Serial shopper strikes - 1

My usual year-end shopping spree begins!

Nope, not for myself, and not my money either. It’s for the children of the PLHIV families under our sponsorship or CEF programme. Someone did suggest that I bring them all together shopping and settle everything in one day. But oh, no thanks, I don’t think I can handle all the children at the same time! Pening!

Since I usually deliver sponsored groceries to Lin’s and Sofie’s families at the end/beginning of each month, I decided to start with their families first, so I don’t have to go to their homes twice in a month.

So yes, today, after getting the supply of groceries from the minimarket, I went over to Lin’s house. Other than Rahim and Marlia, the 2 sponsored children, Lin’s older daughter was also home. She is currently on study leave before her exam begins in about a week’s time. She came along with us to shop for her younger sibling’s schooling needs.

Rahim and Marlia are both in secondary school, so there shouldn’t be any problem. Or so I thought.

Well, there wasn’t really much problem with Rahim, except that he loves to tease his sister, but my oh my, we had such a hard time trying to find school stuff for Marlia, being the manja type (because she’s the youngest? Oh, I’m the youngest in my family too!). Too jarang, too keras, tak best, you name them! No wonder Lin insisted that her older daughter come along. Marlia wouldn’t listen to Lin, being an old timer (like me!), but at least Marlia would consider her sister’s suggestions.

I just kept quiet at first, but after more than an hour and after seeing Marlia being so choosy and fickle-minded, I finally told them I’d only wait for another 10 minutes otherwise they’d have to pay for everything themselves. :-)

It was 12 noon by then and I was getting hungry. Despite it being a working day, there was still quite a queue at the cashiers. The receipt for Rahim’s and Marlia’s schooling stuff came out to more than 1 foot in length (including all the small stuff).

We then went straight for lunch at the same shopping complex. Luckily this time Marlia wasn’t fickle-minded in her choice of food.

By the time I sent them home, it was already 1pm.

Tomorrow will be the turn of Sofie’s children – all 4 of them. Double today’s number, with one 8 year old girl in tow. I hope none of them are as choosy and fickle-minded as Marlia!