Spy glasses

The idea to make a spy glass came from this wonderful book. I am so glad that Dan enjoys reading very much nowadays and finds great adventures in books. Books are definitely much much better compared to computer games and all that the computer has to offer.

A piece of mirror is stuck to his glasses with a plasticine.

This extra piece of contraption helps him to see who is coming from the back. He can be ready for his attacker anytime and will not be taken by surprise.

This is how it looks on his face. Not sure how effective it is but he enjoys wearing it extremely and is looking forward to making more interesting contraptions to help him as a detective/ spy or whoever he wants to be.

Losing friends

Ma has been restless the past few nights. Just now she received a call from brother to inform her that an old friend of hers just passed away. Somebody from Spg Dua whose husband was a barber.


It seems she rode her motorbike to tap rubber and was knocked down and ran over by a lorry. Imagine at the age of 80plus and she could still ride a bike. But what a tragic way to leave.


Ma is sensitive to all these changes. No wonder she was restless

.....in a Relationship

The meaning of relationship:
1. connection: a significant connection or similarity between two or more things, or the state of being related to something else
2. behaviour or feelings towards somebody else: the connection between two or more people or groups and their involvement with one another, especially as regards the way they behave towards and feel about one another
3. friendship: an emotionally close friendship, especially one involving sexual activity
4. connection by family: the way in which two or more people are related by birth, adoption, or marriage, or the fact of being related by birth, adoption, or marriage (msn encarta)

Relationship is a heavy duty word and very often misused. When one says that one is in a relationship, I believe it is as defined in definition (3); having an emotionally close friendship usually sparked by sexual attraction which as the definition suggests may eventually lead to sexual activity.


How I cringe when I hear a young teen says that he/she is in a relationship. Maybe what is meant is he/she has committed to get to know the other person better.


I believe there are many steps to take before one plunges into a relationship:
1. being friends....just hanging around and getting to know each other. This can be done in a group or individually.


2. dating... the friendship between the two goes to another level; when there is mutual agreement to regard each other in a special way and not just as common friends.


3. courting....a more serious version of dating where the couple is now ready for marriage. So the whole dating friendship turns into a courting relationship.


4. marriage.....the beginning of a relationship between husband and wife.


Therefore if a 15year old confesses to a relationship; I would scratch my head and try to think which level does she/he mean? At the tender age of 15; one is still a child (no matter how you protest, you are) and I think the friendship is still too early to take off to a higher level.


Now how would one know if one is ready for which level....not that I am a Tok Guru in this field but I think I have read and seen enough to give my opinion. I'll leave this to part 2.

Fatty Restaurant

Iced lemon tea, iced blended black currant and pink guava juice

stewed duck noodle

fish head beehoon

fish and chips

claypot beef rice


The Fatty Restaurant (I think that's the name), which is few doors from King's Confectionary in Seremban town is aircond and has quite a nice ambience. Food is served quite fast. Has both local and western cuisine. The price is reasonable. The taste....not too bad for certain dishes.

Yesterday, I had stewed duck noodle. I like it; the sauce especially. Ma had beef rice; her favourite whenever she is here. KC had fish head beehoon. I think all of us enjoyed these local fares. The kids had fish n chip. Looked oily to me but they didn't complain.

Nice place for dinner once in a while; too often and we'll be tired of it.

Fun Fun Fun

Some say it's easy; others say it's hard...

Fun and more fun and the best of all is there are prizes to be won!!

The Youth Center was jam packed!

24th October 2009 was our CG Fun Night; organized by Helen Khoo and her most able group of assistants.

Started off with some introduction by Helen. Dr Chan was invited to the front to pray for Pastor as this day happened to be his birthday. We also took some time to remember Matthias (Pastor and Gladys' late son) whom God had specially called home last year. A painful time of remembrance for both Pastor and Gladys, we are so glad that they could still spend time with us as a larger family.

Kin Mun and the youths led in worship before Pastor shared with us. Of course, there were growling tummies and many were itching to run out to play (the kids were already screaming and having fun outside). We sat and listened as Pastor shared with us the C.A.R.E. C for Caring, A for Availability, R for Relationship and E for Edification and Evangelism. Then it was time to dig in the FOOD!!!

Of course, a fun night will not be fun if there are no games. The Fun Coordinator...Aw Kok Hong planned the games and we had great Fun Fun Fun playing. Young and old were screaming and laughing. When Fun Time was over; everyone was sweating. This is how the church family should have fun and can have fun.

I must say I had lots of fun trying to capture this person and that person in their various acts. Everyone of us should let our hair down more often and just have fun, fun and fun.

Ma's Ubat

This is for gastric. She doesn't like it...not so effective.

Calcium lactate and eye drop. The eye drop is also useless for her. She uses an expensive brand.

Calcitrol and mecobalamin ... for her bones and joints, I think.

Calcium lactate, calcitrol and mecobalamin are a must for her everyday. She used to take fosamax but the doctors stopped prescribing. Read somewhere that it's not good to take for long term.

On top of all these, she takes glucosamine,vitamin C (only Kordel C-time suits her), gingko biloba, evening primrose oil, salmon oil(occasionally), multi carotene(Amway's). This is like almost 8 types of pill she pops into her mouth everyday. Wow....it's a wonder that she doesn't get severe constipation.

Then again, she takes a cup of yoghurt everyday plus lots of fruits, oranges, kiwi, dragon fruit. These are her favourite fruits. I would buy papaya every now and then but she doesn't like it so much; she thinks it makes her skin yellow.

Do all old people eat like this? Maybe....my mother-in-law is diabetic and has high bp. Her set of medication differs and I think is not much lesser.

Can I avoid this if I live to their age; I wonder???

Sex education in school

Today, a lecturer from Nilai College came to talk on the 'taboo' topic to the Form 3 girls. I came out of the hall 'informed and educated'.

He started off with the menstruation, fertilization, male and female sex organs etc etc. He showed pictures of soiled sanitary napkin, male / female sex organs (that kept the girls quiet for a while)....

I think what impressed me most is how he delivered the facts. He was most professional...giving facts after facts just like teaching Chemistry or Biology or even History. The vagina and its function. The anus, penis etc etc and its function. There is no silly story telling or embarrassment when each topic is touched on.

I learnt stuff which I did not learn in my Biology class. I don't remember Mrs Peter Ling being so detailed and gave so much facts and explanation. For instance; he said in a matter of fact way, 'The female genital has three holes. The urethra is the passageway for urine, the vagina is what and the anus is what.' Then he said, 'Now let me repeat again......' And he repeated again showing and pointing to pictures in the most no nonsense way.

I learnt a few new terms (I may have read them but not really know what they mean). For example, first menstruation is called menache and menstruation cramp is known as dysmenorrhia.

Sad to say, I may be the only one giving him full attention and noting down whatever he said. The students were busy with their own stories and the teachers were almost as loud. What has become to society that we think we need not learn anymore? If the topic is not coming out for exam or not of great interest to them; why should they pay attention? Maybe the teachers were thinking...we know all about this; after all, we are women and what more can you; a man tell us?

Not many lecturers can deliver so much facts and difficult facts as such in a clear way. I have listened to many who just kelentong kosong and after beating round the bush; one wonders what is he/she trying to say. Such people just waste our time and make fools of themselves.

I salute this lecturer for his clear, informative, precise and most professional lecture. I spent less than half an hour in the hall but I have gathered much from him.

snail mail

This came through the mail yesterday and I didn't notice it till late in the night. Totally soaked as it rained cats and dogs yesterday evening.

The service is quite fast. I requested for it through email last week; thought I would receive an email but received a snail mail instead. Such a pleasant surprise.

Many years ago, I would receive a whole letter box full of letters from penpals. The excitement of cycling home from school and seeing the letter box overflowing with letters. Had to rush in to get the key to the box to retrieve the letters. Those were the days when I wrote and wrote and wrote. Out of the many many that I corresponded with; today I am only in contact with Irene.

I don't think many teens have penpals nowadays. Sms, emails, FBs etc have turned letter writing into a thing of the past. It had helped me a lot as a teen; improved my hand writing, my language, knowledge. Used to exchange stamps, pictures of favourite movie idols, stickers etc. How sad....I have lost these things...just the memories remain. There was a picture of a rather old, balding Englishman who corresponded with me for a while...wonder where the picture is now.

Today...what do I get through the post? Bills, bills and more bills!!!!

1Toilet, 1Malaysia??

I read in the paper today of a reader's protest against somebody's suggestion of 1toilet in the school. Not sure what the actual news/suggestion was but to think that somebody could actually suggest such a ridiculous idea only suggests how little his/her brain is.

Why don't we start with the elite groups first before going to the majority? In my school, the upper crust get a special key to their own special toilet. Why don't these people share the toilets with their 'rakan seperjuangan'? I wonder if this happens elsewhere..

I know in certain companies in the private sectors there is such a privilege too. I remember a friend being all excited because he had reached that privileged level of having his own key to that special place!!!

Now, if we want to implement such a thing as 1toilet in school....(imagine queueing up with the students to use the toilet)...let us start with the upper level of administrators first. Leaders talk about 1Malaysia...come on, walk the talk. Show us, leaders of Malaysia that we are one in all ways inclusive in the use of toilet!!!!

Come to think of it; I was just pointing out the polygamy club to a rakan seperjuangan. He said this is possible for us now as we are 1Malaysia! Hahaha...wait till the wife hears of it!

Hidup 1Malaysia!!!!

Pork rib sea cucumber stew

Ingredients:

sea cucumber

mushrooms

pork ribs

potatoes/taufoo pok (optional)

garlic and ginger

star anise/cloves/pepperseeds (not too much)

rice wine

Method:

(Season the ribs with a dash of pepper, salt and ginger wine for an hour)

1. Saute garlic and ginger; add star anise, cloves

2. Throw in the meat; fry till fragrant

3. Then dump in the mushrooms, potatoes and whatever you fancy

4. Pour in a bowl of water and simmer.

5. Remember the seasonings : salt, black soya sauce, oyster sauce

6. Finally pour in the rice wine (maybe half a bowl)

This stew is most delicious the day after...the meat etc have absorbed all the taste.

My new toy

Yesterday KC and I went to Low Yat and he bought me a camera....my very own camera; first ever in my whole entire 42 years of life on earth!!! Never thought the day will come when I need to own a camera or want to own a camera. I thought I will put it into my wishlist for Christmas and hint hint to him but he decided I need a camera and his old one is not good anymore. The old camera is slow and wears the batteries out real fast. So I am now the proud owner of a Panasonic DMC - FS6 which costs RM599.

Not sure if it's expensive or not. We walked up Low Yat and the very first shop we saw was crowded with lots of discount labels all over and the big words STOCK CLEARANCE. That was it.....we walked right in, introduced to this camera and in less than half an hour the purchase was made. Very simple and easy way of buying; I wonder why we don't haggle or walk around or whatever. Come to think of it, this is the only way KC and I shop. We need it, we like it, we buy it.

This is the test picture....frustrating...can only upload one. Tried over and over. Don't know the problem is with my card reader, memory card or the computer itself. Have to wait for Tok Guru to return tonight to sort this out. I have to be satisfied with this for now.

Sock in Sock???

I saw ma doing this just now!!!! She was putting on sock over her sock!

She wears this real tight socks everyday to help the blood flow so that her legs will not swell so badly. It's a struggle to put them on; very tight. I spend about 3 minutes every morning pulling them up for her before dashing out of the door to work. Sometimes if I am late, she'll do it herself. She spends 30mins!

Anyway, back to the story why she has sock over her sock....she has to keep her tight socks and toes clean. So she pull old socks over the tight socks. Then she'll put her chubby legs into Lyn's ciplak crocs and she is ready to go to the garden.

Baked pasta etc

Today Lyn and I are off as it's Divali hols but the boys...one has to go to work; the other has school. So Lyn and I decided to try a new recipe. Baked pasta!!!! Turned out very nice but bit dry cos I put it a little too long in the oven. Not as much cheese as the one we ate at Italiana but I think it's enough (otherwise too fattening). We had it with mashed potato (the wonders of instant mashed potatoes), salad and ginger beer. Fantastic!!!!!

Ma doesn't like western, so I just tapau red bean soup and fried mee/bee hoon.

A hungry boy home from school digging into his food. A bit picky, he removed all the mushrooms.

Ahhh, a most satisfying meal. I enjoyed it throughly. Will do this more often.

The person who enjoyed it the most was Lyn. She doesn't allow me to post her pic. She took three helpings. Anyway, she loves to eat almost anything and everything; from western to asian. So easy to feed her unlike somebody.

Of 'Ting Ting' and 'Batu Seremban'....

In one of my English class; discovered a number of students who had never played traditional games like 'ting ting' or 'batu seremban'. Today I decided to spend the whole lesson just for the girls to learn these two games so that they won't be so 'city-girl-like'.

What fun we had!!! We made so much noise that I had to hush them. A few Chinese girls played fives stones for the first time. Wasn't easy as they had to coordinate the throwing and catching.

We drew lines at the car park and the girls hopped up and down with all types of rules.

I was tempted to join them but did not; as usual, I am not very sporting when it comes to play. When I came home, I did try playing five stones with Lyn and found that my coordination is totally cacat.

Race vs Religion

Is it the same? Is it the same? IS IT THE SAME?????
Of course, NOT! Check the dictionary for goodness sake!
So many Malaysians (be there students or adults; educated or not)don't know the difference.

In my History class, they confused the Arabs with Malays just because they practise the same religion. Students and teachers alike think that all Indians are Hindus and all Chinese are Buddhists!

Harlo Malaysia! Wake up and get your facts straight. Race is the colour of your skin. You can't change the colour of your skin unless you are Michael Jackson. If you are born a Malay; you are a Malay; an Indian will always be an Indian whether he/she is a Muslim, Hindu or Christian. A Chinese will be a Chinese even if she is a Chinese Muslim. She can't call herself a Malay!!!!!

Let us be proud of the colour of our skin and stay true to our race. Don't be ignorant as to lump people as 'orang Islam, orang India or orang Cina'. It should be 'orang Melayu, orang India, orang Cina' Or if we want to refer to religious group, it should be 'orang Islam, orang Hindu, orang Budha, orang Kristian, orang Sikh .....'

Dan's Diary

This is the box that Dan uses to keep his stationery and what have you needed for writing his diary. It has amazing things inside which I do not know about ( it's p n c).

This is the diary and invisible ink pen that he uses. The diary has a padlock. The key is kept in a small box which is in a bigger box which is in the box up there. He writes with the invisible ink pen. We have all been warned not to open or read it. We shall respect his wishes. May he find joy in journaling.

Blurrrr

I am still totally blur n lost blogging. I want to do this but end up with that; sigh.
Anyway, I was totally surprised today to meet this real oldie fren of mine; Selena. We have not seen each other since she left for UK after Form 5.
How wonderful this technology is (though confusing). I was hopping up and down when I discovered it was HER.
Wonder of wonders.
No matter how blur or slow; I will plod on and learn more.

'Un-taboo'

In the days of old, to talk about menses; one will whisper. If there is a male around, all will hush up.

Today, Dan's classmate had her first menses experience in school. She was terrified and cried. Later; the teacher explained to the whole class what it was all about.

I remembered when I first heard of it; I was probably in Primary 5 or 6 and it was explained to us in very very hushed tone (we were all girls). I remembered hanging my head in embarrassment.

When I was in Form 4 or 5; we learnt it in Biology class. I was in a coed school then. Again, I almost died of embarrassment.

Today, children are so open on such topics. Just don't sense the 'taboo-ness' of it when they talk about it.

How the times have changed.

The Lost Generation

Just saw a short video clip on this topic...the lost generation and how we can take action; not allowing apathy to creep into our lives.

This morning I was in Form 1Z; I needed a piece of chalk. Looked around and couldn't find one. Asked the students to get me chalk; they just stared blankly at me in return. One girl said; 'Teacher, there is one on the floor'

I blew my top. How disrespectful they could actually be. What has become of the younger generation today? They expect everything to be handed to them on a silver platter.

I remembered when I was in school, we rushed to help the teachers. It came from sincerity in our hearts; not to earn extra points from the teachers. Today; the students will only help you if you can give them something in return. For example; before choosing the new prefects; girls will line up to help us; greet us....But after the probation and confirmation period; they just disappeared.

How many times I have carried books right up to my chin; climbing up three flights of stairs and students just pass by me like I do not need assistance.

How terribly sad....I hope I will remember my role always to teach the children to be responsible and to give without expectation. What a shame to all the Moral Studies and Religious Studies they do.

Flowers For Mum

Dan went for a cycle this evening and came home with two flowers. Told him to put them in a vase. Then he realised he didn't have enough flowers for the vase. So off he went with the father to cut more flowers. They came back with a whole bunch and arranged two vases full.

It's not always the mother gets flowers from her boys and when she does...she is so touched. I hope they will keep up their good work!!!!

sambal petai udang + ladies finger

Cooked this yesterday when ma-in-law came for dinner. This is a hit amongst us who love petai and spicy food. A simple dish; but of course must have sambal (which is easy; ma in law made for me prawn shrimp sambal or just get the chilli paste from market).

Petai is real powerful. All of us are into it except Dan. Lyn is crazy over petai and even ma. I will steam for her separately as she doesn't take chilli. Suppose to have lots of goodness but the smell after that......esp from the one I sleep with. How many times I've jumped out of bed and rushed out of the room for fresh air.

Scallop potatoes

Lyn learnt this from one of the cooking demos in MYF. Her favourite.

Ingredients : 5 potatoes

salt, black pepper, thyme leaves, garlic powder, milk

Method : 1. Slice the potatoes using the slicer

2. Place them in iced water

3. Pat dry with a towel

4. Arrange in a casserole which has been buttered

5. Put a dash of salt, black pepper, thyme leaves and garlic powder after each layer.
6. Pour milk till it almost cover the potatoes

7. Bake in the over for 1hour 30mins


black pepper, salt, thyme leaves and pepper powder

potatoes and slicer

sliced potatoes

arrange layer after layer in a casserole

pour milk on the potatoes

Ma's Vegetable Patch

Ma plants okra in the garden...a small plot given to her. She wears her soldier topi and long sleeve to protect her from the sun every time she steps into her vege patch. Something which she enjoys and helps her pass her time. Her okra tastes real good esp when fried with sambal. All of us love eating okra except Dan.

She will hold a stick so that bugs will fly to it. Then she will kill the bugs. She spends her time fighting bugs that attack the okra. She says her harvest would be much much more if there are no bugs or ants.

She attempts planting spinach too. Sad to say; it's just not as good as her okra. This picture shows a small spinach struggling to survive. Somehow the spinach ends up bit old.

Jackie

I am not an animal lover. Dislike cats, hate and terrified of little furry creatures ( the mention of them gives me goose bumps) and have no feelings for dogs. Whenever I walked pass a dog, it would either bark or growl at me.

Three years ago in our old house at T Tasik Jaya, somebody cut a hole in the fence and crawled in. That shattered my security. Somebody from SPCA introduced us to someone who had too many dogs and needed to give them away. So...that was how Jackie came to us.

He was a year plus then. Tears rolled down his cheeks as we drove further and further from his former home. He knew he was leaving his family. My heart went out to him; from then on Jackie became part of our family and is treated like one.

He doesn't do tricks or whatever...we never taught him any. He obeys us pretty well. Understands English and Foochow. A good company for ma. Ma has a real soft spot for Jackie too. Jackie loves to jump at us but he never jumps at ma. Probably he knows that she is old and can't take his jumping.

One day, D took a box and played capture the enemy with him. Jackie ran and D chased. Suddenly, D came to the kitchen and said, 'Mum, Jackie's gone missing!' We searched under the car, table, in the house...no sign of him. Just disappeared. Then I saw a pair of eyes following us from behind the potted plants!!!! So cute...he hid behind the plants and hid himself so well that all I could see were a pair of mischevious eyes.

Today, D and I played basketball. Jackie joined us...he jumped and ran after the ball. The ball accidentally hit him under the chin. He stopped jumping around and sat quietly in the corner watching us. Later when D rolled the ball to him; he seems afraid of it. Sigh...timidity is not only with the members of the family; the dog has the trait too.

Opposites

KLYL

Banging over the piano over and over till she gets it right. It's almost non-stop. Perfectionist? She shows frustration, anger when the mistakes are repeated.

Revision....all on her own she knows just what to do and how to do. Very rarely asks for help; if that happens, it means she really needs help.

DLYM
Plays each song once or twice; even if it sounds like rubbish. Will replay only when asked or glared at or I am on the treadmill ( I get angry real fast when exercising). Totally satisfied with his effort and thinks he has done enough.
Revision....claims to be revising but don't know what goes on in the brain. Once caught him with his book 'terbalik' while revising. Must assign precise work. Takes him forever.

From the same family but with character that is totally opposite. God knows how to make our lives colourful. How dull it will be if we are all of the same make up.

Gifts

KC bought me this pair of boots to wear to England. I wanted a cheaper pair but he insisted on this. Knowing me..I will not wear it after the 11day trip. What a waste. Even now, I have not worn it...not in this hot weather!!! Should I wear it to church or school? I will be totally uncomfy and out of place! Oh dear...how am I going to break into this new pair of shoes?

But I have learnt not to complain when given gifts...then more will follow!
Take for example these lipsticks....he bought them when he made trips overseas. The colours are just not suitable for me...I have to mix them with other colours but when I received them; I felt so honoured that he would dare to buy cosmetics for me. So again...no complaints!

This is Intuition by Estee Lauder. I did request for a perfume. He knows EL is my favourite brand, he trusted the salesgirl's choice and bought the largest bottle!!! I can't finish using it and it is losing its scent. But again...no complaints!!

Not many gifts....but I treasure every thought and effort into each that comes my way.