How to Save RM2 in Only 19 Years

"Why buy it when you can build it yourself... even if it takes two decades?"

Every engineer ever

Some of you OGs from my Blogspot days might remember The Coconut Saga. It all began when I was pregnant with my firstborn and craving coconut water. Now, keep in mind—we live in a part of the world where coconuts practically fall on your head if you're not careful. They're cheap, fresh, and available at every corner stall, hacked open in seconds by machete-wielding experts who make it look effortless.

But no. Yoda—ever the engineer—scoffed at the idea of paying RM2 for something that grows on trees. (Literally!) So instead of just buying me the coconut water I wanted, he went full Cast Away mode and decided to plant a coconut tree from scratch.

Now, I don't remember why I didn't stop him. Maybe it was pregnancy brain. Maybe it was because engineers are strangely persuasive when they're convinced they've cracked the code to solving humanity's problems. What Yoda didn't do, however, was research how long it actually takes for a coconut tree to bear fruit. Spoiler: it's not anywhere near pregnancy-craving timelines.

Fast forward seven years. The tree was about two metres tall, and lo and behold, it sprouted its very first coconut, although a tiny one at that. Victory! We waited for it to grow and ripen. I imagined the sweet, icy water pouring into a glass. And then... it happened.

The coconut heist of the century.

One day, it was there, dangling like a jewel. The next day, gone! No trace. No suspects. Just the empty stalk swaying in the breeze. The only coconut we had waited nearly a decade for had been stolen under the cover of night. Whoever it was had precision, stealth, and impeccable taste in tropical hydration. Meanwhile, I was left coconut-less, glaring at Yoda while the tree stood there, mocking me with its leafy grin.

I sulked. I gave Yoda the side-eye for many years. Meanwhile, the tree grew taller and taller, a daily reminder of his wild ideas, swaying smugly in the breeze.

But guess what? After 19 years (yes, nineteen!), this stubborn tree finally decided to produce coconuts again. Plural. As in, more than one. It's about four metres tall now, and suddenly, it looks like Yoda might have been onto something all along.

So... do you think I'll finally get my coconut water? Or will some ninja thief strike again after two decades of waiting? Stay tuned—this coconut soap opera clearly isn't over yet.

Moral of the story: Engineers may not solve today's problem today... but give them a seed, a plan, and about two decades, and you might just get your coconut.

Wondering who this Yoda character is? Read more about him in my book, Take a Deep Breath for Me. Available here.