The Silent Room

Desktop of the Month: October is the time for us to get real.

Yesterday was my sister’s birthday. Too bad everyone else was busy so we couldn’t really go out and celebrate. So today, since I was quite free [and after a less-than-subtle hint from my mom], I went out to get her a nice bouquet of flowers.

Here’s the thing, I’ve lived in this neighbourhood for over 10 years, and I really don’t remember seeing a single florist that has maintained its business for more than a year. As it turns out, finding a proper florist proved to be the first challenge of the day.

I drove around a little bit, and I was lucky enough to find the next best thing. In front of a Maybank was a flower stall manned by two Indian guys. You know, the type that sells flower necklaces for Indian ceremonies. Theirs is a small stall with a pretty decent variety of flowers [too bad I didn't bring my camera then]. Just in case, I asked if they made bouquets and sure enough, they don’t.

Still, their offers were very good. A single rose for a mere RM1.50, and everything else goes for RM1.20 each. Trust me, when I say ‘everything else’, I mean a whole spectrum of ‘everything else’. So picked out about 6 different flowers, and I asked for five roses, and three of rest. They were so happy about my bulk purchase, that they gave me a string of fragrant jasmines. Kasi gantung dalam kereta, ini bunga banyak wangi, he said.

Everything came to a nice HUGE bouquet for under RM40. I remember a bouquet of similar size would easily cost around RM80+ during MMU’s convocation days. Heck, at a decent florist, a bouquet this size would cost at least RM50. Then, after hefting that load of flowers into the car, I went to look for a gifts or crafts shop thinking that perhaps they could wrap up the bouquet nice and pretty for me.

Luckily for me, there was an arts and crafts supply store nearby. I happily went in only to discover that the shop is run by two men; a young one and a graying one. Both of them have absolutely no idea how to wrap a bouquet. Still, they offered me a wide selection of wrapping papers and ribbons. I spent about RM5 for some wrapping paper and a nice ribbon.

Then, out of desperation, I called a lady friend of mine. She has wrapped some hampers before so I figured she might also have some ideas on how to wrap a bouquet. Turns out, she doesn’t know either. Thinking that going too far just isn’t worth the time [and petrol], I went home and attempted the ultimate solution.

Yes. I Googled.

After fumbling around for about half an hour or so, I admired my handiwork and thought that I did a pretty good job. It was obviously a rush job and I was almost clueless as to what I was doing the whole time. Wanna see? There you go.

Yeah well, it’s not the nicest bouquet in town. But hey, not bad for a geek’s first effort, eh?