Of calm n tranquil

This shot taken by Lena, whom I came to know during our trip to Sabah. One of tranquil and calm which was on the contrary as this was taken as the ship was moving away from the noisy bustling fishport at KK or Jesselton as it was once known as.

Saturday@theConcert

Saturday Evening attended youngest's school concert band performance.

A showcase to the beaming parents, the result of many many hours of tireless practise/rehearsal.

To introduce to the secondary one novice, the resounding vibrancy of the Concert Band Performance.

To do it's part for charity.

Mesmerised by the rendition of Jason Mraz's Lucky on the flute and saxophone accompanied by the piano.

Looking forward to next year, when hopefully, youngest will be sounding her trumpet in the school concert band.

ToastBread

This is how I like my toast. Thick cut, Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Notice the light drizzle of condense milk. Had this at a Cafe in Kuala Lumpur.

Busybusy

A busy morning at the PGH where every available space in the consultation room is used. Even the tables have to be shared.

Life-Unpredictable

Life could not have been better. After 10 years of hard work. He made a pile. Been there done that. Along the way married his JC sweetheart bought a district 9 condo and a lovely little girl to complete the picture.

Then middle of last year, his dad discovered the right leg weakening. Bone spur formation was slowly, silently, painlessly damaging his nerves. After two spinal operations, he is still unable to walk. On the 10th day of the lunar new year, his mum had a fit. Rushed to hospital, had an MRI scan to discover a tumour pressing on her brain. After much persuasion, she had the tumour removed last week. Clearly, both of them, with retricted mobility, will not be able to stay on their own, in another island 65min by plane. Cousin will have to make some tough decisions.

Rainy Day Umbrella.

With this unpredictable weather for the past few weeks, our umbrellas at home are fast dissapearing. Youngest's friend came a knocking one raining afternoon to borrow one. This evening another umbrella was lent to a stranger. She was hoping we could share an umbrella, but alas I was not going her way. Gave her my address and told her she could return when she next pass by. I wonder if any will find their way home.

Doris

Doris L. One tough cookie I've know since 8. Both us were in the same school bus from the same school. Convent Light Street. From primary 2 till Sec2. She, one year my senior and a real barrel of laughter. Always so bright always so positive. My after school movie partner. Then afternoon matinee movie tickets were just RM3. We saw less of each other, when she started working after her 'O' level and I, to KL to further my studies. Without the a mobile/FB/MSN keeping in touch in the 80's was indeed very trying. Over the next 25 years, we played the lost n found game, met up less than the fingers on the hand. Until last wednesday. Over dinner, we talked and talked. So much to catch up. All these years did not make strangers out of us.

Home bound

Phew! I made it seemed so light. Interesting shapes and colours came up on the scanner screen. The officer looked at me, and decided that I didn't look threatening. He waved me on. At 12kg it's a feat hauling it up the overhead compartment. Mum called to complained that I forgot the roasted pig trotters in the freezer. The very ingredient for the sweet n sour teochew vegetable stew, chai buay.

Taking Penang home.

This trip back to hometown, I was sure that a hand carry luggage would suffice. Meaning just a 10kg onboard. After all a 3 nights at M&D's place. This morning, all the clothing had to be out of the luggage. The hair brush too. A 15min stop at the most popular biscuit shop, yielded 2kg of assorted biscuits. At the wet market, 2 kg of fresh nutmegs, A must have. Mum insisted that I should, if not whole, have a slice of garden grown wintermelon she is so proud of. It's organic. Then, the curry paste, I so love. I'm going to have a problem at the airport this evening.

Morning@the Immigration

Those were the days. When one had to be at the immigration office way before 6.30am to queue for numbers. Then, to wait for hours for the name to be called. Applying for a passport was usually a whole day affair. Finally to collect the passport 3 days later.

This morning,

At 7.45am collected the application form. Filled in name, address, Nric, marital status, date & place of birth, height and the signature. Waited for 0017 to be called.

At 8.15 submitted application. To collect in 2 hours time. Spend the time browsing through the Chowrasta Market and having breakfast.

At 11.00am holding tight to my brand new passport.

Mum & I

Past 11pm and both of us still could not sleep. Have been spending the evening chatting. Catching up on family news/gossips. Down stairs we went into the kitchen. Mum prepared a bowl of noodles and took out the bak kwa while I rummaged through the cabinet. A glass of brandy on the rock a few laughs later, up we went, back upstairs to bed. It's been awhile since I last spend time with mum over a glass of giggle.

Wobbly wobble

Latest dessert on the family menu, Jelly-O. Youngest with the help of her dad, has been busy churning up this strawberry/orange wobbly wobble. I, however, still prefer the good old fashion agar agar. The ones, with strips of coconut flesh is still the tastiest. Had this at Jai Thai this afternoon.

Andrea Bocelli@Botanical Garden

Thanks to the generousity and the thoughtfulness of Malaysia's YTL Coporation, Francis Yeoh, Andrea Bocelli will be performing at the Botanic Garden, Free. A chance for the ordinary us, to listen to an extraordinary him. Only of course if you are successful in the balloting.
Wonder if I'll be one of the lucky 5 000.

By the River

The sightings of crocodiles, hornbills, orangutan in wild before going back as the sunset for the day.

As I had not a zoom lens camera, I could only feast my eyes on the

beautiful birds perched high up on the trees.

Into the river mouth

Started our introduction to the wild with a visit to
The Sepilok Rehabilitation for the OrangUtan. There we came close and personal to these jungle men. One was just sleeping on his nest just above the boardwalk

Next stop was into the jungle.
With anticipation we boarded the speed boat at the SimSim waterVillage. Speeding towards the Sulu sea to the mouth of the Kinabatangan river.

90 mins later, we arrived, the at the Abai lodge. Away from the hussle and bustle of the city and the pollution into the jungle.

To a scrumptious local fare lunch of chicken, vegetable, fish and prawns before we began our cruise down the river to catch the glimpse of the wildlife by the river banks.

Orang miskin

When walking along the waterfront on the outskirt of Sandakan, one can't help but feel sad. On one side, a Chinese seafood restaurant packed with patron tucking in the lobsters, stingrays and mussels. While on the other side of the road, scantily dressed dirty children running around flying their plastic bag kites near their dilapidated huts built above the water. Women squatting on the roadside gossiping and observing the going ons in the open air restaurant. Such an irony.

Wild Borneo

Immensely enjoyable is the word. The two days in the cicada noisy, pitch black nights in the jungle of Borneo. The rare sighting of the wild pygmy elephants, proboscis monkeys and crocodiles made the trip truly worthwhile. Having an Orangutan foraging fruits above our lodge was truly an experience. Such close up with nature. Amongst our group were 4 very enthusiastic birders made the trip even more interesting. Youngest enjoyed so much that she definately wants to come back again.

Land of Hornbills

Checklist:

Insect repellent a

sunscreena

a pair of good walking shoesa

binocularsa

raincoat a

Tomorrow, youngest an I will traverse into the wilderness of Borneo. Introducing her to the nature and geographic wonders in our own backyard. Hopefully this will spark her interest and show concern in our fragile earth.

BahasaJiwaBangsa

It's the start of a one week school break. The IT Fair came and went with massive turnout and record S$65m sales. Universal Studio will open it's door at 8.18am on the 18th of this month of course. Youngest is busy running, swimming and skipping. On 25th this month she'll be doing the school's version triathlon. MDH suddenly had this urge to make the perfect shortbread. One that melts in the mouth. No eggs but nearly the whole block of BUTTER. Fluffy has been with us for 5months now. He hops out from his cage every morning. The lovable fur ball of the family. Hovering at my heels while I prepare breakfast hoping for some fallen scraps. Been visiting the library looking for a good book and stumble upon this, "Kopi-O tanpa gula" written by Abd Jalil a compilation his newpaper writes. An interesting insight on the opnions and thoughts of the Malay community on community issues. Interesting. Also a chance to keep in touch with the malay language. By the way it's written in Malay.

Lee done us proud!

Awesome!! He made it!!! The All-England Title. Even the King was delighted with his achievement. Syabas!!! 2nd Msian in 44 years!!!!