Thursday, April 14, 2005

Alone at last, but happier?

Ah-Seng

A portrait of Ah Seng taken during the Lantern Festival in 2004 as we pig out on pasta and wine.

No there has not been a breakup between Laura and I. Today marks the very day that the house entire belongs to me! Let me explain, the exodus of tenants from my place has slowly but surely been depleting since March when the final exams were done with. First to go were Kevin and his girlfriend who packed up as soon as their final paper and flew back to Peninsular on April 1st. This was followed by Chee Leong who went back too awaiting his convocation. Next to go was Patrick who went a few days after to start his industrial training in Kl. Yesterday Ah Seng one of the oldest tenants that was part of the original group that made the decision to rent the place, shouted out in joy as he finally handed in his thesis, packed all his stuff, paid his share of rent and took the first flight today back to Penang. This Thursday another housemate will be taking the next few months off on holiday back in Sarawak before the beginning of term. Thus now I am truly alone.

Well many would say I would be overjoyed to be left in this predicament, the lord of an entire household, free to do whatever I want, whenever I want and bring whoever I want back. I could walk around stark naked and nobody would question that (not that this is an usual practice of mine, ever). But somehow being in an empty house feels odd, after being in the company of so many people for so long, staying alone feels empty and somewhat deplete. True I don’t have to put up with housemates that stack their dirty plates high up in the sink or watch as my laundry is taken off the drying rack even when they are still damp or people playing their stereo out loud through the night. Yet without all that it feels so sterile, so lifeless and ever so lonely.

It’s not too bad I guess I hardly am here anyway, being cloistered in the university from the early morning to late at night and only venturing back to sleep. Lucky there’s still Laura to keep me company for dinner and a bit of entertainment as well as the two dogs left, Lady and Thor. I figure without them, I’d just go mad from the deprivation of company. This is strange as I’ve always considered myself to be somewhat of an introvert and would rather prefer my own company to enjoy whatever I wish, so how come this has to strike me in such a hard way? I don’t know the answer myself truthfully.

The new ladies that will take up the vacant rooms will only be here in June and the rest of the lot will be back sometime then as well. So for the next two months I’ve got a house to run, so help me God. Any suggestions to while away the time?

7 comments:

Adrian said...

Hey, we miss you too. I guess thats the sad fact of life, that people come, people go. Miss your coke, miss your orange and mango juice in the fridge, miss your ice cream, miss you buying the bread and eggs, miss yoru sweets, miss your instant noodles... (now you know where it all went... hee hee hee)

But at least dear Lady is still around (should put her on birth control pills... horny girl that one), and Laura is around.

Isnt Laura done with her studies? Is she staying for her MSc too?

I miss Sabah. Miss the sea and the sun and the friends there. I guess I'll quit my boring day job sometime within the next few days and go back to the clear blue waters of Borneo...

Kervin said...

Of course miss your bangsating ways, seems like my stuff lasts an eternity now until mould has a chance to grow on them. Laura well depends on the fact if she can find monetary support for masters. Sabah, come back when you're middle age with enough money to spend and spend your days under water earning a living diving la XD

Adrian said...

Hey... got your ICQ message this morning. I was already asleep after getting myself stoned...

Mould! Oh no! Tsk tsk. give them to the doggies! Lady can eat a dozen sausages, no prob. I guess her kid should take after her as well, so you should get ready 2 dozen sausages...

Dunno, feeling like quitting my job, go join a liveonboard dive cruise ship.

Kervin said...

You're geting paid oodles of cash, you have a car, electronic gadgets and nothing to want for, at least thats better then going about without pay and doing grunt work for lecturers. Well we can have a high paying job or we can have job satisfaction which having your cake and eating it can be tough to achieve, well why not be a dive operator since you love the fishies XD

Adrian said...

sez who I get paid oodles? Cost of living here and in Penang is very high you know.

You feed the doggies well? I miss her soooo much. Miss making her jump for her cookie, miss turning her over and tickling her. Miss spraying her with the hose and soaping her up. Miss her yelping at the garbage truck. Miss her wet tongue on my sole. Miss sharing my sandwiches with her. Miss chasing her around the neighbourhood when she gets herself loose. Miss her droopy eyes greeting me in the afternoon.

How about posting a recent pic of her?

Kervin said...

Doggies ok, left one pup now. She's ok feeding her well but something she becomes picky and refuse to eat the dog biscuits, maybe too pampered by all the feeding we all used to give her. You try going and chase her in the middle of the night, when all three pups were here I had to go collect them everytime they jail break! Anyway will post a recent pic of her soon for you. P.s. might have to ask Stanley if he can take her back, costs to send her back stretches over RM 600 plus as she is German Shepard breed extra requirements such as quarantine, inspection of house and extra licensing forces me to give her away which I really don't want to do :(

Adrian said...

No please dont. I think you'll do a better job taking care of her. Wait till I get back. Whatever it takes just let me know. Don't make money an issue if you really want her. Just let me know how much it costs, I'll cover everything related to that. 600 bucks isnt enough to justify abandoning dear Lady. I cant do the details or run here run there for you, but I can provide whatever financial requirements you need. Just email me the amount I guarantee you'll get it.

and I know she IS very picky about her food!!

I guess Mommy taught them that jailbreak is a very fun game of hide & seek mixed with cops & robbers... :)