Sweet, Sour & "Hot" Haadyai....

After two days of fun-filled adventure in Penang, my friends and I headed out up north to our friendly neighbour's land, Thailand. Specifically, we were Haadyai bound to get our yearly dose of porkiliciousness, shopping and sight-seeing. Our excitement, enthusiasm and expectations were high but somehow, it just took a small dip and sometimes mingle with a lemonistic twist of disappointments as the days went by. Nevertheless, I must say that we had quite a good time at times and that should overshadow some of the nasty experiences we had encountered over the days.  

For me, I had a brand new experience in Thai massages. For the record, I experienced Thai Oil massage and Thai traditional massage during our stay in Haadyai. I really love the Thai traditional massage but it also caused me to sustain an old injury to my knee area. Bah! All in all, I still manged to have a great time out there. It is not the place that matters, actually. It is the friends and the company that matters. With good friend and great company, good times will prevail 100%. I will never forget the experience I had gone through while doing the oil massage which was meticulously and craftily executed by middle-aged strong hands to soothe away the tense muscles and aches. I almost choked with laughter when I was asked if I would like to have my stick and nuts ( referred as Ping Pong ) massaged for better mileage usage in the future! My curt, firm  but pleasing answer was a straight "NO" as my mileage is still within the top flight performance! Thereafter, I could have sworn that the pressure points massage were simply more intense but subtly smooth at times. In the toot-toot, as Vive & Jason joked on what had happened to Shirley and Sathy, we could only burst out in thunderous laughter and laughed at the lighter moments of our experience. That's what sharing of experience is all about. For the traditional massage, I had a rather serious but sweet looking experienced middle-aged massager who almost emptied the entire contents in my bowels and my stomach during the massage. The pain during the massage was intense and at times, I could feel my pee running through the pipeline but I like it. Call me a pain sadist if you want but I REALLY enjoyed this massage. The sound of dump, crackle and thud can be heard as my body is being moulded, twisted, moved around and worked like a dough of bread! I loved it! I truly loved it. Somehow, after the massages, your stomach seemed be growling for food and there is no shortage of food when you are in Haadyai.

Later on, we joined with the rest of our families to have a great dinner. This time, there weren't any pork leg stew or fried pork leg on the platter. Instead, we opted for "healthier" pork parts, the crispy ears and some nice parts. So, that fulfilled our quota of having pork on this land. What we enjoyed most was actually walking around and spending time shopping for items. Bargaining we had to do but somehow, this doesn't augur well with the locals. My personal observation is that the people in this town had become less hospitable and more impatient. We had some nasty experience while at the market when we tried to bargain for some food stuff and also on clothing. The rudeness  and impatience level had indeed gone up while tourism is a major income garner for the people of Haadyai. It is a crying shame if this pattern of humanistic behaviour persists and carries on. It will definitely affect tourist like me to go to other places in the future. Afterall, it has been my third year being in this town and I like it here when the people were so friendly and hospitable at that time. I have also come to realisation that things aren't what they used to be one year ago. There seemed to be a steady rise in prices and I really don't know if the people in Haadyai had been hard pressed by the economy affecting their country or simply have a go at the tourists. One thing I do know is that fruit prices are just insanely expensive while some favourite foods such as Padthai, BBQ satay pork sausages and some local sweet cakes aren't at the the prices they used to be. I don't know if I was the only person feeling this way but it certainly was felt by my friends too.    

Anyway, the bright spots of the trip were still aplenty especially the night porridge meal, teh tarik, wan tan mee, Samurai Pork burger and the ginger drink. That was truly awesome! The dinner seafood meal was also great especially the freshness of the seafood fare and the herbs & spices. Every meal was like hot, hot, hot and the chillies are really extravagantly hot. It was one hot and arduous time as one sits in the bathroom toilet to carry out the morning ritualistic bowels cleansing exercise each morning, I tell you! But it was fun all the way. Anyway, where in the world are you going to see an elephant in the restaurant when you are having your dinner? Yes, you got it right - only in Haadyai!

The one thing I have always enjoyed while in Haadyai is the morning walks. Usually, I would wake up early together with SLing and we would take our walks at the market. For me, I just wanted to catch up with the other side of Haadyai which was at a standstill before the chaos starts. You could see office workers, people of all shapes and size plus the traders doing their early morning shopping and so on. The Buddhist monks were there to offer prayers to the people who would take up an offering to them. Everyone wants a touch of blessing from the monks, somehow. It was humbling to see smartly dressed men and womenfolk on their knees handing out an offering to the monks to have them bless their day. I almost wanted to shout out to them and tell them that there is an even greater God in sight that needs only an offering of a repented heart rather than all these offerings. If only they would come to know of this Son of God...if only they know Him......

Anyway, as we strolled down the street that morning, I also had the opportunity to see the beautiful rows of flower selling stalls. The sights and smells were awesome. So fragrant and so .........fresh! As usual, the market food captivates me alot. The sight, smell and taste of good market food always gets me in my element. However, I have to be on my watch as my body doesn't permits me to gobble up or chow down any food I like especially when dealing with carbos. One thing I enjoyed on one of the mornings was the burnt kopi -o at one of the run down shops in the market area. I love that burnt coffee taste and with some mini yue char kuehs , it was just simply marvelous. Food and sights fills my palate each day as I am in Haadyai. I guess, this is the uniqueness of Haadyai or for that matter any place in the world.

I constantly take my walks alone as I roamed the streets of Haadyai in the mornings. It was really good to see people in their early morning rituals. I saw a dim sum shop, a pork stand selling grilled pork, kueh teow soup shop, another stall selling Thai cakes and kuehs ( I tried a few and they are mildly sweet ) plus a host of beautiful people preparing to face the brunt of the day. They are generally courteous and they smiled at me as I flashed my not-so-Darlie white teeth and smiles to them. Like I said, I am always intrigued by people's everyday life and what I saw plus experience added a whole new spectrum of culture in my life. I love to travel and eat. I just wished someone would just offered me a job to travel, eat and write articles over the experiences! Now, that would be a real dream of mine! Anyway, fat hopes and fat belly are what I am going to get for the time being. I can hear my doctor screaming in my ears in my next appointment telling me that there will be an extension of my medication and probably an increase of dosages in my medication in my never-ending quest to fight for a better healthy life. Hahahahahaaaaaaa................it sounds so moronic and brilliant at the same time! Sometimes, I really don't know who and what I am anymore! Hmmmmmnnnnnnnn...............wouldn't  it be interesting to publish a book on my travels and experiences over the years? Probably entitled my book "1000 places to go, eat and still not die !" Hahahahahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaa...........  

As we end our journey in Haadyai and crossed over the darker side of town.....oooopssss....the brighter side of Malaysian border, we were exhausted by all the happenings, eating , laughter and fun shared during these 6 days of adventure starting from Melaka - Penang- Haadyai, Thailand. The beautiful families and good friends have made this trip a truly wonderful experience. I have always followed Andrew Zimmen's catch phrase wherever I go : If it looks good, EAT IT!

We may have no new bras/panties ( Haadyai was once famous for slashed down prices of the undergarment world, ok? ) to show nor new items to show but we have had one good wealth of togetherness and fun which would last us a momentous life time. Kap Kun Ka, sweet, sour and hot Haadyai!~ 

Christmas!

What a privilege it was to be able to spend Christmas Day with Vive's cell group at Regency Heights hall on Christmas Day. Prior to this event, my friends and I attended Christmas Day service at Tabernacle of Praise Church, Penang. It was a glorious morning especially with the dance and special Christmas Day presentation of narration and songs. Truly a beautiful service and with the message brought forward by Rev.Gideon, you know that your day can just get better as it progressed. I guess, being able to spend time on Christmas Day with great friends and have great fellowship truly meant a lot to me. Most important of all, my family and I were together for this Christmas. Good friends from Penang maketh this occasion so much more meaningful. Wished that some friends who couldn't make it for the trip could have joined us and made this day much more merrier! Yeah! We missed you people!

Again, Vive, Sathy, BA & Jessy made all of us comfortable with our stay in Penang and invited us for the Combined Cell Christmas Party to be held at Regency Height hall. The only problem was that we had to literally sing for our dinner! Well, Vive sorta twisted our arms by telling us that if we don't sing, we ain't gonna get fed! Hahahahahahaaaaaaaaa........ As my son was in charge of the sing along session, obviously the whole Melaka team was not spared of this. By the way, it was one way for us to flex our golden voices after all these years and so, why not, let's do! Afterall, another challenge given is another challenge accepted for a good cause.Anyway, we were willing to do it at the best of our capability. I must say though, we did quite alright and we didn't sing out of tune. We even spruced up the evening by backing up Sathy's testimony with "Chin Chia Ho" song too! That was fun! That was truly fun! There were fun and games too for the adults to enlighten the wonderful evening of food and fellowship. 

I must say that I am very blessed by the wonderful reception and gesture by Bro. Wilbur and his wife, Mary. Truly remarkable personalities and really energetic people. Throughout the dinner, they were constantly mingling around and making sure that everything was in order. Food was aplenty and laughters filled the air at every second. These are the ingredients for a great evening. With people like BA & Jessy, Kuna & Cheng, Vive & Sathy plus John ,Wilbur, Mary, Lin Ken, Yi Lin and the rest of the cell members, it was just another awesome night of fun and fellowship. It was good to note that families came for the dinner and the reception was just amazing. The Cellympics Games were also funny , entertaining and hilarious at times but it was all for good fun. I am amazed by the amount of effort put in to ensure that the dinner was a great success. I am even more astonished by the closeness and the easy ways of the people mixing and mingling easily with one another. It was a good night and a night to remember with so many fond memories and warm hospitality. 

I guess, in many ways, I love Christmas this way. Sharing , giving and putting out your best for everyone. No pretense, no extra ordinary flavoring of the personality and no unwanted ways. Just simple, humble and " what you see is what you get " hearts. That night, I enjoyed the company I was with and the light conversations that ensued. Christmas will always have a special place in my heart because of the beautiful people that I have shared the day with. It is not about the food or the presents but just the gentle sharing of hearts with great and beautiful people that really matters. Tired , we may be on that day but the tiredness was taken away with the soft laughters, jokes and even a touch of coffee and some tea. Nothing beats that simplicity of the moment. We may not be able to re-capture that moment of time anymore but we can try to make it a better day and a better moment the next time we meet. Friendship at its best is friendship at its heart. Someone asked me the other day, what was the best memory I had after spending two days in Penang. My answer is simply this : The smiles of the people I know and the smiles of the people I had served! Nothing beats that! Absolutely nothing beats that! 

My Christmas had been made wonderful by the touch from so many people. THANK YOU SO MUCH for a great time and for showing so much love to my family and my extended family members too. I am ever so thankful that my life have been blessed with so many people who had in one way or another shaped my life for the better. You people are the everyday heroes in my life. Your lives have richly blessed mine and you people are an inspiration to me. 

Kap Kun Kha, people! 

Christmas with The Community II - 2011

Christmas with the Community 2011 organised by Tabernacle of Praise (TOP) Church, Penang has been the pinnacle event for my group of friends this year. It is truly an honour, joy and such a blessing to be able to play a small part in joining hands with the TOPians in serving the community in Jelutong town.This year, my friends together with their families and I had the opportunity to man a game stall ( Game Stall No.11 ) and also helped out at the Registration Counter. It was fun shopping for the gifts for our stall and we got shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, badges, puzzles, tumblers, mechanical pencils, lots of sweets and chocolates too. It was really fun being able to bless the children and the people who came to our stall to play the game. I guess, the real blessing is seeing the deep upwards curve lines of smiles on the faces of the people. From the young to the elderly, the smiles were infectious and this was also evident in the faces of the wonderful volunteers.

I guess, this great reaction of smiles and hospitality starts early with the great P&W and short sharing before the start of the event. Inspiring words from Commander-in Chief, Rev.Gideon Lee helped a long way in provoking good thoughts, good will and positive vibes for the carnival-like event. I guess, for us ( Jason, Shirley, Bryan, Timothy, Errol , Jessica, Jocelyn , Josephine, Lih Gin, SLing, SYuen and myself ) our blessings started much earlier that day. Upon arrival in Penang, we headed straight for Beng Teik School to get a glimpse of our stall, helped out where possible and got everything in order before heading off to Vive's house for a quick shower. With 16 of us including JWee and Adeline plus Vive & Sathy, taking turns to bathe and getting ready was a real comical extravaganza but fun. Our destination was Cheng & Kuna's place for dinner. Once again, Cheng's culinary skill shone like the stars in the sky. I tell you this, her food spread easily could have earned her 3 Michelin stars in my books. The food spread was simply delicious, awesome and inspiring fresh! From the salads to the lasagna , the roasted turkey & stuffing to the oxtail specials were heavenly inspired creation! Like I said, it started off to a great start of the holidays and we had the best time of fellowship with everyone including BA, Jessy, Rev.Gideon and his family. I was so blessed and I realised that things like this happen because the hearts had been set right on a good solid ground of hospitality, blessings and good grounding of the Word. I am truly very thankful to Cheng & Kuna for hosting us with great food and fellowship. They are simply humble,big-hearted and genuinely awesome people.

Coming back to the CWC event, it was good to see so many youths taking part in helping out the event. Again, their raw talent of spicing and making things in a happening manner works in sprucing up the upbeat of the event. As for me, being able to see familiar faces at the CWC event makes me happy. There are so many familiar TOPians and it was a joy greeting each other and worked hand-in-hand to give our best to the community that day. I guess, in many ways, TOPians and the community were painting the Jelutong town in the multi-facet colours of red, white, blue in synchronised colors of the Malaysian flag. People from all walks of life, shapes, colors, creed and in all ethnic races i.e. Chinese, Malay, Indians, Nepalese and others were walking into the CWC event with all sorts of contorted facial expressions but one thing is sure  that is :- they ALL come out of the event wearing a big smile on their faces and bags of goodies in tow. I really wish that churches in our country today would just rise up and take up the challenge of reaching out to the community today like TOP Penang rather than fattening their own kitty , wallow in their own sob -story of excuses or even coming out with outdated phrases like "every church has their own ways of doing things" mentality. It doesn't take a genius to understand the idea of reaching out to the community. Even an idiot/vagrant on the street understands the meaning of food and what it meant to re-live the joy we once felt  in our hearts. It's Christmas. Think about it! That's the whole message of Christmas! Look, ruthless society practises, relentless pursuit of wealth plus the outrageous practise of stinginess and harshness of life has robbed the people of the simple joys of life. If we , as people of God could somehow use whatever opportunity to reach out , play a part and restore the joys that God had intended, it would be awesome. Instead, some churches still languished in the same old verse that " we would always have the poor amongst us" ( we know this already by hard as we are drilled day in and day out! ) and thereby, do nothing but fattened our butts on the pew seats of our  congregation, fattened the accounts in our banks and let others do the job of feeding, nurturing, reaching out and helping out thus limiting our perspective and very existence with God. Harsh it may sound but this is a hard reality that we have to accept and change for the better lest we continue to lack and languished in the black hole of complacency and the killer  "feel good" factor . I guess, the direction taken by the church and its leadership is important in ensuring that we reach out to the community when others fail to see that need. God bless the TOPians and their leadership for this great event and fore sight. I know, I have been blessed not because my friends and I are guests/helpers but because we are first and foremost the community and then, helpers and friends. That's what I learn over this richly blessing experience and I know that my friends and I would cherished this memories a lot. I was indeed very blessed in my heart when I saw some of the poor folks whom I have met last year and to be remembered by them is a great honour indeed. As usual, the games stalls were a great hit while the hair cut  area was equally busy. The busiest stalls were easily  the food stalls while PAP Smear Test Room and Blood Donation Room were also prepared. There was also a Health Talk Room and the crowd was easily in the region of 1,700 to 1,800 in count. That, to me, is a grand success indeed! All Glory to God!

As the day died down towards the closing time at 2.00pm, our game stall were still having a long queue. Not to disappoint the young & the old, we continue to give out as much gifts as possible and we still have plenty to give away. By the time, we finished the last participant to our stall, it was easily at about 2.45pm. Our children were exhausted but happy to be part of the great event. As we cleaned up the stall and do our part to help out where possible, smiles were posted on our faces. The smiles were smiles of gratitude, smiles of happiness and smiles of satisfaction that we have completed our task and be a part of this event to reach out to the community. That's one big great satisfaction feeling,man! Well done, people! I am so proud of the team from Melaka who did their best for the people of Jelutong. It was a great honour to be given the opportunity by the local church, TOP Penang to participate in such an event. Thank you, TOPians for this opportunity. Just wanted to extend our heartiest thanks to Vive, Sathy, BA & Jessy too for taking good care of us , feeding us well and ensuring that we had a great time out here in Penang! THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Will we be back if we are invited again? SURE, we will be there. Wouldn't miss it though. What an event! What a joyous occasion indeed! What a great day for HIM! Amen!~

Fear, Feared.....

I am just reminded of an article and audio sermon in which  I came about in regards to the atrocities committed by Josef Stalin, Russia's deadliest dictator of all time. At that time, even in reading and listening to some examples of the atrocities, I cringed and gasped in exasperation over the heinous act against humanity. One that I could remember was about during a state dignitary dinner function. It was a function held for foreign dignitaries and it was hosted by Josef Stalin. One of the more daring dignitaries had heard about the difficult times which had befallen the Russian communities and the mass human extermination process carried out by Stalin's regime. Plucking up his courage, he asked Josef Stalin, how does he intend to get the Russian people to follow all his rule and to accept all his policies for the government of that day.

Josef Stalin was dining on his scrumptious meal, laughed a little when he summoned his head waiter to bring him a live chicken. As the chicken was brought to him, he caressed the chicken and started to de-feather the chicken in slow manner. The de-feathering process was painfully slow and the guests were particularly uneasy  and queasy but none dared to move a muscle. This went on and on until the last piece of feather fell off the poor bird. Stalin then released the featherless chicken which was vulnerably exposed to the bone-cold air-conditioning air. It walked unsteadily for a few seconds and then, the chicken muzzled its shivering body towards the pants of Josef Stalin probably seeking comfort at the hem of the pants. At this moment, Stalin remarked, " Gentleman, this is how the Russian people are going to follow the direction of my rule. First, you take away all the comforts from them and you rule them with discipline. Then when they had come to their senses, they will follow your rule. This is how I intend to rule the Russian people." There wasn't a dry eye in the banquet hall that day but the tears would not fall for fear had gripped their hearts immensely. I guess, that's just my definition of the word "fear". 

I am just reminded of this story when I read the caption of the news on the multi-media portal which read " I was the most feared PM." You draw your own conclusions and your own deductions. Me, I'll be having a cup of steaming hot coffee.......digressing!

Tilt in the Scottish Kilt....

Yesterday evening, SLing and I had the wonderful privilige to spend some time with our former lecturers and friends. This wonderful get-together/reunion was the brainchild of my closest buddy in college, Santokh Singh and his lovely wife, Jane, who happens to be Soon Ling's classmate in college at our younger times. I just wanted to thank Toki ( Santokh's pet name! ) for taking the trouble to get this going despite all our busy schedules, emergencies and what not. This get-together/reunion was long overdued but after some tenacious effort by Toki & Jane, we, the lucky ones were able to meet up with our respected lecturers in Mr. Indran, Mr.Bernard Lau, Mr. Rajasingam and Mr.Bala. To me, I was determined to come for this get-together because I have not seen these people for the past 23 years! I must say with all honesty that what ever outdoor skills, dealing with individuals, public relations, damage control skills, craziness, risk taking, loving nature and improving oneself, I learnt and owe it to these lecturers. I am particularly indebted to Mr. Indran and Mr.Bernard because I have watched these two men who really took the trouble to actually teach and instill something good in us that would last a lasting impression. From Bukit Takun, Gunung Tahan, Pulau Pemanggil to Pulau Redang, the memories and stories flowed easily and it was just a delight. The occassion was significantly made merrier with the presence of Gopi, Ragu, Fabian and Thuruvan. It was really heartwarming to be able to see, hugged, speak and exchanged pleasantries with Gopi, Ragu, Fabian and Thuruvan after all these years. It was just wonderful for me. I could never hide my joy of meeting Toki & Jane as they are special to me. Toki was my roomate and also, my teaching partner during my teaching practical days in MPLP Teachers' college. We truly stuck to our choices of mates in life in Soon Ling and Jane. Yup! They were good choices. The only tinge of sadness was that there were many who said that they would make it for this event but I guess, they had other commitments and emergencies to deal with. Anyway, it wasn't gonna damper our spirit for a good evening.

After our drinks and getting to know each others' on-going happenings, we adjourned to Mr.Indran's place to see his "nest" after all these years. I tell you this, Mr. Indran is a class above when it comes to hosting us. I am truly humbled by his willingness to open his house for us to stop by and what a delight we had. I love his treetop house and it's architecture. I am told that he built it with his children and that's one skillful man! It took him 4 years to complete but it is truly a perfect hide away with books and wooden flooring. I love the raised platform of Chengal wood and it makes the corner terrace such a delight. The decoratives in the house were memorabilia from the yester years and they would cost a fortune nowadays. The one place which really caught my eyes is the cosy place below the treehouse. Again, the walls were adorned with pretty women memorabilia of the yester years such as Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, Lauren Bacall and a host of others. Even the pirate decorative piece at the centre of the coffee table was classic. However, my eye caught the most significant piece of art ever which was hanging on the wall with small cursive letter which says:  "a simpler life". That is so significant!

For the first time too, I met up with Mrs. Indran. A quiet, pleasant lady but truly a remarkable woman - simply because she had to put up with such an energetic man like Mr. Indran! The drinks flowed and our conversation continued over memories of the years involving college activities and Kelab Kembara activities. As usual, Mr. Bernard would crack his jokes and he is truly a gentleman too. He is easy-going, joker and truly a fun guy. We had a great time with his jokes and his experiences with his buddies, Mr. Indran, Mr. Raja and Mr. Bala! Mind you, these are people in their late sixties and I have nothing but pure respect for these "young at hearts."

As Soon Ling & I bid our farewells to our beloved lecturers and friends, I felt enriched in life by their presence and their sharing of experiences. I truly am humbled by the experience and the experiences of others. We could never gauge how our lives could affect or enrich others but by what I experienced yesterday night, I must say, I am truly blessed with these people and what they have done during those early years. They touched lives more than they can ever imagine. I remember thanking Mr. Indran and Mr. Bernard for all the knowledge and experiences they had shared with us earlier in our college days. It is the same principles, knowledge and heart that I have passed on to the leaders and children in the Royal Rangers Ministry of Melaka # 1 where  I am serving. Mr. Indran aptly replied, " Thank you." He did say something along with it but I didn't catch it but that wasn't important. To me, acknowledging the blesser is itself a reward for me. At least, I still get that chance in life to thank them both personally in person. How awesome can it get, right? 

My dear friends had made arrangements for us to meet again next year for another great time of reunion. Let's hope to have a bigger group of friends so that we could have a great time of fellowship, catching up and also, just let the good times roll again. For those who had missed the get-together/reunion, people, we lived only once in our lives - let's make it count, shall we?  

Toki & Jane, THANK YOU SO MUCH from the bottom of my heart!~ 

Twisted Views....

I really don't know whether should I laugh or should I cry at the stupidity of some corroded minds of some religious clerics/scholars available on this planet for that matter. I was actually astounded and stepping on the verge of mental disgust on the paranoia of what I read over the papers ( Pg.48 -World News - Star papers today ) during my lunch hour break. To me , it was hilarious for a split moment and then, it just dawned on me how distasteful and how insane can one get. I really felt that it is not only degrading to the women folk any where in the world but also a huge disrespect to my Muslim friends as well. The article and what was said not only insulted my intelligence but also the intelligence of any reader of this world. I am really appalled by such notions of degrading oneself to even come up with such ideas. It just comes to show as though our parents had failed us in our walk with God, understanding of basic living and knowing our physical body. I really could not understand the association of sex with fruits and vegetables at all. Of course , I have heard of aphrodisiac food, herbs and spices but to associate general sexual acts with fruits and vegetables are really of moronic state of mind, pure nonsensical notion and against the order of nature as it is. Moreover, my question is why is it always associated with sex? If sex is such a dirty act, then it is high time EDUCATION  takes place. Let us all be teachers to our young ones rather than letting the internet ( and such narrow minded people! ) be the parents of our children's sex education!  This is the problem when narrow-mindedness are in operatives and every damn thing is associated with sex!

I believe with all my heart that SEX is a beautiful thing between legally married couple. Make no mistake about it. It is personal, it is special and it is very INTIMATE between two LEGALLY MARRIED people! Please see the boldly highlighted words!  So, if you are having extra-marital affairs, one night stands, single & single flings, living together, affairs or whatever names you want may want to concoct out, sorry!  it is simply called LUST and SIN! No other words for that! 

Anyway, I wonder if aubergine, luffa ( petola) , corn, strawberry, persimmons,  wasabi plant, winter melon, bitter gourd, lemongrass (serai ), ladies fingers and what not vegetables & fruits will be banned next .......! I wonder ......... just how far our intelligence can be insulted! OMG!  

Hmmnn..The Salary.

Two days ago, I made an early morning trip to the bank to check on my finance. After some anxious and obnoxious moments of anxiety, an amount flashed across the screen indicating that the much awaited salary had been banked-in. Don't get me wrong. It wasn't that I am complaining about the lateness of the salary payment or freaked out over it. ( I almost jumped off the office building (sigh! luckily only 2 storey! ) after receiving calls from my telco provider and bank that my payments are overdue! ) In fact, I am fully aware that it is well within the rights of my employers to pay our salaries between the 1st to the 7th of the month. However, it was a real welcome sight and a real relief as the bank screen flashed the anticipated amount as I have bills to  pay and mouths to feed just like any other employee in this country and their responsibilities to their respective families. 

In actual fact, that day was nothing new as I have had regular days like this as I evaluate my monthly expenses and so on. So, after squeezing my account dry with the last ringgit available, it was back to the drawing table on the division the bounty from my sweat ,blood and tears for the month. I had prepared two envelopes to divide my monthly bounty. I took a slightly longish envelope started writing the expenses to be paid on the envelope and put the amount into it. This envelope was meant for my Home Mafioso chieftain, SLing! It was sad to see a big chunk goes to Home Mafioso's expenses control of the month especially allowances, utilities, vegetables and food money plus tuition fees and others. It was like chopping off one arm and one leg off the body parts with the bleeding still on-going. Then, it was another envelope whereby another big chunk was assigned for my car payments, cellphone bill, mom's house rental, payments, "extortion" monies and other bills. After dissecting the meagre bounty , I was left with the month's living expenses which was a really small sum indeed. As I slumped back against my working chair, I made a small fan out of the extremely small excess of the month in front of me. Without much ado, I slipped them into my wallet thinking which wan tan mee stall or roti canai stall would be better for my lunch hour treat in the coming days! Ah! I've been reminded that we've gotta eat to survive and also, survive to eat! Either way, I am confused, I think??!!
To be honest, I am not complaining. I am just thankful that I have a job in hand and at least, have a salary to feed the family. ( I've been reminded on this countless number of times ! ) I likened myself like an Indon construction worker but the only difference and twist are that I looked smarter and dressed up nicer than the construction worker! Anyway, "money not enough" syndrome is a real problem among employees today and so it is with me. But I've learned to accept the fact that bosses will be bosses while employees will be employees - oppressed, depressed and systematically compressed to oblivion by boardroom games and decisions, power struggles and power shifts. I am way pass that and I am just thankful that I can fill those two envelopes I have each month though I will be left with a rather scary amount at the end of the month.
Ah! I would rather not think about it. After all, it is another 27 days before I can fill those envelopes again and start the vicious cycle of " feel good " again! In the meantime, just gonna "enjoy" the days, I guess. There are many things for us to be thankful each day ( I'm constantly reminded of this by my bourgeoisie-minded superiors ! ) and I really am gonna be just thankful. By the way, I just want you to know that this is my cynical satire look and real jab/stab at life.   

Dinner...

Last night, while SLing and SYuen were out in KL for some "girl power" fun with SLing's colleagues in GEng & SBee, I was attending a family meal in a home. I remembered rushing from workplace to the home because I had worked late that evening. After about 40 scrubs and a good dose of body shampoo, I was lost in translation a few minutes by the sheer rustling of gentle waters over the forlorn tired body but I have a dinner date to attend.

Ramping up my car, I headed towards On Tin's home for dinner. Earlier, ( two days ago ) I was told that it would be a steamboat dinner. Honestly, I ain't crazy about steamboat meals but I'll go with it anyway. I like my stuff fried and crispy, actually. Anyway, as I stepped into the living room, I could smell the instaneous aroma of tom yam smell plus the bunga kantan and limau purut smell ( kafir lime leaves ). The aroma itself was really the taste bud opener. As usual, my gracious host, BLing scooped tonnes of vegetables plus fish balls and fish paste related good stuffs onto my bowl. At our dinner table were KLan, Jacq, Aaron, On Tin, Xin Yi and BLing herself. We made some small talks and soon, it was like all of us had been friends for a long time. It was easily one of the most pleasurable dinners I've ever had. The conversation topics were light and always littered with jokes, aspirations and hopes were discussed while great food were continually piled onto our plates. I swear to you, it was the night I had the most fish related food and vegetables in the entire year! Again, I am not exactly a fish lover but I am more the meat kinda guy. Pork is my  kinda meat!  Somehow, the good conversation and great chuckles plus laughter made the evening really good. There is an old saying that says simple food will taste exceptionally good especially with the good company to share with. I am 100% in support of this old saying!
I really enjoyed having conversation which each and everyone of the guests. It was good to know that having a simple meal like this could trigger really meaningful, intellectual and constructive conversations. I am happy indeed. Belly was full and I had great company for conversation - I couldn't ask for more. That night I left for home, digesting and digressing all that had been spoken and eaten too. It was simply a great evening. Just wanted to thank BLing and On Tin for being such gracious host! I know that I would never be hungry whenever I am this couple's house. Truly simple, good-hearted and blessed couple. So, to BLing & On Tin, thank you so much for inviting me and giving me a hearty meal! I really appreciate the goodness you both had poured into my life!

Awareness 2....

In continuation of my last article " Awareness",  I would like to add that child abuse does not only covers the sexual abuse part but also the physical and verbal abuse as well. BTW, it includes bullying too which is more severe amongst the girls and in schools today. We live in a society that constantly pressurizes the young ones to profess their manhood and we actually get more hoods or hoots than man! It is no surprise that physical abuse of children are indeed on the rampant especially in broken homes or plain evilness on the part of the adults/parents involved who may be abused in their younger lives as well. Like I said, it is a vicious circle that needed a full stop. 

Let us not take every occurence and link it to this but to give an indepth study of the chain of events before concluding that the case is an abuse case. We are far too sane than to follow the herd metality when it comes to such matter but of course, each case required close scrutiny and genuinity. We need to be calm and respond accordingly when the signs of abuse are there. Generally, I believe that the signs are there and we need to correspond and react accordingly. I must confess, in all genuine honesty, that I have no pity for abusers of any kind. I remember dealing with a number of cases and it just boils my blood when things like this happen. I give not even a millimeter of breathing space to these abusers.  The excuses these abusers give are just plain pathetic and lame excuses. To me, the excuses are really just rubbish, pathetic and inhumane. 

Bullying is one of the kinds of abuse children had to endure in this society of ours. To me, a bully is just another coward pretending under the cloak of pretense authorithy or popularity. This is especially rampant in girls' schools. Mothers, take a good look at your daughter and start to see if there are changes in them which are not normal. Usually, a  girl would be too shy to mention it or even too timid to talk about it because they want to "blend" in the peers andthus, they endure the bullying. Teach your daughters to stand up for their rights and be assertive in their words, thoughts and action. It is okay to be different. It is okay to have an opinion. It is difficult for some but it will help your child a long long way in her life. I know because I have a daughter and a son too to raise up and I will defend them to bits because I love my children and that's what every good parent should /must do. We do not spoilt them by sparing the rod or disciplining them when they are wrong but we are to teach them the right way of living with the solid foundation of God's love as the main anchor in their lives.

I must say that the world is an ever-willing teacher cum parents to our children today. Don't ever let the world be the parents of our children. It only leads to a road of careless living, moral decay and joyful fun that only leads to more destruction in our humanistic values. Let us , as parents, take up our responsibility to really care and be concern with their lives. Built their lives on a sure, solid and good foundation of  God's love. Build confidence, build encouragement, be a patient listener and build support & rapport with our children. You will never know who and how you will be an inspiration to any child or even your own children. We all do mistakes and cry along the way as we raise our children with our first hand experience at parenthood but the greatest love & effort we can give to our children is to lift them up and equipped them with good values that they would not be held in the dungeon of false joy and ever-challenging spoils of the world. 

Wake up and be aware that all the money in the world would not do one bit of a good when your child is screaming for some love from you or fallen into an abyss of difficulties. That is most important as far as I am concerned. I have lived through that and I am sure there are many others who would agree with  me on this matter. Don't let chasing enough wealth be your excuse because it is always never enough and what is enough, anyway, right? Be aware and be watchful over the ills of today's world order. Keep your children safe and help keep the other people's children safe too. That is the only way we can stop these abuses!         

Awareness....

Tired and drained mentally & physically was all I could say as I arrived home after work last night. However, as I arrived home, SLing informed me of a talk which was to be held in CCC Melaka. Despite the hectic schedule and physically drained day, we decided to attend the talk and I must say that it was good that we had decided to attend this talk. I was blessed by the talk. Most important of all, there seemed to be a breakthrough in the age of topic of sexual abuse.

Perhaps, I must first of all give thanks and credit to Pastor Joanne Lee of CCC Melaka for her good support and "bravery" in being the host for the ultra-sensitive topic  of the talk which is " Awareness & Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse". I daringly and openly say that sex had been a great taboo topic in our churches today that awareness is virtually none existence or simply brushed aside with comments like " your parents should teach you", evasive and avoidance of this topic or/and this topic is even skipped during church marriage counselling sessions! Tell me if I am wrong on this matter. I personally feel that the church community and parents alike had been "careless" in this topic that many young people had turn to electronic media as their parents/teachers when it comes to sexual education. This often led to a wrong idea of what sex and sexuality is all about. We can preached about sex and quoted from the 1001 scriptures available and speak till our mouths foamed but if it has not been explicitly and thoroughly explained, it is just another wasteful talk as far as I am concerned.  Let us not forget that pornography, illicit pictures and erotic stories and media are actually a click away and every-ready parents to our children . It is important for us , as parents and adults to teach our young ones the right meaning to sex and sexuality in our society today. I agree 100% with both Lai Cheng and Evelyn, the speakers from Save & Protect the Children Organisation on the need to educate our children well in knowing their body parts with firm, assertive and sure manner. They are right in saying that we, as adults, are to listen, believe, praise and protect these children when they tell us of such abuses and to respond calmly & effectively for these children. Gone are the days when we are shy to teach our children and name parts of our body with flowery fictitious names instead of the actual real body parts names. From their presentation of a short video which was wonderfully narrated by Jo Kukathas and testimonies from child sexual abuse survivors, one can only cringed and shake one's head on how such things could have happened. Molestation and sexual abuse since the age of 8 by grandfather, raped by two girls at the age of 12 and one man , in turn, became a sexual predator in his later years, sodomised by respected village head at 10 and molested by cousin during younger days are just some of the testimonies that were shared that night. I could see that a lot of heads were shaken in disgust and there were even gasped as the video clip was played. To me, these are real problems that plaque our society today. It is a vicious cycle that need a full-stop.  So-called trusted adults, people close to the family, sexual predators and sexual offender are real. We have to recognised the fact that these predators are planners and never co-incidences while they prey on weak and low self-esteemed children after gaining the trust of the people around the child and the child itself. Children sexual abuse is real and let us not kid ourselves by turning a blind eye to this. BTW, the definition of children are those below the age of 18 years of age. Make no mistake of the age! Yes, that includes our school going teenagers too and surprised not that sexual predators can come in the form of male (85%) or female (15%) of all ages, races, any level of the people's strata and group of people.

As adults, we have a compulsory duty to protect the children in our family and our society. Let us not kid ourselves by keeping our eyes shut on these matter. Even in prisons, I was informed, that adults or sexual offenders who rape or sexually abuse children are beaten half dead by the inmates.I have said it many times before and I will say it again that if as parents, we do not know the whereabouts our our children after 10pm, we are reckless and we are presenting our children freely to the hands of these sexual predators. We need to know where our children are, who are they mixing with and what are they doing. Communication is important and it will save lives. Trust me, our children always wants to be a grown-up so fast that they are actually not thinking straight and easily landing themselves at the clutches of these predators. Afterall, growing up as an adult comes with responsibilities and another factor is that we must always feel for our child and the child of our neighbour. I have seen enough to convince me that if we continue to chase our careers, fattened our bank accounts at all cost or simply ignoring the needs of our child, we are equally guilty of messing up our children's lives. Excuses that we are all doing this for our brighter future will proved futile and meaningless over the trauma our child would have to go through. There is just too many examples and experiences to share. Suffice to say that I have seen enough to stand up and support this worthy cause of Protect & Save the Children!

YES!

Exhilarating, pulsating, nail-biting, thrilling, in awe and pure proudness is what I could describe while watching the 26th SEA Games football final between the host, Indonesia and our very own Malaysia team. What a classic match! There is no feeling to describe how proud I am towards the Malaysian team who had played their hearts out at the final. I was glued to my seat from the first whistle to the whistle that signalled the goal scored by our Malaysian team skipper, Baddrol Bakthiar. Elation, relief , two hands lifted up together with the shouts of " YEEEEAAAAAHHHHH " could have woken up my neighbours but who cares! Malaysia WON the gold medal of the 26th Edition of the SEA GAMES, man! 

I remembered the last time I cried out  " YES! YES! YES!" and jumped out of my sofa seat with both fists raised was on the 34th minute when the Malaysian team equalised after trailing 1-0 at that time! What a gem of a goal! A comedy of errors as one commentator put it but I call it a touch of class, man. I could hear my sweet wife bellowed " IVAN! Are you mad?" I didn't care, I just shouted " GOAL! GOAL GOAL!" as I pumped my two fists to the air! Yup! I was like a lunatic on the loose but it was a great feeling. Great feeling! I guess, every Malaysian would have reacted the same way as I did. I guess, if you a sports person, you can relate to what I am saying because you would understand what I am feeling. Even though I may not be putting on  a national jersey on my back, my support as a Malaysian is always there for the Malaysian team. The team deserve all praises for what they have to go through and still came up winners. They have to put up with a very hostile crowd of about 80,000 people ,  the lousy reception, treatment and the heckles/tackles on the field.

It was really a match to remember. My pick for hero of the team would be Khairul Fahmi a.k.a Apek, the goalkeeper. He was outstanding throughout the entire competition and he stopped two to three sure goals in the final. Had it been any other custodian between the post that night, it would have been a completely different story! The penalty save was really crucial and Apek did it with brilliance by diving well to stop the spot kick shot from Ferdinan Sinaga. He is a sure a pair of steady hands between the post. He deserved as much accolades as the skipper and the rest of the team members. What is heartening is that there is hope for Malaysian football which had gone through some rough patch over the years. There seemed to be a steady rise of talents and more dedication when playing for the country. I guess, just like many Malaysians, I pray that this successes will not go into their heads and missed out the real passion for the game. It is always very special representing our school, our college, our state and even  our country in any sporting events. It's special.......very special.

So, to the Malaysian SEA Games football team, WELL DONE! WELL DONE INDEED!~       

Soon Ling....

Today, I pay tribute and heartfelt admiration to one special person in my life, Soon Ling. Today, she celebrates her birthday but most important of all, she has been a tremendous confidant, a good listener , a warm & loving person and most of all, she is a great wife with endless skills of torture methodologies and pain-inflicting antics of curriculum at times! Ahh! But I was only joking! She also does have a glare and stare of a double edged sword sharper than the German or the  Japanese precision knives! Hahahahahahahahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa................

That should put us off for being too serious, right? Anyway, Soon Ling has been and always will be very important in my life. Nope! I am not been held at knife-point or even having my nuts squeezed by a nutcracker device to say something nice but I want to share a light moment-lar.

Soon Ling is such a strong woman. Over the years , she has been a tremendous support to me and the children. If I am the hot-headed and vile-tempered rascal, she is the calm, cool and collected individual. She is really a real soother in the turbulence times and she has always been a tremendous comforter in my low ends of my life. I guess, in many ways, she is the real unsung hero in our family. What I like about her is that the dinner dishes are quite standard and predictable namely Chai Seam, mixed vegetables with broccoli, mushroom, carrots, snap peas and cauliflower , boiled ladies fingers with oyster sauce sprinkler with fried shallots,  black sauce chicken with mushroom , fried fish, fried eggs, fried beancurd with light soya sauce dressing, chicken varuval, wong kiong chicken, black sauce pork and fried luncheon meat! That should cover the list and make this article longer a bit. Hey! That's quite good already,ok? The lists had steadily grown over the years and that's an achievement, baby! Hahahahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa................

Seriously, there is a side to her that many do not see. She is gentle, a good tongue-lasher when it warrants a good wake-up call,  a really good wife and a great mother to my children. She is always very concern for my well-being and my children's welfare. She cries easily when she is hurt or angry but she always comes out stronger after a good cry. She is always there to hug me whenever I am down or give a word of comfort every time the family is backed to the walls in all sorts of life situations. She also has a very big heart when it comes to gifts for our close friends and family.  She can be direct, sarcastic and annoying at times but she is the strength in the quiet form for this family. 

In many ways, she dedicated her life to this family of ours and her sacrifice has been enormous. How could I not love such a woman who has given everything she got for me and this family of ours? I love her to bits , actually. That is the true and bold confession of my heart and my public proclamation and attestation of my love to her . Call me a romantic fool or even an eccentric clown but I see a good woman whom I loved very much the minute I laid my eyes on her and that NEVER changed until this day! 

So, to Soon Ling, BLESSED BIRTHDAY ( 18th November ) and you are in my heart always!

Twenty-Two...

Today, twenty two (22) years ago, SLing and I scribbled our names down the intricate triplicate copy of one of the most important documents of our lives called the ROMC or commonly known as Registration Of Marriage Certificate. At that time, we were the young  and sweet 22 and 24 years old while so much passion, love and joy for one another. I guess, the same passion, love and joy is still there though the old body creaks and tweaks from time to time.

Someone asked me the other day, "How do you do it? Keeping your sanity? " I looked at that person and said simply " Quarrel each day, hate everything you do with each other and spike her drinks so that she goes to sleep early everyday! " I swear that person's eyes went two times larger and the jaw dropped! Anyway, the truth of the matter is that there is a lot of patience, give and take attitude ( more give than take, I guess! ) and a lot of mutual respect. Never mind about the physical appearance. That type of "beauty" can be "rectified" with the splashing of the tons of ringgit notes on one hundred and one cream ; but growing wider and getting some wrinkles here and there are part of the ageing process. It doesn't/should not change who we are on the inside.

Personally, the main foundation of a good marriage is the building of the trust foundation. We have to entrust our lives to one another and support one another. SLing and I built this foundation long before we penned our names down that paper. Nowadays, we see young couples practised " lip service" in everything while filling divorce papers are faster that ordering a Big Mac at McDonalds. The other thing that brought us to where we are is our non-obsession with finance. Sure! Money is important in our daily lives and our future.  We would be moronic to think that we could live on sunshine and air in this world but we have to be able to draw the line between greed and over-indulgence. Planning your finance and keeping a sound check on your financial resources are important but do not take the excuses of keeping for the future to over-hoard your finances and let it become an amplified obsession. Learn to go for short trips or even holidays and make it with the family. You don't need to go far away for your holidays. Sometimes local trips could give you immense joy by just enjoying the cool breeze or even some eye openers in terms of daily living. SLing and I have always enjoyed our short holidays whatever conditions we would be as long as we are there as a family.

Loving one another is the next factor. Though we may seemed like having a go at one another during our cat fights and the appearance of claws, SLing and I are really loving to one another. You have to love that person as a whole , to feel and be crazy enough to pen your death warrant on that paper! That's the beauty of SLing ,actually. Me? I came from a rough and tumbling world of chaotic bliss that I learned to be where I am slowly but surely! 

Forgiving and letting go of our baggages are our next formula/elixir for making it thus far. Many times, when we quarrel, we genuinely did not feel good about it. Sometimes, tempers flared and we say a lot of stupid/hurtful things along the way. I admit that I am mainly guilty for a lot of these at times. I guess, in many ways, both of us have different understanding on a lot of matter but the bottomline is how do we agree on a common ground. This is where forgiveness and a lot of heart is required. No need to dragged "old stories" and old baggages into the arguments and make it bigger than the air balloons in the sky! Move past that and focus in problem solving rather than making the problem worst.

SLing and I have also set certain rules in our lives such as zero tolerance to whatever vices. This is our real foundation all these years. We have seen in our lives how vices could really get couples into financial quandary, home-wrecking situations and head mess! We move on when it comes to things like this!  

I am not saying that we are the "bestest" couple in the world. We are still learning the curve and learning each step of our relationship every day. We may not be perfect and we do not want to be perfect or else we will probably poison one another! We falter too just like any other couples in this world.  The least we can do is live with one another and try making our lives pleasurable and enjoyable. Afterall, we all want to be happy, right? Afterall, being happy is such a subjective word. Our "happiness" definition may defer from person to person but to me, being able to spend 22 years of my life and probably another 22 more in the future with this woman, SLing  seemed alright, awesome and blissful!     

Here's a toast to 22 years of fun and more fun ( or funny - whichever comes along! ) ahead!

Pretty Girl's Birthday

 It's Ashley's birthday!

 What a cake! Yummmmmmmyyyyyyy!

 The Three "Musketeeers"

 Getting all pretty and nice!

 The ever-smiling brother, Ryan!

The pretty girl, Ashley!



Bare necessities.....

Last weekend getaway for the Royal Rangers leaders and families was probably the most "trying times" ever for the leaders and their families. You see, we went to a very basic kelong to have some time of fishing and rest. As usual, there were it's mumblings, grumblings, complaints, whining and so on but it was really an eye-opener for me. Imagine, we survived just one day without the basic necessities like bathing, proper place to sleep and weathering the hot & cold day ( the wind in the night & early morning was freezing cold!). For me, I just love the place in the sense that it had it's basic facilities like partitioned empty rooms, enough shades, toilet cum bathroom ( size of probably 4'X4' ) and enough fishing areas. I guess, many of us are not used to such "lack" of facilities as we are quite accustomed to resort-like facilities and thereby, the surface of unpleasantness.

OK, not everyone like fishing and having to face such difficulties but I am really glad we all managed to weather the difficulties not matter how difficult it was. Though some swore by their ancestral graves that they would not return to such horrid place, I know that I will come back here someday on my own. I like the place, honestly. It is basic and an angler's paradise as far as I am concerned. It is not as though I am against modern facilities but I really felt that we have been too dependent and pampered to extinction by modern conveniences that we simply forget how to live in simple ways. I love the salty breeze and the tugging of fish on my line. It gives me a thrill to feel the tugging of the fish no matter how small the fish may be. Yunno, every trip to the kelong is a learning experience. From fishing rods to lines to hooks and to baits seemed to make a difference. I have learned a lot by watching another group of anglers led by one Mr Lim. He told me that he comes here regularly which was like every month and thereby, when he deftly flicked his light long fishing rod for some bait fish, it wasn't hard to know that this was an experienced hand. It was fun being able to learn from him and he was the one who informed me that the fishing action starts at night and at the wee hours of the morning. Thanks to Errol, I was able to wake up at 4.00am and started fishing. It was at this hour till about 8.00am that I managed to catch 3 palm sizes fishes. By the way, Mr. Lim caught a nice size ikan pari, one nice ikan ebek ( sometimes known as ikan cermin ) and two good sized ikan putih! The fishes were put into a freezer box filled with ice while the smaller ones are left in the airated baby pool. So, there are fishes near the kelong but it is just that we weren't able to land those fishes because probably, we used the wrong size hooks, baits and so on. Many factors could have been the reason for the lack of landing some nice looking fish on our part but we had a great time landing those bait fishes with our Apollos size 8 and size 10. I guess, to me, seeing the young leaders and our young family members landing bait fishes and the glow on their faces are indeed priceless. Some were even terrified of putting the umpun-umpun or fishing worm on the hooks and made a mess out it causing laughter every where. These are some of the lighter moments and memories which will last in my mind and heart. I most sincerely hoped that these memories would last in these young people's heart and mind. Imagine, they don't even know how to hook a worm to a fishing hook! To me, these are the basics in which I learned long long time ago and not feel squeamish about it. By the way, the young leaders really deserved applauding for taking the trouble to help out the young ones during fishing time. It enlightened my heart a lot seeing all the effort they put in to ensure a good time at the kelong.   

At the end of the day, we had to leave the kelong after spending 24 hours there. Under the blistering sun, I kinda miss the place. To me, it was serene , doing what I like most and away from the maddening crowd, corporate political life games, murderous envy & ambitions of the corporate ladder and the ever prevalent piles of unending work. So, was I at home at the kelong during those times? YEAH, I was !~