Fats, Vitamins and Minerals

At all the practical levels, things are doing quite well with me and your father. The apartment is much better now, too. Your dad bought a table and chair set so finally eating is more comfortable (it’s a simple 6-seater made of re-constructed wood pieces, but this isn’t too obvious because of the simple but elegant finishing). The set comes from Malaysia and costs around 96euros.

When we moved in, my auntie (who is also my godmother ) gave us around 161euros so that we could buy a refrigerator. We got a nice little 15cu.ft. ref for around 129euros, which left us a bit of extra money to get a rice cooker for around 8 euros (for me) and a slow cooker for around 12 euros (for your dad). My mom also gave us an electric airpot (for hot water for coffee, teas, etc.) and a dining set for four (it was nice corning ware, which someone gave to my mom - and it cost around 50euros in the shops when we checked!), while my other auntie gave us a pot and pan, and some drinking glasses and pitcher (she bought them from Italy decades ago!).

Anyway, I thought I’d tell you how much some things cost here - which might give you an idea of cost of living, etc. Sadly, though, standard salary is not enough for basic living needs. So the role of family (and good friends) is quite crucial to survival.

And this morning, a really good repairman (his name is Ronnie who is also my brother’s carpenter, electrician, etc.) came over to fix the electrical wiring (there was a short-circuit last night), and he also cleaned up and put sealants on one of the bedroom window roofing (since we also suspected that water/dampness going through the walls was causing the problems).

The other thing that will need fixing will be the door. Ronnie has advised us on what to do/buy and how much materials will cost. When materials are ready, Ronnie can come and install the door.

We have been rather blessed - my family has been very kind to your father. But I never had the heart to tell you, or my family, that my sadness in this relationship has grown deep. I am crying nearly every day. Sometimes I laugh and cry at my own stupidity. It is the weight of your father’s presence - the pessimism that I wake up to each and every day… In this godforsaken country, where one breathes the corruption of humanity, the more one needs a reason for staying alive, for being happy. But your father has overwhelmed and destroyed that.

I am at my mother’s house now. I still have not told my family. I don’t know whether I am trying to heal myself or trying to kill myself. Working, writing, thinking, all these are my hope for taking away the pattern of sadness that being with your father has embedded within me…

EMail This Post This entry was posted by Fats on Saturday, July 15th, 2006 at 5:20 am and is filed under Katawan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.