Flippery Flip Flap Flop…

There is this person I met not long ago called Lan Feng. During the few days stay at LF place, I felt that LF is kinda shy, organized, warm, attentive, thoughtful and hospitable. Despite working, LF still spent lots of time with us during our stay.

Lan Feng just visited me for 5D4N.LF is kinda silly coz it took LF 8 hours of bus ride and 1.5 hours flight to come here. I was quite tensed coz I want to show LF all the best of Sibu to LF so that it worth LF’s travel. LF loves hiking so I got all the parks in Sibu in my list to visit but I only manage to bring LF to Jubilee Park Aup Hill and

Kutien

Memorial Park

.

At

Kutien

Memorial Park

, There were many white water lilies and white lotus is the pond as usual. Lilies are one of my favorite flowers. At the end of the visit, we saw 3 people were in the pond, clearing the dead plants. We thought they were looking for lotus roots. LF run over to asked them to pick some lilies for me.

LF came running back with 2 lilies and 3 lotus seeds thingy in her hand. At that moment LF looks really like a little kiddo who was given a bag of candies, excited, satisfied and happy. LF gave the flowers to me and told me those are the Valentine’s flower for me, LF is really silly, hahahaa

We went to the Central Market too and it amazed LF to see the cleanliness of our market. We saw sago worms and took a lot of picture with it. I touched it and it feels cold, soft and yucky! LF did not dare to taste that local delicacy so I dared LF to just pick up the worms. It was really GELI!!!!! LF also introduced me a wild fruits found there called tampoi. It taste really sweet and had the texture like rambai. I also bought Asan seeds for LF.

Yesterday morning before LF left, we went to central market again to buy things. LF was asked to bring back locally made “kuih telur” so we introduced some other kuih to LF too. It really amazed LF for able to get food as heavy as about 5KG for RM8. LF also brought back

Foochow

“long life” noodle and kampua mee (all dried).

These few days, I brought LF to eat kompia, kampua, dian bian hu and laksa

Sarawak

. I guess dian bian hu is the favourite. The shop we went to has been operating for at least 30 years, since my mother’s time. They only sell this 1 kind of food. It’s made of grinded rice with jing zhen, black fungus and home made fish balls. Upon served, add pepper for the extra kick.

Slowly, I start love Sibu too….

There once was a woman who woke up one morning, looked in the mirror, and noticed she had only 3 hairs on her head. "Well," she said, "I think I’ll braid my hair today."

So she did and she had a wonderful day.

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw that she had only 2 hairs on her head. "Hmm.." she said," I think I’ll part my hair down the middle today."

So she did and she had a great day.

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that she had only 1 hair on her head. "Well,"she said, "Today I’m going to wear my hair in a pony tail."

So she did and she had a fun, fun day.

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that there wasn’t a single hair on her head. ‘YEA!" she exclaimed,"I don’t have to fix my hair today!"

As is evident, Attitude is everything!

Have a Great Day! Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly… Leave the rest to God…

We are responsible for our own happiness…choose to be happy, do not blame others, everything happen for a reason and I believe, that it is the best that God is giving me. I do not deny how difficult it is to not to blame but…

A simple man tells how his booking an air ticket for his father, his first flight, brought emotions and made him realise that how much we all take for granted when it comes to our parents.

My parents left for out native place on Thursday and we went to the airport to see them off. In Fact, my father had never traveled by air before, so I just took this opportunity to male him experience the same. In spite of being asked to book tickets by train, I got them tickets on Lufthansa.

The moment I handed the tickets to him, he was surprised to see that I had booked them by air. The excitement was very apparent on hi face, waiting for the time to travel. Just like a school boy, he was preparing himself on that day and we all went to the airport, right from using the trolley for his luggage, the bag check-in and asking for window seat and waiting restlessly for the security check-in to happen.

He was thoroughly enjoying himself ans I, too, was overcome with joy watching him experience all these things.

As they were about to go in for the security chick-in, he walked up to me with tears in his eyes and thanked me. He became very emotional and it was not as if I had done something great but the fact that this meant a great deal to him.

When he said thanks, I told him there was no need to thank me. But later, thinking about the entire incident, I looked back in my life. As a child, how many dreams our parents have made come true. Without understanding the financial situation, we ask for football, dresses, toys, outings, etc. Irrespective of their affordability, they have satisfied to all our needs. Did we ever think about the sacrifices they had to make to accommodate many of our wishes?

Did we ever say thanks for all that they have done for us?

Same way, today when it comes to our children, we always think that we should put them in a good school. Regardless of the amount of donation, we will ensure that we will have to give the child the best, theme parks, toys, etc. But we tend to forget our parents have sacrificed a lot for our sake to see us happy, so it is our responsibility to ensure that their dreams are realised and what they failed to see when they were young, it is our responsibility to endure that they experience all those and their life is complete.

Many times, when my parents had asked me some questions, I have actually answered back without patience. When my daughter asks me something, I have been very polite in answering. Now I realise how they would have felt at those moments.

Let us realise that old age is a second childhood and just as we take care of our children, the same attention and same care need to be given to our parents and elders.

Rather than my dad saying thank you to me, I would want to say sorry for making him wait so long for this small dream. I do realise how much he has sacrificed for my sake and I will do my best to give the best possible attention to all their wished. Just they are old does not mean that they will have ti give up everything and keep sacrificing for their grandchildren also. They have wishes, too

Take care of our parents.

"The Future Belongs To Those Who Believe In The Beauty Of Their Dreams"

!!I bought the salted fish, mei xiang sien yu, from tawau few weeks ago during my trip there. I bought it because my brother-in-law always order that dish when we eat at Tian Fatt and it is really delicious dish. The salt fish is said to be the most expensive type coz it is yummy & smells really good.

I had to clean the fish’s stomach before I start eating it so, aaarrggghhhh… cutting the stomach, it was full of salt, am serious. FULL - see the pic (101-9998). It is really yucky but not more than doing it to fresh fish.

Ingredients:

1 slice of salted fish (1cm thick)

200g of minced pork

2 cloves of minced garlic

1tablespoon of cooking oil

1 teaspoon of soy souce

1 teaspoon of rice wine

Half a teaspoon of sesame oil

Some sugar

Some pepper

Add all the ingredients except the salted fish and the garlic to the minced pork and mix well. When ready, put the slice of salted fish on top of the mixture and sprinkle the minced garlic on top. Steam the whole thing for about 10 minutes. It will come out as shown in the picture

Monday night is when we, a group of friends, get together to praise our Lord, to share His good news, to share our lives and to have a fellowship with each other.

Today, our friend, Frederick, lead the sharing. The first thing he asked us to do is, share a story of love you have seen/read/heard. Immediately, I thought of the forwarded email I got frm Brian M. in the evening.

Breakfast at McD. About how a lady (a mom and a student in sociology class), did her "Smile" project. She was able to smile to 2 dirty, smelly homeless man where one of them is mentally challenged. She even embraced them and bought extra set meals for them. Her act made people curious to know "why"…

When handed in her project, the instructor, with permission, shared her story with the whole class. She believes and I too believe, that her story touched the people in McD, and all the people who saw or heard her story. The lesson she learn from that is-unconditional acceptance, "LOVE PEOPLE AND USE THINGS - NOT LOVE THINGS AND USE PEOPLE".

The second thing we were asked to do is to share another story on hospitality. Tonight is a little bit different from all other monday nights because usually I was the last person to share coz I dun know what to share but tonight, I am the first to share for both questions.

I thought of my Sabah trip immediately when F posted the question. I went for the trip by chance. My friend M asked me to join she, her friend and her hubby, K, to Sipadan Island. Without knowing much of the arrangement, I bought the air ticket and went with them. I was told that we are going to stay in Tawau for a night at K’s friend’s, L, place.

However, we stayed 2 nights and have to bother L fetching us here and there, think of what to eat, where to bring us to… not only that, I took over L’s bed on the second night and she has to sleep on the floor with a huge cushion. Though she is tiny I bet it’s not comfortable sleeping on the floor on that cushion coz I found her sleeping on the couch the next morning. I feel bad coz I slept really well that night…

We all do feel "bu hao yi shi" to bother her for so many days coz she still need to work. Luckily her work allows her some flexibility. We found out on the last day of our trip that she did not expect us to come with no plan. However, she still did a great job as our awesome host despite have to juggle with her work…

OK!! The main point of tonight from F = in the bible, those people who need hospitality are the poor, oppressed, the outcast, etc, you know?  The least of our brothers… Do we/will we/are we able to show our hospitality to these kind of people? Eg, the illegal migrants for instance. There are a lot more peopel out there who need our hospitality. Are we willing to follow the example in the bible, become the host to the least?

F believe that if there are even a few of us there are able to do so, it will make a change to the whole society. At least, like the story of the boy and the starfish, ‘even if I cannot make changes to all the starfishes, at least I made a difference in "this" one’.

Let us be "salt of the earth and light of the world".

Shalom

Siew Ping brought us to Ayer Itam for breakfast coz I am meeting G there at Risen Christ Church. I have not been there for nearly a decade and right when I saw the place, I know I would like to explore it soon if I am going to work in OB Lumut. The duck noodle soup cost like RM2.60, consider a reasonable price ba…

G just bought a nice national car, Satria Neo- haven’t seen it before on the road and it is of striking orange color. We went to the newly opened Queens Bay for lunch with B. Queens Bay has a really nice bay view. It makes me think of Chicago/Lame Michigan. Just add some sailboats, it will be like it. I asked B to buy for me bus ticket frm Penang to Lumut. It was of 3.30PM bus from Butterworth.

We left QB at about 2.30PM but it was jam coz there were a lot of people there that day since it was a weekend and QB has just been opened for 2 weeks-2 mths. We got to cross the channel to go to Butterworth and we just missed the ferry that will make it possible for us to be at the station at 3.30PM!!!

Yes, we missed the bus-no choice but to get another bus ticket. The ticketing agent suggested to go to Ipoh since there are more bus to Lumut from there (later bus is gonna be very late) so I bought ticket to Ipoh. By the time we arrive Ipoh, I was told that the 7PM bus to Lumut just left and the next bus is gonna be late. (Busses are fewer after 7PM) so, we went by cab to old bus station to see whether the bus is still there but its gone. The lesson is-DON’T trust ticket agents!!!ggrrrr

The cab driver is a nice man. He talked a lot and offered to send us to a cheap/affordable inn if we have to stay overnight. The price of taking a cab to Lumut is RM80…I did my assessment for the cab driver on our way to the old bus station and the result of the assessment is-he is reliable. So I asked him to drive us to Lumut. It was dark already… Mag was very worried during the whole process. I don’t blame her coz the situation is quite frustrating but what happened has happened, I can just look or the best way out. So, anyone who know Mag, dun tell her parents ok? Especially Mag’s sisters who are in Friendster…hehehe tell oso nvm coz we are safely back, haha.

I chatted with the driver during the whole 2 hours journey. Luckily I know the way to Alvin’s house so his mum dun have to come to fetch us. She brought us out for dinner/supper not long after we arrive coz we did not have dinner but just some bread. I ate so much that night till I nearly burst. Had a huge plate of fried kuetiau and 3 chicken wings.

So glad that finally we can sleep…God it was so tiring.

This is long due but I still want to write coz I really want to tell u guys my “adventure”. My December travel start on Dec16.Mag & I took a 0030 bus from Kuala Lumpur to Penang. Mag is my god daughter & she just finish her SPM and waiting for her National Service so I asked permission from her parents to let her travel with me for a few days coz I have never been with her much since her conformation in April.

I was invited for the 5th Penang Masters Invitational Swimming Championship. The competition starts at 1PM on Dec 16. I was told by the tiketing agent that the bus will arrive in Penang in 4 hours…damn her, she bluffed…:( Alvin & my sister drove us to the bus station & we reached on time. We found that a lot of people waiting at Platform 21. Before we walk down the platform, I decided to ask some one whether the bus is there yet. This one gal, looks like Chinese, was in front of me so I asked her in Mandarin where she is going. She did not answer me but looked at her friend & he told me in English that they don’t speak Mandarin.

Dang…they are Korean!!! Sungguh memalukan!!!! Asking a foreigner about the bus… hai… nvm, we went down the platform & found that there were people waiting for 11.45PM bus to Penang & also 1145PM bus to Singapore. Poor thing, they had waited for1 hour! I was a bit worried coz I don’t want to reach Penang late coz I want to sleep for a few hours before I have to be at the pool.

The bus finally came but it wasn’t the bus of the company that I bought. I was told that that is the bus but when I went up to look for my seat, I was asked to get down coz that is 0000 hour bus!!! Right when I get down, I asked another staff when is my bus coming & he said that IS the bus. I was really pissed at that moment. I was too tired to make any complain. Moreover the bus IS super VIP. Both Mag & I did not sleep much but Mag is even worse.

We arrive in Penang bus station at 5.30AM and Siew Ping whom I met last year, came to fetch us. She is Philip’s friend whom offered me a place to stay last year and also this year. She is a really nice lady. Ask Mag, she will definitely agree with me. She had the guest room all ready with the air condition on when we arrive at her apartment.

I slept till 9AM, got up and got ready for the big day. Siew Ping brought us to have nice Penang food for breakfast. Chee Cheong Fun with thick sweet peanut sauce, and wantan noodle. She sent me to PSC and on the way, she gave me a rough idea of what  PSC is. I never knew it till today… anyway, reached there at 11AM, on time! We thought we were going to be late but God was with us..:D

The pool is a 7 lane (I think) salt water. I wasn’t looking forward to swim in that pool at all coz I was stung by jelly fish when I was competing in CSC few years back… and they also have salt water pool. Its not too bad actually. I swim well in it & my goggle also love the pool coz it stayed on for all my starting plunges.

I saw a cool gal watching me warm up.. I do worried a little coz she looks young & must be in my age group. She came over & slapped my on my shoulder after I have done swimming & asked me to go back in for a swim. Then only I remembered. She is my rival frm SLS. She was at the competition too last year. She is friendly & cool I like her..:D

Thank God for Mag, coz she realized my dream all these while, ie, to see myself swim. She took some picture and a lot of video clips of my events. I am just a bit disappointed that she did not take the full video of the relay coz the camera was out of batteries.

During dinner, there was a lady singing for us. It makes me think of US, Laurie, Laura, RJ…she sang some country/blues/cowboy songs (no idea how to differentiate). The food was awesome. It better be coz a lot of us did not have lunch because of the odd event arrangement… Finally I was back to Siew Ping’s apartment at about 10PM. Phew!!!

I have not been celebrating Christmas in Malacca for the past few years but this year, actually now, I am at Malacca again!!!! I usually go to the oldest Catholic church in Malaysia(1710), St Peter’s church for midnight mass but this year, an old friend suggest I follow her to Portugeese Settlement for the countdown.

I wasn’t sure of it and was asking her whether it is really a happening place until she confirm and tell me that I have no idea of what is going to happen there. So, I did not go for the midnight mass but to the Portugeese Settlement.

For those who does not know, in 16th century, the Portugeese came to Malacca and taken over the place and built a fort. I will edit these later but the Portugeese stayed and married the locals hence there is a Portugeese Settlement and they are called the "Serani" race these days.

Ok, so, last night, we arrived at the settlement about 10.30PM but the road is already jammed like nobody’s business!!! we parked the car somewhere and walked about 15 minutes to the Portugeese Square. On our way there we can see the houses are decorated with colorful lights and other Christmas ornments. One of the big attractions this year i think should be the HUGE Santa. Pic will be uploaded soon.

along the way, there were a lot of people selling some spraying stuff (party stuff), with some looks like snow.I was told not to let these stuff get my camera coz they are very harzadous. These stuff was flying everywhere and it looks like snow everywhere. Let u see the pic then u will know.

Cut thing s short, that night my friend also tought me how to fully utilise my camera!!!! that is really exciting coz now i can take picture at night!!!! and i was told that it is a good camera and i was also asked to stop complaining about it… hahaha

to be continued…

Selamat sejahtera tuan-tuan dan puan-puan sekalian,

Terima kasih kerana sudi melayari laman web ini dan membaca blog saya. Sejak satu minggu lalu, saya memaksa diri saya untuk meminum jus buah-buahan kerana terbeli terlalu banyak di pasar malam di Sri Rampai.

Jus buah-buahan ini merupakan sarapan saya untuk 1 minggu dan dalam masa ini, saya juga menghadapi proses pembersihan usus (i think), jadi saya pergi ke tandas 4-6 kali satu hari mengeluarkan bahan lepasan pembersihan usus.

Bagi anda yang tidak menerima khabar terbaru dari saya, saya akan menyertai pertandingan renang veteran di Pulau Pinang Sabtu akan datang dan sedang berlatih dengan sekeras-kerasnya untuk pertandingan ini. Tetapi, proses pembersihan usus ini telah melemahkan badan saya dan saya berasa teramat malas sekali untuk berenang dan terasa macam kekurangan tenaga untuk melakukan aktiviti lasak.

Jadi, bagi anda-anda di luar, jika terdapat pendapat untuk meningkatkan tenaga saya, sila hubungi saya di cathtyy@yahoo.co.uk. Saya akan menerima pandangan anda dengan hati yang terbuka.

Terima kasih untuk masa anda yang terluang di sini.