yan on second thoughts

Missing from the reunion dinner menu

2012-01-22T20:21:00.006+08:00

We have ten perfect dishes on our reunion dinner menu.

What's missing this year is "mee hoon soup". In fact, since dad in law passed away seven years ago, with him "missing" from the table, the "mee hoon soup" (or in foochow, hung-gang) has not been a must.

My late mother would never miss her special “yam cake” for Chinese New Year. When she passed away in 2000, the special “yam cake” is no longer on our reunion dinner table.

Though life is to be lived forward, looking back will always give us many fond memories of the loved ones missing from the table, and those special food missing from the dinner menu.

Looking back, we remember the courage and the love of our loved ones. These loved ones will never come back to us. But, we shall go to them! One day, we shall feast together at Jesus’ table. Then, it will be more than “Mee Hoon Soup” and “yam cake”.

Encounter with Batak culture

2011-10-09T03:00:00.000+08:00

WHERE have all the Batak men gone?

My travelling companion, Jocelyn, also a journalist, posed this question after spending two days at Lake Toba in Northern Sumatra.

Whether in padi fields, vegetable gardens or oil palm plantations, we saw women working and at times, with little children around.

Flashing a mischievous smile, our driver-cum-tourist guide said: “Batak men do not work.”

The three of us women journalists all went “WOW” and almost in unsion, hollered: “We don’t want to stay here!”

A trait common among Batak people is that women make up the ‘working class’ while men rarely have to roll up their sleeves. It is also the women’s responsibility, as wives or sisters, to put food on the table before going out to work in the field.

The men, on the other hand, have an easy life, spending their time with friends, drinking coffee in coffeeshops or under the shade of bell flower trees.

The tourist guide revealed despite having to ensure enough income for the household, daughters never received any inheritance from their parents -- only sons are beneficiaries.

Long drive

As there is no direct air link to Lake Toba, we took a Firefly flight from Subang, Kuala Lumpur, to Medan Polonia International Airport. From there, it was a four-hour drive along a long, sloppy and narrow road to Parapat port which is further north of Sumatra.

There were plenty of dead, age-old traditions for three curious journalists to soak up. The long drive was definitely worth the experience, allowing us to savour the panoramic view of Toba and observe several elements of Batak cultural landscape such as vast rice fields and wetlands.

Toba is best known for rice cultivation which also holds a religious significance. It is believed to increase the power of the Batak high priests responsible for the agricultural prosperity.

Just as night fell, there was a heavy downpour. We learned there was still an hour’s journey ahead of us. As our driver got restless – apparently bugged by the constant buzzing of his handphone – his overtaking manoeuvres became a tat aggressive. And each time he stepped on the gas, I said a silent a prayer.

Throughout the journey, there was a car in front of us. It signalled for every turn but refused to let us pass!

On arrival at the hotel, our driver told us he needed to travel back to Medan as his son had been admitted to hospital. Ah, that probably accounted for his restlessness en route to Parapat.

I was impressed by his professionalism though as he assured us he would only leave after his colleague had arrived to replace him.

We stayed in the hotel for the night. And while enjoying a poolside dinner, we were looking forward to the next day’s programme – a lake cruise.

Lake Toba

From Parapat, several boats would come by every hour to take passengers for a leisurely cruise around Lake Toba.

This scenic lake was formed about 70,000 years ago following the eruption of a 700,000-year-old volcano. The blowup was possibly the largest recorded volcanic rupture within the last 25 million years.

Sailing along the approximately 450m deep lake, one could not help but feel overwhlemed by a sense of antiquity – that this body of water -- mysterious, brooding, yet beautiful and fascinating -- is one of the planet’s most ancient prehistoric sites.

There are about 1.5 million Batak people in Sumatra, most of whom are Christians with a smaller number of Islam followers while some still adhere to traditional reigious beliefs.

Batak societies are found mostly in North Sumatra which includes Toba, Karo and Angkola. The Toba locals are the only ones who strongly identify themselves as Bataks and speak a unique Batak dialect.

To catch a glimpse of traditional Batak lifestyle, you must go to Tomok, a Batak village on Samosir Island. That was what we did after a short cruise in the lake.

In Tomok, you can see traditional Batak architecture as you stroll along sandy roads lined with Sumatran pine trees. There are many custom homes called Jab (in Toba tongue) or traditional houses. The roof is constructed to provide a larger internal space, and decorated with ornate carvings of stars and suns, usually black, red and white in colour. Various symbols around the building decorations, the woodcarvings and the tomb imprints can also be seen.

All Batak tribes have their own specialities and the Toba Bataks are known for their woodcarvings, weavings and elaborate stone tombs. In Tomok, you can view all these in a traditional village setting with gorgeous houses standing alongside a flea market offering an array of cultural paraphernalias to bargain for.

Historical burial site

There are also plenty of myths, rituals and suspicions about humans and animals, life and death, villages and forests, warfare and agriculture. All these are observed during ceremonial rites.

Tucked beside a lane is the must-visit historical burial site of Batak King Sidabutar and his family. There are many stone tombs here, inlcuding the famous 200-year-old ship-shaped stone casket of King Sidabutar.

An on-site guide is available to explain the significance and meaning of the tombs. Apparently, the story is told over and over to tourists.

We were given a sash to wear before entering the cemetery, I believe, as a mark of respect for royalty buried there. In front of us were rows of stone sarcophagi.

Sidabutar is the ancient ruling clan of Tomok. Indeed, the sarcophagi of the ruling Sidabutar clan are the main attraction in Tomok.

King Ompu Soribuntu was highly respected by the Batak people in Tomok for establishing the Dalihan Natolu (literally three principles), the general philosophy that guided the Batak people. According to custom, when the king died, he was not buried in the ground but in a sarcophagus carved in stone and placed in the centre of the village. Seven days later, his descendants would plant a Hariara tree at his grave.

Another important Sidabutar ruler was King Ompu Ni Ujung Barita Sidabutar.

According to legend, when he was at an elderly age, he wanted to marry a woman named Anting Malela. During the engagement period, it was customary for Batak women to carry a cup without handles on their heads. But Anting broke with tradition as she wanted to end the engagement.

Furious at being spurned, the King used black magic to make her crazy. It was said Anting later disappeared in the wilderness and was never seen again.

When King Ompu Ni Ujung Barita died, he was placed in a sarcophagus beside his predecessor’s. The image of him wearing a turban-like headgear was carved on the front of the sarcophagus.

Although she broke off her betrothal to the king, Anting’s image was also sculptured behind the sarcophagus, showing her carrying a cup without handles over her head -- a symbol of the king’s command for obedience.

Later, European missionaries who came to Samosir island spread Christianity among the Bataks. King Ompu Solompoan Sidabutar was the first man to become a Christian in Tomok and he helped to spread the religion in his kingdom. King Ompu Solompoan’s grave spots a cross.

Further down, there is a doll on a stage with the story that a former king requested for
a dancing doll after losing of his son. This has become a funeral ritual.
Batak culture attaches great importance to preserving tombs, cemeteries and burial sites. This is evident in Samosir. Most of the tombs, even some large ornate bone-houses called tugu, bear intricate burial traditions.

Many cultures value life, change and progress but some cultures revere the past. The dead, age-old traditions and mysticism of symbols or tribal arts preserve a part of history that awaits exploration by those curious enough to delve into ancient cultures.

FASTER CONNECTION: Surprisingly, wi-fi and internet connection at Lake Toba is faster than that of our own in Sarawak.

TOUGH LOT: Batak women not only labour in
the field but also trade in the market.

ENTRANCE: The frontage of a Batak house.

MARK OF RESPECT: Visitors are given a sash
to wear before entering the stone tomb.

ROYAL TOMB: The stone tomb of Batak
King Sidabutar.

HARDY: Batak women labouring in the field

The Batak Museum

It was a journey of learning Batak culture and tradition for the three journalists.

MYSTICAL: Scenery around Lake Toba.

Diet plan

2011-10-04T21:04:00.000+08:00

I met a dietician with Queen Elizabeth's Hospital in Kota Kinabalu on Sunday night. I requested for a diet plan that will help me lose 2 to 5 kg.

It has been extremely difficult to lose that 2 to 5 kg despite my daily gym and being watchful over food.

I have been given a plan according to my height of 172 cm - I think this is extremely easy, and I have actually been taking less food than planned. Probably, it's the calories count on choice of food.

I have started the plan today -

Breafast

Wholemeal Bread 2 pcs (half tsp of jam or peanut butter)

or 4 pcs cream crackers or

4 tbsp of oat

+ one orange

+ one boil egg

Lunch

Half cup steamed rice

or 2 pcs of wholemeal bread

or 4 pcs of cream crackers

Vegetables (less oil)

Chicken (less oil without skin)

Guava

Dinner

Half cup steamed rice

vegetables (less oil)

Chicken or fish or pork (without skin, fat, less oil for cooking)

Banana

No food in between meals

Coffee/tea without sugar - no calorie

Target: 0.5 kg weight loss per week

There is really a lot to eat! In fact, there are not many changes to my present diet.

Changes are -

I stick to wholemeal bread
I spread bread with jam or peanut butter instead of butter
It's in fact a bonus of an egg!

For lunch and dinner, it's also a bonus, I have more rice and fruits.

Let's see whether it works!

In God's eyes

2011-09-27T00:00:00.000+08:00

“For great is your love,
higher than the heavens,
your faithfulness reaches to the skies.”
(Ps 108:4)

The flowers are in full bloom. So are you.
How blessed we are!

21 years ago, one sunny day as I sat in Singapore Botanical Garden,

the early morning sun brought sparkles to the drops of dew on the brightly coloured petals.

They glimmered and gleamed,

the whole bed of flowers transformed into a wonderland of twinkle lights.

The garden titillated every one of my senses.
I saw the exquisite beauty of the blooming flowers.
I heard the gentle swooshing of the petals with the breezes.
I smelt the fragrant perfume.
I felt the smooth petals.

It was simply stunning!

My eyes were caught by a bright sunflower reaching out to the sky.
The beauty was second to none.
It reminded me, there and then, how valuable and precious
I am in His eyes!

And, right there, I named you, still in my womb,
Ker Qing*, the Sunshine Girl!

Happy 21st Birthday, Rachel, the Sunshine Girl.

*Qing” in Chinese means “Sunny day”

(*recycled, updated)

48 years of Malaysia - How has Fair Land Sarawak fared?

2011-09-16T05:00:00.000+08:00

(Wrote this piece, quite heavy stuff, for the newspaper today)

A PROMINENT Sarawakian Lo Suan Hian wrote a very personal account of the ceremony on 16th September 1963 which was published in the Sarawak Gazette on 20th September 1963.

It was a fair report.

Fair in the decorations, the celebrations, the ceremonial uniforms, the grandstands.

Fair in the programme with proclamation of Malaysia, raising of national flags, playing of anthems.

Fair in giving credit to the two doctors who attended to the governor who felt faint during the ceremony.

Fair in giving an account of the police on duty to prevent any untoward happenings.

Yet, in the midst of all the fairness and beauty, Lo observed: One lady guest remarked it made her feel sad while a local man said the thought of the police having to face the crowd made his blood boil.

Today, as Malaysia marks her 48th birthday, The Borneo Post examines the path our ‘Fair Land’ Sarawak has travelled from its birth as an independent state, carved out of the Brunei Sultanate by White Rajahs, through to the dark years of Japanese occupation during the Second World War, a brief period of anti-cession struggle to maintain our independence before we became a colony of Britain, the birth pangs of a new nation Malaysia and on to what we are now.

We walk down memory lane with Sarawakians who had themselves -- or their loved ones – gone through British colonial rule, the Japanese occupation, the communist insurgence and the process of the formation of Malaysia.

Recalled former State Secretary Tan Sri Datuk Amar Bujang Nor: The period leading up to the cession of Sarawak to Great Britain in 1946 was preceded by a tumultuous time, marked by intrigue, loyalty, greed, deception, politics and murder.

Of Japanese occupation, veteran Sarawakian journalist Gabriel Tan wrote: The heaviest allied bombing by B17 flying fortresess was on June 4, 1945 over Sibu. Many shophouses were destroyed. The new concrete flat-roof market was flattened. The number of people killed and wounded was never accounted for but it was in the dozens for sure. There was a blackout that night after the bombing. The town was practically devoid of people, its eerie silence only broken by howling dogs.

There were many deaths, mostly reputable vendors, in the bombed out market which is now a car park. Today, Sibu has one of the best markets in Sarawak if not Malaysia.

A former communist cadre recalled: Following the Brunei Rebellion in 1962 when AM Azahari launched his attempt to overthrow the Brunei Sultanate, the British carried out large scale arrests of anti-colonisation and anti-Malaysia elements.

The ‘migration’ of the mostly Chinese youths to the Indonesian border was prompted by arrest orders issued by the British to round up suspected communists.

About 700-800 CCO members and supporters slipped across the Sarawak border into Indonesia where they received intensive training in guerilla warfare.

James Matthews Hoover, the first Methodist missionary who came to Sibu in 1903, wrote to a friend: Our missionary business included the whole range of human interests: religion, education, politics, medicine, immigration, town planning, road building, machinery, boats, etc.

On the formation of Malaysia, one political commentator noted: The 20/18-point Agreement should not be ignored or eroded. Thus, certain policies and the relationships between Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak must be relooked to address whatever imbalance in terms of infrastructure, social, economic or educational developments between the centre and periphery in the last 48 years. More financial allocations should be channelled to Sabah and Sarawak. The Federal Government should increase the petroleum royalty to at least 15 percent from the current 5 percent.

But still there are many intriguing questions that run through our minds. What, if, the British had not given up Sarawak and Sabah to hasten the formation of Malaysia with Malaya?

What, if, the communists’ movement had not posed a serious threat to the security of Sarawak? Would the British have allowed Sarawak to become independent on her own?

There is a school of thought that the communist threat was detrimental to the interests of the British who, in consequence, came up with the formula that Sarawak’s independence must be with the condition of being part of Malaysia.

Changes have always brought about opposition and conflicts just as the anti-cession movement was the prelude to the handing over of Sarawak under Brooke rule to the British, and the communist insurgency and the Indonesian confrontation were the birth pangs of Malaysia.

The early troubled years are still fresh in the minds of those who witnessed the momentous – albeit not altogether trouble-free -- birth of our nation and some directly involved in events leading up to it are still alive today.

There were fears and hopes when Sarawak mulled the proposal of forming Malaysia together with North Borneo (Sabah), Malaya and Singapore.

The apprehension was reflected by Tun Temenggong Jugah anak Barieng when he asked in Iban “would the sugarcane that is sweet now turn sour in future?” amidst the negotiations.

Will we be better off as an independent country?

It is to be noted that political parties from the peninsula have swarmed into the East Malaysian states in the later years of indepedence. UMNO is now in Sabah and though the party has declared time and again that it has no intention of coming Sarawak, the state’s relationship with the Federal government has remained strong through mutual respect and understanding.

The other peninsula-based parties – both BN and opposition -- that have spread their wings to Sarawak are PAS, DAP, PKR, PPP.

With such a political scenario, one does wonder whether the substance and spirit of the 18-20 Point Agreement has been further eroded when we have apparently already lost most of our safeguards pertaining to our attainment of the independence as guaranteed under the Agreement.

No, it has not been a perfect marriage. After all, it was not made in heaven but after 48 years of independence, Sarawakians have plenty to be thankful for and today we have every reason to celebrate.

Many still remember singing the anthem – Fair Land Sarawak – and the lyrics are as follows:

Fair Land Sarawak
We will never cease to honour thee
And with our loyal sons
Defend your liberty

From your high forest hills
Down to the open sea
May freedom ever reign
Men live in unity

Proudly our flag flies high
Above our country strong and free
Long may our people live
In peace and harmony

Yes, Fair Land Sarawak. But have we been fair?Are we still fair? Have we been fairly treated?Or have we treated our brotherhood of states fairly?How are we faring after 48 years of independence?

Former State Attorney General Datuk JC Fong quoted the late Tun Mohd Suffian: Thanks to the goodwill and commonsense on the part of our leaders and of our people, the constitution has, so far worked, well, and let us hope that it will continue to work equally well in the future, and that there be peace and prosperity in the country.

Hope is not a word that means mere possibility or good chance. It speaks of a ringing certainty, based upon our commitment and faith.

For the love of herbal tea egg

2011-09-14T20:57:00.004+08:00

Someone said, Life is like a herbal tea egg 茶叶蛋, it has to be cracked for best taste.
Turbulence is the spice of life!

Citrus fruits galore

2011-08-14T01:00:00.001+08:00

(This article appears on August 14 2011 of The Sunday Post)

Thanks to Adelaide’s eternal optimists, visitors can enjoy fruits of the citrus family there to their heart’s content and at very affordable prices.

IMAGINE the awe and wonderment of a critus fruit lover when she strolled along Adelaide Central Market where these fruits were sold for A$1 per kg or two big bags for A$5?

While I enjoyed the fruits at such amazing prices, the farmers were actually in crisis. The headlines screamed: “Crushed. Farmers in crisis. Fruits left to rot”.

Thousands of tonnes of Riverland oranges were left to decay on the ground as farmers were forced off the land because citrus prices had dropped so low they couldn’t even cover the costs of picking.

It was reported citrus prices had plummeted by more than 80 percent in July because of over-supply and the high Australian dollar.

But citrus fruit grower Anthony Fulwood said: “We are still here because that’s the way we
think. We’re eternal optimists.”

And because of them, citrus fruit lovers like me was able to enjoy a whole week of oranges at A$1 per kg -- a little over RM3 per kg but less than half the price back home in Malaysia.

AFFORDABLE: Oranges at A$1 per kg

Adelaide Central Market has many eternal optimists like Anthony Fulwood. I chatted with one of them called John Mihas who has been managing a store for a wholesaler for 20 years at the market one fine morning.

ETERNAL OPTIMIST: John Mihas

“I’m pulled to the market because it’s the heartbeat of life itself. Children, the elderly and everyone in between is the market’s diversity and vibrancy. The market is where East meets West, where cultures of the world become the ingredients for the all-star Australian salad,” he said.

Indeed, the thing that makes the market unique is its people – low income seniors, office workers, street people, locals, tourists, parents with children in tow – they all shop, work and live together.

PRIDE: John takes great pride of his stall

Shoppers are drawn here as much to mingle with the crowd, to see and be seen, and to share in the excitement as to buy a tomato or a steak or a chicken to roast.

“The market is a community where everyone feels at home. It has an energy and life of its own because of its diversity. Walk around -- once you have experienced this, it becomes part of you,”
Mihas added.

He takes a lot of pride in his store. I was fascinated by how the products were so neatly arranged and displayed – and how harmonious the colours.

The market has been a part of Adelaide folks since 1869!

It was recorded that “on Saturday, the 23rd January, at about 3 am, a small but noisy procession wound its way from the East End Market towards the Victoria Square environs. To the lively strains of the Concordia Band, eight carts laden with produce were driven by market gardeners to a site between Gouger and Grote Streets.”

So began the first day of the Adelaide Central Market back in 1869 in Grote Street on a site without any structure other than a fence and a couple of gas lights.

The official opening was a year later on January, 22 1870. From then on, the Central Market has continued to evolve to become a vital part of the City’s cultural heritage and a trading Mecca for any merchant, grower, wholesaler or retailer selling directly to the consumers.

I sauntered on. The smells of garlic, basil and cinnamon hung heavy in the air – and I found all kinds of fruits and vegetables with their colours, aromas and flavours on the display shelves really amazing.

The rows of bulbuous plants, succulent fruits and leafty greens were tantalising to sight and stomach as one wandered along the aisles of the Market,

Biblical philosophy aside, I can really live on bread alone in Adelaide Central Market. And lo, with the spread of pure peanut butter, freshly ground with no added ingredients, it really can be as healthy as it can be.

And there, I was really floored by the assortments of cheese – how would I ever learn to name all of them?

But I wasn’t totally hopeless, I learned what is lachscchinken. It’s not Australian. There is a little Germany in South Australia. Hahndorf is the oldest surviving German Village, about 30 minutes’ drive from Adelaide town.

I cannot confirm whether lachscchinken originated from Hahndorf. When I visited the old German village during my last trip to Adelaide, I did not learn this word.

Actually, lachscchinken means “salmon ham” in German. The pork is marinated with brown sugar, dried and cold smoked for three to five days.

When this cold-smoked pork loin fillet is shaved into thin slices, it not only looks like smoked salmon, you’d also think you are eating salmon meat that melts in your mouth.

Bagels are treated with decency and honour as they are displayed in neat rows on special stands in the bread shop. To me, bagels are like our “kompia.” I thought we actually could also place our famous “kompia” that way to give this pastry that identifies with Sibu the honour it deserves!

I found a nice little corner for my cup of coffee. Soon, I got the next best thing in hand – a piece of poppy seeds bagel, sandwiched with lachsschinken and greens, to savour slowly.

Mark, a retired teacher, who sat next to me, said every morning the head chefs of Adelaide’s top restaurants could be seen here. People wended their way through. I did not know any chefs but it was a happy mix of people -- they could be chefs buying for the top restaurants or just a daughter shopping for a home-cooked dinner to fete a visiting mother?

Continuing my amble through the aisles, I could not decide whether Adelaide makes the Market
or the Market makes Adelaide. Perhaps it is both – a symbiosis that makes this Aussie city tick.

(side-bar story)

Adeliade Festival next March

ADELAIDE, also called the City of Churches, is a very cultural place.

On the day I was leaving after spending a week there, I was caught by this headline – The composer, the actor and the festival.

The composer is the man who wrote the music for The Good, the Bad and the Ugly -- Italian film composer Ennio Morricone who will be making his Australian debut at the next Adelaide Festival.

The actor is Jonathan Pryce, best known for film roles in Tomorrow Never Dies and Pirates of the Caribbean.

Ennio Morricone will be conducting the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, a 100-voice choir, and his own soloists in Elder Park on March 3 next year.

The Adelaide Festival is an integral part of the cinema experience with opera, dance, classical and contemporary music, cabaret, new media events, Adelaide writers’ week, outdoor entertainment, visual arts, master classes, forums and such like.

The writers’ week is a celebration of words, one that promises to surprise, delight, challenge and entertain, bringing some of the world’s finest minds to Adelaide
for a week of discussion and debate.

If you love words and if Morricone at his best is unforgettable to you, see you then at Adelaide Festival next March!

Unforgettable hop on Kangaroo Island

2011-08-07T18:00:00.000+08:00

(This appears in Sunday Post on 7th August 2011)

IF people are not careful when they feed crocodiles, tragedy usually strikes.

When crocodiles are conditioned to expect food from people, they can become aggressive with their human providers just to get it, according to croc expert from People for the Ethnical Treatment of Animals (PETA) USA.

This could never have made any sense to me had I not have a close encounter with a wallaby on Kangaroo Island.

One islander said wallabies are usually timid and shy unless someone has been feeding them.

“We don’t want animals to be humanised. After all, we are invading their land, not the other way around,” he explained.

Yes, Kangaroo Island with its beautiful bush land is a haven for wildlife, including koalas, kangaroos, wallabies and reptiles.

The towering cliffs and clean ultramarine seas are playground for penguins, sea lions, dolphins and whales.

Kangaroo Island is in the southern part of Australia, a short 30-minute flight from Adelaide.

First discovered uninhabited in 1802 by British explorer Matthew Flinders and now populated largely by farmers, the Island is more than a mere travel destination.

Indeed, in a world constantly and rapidly changing, such Australian first free settled colony seems increasingly rare. It is one of the last unspoilt wonders of the world.

Misconceptions

One of the most popular misconceptions about Kangaroo Island is its size. To make a comparison, Kangaroo Island is seven times bigger than Singapore and four times the size of Hong Kong. To be precise, it’s 155km long and 55km wide, making it Australia’s third largest island.

With a population of only 4,500, it certainly keeps the island very natural and spacious for the animals. It means there is about 1sq km of land for every resident!

It is certainly a place where animals are not invaded -- or the other way round.

The experience at the sea lion colony at Seal Bay was unforgettable. We were amazed at how close we could get to these large seals without making them feel disturbed or threatened.

Scores of sea lions basked in the sun and waddled up the beach to rest in the sand dunes. They were there in all sizes and shapes, young and old.

Walking down the long wooden boardwalk to the waterfront, we were told there was a pre-determined time for us on the beach. This is to control the number of people there at any one time.

Only about 100 are allowed so as not to impact on the sea lions in their natural habitat. Loud noises of any sort are discouraged.

SAD FAREWELL: A close encounter with a mother sea lion that appeared to be bidding her baby farewell before leaving behind the pup and venture out to the sea

So touching

The large sandy beach and dunes are home to thousands of Australian sea lions who loll about in groups. This rare species is protected under the guidance of National Parks South Australia.

As we walked within a hair’s breadth of these sleek furred animals, we saw a mother and a baby sea lion “bidding each other farewell.”

The tour guide told us often the baby is left to die as the mother would just disappear -- for whatever reason. No other adult sea lions will adopt someone else’s baby.

This is something unforgettable about the animal kingdom that we learnt, especially close-up!

We visited a private farm where we spotted some adorable koala bears, different species of birds -- and of course, with kangaroos hopping by, undisturbed by our presence.

After all we were on Kangaroo Island -- so it wasn’t exactly a surprise to see Kangaroos leaping here and there throughout the Island.

GETTING TO KNOW YOU: Rachel getting acquainted with a kangaroo at a private farm

TALKING BIRD: A talking parrot t a private farm that greets visitors with a cute "Hello"

We also visited Pure Sheep Dairy, owned and run by a certain Johnson family. A cute sign is nailed to its entrance with the words -- Ewes Welcome – written on it.

Undoubtedly, ewes are most welcomed because in the dairy is to be found the most up-to-the minute milking devices. Here, 1,200 sheep are milked twice a day -- 300 at one time.

Out of this comes a fine cheese industry -- ricotta, holoumi, kefalotiri, feta and manchego, are produced and sold in bulk to retailers or to individuals in the front shop.

“There’s good fat in sheep cheese. It doesn’t clog the arteries,” we were told as we were allowed to sample the cheese. And that certainly eased anyone's guilt.

Well worth visiting

Kangaroo Island is really not just about the animals, birds and reptiles.

It was well worth visiting the old light house at Cape du Couedic. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, the lighthouse keeper and his family lived in harsh conditions in a small one-room stone cottage perched on top of the cliffs and exposed to the elements but with commanding views of the bays and ocean.

The drive to the Remarkable Rocks was a quiet one. This cluster of weather- sculptured boulders on a granite dome is called Remarkable Rocks and it’s indeed remarkable.

Sculptors Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth and many other sculptors could not have done better than these Nature-crafted rocks.

“You can’t compete with Mother Nature,” I thought aloud.

The Rocks seem to spring out of the waters like giant formations. The Aboriginals believe only spirits reside on the Kangaroo islets, so they don’t want to live there.

The Rocks are magnificent. I stood there, staring at the sea for a long time -- my spirit was certainly soaring.

The population of 4,500 seem industrious and dedicated to keeping their island as natural as possible while still hosting over one million tourists each year.

CAPTIVATING: The harbour in Kingscote where the scenery is breathtaking with the hospital overlooking the harbour

AWESOME: Flinders Chase National Park - rocks undergoing natural changes

NO RUSH: A leisurely walk up the Prospect Hill named by Matthew Flinders when he ascended it in 1802

Just two cops

In the town called Kingscote stands a decent building housing the police station. My niece who worked on the Kangaroo Island for a year as a pharmacist told us there are only two policemen here.

Peace and crime-free days seem the order. There is also a hospital with only 11 beds. I was told seriously ill patients are air flown to Adelaide for treatment.

SECURITY: The police station in Kingscote town

ONLY ONE: The only hospital in Kingscote town

I chatted with an old timer who had this to say: “There is a good feeling about Kangaroo Island. Some say it’s caused by the constant conjunction of open land, open sea and open sky.”

There is certainly a goodness in the atmosphere and a sense of being home!

With the Kangaroo Island experience still fresh in mind, I had a rude awakening back home in Sarawak when I read a local news headline splashed in bold -- A licence to kill.

Just days earlier, a permit had been issued to “cull” crocodiles in the wild at Sungei Seblak, Kabong (Saratok District, Betong Division) because of the frequent attacks on humans.

Not by any stretch of the imagination, it’s certainly a good life for the animals and the 4,500 residents on Kangaroo Island.

As the old timer pointed out: “I couldn’t live anywhere else.

Tim Tams Slam

2011-07-24T18:39:00.002+08:00

Tim Tams are famous Australian chocolate biscuits. Tim Tam Slam is Australian way of putting Tim Tams in a hot beverage - coffee or chocolate - and drink the coffee through the biscuit.

Bite off diagonal corners (see pix). Then dip one end in the coffee.

Now, go, quickly put your mouth around the other end and suck like you have never sucked before.

Yes, before the biscuit melts.

It's a sweet experience - with burst of sugary goodness in your mouth.

Boy, it's heavenly! Tim Tams and coffee!

On higher ground

2011-06-24T13:52:00.003+08:00

I was humming away wth this hymn yesterday -

I’m pressing on the upward way,
New heights I’m gaining every day;
Still praying as I’m onward bound,
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”

Lord, lift me up and let me stand,
By faith, on Heaven’s tableland,
A higher plane than I have found;
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.

My heart has no desire to stay
Where doubts arise and fears dismay;
Though some may dwell where those abound,
My prayer, my aim, is higher ground.

I want to live above the world,
Though Satan’s darts at me are hurled;
For faith has caught the joyful sound,
The song of saints on higher ground.

I want to scale the utmost height
And catch a gleam of glory bright;
But still I’ll pray till heav’n I’ve found,
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”

And a follow-up story of the floating church -

KUCHING: The people of Long Jawe in Belaga district will soon have a new church built on higher ground -- thanks to Belaga state assemblyman Liwan Lagang and Hulu Rejang member of parliament Datuk Billy Abit Joo for extending a helping hand.

The Borneo Post yesterday published pictures showing innovative Long Jawe residents using logs and empty oil drums to float their present church, virtually turning their settlement located in the Bakun Reservior into a “water village”.

Abit was quick to respond with a pledge to build a new church in Long Jawe from his minor project allocation.

Lagang, meanwhile, told The Borneo Post when the settlement area was flooded, the people were supposed to move out but they chose to stay on with the government’s consent.

“Once the water level has stablised, I will find a suitable site for the new church,” he assured.

The Belaga YB also plans to improve the villagers’ living standards through ecotourism and aquaculture.

“It’s my wish to help bring them into the mainstream of development,” he stressed.

It is learnt Sarawak Hidro Sdn Bhd, owner of the Bakun Dam, has raised RM30,000 to help the people in the area on water supply and sanitary facilities.

The company hoped to make arrangements with the locals in extending the assistance to them.

PROMISING ECOTOURISM: The peace and serenity of Bakun Reservoir is a promised gate to enlightenment of mind.. (pic courtesy of Ten Wuan Ping, my old classmate)

Faith floats

2011-06-23T05:30:00.000+08:00

Does your faith floats?

Here is the story - pictures courtesy of my old classmate.

KUCHING: Long Jawe, the farthest settlement in the Rajang River, smack in Bakun Reservoir, is now a “water village”.

The spirit of the people living in the village some 140km from the Bakun dam has not been dampened by the rising water.

This is when logs and drums come in the rescue to float the church. A floating church in Sarawak, it is indeed amazing!

When contacted, Hulu Rejang Member of Parliament Datuk Billy Abit Joo, said he would assist the villagers under his minor rural project allocation.

He also hoped that they would be able to find a permanent site (for the church) when the water level of the dam reached its maximum level so that they would not have to worry about the future of their church.

Abit said he admired the people for having strong faith in their religion despite their many predicaments.

“This is the spirit of the Orang Ulu people who are devout Christians. Despite the difficulties and adversities, they remain faithful to their church and in God.”

Very welcoming

The village

The way it was in February 2011

Floating the church in progress

Work in progress

More work

A close look

It's floating, Praise the Lord!

Remembering my father

2011-06-19T17:04:00.002+08:00

(Recycled post)

No aspect of Christian faith warms my heart more than knowing that God is my Father. Whether I am in joy, in sorrows, in tears, in laughers, in fears, when I come to my Father in prayers, with the utter of “My Father”, there is always a warm feeling that passes through my body! It is an inexpressible joy to know that I have a Father who loves me.

My father passed away when I was 20. My four younger siblings were 18, 15, 10 and 6 respectively. I do not have many memories of my father. Remembering my father is sort of “fears”. At 5 or 6, my father was seriously ill, I overheard the elders saying that the doctor said my father would die. So, for the next 15 years or so, whenever my father fell sick, I remembered what I had heard. I lived in fear that my father would die. Practically, it was an everyday’s affair, because my father was sick most of the time.

Recently, as I shared with mGf about the not-so-good memories of my father, some good memories came back.

My father was a school teacher in the early days, before I was born. As far as my memories went, he was a businessman. My mother told me he was a school teacher before. I remember finding the treasures in his Chinese books collection. He was a Chinese scholar. Besides running around in the rubber garden, vegetable garden and beside the river, my childhood days were filled with these Chinese books ranging from stories, jokes to great literature works.

That was my young days. My father’s books filled my days…

I had just passed my 10th birthday when I entered my secondary school. I remember cycling three miles up and down the hilly road to school. My dad cycled with me to school on the first day. We had just moved from Sibu to Sarikei. I knew none of the classmates and was extremely scared. Dad stood outside the classroom for a long time watching over me even when class had begun. I still can remember a classmate remarked to her friend sitting next to her, “She thinks only she has father.”

That was my first day to Secondary school. My father was there for me …

After I completed my A level, I went to Simanggang (now it is called Sri Aman) for interview. I was accepted by a Chinese Private Secondary School to teach Chinese. When I came back to Sarikei (5-6 hour of bus journey on very bad road), my father said if I was to take up the job, I would need to bring a “maid” with me to take care of me. I could not imagine having a maid with me when I was merely earning 300 dollars a month! But, father’s words were emperor’s order at home – nothing could change this order. I was upset and informed the school that I would not be joining them. I left Sarikei for Sibu where I was employed as a translator (translating news from Chinese to English) in my present company.

That was my first job. My father was there for me too …

During those days (or even now), I started work early and did not go back for lunch. My mother would always prepare a lunch box for me to bring to work. And there were surprises day after day. During the days when my mother was away, my father would also wake up early to prepare lunch box for me. My father did one step more, he put the lunch box on my car’s wiper to make sure I don’t leave home without the lunch box. And the lunch boxes had even more surprises!

That was the days when I started building my career. My father was there for me too…

The reason I chose not to remember my father was because my father, though a caring father, was not a great husband to my mother. Last year, I wrote this –

In fact, from the little woman’s point of view – The greatest gift a child can have is a father who loves and respects the mother and does not tolerate disobedience or disrespect on the part of their children.

How ignorant I had been! I had been that disobedient and disrespectful child to my father – yet he loved me enough to be there for me when I most needed him. He was there at every milestone of my life. Shakespeare said, “How sharper than a serpent’s tooth is a thankless child.” And, I have been guilty of being thankless! There has not been any recognition whatsoever of what I have learnt through these many years from my father. It’s an over-inflated view of self!

This year, this poem by Roy Lessin gives me new meaning of my father –

A Dad is respected because he gives his children leadership…
A Dad is appreciated because he gives his children care…
A Dad is valued because he gives his children time…
A Dad is loved because he gives his children the one thing they treasure most – himself.
- Roy Lessin

Dad, you had been a great father – I wish I had said so some 30 or more years ago!

The next time you "steal"...

2011-06-12T18:57:00.000+08:00

"Nothing is original.
Steal from anywhere that resonates with inspiration or fuels your imagination.
Devour old films, new films, music, books, paintings, photographs, poems, dreams, random conversations, architecture, bridges, street signs, trees, clouds, bodies of water, light and shadows.
Select only things to steal from that speak directly to your soul.
If you do this, your work (and theft) will be authentic.
Authenticity is invaluable;
originality is non-existent.
And don’t bother concealing your thievery -
celebrate it if you feel like it.
In any case, always remember what Jean-Luc Godard said:
“It’s not where you take things from - it’s where you take them to."

— Jim Jarmusch

Dayak community welcomes Gawai today

2011-06-01T06:00:00.000+08:00

(from The Borneo Post)

KUCHING: It is that time of year again, when the essence of Sarawak’s rich diversity of culture is showcased at its best.

Today, the Dayak community here welcomes its much anticipated Gawai celebration to give thanks to the gods for another successful harvest of the paddy, while praying for another good season up ahead.

Celebrated in the State on June 1 each year, the Gawai Dayak is both a religious and social occasion not to be missed for its colourful presentation of the rich Dayak culture.

Gawai Dayak simply means a ritual or festival celebrated by the native ethnic groups of the Iban and Bidayuh people of Sarawak and neighbouring Kalimantan of Indonesia.

Even though many of the younger generation have migrated to the city and are not involved in paddy planting anymore, Gawai Dayak remains an integral part of the Dayak people especially when it comes to maintaining traditions and customs.

Having evolved in sync with the wave of development, Gawai now symbolises a time to give back, to reunite with family members, friends, the community and above all, to strengthen the understanding and appreciation of the traditions, cultures and the roots of oneself. Celebrating Gawai is both a privilege and a right for a Dayak.

Although the colourful culture extravaganza and fiesta of the Gawai Dayak runs through June until its ‘Ngiling Tikai’ (closing ceremony), it is the rituals, prayers and celebration to welcome Gawai that would be considered the highlights and are highly anticipated not just by the Dayaks but other races as well.

For the Iban community, be it in the longhouse or the urban housing communities, celebration starts on the eve, on May 31 itself. During the evening, a ceremony called Muai Antu Rua (to cast away the spirit of greed) is done to ensure non-interference of the spirit of bad luck in the celebration.

Around 6 pm (twilight), an offering ceremony called ‘miring’ would take place. The longhouse chief or the most respected senior figure in the community would conduct the miring ritual by thanking the gods for the good harvest, asking for guidance, blessings and long life as he waves a cockerel over the offerings.

The cockerel would then be sacrificed and a little blood is used together with the offerings. Before the ceremony, ‘gendang rayah’ (ritual music) would be performed.

Once the offering ceremony has been carried out, dinner would then be served at the ‘ruai’. Just before midnight, a procession along the ‘ruai’ for seven times called ‘Ngalu Petara’ (welcoming the spirit gods) would be performed.

It is usually during such procession that a beauty pageant to choose the festival’s queen and king (Kumang and Keling Gawai) would be held. However, in this modern time, with the growing interest of the Kumang Gawai festival, the pageants would be held days or weeks earlier leading to Gawai Dayak.

On the eve of Gawai, it is the approaching midnight that would be the main attention of the people. At the stroke of 12 midnight, the gong would be beaten to call the celebrants to attention.

The tuai rumah or festival chief would lead everyone to drink the ‘Ai Pengayu’ which is normally tuak (rice wine) to represent longevity and at the same time, to wish one another a ‘gayu guru, gerai nyamai’ (long life, health and prosperity).

The celebration would last till morning with more ngajat, feast, games and other fun filled activities. The next day, every household be it in the longhouse or urban housing areas, would practise the tradition of the ‘ngabang’ (house visiting) in full joyful spirit. It is during the ngabang that one would see the renowned hospitality of the Dayak people demonstrated at its best.

Guests would be served traditional food, cakes, tuak, non-stop as the spirit of ‘nyibur temuai’ (watering of guests) is practised wholeheartedly.

For the Bidayuhs, at the wee hours of the June 1 morning (3-4 am), young men and women would perform the ‘ngajat’ around an offering structure called the ‘bawal’. The men would climb the structure to shake it (nguguh) while shouting ‘tara! tara! tara!’ as to give toast to the celebration.

The women would continue to dance circling the ‘bawal’. An earlier offering to call guardian spirits to protect the people was held at the structure. The village’s most high priest (must be done in pairs) would perform the ceremony. In addition, the priests would also perform a ‘pisien’ to call for the guardian spirit of the paddy to come home.

As for those who embrace Christianity, the eve of Gawai would no less be spectacular except for the ‘miring’ ceremony that has been replaced by church services. Regardless, intentions are the same which is to give thanks for good harvest and a good year.

Efforts to recognise the Gawai Dayak celebration was first mooted in a radio forum in 1957 by Ian Kingsley who was a radio programme organiser. His effort generated a lot of interest among the Dayak community.

Up to 1962, the British colonial government refused to recognise a day specially gazetted for the Dayaks. Instead, the government introduced a special Sarawak Day on June 1.

The first official celebration of Gawai Dayak was held on June 1, 1964, following suggestions and efforts made in 1962 in the Council Negeri by Datuk Tra Zehnder. She had wanted June 1 of every year to be set aside to be called Dayak Day in recognition of the Dayaks’ existence in Sarawak.

Only when the late Tan Sri Datuk Amar Stephen Kalong Ningkan became the Chief Minister back in 1963 that the Gawai Dayak was officially approved as a State celebration from June 1, 1965.

The date has since become a symbol of unity, aspiration and hope for the Dayak community.

TRADITIONAL WELCOMING: A senior Iban warrior performing the ‘ngajat’ traditional dance to welcome guests during the Gawai Dayak celebration.

Welcoming the friends

GAWAI BEAUTIES: Kumang Gawai is one of the highly anticipated events during the celebration each year.

BLESSING RITUAL: Village priest Dihik Pa’ Migem holding up a chicken as he performs the ‘pisien’ (calling for the guardian paddy spirits) while (from left) Michael Niek, Anas Pa’ Doin and former Assistant Infrastructure Development Minister Dr Patau Rubis (background) looks on.

Holidays ahead

2011-05-30T13:07:00.003+08:00

Not really.

There is only one non-publication day. It means one day real rest - I do not have to worry if I miss any news....

It's usual scene here during the Gawai -

So, to all my friends -

“Selamat Ari Gawai, Gayu Guru Gerai Nyamai, Lantang Senang Nguan Menoa.”

It means “Happy Gawai, may everyone be healthy and live a prosperiously long life on this planet.”

Colours

2011-05-24T14:26:00.002+08:00

This is a group of yoga people after a retreat. I was actually looking at the colours on the dining table! Well, strictly, not much of "style", right?

But, strangely, it reminds me of this story of colours that I posted some years back:

We were on the road last night when Chris asked, “Mummy, what colour you
dislike most while on the road?”

I said, “Red. How about you?”

I thought, of course Red, who wanted to stop at red light.

Chris answered, “It depends. If you are sending me to tuition, I love Red and dislike Green. Red means we have to stop and reaching the centre late, but more time with you. If it’s going home, then I dislike Red.”

Cupcakes and muffins

2011-05-22T16:18:00.003+08:00

I have been seeing a lot of cupcakes picture recently. And lo, today, as I vetted the news, there was even one workshop called "Cupcake and Egg Tart Workshop" held in Miri!

The VIP who officiated at the workshop said this - One small thing can lead to something bigger and meaningful if probably done.

Yes, one small cupcake leads me to think of the much bigger muffin!

Thus, I googled "cupcake and muffin" and found this. It's very entertaining, and I think I count it that I have both cupcakes and muffins today!

A cupcake really is like a miniature cake: light in weight, sweet, and often covered with icing and decorations.

It tends to be not too tall because it's texture isn't strong enough to allow for a very tall structure.

It's always made with white flour as far as I know.

A muffin is significantly heavier in texture and also in weight; with its cohesiveness, it can contain fruit, nuts or chocolate chips, which are not common in cupcakes.

It is never iced and need not be particularly sweet. It can be made with ingredients as heavy as bran, and can be rather tall and have a large overhanging rim that doesn't threaten to fall off.

If you threw a cupcake against the wall, you would hear something of a "poof!" If you threw a muffin, you would hear a "thud!"

A muffin goes with coffee, a cupcake with tea.

Fast food joints deal in muffins, especially in North America, but I have never seen one that sold a cupcake. (oh! the Kenny Rogers')

Sociologically, a muffin is everyday living, whereas a cupcake is "we're getting fancy."

Theoretically, a man could say, "hey honey" to his waitress while he was chewing on a muffin, but with cupcake in his mouth he could only say, "my dear."

If you were writing a novel, it would be a gross literary error to substitute a cupcake for a muffin.

Heart and soul writing

2011-05-20T17:33:00.003+08:00

My colleague, Raymond, posted some Chinese New Year songs, those "dong-dong-chiang" songs this morning in his facebook. I commented, "friend, it's only May!"

He replied, "I missed the live telecast during the CNY this year cos of the snake. I had the worst CNY celebratio this year..."

It was really a pleasant surprise to learn of a person whom I met in my course of work is now a "Dato" (or Datuk). I remember saying that he should get a "Datuk" so that he is naturally a "Datuk Amar"! Well his first name is "Amar".

It's May, and a long way to Christmas! But I blogged about this person in Christmas 2006. I wrote this way -

Received this very beautiful poem from an inspiring and true person whom I met in a conference in Penang over the weekend. I have not asked permission whether I could put it up in my blog. I guess he won’t mind.

This, I shall leave here until probably Christmas when I will be back. I am not in the low – I am just busy and not able to write from my heart and my soul! But, I wish to share a warm heart with you all this Christmas!

Heart & Soul Writing

Ultimately it is what I write,
in my heart
in my spirit and my soul
in the fabric of my being,
that counts.

There I am not limited by words or paper,
no need to explain to others or myself.
Ideas, concepts, realities can be expressed or written
in many dimensions
or dimensionless.

In the fabric of my being
reality grows and changes and enlarges.
It is here that I hear aright –
an ever clearer, purer note
of truth
and love
and trust
and hope.

Heart and soul writing times
are essential for my survival and life.

From: Poems of the Heart – Struggles in the Upper Room
by Amar-Singh HSS, 2002

Still on teachers

2011-05-18T20:16:00.002+08:00

(This is a recycled post)

Today, I am with Lee Jia Tong enjoying the fresh aroma of bread wafting from the oven. Yes, it's another heartwarming story in "Page 21" – The Baker.

Lee loves bread, all kinds of bread. He wrote,

"I have always love to eat bread. Near Qing Hua University, there are many bakery shops. I have visited all of them. I know every shop that sell nice bread."

One day, Lee started receiving freshly baked bread delivered to his doorstep. All kinds of bread. It was delivered to his apartment by a young man. One day, he was driving back to his apartment. He saw a young man leaving. So, Lee followed this young man to a bakery shop.

It was 5:00 pm, just the right time when the French bread was taken fresh from the ovens. The fresh aroma of bread wafting from the oven opens a fresh window into Lee's world. The story begins …

The owner or the chef was once Lee's student in the primary school. The student did not continue his secondary education due to lack of financial means. The student related that at the time when he was in despair, Lee wrote a letter to him that changed his life. Lee encouraged him to excel in one area. He remembered then Lee brought him to a restaurant to dine. Just before they left, Lee bought some bread for him. He remembered how nice were those bread. He decided that he would be the best of the bakers!

He made it!

The story closes with this question from the student -

Mr Lee, you have many students who are PHD holders. I have not even passed my secondary school. Do you consider me as your student?"

Lee ends with these heartwarming words -

I have not actually taught him anything. I have only taught him two things – Walk tall, and excel in a skill. I have never thought that these two things work wonders in his life.

Yes, there are many little kindness that we pass on that can make wonders in others' life unknowingly. Today, I remember my English teacher when I was in Form 4. I have earlier said he was my first mentor and the mentor who taught me to use my heart to see things. Without him, I would have missed many of the wonders and the beauty of many people passing through my life and the passion of expressing such beauties in English words …

To Sir With Love

2011-05-15T06:00:00.000+08:00

(Ahead of Teachers' Day tomorrow, here's for all teachers! First published in thesundaypost on 15th May 2011.)

FINAL TOUCH: Make-up before the final performance

WHILE urban children rock joysticks or twiddle gamepads with “angry birds” in virtual world, the Ubian children of Pulau Mantanani are happily swimming in the seas and rowing boats in real life.

NATURAL TRAITS: Rowing boats and swimming in the seas are part of the young islanders’ lives

While taking to the ways of the seas like ducks to water, the young islanders have much ground to cover in education, especially fluency in languages other than their own tongue.

Pulau Mantanani is a group of three isolated islands northwest of Kota Belud, 80km north of Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

It is, in fact, so isolated that until recently, only few locals knew the existence of the islands.

A roofed speedboat sits on a placid beach of one of Mantanani islands during low tide.

With a small population of about 1,000 people, Pulau Mantanani is challenged not only by the physical environment and limited exposure to various media and books but also very limited resources for the teachers there.

Hence, it is hardly surprising the UPSR English passing rate of Sekolah Pulau Mantanani on one of the islands is almost zero.

That’s not the only concern -- the Ubian children are also struggling with the Malay language. Even though the lower primary curriculum focuses on literacy, this does not seem to help them.

But there should be a way out – a sincere effort to bring education to the Ubians as well as the many other rural communities in Sabah and Sarawak.

Undaunted by the huge responsibility involved, the School of Education and Social Development, University Malaysia Sabah (UMS), embarked on a project aimed at improving the English literacy level of the illiterates in Sabah.

This came in the form of corporate sponsorship from CIMB Foundation under the supervision of Awang Mohamad of CIMB Bank 1Borneo.

“We felt impelled to improve the quality of education in the remote and isolated areas in Sabah by reaching out to them,” Dr Lee Kean Wah of School of Education and Social Development UMS told thesundaypost.

Joyful learning

KEEN TO LEARN: Ubian children learning the English language through Jolly Phonics programme.

The research team settled for an alternative approach to help the Ubians develop basic literacy skills, using a programme called Jolly Phonics, developed to consolidate the new KSSR (Kurikulim Standard Sekolah Rendah) curriculum.

KSSR will be implemented in all primary schools nationwide in 2011.

The programme also received the support of the Unit of Rural Education Research and District Education Office, Kota Belud, and Sk Pulau Mantanani.

SO COOL: Teachers Fiona and Julie teaching Year 2 pupils some cool phonics.

It is called Jolly phonics because the aim is to provide “joyful learning” through a smart selection of phonic cards, songs, readers and CD-ROMs.

The process is activity-paced with board games to consolidate the language focus on listening, speaking, reading and writing, as well as vocabulary and grammar.

Its creativity is further enhanced with language arts of readers, big books, music, poetry and drama.

There were altogether 94 students in the project carried out from March 20 to 27, 2011, making up the entire kindergarten, Year 1, 2 and 3 population of Sk Pulau Mantanani.

PLAYTIME: Teacher Agnes putting her charges through “hopscotch.”

Teachers Shelly and Garry in charge of the kindergarten, used magic fingers, flash cards, puppets and songs to teach students letter sounds.

“We used the station-method technique for variety. Students in the first station were required to do colouring work. Those in the second station did some outdoor activities while those in third station played with salt dough.”

They observed that students showed great interest and motivation in the songs used to reinforce their letter-sound understanding.

The five days of teaching achieved the objectives set.

Empathy

For teachers Norafzan and Sitti Rahmah in charge the Year 1 group, it was a journey back to their “kids days”.

“We acted like them so that they could get close and personal with us.”

They also dealt with individual students because they found some of the kids writing “backwards” -- so they had to use a different starting point.

“For example, when writing “g”, instead of starting from the head of the letter, they tended to write from the tail up.

“There was a kid in my class, named Norasmizah, who wrote her name backwards - Hazimsaron instead of Norasmizah,” Norafzan said.

However, their hard work paid off when only two out of the 31 students they taught did not show improvement.

“What’s more -- Norasmizah was able to enunciate the letter sounds of her name and write it the right way,” Norafzan added.

STUDIOUS: A kindergarten pupil completing the post-test instrument

Teachers Fiona Mo and Julie Ong who took charge of the Year 2, had this to say: “As teachers, we were challenged to teach with love, patience and creativity. It’s very rewarding to see the progess of the students -- how they started from zero to acquire something new and were thus able to perform through their responses in activities on the last day.”

Both teachers shared they were able to hold the students’ attention by using puppets to teach new letter sounds, especially in the later part of the lesson when the students began to feel a bit tried and restless.

Year 3 teachers Agnes and Annie were deeply impressed by how well the Jolly Phonics approach had worked on their students, and they could not wait to try the same in another school.

“The students really liked the singing and dancing. Even though they did not know how to sing the songs, they still tried their utmost to hum along.”

Goal achieved

For Dr Lee, the project has achieved its goal as the targeted communities of Sk Pulau Manatanani have learnt to recognise the letter sounds of English as well as read and write in the
language.

As head of TESL (teaching English second language) programme, he said the teachers who did so well in helping the students to attain literacy, had also gained valuable experience to become confident and competent teachers.

“I consider it my responsibility to include my colleagues and students in research and development projects such as this in order to raise their awareness and sensitise them to the rigours of the real world and decision-making in planning, implementing and evaluating educational projects.”

He hoped more corporate leaders like CIMB Foundation, government agencies, NGOs or any interested parties would work closely with UMS, particulary with the School of Education and Social Development, to help develop the intellect of the poor and underprivileged.

The sheltered bays around the Mantanani Islands provide ideal habitats for dugongs (sea cows).

You can hop onto a boat to get to the islands, catching a glimpse of these marine mammals (mistaken by ancient seafarers for mermaids) and enjoying the beautiful scenery and the blue seas en route.

But on arrival, don’t be surprised when the Ubian children greet you with a warm “wel-come” in their jolly phonetic way!

WE DID IT: Project team and students after the show

Mother's day thoughts

2011-05-07T15:25:00.005+08:00

The greatest gift from a going-on-21-daughter is when she called from a faraway land one day and said - "Mum, you have taught me well."

Equally, it also comforts a stay-away-mum when her teenaged-son assured, "Mum, you should have faith in your upbringing of your children."

I always like to use this comment when I am inspired by children – “Children are a wellspring of inspirations.”

Over the years, I have learnt much from my own two children. I must say nobody has helped me to understand life and to understand the scriptures more than they have.

When Rachel was 4 or 5, one day, my favourite’s leather shoes were torn by the dog. Naturally, I was very upset and murmured to myself that the maid should have put the shoes on the shoes rack the previous night. Rachel was quick to remark, “Mummy, kakak did not bite your shoes. It was the dog.”

There is a Chinese proverb that says like this, “One generation plants the trees, and another gets the shade.”

You and I are living in the shade of some trees that were planted by our parents, grandparents and great-grandparents. We are shaded by their moral standards, their value system, their commitment to duty. We are shaded by what they have planted, isn’t it not?

Now, what are we planting for our children? What kind of moral values, what kind of value system are adopting to shade our next generation. Or, are we planting anything?

Here is a quotation from a woman named Lenora Weber, who wrote an article entitled what parents owe their children,

Parents owe it to the children they bring into the world to put the tools of living in their hands – hands which we have made as strong and capable as we can. But, having given them the hands and the tools, we also owe it to them not to do their digging for them.

I do not want to scare you on mother's day, or parents' day for most churches. But this report by the Minnesota Crime Commission must be noted –

Every baby starts life as a little savage. He is completely selfish and self-centred. He wants what he wants when he wants it – his bottle, his mother’s attention, his playmate’s toy, his uncle’s watch. Deny him these once, and he seethes with rate and aggressiveness which would be murderous were he not so helpless. He is dirty, he has no morals, no knowledge, no skills. This means that all children – not just certain children, all children – are born delinquent. If permitted actions to satisfy his wants, every child would grow up a criminal – a thief, a killer or a rapist.

It’s never easy. But the wisdom of this proverb assures us, both parents and children –

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not to your own understanding
In all your ways acknowledge him
And he shall direct your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6

Happy Mother's Day

2011-05-06T19:33:00.002+08:00

I am never good in langauge. Besides not being gifted, the other reason could be I was staying in a comfort zone where I have unlimited access using my English, Mandarin and Foochow.

I landed in Sabah three years ago. There, I began to mix with more Malays and Kadazans. Then in Kuching, colleagues around me are as colourful - Malays, Melanau, Bidayuh, Kelabit, Kenyah, Kayan and Iban.

I have learnt today "I love you mother" in different languages of the main tribes of Sarawak and Sabah!

Try this -

Sarawak way
Iban - Aku Sayau ke nuan indai
Melanau - Akou sayang Mak
Bidayuh - Aku nyayang ndok
Kayan - Akui nyalam ika' enei
Kenyah - Akei kelo eko' ue'
Kelabit - Uih bulu ngan sinah
Melayu Sarawak - Kamek Sayang Ngan Mak

Sabah way
Dusun - Oupus Oku Dika Ama
Kadazan - Oupus Zou Diau Ama
Murut - Okou Ina Koupusan Ku
Bajau - Sayang Bana Aku Tah Kau Yang

Yan's way -
Happy Parents' Day

Do you smell good?

2011-05-05T09:53:00.003+08:00

Do you smell good?

I was in a queue for lunch pack to bring to the office. The pregnant woman stood next to me said,

“You smell good. Just have a shower? What shower gel or shampoo are you using?”

I was quite amazed with such compliment. Just before I said something, she continued,

“You know it’s steaming hot. A pregnant woman’s nose is the sharpest.”

Why was I amazed?

I was on 2 Corinthians Chapter 2 this morning in my quiet time. 2 Corinthians Chapter 2 reading from verse 14 says,

“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one who are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life.”

I started a column recently. I was on "time for healing - the Bible issue". A reader wrote in, among other hated words, he wrote. you stint!

I was defeated emotionally.

But, a kind soul said, “You smell good.”

Why should I not be amazed by how the Lord speaks?

My mother smelled good. She was always clean and fresh. During my days in Singapore with her, (those were the days that I didn’t work, I could have all the time in the world) when I woke up in the morning, she had her morning walk and morning shower. And she was always reading her Bible. It was always that fresh smell that greeted me every morning. I decided that I must “smell” like my mother – spreading a fragrance wherever I go.

The remarks of this woman made me think – whether we are conscious of it or not, we are spreading a fragrance wherever we go. The life of Jesus Christ spreads through us everywhere we go. We take in his life and love. We should be putting on His bath gel, shampoo and lotion after a shower.

We shall then smell good for His sake.

I really do not need to worry when I smell bad to someone.

It can be a good sign that you smell bad while you are smelling good!

P/S I always remember these words of Francis Yeoh, CEO YTL -

I thank my Lord Jesus for perfuming YTL’s name once again and I give Him all the glory for this honour.

That was said when Francis Yeoh was being awarded with Malaysia CEO many years ago.

A name being perfumed with the fragance of Lord Jesus Himself, what more can we ask for?

Musings of the insignificant

2011-05-04T09:41:00.003+08:00

It may be fun. It may be for a good cause, but I think this is very bad taste. Well, I am a moron, I only know the underwear goes under the pants. I am an insignificant, I don't care much for superpowers if it requires me to show my grandmother undies!

The story ....

MIRI: The Sarawak Children's Cancer Society (SCCS) yesterday received another donation of RM7,500 raised by a member of Democratic Action Party (DAP) through auctioning a red underwear, swelling the amount collected through Go Bald 3 to RM127,500.

Wearing a blue t-shirt with Superman logo, Dr Hew Kuan Yew put on red underwear outside his blue jeans, similar to the comic super hero, when he attended the party’s appreciation dinner held at Eastwood Valley Golf and Country Club here on Monday night.

Dr Hew who is the party's election bureau publicity head had kept his promise to dress up as Superman if the party wins both Piasau and Pujut constituencies during the April 16 polls.

2nd Methodist Prayer Convention

2011-05-03T09:04:00.012+08:00

Some pictures to share during the grand finale of Methodist Prayer Convention in Sibu on 1st May at 7:00 pm at the Town Square -

Reported by The Borneo Post

SIBU: Heavy downpour did not dampen the spirit of 10,000 Christians gathering for the grand finale of the Methodist Prayer Convention 2011 at Sibu Town Square on Sunday evening.

Carrying umbrellas and raincoat-clad, many were there at early as 6.30pm.

Rain pelted down at 6.45pm but stopped 15 minutes later just as the night’s programme was about to begin.

President of Sarawak Chinese Annual Conference (SCAC) Rev Datuk Dr Su Chii Ann started the ball rolling with his acknowledgement of God’s blessing of the special event.

The place was filled with roar of cheers when Dr Su said God had showered upon his blessings to the event through a change of weather to start the programme.

Sarawak Iban Annual Conference (SIAC) president Rev Steward Damat who spoke later, won thunderous cheers.

During the praise and worship session, many participants were moved to tears as they lifted their hands and looked heaven-ward.

The combined choir led in the singing of Psalm 1 and the Prayer of St Francis at the Zion Methodist Church-led praise and worship session.

There was also a prayer session led by Rev Tie King Tai, and a sermon about spreading Scriptural Holiness and Transforming the Nation given by Rt Rev Bishop Hwa Yung.

“When the early Methodist Wesley Church was asked ‘What did God raise the Methodist for?’ The answer was to reform the nation and in particular the church to spread scripture holiness over the land,” the bishop said.

He also said that transformation could only take place if people could learn the lesson from Methodist Church founder John Wesley in his effort to transform the nation.

According to him, Wesley emphasised the power of prayer, holy living and blessings to make transformation a reality.

The bishop gave examples on how those three ways had brought about the changes in England, Africa and Korea.

What did he say?

2011-05-03T08:43:00.003+08:00

I actually wanted to use this picture to go with the story in the newspaper last night.

The graphic artist with asking eyes, "Madam, one?"

I said, "Yes, one picture."

He showed his index finger, "Satu..?"

Gosh, he also said that? Could not possibly be! It was a good laugh.

Change, change, change, another picture!

Through me

2011-04-29T11:52:00.002+08:00

Remember the lady staff who broke down on the day before Good Friday? She came this morning, pale and weak, lips all cracked, tired and confused, but there was a smile. She handed in her resignation.

When I shared with my hubby, his immediate response was, "Have you been putting too much pressure on her?" That spoke something?

I remember her husband also said the same thing, "What type of job that your company is giving her that made her carry so much pressure?"

While I know I am not guilty of that, I am guilty of not being sensitive enough to note of the pressure she put on herself for being the "always-ready" and "super efficient" in her duties and responsibilities!

So today, I pray -

Through me
let there be kind words, a warm smile, and a caring heart.

Through me
let there be a willingness to listen and a readiness to understand.

Through me
let there be dependability, steadfastness, trust and loyalty.

Through me
let there be compassion, forgiveness, mercy and love.

Through me
let there be every quality I find, O Lord, in Thee.

Pastor's Business Card

2011-04-25T12:03:00.003+08:00

I have moved to a new home. A home too far for my eldest brother to pick me up for Sunday Worship Service.

I have yet to find another church ... So, I missed the Easter Service yesterday...

Will this happen? Just for a laugh!

A new pastor was visiting in the homes of his parishioners. At one house it seemed obvious that someone was at home, but no answer came to his repeated knocks at the door.

Therefore, he took out a business card and wrote "Revelation 3:20" on the back of it and stuck it in the door.

When the offering was processed the following Sunday, he found that his card had been returned. Added to it was this cryptic message, "Genesis 3:10."

Reaching for his Bible to check out the citation, he broke up in gales of laughter.

Revelation 3:20 begins "Behold, I stand at the door and knock."

Genesis 3:10 reads, "I heard your voice in the garden and I was afraid for I was naked."

We shall live on

2011-04-24T15:16:00.004+08:00

I started a column in The Borneo Post during the election time called "From the sidelines". Here is one for Easter, The Sunday Post

TODAY is Easter Sunday, a day filled with hope.

We rejoice because of the promise that God’s goodness and truth shall reign throughout the Earth.

The darkness is cast aside, finally. We shall live on. That’s part of Easter’s triumphant message.

But what is really the greatest message of this Christian festival, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Easter reminds us that in the risen Lord, we have an endless supply of power to love. That is what Easter is all about – that we have life and an ability to love.

Sarawakians had been to the polls on April 16. After a week of triumphant celebrations for the winners and soul-searching and regret for the losers, the joy and the nightmare should now belong to the past, and life has to go on.

It’s time to stop squabbling over the losses and trumpeting the victories.

Fulfilling promises

The government should now live up to its manifesto framed and committed to during the election. It’s time for the opposition to fulfil their promise of “change” to the people.

Of equal importance now is for the people, including the opposition, to cooperate with the government in ensuring good governance and transparency through constructive, rather than destructive, discourse.

Undeniably, some governments are hard to live with. There are policies we do not agree with and people who we think are incompetent or even untrustworthy and weak. There may be a hierarchy of self-serving officials who we do not like — and we call them cronies.

The rule of the game remains the same — “majority” wins. Remember, the electorate have given the government a two-thirds majority mandate, and we have to accept it, and support government in fulfilling its manifesto.

The most efficient government will not be able to perform if we elected them into office, and spent the next five years criticising them on whatever they wanted to implement and do. Sadly, this has become the political culture of our country in recent years.

Fitting gesture

But what’s more fitting on this Easter morning than for fellow Christians to turn the Bible for guidance on how they relate to the government in the common endeavour to ensure peace and harmony in our beloved the state.

Through sloth, the roof sinks. And through indolence the house leaks.

During the election campaign, a candidate pointed out that a blocked drains could not be cleared up just by pointing at it. It may have sounded a bit crude but this is actually the wisdom of The Searcher who in Ecclesiastes compares a nation to a house.

If you house is leaking, and you keep on complaining without taking real action to fix it, it will still leak. In no time, the roof sinks in and it can be disastrous.

Ponder further the analogy of the “blocked drain.” The inference is that politicians (including the elected YBs) should be industrious and conscientious in finding solutions to the problems that affect the people.

Coming into the picture is the “dredging councillor” who laboured for the past two years to clear the drains in his constituency. In fact, he had done so was even before he was elected, and though he lost in the polls, his efforts have not been in vain. He has laid a firm foundation for flood-free days for the people.

Likening a nation to a house, without the foundation of hard work, when the roof sinks in, the house leaks. Then the nation becomes insecure, and subjected to invasion from within and beyond its shores.

The Searcher goes on: “Even in your thoughts, do not curse the king nor in your bedchamber curse the rich for a bird of the air will carry your voice or some winged creature will tell on the matter.”

Today, we hear people cursing the government of the day more than ever.

Just two days ago, the government introduced a “1Malaysia email” for all. All of a sudden, the Internet was flooded with “No” to the RM50 million project. The government is being ridiculed no end over what is essentially a private sector initiative.

So, the many “boo-boos” hurled at the Searcher’s wisdom – even in your thoughts, do not curse the king – are not altogether unexpected.

This is not about getting punished if you complain about the government (king). The lesson here is that our constant complaining about all kinds of problems — some real some perceived — creates a condition that spreads dissatisfaction and distrust of the government. This can be dangerous!

The observation is that there are more hate messages and allegations than constructive suggestions to the 1Malaysia email project.

Surely, there are other means of conveying our disagreement to the government. Send an email to the Prime Minister. Send another to Pemandu. They are just a click away!

Come to think of it though, by disagreeing with the 1Malaysia e-mail project, we are actually showing that without it, we can still touch base with the government through other channels.

Act in love. Show courtesy, kindness, patience, and understanding. Whatever it takes, you can show it. That’s the essence of Easter.

“Let no debt remain outstanding except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellow men has fulfilled the Law.

Wait for three days

2011-04-22T14:18:00.003+08:00

This is a recycled post. Yes, it was posted in my blog in 2005!

It was not a good day yesterday. One of my staff, whom I regard as an perfectionist, broke down. Little did I know how much pressure she put on herself for always deliver whatever I asked for from the news achieve she kept! I was shocked! She said she was possessed by devil and insisted on having a "bomoh" to treat her.

It was Maundy Thursday. I told her the story of Easter.... As I prayed, I felt the peace and she calmed down with the peace and love of Jesus, too. When we reached the hospital, she was extremely calm and was just the normal self. I thank God for His mercy, love and power.

It was really not a horrible day, right? Just wait for the magic three days. I am sure after the magic three days, she will be back to work as normal with the peace of Jesus...

Guideposts was one of the magazines that I read during my school days. It was introduced to us by one of my sixth form teachers. I read that in school library during those days. Many years later, when I married my husband, I read Guidepost again. My mother-in-law has a good collection of Guideposts and Readers' Digest.

Now, I read part of Guidepost online! I am always warmed by the stories in the magazine. Here's one for Good Friday -

It was a beautiful spring day, and a sense of peace stayed with me as I left the cathedral on Easter Monday morning. I paused for a moment on top of the steps leading to the avenue, now crowded with people rushing to their jobs.

Sitting in her usual place inside a small archway was the old flower lady. At her feet corsages and boutonnieres were parading on top of a spread-open newspaper.

The flower lady was smiling, her wrinkled old face alive with some inner joy. I started down the stairs—then, on an impulse, turned and picked out a flower.

As I put it in my lapel, I said, “You look happy this morning.”

“Why not? Everything is good.”

She was dressed so shabbily and seemed so very old that her reply startled me.

“You’ve been sitting here for many years now, haven’t you? And always smiling. You wear your troubles well.”

“You can’t reach my age and not have troubles,” she replied. “Only it’s like Jesus and Good Friday . . . ” She paused for a moment.

“Yes?” I prompted.

“Well, when Jesus was crucified on Good Friday, that was the worst day for the whole world. And when I get troubles I remember that, and then I think of what happened only three days later—Easter and our Lord arising. So when I get troubles, I’ve learned to wait three days . . . somehow everything gets all right again.”

And she smiled good-bye. Her words still follow me whenever I think I have troubles. Give God a chance to help . . . wait three days.

A woman's place

2011-04-19T21:08:00.002+08:00

It is freezing cold in the office .... I still have few stories to clear before I call it a day.... I still have not decided what picture to use for the front page. So, I decided to go for an "email break". Well, the Prime Minister is going to give all Malaysians another email account... I really do not need another one. Can I reject, can I ask for exchange like income tax rebates?

Here i a story - just to share ...

There is a cute story told about the Governor of Texas, then Mark White.

Governor White and his wife were driving through the open Texas countryside one-day, out for a relaxing drive and talk

The couple happened to be around the area where Mrs. White grew up, and as they pulled into a gas station to fuel up and check out the car, Mark noticed a little nervousness with his wife. He didn’t say anything, but when the gas station attendant came out to their car, Mark began to notice what was really going on. Both his wife and the attendant looked surprised to see each other, and they acted with that awkwardness that two people have when they’ve been close in the past, but weren’t anymore.

Governor White pretended not to notice this. They finished at the gas station and continued back down the highway. The car fell silent and neither said a word. For a long time they remained silent, and all the while Mrs. White kept looking out the window, staring off out into the distance. Mark was considerate and patient with this silence, and he continued to drive in the silence. But after the silence had gone on for almost an hour, he interrupted, trying to break the silence.

“Honey, I couldn’t help but notice how you and that gas station attendant looked at each other. You were involved with each other at one point, weren’t you,” he asked?

“Well, yea,” She responded, quietly.

“Well, I guess I know how you feel. You were probably thinking about that and needed some space, right,” he continued?

“Yea,” she said again.

“I guess you were probably thinking about how different your two lives had become. I guess you were thinking that if you had married him, then you’d be the wife of a gas station attendant now, instead of my wife. Right,” he said?

“Well, No. Actually I was thinking that he’d be the governor now.”

Palm Sunday

2011-04-17T12:17:00.001+08:00

It is Palm Sunday. It was our Lord’s last week when he entered Jerusalem. They call it “the triumphant entry”. In the eyes of the world, the way to bring the King to the city would be different. Probably, luxurious cars led by a grand band, guarded by police cars would be how the world would visualize a King entering a city triumphantly.

But, our Lord chose to ride into the city on a jackass, on a donkey!

Our Lord probably would have referred to it as a Day of Sorrows. It was the day that he went into the temple for the second time in his ministry to clean out the money-changers in his Father’s house. It was the day that he went up the Mount of Olives. He looked over the city. His heart broke in yearning over the wretched city. And he cried out those unforgettable words, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, killing the prophets and stoning those who are sent to you! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you would not!” (Luke 13:34)

One week later, he was nailed to a cross outside that very city’s gates where the multitude greeted him with “Hossana in the Highest”.

Were the multitude the ones who now cried out, “Crucify him, crucify him!”?

This is a very propitious time for us to consider the cross -

Near the cross, O Lamb of God,
bring its scenes before me.
Help me walk from day to day,
with its shadows o’er me.

Idyllic charms of Xitang

2011-03-27T08:00:00.002+08:00

This quiet ancient town in China is an ideal
hideaway to experience simplicity and leisure.

AMIDST the hubbub of a looming election battle in the state, remembering Xitang, a small mystical water town in Zhejiang Province, China, is sheer bliss with unforgettable and enchanting scenes unfolding before you.

Some people think Xitang is like a poem – to others, it’s a song. For Me, Xitang is an epitome of rivers, bridges, long veranda and narrow lanes set in poetic ambiance.

Wandering through the town’s beautiful and peaceful landscape is like immersing myself in poet Tao Yuanming’s Peach Blossom Spring. It’s the people and the simplicity of life in a song.

How to get there? If you are going to Hangzhou, you are just 80km away. If you have landed in Shanghai, it’s 110km from the bustling city.

Xitang -- together with five other famous traditional towns -- Xhou Zhuang, Tong Li, Lu Zhi, Wu Shen and Nan Xun -- in China are all part of Unesco World Heritage.

We arrived at Xitang before noon, and standing on the bridge, looking at the quiet water that reflected the late morning sun, I was drawn into fond thoughts of our own magnificent Rejang River.

With water sparkling at almost every point the eyes could see, and mirroring the houses on the shore, the idyllic waterways of Xitang transported me back to those laid-back halcyon days of youth.

There are nine rivers of life crisscrossing the town and dividing it into eight parts, all linked by bridges.

There are 104 bridges of varied structures, all dating back to the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Their shapes differ greatly from one another. Ancient in look, yet they resemble the modern hyperlink to the Internet.

The bridges are not only indispensable for the convenience they provide. In terms of beauty, they also make Xitang so unique and exclusive.

The rippling water passing under the exquisite bridges – like it has been doing for eons – stood me in awe of the wonders of the Creator!

Local legend has it that a walk with your loved one over the Songi Laifen bridge increases fertility. Consequently, couples who come here cannot resist strolling across it!

Old alleyways are eye-catching features in Xitang. The original ancient residences all have lanes,
shared by 20 to 30 households.

There are many lanes -- long and short, wide and narrow. Some are dark while some simply function as the drain of two homes.

The small lanes can be as narrow as 80cm, allowing only one person to pass through at a time. Walking down these weather-worn paths, I felt everything slowing down.

The shops are connected with veranda shelters, stretching a thousand metres in length.

According to legend, there was a tobacco shop with very poor business. One day, a beggar, lying in front of the door, decided to stay on as night fell.

The good-hearted owner erected a shelter for him as protection from the wind and rain.

The next day, the owner found a couplet on the door, saying: “The veranda shelter shielded off a night’s rain and wind, and good luck will go to the family.”

After that, the shop’s business began to boom. Seeing this, the other residents started to build their own veranda shelters. Apart from shielding visitors from the elements, these structures have a certain appeal and grace about them.

Modern houses are certainly not a common sight in Xitang. All the houses are old but beautifully preserved. Besides their historical values, the houses are adorned with elaborate displays of cultural relics, woodcarvings or eaves tiles collected by the owners.

Houses are open for visitors to enter freely. Display of the owners’ rare ancient books, passed down from generation to generation, was a big “wow” for me. Equally amazing were the stone inscriptions of famous calligraphers.

Plants as tall as 12 inches could be seen growing on the roofs of some of the old houses. It is said the spirits of the former owners join the plants in blessing the houses and the entire town!

Walking around the town, you could feel the easy-going lifestyle of the people. There were artists presenting visitors with sketches. The elderly played with their grandchildren on the bridges and in the narrow lanes while the women washed clothing by the river beside their homes. Every river, bridge and lane is filled with life in this ancient town.

A Unesco World Heritage Centre advisor spoke highly of Xitang after a visit.

“Xitang is like the limpid and melodious music of
a flute -- people need to appreciate it with their heart,” he said.

Xitang is, indeed, a place to experience simplicity and leisure! It’s a place where everything slows down and where you could take step back in time. It’s a place you have to see with your eyes and heart to really appreciate it.

Xitang was also featured in the final sequence of the motion picture Mission Impossible III.

I find it amazing that while Xitang has opened up to millions of tourists, the lives of the people have not changed. The fishermen still fish; buntings of knickers and vests are still strung all over the place; merchants still run their simple stores; women still wash their clothing by the river and children still run from lane to lane, both wide and narrow.

Back home, cities and towns are seeing influxes of high profile politicians and visitors. More will be coming in the days ahead as Sarawakians prepare to go to the polls on April 16. When they leave, will it be going to back to life as usual?

Gems of election - Footprints

2011-03-25T10:11:00.003+08:00

Five years ago, I wrote this -

You have probably read "Footprint" many times. You have probably read many versions of "Footprint". You would not mind reading this one more time, I know, because it's such a beautiful story with beautiful words. Here you are -

One night a man had a dream. He dreamed He was walking along the beach with the LORD. Across the sky flashed scenes from His life. For each scene He noticed two sets of footprints in the sand. One belonging to Him and the other to the LORD.

When the last scene of His life flashed before Him, He looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of His life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times of His life.

This really bothered him and he questioned the LORD about it. LORD you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life there is only set of footprints. I don't understand why when I needed you most you would leave me.

The Lord replied, my precious, precious child, I love you and I would never leave you! During your times of trial and suffering when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.

The story ends here. It does not quite, here is an SMS I received this morning -

"MaNY PeoPLe WiLL WaLK iN & ouT oF YouR LiFe BuT oNLY TRue PoLITIciANs WiLL LeaVe FooTPRiNTS iN YouR HeaRT"

…NAH!

(-_-)Give U my (")(") smelly feet.

Be careFUL whoM U waNT tO waLK WiTH iN tHe neXt FiVE yEARs. THe POWer iS iN YouR hANDs!

I have copied this exactly as it is with the CAPS on some alphabets.

Just like there are many versions of footprints, there are many versions of stories we have heard over in the weeks to come. Whatever version you have read, consider this Footprints Hymn -

Footprints Hymn

It can be sung to the tune 'Londonderry Air/O Danny Boy'.

Upon the shore, I walked with Him at even
And I looked back upon the path we’d trod
And in the sand I traced our way at even
And I was glad I’d walked through life with God:
For side by side we’d journeyed through together
All through the world’s wide wilderness of care
And side by side we’d journeyed through to even:
Safe at his side the Lord my God had brought me here.

But in my joy I caught a strain of sadness
To give me pause when thinking of my way
For on the shore I saw he’d left me lonely
When I had most the need of him to stay:
When I was tried he’d left me worn and wandering,
He’d left me lone when I was fighting fears,
He’d let me tread the steepest slopes in solitude
Before he came back to my side to dry my tears.

But then the Lord drew near to me in comfort
And in his tenderness he made it plain
That in the times when dread and darkness threatened
He was my shield and shelter from the pain:
For on his shoulders he was gently bearing
And on his shoulders I from harm was free:
The single trace of footprints of the Master,
The single trace of footprints shows he carried me.

So on the shore I walk with Him at even;
I face the latter days of life secure,
For if my pilgrimage reserves me sorrow
The footprints show that He is strong and sure:
If I am near the gates of heaven weary,
No longer strong enough to stride alone
The footprints show that he is there to carry me:
The footprints show the Lord my God will bear me home.

Dr. Robert Atkins

Keeping afloat

2011-03-18T10:42:00.004+08:00

In my mailbox last night,

Dear Ladies, In conjunction with International Women’s Day, xxxxx (a news portal) joins the celebration to commemorate this special occasion with all our female subscribers. To recognize your efforts, YOU can now subscribe to xxxxxxx at ONLY RM 100.00 per year and SAVE RM 50.00! (Normal one year standard subscription is RM 150.00)

Well, we have way past women's day. And my subscription expires a few months from now.

I have been busy - very busy. My day begins at 5 am and ends at 10 pm or beyond. From 5 am to 9 am, it's my own time. Amazed I still have four hours! I thank God for the four hours. After 9 am to 10 pm, I am working...

We speculate that the announcement to dissolve DUN is Monday, 21st March. And polling date early April.

Meanwhile, as the journalists "battle", this one for women and for all who need to keep afloat -

One day, three men were hiking and unexpectedly came upon a large raging, violent river. They needed to get to the other side, but had no idea of how to do so. The first man prayed to God, saying, “Please God, give me the strength to cross this river.” Poof! God gave him big arms and strong legs, and he was able to swim across the river in about two hours, after almost drowning a couple of times.

Seeing this, the second man prayed to God, saying, “Please God, give me the strength .. and the tools to cross this river.” Poof! God gave him a rowboat and he was able to row across the river in about an hour, after almost capsizing the boat a couple of times.

The third man had seen how this worked out for the other two, so he also prayed to God saying, “Please God, give me the strength and the tools .. and the intelligence … to cross this river.” And Poof! God turned him into a woman. She looked at the map, hiked upstream a couple of hundred yards, then walked across the bridge.

Flagging off The Borneo Post Adventure Team (BAT) earlier. BAT completed their 3 -weeks mission impossible travelling to every corner of Sarawak and Oops! they also travelled to Labuan and Brunei. They crossed many rivers too, I believe, with no difficulty as there was a lady team member!

Memories of maple leaves

2011-02-12T10:55:00.003+08:00

(Image from: http://wvs.topleftpixel.com/04/10/28/)

Two weeks ago, I had a good chat with Mr Stuart Shaw of High Commission of Canada at a coffee lounge in Kuching.

It brought back some memories of “maple leaves”. Canada was a popular choice for further education during my time. I remember a friend went to Toronto. Jacob was his name. And lo! I could not remember his surname. He sent me a maple leaf which I treasured for a long time. Then another friend went. Gosh! I could not even remember his name. He also sent me a maple leaf.

I went there for my honeymoon. What did I remember? I remember on the eve of my departure, I realized that I have kept many coins in my purse. I went shopping and thought of using up all the coins. But in Canada under its Currency Act, there is a limitation of using coins to pay for goods and services. What an embarrassment! And what a strange law!

Those were the memories of Canada.

Here are new things I learnt over a cuppa with Stuart.

Manulife Insurance of Toronto insures 250,000 Malaysians (and I am one of them!)

Canada is Malaysia’s largest supplier of food-grade soybeans for our tofu and Canadian Durham wheat is used for pasta in Malaysia.

You like MacDonald’s French fries? McCain Foods of New Brunswick is the sole provider of MacD’s French fries in Malaysia!

Stuart claimed that Canada’s average tuition fee for undergraduate students is lower than the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom and post-secondary students can work up to 20 hours per week during their studies.

Chris to pick up some maple leaves and send home to his dear mummy in two years’ time?

Grandmother dream!

2011-02-11T13:29:00.002+08:00

Sometime back, when I posted in my Facebook (what actually did I post?) about getting old, my daughter responded that I would not be a grandmother too soon.

She muses that at 20, going on 21, she still does not have a boyfriend.

So my grandmother dream seems very far away!

Well, my grandmother dream can never make it to the news.

But this made to the news -

The No. 1 was married earlier this year.

Hold on, this is not their baby. They went Chinese New Year visiting, the 28-year-young was attracted to babies!

Then, this is No. 2. The graceful lady in cheongsam is his new wife. She said she was hoping for a dragon baby.

Not rabbit because this is election year (my colleagues like to read "L" as "R" as it's rabbit year probably), they may be too busy to welcome a "rabbit".

Meanwhile, I resolve to continue with my rabbit diet ... for better health, and God's willing, to be a dotting grandmother one day!

Over to you, Rach and Chris - for my wishes!

It's Friday, I am just musing!

Hop with hope

2011-02-03T16:14:00.003+08:00

My brother-in-law asked yesterday, "You have not been updating your blog?"

From a daily post, it became a weekly, then monthly, and now it's like on occasions. The last blog post was before Christmas! I missed the new year, but hopped on to the lunar new year like a rabbit!

Chinese new year in Sibu has always been a sense of adventure, and even an awareness of peril, of danger. There is a thrill of excitement, and always a little grip of fear - yes, it's the fire crackers!

Behind every cracker lit, there is a wish - I always think. Some for the sheer joy of it. Some to "frighten the bad spirit away". Some for more wealth ....

Last night, between the seemingly unending fire crackers, I whispered this psalms -

May He grant you your heart's desire,
and fulfill all your plan! - Psalms 20:4

I remember the person who was raging with anger and raised the cruelest curses because the pizza served was not as advertised.

I remember how the law enforcers grilled and drilled for sources of reports.

I remember how politicians can deny what he had said within 24 hours.

I remember ..... many kind souls whom I have met along my way ..

What's my heart's desire?

Do I not want to be a happy, whole person? A confident, courageous, able to cope with situations, able to handle what comes and to be trusting and loving and walking with Him daily?

Well, is this not the desire of your hearts, too?

There is God's promise - He will grant you your heart's desire, and he will fulfill your plans.

MAY HE GRANT YOUR HEART'S DESIRE.

The peace child

2010-12-05T14:07:00.006+08:00

If you read my facebook, the last trip I came back home, I baked two fruit cakes meant for Christmas. I left one cake at home and my husband readily agreed to “brandy” it regularly. The other one I took to Kuching as a Christmas present to a good friend who walked through with me in my journey of eye treatment in Kuching when I was not only handicapped by the poor eye sight, I was also grounded with no transport. I faithfully “brandied” this cake meant for my friend before I gave it away on Friday just before I came back home.

I reached home on Friday night. Hubby said, “I did not brandy your fruit cake.”

“But why? You said you could do it.”

“Do you know it’s difficult to brandy the cake yet you are not able to eat it? Women are very strange creature, they bake the cake and want to keep it like forever and torture others.”

Familiar to you? I mean the favourite indoor sport of the whole race – passing the buck. I was amazed. But I decided that I would bake another one so that he could enjoy the fruit cake before Christmas.

I was more amazed by the reminder that the “blame game” is the oldest game in the world by Pastor (well she is Rev, but pastor seems more endearing to many) Lenita Tiong through her sermon “The Peace Child”. Read this -

He said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?" The man said, "The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate." Then the LORD God said to the woman, "What is this that you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent beguiled me, and I ate." (Genesis 3:11-13 RSV)

Interestingly enough, it is exactly the same way by which we 21st century people also try to relieve guilt. In order to evade the sense of guilt, we do what Adam did. We say, "Well, it's not my fault. I'm but a victim of circumstance." He took it like a man -- he blamed it on his wife. And she passed it along to the serpent.

But behind both excuses is the unspoken suggestion, very clear in this account, that it is really God's fault.

"The woman whom Thou gavest me," says Adam. If you had never given me this woman I would never have fallen into this sin.

The woman immediately passes it on and says, "It is because you allowed the serpent to come into this garden, that's the trouble."

Both are pointing the finger ultimately at God and saying, "It's all your fault."

Pastor Lenita’s sermon went on to say that the “blame game” pervades the whole of society, and the whole of history. It is what married couples say to each other all the time.

It is because you baked a fruit cake, I can’t resist the temptation of not being able to eat the cake therefore I did not brandy it. I could have said it was because you forgot or you were lazy and the blame game started.

This is the primary cause of our racial strife – it’s all your fault. This is what the nations are doing in the international scene.

Pastor Lenita’s wisdom in reading Matthew 3 together with Genenis’ blame game in her sermon amazed me! She related the reaction of Joseph knowing Mary was with child as the “love game”.
Joseph not wanting to expose Mary to public disgrace had in mind to divorce her quietly. But when an angel appeared to him in a dream, Joseph did what the angel had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.

I agree with Pastor Lenita that it's not easy to preach of PEACE when the world is in turmoil. But if we are obedient like Joseph, God gave him the reputation and He gave us Emmanuel - God with us.

May the Peace Child be with you today, this Christmas, and beyond.

The love fruit cake –

You need to nurture it by brandying it now and then!
But you can eat it fresh from oven....for love game...

Reading between lines,

2010-11-12T15:33:00.001+08:00

… listening to unsaid words…

I was invited to a tea party with some law enforcers early this week. The invitation did not come as a tea party, but as a request to be present for some inquiries into articles published regarding the department. Old problems, open secret, but the department prefers not to dig out the things in the bushes!

I was not expecting a party. So, I did my homework. Reading every word in the articles in question and reading between lines.

I also prepared a mental script with the theme – remain calm, friendly without compromising on my professionalism and status.

I whispered a little prayers before I went.

All set!

It was tough. But I believe with the wisdom from above, I fared well and lived up to my script!

Now, it leaves only to those words unsaid …

And the coffee and cakes served that remain untouched!

“What no eye has seen,
what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived”—
the things God has prepared for those who love him —
(1 Cor 2:9)

Wonderful 7-11 day

2010-11-08T12:57:00.007+08:00

(recycled pic)

No birthday cake. No candles. No family members to celebrate and share the joy. Yet, it was such a wonderful 7-11 day.

It started with a birthday story.

Before the church service started, sister-in-law shared with me some family problems.

Among the stories was a birthday story. She could not get over my brother’s sharing in a senior church fellowship that he had not had birthdays celebrated for many years. To sister-in-law, my brother did not give her face by publicly sharing that she had not celebrated his birthdays and what’s more, she was also present at the fellowship!

I am not a good advisor, but I can boast that I am always a good listener.

She was settled with my reasoning that it was good that brother shared. She has opportunities to celebrate his birthdays in the years to come!

I was actually very amazed to go back to my childhood memories of my birthdays through this sharing. My brother in stressing his point of how much birthday celebrations meant to him shared that his birthdays was the birthdays of the first five of our brothers and sisters! My mum gave her first five children birthday meals on my brother’s birthdays. And of course, the real birthday person had the drumsticks!

Mum had been so tactful that while big brother still felt treasured and special, none of the other four children felt deprived of love care and attention or unfair treatment of parents as they grew up. I was number five.

How did mum do that? I don’t know. But, I thanked my mum for teaching us well.

The worship service started. I felt special because the preacher shared on “A life without regret”. A life without regret is a life lived to the vision and mission of God, the Creator. A life without regret is a life entrusted in the hands of God whose hands are bigger than ours. A life without regret is leaving a legacy for people to follow.

How befitting for a birthday person? As I left the church, these two questions were in my mind –

What does your life tell?
What do others see in your life?

My brother, sister-in-law, their daughter-in-law and two grandchildren landed at our usual coffee shop for brunch after the service.

I was silent about my birthday because I thought brother was still bitter about the missing birthdays. But I went round the coffee shop to see if I could find a stall selling Foochow “Meesua” – traditional food of birthdays for Foochows. I did not find one.

I was so engrossed to look around that I could have stood too near to a table of an old couple. The old man pushed my borrom and started with all the curse words. I apologized right away, while I was sure that I was not so near as having “touched” him. As I sat down next to him, the old man had not stopped his scoldings.

I sympathized with him – probably one of his bad days. I thanked mum who had always shown a lot of kindness to others even when being wrongly accused.

Back to my apartment, I cooked meesua with chicken soup and egg. There, my birthday! Who say you can’t have birthday alone and still count the blessings?

The blessings came in SMSes, messages on facebook and emails.

It did not end there! My best friend, Sandra came at 7:30 pm and brought me out for a western food dinner!

There, the two women shared and laughed the night away!

I remember the wisdom of my mum in these words – mothers can do many things, but one thing she can’t possibly do, that is making friends and giving them to you as friends. You have to be a friend and make your own friends!

Old and wise

2010-11-03T08:04:00.001+08:00

But...how to be young when your "forgetter be forgotten"

My forgetter's getting better,
But my rememberer is broke
To you that may seem funny
But, to me, that is no joke
For when I'm 'here' I'm wondering
If I really should be 'there'
And, when I try to think it through,
I haven't got a prayer!

Of't times I walk into a room,
Say 'what am I here for?'
I wrack my brain, but all in vain!
A zero, is my score.

At times I put something away
Where it is safe, but, Gee!
The person it is safest from
Is, generally, me!

When shopping I may see someone,
Say 'Hi' and have a chat,
Then, when the person walks away
I ask myself, 'who the heck was that?

Yes, my forgetter's getting better
While my rememberer is broke,
And it's driving me plumb crazy
And that isn't any joke.

CAN YOU RELATE?

Do you follow?

2010-11-01T20:32:00.002+08:00

I read some interesting twips for using twitter to get people to follow you -

Edit your bio to entice people to follow you.
Modify your twitter background to entice people to follow you.
Thank people - for following you, for responding, for helping.
Do autofollow - when someone follows you, follow them, but unfollow if they unfollow or if you really don't like what they're tweeting.

Tired of all those "follow"? The last one -

Do follow - follow people who follow you,
follow people who follow the people you follow and
follow the people who follow few.

But Jesus said to Peter -

via http://the nextweb.com

Who do you follow?

The unhurried time

2010-10-31T13:34:00.002+08:00

Sorry for keeping you all guessing of the other home that the guests are reminded not to wear undergarments!

That's Singapore, JoMel, Ilene, SAHM and Sarawakiana!

If there is no State election announced after the cabinet meeting that ends on 10th November, I would take a break to stay in that hotel, but I won't be wearing my undergarments walking around in the reception or lobby area!

O, the blessedness of unhurried time - whether at home or in a nearby land or faraway land for holidays!

Baking is also one of my ways to allow myself to enjoy some unhurried time and space. So, today, at home in Sibu, I baked two fruits cakes for the perfect conclusion of the ten months that have just passed by!

November - here we come!

(Sorry, no picture to show - I lent one camera to a friend, and another I kept in Kuching!)

At home

2010-10-29T16:40:00.003+08:00

Yes, I am home for the weekend!

Just browsed through the internet and booked four nights' hotel stay for hubby who would be going for a conference in late November. I am not too sure whether I can take a leave to join him for a holiday.

Here is what this hotel says -

Please do not walk around the hotel in your undergarments.

You’ll feel right at home the minute you walk in,
Revelling in our unique Asian hospitality.
You’ll feel remarkably well rested after a soak in our lovely bathtub,
Topped off with a night in our luxurious beds.
You’ll find our stylish settings perfect for your work,
Or that quick power nap.
And our wide range of international cuisine means you’ll always find something to suit your palate.

It's All Here.

Join him for a break, yes?

Three dolls

2010-10-20T13:40:00.000+08:00

I don’t remember owning a doll when I was a little girl. Owning a doll or a toy was a luxury then.

But I remember many stories about dolls.

I had a “battle” to fight this morning. In my morning devotion, I asked for God’s wisdom in handling the situation. The Lord gave me this doll story -

A prince was presented with a set of three small dolls. (Oh, how blessed) But the prince was not amused. “Am I a girl that you give me dolls” he asked the sage who gave him the dolls.

But the man said the three small dolls befitted a future king. “Just look carefully, there is a hole in the ear of each doll.”

So? Don’t we all have a hole in each ear?

The sage handed the prince a piece of string. “Pass it through each doll,” he said.

Intrigued, the prince picked up the first doll and put the string into the ear. It came out from the other ear.

“This is one type of person, whatever you tell him, comes out from the other ear. He doesn’t retain anything.”

The prince pushed the string into the second doll. Out the string came out from the mouth.

“This is the second type of person, whatever you tell him, he tells everybody else.”

The string did not reappear when the prince pushed the string into the third doll.

“This is the third type of person, whatever you tell him is locked up within him. It never comes out.”

“What is the best type of person?” asked the prince.

The man handed him a fourth doll. When the prince put the string into the doll, it came out the other year.

“Do it again,” instructed the man.

The prince repeated the process. This time the string came out from the mouth. When he put the string the third time, it did not come out at all.

“This is the best type of person. To be trustworthy, a person must know when not to listen, when to remain silent and when to speak out.”

Canadian ice cream in Shanghai

2010-09-28T13:40:00.004+08:00

Desserts for a stressed woman!

A friend sent me this believing that he would lose 2 pounds if he forwarded that to a certain number of friends. Well, the email said so, it further said that if you deleted it, you will gain 20 pounds.

I thought if I posted it in my blogs, I will lose more than 2 pounds. So here you are!

Can't eat pork,
Swine flu...

Can't eat chicken,
Bird flu.

Can't eat Beef,
Mad cow....

Can't eat eggs,
Salmonella.

Can't eat fish,
heavy metal poisons in their waters.

Can't eat fruits and veggies,
insecticides and herbicides.

Hmmmmmmmmm!!!!!!!!!!!!!
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M

I believe that leaves Chocolate and ice cream!!!!!!!!
Remember - - - 'STRESSED'
spelled backwards! is
'DESSERTS'

This Canadian ice cream is the best ice cream that I ever have! It's priced at 20RMB!

Word power

2010-08-30T21:01:00.002+08:00

Sunday sermon's insights -

A careless word may kindle strife,
A cruel word may wreck a life,
A bitter word may hate instill;
A brutal word may smite and kill.

A gracious word may smooth the way;
A joyous word may light the day.
A timely word may lessen stress;
A loving word may heal and bless.
- author unknown

The next time before we utter a word,
T Is it true
H Is it helpful
I Is it inspiring
N Is it necessary
K Is it kind

Yes, THINK!

Heart of temptation

2010-08-24T11:21:00.000+08:00

Last night, I found myself tempted to take a peep of a "hot video".

A good friend "sent" me a "hot video", The thought flashed into my mind, "Shall I take a peep?"

But immediately, I rejected the desire.

I called my friend to inform him that he might be in a spam. He responded, "My good friend sent me that invitation. Out of curiosity, I clicked the link. I was required to key in my email password. I did just that."

So, all the contacts in his email received his invitation to share!

The immediate thought that occurred to me, "Oh dear! What would people say if they receive such an invitation from me?"

But the Lord put another thought in me - I should resist on the ground that it was not right, it was not pleasing to God.

What timely reminder, Lord!

I can see, I can feel, I am blessed

2010-08-19T11:20:00.003+08:00

A colleague forwarded this to me. Sharing with you with a heart of gratitude for the way you have enriched my life.

Heart of Gratitude

A blind boy sat on the steps of a building with a hat by his feet. He held up a sign which said: "I am blind, please help." There were only a few coins in the hat.

A man was walking by. He took a few coins from his pocket and dropped them into the hat. He then took the sign, turned it around, and wrote some words. He put the sign back so that everyone who walked by would see the new words.

Soon the hat began to fill up. A lot more people were giving money to the blind boy. That afternoon the man who had changed the sign came to see how things were. The boy recognized his footsteps and asked, "Were you the one who changed my sign this morning? What did you write?"

The man said, "I only wrote the truth. I said what you said but in a different way."

I wrote: "Today is a beautiful day but I cannot see it."

Both signs told people that the boy was blind. But the first sign simply said the boy was blind. The second sign told people that they were so lucky that they were not blind. Should we be surprised that the second sign was more effective?

Moral of the Story:
Be thankful for what you have.. Be creative. Be innovative. Think differently and positively.

Enjoy your day with a heart of gratitude.

Prayer prompt

2010-08-14T20:30:00.004+08:00

I am tired after a day's work. It is sort of mental drain - everyday! Therefore, accepting a "business-link" dinner is really a dread. But, I accepted one on Thursday night. It was a crowd. I really did not enjoy it.

But the Lord has always something for me. This time it's power of prayer shared by the friend sitting next to me. It was my passing statement that a sweet young girl whom we both know is in love with a boy of different faith. Evelyn said, "We can pray for her."

Yes, PRAYER! How often we miss this promise -

“He regards the prayer of the destitute and does not despise their prayer” (Psalm 102:17).

Julie Cosgrove shared in this article, "Prayer of the Destitute" that -

Prayer never falls deaf upon God’s ears. He hears every whisper and every scream. He hears every sentence spoken out loud as well as those which are so deep inside our souls, we just can’t muster up enough gumption to voice them. God does respond, even though we cannot feel it. One way is by asking others to join in our prayer.

If God has placed a thought on your heart, or a name of a person, or even an image, please take time to stop and say a prayer. It just may be the Holy Spirit prompting you to lift up another soul. Prayer brings miracles into action, sends the devil fleeing and heals hidden wounds. Never underestimate the power of a simple upward lifted prayer.

Know this: when you are down and discouraged, when despair creeps in and you can’t find the words to send up to Heaven, God has already placed you on someone else’s heart. Someone on this earth, as well as the Son in Heaven amongst the throngs of angels, is praying for you.

How comforting to know that God has placed me on someone else's heart each time I am down and discouraged! There should not be a reason for me not to stop and pray when God places someone in my heart!

Read the full article here

The cross in my pocket

2010-08-13T10:41:00.001+08:00

I received a little gift of a cross slotted in a pocket with this note last night –

I carry a cross in my pocket
A simple reminder to me
Of the fact that I am a Christian
No matter where I may be.

This little cross is not magic
Nor is it a good luck charm
It isn’t meant to protect me
From every physical harm.

It’s not for identification
For all the world to see
It’s simply an understanding
Between my Saviour and me.

When I put my hand in my pocket
To bring out a coin or key
The cross is there to remind me
Of the price He paid for me.

It reminds me, too, to be thankful
For my blessings day by day
And to strive to serve Him better
In all that I do and say.

It’s also a daily reminder
Of the peace and comfort I share
With all who know my Master
And give themselves to His care.

So, I carry a cross in my pocket
Reminding no one but me
That Jesus Christ is Lord of my life
If only I’ll let Him be.

We are all YBs

2010-08-05T07:27:00.002+08:00

When YBs started words of war in the state assembly sitting, there got to be someone who would stop the "war". So, one YB said,

I just want to say that we are all YBs, so we must show that we earn the respect of others. We are the Yang Berhormats and should be respected. So for us to show respect is to refrain from using words that can be insulting to others. We all make mistakes, say the wrong word; a good leader is someone who is able to accept our weaknesses.

Guess who is the wise one who said that?

500 million faces!

2010-07-22T07:56:00.002+08:00

God works in His mysterious ways, for example finding one face in 500 million faces. My family has been blessed!

News agencies, AFP reports,

Facebook at 500 million users

SAN FRANCISCO - THE number of people using Facebook hit the 500 million mark on Wednesday, meaning one in every 14 people on the planet has now signed up to the online social-networking service.

'As of this morning, 500 million people all around the world are actively using Facebook to stay connected with their friends and the people around them,' Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg said in a blog post.

'This is an important milestone for all of you who have helped spread Facebook around the world.' To celebrate, the California firm introduced an application that lets members of the online community 'tell the incredible stories of the moving and interesting ways they've used Facebook.' Examples given by Mr Zuckerberg included Nato Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen jogging with Facebook fans during his term as Danish prime minister and a US woman using the service to battle breast cancer.

'Our mission at Facebook is to help make the world more open and connected,' Mr Zuckerberg said. 'I could have never imagined all of the ways people would use Facebook when we were getting started 6 years ago.' Mr Zuckerberg has pointed to Facebook's unrelenting growth to rebuff criticism of feature changes or privacy safeguards at the website.

Friendship Vs Durians

2010-07-15T11:23:00.003+08:00

I am making a one-day-three-city-trip tomorrow for FRIENDS! Yes, for great friendship - meeting three friends, probably four.

And I am all excited about this Kuching-Singapore-Johore-Sibu trip! Yay!

But we have difference sets of value. Bet (pun meant!) I would definitely not do this (well, I can't afford that anyway) -

THE Mao Shan King durian from Malaysia has proven to be so irresistible that Stanley Ho, who is Macau's Gambling King, sent his personal jet to pick up 88 durians from Singapore recently

China Press reported that Mr Ho's men bought about $2,065 worth of the durian from the 818 Durian Stall at Telok Kurau Road.

Mr Ho then shared the king of fruits with his friend Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing by giving him 10 durians.

The daily reported that Mr Ho's worker wanted to buy 98 durians but only managed to get 88 as there wasn't enough due to adverse weather.

In Singapore, the Mao Shan King durian costs about RM16 per kilo, the daily reported.

Durians are not allowed on commercial flights. -- THE STAR/ANN

Dancing in the rain

2010-07-08T09:08:00.002+08:00

Off to the Land Below the Wind for a working weekend ....

If it rains, dance in the rain!

In my garden

2010-06-30T05:00:00.002+08:00

On a Sunday morning, in my garden ...

Do you remember this song?

I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear, falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses.

And He walks with me
And He talks with me
And He tells me I am His own
And the joy we share as we tarry there
None other has ever known.

(He speaks and the sound of His voice)
(Is so sweet the birds hush their singing)
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing.

And He walks with me
And He talks with me
And He tells me I am His own
And the joy we share as we tarry there
None other has ever known...

Give me a chance

2010-06-29T09:52:00.000+08:00

I was very disturbed by a SMS sent late last night in by a staff from Sabah pleading to give him a chance...

Do you always give people a chance?
If given a chance, will you take it?
If given no chance, can you make one?

I like this story ...

Lecturer Charles Hobbs sometimes tells about a woman who lived in London over a century ago. She saved what little money she could working as a scullery maid and went one evening to hear a great speaker of her day. His speech moved her deeply and she waited to visit with him afterward. "How fine it must be to have had the opportunities you have had in life," she mentioned.

"My dear lady," he replied, "have you never received an opportunity?"

"Not me. I have never had a chance," she said.

"What do you do?" the speaker asked.

She answered, "I peel onions and potatoes in my sister's boarding house."

"How long have you been doing this?" he pursued.

"Fifteen miserable years!"

"And where do you sit?" he continued.

"On the bottom step in the kitchen."

"And where do you put you feet?"

"On the floor."

"What is the floor?"

"It is glazed brick."

Then he said, "My dear lady, I will give you an assignment today I want you to write me a letter about the brick."

Against her protests about being a poor writer, he made her promise to complete the assignment.

The next day, as she sat down to peel onions, she gazed at the brick floor. That evening she pulled one loose, took it to a brick factory and asked the owner to explain to her how bricks were made.

Still not satisfied, she went to a library and found a book on bricks.

She learned that 120 different kinds of brick and tile were being produced in England at the time. She learned about how clay beds, which existed for millions of years, were formed. Her research captivated her imagination and she spent every spare moment learning more. She returned to the library night after night and this woman, who never had a chance, gradually began to climb the steps of knowledge.

After months of study, she set out to write her letter as promised. She sent a 36-page document about the brick in her kitchen and, to her surprise, she received a letter back. Enclosed was payment for her research. He had published her letter! And along with the money came a new assignment -- this time he asked her to write about what she found UNDERNEATH the brick floor.

For the first time in her life she could hardly wait to get back to the kitchen! She pulled up the brick and there was an ant. She held it in her hand and examined it. That evening, she hurried back to the library to study ants. She learned that there were hundreds of different kinds of ants. Some were so small they could stand on the head of a pin, while others were so large one could feel the weight of them in one's hand. She learned about the ants in her kitchen. She started her own ant colony and examined ants underneath a lens.

Several months later she wrote her findings in a 350-page "letter." It, too, was eventually published.

She soon quit her kitchen job to take up writing. Before she died, she had travelled to the lands of her dreams and had experienced more than she ever imagined possible! This is the woman who had never had a chance.

Some people wait for opportunity to come knocking. Here is a person who sought it out, proving again that we can be more than victims of mere circumstance.

And what's my decision after sleeping that over the night? Giving him a chance? The answer is blowing in the wind....

The dying wish of an artist

2010-06-27T20:15:00.004+08:00

(Just love his paintings! Simply awesome, here is one.)

The National Art Gallery (NAG), Singapore of the National Heritage Board is deeply saddened by the passing of renowned Chinese artist Wu Guanzhong, said a press release of Singapore Press Center on Sunday.

Wu passed away peacefully at the age of 91 in a Beijing hospital on June 25, 2010.

"We are deeply saddened by the demise of Mr Wu Guanzhong, one of the leading Chinese artists over the last century and a dearly beloved friend of Singapore," NAG Director Kwok Kian Chow was quoted by the release as saying.

A giant amongst artists of his generation, Wu was an inspiration to many and a towering figure in the artistic world. His matchless act of philanthropy to our National Collection and to the people of Singapore will always be deeply appreciated, Kwok said.

"We extend our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones, "

In 2008, Wu Guanzhong donated to the national collection of Singapore his largest and most comprehensive collection of 113 oil and ink paintings presented to a public museum. Together with an earlier donation of one work, the Singapore collection of 114 works painted over five decades represents Wu's entire creative oeuvre.

To honor the memory of the great artist and his unparalleled act of philanthropy to Singapore, the National Art Gallery will be naming a gallery after Wu Guanzhong in its future premises. Works from his sizable donation will be rotated for public viewing in the future gallery.

Wu, born in 1919, was a native of Yixing in China's eastern Jiangsu Province.

Source: Xinhua

Added from Straits Times Singapore -

Speaking to Life! (ST) from Beijing on Sunday, his eldest son Wu Keyu, 63, said: 'This was his dying wish. He was an artist, he created art and that is what he wants to leave behind.

'He believed that if people wanted to pay their respects to him, the best way to do it would be to appreciate his art.'

Divine GPS

2010-06-24T09:24:00.003+08:00

I finally got hold of the GPS that came complimentary to the new car.

I have spent some time looking at how it works. And honestly, no clue yet. I am technically-challenged.

I have been driving in Kuching for some weeks, but counting the days I went travelling, probably, I have driven only the car less than ten times - from home to office and office to home. Yesterday, I was a little adventurous, I drove to a bakery shop - man does live on bread anyway!

I read this story in the Guidepost website this morning. Well, probably, I need divine GPS more than anything else!

I hung up the phone, grabbed my keys, and rushed out the door. My daughter, Betsy, had just invited me to my grandson's basketball game—and it was starting soon.

A few minutes into the drive I realized I'd forgotten my cell phone. I don't need it anyway, I thought. I didn't want to turn back and waste time. Besides, I knew where I was going. I could still hear Betsy's voice: "Turn left on Range Road. The school is right next to the church."

But soon it was pitch dark, and none of the streets looked familiar. Lord, I don't have my phone to call for directions, so I'm going to need your help, I prayed.

Just then, I saw it: Range Road. I turned left. Only there was no church. No school.

At the next stoplight, a car pulled next to me. I rolled down my window. "Do you know where Marysville Middle School is?" I asked the woman.

"Are you going to the basketball game too?" she asked.

"Yes," I answered, shocked she was going to the same place.

"Follow me," she said.

Soon we pulled into the school's parking lot. On our way inside, the woman told me she'd had other plans, but changed her mind and decided to go to the school for her cousin's basketball game.

"I'm glad you did," I said, and thanked her for showing me the way.

Inside, I sat next to Betsy. She looked relieved. "You know, Mom, after you left I called your cell phone because I realized I'd given you the wrong directions. The school isn't on Range Road, it's on Michigan."

The school may not have been on Range Road, but an angel sure was.

When God came for breakfast

2010-06-22T08:02:00.001+08:00

I was having a cup of coffee with a visiting colleague overlooking the esplanade yesterday morning.

A not-so-old man came to our table asking for "one dollar". He spoke in Foochow which my colleague could not understand. When I explained, I added that he was young and could go to work.

My colleague gave him a dollar, while I practically stopped him to do so!

Later he said, "He is mentally unsound. He is unemployable. A person with a sound mind won't go around begging for money."

I have always been conscious about exhibiting love under pressure, keeping my temper when I am being irritated, be sweet when things are going wrong - and I have been proud that I do pass with flying colours most of the times!

But God really does not test that way. He catches me unprepared, off-guard. You are having a blissful morning over coffee, He comes as a mentally unsound man asking for money. What happens then?

That's the test!

And I fail terribly!

A lesson learnt during breakfast by the magnificent Rejang River -

"...for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me." (Matthew 25:35-36 RSV)

ALL IS WELL!

2010-06-12T19:11:00.005+08:00

I have been generally unwell for the past two weeks or so. I have been truly blessed by a sister's status update in her facebook - ALL IS WELL.

Here's a song that says all - when it's well with my soul - all is well!

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,

It is well, it is well, with my soul.
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

HYMN HISTORY:

This hymn was written by a Chicago lawyer, Horatio G. Spafford. You might think to write a worship song titled, 'It is well with my soul', you would indeed have to be a rich, successful Chicago lawyer. But the words, "When sorrows like sea billows roll ... It is well with my soul”, were not written during the happiest period of Spafford's life. On the contrary, they came from a man who had suffered almost unimaginable personal tragedy.

Horatio G. Spafford and his wife, Anna, were pretty well-known in 1860’s Chicago. And this was not just because of Horatio's legal career and business endeavors. The Spaffords were also prominent supporters and close friends of D.L. Moody, the famous preacher. In 1870, however, things started to go wrong. The Spaffords' only son was killed by scarlet fever at the age of four. A year later, it was fire rather than fever that struck. Horatio had invested heavily in real estate on the shores of Lake Michigan. In 1871, every one of these holdings was wiped out by the great Chicago Fire.

Aware of the toll that these disasters had taken on the family, Horatio decided to take his wife and four daughters on a holiday to England. And, not only did they need the rest -- DL Moody needed the help. He was traveling around Britain on one of his great evangelistic campaigns. Horatio and Anna planned to join Moody in late 1873. And so, the Spaffords traveled to New York in November, from where they were to catch the French steamer 'Ville de Havre' across the Atlantic. Yet just before they set sail, a last-minute business development forced Horatio to delay. Not wanting to ruin the family holiday, Spafford persuaded his family to go as planned.

He would follow on later. With this decided, Anna and her four daughters sailed East to Europe while Spafford returned West to Chicago. Just nine days later, Spafford received a telegram from his wife in Wales. It read: "Saved alone."

On November 2nd 1873, the 'Ville de Havre' had collided with 'The Lochearn', an English vessel. It sank in only 12 minutes, claiming the lives of 226 people. Anna Spafford had stood bravely on the deck, with her daughters Annie, Maggie, Bessie and Tanetta clinging desperately to her. Her last memory had been of her baby being torn violently from her arms by the force of the waters. Anna was only saved from the fate of her daughters by a plank which floated beneath her unconscious body and propped her up. When the survivors of the wreck had been rescued, Mrs. Spafford's first reaction was one of complete despair. Then she heard a voice speak to her, "You were spared for a purpose." And she immediately recalled the words of a friend, "It's easy to be grateful and good when you have so much, but take care that you are not a fair-weather friend to God."

Upon hearing the terrible news, Horatio Spafford boarded the next ship out of New York to join his bereaved wife. Bertha Spafford (the fifth daughter of Horatio and Anna born later) explained that during her father's voyage, the captain of the ship had called him to the bridge. "A careful reckoning has been made", he said, "and I believe we are now passing the place where the de Havre was wrecked. The water is three miles deep." Horatio then returned to his cabin and penned the lyrics of his great hymn.

The words which Spafford wrote that day come from 2 Kings 4:26. They echo the response of the Shunammite woman to the sudden death of her only child. Though we are told "her soul is vexed within her", she still maintains that 'It is well." And Spafford's song reveals a man whose trust in the Lord is as unwavering as hers was.

It would be very difficult for any of us to predict how we would react under circumstances similar to those experienced by the Spaffords. But we do know that the God who sustained them would also be with us.

No matter what circumstances overtake us may we be able to say with Horatio Spafford...

When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul!

It is well ... with my soul!
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Find time to laugh

2010-06-10T08:36:00.001+08:00

Don't take life too seriously.,
always find time to laugh!

Laughter not only adds years to your life,
but adds more life to your years.

A city that exudes fairytale charm

2010-06-06T13:12:00.009+08:00

VIP VISITORS: Datuk Masidi Manjun (left) with MASWing pilot at Carcassonne airport

MEDIEVAL SPLENDOUR: The ancient city of Carcassonne has been a UNESCO heritage site since 1997

Until I met a Spanish journalist on board a Malaysia Airlines flight from Kuala Lumpur to Paris on my way to Toulouse, I have never heard of Carcassone...

Seated next to me was a “young blue Spanish eyes” who has just visited Myanamar, He was on his way home via France.

He told me Carcassonne would be a nice stopover after Toulouse. I was not aware then that the Sabah media group in the MASWinngs’ mission of 10th ATR aircraft delivery would have a stopover visit to this fabled city.

Thanks to Sabah Tourism Minister Datuk Masidi Munjun who proposed the visit, saying Sabah had a lot to learn from Carcassonne. Masidi revealed Sabah itself had ear-marked a few places as heritage sites.

Carcassonne is east of Toulouse, toward the Mediterranean Sea, in the unfolding of hills between the Massif central rising to the north and the Pyrenees to the South.

It is a beautifully walled city. The gleaming walls and pointed towers take the visitors back to medieval times of knights in their shining armour.

The city is divided into two with with the Ville Basse (lower city, sightly newer) being the larger, and Cite de Carcassonne (upper city) as the section surrounded by fortified walls.

The blue spanish eyes did not tell me that Carcassonne was once a disputed border with Spain. That was probably why he had recommended a visit there.

The newly delivered ATR 72-500 aircraft made its maiden flight from Toulouse to Carcassonne with the tourism minister, MAS and MASWings senior officers, crew and members of the media on board.

I was certainly filled with excitement as I looked out from the window as the plane made its landing after 30-minutes flight.

A walled city on a hill, a fortification, a real castle that were only in my fairy tale story books come to life!

We did not have time for the lower city, so we headed straight to the upper city, that’s the castle. The coach wound its way up the narrow roads, and there it was – curving stone walls, turrets, mammoth wooden gates, a drawbridge over a moat, wooden ramparts, the notched stone top all the way around where the knights would shoot arrows, drop boulders and pour boiling onto their attackers.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997, Carcassonne has been inhabited for about 5000 years.

The tour guide said some of the lowest ramparts date from 100BC. A second wall was added to make a “curtain” of defence. The town was cloistered within the wall, and towers erected to watch for the English invaders and crusaders from the West. Indeed, there was a fair bit of European history to remember!

SENTINELS OF THE PAST: The castles of Carcassonne

More than 200 people still live within the walls of the upper town, the Cite, but these are not characters dressed in period costume, but shop owners and waiters, probably modern descendants, of those who sheltered in the fortress when the lower town was attacked.

We threaded our way through the streets, emerging into a wide square. Directly across is a second set of walls, the interior castle or château, complete with wooden ramparts or walkways along the tops.

We purchased tickets, crossed a second drawbridge, passed through more huge gates and into a vast courtyard with an ancient sycamore tree at the centre.

Upstairs, in a wide banquet room, a video in wide format recounts the history of Carcassonne (in French), and then we wandered.

There were rooms after rooms of artefacts dating from the Roman era through the Restoration - statues, gargoyles, mosaics, tools, weapons, and coins.

We walked along the ramparts, reading the information plaques at every interval, learning about the methods of defence, discovering the slots for archers, looking down between the stone squares of the battlements to the walls, the cathedral, the town, and the countryside spreading into the blue distance.

Each tower is different. Each turn of the battlements reveals a new view. It’s easy to imagine being on watch atop the wall, huddling by the human-sized fireplace in winter, hauling water and food and armaments up and down the tower steps.

A city that thrives on a tourist economy, the historic and educational landmarks of the fortress draw the crowds. There are daily activities within the fortified walls. It is definitely an entertaining and impressive display of both combat and horsemanship to say the least.

While the show offered some experience, the ancient stones beneath our feet and in the walls makes the day’s visit near perfect.

The fact that “Robin Hood” and “Prince of Thieves” were filmed in Carcassonne showed its charm quality of history-come-to-life.

The city tourist board boasts that Carcassonne's stony ramparts, silvery-blue towers and fairytale charm inspired Walt Disney to build his castle-like famous theme parks.

The connection is undocumented, but the similarities between the ancient castle and Sleeping Beauty's trademark manor are striking and both have an enormous effect on children.

Carcassonne makes history – the castles, the wars, the people’s lives. Moreover, three-dimensions and interactive, the stone fortress that makes the world of castle in my fairytale recollections a little more real.

Legend behind name of Carcassonne
According to tradition, there was a princess named Dame Carcas who lived in the city. One day, the city was under siege by Charlemagne, who wanted the town for himself. This went on for several days, until the food and water supplies situation in the city became desperate.

Dame Carcas had a brilliant idea. She fed all of the richest remaining food and wine to the pigs, and then catapulted them out to the Charlemagne's army that surrounded the city.

Of course, the pigs didn't survive the catapult, but the soldiers were able to see what was in their stomachs.

The army reasoned, "If they're feeding this nice food to their pigs, they must still have plenty of supplies. Let's go to another city, this will take too long."

This was exactly what she wanted them to think, and thus successfully hook winked the mighty Charlemagne's army.

After the army departed and the town was free, Dame Carcas rang the cathedral bells in victory.

The people shouted, “Carcas Sonne! (Carcas rings).”

The town was called Carcassonne in her honour.

I am sailing

2010-06-01T20:15:00.003+08:00

This picture means much to me today. I have not been feeling well since last week. Today it's a "full-blown fever" - feverish, sore throat, cough, body ache .... feeling miserable, especially that I am alone here in Sabah. My good friend teased me that - finally Kuching is better than Kota Kinabalu.

Prior to my trip here, I had two gatherings with my brothers and sisters and their families in Kuching and shared with this good friend that I felt so warm.

This good friend always says, "It's about the people in the place where you stay."

What wisdom!

I also learnt this lesson -

God enabled us to sail through all winds of the storm… Winds that bring sickness, tragedy, failure, disappointment in our lives. We can soar above the storm.

Remember, it is not the burdens of life that weigh us down; It is how we handle them.

How to handle? Finally, I walked into a clinic opposite my office!

Food hunger taste

2010-05-30T22:59:00.003+08:00

I meant to blog about the most terrible chicken rice I had tonight, but I saw this film!

Everything passes by

2010-05-30T22:36:00.003+08:00

In Sabah, enjoying the sunset is a MUST. Caught this moment and had these thoughts -

Everything in life is temporary.
Darkness of the night; or a bright day.
Even sunrise is temporary; so is sunset.

So if things are going good,
enjoy it because it won’t last forever.
And if things are going bad, don’t worry.
Because it won’t last forever either.

Everything passes by.

Grammar for life

2010-05-30T00:11:00.002+08:00

Never put in effort to learn grammar in school.
Thought I should learn grammar for life!
Author unknown but thanks for making grammar alive!

Live in active voice, not the passive.
Think more about what you make happen than what happens to you.

Live in the indicative mood rather than subjective.
Be concerned with things as they are rather than as they might be.

Live in the present tense facing the duty at hand.
Without regret for the past or worry for the future.

Live in the first person,
criticizing yourself rather than finding fault with others.

Live in singular number,
caring more for the approval of your own conscience than for the applause of the crowd.

And if you want a verb to conjugate,
you cannot do better than to take a verb “to love”.

Blessedness

2010-05-26T12:11:00.002+08:00

Many colours were unexpectedly added to my lives in April and May. I call those soul moments!

The tulips in Paris where I had a stopover on an official trip.

More colours added on a breakfast table when I had breakfast with two important persons in Paris also.

Then, hubby gave this as a gift. Well, I had been laptop-less for almost two years!

I had a trip to Kota Kinabalu where a walk around the fish market I notices these colourful fish - coral fishes.

And of course, I have a planned trip back to Kota Kinabalu for the Harvest Festival!

Till then, I shall be back for the Gawai in Sarawak after the Harvest Festival in Sabah. There are more colourful activities awaiting me in Kota Kinabalu!

And how could I forget the new car to be delivered soon. I have seen it, paid for it, and the sales person is registering the car today! Oop! I haven't got a picture. Probably hop over to doc's blog and see if he has his delivered! I am getting the same car, but mine is pearl white colour!

Blessedness - that's how I feel!

Men do not live on bread alone

2010-05-23T22:12:00.002+08:00

Few years ago, I read Mireille Guilano's book titled, "Why French Women Don't Get Fat – The Secret of Eating for Pleasure". The basic advice of this book is – Eat only good food (as in good quality). Relax and savor every bite. That's French way of eating, as told by Guilano. French have elaborate food rituals. They go to the market several times a week and eat only what's in season. By eating better-tasting food and savoring it more consciously, "fool themselves" into being satisfied with less.

The book said French women eat with their head not the stomach.

In Guilano's book, it is specifically mentioned that the women must master "the useful art of self-deception" – mentally balancing the pleasures of food against the competing desires to fit into the latest fashions and to be attractive to French men, who she says like their wives to be "very elegant, very thin."

Is that eating with the head not the stomach?

I do like this piece of wisdom from Guiliano's head -

I sometimes do have a ravenous appetite. When I do, I drink a big glass of water, which reduces the void somewhat, then wait a while and eat something. Most of the time we are thirsty rather than hungry.

So, how French are you? It means thinking of water, not the hamburgers, fries, ice-cream, pastry, chocolate…

See how I ate while in France.

I am not going to talk about the FOOD. Just showing pictures of what I ate while in France! Was it Napoleon Bonaparte who said that a picture tells a thousand words?

So, ladies and gentlemen, men do not live on bread alone ....

This first batch of four pictures were the welcoming lunch at the hotel that we stayed in Toulouse -

Then the next two pictures were taken during the welcoming dinner - we had the duck fillet, I did not order the sinful desserts. I slept very well that night because that was all I had!

The lunch at the aircraft manufacturing centre, ATR. I wonder whether the staff there were served with such fine food! After this lunch, it was the official function, so it sort of burn some calories, not forgetting that we walked through the city of Toulouse in the morning! Singful indulgence it was!

The farewell dinner hosted by MASWings in Toulouse.

And this is the food served on our very own ATR (the newly delivered) aircraft from Carcassonne to Paris! Now, hold on, you won't get this food when you fly MASWings in Sarawak and Sabah!

Read a better story of Toulouse published in The Sunday Post here -
Toulouse - where the past blends with the future

God's grace

2010-05-23T08:13:00.002+08:00

I missed my Sunday worship service today. My brother's car broke down last night. And my car is not delivered yet.

My mum in law forwarded this with the title "God's Grace" to me last night which I only had time to read just now. It really made up for the Sunday's sermon. Thanks, mum!

There once was a man named George Thomas, pastor in a small New England town. One Easter Sunday morning he came to the Church carrying a rusty, bent, old bird cage, and set it by the pulpit.

Eyebrows were raised and, as if in response, Pastor Thomas began to speak...

"I was walking through town yesterday when I saw a young boy coming toward me swinging this bird cage. On the bottom of the cage were three little wild birds, shivering with cold and fright.

I stopped the lad and asked, "What do you have there, son?"

"Just some old birds," came the reply.

"What are you going to do with them?" I asked.

"Take 'em home and have fun with 'em," he answered. "I'm gonna tease 'em and pull out their feathers to make 'em fight. I'm gonna have a real good time."

"But you'll get tired of those birds sooner or later. What will you do then?"

"Oh, I got some cats," said the little boy. "They like birds. I'll take 'em to them."

The pastor was silent for a moment. "How much do you want for those birds, son?"

"Huh?? !!! Why, you don't want them birds, mister. They're just plain old field birds. They don't sing. They ain't even pretty!"

"How much?" the pastor asked again. The boy sized up the pastor as if he were crazy and said, "$10?"

The pastor reached in his pocket and took out a ten dollar bill. He placed it in the boy's hand. In a flash, the boy was gone The pastor picked up the cage and gently carried it to the end of the alley where there was a tree and a grassy spot. Setting the cage down, he opened the door, and by softly tapping the bars persuaded the birds out, setting them free. Well, that explained the empty bird cage on the pulpit, and then the pastor began to tell this story:

One day Satan and Jesus were having a conversation. Satan had just come from the Garden of Eden, and he was gloating and boasting. "Yes, sir, I just caught a world full of people down there. Set me a trap, used bait I knew they couldn't resist. Got 'em all!"

"What are you going to do with them?" Jesus asked.

Satan replied, "Oh, I'm gonna have fun! I'm gonna teach them how to marry and divorce each other, how to hate and abuse each other, how to drink and smoke and curse. I'm gonna teach them how to invent guns and bombs and kill each other. I'm really gonna have fun!"

"And what will you do when you are done with them?" Jesus asked.

"Oh, I'll kill 'em," Satan glared proudly.

"How much do you want for them?" Jesus asked.

"Oh, you don't want those people. They ain't no good. Why, you'll take them and they'll just hate you.. They'll spit on you, curse you and kill you. You don't want those people!!"

"How much? He asked again.

Satan looked at Jesus and sneered, "All your blood, tears and your life."

Jesus said, "DONE!" Then He paid the price.

The pastor picked up the cage and walked from the pulpit.

Cast your cares upon the Lord, for he cares for you, 1 Peter. 5:7

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it! Psalm 118:24

And the winner is .......

2010-05-16T17:03:00.006+08:00

YOU

Even if you voted for the loser, you at least exercised the right of choice.

I have seen something else under the sun:
The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong,
nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned;
but time and chance happen to them all
(Ecclesiastes 9:11)

Many of us have had experiences that confirm the truth of this verse. All our carefully laid plans have fallen apart; all our dreams that we had what it took to succeed in some particular area of life crumbled, and we could not understand why. We had to learn, as this text says, "the race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong." That is true, even in sports. In the early part of this century Jim Thorpe, the famous Native American athlete, won many gold medals at the Olympic games. He stood before the King of Sweden and was publicly acknowledged as the greatest athlete of his time. Yet all those medals and honors had to be given back when it was learned that as a boy he had played professional baseball for five dollars a season, which rendered him no longer an amateur.

It is not always the strong, the mighty, the able, and the gifted that win in politics. We have seen candidates whom everybody thought a cinch to win public office defeated, unable to fulfill their dreams. "The battle [is not always] to the strong," and this principle rings true even for the awards and prizes of the world. The Nobel Prize was given to a little woman in India, Mother Teresa, who ministered fully to the needs of the poor around her. Even in Hollywood the "battle" is not always won by those with the "strength" of typical movie glitz and glamour; in 1982, the Academy Award for Best Picture went to the movie Chariots of Fire, the story of Eric Liddell, a Christian Olympic runner who later became a missionary to China. The Searcher clearly tells us that natural gifts of speed, strength, and intellect are never enough to guarantee ultimate triumph.

Other factors really make the difference. "Time and chance happen to them all." What does he mean by that? We often say, "You have to be the right person, at the right place, at the right time." In other words, there are elements of circumstance that have to fall together even before someone with great abilities can accomplish his or her goals. What the Searcher is saying, of course, is that life is not in our control. The illusion that the secular media presses upon us all the time is that we can handle our life by our choices. "It's your life! You can live it the way you please." But the Searcher says it cannot be done that way. "Time and chance happen to them all." Just when you think you have something under control, it can all fall apart. Disasters come when we least expect them: "As fish are caught in a cruel net, or birds are taken in a snare" (Ecclesiastes 9:12). Everything can fall apart. Every one of us has had some experience of that.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for this reminder that I am not in control; that I do not control the outcome of events, but You do.

Life Application: The sovereignty of God is an important attribute of God to realize and trust. Our own efforts will never trump God's sovereignty. Have we rested in that knowledge?

- Ray Stedman

If "kampua" can talk

2010-05-12T07:47:00.004+08:00

(This is put up by BN. PR asked people to vote for change. The message here is after change, it's no more kampua, support BN for original taste and ingredients. Kampua is one of the specialties in Sibu. Of course with religious issue in smaller prints.)

If "kampua" can talk, what will it say in the Sibu By-Election?

Many years ago, I bought a book titled “You’re born an original, don’t die a copy”. It was authored by John. L. Mason.

The alphabets for originality are -

A for Attitude
B for Believer
C for character
D for decisive
E for effort
F for fearless
G for gratitude
H for honesty
I for ideas
J for joy
K for kind-hearted
L Leadership
M for merciful
N for nonconformity
O for objective
P for pray
Q for quiet-time
R for responsibility
S for sensitivity
T for tenacity
U for unhesitating
V for vigilant
W for wholehearted
X for e(x)ceptional
Y for yielded and
Z for zealous!

Phew! Looking for this original person to represent you?

The author ended with “A Final Word” and I think it fits in well for the voters casting their votes on Sunday -

Be the original person God intended you to be.
Don’t settle for anything less.
Don’t look back.
Look forward and decide today to take steps towards His plan for your life.

And remember 1 Thess 5:24 that says,
“Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.”

Sibu By-Election

2010-05-10T07:46:00.003+08:00

I am back to Sibu, my real home, for a week - say for the by-election thing. My church is as concerned and we are given this list of things to pray for during the week. I really think it covers almost all!

1. Pray for peace and harmony to prevail during this coming week of campaigning. Ask the Lord to restrain the evil one that during this coming week of campaigning there will be no foul play, cheating, negativity and violence. Keep the candidates, the ceramahs and the media safe from very kind of harm.

Pray against the work of the evil one - it is easy to get wrapped up in the negative, in fault-finding, criticism, slander, malice and contentiousness.

2. Truth in all forms of the media and our ability to see through lies and deception. Ask God that truth, fair reporting and honesty be found in the different forms of the media.

3. Excellent voter turnout next Sunday. Pray that the voters in Sibu will be willing to get involved in the upcoming by-election, resisting complacency and passivity. Let each one know the value of his or her vote, and let each one exercise their privilege with diligence and faith.

4. Ask God that a God-fearing and righteous leader to be elected. And that their tenure be as welcome as the light of morning at sunrise and like the brightness after rain that brings greet grass tot he earth. Pray that God would not allow any wicked persons to gain public office, but only those who will honour Him.

5. Discernment for the electorate - it is easy for us to lose sight of qualities of good judgment and discernment. We are often swayed by what we read and hear and there are even some who would use religion.

Mothers...

2010-05-07T17:34:00.003+08:00

You will feel me in the breeze
You will hear me in the silence water
running over rocks will say my name

Whether your mum is with you or not
Your mother is always with you
She's the whisper of the leaves
as you walk down the street,
she's the smell of certain foods you remember,
flowers you pick and perfume that she wore,
she's the cool hand on your brow
when you're not feeling well,
she's your breath in the air on a cold winter's day
she is the sound of the rain that lulls you to sleep,
the colours of a rainbow, she is Christmas morning.

Your mother lives inside your laughter
And she's crystallized in every tear drop
A mother shows every emotion...
Happiness, sadness, fear, jealousy, love, hate, anger, helplessness, excitement, joy, sorrow...
and all the while, hoping and praying you will only know the good feelings in life.

She is the place you came from,
your first home, and she's the map you follow with every step you take
She's your first love, your first friend, even your first enemy
but nothing on earth can separate you
not time, not space.. not even death!

Something to look forward to...

2010-05-06T07:54:00.009+08:00

They say you couldn't possibly visit Paris without seeing the Eiffel Tower. Even if you do not want to visit this world famous structure, you will see its top from all over Paris.

So, that's the only "feel" in Paris I had! But I think this picture taken by the TV3 guys is just awesome! Where is Sabah tourism minister Datuk Masidi? He must be busy using his blackberry to take pictures and upload to his facebook!

I still have a story on Carcasonne which I do not know when I can sit down, write and post it!

In Carcasonne, you forget the cars, the crowds of holiday-makers, the frantic haste of contemporaries - time stands still.... as you gaze at the walls and towers from which rise the clamour of battle, the neighing of horses and the whistling of arrows..

Until then, here is a picture to keep you busy while waiting!

Enough to keep you wanting to check in and see?

My home in Kuching!

2010-05-05T16:40:00.006+08:00

I was having lunch with two of my columnists (they write a column each in the newspapers). One of the columnists said, "She stays in my house." The other columnist was confused.

I said, "You better clarify."

He refused because he meant to confuse.

Yes, I rent the house of this columnist.

The house

The forest is the fence. I have yet to see a monkey!

The sitting room

When I just moved in, my best friend Sandra gave me these flowers

The working area

The kitchen

The bedroom where the birds sing to wake me up every morning!

On a lazy Sunday afternoon, a place to relax while sipping the coffee!

And that's a place I also call HOME!

Toulouse - the Heritage

2010-04-29T08:17:00.002+08:00

Toulouse is surely one of cities that has a touch of magic to it. Just a mention of its name brings, for many, and even a "not-so-romantic" woman like me, romantic images to mind.

The day actually started with a "romance". I was at the hotel lobby, and a French man (I suppose so) came to me and sang part of that Elvis' song to me - take my hand, take my whole life, too, for I can't help falling in love with you.. and he said, "Lady, do you know this song? This is what I want to tell you."

Wow! I was embarrassed. I remember I was in France. But I don't know what would French women do, so I smiled and said thank you in my Malaysian way.

Back to Toulouse! Famous for its terracotta brick buildings, Toulouse is also called "la Ville Rose". The tourism board promised its visitors "bound to be seduced by the incomparable Toulousain lifestyle, coupled with the wealth of its cultural heritage." It also boasts a city " at once both modern and proud of the legacy of its past".

And I have to agree that it is really not too boastful of the tourism board, Toulouse.

I am standing in front of the landmark Capitole de Toulouse which houses the town hall, an opera company and a symphony orchestra. Is it enough to tell you that this is a splendid city?

To add romance to the town, the city is also sometimes known as la cite des violettes - city of violets - because of its long association with the cultivation of the flower.

The violet is the emblem of Toulouse. The Violet of Toulouse is characterised by its bluish purple colour. It has a double flower (twice the usual number of petals) and is therefore larger than most other varieties of violet. It flowers from October to April. There is much ado about the sweetly scented, gorgeous purple blossom. I learnt from our tourist guide that celebrations are held every year in February - when everything is accentuated with violets and the allure of its deep fragrance fills the air. In celebration of the violet, even amazing fresh food such as breads, bonbons, salad dressings, gateaus and more...

A comeback in February for the festivals?

A small jar of violet tea to tuck into my suitcase

Saint-Sernin basilica was built during the Romanesque Period between AD 1080 and 1120. It is located on the site of a previous, 4th century basilica which contained the body of Saint Saturnin or Sernin. He was the first bishop of Toulouse in AD 250 and martyred by pagan priests, who tied him by his feet to a bull which dragged him about the town until the rope broke.

Most impressive is the 11th century wall carving of Christ, surrounded by apostles and angels, and containing many symbols that would of great interest to anyone who read The Da Vinci Code or follow the enigmatic stories of the Knights Templar.

The picture shows the tympanum of the Porte Miegeville with the Ascension of Christ, and the door lintel with the Apostles, their heads twisted upwards in order to see what is happening.

This is the city hall "Le Capitole" where official functions and marriages are held. However, according to the tourist guide, many French people prefer not to tie their knot as it would be troublesome to untie the knot if they do not get along! So, live-in or contract living are more welcomed, with less complications.

But that does not prevent one to feel this 200-year-old history town showing itself in an architecture of brick and tiles that is is typical of the cities, villages and farms.

There's really nothing like a stroll around the historic centre, walking alongside the Garonne and Canal du Midi.

The Canal du Midi was originally built as shortcut between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. The 240 km long canal was designed in 1667 and it took 10 years, and 12,000 workers, to complete it. This was a huge undertaking in the 17th century.

The banks of Canal du Midi are used by cyclists and walkers today to explore. The canal runs from the city of Toulouse down to the Mediterranean port of Sète.

Stopping in one of the many cafes whose terraces spill out onto the streets gave me that feeling of gentleness and warmth.
The city is easily explored by foot, bike or by boat along the canal du Midi which has been classified as a World Heritage by UNESCO.

From place to place, along streets and monuments, "la ville rose" meets history and reveals all its charms.

Enjoying Toulouse means taking time to live, the tourist guide said. It means strolling through the bustling streets, stroll through the market or just linger at an outdoor cafe.

The tour guide said that the atmosphere shows the personality of Toulouse people - authentic, friendly and popular.

Enjoy more of Toulouse in pictures through my eyes....

Unfortunately, I do not have the chance to see the magical evenings of Toulouse. After the two hours' guided tour, we were packed with official program!

It's all business!

2010-04-23T12:05:00.009+08:00

The first batch of pictures is all about business. After all, it's a business trip courtesy of MASWings.

The first stop - Paris Airport - on transit to our destination, Toulouse. After 12 hours on the plane from Kuala Lumpur to Paris and another four hours (Yes, four!) for transfer, I still looked fresh!

And this is Toulouse Airport. That's much better, it was only one hour and a half from Paris to Toulouse!

ATR, the place where our ATR aircraft are manufactured

The journalists from Sabah, including a team from TV3.

Well I do not think I am an aircraft person, but another one!

We toured the training school. Being the only lady in the team, I was given the opportunity to try a real landing on a stimulator. The view is Toulouse airport. It was a successful landing! A real experience!

The official function - handing over of 10th ATR-72 aircraft to MASWings in Toulouse, France

In the brand new aircraft!

The media team with VIPs in front of the newest ATR aircraft
The 10th ATR which carries the 1Malaysia logo.

On our way from Toulouse to Carcassonne on the new aircraft the next day. One with Sabah's tourism minster, Datuk Masidi

And of course one with the host - MASWings' Managing Director, Dato Salleh

One with Christophe Potocki, General Manager, Sales ASEAN & PACIFIC of ATR

This is Carcassonne's airport

The charming CEO, Salleh who said,
MASwings strive to ensure Safety and Security of our flight operations
and customers as being the most important aspect of our business operation.

That ends the business part of it. More....

If that isn't love

2010-03-29T11:38:00.010+08:00

It's Holy Week. Yesterday evening, I was sitting at the waterfront of Kota Kinabalu and caught the sunset.

This is the song in my heart when the sun set and left a spendour in the sky.

Blessed holy week.

If That Isn’t Love

He left the splendor of heaven,
Knowing His destiny,
Was the lonely hill of Golgatha,
There to lay down His life for me.

If that isn’t love;
The ocean is dry,
There’s no stars in the sky,
And the sparrow can’t fly.
If that isn’t love;
Then heaven’s a myth,
There’s no feeling like this,
If that isn’t love!

Even in death He remembered,
The thief hanging by His side;
There He spoke with love and compassion,
Then He took him to paradise.

If that isn’t love;
The ocean is dry,
There’s no stars in the sky,
And the sparrow can’t fly.
If that isn’t love;
Then heaven’s a myth,
There’s no feeling like this,
If that isn’t love!

Too sweet for words

2010-03-25T13:49:00.003+08:00

Assistant Minister of Women Development Datin Fatimah Abdullah stressing a point

Datin Fatimah is one of my favourite ministers - for her commitment and always that personal touch. And of course, visiting her means food, food, and more food!

With her in the pilot project involving 44 schools here to educate students on sex through counselling sessions, I strongly believe something really going to take shape!

Incidentally, this little story is too sweet for words, yet it tells how desperately we need that sex education for the young ones!

A six-year-old boy told his father he wanted to marry the little girl across the street. The father, being modern and well-schooled in handling children, hid his smile behind his hand. "That's a serious step," he said. "Have you thought it out completely?"

"Yes," his young son answered. "We can spend one week in my room and the next in hers. It's right across the street, so I can run home if I get scared of the dark."

"How about transportation?" the father asked.

"I have my wagon, and we both have our tricycles," the little boy answered.

The boy had an answer to every question the father raised. Finally, in exasperation, his dad asked, "What about babies? When you're married, you're liable to have babies, you know."

"We've thought about that, too," the little boy replied. "We're not going to have babies. Every time she lays an egg, I'm going to step on it!"

The Pink City

2010-03-23T04:52:00.003+08:00

I googled on Toulouse - and I am beginning to like the city!

It was quite unexpected - a free trip (working trip too) to Toulouse, a city in south of France on the first week of April!

I googled for some information, and I think I begin to like the city! Is this description enough to look forward to a break?

Known as “la ville rose”, or the pink city, for its ancient brick buildings which glow warmly in the sunset, Toulouse is a charming city in the south-west of France. It is the fourth largest in the country, home to the national aeronautics industry, a huge university campus and a booming high-tech industry, yet it is hardly a sprawling metropolis. The downtown area between the Garonne river and the Canal du Midi, where most historic sites are concentrated, is particularly pedestrian-friendly. With a history dating back to the Romans and earlier, a vibrant musical culture and a rich gastronomy, there is something for everyone.

From the river and sea

2010-03-21T05:00:00.000+08:00

It's themed "From the river and sea", available only on Friday night at Grand Margherita Hotel, Kuching.

Bless the hands that prepare the food. Food aplenty, I did not get to take all the pictures!

And yes, my consultant is back here to do his follow-up training in Kota Kinabalu and a new course for Kuching.

"Kota Kinabalu (Sabah) and Kuching (Sarawak) are very different places," my consultant said. "KK is on the coast, Kuching is on a river."

Choosing to go to a dinner themed "From the river and sea" would definitely add memories to his memory bank, whether the coast or the river!

In a retail therapy while in Kota Kinabalu, I picked up this dress at an affordable price!

Three cups of tea

2010-03-20T09:56:00.003+08:00

It was quite an "achievement" to have completed reading "Three cups of tea" while in Kota Kinabalu.

It's a beautiful book. Here's an extract of the review from Publishers Weekly -

Some failures lead to phenomenal successes, and this American nurse's unsuccessful attempt to climb K2, the world's second tallest mountain, is one of them. Dangerously ill when he finished his climb in 1993, Mortenson was sheltered for seven weeks by the small Pakistani village of Korphe; in return, he promised to build the impoverished town's first school, a project that grew into the Central Asia Institute, which has since constructed more than 50 schools across rural Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Here's another tea story for your weekend!

One day my mother was out and my dad was in charge of me.

I was maybe 2 ½ years old.

Someone had given me a little 'tea set' as a gift and it was one of my favorite toys.

Daddy was in the living room engrossed in the evening news when I brought Daddy a little cup of 'tea', which was just water.

After several cups of tea and lots of praise for such yummy tea, my Mom came home.

My Dad made her wait in the living room to watch me bring him a cup of tea, because it was 'just the cutest thing!' My Mom waited, and sure enough, here I came down the hall with a cup of tea for Daddy and she watches him drink it up.

Then she says, (as only a mother would)

'Did it ever occur to you that the only place she can reach water is the toilet?"

Cluttered mind

2010-03-17T08:53:00.002+08:00

Image credit: Time Inc.

Results of 10 days in Kota Kinabalu - a cluttered desk in Kuching!

"If a Cluttered Desk is a Sign of a Cluttered Mind, What's an Empty Desk a Sign Of?" -Albert Einstein

My consultant said, an empty desk means a clear mind! I am also consoled by this quote from another clever mind today -

“Mess is complete, in that it embraces all sorts of random elements. Mess tells a story: you can learn a lot about people from their detritus, whereas neat—well, neat is a closed book. Neat has no narrative and no personality.”

Way to go, Yan!

Missed opportunity

2010-03-02T09:21:00.000+08:00

Eating in a mystical restaurant

2010-02-24T21:21:00.008+08:00

If I have not "promised" in Living out of my suitcase that I still have a little to write about Jakarta, I would have just left this out! So, this is long overdue!

We were treated by the host to Lara Djonggrang, a restaurant documented to be the most uniquely romantic restaurant in Jakarta.

However, I did not feel the romance in the air. It's more like a museum to me. There is a lot of Buddha statues, ethnic and antique stuffs. Mystical - I would describe that. The host told us that the restaurant has many private rooms with different touch of decorations. We were in the room called China Blue – decorated with Chinese ceramics and dominated by blue and red colors. There is even Marilyn Monroe room which is embellished with Marilyn Monroe's classic pictures (could it be this one?) on the wall.

However, Marilyn Monroe has no link to the story behind this restaurant.

Once upon a time (or you can say A long, long time ago!), there lived Lara Djonggrang, a princess renowned for her stunning beauty. Lara's father was killed by a powerful man called Bangdung Bondowoso, the son of King Prabu Baka.

Bangdung was determined to marry Lara. Lara of course would not marry the man who had murdered her own father. She said if Bangdung could construct a thousand temple for her overnight, she would marry him.

Bangdung sought help of hundreds of demons. Dawn approached, the demons had completed a large number of temples at startling speed. Lara, worried that the thousand temples would be finished by sunrise, ordered her palace maids to begin pounding rice in the barns and scattered fragrant flowers all over the kingdom. The sound of pounding woke the rooster who then began to crow. When the demons heard the noises and smelled the flowers, they thought that day had come and flew away for their lives.

Only 999 temples were constructed. The enraged Bangdung turned Lara into a stone statue.

The gods heard the prayers sent by the maidens of the kingdom. Touched by Lara's undying love for her father, the gods took Lara to heavens where she found eternal peace.

In line with its mission to keep alive the forgotten, romantic history of Indonesia,Tugu Hotels and Exotic Spas dedicate the Lara Djonggrang restaurant to become, in itself, a part of Indonesia's beautiful history.

The food? I got lost by reading the menu - there were just too many varieties to choose from! It's just too complicated for me. So, I just sat back and ate whatever the host ordered! It's yummy!

Feed the hungry

2010-02-19T13:09:00.006+08:00

We reported this yesterday -

(briefly) Sisters Angela Buat, 11, and Marina, eight, want to wear pretty dresses, play with dolls, eat nice food and most of all, go to school - just like their peers.

But the povery-striken siblings can't even have their stomach filled without having to scour for food in garbage bins around Rambai road.

Their daily playground is a drain tunnel in front of an abandoned double-storeyed house where the family of five has been staying for over a month now....

(Read the story here).

I received a call from a paediatrician, also a good friend, early yesterday morning. He asked for the exact location of the house this family is staying. "I want to send my doctor and nurses there to see if these children are healthy. If they have no place to stay, I am going to keep them in the hospital."

Within hours, the family received assistance with welfare officer, nurses, paediatrician visiting them. According to the news report (read full report here), the children are now warded in the hospital! My friend was quoted as saying,

"All the children must stay at the hospital after their check-up until the Welfare Department has found a suitable home for the family."

"Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, heal the sick," (Matthew 10:8, Luke 10:9)

Up close and personal

2010-02-18T17:10:00.004+08:00

Through my lens. The result was not that great, but it's close, up and personal.