My New Sejadah!!!

Slow start to the day. Woke at 1330 and decided that today I shall go renew my NRIC!!! Was not prepared for the turn of events though...

Took a long bus ride to ICA building... funny... the number of people distributing flyers at the entrance of Lavender MRT Station could possibly amount to more than that in Orchard Road on a weekend... Anyway... the shit started when I approached the information counter for a queue number. Was told that I needed to go for an interview. What the fuck for???!!! I received my reservist notification. Managed to travel a little.. all the things that has to do with establishing my identity. Fuck... could it be...

*flashback to 2003*
I received a letter from CMPB, informing me of a fine of $7,000 for leaving the country without permission. Ok, during this time I was working overseas most of the time. I travelled in and out of Singapore about 72 times in the middle of 2002 to mid 2003. I called the officer in charge. It seems that they've already given me a discount! Each time I did not report my departure, a flat fine of $100 applied. So, it's either pay the fine of get charged (ok... getting charged means you still need to pay, but sometimes, depending on the mood of your CO, you'll receive extra duties on top and above your regular reservist duties. I wasn't about to find out). Over the phone we negotiated. Ok, we were fixed at $300. But fuck, heart pain! Purposely come back for reservist (which I totally enjoy!!! Really!!!) but no one seemed to bother to tell me about it. Fuck! Moral of the story... not all government agencies work together...

Cut to scene at ICA:

Got a queue number to a room with an officer inside. He asked me why I didn't renew my NRIC 2 years ago. Wait... ok!!! I remember... I did go to renew it... but was told my picture was unacceptable. And never went back ever since. The expression on his face was "Ya Fucker... right". But he smiled throughout. Left me alone for awhile, and told me to go to Interview Room 7 which was all the way the other end of the building where someone would call out for me. Ok, no harm. Barely got there when a nice Indian man said: "Jeremy! Come! Follow me". Huh? Dang... must be another fine I thought.

In the room, he told me that I was liable to be fined (See? Told you so. They especially nice to you when you are "liable" to be fined. Not because they want your dough. Most probably because they kinda figured that I'll throw a fit. And it goes beyond stomping my lil' feet and pouting my lips). But I could get away with it as long as I filled in the form stating that I was there before but was rejected. We did make small talk as I filled in my essay... guess the experience was pleasant.

Him: ok, go to counter 9 with your photo and we'll process it for you today.
Me: I have a photo, but I think it's not so nice *I showed him the pic I carried with me*
Him: Haha... ya... looks like you lost some weight ah.
Me: Give me 5 minutes... I'll go upstairs shoot one with me smiling and then pass it to counter 9. Ok?
Him: Ok, I'll tell him first. Faster ah.
Me: Ok! Thank you!!!
Him: Bye Bye
Me: Bye Bye (Bye bye?! I'm still gonna see you right?! - But cute...)

Counter 9 was busy, so I had counter 10 instead. Everything went well... till:

She: So we'll leave Jeremy Wong Sheh Liang & your alias will be Jeremy Amir Hamzah Wong Sheh Liang and your Hanyu Pinyun is Huang Ziliang. But some of these are repeats. Do you want to consider...
Me: Nope. Give me everything! I want everything inside!
She: You sure? It's gonna be ..
Me: Yup! I want EVERYTHING!
She: Confirm? Because..
Me: Don't worry... I know what I want... just give me all. My girlfriend chose the name for me mah! So must put everything inside.

*She gives me a "KNN - You champion ah? Wait...*

She: Ok done!
Me: Thanks. Do I need to change my passport, driving...
She: You need to notify them. The system's not linked.
Me: Oh, then my pasport? When I fill in the embarkation card..
She: You need to fill in Jeremy Wong Sheh Liang @ Jeremy Amir Hamzah Wong Sheh Liang.
Me: Huh???!!!
She: I told you..
*KNN... Ok, Su gave me this name... so I'll have a story to tell when people see my name.. there you have it! Change something seemingly negative into something positive!!!*

Spent a total of 2 1/2 hours there. Funny thing, I seldom smile for the camera. But I smiled this time cos, well... I should be happy right? And Su would so love to see me smile on a pic, what more my NRIC! There you have it babe!

Met Su in Darul Aman. Talked for a bit, then split and broke fast. As usual, I was the first to finish eating,cos I am soooo fucking hungry!!! Scooped burbur for everyone before the prayer call (don't wanna wait!!!) Whacked the rice... etc, then everything else. Asked this guy beside me, cos It's my first time eating from a plastic instead of a disposable plate, should I leave it or bring it back. The guy opposite me said, leave it (but he was busy eating... nice guy). Initially he said up to me. Hmmm.. since up to me means I have a choice. I asked where. All he said was behind. I asked behind where. Behind lah! Ok, last time I'll scoop anything for anyone!

Went behind the mosque in the cooking area. There were 2 groups of people. Makciks and old men. Asked the makciks in english (knowing the depth of my malay, I never attempt to speak it) where I shall put my empty bowl. She pointed behind her. There was a table there. And she was eating.. so I decided to find it myself. Moved behind when one old man from the male group shouted at me to put on slippers, cos it was oily. Ok, I put on the slippers. And I shouted at him where shall I place the empty bowl in english. They ignored me. Then another one shouted "Pakai Slipper!" Ok, fuck you. I know that. Asked again, this time louder "Where you want this fucking empty bow dude?!" Was getting fed up. Fasting really tests my patience. Really, even at the smallest thing. One nice makcik said "Budak ini tak tahu cakap melayu lah!Put here son". Thank you!!! *Muah Muah Muah* Finally!!!

Funny. I notice this in small neighbourhood mosque. They're a very closed people. Unlike mosques like Kampung Holland or Sultan Mosque, where different people from all over the place congregate there. It seems that either someone like me is very welcomed, or highly irritable to some, in this case - many. Hahaha... but I guess they must be as frustrated as me. Maybe their first time fasting too? Haha...

The people in Kampung Siglap treated me like some big fuck. These are really genuine people. Sincere and pleasant. Same for Masjid Mydin. I don't like the mosque at Beach Road. Too many old people who's not too friendly and helpful. Had a staring match with one of them. Anyway, that's an encounter for another time...

Know Su's been wanting to read my post, so I'm sending it out as soon as I can. As always.. I love you kid..

jahwsl - Official this time!!!
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09 Oct 06'