after two failed delivery attempts and long and confused phone calls to the post office i have received my parcel from home - containing a pair of pink pretty fits, three new cardigans and a skirt, gifts from sarah and ariel (more later), my rapee cushions, and the usual white fungus, red date, dried longan, apricot kernels and rock sugar. but most important - my two zabutons, steamed and sunned and slipped into new matching soft covers. they were given to my parents as a wedding present and i have been sleeping on them since i was a baby. and those who have been to jalan naung would have sat on them often. my mother said for goodness sake can't you just buy new ones and leave these at home? but i wanted these precisely for their significance. spike milligan and nostalgic anchors. hum.