Monday 10 May 2010

Fives and Mums

"Sssorryy, where are we going, who's birthday is it today?"

"We are going to Sheesh Mahal lah Bapak... I belanja... and it's nobody's birthday" says Muni who loves that restaurant because of their Palak Paneer (a blend of sauteed spinach, shallots, garlic and chillies topped with Indian cottage cheese). It's really very good.

"Then why are we going?"

"Don't you know, it's Mothers' Day?"

"Owh, Mother's Day..." ...duh and it's already half-past eight in the evening.

Aah never mind, whatever commercialised day has never been a big day in this household; Mothers' Day, Fathers' Day, Children's Day, Wives Day, Husbands' Day, Spoiled Cats' Day, etc. etc.

But this weekend was New-Cupboards Day. We took delivery of three spanking new wardrobes to replace the old furniture that had gone rickety with age and overload. As per hubby's liking, ours has mirrors in the sliding doors "to give the illusion of space" he says. Yeah yeah and it reflects the bed. His taste has not changed much over the years, I must say.

The children's have more shelves for not only their clothes but their books, gadgetries and memorablia as well. We all know how young adults accumulate cheap junk which all purportedly has sentimental value. But there's nothing like a new cupboard to prod them into re-organising their belongings.

So it was a 5S weekend for us. Those in government and GLC's are likely to be familiar with this Japanese concept.

"5S" stands for five (5) Japanese words that start with the letter 'S': Seiri, Seiton, Seiso, Seiketsu, and Shitsuke.

Seiri - Sort and Discard
Eliminate All unneeded items.

Seiton - Arrange and Order / Sanitize
Arrange all items that are left.

Seiso - Clean and Inspect / Shine
Clean all areas.

Seiketsu - Standardize and Improve
Maintain the first 3S

Shitsuke - Believe and Self-Disclipline
Believe that the 5S are important

It means that in a maidless household, everyone is a janitor! Actually this thing is a no-brainer, trust the Japs to package it and sell it like it is their heretofore unrevealed secret to management success.

And what started out with cupboards, extended to 5S operations of the back store-room because we had to put one of the old cupboards in there. As a result, we have a spanking tidy store-room due in no small measure to the elbow grease of a fifty-something who loves mirrors on wardrobes and for whom Mothers' Day doesn't ring a bell....

.... in conjunction of which I wish to share something from a book which I had forgotten I have until FB friend Shahieda mentioned it recently - "You Can Be The Happiest Woman In The World" by Dr A'id al-Qarni

5 YES's and 5 NO's  that I have selected from the book:

YES! to your beautiful smile that sends a message of warmth and friendliness to others

YES! to your kind words that establish (permissible) friendship and dispel rancour

YES! to honouring one's parents, upholding the ties of kinship, honouring neighbours and caring for orphans

YES! to acceptable charity that brings happiness to the poor and feeds the hungry

YES! to reading useful, interesting and beneficial books



NO! to wasting time in trivial pursuits, and love of revenge and futile arguments

NO! to neglecting physical hygiene and cleanliness in the house

NO! to thinking of past calamities and dwelling on past mistakes

NO! to giving priority to money and accumulation of wealth over one's health, happiness, sleep and peace of mind

NO! to forgetting the Hereafter and neglecting to strive for it.





OK am off  to 5S my dressing-table...


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30 comments:

Cat-from-Sydney said...

Aunty Zendra,
SOS!!!! We need the 5S here too. Think we'll need to ship off some old furniture to the Salvation Army.
Oh, must do housework while listening to the B.G.'s Staying Alive too, OK? purrr....meow!

Memorable trails... said...

Salam Zendra,
This coming weekend we are going to have that special management course on 5S at school.The guest speaker will be from SUK Negeri.
Hopefully I ll be more systematic after this...

Zendra-Maria said...

Cat, you've got the 5S down pat... SOS, Salvage, Ship off, Stay alive and for afters don't forget to SSTRETCCCCHHHH.... hihihihi

Zendra-Maria said...

Salam Madam Gold, enjoy the course, you'll find that 5S is something so common-sense that the only important part is the last one actually - Self-discipline/consistency/istiqamah :)

Tommy Yewfigure said...

Arikato Zen san,

You forgot # 6S;

Seifour – When things doesn’t go right & things start falling apart. That’s when u start pulling your hair & scream,”Sei lorrrrrrr’….hahaha.

Hi 5 RA, the mirror2 on the wall, ‘who’s the leng chai of them all’ man.

Quote; “As per hubby's liking, ours has mirrors in the sliding doors "to give the illusion of space" he says. Yeah yeah and it reflects the bed.” (sic)

You can’t blame a man who likes to keep an eye on his own performance mah….hahaha. But however I need to remind him that things might appear a little bigger thru’ the mirror just like your concept of ‘the illusion of space too.’ Tommy even got mirror on the ceiling too….errr no lah just kidding only.

I agreed on the 5 Yes & No, but this NO is a hard one to fathom;

NO! to giving priority to money and accumulation of wealth over one's health, happiness, sleep and peace of mind.

I supposed that’s why all my buddies are wealthier than poor me :((

Konichiwa, (somehow this sound so vulgar to me, don’t know why…kekeke)

Tommy

P/S – RA, still not too late to buy her a SEIKO watch for being such a good mummy to your children.

kay_leeda said...

Ohh..got Spoiled Cats' Day? CatIS is gonna be trilled.

Happy belated Mother's Day to you Zen. Now...I must go look out for Palak Paneer :)

Zendra-Maria said...

Tommy, why lah I feel this comment is classic Tommy LM Yew? So enjoyed reading it (now, now, now stop blushing like a maiden bride :)

Hey let's have your no. 6 as no. 7 - 6th S should be Self-appraisal - what the mirrors are for maa. If tak puas hati then only no. 7 Sei lorrr - can sing this song Aiyah Sway hehehe. BTW are you in any way related to the film editor Tomoaki Tsurubuchi?

Also please tell your buddies health IS wealth lah but then they say wealth can pay for good doctors and hospitals... and old folks homes.... right oso

Seiko watch? Wah you gave RA a good suggestion, must go to Petaling Street one of these days, he's not one of your rich budddies lah hehehe

OK Konnichiwa to you Akachan. I remember as kids we corrupted akachan to belachan hihihi - so naughty ;)

Zendra-Maria said...

Kay, same to you too dear. Do you have a special day for your Cats?
BTW the portions at Sheesh tak Mahal are huge. Order a single portion of each lauk, 4 orang makan very the kenyang :)

mamasita said...

Happy Mother's Day Zen..

Muni belanja yea..next time ajak some of us Aunty bloggers yes??
TQ in advance! hehe

hereafter..true2! Must go to the masjid soon and more often.

Tommy Yewfigure said...

Hey Zen, (so that was a classic L.C comment ka?)

Go pester RA to get u a Seiko Kinetic Automatic quartz & save the environmental, no need to wind & change battery mah.

Hey talking about Bee Gee, do u remember Mrs Maurice Gibb? Do u remember this song from her?
One of my all times favourite with this corny lyrics; To make you laugh, I played a fool for you
Although the people turn and stare…..hahaha...still blushing like a foolish love sick puppy :)

Oh Me Oh My

Now, now don’t u go ‘To Sir with Love’ with me now….kekeke…coz ‘I’m a Tiger’(2x)

Cheers,

Tommy

P/S – Hmmm maybe I should have played the B.J Thomas’ version?

Red Alfa said...

Yea Tommy

We didn't have to wait too long for your comments about the mirrors that face the bed, huh!

Not quite. Really. I can't see any dark on dark without my glasses and we never do in any bright of day... not at home or recently anyway!

Zendra-Maria said...

RA and Tommy, So so true, never at home nowadays, always at the GYM AAAHKAKAKAKAH... Those days of bench-pressing in the bedroom are no more :D

mamasita, Sure Muni can belanja - i subsidise in full kot hahaha

Tommy Yewfigure said...

Hi RA & Zen, soli2.Change subject faitik larrr I can see the kids going ewwwww yukkkkkk..:)

So what do u think about the UK election results?...hehehe.

Goodnite, good people.

Tommy

Tommy Yewfigure said...

Hi RA & Zen,

Did u guys read the Daily MIRROR news today about well Hung Parliament in UK? Here the top ten gags;

The politicians continue to haggle over a power-sharing deal and five days after the election we still have no clear idea of who will end up running the country.

Naturally, the British public has turned to humour - here are some of the best gags doing the rounds....

1. What is the difference between a bicycle and Nick Griffin? A bicycle has a seat.

2. I'm glad to see that the voting system works. I voted for no one, and no one won.

3. Unlike a lot of people, I was hoping that the Conservative Party would get an overall majority. I reckon a Tory government would be a surefire way of getting Spitting Image back on telly.

4. To be honest I'm quite suprised the U.S Army hasn't invaded and installed a new democratic government for us.

5. Politics is a lot like cricket. You start to get excited about a match over a period of days and then the thing ends in a draw.

6. Two bees have just buzzed in through my window today with little pieces of paper in their beelike hands. "Excuse me," one said, "we're a bit lost. We're looking for the pollen station."

7. I found out today that I perfectly match the profile of the type of person who spoils their ballot paper. I tick all the right boxes.

8. Vote Ron Jeremy for PM! Now that's what I call a hung parliament.

9. All this speculation about Clegg and Cameron having a 'Deal or No Deal' is doomed from the start... They're never going to find a decent banker in this country to play with.

10. What two problems is David Cameron currently being treated for? Electile dysfunction and premature congratulation.

Lee said...

Hi Zendra, ha ha, Love see you in that designer evening dress. You sure know your computer tech.
Glad you like the dress.

Okay, lets have the birthday dinner on me after yours. And I sure love women in their prime....they've been around the block and for one, they don't beat around the lallang, arhaaa ha ha ha.
Zendra, you one of a kind...how did I miss you when I was handing out my resume? *wink*.
Have fun and stay young, Lee.

Tommy Yewfigure said...

Tumpang lalu Zen, I don't normally do this :)

Hello Mr Lee, how should I put this nicely without upsetting u but have u thoroughly check the phase 'been around the block' b4 u so freely use it. Some women might get very offended and so that should.

Cheers,
Tommy

P/S - btw i don't give out resume like uncle Lee, S.N.A.G like me always gets 'head-hunted'...hahaha

Zendra-Maria said...

Aiyah Unker Tommy, never mind lah, I oso don't what that expression really means but I'm sure Uncle Lee meant no harm or malice. So what about you being a SNAG - what does it stand for - I'm too lazy to google it - maybe "Short, Nerdy And Geeky"? hehehe

Re the British parliament, I don't follow lah, not since the Iron Lady retired and passed the reins to that hyper-ventilating poodle. So it's hung huh? Time for another Lib-Lab Pact - err is there still a Lib party or has it gone Green? hahaha

Zendra-Maria said...

Dear Lee, when you were handing out your resume, I was still in my pinafores and bloomers - so you wouldn't have given me a first glance even ;)
Maybe we were just not meant to be HEHEHE!!!

Tommy Yewfigure said...

You har Kak Zen, ever the consummate diplomat…kakaka.

SNAG vs Ninja

Soli unker Lee, tongue in cheek, main2 aje, jangan marah ok?

Ronin Stirrer Tommy

Anonymous said...

,,,eerrmm

,,,jazz in Miri hihihi

Zendra-Maria said...

Capt, alamak Miri-stock! Jazz and tuak - thanks but no thanks Tok Uban. I'll stick to Thomas Cup hehe

Zendra-Maria said...

Tommy, you the ninja-consuming serial day-dreamer! What about pirates - there's one who tends to get on your nerves too, isn't there? Do you think he's good meat-loaf material? kekeke!!!

Tommy Yewfigure said...

Zen , nice to hear from our buddy, Capt yohoho,

This Louis Armstrong jazz for him performed by his very own Jazz Pirates;

Wild Man Blues

Aiseh is Thomas Cup on? Who’s playing? Sorry out of touch.

Tommy

P/S - ,,,,,I think the cat got his tongue, that was by far his shortest comment on record :))

Zendra-Maria said...

Thomas, shame on you donno abt Thomas Cup. We are through to the semis by the skin of the teeth. Facing the great wall of China tomorrow meh. If we lose, our empress dowager will NOT be amused :(

Capt's busy blowing his trumpet again I think hehe

Tommy Yewfigure said...

Good morning sis Zen, sorry off topic.

Wow, I just found myself at ZEN Habits (at your blog side bar). Re: ‘The tao of productivity’. That is so me, yes I’m Buddhist/Taoist & Confucian mix upbringing. When I check my KPI against that list, I ticked all 'yes' on all the boxes. I wonder if this is the ‘Nirvana’ that I’d been looking for all my life, yet there’s still one piece of the puzzle missing somehow, I suppose it’ll come to me when I least expect it. The journey continues.....

This is so deep, being living thus without actually realizing it.

Good luck Malaysia in Tommy Cup & u guys have a great weekend!

Tommy

P/S – Hehehe I blushed when I stumble across the blog below Zen Habits on Women Healths ;P

Anonymous said...

,,,hihihi capt. playing along with his sax-lah. mid-night blues with Bib by his side. yoo !.

Zendra-Maria said...

Tommy, you wonder where's that missing piece? Hey, that proves what you're smittened about is no Nirvana hehehe

Only when you've mastered the teachings in that Women's Health article on the big O would you be capable and worthy of that enlightened state, I'm telling you...

As Uncle Lee said, I beat round no lallang :)

Zendra-Maria said...

Capt dengan Bib bagai lagu dan irama wooohooo.....

kirim salam kat Bib yer :D

Tommy Yewfigure said...

Hey Zen, the only big ‘O’ I know are the Ovals at MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground) & MCC Lord’s in London (Named after its founder Thomas Lord)…hahaha. I supposed I’ll find Nirvana just before my time to meet the Almighty, so I’m in no hurry.

I think Uncle Lee ada sikit merajuk. This clip was sent to me by my Melayu bosz way back, he reckons all us Chinese Apeks got this ‘crazy’ streak in all of us..kakaka. Please be WARN that it contains lots & lots of expletives, so if u don’t have the heart for this, DO NOT OPEN; But since u said u don’t beat around the bushes, by all means be my guest;

Apek Giler Bas HongKong

So which one of them is Tommy, the quiet nerdy/geeky one?...kakaka

Zendra-Maria said...

Tommy, you said you in no hurry - so I guess you're really living in the tao - like the way Lin Dan shredded Chong Wei to pieces - so tao. But Chong Wei fought back with dignity - also tao. Tao sama tao hehehe...

So different from that hilarious bus scene in the vid. Pathetic Bus Uncle got no life - over-reacting to show toughness. In the end "victim" Elvis Ho gained everyone's respect. Cool guy that Elvis. I think you're more like Bus Uncle AAARHAHAHAH!!!! Seiii lorrr...