MeiFon

1. I learned about anime.  Watch lots of anime and my favourite is Fullmetal Alchemist.
2. I learned about manga and now I start to collect them.
3. I learned some Japanese language, songs and custom.
4. My friends that came back for a holiday from Peninsular Malaysia taught and enlightened me about life in the hostel.
5. I discovered that I miss Leh Kee very much.
6. I discovered that I miss my hostelmates (yes Alyana, that includes you and the other juniors) and my coursemates.
7. I learned how to play badminton at the Wisma Methodist twice a week.
8. I learned Chinese at Tiew Mee’s house every Tuesday.
9. I discovered that I get crazy and extremely naughty when I am around Amy Teng.
10. I improved my guitar skills especially in playing three beat songs and plucking – thanks to Suk Jiew’s help during caroling and my little brother’s teaching after attending the Music Camp.
11. I learned that putting stupid and ugly picture of mine as the primary photo in Friendster will increase the number of friends viewing my profile.
12. I discovered the joy of reading and great website offering free ebooks.
13. I learned that Sarikei now has Hotlink GPRS, enables me to receive MMS from Maria, and of course, to reply her with another MMS.
14. I discovered another true friend when Shafiza called me (using her fix line) from Kelantan just to wish me Merry Christmas. (she has no credit)  And of course, to numerous friends that I never expected to receive well-wished SMS.  Thanks a lot.
15. I learned to dare to complain when I felt unjustified about something.  I had written two complain letters – one to the Sarikei library concerning a culprit who had stolen the content of several bestsellers books.  Another complain letter was to the NTV7, begging them to change the host in TimeOut (weekdays 1pm) who speaks very very very lousy and terrible English.
16. I discovered that I started to enjoy house-cleaning compared to last year.
17. I learned that rebonding process also means flattening your ass with hours of sitting and the chemicals really STINK!!!
18. I learned that first love is the hardest to forget.
19. I learned to do ridiculous poses and actions for pictures with Yvonne, Amy and Stella.
20. I learned that my JPA friend, pursuing medicine in India, Eustace Wong has an allowance of more than RM2000 a month.
21. I learned how to take care of my hair better, doing treatment and using conditioner and wax.
22. I learned that dust collected on the motherboard and memory card in the CPU will cause  difficulty in starting the computer.
23. I learned new ways playing with cards and playing Mahjong using Chinese chess.

Last but not least, Holy Christmas and Blessed New Year to all.

A headline in Borneo Post today attracts my attention.

“Sick of their husbands in Japan.  Elderly Japanese women stricken with stress-related retired husband syndrome disorder.”

My dad will retire in April 2006.  Will my mom be stricken with this retired husband syndrome, or RHS?

I read on to find what causes this RHS.  Japanese women are used to be left alone while their husbands work long hours.  The men also socialize with their friends and even take most of their vacations with colleagues and clients.  Hence, the women are uncomfortable with their husbands’ presence around the house after get used to their long absence. 

Also, Japanese women are expected to be docile, servile and become the typical housewife, leaving many elderly women to view their longevity as more of a curse than a blessing.  Japanese men demand strict obedience from their wives.  When the husbands retire, they bark orders at their wives and forbid them from going out with their friends.

Forty percent of elderly Japanese women suffer from this stress-related retired husband syndrome disorder.

Well, I’m sure my mom won’t mind my dad hanging around her after retirement.  My parents’ relationship is definitely better than the Japanese.  Guess my mom will still be ‘mentally stable’ after my father’s retirement.