You tiao dipping

Mum arrived for a short visit this morning. You tiao was the top of her breakfast menu. Both of us liked it dipped in kopi. Teh ping with you tiao do make a nice cool change from cereal with milk.

Finally.....

With this letter from the traffic police, a sigh of relief....

Forty two

Finally I reached my second 21 years in life. Mum threw a party for me when I reached my first twenty one years. Then, I was working at a legal firm in Penang while waiting to enter college. Mum single handedly cooked up a storm. Had my collegues, friends and neighbours over. Most importantly, mum presented me with a golden key pendant. A key to adulthood and independance. Dad presented me with a watch. Which until a few months ago had been my faithful time keeper.
One month later, I secured a place in a college in Kuala Lumpur. This was the first time I moved out of my cosy home and my family away from my Penang island. For the first time in my life I was on my own.

Now twenty one years later, I am a wife, a mother of 3 and living away from my home. After my college years, I was back in Penang but not for long as I moved to Singapore to join MDH. My first job was with a toy Company, TOMY. Soon the stork arrived. Then another. It was this time that I gave up my job to be a full time mom. I wanted my children to be in good hands. I wanted to see them grow. I wanted them to come running to me when they need someone to comfort them.

My first twenty one years were spent growing and learning.
My next twenty one years were spent nurturing and teaching my children.
I wonder what will my next twenty one years be.

Going Nuts

As a result of eating when stressed, I am now trying to stay off food. Oily and high carb food that is. Deliciously sinful chocolate and most of all bread. Solution eat more nuts.

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Here's for a dear old friend

The pain

It has been a week now since the operation. MDH is still having the post surgery pain. Poor him. Still keeping his spirit up and has not loss his sense of humour.

ToTo the Concert

Africa
I hear the drums echoing tonight
But she hears only whispers of some quiet conversation
She's coming in 12:30 flight
The moonlit wings reflect the stars that guide me towards salvation
I stopped an old man along the way
Hoping to find some long forgotten words or ancient melodies
He turned to me as if to say, "Hurry boy, it's waiting there for you"
Chorus: It's gonna take a lot to drag me away from you
There's nothing that a hundred men or more could ever do
I bless the rains down in Africa
Gonna take some time to do the things we never had
The wild dogs cry out in the night
As they grow restless longing for some solitary company
I know that I must do what's right
Sure as Kilimanjaro rises like Olympus above the Serengeti
I seek to cure what's deep inside,
frightened of this thing that I've become
Chorus (Instrumental break)
Hurry boy, she's waiting there for you
It's gonna take a lot to drag me away from you
There's nothing that a hundred men or more could ever do
I bless the rains down in Africa, I bless the rains down in Africa
I bless the rains down in Africa, I bless the rains down in AfricaI bless the rains down in Africa
Gonna take some time to do the things we never had

My first rock concert in the Park. Fort Canning Park. It was absolutely fabulous!!! The music was sooooo... loud. The instrumental part was sooooo... jazzy
Frankly I know next to nothing about the band. I am only aware of two songs by the band "Africa and Rosannne".
The concert in the park was really sooo...cool. Most had a picnic basket and a mat while my daughter and I had to be contented sitting on the pathway as the grass was damp. At least I knew it was in the park!! There were others who arrived all deck out in their best. Strapless gown and 3 inch heels.

Where the sun don't shine

After enduring the discomfort for the last 20 years MDH finally decided to make a bold decision to have the operation using the latest technic the stapled operation. On thursday morning, we arrived at the ASC (ambulatory surgery centre) at 7.00am. By 7.30am he was ready to be wheeled in. The operation was over by 8.03am.The 1st patient for the day. A huge LCD screen at the waiting room kept me inform of his where about. From the operation theater right to recovery and discharged room. After a 3 hour rest he was ready to go home.
It was not until 6.30 pm that MDH realised that something was not right. He was not able to empty his full bladder for the last 8 hours. In a hurry and a flurry we left for the A&E dept. Poor him, they had to put him on hold as there were more urgent cases i.e. elderlys with heart attacks, strokes and concussions all coming in at that time. As I sat waiting patiently, I counted an average of one ambulance coming in every 15 mins at around 7.30 pm onwards at SGH.
Finally at 9.30pm he left the hospital with an accessory attached. Most uncomfortable night for MDH. We had to return the next morning to have the accessory removed. This time round MO Dr David Ng attended to us. He advised us the have breakfast and drink plenty of tea to get the bladder going before we head home. It was not until the evening that the bladder emptied by itself. Phew!!! what a relief.
Oh yes, the MO called to check. I was touch by the fact that he actually remembered us!!!
Meanwhile MDH is recuperating at home. Guess he will be out of action for the next one week.

In keeping with tradition

The School

It is now compulsory in Singapore to have guards maning school entrances.
A refreshing sight then when I saw how much thoughts have been put into building this guard house at my daughter's secondary school.





The fortress

Souvenir

Politely friends would always ask if I want anything before they go on their holiday. Yes, I want them to have a good trip. Meaning unwind and think of nothing but absorbing the sights sounds and tickle their palates with all those delectable morsels.
When a friend of mine went trekking in Tibet I couldn't help but asked for a pebble from the top of the world. A place I might not have the opportunity to visit. My deduction is: that would be the only authentic local produce(then again I could be wrong) Have to admit I did ask for pebbles not rocks.

Now my Tibetan rocks decorate my fish pond.

SShhh.....

It's all silence at home front over the weekend and all of this week. My daughter is studying.

A safe place

Is what I want
To be able to take an evening stroll without constantly looking behind me
To be able to eat in peace knowing that my apple is free from any poisonous contaminant
To be able to quench my thirst from kitchen tap
To give my children the wonder of knowledge
To give them the independence to travel around
To be able to seek assistance and knowing that I am in safe hands
This is what I want
So Put A Pat , all the best.

Cards and such

These days cards are making spending nonchalant. Had two of my cash cards top-up this morning. Then it dawned on me. Cards are making purses and wallets lighter . Well in every sense of the word.
Many won't bat an eyelid to pay for a thousand dollar dress. Just hand the card over, a swipe and a stroke of the pen, it's yours. Definately would feel the pinch if I had to see all the $50s and $100 slowly slipping away from my hand. Well it hurts to see all those hard earned money going.......
Then there is the cash card. Indeed it is a stored value card. But how many also realised that once the money has been handed over, payment has been made for services yet to be rendered? Money spent. No matter how long you intend to stretch that amount stored. Left on the counter of the top-up machine was an unwanted receipt. I had a glanced, the amount in the cash card $550. A small amount to many but multiply that with all the cars on the road. Generous? Kiasu? Forgetful?

No pix from me. My camera is not working ):

Ringo

Before there was email there was snail mail.
I would rush home everyday. First stop would be my letter box. I get so excited when I get a stack of them. Diligently I replied postcards and aerogrammes. The highlight of my day, to receive something extra in the envelope. Gums, chocolate, tea bags, stationeries, stickers, jewelries little leather pouches from Africa and a bikini from a penfriend from New Zealand!!
In return, local handmade fridge magnets, flower and vegetable seeds sweets and such would be stuffed into that tiny envelopes!!
Till today most of the letters are still in it's original envelope with it's stamps intact. As time went by, school work and social life took up most of my time, and soon, I lost interest in writing.
One day in 2000, after an interval of 15 years, I was rummaging through my old letters, I decided to write to 4 of my penfriends. Surprise surprise 3 replied. Wojceich A polish who has since moved to the states. The occupant of the address had so kindly forwarded the mail to his parents who who in turn mailed my letter to him. He is now a professor teaching law. My irish girlfriend Anne, married and has her own home. Her mum still stays at the mailing address. Lastly Atsushi, my japanese friend still staying at the mailing address. He has taken over his dad's orchards and now grows delicious sweet nashi(pear) ringo(apples) and puto(grapes). In keeping with times it's emailing now.

Sakura

Cherry blossoms, cherry blossoms,
On mountains and in villages,
As far as you can see.
They look like a mist, or clouds,
Fragrant in the morning sun.
Cherry blossoms, cherry blossoms,
They’re in full bloom.
Cherry blossoms, cherry blossoms,
Across the April skies,
As far as you can see.
They look like a mist,or clouds,
Blooming fragrantly.
Let’s go! Let’s go!
Let’s go see them

Do have a listen to the japanese version at this site

Orion's Belt

On a clear cloudless night sky, try star gazing. If you see three stars in a row, that's Orion's belt. Orion (the Hunter) is one of the oldest and most recognized constellations in the sky. Orion is a very user-friendly constellation: its bold 3-star belt
Alnitak, Alnilam and Mintaka. These three prominent stars in the central regions of the constellation of Orion align to form the 'belt' of the Hunter.
It's always a delight to point up in the sky and say in confident,"that's Orion's belt" A sure conversational piece.

In their world

In their world we are but a helpless creature.
In their world we are but a lost soul
In their silent world they command such grace
In their silent world they comand such beauty
Yet we choose to sent them to extinction

Winners are just ex-losers

Winners are just ex-losers who got mad. The battle in life belongs to the persistent. Victory will go to the one who does not quit. Refuse to let friends and circumstances defeat you.
If you have been defeated, remember that from the ashes of defeat burn the greatest fires of accomplishment. Your past is the fertiliser for the future.
God made you to climb and not to crawl.
God made you to fly and not fall.
God made you to swim and not sink.
You were not made to dig in the dirt with the chickens, but to soar in the clouds with the wings of an eagle.
Go for it! Today is your day.
What you made happen to others, God will make happen to you.
What you sow today determines your harvest tomorrow. Sow kindness; be slow to criticize and quick to forgive. Love produces a nonjudgemental climate that will also affect you.
Become part of someone's miracle, and it will come back to you.
Do not build mental "monsters" of fear and worry.
If a person expects rejection, he will multiply the possibilities and usually receive it.
Plan now for your financial freedom. Success does not "just happen". You set it in motion. So it is with financial freedom. You will never change where you are until you change what you are doing.
Live within your means. Do not let your upkeep be your downfall. Live with the means presently provided, and budget to correct improper and harmful spending habits.
Work hard, and be deligent, but respect your body.
Health is life's first prize. Men spend their health getting wealth, then gladdly pay all they have gained to get their health back!
Be good to your body. Give it sleep and proper nutrition. Exercise it, and give it the surrounding it needs. Your body is the only "machine" God will allow you during your lifetime. value it, and take care of it.
Information breeds confidence. Know what you believe and why you believe it. Disconnect the memory of past failures. Stop advertising your mistakes. Remind yourself of good decisions and triumphs of the past.
See yourself winning!
Winning Attitudes :-
As a small acorn grows into great oak tree, so grow the seeds of greatness within our lives :
It takes work and discipline
It takes proper nurturing.
It takes time and may not happen overnight.
Resist impatience. As you assume responsibility for the present, take time to enjoy the things available to you right now. Constantly hold before you the dream toward which you work.
"He that walketh with the wise men shall be wise" (Proverbs 13:20)
"In multitude of counsellors there is safety" (Proverbs 11:4)
Be careful in choosing the people that you surround your life with. They can make all the difference in the world.
Success is connected to action. Successful people keep moving towards their goals. They make mistakes. There are setbacks, but they don't quit!
"For the resolute and determined there is time and opportunity." (Ralph Waldo Emerson)

To my children Mei, Wen and Shan

Tomorrow

Why I can't sleep? Looking forward to tomorrow. Why? Because I have spent today, preparing for tomorrow.
Yesterday is dead and gone.
It died at 12 midnight everyday.
Today starts with every breath I take.
Today I live.
How should I live today?
Today is not for repairing yesterday.
Yesterday is gone.
Nothing I can do to bring it back.
Past accomplishment and mistakes...
All dead at midnight... everyday.
So, for what purpose I am given Today?
Today is for today
If that is true
then, what is there tomorrow?
Today IS
for us to prepare for tomorrow....
by KA Ooi

Treasure trove

I just found a treasure trove. A trove of my friend's diving photos. I am sure he would be more than delighted to share this. Taken on his dive off sipadan island in 2005.
Barracuda