. Why did you minor in Theology and Art History?

I answered: Because I went to a Catholic school and instead of succumbing to people's worse fears that you will become Catholicised, I found renewed love and interest for Islam.
I wanted to say: Because I am, deep down, a freaking hippie.

2. How do you tackle difficult people? How do you convince them to believe in something?

I answered: Engineers are definitely difficult people to work with, but what you have to do is be friends with them first. Then try to persuade them without actually blatantly persuading them. You've gotta speak highly of their opinions, make them believe that you take them seriously and then go in for the kill. (without actually going in for the kill) Apa aku cakap ni????
I wanted to say: I can put on a dress with a plunging neckline and bat my eyelashes like a damsel in distress.

3. Why do you want to leave your current job?

I answered: I have to be honest with you, it's all about the money.
I wanted to say: Because Rxxhixx is a f*cked up place to work in and in spite of all the good news you read in the papers, I haven't had a bonus in two freaking years. But then again, I didn't wanna badmouth the company.

I think I didn't do too well on the interview - I was overly talkative (lupa diri sekejap), I might be overselling myself and I kinda lost that firm first handshake because I was waiting for too darn long in that tiny interview room.

It's ok, I'd have to purchase headscarves if I get this job :)

to my bagophile friends...

Splurged on bags during my Jakarta trip, I kinda went through Third World hell to get these babies, reduced me to bargaining like an auntie. Look at 'em and weep... The Gucci 85th Anniversary Tote. And a bit of a closeup sikit...
This miu miu one is so casual and the soft leather really got me. And it has that laid-back look and roomy enough for just about anything. And it comes with a detachable sling too. Definitely a weekend/shopping bag.
It was love at first sight when I saw this one. This one is my ultimate favourite out of the lot. It's got a bit of a rock chic thing going on here, with the metal plates and studs at the bottom :This one's a real beauty...Just look at the tassels with the bamboo details. The Gucci logo is also engraved in script, which I thought looked pretty cool. By the way, it's called a Gucci 'race' bag.
These two Guess weekend handbags are dirt cheap it's blasphemous, really. Anyway, they're souvenirs for friends, I'm not THAT greedy.
Finally, after all that bag shopping, plus going crazy over Polo shirts and t-shirts and the boys' shirts I knew there won't be enough room in my luggage bag anymore. I just had to buy this Gucci pull-bag:
Phew! And this is when I DIDN'T have time to shop, I wonder what would happen if I go on a shopping only trip. It's just unthinkable!