Shizuka ni

They mean business. Not even the ranger makes a sound at the OrangUtan Sanctuary at Sepilok, Sandakan.
Photo:Lena Chow

Mum's garden

In mum's little garden plot, this plant. She stir fry this on days she has has no green in the fridge. Adds it in her fishball, mince meat noodle soup. And I have no idea what the name of this vegetable.

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!!!!

February

Hottest and driest month. February. How nature tease. The looming dark clouds followed by the impending heavy downpour. All but just a few drops. Enough to stain the ground. Leave many wanting more. This has been the weather of February.

Crumblingface

Not done intentionally but disintergrated over the last two years. Found this at brother's kitchen. Wonder if the swedish furniture giant will refund or replace. Brother finds it artistic :D

Simple Pleasure

This is how she spends her time. Weeding the grass and picking away all the dried leaves in the morning before the sun gets too hot. After breakfast she sits in front of the telly reading the papers listening to the news as she waits for evening. Watering the plants at dusk before taking a shower for dinner. A daily routine in her twilight years. A far cry from the days when she spent 10hrs, 6 days a week running her company. With a dependable maid to keep an eye on her. To be sure she remembers to take her medication and meals. She hardly speaks and has never watch any chinese/english series. This is how she finds simple pleasure. With her plants.

Keeping In Touch

Finally, some quiet time. It's been a week since we drove up north for our family dinner. A chance to catch up with the family news. Mum made sure I had a dose of her stew pig trotters while mum in law, her homemade keropok. Brother is all excited anticipating the inpending move while sis in law filling us in on her venture. A pilate instructor at her new studio. As youngest niece & nephew are over the age of 12, gone all the days of playing fireworks and running around. Now, it's sit down party games. Giving a the green light, grandpa poured a warm sake for son at a japanese dinner. Coming of age.

A short trip of 4 days as son and youngest still had papers to sit for on the 4th day of the lunar new year.

My two little lion dancers from next door ushering in the Tiger Year.

HomeAlone

It's less than a week and no decision has been made. Where is he going to spent his weekend? Unable to participate in Our annual family trip up north. He has not the proper papers. His fluttering heart will show up as a bright red spot of the high tech scanner at the checkpoint.

Eldest is still thinking.

Jostling & Elbowing

Jostling and elbowing through the crowded streets on a sunday night. Many, like me, were there to soak in the sound, sight and sweat. The loud blaring of chinese songs, traders shouting out their ware. The street littered with jelly wrappers, peanut shells. Sellers stuffing into outstretched hands, sample of the cold made in Taiwan jelly cubes, peanuts & melon seeds. Hoping for a sale. Waxed ducks and sausages all deck out. Once, few years back I was shocked to spot hanging in one corner, a very flatten wax/cured Pig. A whole pig flatten. The colourful assortment of sweet winter melon, lotus roots, tangerines and coconut strips. What is Lunar New without a walk through Chinatown on a warm and humid sunday evening.

Telling a tale

Traditionally, MIL would start making almond, peanut, walnut, pistachio cookies and baking chocolate, orange and carrot cakes weeks before Chinese New Year. She then packs them into bags for her many friends and relatives. However last year, due to her progressive dementia, we had to discard more than 10 containers of cookies as, upon tasting, some were found to be inedible.

This year, SIL, has decided for the 1st time, to order cookies and cakes, deck them out, and guiltily tell MIL that she has already done all her baking. Hopeful MIL will not get confused for not remembering. Don't know if what we're doing is right. It was painful see all the cookies she has spent so much time making to be thrown away.

Growing Pains

When in pain or discomfort, some are willing to try any new health gadgets, supplements, ointments or therapies recommended by friends/colleagues or even sales personnels . Of course, on the far side of the scale, there is the sceptic, namely, me. Who view these die die must try recommendations with great suspicions. After all, one man's meat is another's poison.

Of late, MDH's knee has been giving problem. Upon checking with friends, a cream was recommended. After applying nightly for a week, the pain subsided. The cream worked!

I too had this problem, aggravated by my trotting. After much hestitation and seeing the positive result, I tried. For now I'll stick to the cream. As for popping multivit, probiotic, omega oil, psyllium husk and glucosamine, it'll will have to wait.

Because it's there

An excerpt.

7 June 1924

"My darling, I'm sitting in a tiny tent some 27.000 feet above sea level, and almost 5,000 miles from my homeland seeking the paths of glory. Even if I were to find them, it would be as nothing, if I am unable to share the moments with you........
I can see you at The Holt, sitting in your winged chair by the window, reading this letter and smiling as you turn each page. Look up, my darling, for at any moment you will see me march through those gates and come striding down the path towards you. Will you leap up and rush to greet me, so that I can take you in my arms and never leave your side again? Forgive me for having taken so long to realize that you are more important to me than life itself.
Your loving husband,
George"
Written in his final hours before ascending Mt Everest.

Read many of his books, but this one had me reading through the last few chapters again and again. A semi-autobiography on the man and what might had been in the last hours as he pushed his limits to be the first man to conquer Mt Everest. George Mallory.
He died while attempting. The question still unanswered. Was he ascending or decending when mishap struck him some 29 years before Edmund Hillary.
On the 14th of May 1995, his grandson fulfilled his grandfather's dream.

SomeoneSaid

"Insecurity and fear of changes breeds pettiness. The inability to share and accept changes show the lack of confidence in one's belief" Anon.

Adventure Wildlife

Kinabatangan River, at 560 kilometers is the second longest river in Msia. This wildlife santuary is known for it's remarkable wildlife and fascinating habitats. My last trip to the Pahang National Park at Kuala Tembeling was 20 years ago. The unforgetable sights and night sounds. Then, sleeping in tent by the river campsite, with 4 legged creatures running around and maybe a slithering snake. The only thing I could not do in the bushes, was the big business. No matter how uncomfortable the tummy was. The Nature Society of Spore is organising a 5D/4N trip in March to Kinabatangan river wildlife santuary. This time comfortable lodging.

saturday@home

Movie Night
Venue: Sitting room @ home
Movie: 2 episodes of Fringe
munchies: Cheese and Cracker
Drinks: white wine/Juice

Desk Bound

One resigned to care for her child. The other went on a two week medical leave for a minor hand operation. Meanwhile, here is one looking for a change. With more time on hand, A self earned income would mean a little guilt free indulgence. So it's back to a 9 to 5 keyboard tapping in the freeze zone. Being away from the desk for so long means having to ask many questions. It's a start.

Old and forgotten

Eldest spent two weeks of her break, behind the scene. Attached to a nursing home.

After the initial jolt, dressed in white, spent time observing and assisting in the works of caring for the elderly in the all female level.

During activity time, they chatted while exercising with them. Many in their 70s and 80s, suffering from some degree of dementia or health problems. A welcome reprieve for both the Myanmar healthcare personnel and the elderly. Having a helping hand and able to converse with the residents. Dialect was not a problem as eldest took a crash course of cantonese, hokkien/teochew and malay. From me of course!

Though, patient's information was strictly confidential. Eldest just had to report the daily happenings over dinner. Kicked at by one who refuse to shower. Spit at, for one refuse to eat. Had her hands held tightly as one grandma thought she looks so much like her granddaugther. With a thank you by these sweet old ladies, all was forgotten. After all they never meant what they did.

That was three weeks ago. Yesterday, she visited them. This time as a volunteer. She was delighted that many still remembered and welcomed her. For the residents, it's the weekend visitation that they so looked forward to. Sadly many spent the weekends hoping and longing in vain sitting at the activity room listening to the hustle and the bustle downstairs at the visitors' lounge.

Friend In need

A friend in need Is a friend indeed.

So true when coming home from a holiday with loads full of laundry. The washer stop dead mid-way.

Messaged my woes to my girlfriend next-door, hoping. The reply was instant. "Come over" When living away from families, it's good neighbours that makes a difference in calling a place home.

A brand New Year

The notebook malfunction,but it's fixed!
The washer when on strike, after persistent electronic tweaking,it's working(for now)
The misunderstanding with a relative, we met had lunch and, reconciled
The long lost cousin I so want to meet, I met(by chance) while holidaying
December has been a month of tying lose ends.

Here's Wishing all a Hearty, Healthy & Wealthy 2010