I have something else to do!

Ever had friends who somehow manage to turn a quick "I am just stopping-by" into a 3 hour ordeal, and the "stopping-by" sessions are almost daily or at least 3-4 times a week? It's frustrating when people overstay and "getting rid" of them is not always easy.  I really do not mind if we just chit chat for 1/2 hour or even 1 hour, but anything beyond that would actually seriously affect my day. 

I used to use a little body language. For example, I will take out the ironing board or the feather duster or even the vacuum cleaner.    But somehow the person still could not get the hint.  Several times she actually sat through my one-hour long ironing sessions and still continued to talk even after I finished ironing!

I actually get set back quite a few hours of my time just because I feel I have to be "nice", and my plans or routine for the day gets seriously derailed.  

I finally learnt that I just had have to be direct.  Last week I said to her "I'm sorry, but I have something else to do.  Can we talk another day?".  She must have been hurt because she had stopped her "stopping-by" habit for a whole week already!  Well, at least I get my "life" back! 

The Nymph that undoes me...

    The Nymph that undoes me, is fair and unkind;

No less than a wonder by Nature designed.
She's the grief of my heart, the joy of my eye ;
And the cause of a flame that never can die !

Sylvia by Sir George Etherege   

           

How does Love speak?

How does Love speak?
In the avoidance of that which we seek--
The sudden silence and reserve when near--
The eye that glistens with an unshed tear--
The joy that seems the counterpart of fear,
As the alarmèd heart leaps in the breast,
And knows, and names, and greets its godlike guest--
Thus doth Love speak.
- Ella Wheeler Wilcox


My nephew Yun Ming and his lovely bride Jane in traditional
baba-nyonya costumes on their wedding day on 12 October 2013

A story (Part 2)- the FORGIVENESS

Continued from, A story (Part 1)- the Shock! 5 Sept 2013

Yes, she was shocked. But she valued her family and valued her 12-year marriage.  When the sun went down and the children were asleep, she was all by herself.  She thought it through as rationally as she could.  Since he has confessed, reflecting his repentance, from the bottom of her heart, she decided to forgive him.  Yes, she did make a strong decision to forgive him and to put all the hurt of betrayal behind her.  

She toweled clean her tear-dried face, picked up the phone and called him at his work place in the north.  “I received your letter.  I understand what you said.  Let’s forget the past, it is not important anymore.  Please ask for a transfer back to KL and let’s just start again”.  “No, I think we should get a divorce because you can’t really forgive me”, he said. She repeated her willingness to forgive.  “I will come back tomorrow to sort things out”, he replied. 

Since she had made a decision, she was relieved and went to sleep, deciding not to look at the letter again.    Let's wait for Part 3...