  Jelte & I got up together again this morning. This is his second day waking up with me as a result of our Annual General Meeting on Monday night.
We were discussing his status here, about him getting a job, about him being pro-active about getting a job, about him being pro-active about getting a job so he can buy me presents.
I told him that to look for a job, it is a 9-5 process. He gotta be in the full-time mode because that is the best way to get the fattest worms, just like how they say that the birds do it in the mornings. Anyway, so uppity-up we went this morning. I had coffee and chocolate toastie (those things that Jelte calls 'the Power Puffs') (they are actually just breakfast snacky things that you pop in the toaster and the ones we had in the morning has chocolate icing on it and marshmallows inside).
I took the Today paper in, I read some, and then we said goodbye as I went out, jumped on the bicycle and off I rode into the winds towards the bus stop. It was 9.10am, I needed only be at work before 10. I wasn't half as unlucky as yesterday morning when I got so drenched in the rain that I was still wet when I got back home. But I wasn't any luckier today (err, did that not make sense?). We arrived at the stop, me and my bike - no drama nor me tumbling down flat, grassy patches - and so I took my cigarette from behind my ear and lit it to celebrate.
Turned around to lock my bike onto the fence and GASP!, no key! Whipped my cell out to SMS Jelte, and GASP! , no reception! My phone's finally been cut off (consider yourselves informed). So as cool as a banana I jumped on it again to go back home. Hell, I only have some money left, but I had no choice but to cab to work as soon as I get this wretched bike back home.
Turning back, an amah and her baby in a pram was blocking my route so instead of waiting patiently for them to pass, I was possessed enough to take a chance and turned into the street before the one that I was supposed to take. What was I thinking! I wasn't, obviously. I spent the next thirty minutes being lost! That bloomin detour took me all over District 6, District 10 and 11 and all others in between! I went to Namly Park, Namly Drive, Duchess this and that, Bin Tong Park... everything but Coronation Rd West.
And I can't even call for help. Houses at these places are so neatly tucked away, so secluded, and very disorientating. Many times I have taken a turn and each time I believe with a swelling in my heart that THIS route will take me home, it did not!
I went down slopes that took me to people's car porches, I took up slopes that lead to new apartments with construction workers loitering around, maids smiled at me when they see me making u-turns one second after I turned in... it was hot, there was no more cigarettes, I have no phone and no freakin sense of direction. All because of a bloody baby! My lucky twist was when I saw a field towards my right so I thought 'have field, have way to tembus'. But again it was someone's large house but this time, there was someone who spoke English and who actually looked like he lives there. I was about to turn away when he called out if he can help. So I told him I was lost. 'Where are you going?
Maybe I can help? ', he said. He was in his sporty (probably golf) gear and piling stuff into his maroon Merc. I know this sounds dumb but I told him the truth. 'I am actually looking for my way home. ' With a smile he helpfully informed me that I could go through that field there, ride down the hill and follow right at some point or other.
So I said thanks (I saw him smiling in a way that a parent will smile when their kid said bye as they board the schoolbus) and went on my way. I actually walked down the hill, too much of a wimp by now to do any superhero acts. And after one more time being lost time, I was home. I rang our doorbell, an astounded-looking Jelte greeted me at the door, his face full of question marks.
All I could muster was,"I decided to go for a ride around the neighbourhood instead of going to work. " And I wearily parked the bike and went inside to call a cab. 
