Pins and Needles

Thought it was about time I started to look for a job.

But before that I need new office attire. For I may be called upon instantaneously for interviews as soon as I hit the "send" button of my email pertaining to my resume to the prospective employer and hence didn't have any time in between for the all important prep. I wasn't looking forward to this process. Clothes in Taiwan are not catered for, let's say, normal-figured girls.

I am not going to say I'm skinny, but it would take a bribe or an inner bitch for anyone to call me fat. Yet, in Taiwan I am reduced (ahem) to purchasing sizes L or even the dreaded XL. Forget about the "one size fits all" claim many trendy stores seem to be shouting around here. To that I reply, "My arse." (metaphorically and literally).

But as the saying goes, every cloud has a silver lining. In this "little tiger of the east" dwells a fiesty economy that feeds an enslaved seamstress. Meaning every store offers a while-u-wait hemming service, absolutely free of charge. So despite the horror of fitting into the largest pants they have, fished out from the back of the store room, they will at least compensate for your pain by tailoring them to your height in a jiffy.

Well that's a relief, until you realise that you're not only fat, but short too.

Ode to Cat

We're catsitting Du, my brother's cat while he is on holidays in sunny Spain with his girlfriend. Lucky bastard. My brother, not the cat. Although...

Du's been alright actually, much easier to look after than I first expected. I've no experience with domesticated animals and so was pleasantly surprised how little care is required in attending to a cat. She cleans herself, doesn't over eat, goes to the toilet in the same place and makes sure the mess is carefully and thoroughly hidden in her litterbox. Bless her cotton socks.

She's a typical cat, likes to do her own thing and ignores all of your attempts to get her attention. But come bed time she wants to snuggle up. I'm in bed concentrating on a book or laptop and she would walk up to me and meow for affection. If I remained unmoved she would rub her face against my book or screen, or even transparently walk between me and the apparently undeserved object of my attention. She'd perhaps do this a few times before she nestles quietly on my lap for a little snooze. Her deep purring is a lovely sound of contentment. Her little face, curled up in her paws is angelic. You can't help but be enchanted and honoured to have her trust.

Even in the mornings when she wakes me up with her constant meowing, my annoyance quickly melts as I know this little thing is only wanting a little of my love.

This morning I woke with her puke in my bed.

After all the pampering, all the cries for more food and soothing of ills the little ingrate dares to hock up a fur ball along with her breakfast IN MY BED! Am I wrong for feeling this way? Am I a bad mother? I clean up the mess, give her a dirty look and get on with the rest of my day.

Tonight she's meowing at me again, looking at me with her big eyes, giving me sass. She's walking across my keypad so I'd give a damn about her. Oh alright missy, you get your way. I know you didn't mean to be sick. You're far too sweet to ignore. And you're purring! I love you too.

Epilogue
I haven't turned into a Cat Lady. And I still have my sanity.