I Would Rather Being Broken-hearted By A Guy!

The 3rd of January will always be remembered as yet another heart-breaking day in my life. How could a day that started off so well ended as a painful life experience that I don't think I can ever forget?

In the morning, helping out with the clients' needs and watching them smile back at me made my day. In the afternoon, late lunch with Nisa at Coffee Bean was great - girls' talks never fail to lift my spirit. But in the evening, there I was... climbing the stairs and anticipating to see her in my room after a hard day at work, cheerfully calling out her nickname.

There was no reply.

Typically she would answer me back with her sweet chortles whenever her nickname was being called. I assumed she was in the balcony and couldn't hear me, so I checked. Again, I greeted her. For the second time, there was silence.

I started to become frantic, bursting back into my room and looking at the cage - and only found her partner, Popcorn, there and standing still. I looked inside the wardrobe, where it is always kept open, just in case she was hiding between the hangers - one of among her favourite spots. I bended on my knee and scanned under my bed.

I searched all over the places in the house... but Sun-Ray was nowhere to be found. That instant I knew Sun-Ray, my female pearl cockatiel, was gone.

My sister and brother, who had been at home the entire day, had completely no idea where she was - an explanation not quite to my satisfaction. The windows of my bedroom were still closed, just as the way they were before I left to work that morning. What had happened to her?

What ever did I do wrong? The question kept circling in my head as I succumbed to the fact that I'm going through the very same hell as the time I found out my sun conure, Spunky, flew out of the window. How I wish it was all a nightmare and would million times rather being broken-hearted by a guy than having my 'baby' out of my life.

Photo: Goodbye, Sun-Ray!

Welcome to Your New Home, Popcorn!

In this entry, I'd like to introduce you readers to a Lutino cockatiel recently bought as a birthday gift from my sister. The name's Popcorn, and I know I once had a Lutino cockatiel chick with that name, but I just can't think of anything else to name this cockatiel cock and feel that the name suits him.

Photo: Introducing... Popcorn!

At first, I intended to get Sun-Ray a whiteface. After surveying and searching at several places, I couldn't find the right one. My last stop was Macau pet Trading, a pet supplier store in Bandar Tasik Selatan that I frequently visit. Although there was quite a number of white-faced cockatiels available, they were young and rather inactive.

As I was scanning each and every one of the potential male companion for my baby girl at home, this Lutino cockatiel caught my attention with his happy chirps at the next cage. I diverted my view to look which one was it, and there he was... whistling cheerfully to other cockatiels, and approaching them and trying to be friendly but only getting cold shoulder, instead!

I'd made up my mind. The rest, as they say, is history...

For a cockatiel that has lived with several other 'tiels before, it didn't take long for Popcorn to get along with Sun-Ray. On the contrary, my girl has been aloof towards him. But from my observation, he's been patient and persistent.

I certainly hope that one day Sun-Ray will learn to accept Popcorn as her partner. Love takes time, doesn't it?

Photo: He wants to get to know her better, but she prefers to have that Grainola Bar!

FEI***** KL Grand Prix: The World's Greatest Horse Show

Being an animal lover, it truly was an opportunity for me to be given a free ticket by my General Manager to FEI***** KL Grand Prix: The World's Greatest Horse Show that was held between 23rd and 25th of November at Stadium Putra, Bukil Jalil.

I purposely chose to attend the show on Saturday, for I got a weekend off this time. Sunday was already assigned for some appointments. Three of my colleagues took a ride in my car, and it took about half an hour to reach the destination from our meeting point - our office itself.

If truth to be told, my eagerness came from merely wanting to watch horses. Even as we were all having our lunch, since this was my first time watching a horse show, I had my own mental imagery what it would be like. At the same time, I was nervous that it would turn out to be something serious and boring.

The moment we walked into the stadium after showing our tickets around 3 in the afternoon, the first round had already begun. We were caught in awe at the sight of a fence-jumping horse, as we looked around for some strategic seats that could fit four people.

The Putra Cup winner was presented by Telekom Malaysia with the prize money RM125,000. The second round, The Samsung Malaysia Cup champion brought home RM180,000.

Perhaps it wasn't the day of our very own contestant, Syed Omar Al Mohdzar and his Crusado. At one point on the first show, Crusado wouldn't jump on one fence. On the second, Crusado dropped four poles on the ground and was given 16 penalty marks. It must've been a very stressful day for the horse, but the big applause after each performance seem to indicate that we were still very proud of our Crusado.

Photo: We're still very proud of our Crusado and his rider, Syed Omar Al Mohdzar!

In between these two rounds, we were all entertained by our local R&B singer, Ferhad. This is the moment when me and my girl friend, Nisa, sang our hearts' out along with the rest of the audience to Frankie Valli's Can't Take My Eyes Off You.

There was also a performance by Malaysian Pony Clubs (Kelantan and Terengganu) and other pony clubs from other countries competing in kiddy games. Riders - or club members - were youngsters under the age of 21, riding their own cute and adorable little ponies. I don't think I stand alone if I said they were the most entertaining!

Photo: This boy is doing whatever it takes to win!

Merely wanting to watch horses aside, how was I supposed to know that this show would be so much fun?

And You Thought Parrots Couldn't Count?

During one of the weekly cleaning routines recently, I had to separate Sun-Ray with her eggs by locking her in the balcony while I was washing the cage. As you would expect, she went frantic watching her home being taken away while she could only watch helpessly. She couldn't stop screaming the whole time!

When the drying up under the hot sun was done, everything was put into places back again. The toys were rotated, and the food and drink bowls' positions were changed. The final chore was to put bedding into the nestbox, and then her two eggs. Somehow, in a rush, one of her eggs slipped through my fingers and fell on the floor.

I was frozen for a moment, guilt was gradually emerging inside me. What had I done? I cracked Sun-Ray's egg! How could I've been so careless? She must be mad! She must be worried!!

Then, it wasn't long before I began to reason to myself that birds can't count.

Few days have passed since, and Sun-Ray haven't been out of the nestbox as frequently as before. As a matter of fact, I haven't been touching and petting her almost a week now. Is she sick? I even started to imagine the worst! Slowly, I investigated inside the nestbox by unlocking the below entrance. Startled, Sun-Ray was looking angry at me with feathers all ruffled up. She was rocking her body side to side, hissing fumingly... but she was well.

And you thought parrots couldn't count? My eyes caught sight of two extra fresh-looking oval things. It turned out that she had laid another eggs, and now she has three to keep herself busy!

Photo: One is just ain't enough!

The Hugest Cat I've Ever Seen!

The recent Hari Raya - a celebration rejoiced by Muslims worldwide after fasting steadfastly for one whole month of Ramadhan - marked no difference from years before. Visiting relatives and friends, feasting like there's no tomorrow, and starting last year, giving out duit raya (money in a green packet) to children. Most would agree that Hari Raya is less joyful as one gets older, and therefore, it is enjoyed most by the young ones. After all, they're the ones who will be getting duit raya and staying up all night to count the collection of the day and thinking about what to spend it on. (My brother 'burnt' all of his duit raya solely on The Orange Box... and has no regrets about it!)

One of the highlights of the celebration to me is... well, the cat in the picture below. He's simply the hugest cat I've ever seen! The name's Bundit (pronounced boon-deet), and he's three years old. Weighs at 7kg and eats much more than he exercises, this heavy tomcat belongs to my Mum's colleague and her husband. Cute!

Photo: He's really handful!