Overjoyed

What a nerve-wrecking morning. Today was the day that my CLP (Certificate in Legal Practice) results were due to be out. Due to the history of the unpredictability of this exam, I really didn't know what to expect. Under normal circumstances, I figured that I could probably just scrape through, but when you have to fight to be the top 300 (which includes conditional passes) amongst 1000 over candidates, I imagined the odds against passing were too high.

I never expected it to actually come out today. Not after weeks of them telling us to "call minggu depan". So when a friend sent me a message telling me it was out, I realised that today really is the day. Further, she was a reliable source, and not given to pranks like some other people I know.

The most aggravating and frustrating part was trying to get through the phone lines. Again, this would be another ongoing lesson in patience. After trying about an hour, and learning in that time what all my other friends had got, I was biting my nails, half in fear and half in anticipation. I was about to give up calling and decided to try again in the afternoon (the redial button on my phone was beginning to look a little scruffy), when suddenly the line connected through. My heart was beating so fast I could literally feel and hear it thumping in my chest. As calmly as possible, I gave my candidate number to the lady on the other end. She then asked me in a jovial tone, "What do you think you got?" I was thinking to myself, "This is no time to joke, woman!" But what I said was, "Er..I don't know..but I'm scared!" Then she laughed and said "Congrats. Second lower." I almost couldn't believe my ears. I just told her thank you like a million times (okay, I'm exaggerating) and hung up. Like as if she was the one who marked my papers :p

Anyhow, it was a generally good day. I think like most of my friends who also passed, we couldn't wipe the goofy grin off our faces the entire day. The truth is, I'm so glad to have passed and gotten over this ordeal. This is one exam that I never want to take again. Also, I just want to take this opportunity to thank all those who have kept me in your prayers, during the exam while I was in KL and after. Above all, all glory and praise to Our Father in heaven, without whom nothing would be possible.

Patience, patience...

I'm not a very patient person by nature. I like things to be done straight away, and I really dislike messy, complicated stuff. However, right now, I'm learning a real lesson in patience.

Just last Sunday, my car was rear-ended by a Kancil along Greenlane at about 4.15 in the afternoon. It was truly a miserable state of affairs. It was grey, gloomy and drizzling with rain. My bumper was not too badly damaged but the front of the Kancil was wrecked. I can only be thankful that I did not stop too close to the Honda City in front of me or else his car would also be sacrificed to the unfortunate event. Anyhow, after taking a few seconds to recover from the shock of the impact, I got down from my car, stood in the drizzle and inspected my car. As it turned out, the other guy was very apologetic and after some discussion, we decided to go and make a police report since it was unlikely that both his car as well as mine could be repaired without making an insurance claim.

So the very next day, I decided to pay my insurance company a visit. To my frustration, I couldn't use the "express" system provided by my insurance company because I was not the registered owner of the car, which was my mother. The "express" system would be much easier because they will pay you on the spot after approving your claim, possibly on the same day itself. After that, you can take you car to any workshop of your choice to get it repaired. However, since I was only the second driver, this option was not open to me. Fine. I had to do it the conventional way. Take the car to a panel workshop, apply, wait for approval, etc. etc. Even with this, I learnt that I could not sign the relevant documentation, but had to get my mother to sign it as well. Following the conventional way, I had 7 days to file my claim, and it would be practically impossible to get my mother to sign the documents from all the way in Australia in such a short time. Further, they wanted her original signature. Really ma fan. This morning, I called up the insurance company in KL (the way they make you hold the line is really annoying, and for such a long time too!) and fortunately enough, they allowed me 14 days to file the claim, and I didn't have to courier the documents to get the original signature, which would have been time-consuming and costly as well. They said that under these circumstances, they would allow the documents to be faxed. Nevertheless, my mother would have to write a letter to them explaining the circumstances.

I was really frustrated these last few days. I've never had to deal with this type of situation before, and feeling like a spoilt brat, I wanted my car to be fixed RIGHT AWAY. After receiving a well-deserved lecture from my dad after I poured out all my grievances to him, I realised that this indeed is a lesson in patience. Patience to wait for things to happen step by step. Patience to follow procedure. Patience to know that my car will have to look ugly for a while. And above all, patience to have faith in God and to know that He is in control of all situations.

Question..

Yesterday I received a notice in my mailbox from PBA saying that "akaun anda masih ada tunggakan". Fine. So maybe they still haven't received my payment which I made on 29th August 2005. The thing is, they're now charging me RM1.00 just for issuing the notice which was absolutely unnecessary. This will be credited to my next water bill. Should I just pay the extra RM1.00 and forget the whole thing, or should I make a fuss as a matter of principle?

Just one of those days...

Today was one of those days where nothing turns out the way you want it to. Let me recap:

7.00 a.m.
I awoke to my alarm with a horrible sinking feeling that today was already Friday and I had forgot all about a very important appointment yesterday evening. I didn't even realise that Thursday had come and gone. I lay in bed and groaned.

8.30 a.m.
I called up the person and apologised profusely. It was a good thing that she was nice enough to say that I could make it up some other time. Believe you me, this wasn't the first time that I had forgot about it. Sigh...

8.35 a.m.
Set a reminder on my cell phone to remind myself.

9.01 a.m.
Arrived at the office one minute late. The whole morning I was in a blur. Firstly, I was feeling really bad about forgetting my appointment the previous day. Secondly, I could barely keep my eyes open due to a previous late night out with some friends. Either it was lack of sleep, or the red wine was finally kicking in. Thirdly, my stomach was growling due to the fact that I had no time for breakfast that morning. Fourthly, I was suffering from my sinus problem, which had conveniently chosen today of all days to attack. Fifthly, and probably what all the other problems can be attributed to, I didn't have time this morning to read my Bible and spend some time talking to God.

1.15 p.m.
Probably the only highlight of the day...lunch!

5.30 p.m.
My significant other called up to say that we probably couldn't go out tonight because he was coming down with a bad flu. We had initially planned to go to 32 The Mansion (a fancy-schmancy restaurant here in Penang) for drinks and to check out their jazz band. We had planned it for today cos it was one of those rare times that we didn't have cell group on a Friday night. Bummer.

6.00 p.m.
Arrived home and turned on the kitchen tap to wash my hands. A pathetic trickle flowed out of the tap, and then nothing. I then tried all the other faucets in my house. All produced the same results. Puzzled, I called my aunt who lived upstairs and asked her if there was a water cut. Upon further investigation, I discovered that my main tap had been clamped! Talk about adding salt to the wound, or rather, more thunder to the little rain cloud which was hovering above my head the whole day. So I then called up the friendly people at PBA and asked them very politely (and sarcastically, I may add) why my water supply had been cut off when my bill had been paid. The man at the other end of the line was equally as polite and said that he would send someone to check on it.

6.30 p.m.
The guy from PBA came to unclamp my main tap. Finally, I got that much needed hot shower.

6.55 p.m.
A friend of mine called and said that a bunch of them were going to SS (a not so fancy-schmancy club in Penang) that night and asked if I would like to join them. I told her that I would confirm with her later, but it wasn't like I had anything else planned for tonight.

8.00 p.m.
Kit arrived and asked if I would like to go and have dinner, even though he wasn't feeling up to 32 The Mansion. So out we went to have mee goreng.

10.30 p.m.
The friend I was banking on to send me home tonight called to say he didn't feel like clubbing and so he wasn't going. To be honest, of all my friends, I think I only trust his driving as compared to the rest. At least he won't be so wasted to the extent to make me fear for my life by getting into the same car with him.

11.00 p.m.
Decided to come home and blog about my lousy day. But now as I'm doing this, I guess a day is only as bad as you choose to make it. I probably should be glad that I'm home early so that tomorrow I won't be as disorientated as this morning. And speaking of which, I should probably end my day with God since I was too much in a hurry for Him this morning. At least I can look forward to a good night's rest with a brighter outlook for tomorrow.

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases
His mercies never come to an end
They are new every morning
New every morning
Great is Thy faithfulness O Lord
Great is Thy faithfulness

Broken spinners

I think my washing machine is nearing the end of its cycle (no pun intended). Lately it has been emitting a burning smell at the end of every wash. Also, the clothes come out dripping wet, and not in the semi-dry condition they should be in after washing and spinning. I think something is probably wrong with the spinning whatever-you-call-it thingy.

Likely it's high time I invested in a new machine. To heed my mother's warning, I wouldn't want it to short circuit and burn down my house. It really is too bad. I kind of like my washing machine. I often grow a certain attachment to things that I've had for some time, e.g. my blanket, my mechanical pencil, my mobile phone etc. I guess my washing machine is one of those things. But every good thing must come to an end (or as in this case, must cease to spin).

Oh well, a-washing-machine-hunting-I-go. Any recommendations?