ODE TO MY BIBIK AND ALL OTHER GOOD BIBIKS IN THIS WORLD!

Now, here's part 2 to a former entry. On a sombre note.

Dear Bibik,

I do not have any misgivings to say this; you are many times more reliable than the family that I have. You see, for a mere $250 a month, you will answer, even if I holler. You will bend over backwards to make sure that my needs, that of your employer, are fulfilled. You will do most things without being told. Even the toddlers I bore from my own womb many a times have not the right mind to do so. They will operate on a 'wait and see' basis. 'We will react only when Mommy is clearly losing her mind!'

You will cradle my toddler when he's ill and I'm at work. You will towel-dry my girl even if she's actually past needing to be towel-dried! You will send my newly-pressed clothes to my room and learn the ways to pair them up. You will even massage my temples when the headaches come.

You see, I have come to appreciate how this body can count upon you to release some of the burdens of mundane household activities. And do this, sans the guilt trips that family members, such as moms, in-laws and husbands inadvertantly give. All these while maintaining the FULL rights to dictate how everything else should be done because I remain your boss. Or forsake that right and leave it completely to you if I believe my brain cells are needed somewhere else.

So, Bibik, truly, from the very bottom of my heart, I thank you for preserving some of my sanity and beaming a glimmer of hope into my already stressed-out life. I will never be able to repay you in kind completely, so be rest assured that when the day comes for me to send you back to your home, my sincere prayers for your prosperity will be with you.

Thank you and God bless.

So how long does it take to realise you can't do without a maid?

This post is specially dedicated to an ol' fren who DOES NOT want to remain anonymous.

So to Oniatta Effendi, yes, THE Oniatta Effendi, this piece is dedicated just for you.


So how long does it take to realise that you can't do without a maid?

1) As soon as you have to get down on all fours with a rag in hand to mop 195 square feet of floor!

2)As soon as you are the only one left standing at 8.30am with a sinkful of breakfast dishes in the stinky sink.

3)As soon as you realise that you WILL procrastinate grocery shopping as there will be no one but you who will unpack the bags later.

4)As soon as you realise that you're answering your mobile phone with one hand holding your husband's damp underwear and an "I wish we bought that darn dryer!" instead of a "Hello".

5)As soon as you find yourself complaining about the 2 minutes it took to check your baby's bottom for poo because your parents jokingly raised the alarm.

6)As soon as you realise that all those people who promised to help out with the chores can only afford a meek apology when you are screaming at the top of your lungs.

7)Read above again: As soon as you realised you've BEEN screaming at the top of your lungs, enough to qualify for a one night stay at the newly-refurbished Institute of Mental Health.

8)As soon as you ask your best friend to reward you with a grand meal should you survive this madness for six months. ( And you hear her hold her breath so as not to blurt out a reduced time frame.)

9)As soon as you request that this blog be created because you're desperately in need of help!

10)As soon as you realise that there are like-minded people out there who will continue to support, love and honour you even if you can't last 2 days without a maid.

So what else are you waiting for Kak Oni? Pick that dial!