tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60059978032772253112024-03-14T11:39:52.385+08:00Thots here and therecreating memories which may otherwise be forgotten.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger505125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005997803277225311.post-28764156174465193532020-03-18T13:08:00.000+08:002020-03-18T13:08:36.442+08:00Covid 19interesting how our lives just change in a few days. So restricted travel has been enforced in Malaysia. Some are still unaware of the seriousness of the situation. Do we need a major disaster to make us serious?<br />
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Last night was the whole drama of people trying to go back to their villages. Then the need to get permit from the police for interstate travel. The road jammed up, the police stations were crowded with people and bus stations too with people trying to get public transportation. Hopefully this crowd will not worsen the situation in Malaysia.<br />
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As life is put on hold, there are those who face difficulties physically and medically. Julie is quarantined due to TB. I wonder how is she coping. Bernie is home bound due to stroke and old age. She’s very frail and has difficulty moving. Her dinner is catered. So that takes care of her meals. Got her a tray of eggs n cooked her some stew which she can keep n steam for any of her meals. There’s Lee Yoon who has mild stroke and just admitted to GH. Her mother is bed ridden and now the brother has to divide his time between home and hospital.<br />
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Some can’t even live a normal peaceful life. For what I have I am thankful for my lot.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005997803277225311.post-44753199549397848142019-07-04T22:23:00.000+08:002019-07-04T22:23:27.106+08:00No worries <div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Another beautiful poem to remind me that God is in control. I shouldn’t be worried. This is taken from Streams In The Desert. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">O Thou of little faith,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">God hath not failed thee yet!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">When all looks dark and gloomy,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Thou dost so soon forget─</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Forget that He has led thee,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">And gently cleared thy way;</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">On clouds has poured His sunshine,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">And turned thy night to day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">And if He's helped thee hitherto,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">He will not fail thee now;</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">How it must wound His loving heart</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">To see thy anxious brow!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Oh! doubt not any longer,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">To Him commit thy way,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">whom in the past thou trusted,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">And is "just the same today."</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005997803277225311.post-59920175568446154082019-06-12T22:36:00.000+08:002019-06-12T22:36:23.291+08:00God is with me<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13.8px;">
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Is it raining, little flower?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Be glad of rain;</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Too much sun would wither thee;</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> `Twill shine again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The clouds are very black, `tis true;</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">But just behind them shines the blue.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Art thou weary, tender heart?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Be glad of pain:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">In sorrow sweetest virtues grow,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> As flowers in rain.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">God watches, and thou wilt have sun,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">When clouds their perfect work have done.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> ─Lucy Larcom. </span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005997803277225311.post-54078275404475858002019-05-14T22:15:00.000+08:002019-05-14T22:15:52.709+08:00Marginmargin refers to the space on the edge of a page where there is no text....James Bryan Smith (The good and beautiful God).<br />
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I always gets upset when students write into the margin which I call it Mt Space. Some have so much to write that they just go on and on and on.<br />
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Just like my life ....I’ve filled it up with so much that work, kdrama, housework...overflows into the margins of my life.<br />
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In this new soul training James Bryan Smith is suggesting that we take time for margin....leisure, me time, rest and time for God, family n health.<br />
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So I’ve found some time for margin today. One of the leisurely thing I used to enjoy was reading poems. Today I rediscovered Christina Rossetti.<br />
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Here’s one of her poem which is so dreary but true. I don’t mind it being read at my wake.<br />
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When I am dead, my dearest,<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Sing no sad songs for me;<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Plant thou no roses at my head,<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Nor shady cypress tree:<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Be the green grass above me<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />With showers and dewdrops wet;<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />And if thou wilt, remember,<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />And if thou wilt, forget.<span id="more-8593" style="box-sizing: border-box;"></span></div>
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I shall not see the shadows,<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />I shall not feel the rain;<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />I shall not hear the nightingale<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Sing on, as if in pain:<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />And dreaming through the twilight<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />That doth not rise nor set,<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Haply I may remember,<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />And haply may forget.</div>
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Blogging today is another margin. 😀😀</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005997803277225311.post-8614647139482055152019-03-06T19:54:00.000+08:002019-03-06T19:59:35.823+08:00Soul trainingOne of the soul training exercises that I’ve to practise is taking time of to enjoy nature. This is what I’m doing now. Appreciating the sky, the plants, the breeze, the birds and the various sounds from bird chirping to the washing machine.<br />
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So the evening started with a cup of coffee (with a trickle of Kahlua). </div>
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The flowers are not too great looking like before but they are still pleasing to the eye. </div>
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Birds flying above. </div>
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Suppose to catch a plane flying above. In fact I saw two planes passing by. </div>
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Listen to the sounds. </div>
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And just like that, dusk has come. </div>
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The orange colours of the sky is gone. </div>
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It’s getting dark now. Mosquitoes are out!,,,,</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005997803277225311.post-60630841160748375062019-02-25T08:09:00.000+08:002019-02-25T08:13:10.512+08:00Sky Mirror23.2.19<br />
Adventure for the month of February was the trip to Sky Mirror, off Kuala Selangor. Had always wanted to visit this place so when Ms Liau invited to join a tour, I jumped at it despite disliking joining tours. Tours as tours are.....I still dislike it except for the Sky Mirror and the paddy museum. Anyway back to the topic....will only focus on the Sky Mirror experience.<br />
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The jetty is in this place called Sasaran. The boatman looks young and his assistant is even younger. Only 18 apparently but looks much younger.<br />
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This fishing village is by the swamp. Full of egrets. </div>
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Boats by the jetty. Around this time...10.15am many boats left the jetty to Sky Mirror. </div>
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Took us about 25 minutes to reach the destination. Felt the boatman sped all the way there. He did slow down a while to show us some dolphins but I couldn’t see where I was seated. </div>
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When we reached there were already other boats around. I believe there were almost 500 people on land. I The boatmen were turning here and there waiting for the tide to go down. We could see the difference in the water....the brownish water shows where land would appear while the greenish water is the deeper end. Finally saw some people coming down at the further end. The water was slightly below the knee. </div>
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Then we were allowed to come down. The water was around the ankle. Went down with only my hat and hand phone. We were warned not to touch any of the sea creatures as they could be poisonous. Being in the middle of the Strait of Malacca, I believed him. The sight of tide going down and land appearing was pretty awesome. </div>
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All over the beach can see sights like this. The boatmen and assistants preparing the place for photography. Smmothen the beach, make a little puddle and set up the tent like structure for lighting purposes 😂😂. Very innovative. </div>
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The full group photo. 38 of us ....then we broke up to three different groups. Following different photographers. We followed the assistant from our boat. I offered him my iPhone X..of course I had to stay with him. </div>
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The Seremban group. 12 of us. By the way....we met Mrs Öng...the children’s piano teacher. We stayed on the beach for an hour. Waiting for our turns to take pictures....groups, family, individual and couples. In no time time was up. </div>
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The trip back was pretty awesome. When we were close to the village, we entered the mouth of the river with swamps on the left and right. I though it was a different route but it was the same. The scene was different because of the low tide. The swamps were swamped with egrets and we even saw a huge monitor lizard. </div>
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A closer view of the swamp with the monitor lizard. </div>
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Well, the whole excursion ended about 12.30pm. Pretty impressive and awed by God’s creation. The Almighty has indeed given us a beautiful earth. I was pleased when the boatmen told off a smoker not to throw the butt on the beach. Yes....they are playing their part to preserve the sea from pollution. It’s us...urban people who are ignorant and bring pollution even to the middle of the sea. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005997803277225311.post-23594338273121961092019-02-21T12:22:00.001+08:002019-02-21T12:22:36.346+08:00Nights of Rain and Stars <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is the title of the book written by Maeve Binchy. One day during my Nilam class (a total waste of time) I saw a 12 year old student with this book. I was totally excited as MB is one of my favourite author. I thought I’ve read all of her books. Apparently not! </div>
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This is MB. Very sensible and down to earth writer. Her style of writing is easy to read. Talking about normal people with their everyday lives but she spins tale out of normal living. There’s something real and honest in how she writes. It’s interesting too how she moves from one character to another or one place to another.</div>
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In this book she introduces us to four main characters running away from life and how a chance meeting with an angel like character brought changes to them. </div>
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Issues like manipulation, expectations and domestic violence are touched on. I agree with her that one should not be dictated on how they should live. We need the freedom to live our lives and make our mistakes. Only then can we learn and be better people. But her conclusion is a bit over simplistic. Life in reality tend to be more complicated and sticky. </div>
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The character David reminds me much of the kdrama Sky Castle. Expectations from parents and how to child yearns to be free from it and live his own life as his own person. </div>
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People say love is blind (which I disagree)...through Fiona’s character she shows how a level headed person can be blinded by what she thinks is love for her man to the extent of allowing him to abuse her physically, emotionally and verbally. We can’t tell a person she / he has made the wrong choice. She has to discover it herself. </div>
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An easy reading and entertaining book to pass time. 😀</div>
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Now I wonder if a 12 year old is able to read between the lines and come with these conclusions about life. </div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005997803277225311.post-71398478021431270892019-02-19T22:39:00.000+08:002019-02-19T22:40:03.179+08:00Ah boy to manso Dan is having his gap year/ months...before starting his undergrad studies. He’s full of plans. Conjuring projects in his mind and bringing them to reality. The father is real pleased that the son takes after him here. They speak the same language and get so excited of gadgets and machinery.<br />
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Project 1: making a shield. He took his father’s precious wood, sawed and shaped it into what he says inspired by the Kadazan or Iban(?) shield. He said the plank has been around the past ten years and not used. So it probably won’t be used for the next ten years. He might as well use it. Hmmmm....the father went quiet when he saw his wood was cut😂😂😂😂..</div>
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Project 2: he turned a pair of broken shears into a knife. Wrapped the handle and make it usable. </div>
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Project 3: cleaning, sharpening, and restoring his father’s old machete. Out comes the angle grinder. </div>
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Yesterday we went to Mr DIY and he spent more than 70 buying stuff for his projects. The above picture shows things that appeared on the His working table as he works on his projects. </div>
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And I overheard the boys to men discussing about building a table????</div>
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I’m glad he’s home and spending his time portering around. Whether any of his projects will be useful or not....we’ll see. What’s important he’s doing things that he enjoys and definitely speaking the same language as the father. That’s precious bonding time. </div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005997803277225311.post-83692898908034688912019-02-10T15:33:00.001+08:002019-02-10T15:33:44.655+08:00Multi seed walnut beer bread I love bread and pastries. I am now using my fourth bread machine. My first machine was Princess brand, followed by Kenwood (the most expensive ) and then Tesco brand. This second Tesco machine was bought online...only rn168!! The cheapest ever.<br />
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I used up the beer which I was unable to finish in my bread. (Never ever throw out unfinished beer or soju or wine....throw it into the bread 😆😆).<br />
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1 egg</div>
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3/4 tsp salt</div>
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2 c HP flour</div>
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1 c whole meal flour</div>
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4tbsp various seeds</div>
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1/3 c walnut</div>
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2tbsp brown sugar</div>
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Bake with Tesco machine..basic for 3 hours. The result is as the picture above. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005997803277225311.post-15620724752801601062019-02-09T22:31:00.001+08:002019-02-09T22:31:35.028+08:00CNY gatherings This is the season where there will be endless gatherings. Just today a group of students visited me and the endless chatter of what they are doing, where they are studying etc etc. I really appreciate their visit because it’s a reflection of their sincerity towards me as their teacher regardless of what they are doing. Am so glad today’s gathering was not the ‘keeping up with the Joneses’ sort of gathering.<br />
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5Zeta 2016??</div>
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Then there is the extended family gatherings....where we meet up with cousins and aunts and uncles etc etc. Those cousins who are doing well are so well thought of....those who are not doing so well sit in another side and there’s that group who may have brought shame to the family....they are out of the radar and spoken of in hushed tones. Talk about caste system....amongst the Chinese community there is this unwritten caste system which runs in every clan. Hubby purposely didn’t inform me of such a gathering this year and I’m blissfully ignorant and happy 😃😃😆😆😆😆. </div>
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Even back home in my kampung, I didn’t go on visitations to extended families...which makes me pretty anti social I think. A dear cousin called on us almost midnight and she couldn’t understand why I didn’t visit her mum which is the remaining elder in the family. Hmmmm...I guess I value my time with my own siblings more. </div>
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So what does an introvert like me do during CNY? I treasure very much the time with my siblings, nephews , nieces and their children. This year there are just so many cute kids. My cup overflows with joy as I spend the time with them. Call me selfish...but that was quality time spent. </div>
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The annual movie with the nephews ...who are grown men now. That’s luxury. We hardly meet and it’s CNY that we catch up with each other. </div>
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Just now a student ask why didn’t I go to her grandma’s house for their CNY party (my neighbor). I simply said...I’m scared of crowds. Which is absolutely true. Crowds....even if they are relatives make me uncomfortable and awkward. </div>
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So the next time if I don’t attend a gathering, reunion etc etc....I hope my family and friends will be more forgiving and understanding. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005997803277225311.post-19489279120826122972019-02-02T08:34:00.000+08:002019-02-02T08:34:20.027+08:00Take time to smell the roses the cny weekend has started and this is the time when much has to be done. I was already mentally making a to do list while lying on bed just now. But I refuse to be flustered by my busy schedule.<br />
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Purposely sit in the garden now to have my breakfast with Kc and do our devotional together. We have decided to have more breakfasts in the garden this year.<br />
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The best time of the day in the garden is in the morning when everything is quiet and there’s only the birds chirping. This is called smelling the roses. My garden may not be the most beautiful garden but it’s where I relax and chill. </div>
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To a new day and new adventure 🥂🍻!!</div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005997803277225311.post-30931263303189021452019-01-30T21:40:00.002+08:002019-01-30T21:40:46.096+08:002016-2019The title is the length of time I did not blog and today... after more than two and a half years I'm on my trusty old Mac typing away. Maybe a little rusty in my writing..brain too complacent and lazy with all the Kdramas!<br />
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This morning Lyn was running through some recipes on my blog and that make me realized that I should take up blogging again so that my children have stuff to read about me one day when I'm not with them. That would help to keep memories of me alive😼😼😼😼😼😼.<br />
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So much has happened in the past two years and I'm an orphan now. Mum passed away in September 2016 and dad in March 2017...six months apart. Festive seasons like CNY and Christmas are still difficult for me.<br />
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What did I do the past two years? Kdrama !!!!😆😆 Influence of students and also my way of escaping from the stress in life. KC is surprised that I'm not on any drama tonight. Hahaha.<br />
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The empty nest syndrome...that's me. This should be a good reason for me to be penning some lines here every now and then if I'm not too lazy. But most of the time I feel lazy.<br />
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Traveling ...the bug bites without fail where I would start planning early each year. This year will be different. No more planning but keeping my thoughts in prayer that God will bless me with that holiday which I have in mind. Will wait for the surprise.<br />
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When I read some of my blogs I was pleasantly surprised by the book reviews I wrote. Forgotten I have read so many interesting books. Just yesterday I picked up a book by Maeve Binchy. Will write a review on it after I finish reading.<br />
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OK resolution for 2019..I must start blogging again. Just pen a few thoughts would be good.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005997803277225311.post-37642458273201153902016-03-06T15:37:00.001+08:002016-03-06T15:37:43.322+08:00Danger lurksIt was a Sunday afternoon. We were at Brickfields, walking to an Indian restaurant called Chat Masala. This place is the Little India of KL. One can see the Indians on the streets in their colorful costumes, adorned with jewellery. <div><br></div><div>While crossing the road at a corner, we heard a horn. Turned around and saw a motorist horning at an Indian family crossing the road like us. All other vehicles had stopped as its pedestrian crossing but the motorist continued to swerve around the family. He stretched his arm to an old lady, there was a shriek and he was off. Within seconds! He had just snatched the lady's necklace. </div><div><br></div><div>All of us were stunned looking to the direction where he sped off. What can we do? Pointing and shouting were of no use. He was way ahead and had disappeared round the bend. </div><div><br></div><div>That's snatch thief in broad daylight in malaysia. As easy as that. Nothing can be done. Now what I read in the papers happened right under my nose. </div><div><br></div><div>We always hear the advice to ladies not to carry handbags. I see the sense of the advice today. But if I don't carry my handbag, how am I going to carry my keys, wallet, phone, iPad, lipsticks, tissue paper etc etc??</div><div><br></div><div>It was a normal Sunday afternoon....</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005997803277225311.post-11465752486010689222016-02-24T20:41:00.001+08:002016-02-24T22:05:17.539+08:00A letter to the kids<div class="yiv9373320645p1" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1456312311484_9998" style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; padding: 0px;">
<span class="yiv9373320645s1" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1456312311484_9997" style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 19pt;">Guidelines which we hope you will find helpful:</span></div>
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<li class="yiv9373320645li1" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1456312311484_10005" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="yiv9373320645s1" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1456312311484_10004" style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 19pt;">Date a Christian if possible. (This is the heritage that we have from our grandparents which we now pass to you and we would like to see it passed to the next generations.) It will save you from lots of heartaches over religious differences next time. It will also give you a mutual interest which cements the relationship. In a Christian relationship it's a love triangle.<span class="yiv9373320645Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></li>
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<span class="yiv9373320645s1" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1456312311484_10015" style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 19pt;">Christ at the top of your triangle, you n the person u r dating at the bottom. Both growing upwards to God n thus closing in on the gap between you.<span class="yiv9373320645Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 19pt;">2. If you are interested in a non Christian you must make known your stand in Christ to him right from the start. Don't mislead a person. Let your principles, beliefs n core values be clear between you so you will not disappoint each other. When dating a non Christian you must pray day n night for his conviction to believe in Christ. Talk about both your values and see how you can both accept each other's values. Never compromise. If there be uneasiness don't push it aside and cover it up with excuses. Bang heavens gates for answers and guidance. God will guide you. Trust God in this. He knows best.</span><span class="yiv9373320645Apple-converted-space" style="font-size: 19pt;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 19pt;">3. Talk to one of us if there be doubt or struggle or confusion. Matters of the heart can get complicated. Sometimes you have to b strong and hard to protect yourself. We will not judge you but provide you a listening ear n prayers. We respect you as an adult but if we see some unwise moves or choice made by you we will speak up. We are your parents n God has given us the privilege to mentor and disciple you.</span><span class="yiv9373320645Apple-converted-space" style="font-size: 19pt;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 19pt;">4. When going on a date, always plan to do things together like study together, read a book n discuss it, go to museums n talk about what you see. Be in open and bright spaces. No going to the room or sitting in dark corners. Don't allow yourself to be tempted. Remember if the person is not meant for you, it's easier to break up when you are not carried away with physical acts like touching ,petting etc. It will also leave less scars on both of you, making it easier to move on. Avoid being physical because you will never be satisfied with just a little touching. You will want more n more and it will get out of control. Your father only held my little finger. When I sat behind him on the motorbike our friends laughed at us saying there's space for an elephant. These are things you can talk about when dating cause you are laying your ground rules too.</span><span class="yiv9373320645Apple-converted-space" style="font-size: 19pt;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 19pt;">5. Watch the choice of places you hang out in. If you are overseas and it's the norm to go to the pub, please do know how much drink you can hold. Anyway it's not healthy to hang out in the pub often. Go for the experience but don't make it a way of life. It's too expensive a lifestyle anyway. Drinking is also not good. So let it be occasional and not a daily affair.</span><span class="yiv9373320645Apple-converted-space" style="font-size: 19pt;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 19pt;">6. Live within your means. Never be in debt. Never borrow from others and don't let your friends make it a habit to borrow money from you. If you have a credit card, use it only when it's a planned purchase and you know you have the cash for it. Never live on credit. Pay whatever sum that is on your credit card bill when d billing comes in each month. Don't accumulate. We will not bail you out on your credits.</span><span class="yiv9373320645Apple-converted-space" style="font-size: 19pt;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 19pt;">7. Don't stay or hide in your room too long. Go out and socialize especially when you don't feel like it. Get out under the sun. It will drive depression and sadness and melancholy away. When you are down, go under the sun. Be outdoors. Walk or play some games. Do things which you've never done before for the experience. Be adventurous.</span><span class="yiv9373320645Apple-converted-space" style="font-size: 19pt;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 19pt;">8. Find a church to worship and serve. Don't put too high an expectation on the church and the people. You are there to commune with God and His people. Don't make excuses not going to church or not serving God. One excuse will lead to another. The right time to serve will never come because every new day is the right time to serve Him. He has given you a new day for a purpose. To serve Him.</span><span class="yiv9373320645Apple-converted-space" style="font-size: 19pt;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 19pt;">9. Take time for kind acts. To be a servant to others. Go help in soup kitchens, counsel a friend.... When you spend time helping others you will be grateful for all God has blessed you with. Use all the talents God has given you. You will discover new talents and strengths.</span><span class="yiv9373320645Apple-converted-space" style="font-size: 19pt;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 19pt;">10. Always inform us your whereabouts and introduce us to your friends. Don't hide things from us. Don't do anything that will cause us to worry. Connect and contact us regularly. Regardless of who you will be one day, you are our child and we are your parents. We have responsibility towards each other.</span><span class="yiv9373320645Apple-converted-space" style="font-size: 19pt;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 19pt;">11. Protect your relationship with your each other. Keep in touch even when you are busy. Don't neglect each other and don't drift away. There are only the two of you. So you must care and protect each other.</span><span class="yiv9373320645Apple-converted-space" style="font-size: 19pt;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 19pt;">12. Above all...never leave God out of your life. He must be at the core. Your life and decisions and activities must center on Jesus. Remember we are meeting each other at Jesus' bosom one day. So live your life in Christ so that we will be together in eternity.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005997803277225311.post-47458742957729423742016-02-24T20:30:00.001+08:002016-02-24T20:30:36.825+08:00of wives and concubines<br />
Been very much into chinese history videos these past few weeks. It's part of my homework every time I teach Form 4 history (Chapter 2) which touches on the chinese civilization.<br />
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Started off by watching The First Emperor of China ie Shih Huang Ti. Wanted to re-watch The Emperor and The Assassin but ended with the documentary. Very impressed by it. Worth my time.<br />
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yb1CcvqJ0gc <br />
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Then came along some other documentary on eunuch and some weird chinese wedding rituals before I ended with the movie Raise the Red Lantern.<br />
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What a movie!! Women were such downtrodden species in the eyes of the chinese. Was so disturbed watching it. Just can't imagine that such tradition actually took place in society. I think many rich chinese men in Malaya had quite a number of wives also. I guess it's a way of showing wealth??<br />
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Yo8bvg0MAg<br />
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Then again, polygamy is practiced by the Muslims too up till this day. Wonder how is the sisterhood of wives like amongst them? Human being human.....I don't think there is any one woman who will be happy to see the husband having other wife or wives. No matter how noble she may want to be, the matter of heart is known only to her.<br />
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It was an interesting movie to ponder on.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005997803277225311.post-30282910003599304022014-12-14T19:13:00.001+08:002014-12-14T19:13:40.061+08:00Long ngien (foo chow egg noodle)<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Long ngien is a Foo Chow noodle made from tapioca flour unlike mien fen kau which is made from wheat flour. Many times this year mum has pestered me to make for her to eat but I was too busy. It's holiday now and I had better cook this noodle before the new academic year starts with its busyness. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Ingredients:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">500 g tapioca flour</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">2 eggs</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">3 tbsp wheat flour</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Water</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Method:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Beat the eggs. Pour in a cup of water. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Slowly add the tapioca flour and wheat flour. The wheat flour is to make the texture slightly tougher so that it's easier to handle. Otherwise it gets too soft. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> Add water and mix well till it is smooth. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It must have a runny consistency. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Heat a non stick wok or pan. Oil the wok slightly. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">When warm pour in a ladle full of batter. Tilt the wok about so that the batter fills the pan. If it doesn't smoothen out on the pan easily, add a little water. The batter is too thick. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This is like making crepe or pan cake. </div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-zZ2fVSSXJKE/VI1wsR2_hYI/AAAAAAAAEgU/G-yalm6hYJo/s640/blogger-image-221964428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-zZ2fVSSXJKE/VI1wsR2_hYI/AAAAAAAAEgU/G-yalm6hYJo/s640/blogger-image-221964428.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Add a little water every now and the as the batter will thicken. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ugaa0tf-r-g/VI1wyKLl5fI/AAAAAAAAEgc/U-KDPdYyf9A/s640/blogger-image-1191278679.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ugaa0tf-r-g/VI1wyKLl5fI/AAAAAAAAEgc/U-KDPdYyf9A/s640/blogger-image-1191278679.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Oil the pan slightly after two rounds of making the 'pancake'. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-QwLI5oIksGg/VI1wmQB290I/AAAAAAAAEgM/T5g_Sc23imQ/s640/blogger-image-308223020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-QwLI5oIksGg/VI1wmQB290I/AAAAAAAAEgM/T5g_Sc23imQ/s640/blogger-image-308223020.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Lift the 'pancake ' to the table. Roll it up while it is still hot. Otherwise it will not roll nicely. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ZLXI0WToOs8/VI1w4BVfqJI/AAAAAAAAEgk/tYaf88FbjEc/s640/blogger-image--1329019156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ZLXI0WToOs8/VI1w4BVfqJI/AAAAAAAAEgk/tYaf88FbjEc/s640/blogger-image--1329019156.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Cut the rolled pancake and the long ngien or egg noodle is ready. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-h7v63W-TlVk/VI1wfNqkH6I/AAAAAAAAEgE/DF-HwiW6uYE/s640/blogger-image--506515603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-h7v63W-TlVk/VI1wfNqkH6I/AAAAAAAAEgE/DF-HwiW6uYE/s640/blogger-image--506515603.jpg"></a></div>The stock is really up to the individual. As I couldn't find lala today, I decided to use flower crabs. I also added foo chow fish balls, mushroom, vegetables and fuchok fish paste roll. I use lots of ginger and pepper as this noodle tend to be cooling. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Long ngien has a smooth texture. Don't even need to chew it. Unlike mien fen kau which can be hard and thick if not we'll done. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Mother eats long ngien with yemeishu. Lyn will add a dash of rice wine. I usually add DOM to mine. Real good!!</div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005997803277225311.post-33840265433732252042014-10-31T16:35:00.001+08:002014-10-31T16:35:35.336+08:00Chemainus, Vancouver Island<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">2014 is actually a very exciting year for us. We visited Vancouver again...after 13 years. One of our trips there was to this quaint town at Vancouver Island. We tried all ways to pronounce the name...with the [k] sound but it is actually pronounced as [sh].<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ux3Ew11Oa_4/VFNJsQiGS5I/AAAAAAAAEfk/bPN2nJzacGk/s640/blogger-image-1320750889.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ux3Ew11Oa_4/VFNJsQiGS5I/AAAAAAAAEfk/bPN2nJzacGk/s640/blogger-image-1320750889.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ux3Ew11Oa_4/VFNJsQiGS5I/AAAAAAAAEfk/bPN2nJzacGk/s640/blogger-image-1320750889.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-BN6aqfP_XqE/VFNJpBRa8BI/AAAAAAAAEfc/NUIEOwkle2I/s640/blogger-image--2076479411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-BN6aqfP_XqE/VFNJpBRa8BI/AAAAAAAAEfc/NUIEOwkle2I/s640/blogger-image--2076479411.jpg"></a></div>Our favorite pastime in a new place is to walk and explore. As we walked around this small town we came across this fairy tale inn. </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ruiznSMRzZ4/VFNJikoyGGI/AAAAAAAAEfM/SkzDTvSWp7E/s640/blogger-image-852012513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ruiznSMRzZ4/VFNJikoyGGI/AAAAAAAAEfM/SkzDTvSWp7E/s640/blogger-image-852012513.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Little Inn on Willow- the side view. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YuY0nSLhT5E/VFNJv5EsHlI/AAAAAAAAEfs/qtlUShW00wc/s640/blogger-image--110203386.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YuY0nSLhT5E/VFNJv5EsHlI/AAAAAAAAEfs/qtlUShW00wc/s640/blogger-image--110203386.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I don't know what view is this but it's just so cute. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-p_GV5k1q1lw/VFNJ1WwPQeI/AAAAAAAAEf0/-svgIDnPr8Y/s640/blogger-image--250974603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-p_GV5k1q1lw/VFNJ1WwPQeI/AAAAAAAAEf0/-svgIDnPr8Y/s640/blogger-image--250974603.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The little gate to get into fairy land. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UTkBXAJTmnM/VFNJl-BMZbI/AAAAAAAAEfU/7CgDJRaa5A8/s640/blogger-image--28753967.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UTkBXAJTmnM/VFNJl-BMZbI/AAAAAAAAEfU/7CgDJRaa5A8/s640/blogger-image--28753967.jpg"></a></div>Just look at the sign. I was expecting some goblins and elves to hop out any minute. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">A vacation that was even more memorable this time because the kids are grown and were able to enjoy every moment with us. We also have a private chauffeur to ferry us around...my brother. Great memories created this year in June. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005997803277225311.post-17647317264671816902014-10-31T16:17:00.001+08:002014-10-31T16:17:18.690+08:00Appreciating beauty...It's been a long time since I last blogged. Just lost my momentum this year. The year is coming to an end soon. Makes me reflective. So here are some pretty pictures I took in the month of September and October. <br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-DQaDCCw0Qfc/VFJMvOgL70I/AAAAAAAAEeE/p2qSTYB6eFY/s640/blogger-image-422342561.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-DQaDCCw0Qfc/VFJMvOgL70I/AAAAAAAAEeE/p2qSTYB6eFY/s640/blogger-image-422342561.jpg"></a></div>We visited a little English cafe in town called the Parlour. The deco is real English. Here's a little tin box filled with pretty weeds. <br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PCJtCLZ4qfE/VFJMQ7812CI/AAAAAAAAEd8/hWV5FwwXZjU/s640/blogger-image--1544654811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PCJtCLZ4qfE/VFJMQ7812CI/AAAAAAAAEd8/hWV5FwwXZjU/s640/blogger-image--1544654811.jpg"></a></div>This is a rose from my garden. Nelda has green fingers. The flowers under her care bloom beautifully. But at the moment the whole garden and porch is in a mess as we are doing some renovation. Waiting eagerly for the whole mess to be cleaned up so we can see the garden bloom again. <br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-W-rFXTJ9KaQ/VFNFfoJZTmI/AAAAAAAAEe4/yA3mE27FIto/s640/blogger-image-840390844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-W-rFXTJ9KaQ/VFNFfoJZTmI/AAAAAAAAEe4/yA3mE27FIto/s640/blogger-image-840390844.jpg"></a></div>This is sunset at Rejang River. Took the debate team there for competition. Sunsets are my favorite but this sunset has some dirty spots. The glass of the hotel window needed cleaning badly. <br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5yzkSV0_IuQ/VFNFMEwXAGI/AAAAAAAAEew/-Kjx3EV4haQ/s640/blogger-image-1911080747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5yzkSV0_IuQ/VFNFMEwXAGI/AAAAAAAAEew/-Kjx3EV4haQ/s640/blogger-image-1911080747.jpg"></a></div>An evening out to the beach. The beach was full of people but I managed to take this very nice and classic looking coconut tree. <br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-FTIujyGvExA/VFNFjI4lXdI/AAAAAAAAEfA/oS6zrIaPGV0/s640/blogger-image-1558349528.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-FTIujyGvExA/VFNFjI4lXdI/AAAAAAAAEfA/oS6zrIaPGV0/s640/blogger-image-1558349528.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Just can't be on the beach without a picture of the sea. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Hope the next inspiration to blog will come soon. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005997803277225311.post-19748046236751284742014-04-26T20:02:00.001+08:002014-04-26T20:10:27.006+08:00Brown and burnt<div>
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There was a severe draught early this year lasting almost two month. During that time many parts of the country was on fire. Kepayang Hill was not spared. One evening I received an SMS from Bernice saying that KHill was on fire. I couldn't see from my house. It was the S2 side.<br />
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I suspected then that it must be near Rocky Mountain ... one of our favorite routes. </div>
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After staying away from the hill for almost two months, we managed to go up today. Haze, rain and of course hectic schedule have kept us from the hill this long. I no longer enjoy the hill. The route has changed because of development. The hill has been cut all the way up. </div>
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While making our way up Rocky Mountain we noticed signs of the wood being burnt. It got worse the further we went. True enough...that was the part that was on fire few months ago as seen in these pictures. </div>
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Totally dismayed and saddened by what we saw. </div>
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Going up the trail...used to have low bushes left and right. Now it's barren and clear.<br />
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At the top...all brown. The trees are blackened. It's more severe at the top compared to the bottom. </div>
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We hope to grow old climbing this hill. Now I wonder if the hill will still be here in ten years time. Need to look for a new hill nearby to climb. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005997803277225311.post-11291864284829048052014-04-26T20:00:00.001+08:002014-04-26T20:09:34.961+08:00Emily of Emerald Hill<div>
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Twenty years ago I was supposed to watch this one woman act with KC but I had to go home to visit my parents. So he went alone. He praised the play sky high that I regretted not catching it with him.<br />
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Thanks to BS for posting on her fb...this time I managed to catch the play despite a very tight schedule. Daniel was at the Planetarium for a school excursion. Kc picked him up at lunch hour. Dan was bored waiting for time to pass in the dad's office. I took a commuter to Sentral at 4. We met at 5.45 and went straight to Damansara Empire. (Waze cannot be trusted totally).</div>
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Saw some exhibitions before the show started. </div>
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This setting is meant for photo shoots I believe. Very brightly lighted. Kc and I managed to take a picture with Pearlly after the show here. </div>
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Saw these umbrellas hanging outside the theatre near a Korean restaurant. Had dinner there and watched some people filming. Think they were trying to make some coffee commercials. </div>
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Anyway back to the drama. It was excellent. The actress...Pearly Chua has done this like 200 times. She is clear and loud. Her diction is really good. Without a microphone she could project her voice loud and clear even when she goes softer. </div>
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Expressions are fantastic. I remembered the scene when she received a telegram from London. She read through it real fast and I gasped aloud. She had just read that her son died. Most of the time I was staring at her and listening with both ears turned up (if that is possible)...not wanting to miss anything. </div>
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We could relate and identify with Emily so well. It's part of the Chinese culture though she's a nyonya. It's so Malaysian in a way. But sad to say...that is how society is like. Like Emily...conniving, manupalative and domineering. Put so much up front for face value. </div>
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To me Emily has led a very sad life...trying to achieve much but at the end she has nothing. I love this drama. Thought provoking. Powerful reminder to myself to enjoy and live LIFE. To love my children just as they are and not make them to be someone else. To love my husband for all that he is. Tyrant as she is, Emily has a good heart too. </div>
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It was an interesting experience for Dan. He acted as Jesus last Good Friday and did it pretty well. Quite surprised that he could remember his scripts and act. So there was much for him to learn watching Emily hrough Pearlly Chua. </div>
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Excellent and highly recommended. Catch it if you have a chance. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005997803277225311.post-5143861937934750462014-03-23T12:56:00.002+08:002014-03-23T13:03:02.444+08:00exams and results20th March came and gone in a wink. Five years of secondary education summarised in a piece of paper. The muggings of a whole year and the waiting of more than three months....all in the past now.<br />
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This year I had the privilege to be the mother of a student instead of just being a teacher. I had the joy to be on stage with one of the top students in the school. It was a day of great joy for the two of us. But I was hit by many what ifs....<br />
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The names of the straight A+ were first announced followed by all As (combination of A+, A and A-). A total of 33 students. The sadness and tears when students who expected to be in the straight A+ category found themselves to be in the all As category. Even more tears for students who expected to be in either of the category and found themselves in neither.<br />
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I was busy giving out results that morning. All around me was chaos, noise and tears. When I looked at my students crying....I wondered how Lyn and I would have reacted if she was in their shoes. Tears...definitely tears too.<br />
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As I ponder on this for the past few days and every year when results is announced...I have only this to say...I hate this system. I hate to see what it does to the students' esteem. It's not that they are not good....but what we are doing is we are telling them that they are not good enough. Therefore they do not deserve such recognition. This whole system is making us drill As out of the students and if they do not achieve the As....they are just not good or smart.<br />
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Many students have all A+ but an A or all As but a B. They are no less better than those who were called on stage. This method is definitely not healthy to the child's psychology. Can we stop it??<br />
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I repeat it very often and I repeat it again. Life is not about making As. The As a student gets will not determine her success in future. Success and self worth is not equavalent to the As a student get. How I wish I can hold all of them in my arms and tell them....you've done good. You've done well. I am so proud of you.<br />
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Many students have shown their strength not in their academics but in their character, attitude, relationship with their elders. Are they praised for such fine characteristics? Do we shout to the world that here we have groomed students who are respectful, uphold integrity, kind and helpful?? No wonder the moral values of society has gone down the drain because it is of no importance.<br />
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So to all my students who are reading this...I apologise for the pressure I put on you to get As. I want all of you to know that you have done well, very well indeed for excellence is not measured by academic results alone. Think again....if I have taught you... what I said about success. If you have shown any kindness, courtesy and goodness to another fellow human today...you are a success and I am so proud of you.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005997803277225311.post-73727837651851574472014-02-16T21:50:00.002+08:002014-02-16T21:51:01.899+08:00Dry season<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The year 2014 started off windy. The wind was so strong that many times the clothes were blown away and I was not able to sun my prawn crackers as they would all be blown off the table. This is what we call the CNY wind. Weeks before CNY the wind turned cold. Some people said it's the north wind from Russia (????). Anyway the weather was so windy and cool that it's like being up in Cameron Highlands the whole time. </div>
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After CNY the wind is still blowing but somehow the sun has turned scorching. To make it worse we have not experienced rain for many many weeks now. Today as I walked up the hill, I noticed the leaves under my feet is much thicker....more leaves have fallen due to the dry season. The path has cracked.</div>
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This is the top of the hill where it is totally exposed to the sun. The shrubs and grass are all dried up and burnt under the scorching sun. One just need to lit a match and I think the whole hill will be burnt. Quite a scary thought ... what if the hill caught fire while I am up there. Will I be able to run to safety on time?</div>
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We need rain and we need it real quick. Read the news that they will do cloud seeding....well, was it done or ...? The dam is drying up and water pressure has gone down. Soon there will be water rationing again....</div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005997803277225311.post-49753522028686958432013-12-23T16:33:00.001+08:002013-12-23T16:33:44.220+08:00Christmas caroling 2013It's the Christmas season again. With teenagers in the house who are very active in the MYF you can't help but be swept along with the excitement of the celebration. This year we decided to help out again by providing transport. <div><br></div><div>This year's carollers included three primary kids. Two of them, Jasmine and Monica followed our car along with Eucharia who is an African studying in a nursing school here. Tiffany took care of the little ones along with Charmaine. So the car was packed. <br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-6D5yogm09YU/Urf1Zb5IMeI/AAAAAAAAEZI/2WKf7PuhECI/s640/blogger-image-138718085.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-6D5yogm09YU/Urf1Zb5IMeI/AAAAAAAAEZI/2WKf7PuhECI/s640/blogger-image-138718085.jpg"></a></div>First stop was a nursing home. Uncle Ben's father is here. So we brought Christmas cheer to him. The MYFers are trained to shake hands with everybody in all the homes they visited. They did a pretty good job. <br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-3O9dOedrT6Y/Urf1O7hd1yI/AAAAAAAAEYw/cymzWsKC3KY/s640/blogger-image--1424559510.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-3O9dOedrT6Y/Urf1O7hd1yI/AAAAAAAAEYw/cymzWsKC3KY/s640/blogger-image--1424559510.jpg"></a></div>Next was singing at Terminal 1. It wasn't easy as the sound system was bad. They had to sing for an hour. They were invited to return on the next day to sing again. The second day was worse. A few carollers dropped out of the group and a few more were having sore throat. Tough job but they were of good cheer. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-2eMOU8QOW7U/Urf1S6oDrRI/AAAAAAAAEY4/Fr6UR34OnAo/s640/blogger-image-1615363285.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-2eMOU8QOW7U/Urf1S6oDrRI/AAAAAAAAEY4/Fr6UR34OnAo/s640/blogger-image-1615363285.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">On the second day, after Terminal 1 the carollers came to our house. After the previous day experience, I knew they would be hungry. Indeed they were. We had satay which came a little late. Thank God there is uncle Hoe who helped to get the satay from the shop. Fish balls were the most popular....surprisingly. It's the cheapest and easiest to prepare. They finished everything. We had cupcakes too .. I got them from Ai Poh. Jelly was just so so. Junk food....dark chocolates and a variety of nuts. So good to see them eating heartily. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-izIZj-E0dkA/Urf1Vgx1vtI/AAAAAAAAEZA/uS1EDCqYwa0/s640/blogger-image--1854735233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-izIZj-E0dkA/Urf1Vgx1vtI/AAAAAAAAEZA/uS1EDCqYwa0/s640/blogger-image--1854735233.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">On the second day there was slight drama. The van which Rosheen drove broke down. It's quite horrifying to see how he drives and the loud protests from the van. We stopped to help them. The boys pushed and we tried to jump start. Didn't work. Battery and other ailment .... It's an old van. The boys call it the party van. The whole group made so much noise and had so much fun. So when they got down to push the van they had great fun too. Zhi Quan asked me to take pictures of him pretending to push the van. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Anyway they split to two cars. I followed Nicholas' car. Felt there need be an adult with a 17 year old driver. He handles the car very well. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We visited Bishop Emeritus Hwa Yung and Bee Teik's house. They were so excited and happy to have us over. Bee Teik has been a great mentor and big sis to me. I'm so glad she is back in Seremban again. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It was good spreading cheer around this season. It was definitely tiring but being with the teens and seeing them happy makes me feel fulfilled this Christmas. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">May the love of God and the spirit of cheer be upon the hearts of all readers this Christmas. God bless all of you. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005997803277225311.post-16239237393025045252013-12-15T21:17:00.000+08:002013-12-15T21:17:26.718+08:00Khmer Village Homestay<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Albert very kindly brought his van from Phnom Penh to fetch us from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh. On the way to Phnom Penh, we stopped by Solar Cafe for lunch. Solar Cafe is run by a Malaysian lady...Esther Ding. From her surname one would know she is a Foo Chow...like me.</div>
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There was already a group of Singaporean kids from a church having their retreat cum mission there. Esther has programs planned out for them like pony cart rides to the village, making khmer noodles, handicraft etc. Esther acts as the in between person for groups that come; whether its for mission trips or school programs of community services. She arranges for church visits, ministry to school students (the schools allow outsiders to take over their classroom time) and she even brings in kids from the villages to the homestay itself so that these groups can spend time with the kids.</div>
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Though Cambodians drive big foreign cars, the poverty level is still very high. There are beggars everywhere; children begging and the use of babies to get the sympathy of tourists is common. Esther suggests activities like teaching them hygiene, improving the infrastructure of the church/school....painting the orphanages etc. </div>
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The homestay near the cafe is really impressive. There are quite a few chalets around. The accommodation itself is pretty basic...dorm style. She provides 3 meals a day with activities thrown in...all coming to USD50 per day.</div>
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The Solar Cafe....very clean and breezy. </div>
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The chalets at the Khmer Village Homestay. Beautiful landscaping and very well maintained.</div>
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Esther Ding...showing us more places around the homestay. She speaks Khmer fluently...having stayed here for more than 15 years. She can be reached at khmervillagehomestay@gmail.com.</div>
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This back door leads to another piece of property down the road which has a few more chalets.</div>
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The sleeping quarters....with mosquito nettings and fans. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005997803277225311.post-12420717263132624742013-12-09T23:36:00.000+08:002013-12-12T13:33:18.482+08:00History alive<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>"...Vietnam menceroboh Kampuchea pada tahun 1978 dan menjatuhkan kerajaan Khmer Rouge..."</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Buku Teks Sejarah Tingkatan 5.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">This is a short line from a very short paragraph in the History text that I teach about the role of Malaysia in ASEAN and the ZOPFAN (Zone of peace, freedom and neutrality) concept.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">As a teacher of History, I look for ways to make the subject interesting and alive. So choosing Cambodia as a holiday destination is quite natural for me as Chapter 3 Form Four History covers the agrarian government of Angkor with a few paragraphs on Angkor Wat. I was looking forward to visiting The Killing Fields and the Genocide Museum when I was in Phnom Penh. The Khmer Rouge was mentioned in the Form 5 text and I remembered Pol Pot from the news report when I was young.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I was warned that the visit the Killing Fields can be depressive and I need to be strong. I had been praying before the trip. I marched into the <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuol_Sleng_Museum" style="background-color: white; background-image: none; color: #0b0080; line-height: 19.200000762939453px; text-decoration: none;" title="Tuol Sleng Museum">Tuol Sleng Museum</a><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"> of Genocide with my camera...all ready to take pictures home to show my students. The museum is a big school compound. The classrooms are converted into prisons, torture chambers....divided into small dark cells. Pictures after pictures of people who were tortured there. I chose not to enter many of the classrooms to see the exhibits because it was too overwhelming. I sat at a bench outside and cried as the reality of the horror the Cambodians went through in the 1970s crept into me. In my state of shock I did not take a single picture.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Next was the Killing Fields. I expect this to be worse. It was indeed. No guide needed as a very comprehensive recording is prepared and the visitors just need to carry the recorder around. With the voice talking into my ear, bringing to life the whole place and the possiblities of seeing teeth, bones floating in the water or in the dirt, I could almost picture the horrifying sight of torture and killing. Visitors moved around in hush awe....maybe shocked by the exposure of such gruesome happenings and also in respect of the dead that is all around.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Ponds, sunken grounds of mass grave were labelled and pointed out. I can't get the the Killing Tree out of my mind. It's a big tree where the soldiers just swing the babies and young kids to it and then throwing them into the dump next to it. It's awful....</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Then the Magic Tree....I could almost hear the songs being played loudly and the screaming of the tortured people and the same time. It was a most humbling and traumatising experience.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">A stupa is erected to house the skulls and some bones of those killed there. I had seen and heard enough to know what went in that place during those time. I didn't enter the stupa but sat under the tree outside and reflected on the sad state of the human race. Power and greed have made mad men out of the leaders and turned them into animals. </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"><i>"To keep you is no benefit. To destroy you is no loss".</i> This is the motto used to justify what they did. If my family had lived there that day, we would not have survived because we fall into the category of literate people...wearing spectacles and having soft hands.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I am so thankful to be alive where I am today. This visit just fills me with gratitude to God for all the things and goodness He has blessed me and my family. It is a reminder to me again of my role as a teacher in school....to teach my students to love and not hate. To pass on goodness and rub kindness to the students around me with the hope that they will remember to pass it on the the next and the next and the next generations.</span></span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0