The Day Athena Went Missing

Here's the story...

I took Athena to the vet on Sunday so that she could get vaccinated. Routine business. I brought her home and as before, she was annoyed and she hissed at me before scampering to hide under my bed.

Not long later, she crawled from under my bed and made her way to the living room. That was the last I saw of her. I assumed that she was still sleeping when it was nearing dinner time. I looked in all the obvious places but it did not occur to me that she was missing!

The next morning, I took off to school, not thinking much about her absence. Nearing noon, I received a text message from Lily; Athena was missing! I panicked and called my mum immediately. They had been searching for her for hours and they had already informed the neighbours. By this time, it was already the end of the school day. I had planned to stay till late to clear my marking but I could not concentrate. Jacinta suggested that I head home to look for her.

I tried really hard but I could not hold back my tears and I didn't want to be alone. So I called Aqil. I'm so thankful and eternally grateful to him. He met me at J8 and we went back to my place to look for my cat. Sweet, yes?

We spent hours wandering around the neighbourhood and scouring blocks searching for Athena. I wanted to give up. She could be anywhere! Logically, she could have wandered to any place and there was a very high possibility that we were looking for her in the wrong direction. I was forlorn. But Aqil, sweet Aqil, was my pillar of strength that day. He remained positive and persisted on. He even wanted to come back everyday to look for her with me till we found her.

It was getting late so we parted ways. I made my way home imagining what it would be like not to have Athena around anymore. My mum went downstairs to resume the search. Shu Yu printed posters to place at the void decks. I love them so much for everything that they've done.

So get this. I was in my room on my laptop and I noticed a passing shadow entering my brother's room. I glanced at that direction and thought I saw Athena. I looked again and paused for some time before I reacted. I called out to her and she turned to look at me void of expression. Understandably, I could not believe my eyes but I jumped to grab her. She hissed (

pissed) and ran to my parents' room. I was beside myself so I asked my father to check if that was really her or if I was imagining everything.

I'm getting bored of telling this story so in a nutshell, Athena came home, on her own. It was a horrible, horrible experience but it was comforting to know that there are such lovely souls in this cruel world.

Fujifilm Cheki Instax Mini 7S White

I've a new toy! It's so easy to use and not to mention so fun as well! I might just be trigger happy :)

Mummy was sporting enough to pose for my first ever polaroid shot.

To give you a perspective on Athena's size. She's just 7 months but look at her!!

Of course Athena-baby will be my main subject ;)

I love how old school it looks.

Yea. That's her on the fridge. Don't ask me why or how. I still don't know.

Of Athena, Weddings and Nothing Else

It was both an emotionally and physically exhausting day for me today.

I took Athena to the vet to ger her snipped. I do not think it is cruel. She is excessively violent and once she's gone through the snip snip, I hope that will calm her down. I don't want her impregnating herself nor do I want her scratching me or anyone else for that matter. I have seen violent cats, but Athena is extremely violent. She's possibly wired that way, I guess. She was frisky as my brother and I were transferring her to the cage but when the dogs started barking, she was as meek as a lamb. So we figured that the only way to calm her down was to get a dog or a barking device of some sort. *snorts*

So took her down to the vets in the morning and came home to take a quick shower and grab a bite before heading down to Tanjong Pagar to try on my bridesmaid gown. I love the dress!! It's a velvet halter and it fits me like a glove. I do have to wear higher heels but dang it was a HOT dress *smirk*

I hurried home so my brother could drive me to the vet to pick Athena up. I teared when I saw how frail, tired and scared she looked. I was in complete remorse but the procedure is for her own good. She was pissed at me, biting me when I took her out from her carrier. But what got to me was when I saw her hobbling around the house. Her left hind leg seems to be weaker then the right and she had to drag herself. Occasionally, she tripped over her own leg and crashed onto the floor. I rushed to pick her up but she got into her defensive stance and started hissing at me. Boy, was she pissed.

There was nothing I could do. She didn't seem to like my presence at all. She seemed more threatened by it than comforted. So I left her and met my aunts and my mum at Little India. My cousin's getting married next month and we have all decided to don saris. Laugh, go on, laugh. Within minutes, I bought mine. Apparently there was this gorgeous piece of material that all of them were eyeing and when I arrived at the shop, they got me to try it on. I obliged of course and once again gained stares from the public as the shop assistant wrapped the material around me and got me to parade around in the sari. That aside, it is a beautiful piece. Me like-y!

Had dinner before heading home to check on Athena. She was still groggy and was dragging her hind leg when she moved about. I could tell she was hungry and in pain from the surgery. But I was instructed not to feed her till after ten. When I checked on her, she was on all fours, dozing off. I guess she couldn't lie down because of the pain and she was still groggy from the meds. It was a pityful sight. She awoke startled, looked at me then jumped off the chair. She tripped and almost fell on her face. I was filled with remorse again. Then, she rubbed herself against me. She forgives me!! It was 9pm already and I couldn't bear it anymore, so I fed her, one hour ahead of the recommended time prescribed by the vet. I hope she feels better tomorrow. Have to travel across the border tomorrow, so I won't be able to manja her.

Pretty dull post but I do want to chronicle Athena's life.

Back to Reality... Bloody Reality

Dear Diary,

Today I spat at my son. Just when we were starting to bond, I had to screw it up. I couldn't help myself though... I got carried away with the scene and I forgot my lines; so I got a tad flustered and I was trying to enunciate and SPLAT! right on his nose. He didn't notice at first, not until I shrieked and went, "Oh my Gawd! I spat on you! I'm so sorry! SONNNNNNNNNN!!!!" Then he blushed and cowered when I tried to wipe it off. Sigh. But he was so professional about it. Picked himself up and continued with the scene, leaving me as the bumbling idiot. Ahhh.... my son.... I love my son.

On a more entertaining side, I decided to wish Them Boys & Deux a happy start to the new term and I was amused by the varied responses which I received. I'll share some:

• It's not my first day... my first day was years ago
• Aw dreads... hate it man... i got the start sch blues now... hahas thxs anyway :)
• Haha thank you? You too :) Don't kill anyone in school arh! Must be a good teacher :) haha
• Don't remind me :(
• Doubt I'll have one... dread it so much!
• HAHA BALLZ MAN. I can't wait to go to school. But I don't feel like going. What's wrong?
• No. It's always not great on the first day of school. I try.
• I loathe this day... I hate first days of sch... Cause it's the worst time to screw up
• I'm planning to pon sch and sleep

Cute aren't they?

Mmm... kitty's going psycho... she's licking my toes; I think she's hungry. Ciao.

Athena is getting bigger... and heavier and tougher... I took her to the vet to get her shots and the vet thought she was a year old. He told me I was mistaken. I was like dude, she could barely fit into my palm when I found her?! It is true, she has grown a lot since then. I love Athena. The moment I get home, I call out to her and she comes running up to the door. I grab her and cradle her in my arms, scratch / pat her and she will lick my fingers. Then she gets bored, bites me and I set her free. Hahaha... tough love, I guess. That's the highlight of my day. Seriously.

Gah. My gums are hurting so much. Could be gingivitis. Who knows? Maybe it's time I took out my wisdom tooth. Now that will keep me entertained for a week or two. This is the worst feeling ever; I'm like so bummed out and all I want to do is laze around. I can't speak coz it hurts to open my mouth. Major sigh-ness.

But of course, I will entertain you with pictures. Here's the Facebook link... click.

Moving Like Clockwork

It is only the 3rd day of school and I can both remember and recognise the names of at least 3/4 of my form class! It's either I have a really good memory or the boys are that naughty. I have yet to get into the groove of things as it's been quite a while since I've taught Math. Right now it's all about routine and setting systems - something I'm absolutely horrible at, albeit them being essentially critical. I love free form and a sense of spontaneity in my classroom - which trust me, ain't always a pleasant affair.

Sigh. Only the 3rd day and I have 3 projects to work on. One's immediate while the other two are due in April. I do like to be kept busy, but I don't want to have to keep my nose above the water!

On a more pleasant note, Athena is getting bigger and a tad more aggressive. Her name really suits her, you know. Her idea of manja is nibbling at my fingers whenever I scratch her belly. Now that school has started, I see less of her. I don't think she's taking it too well though. Mum says Athena's sullen the whole day, not even mewing when she walks by her but when I enter the house and call out for her, she's desperately clawing her way out of her abode and mewing at the top of her lungs! Just yesterday, I was lying on the couch watching The Changeling (excellent show, by the way; kept me hooked till the end) and she fell asleep whilst lying on my tummy. I know, I'm growing extremely fond of her.

I have pictures of her, but they're unfortunately back-dated. It was taken when I first took her in. So she'd be no older than a week in the pictures. I'll snap more of her in due time, of course.

Clean Slate

So out with the old and in with the new.

2009 started with me cleaning out Athena's cage; making some adjustments to her living quarters so it's safer and bigger. Then it was lunch with my mum and grandmother, 2 aunts and an uncle and my cousin. I like it whenever family outings are organized. It always feels right to me. I can't explain it but there is a feeling of warmth and peace that encapsulates me as well.

I think it was a very promising start to the year; discarding of junk & spending time with the family. Very positive.

Might as well share the resolutions (in no particular order of merit):

• be nice to people
• think big & plan big
• be punctual for appointments
• NETWORK

Those resolutions may seem pointless to many of you out there, but trust me, it's not going to be an easy task for me. I am determined, however, to accomplish them all and become a better person. Geez, this post is beginning to sound so Hallmark. Eurgh.