Ah boy to man

so 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.

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😂😂😂😂..

Project 2: he turned a pair of broken shears into a knife. Wrapped the handle and make it usable. 

Project 3: cleaning, sharpening, and restoring his father’s old machete. Out comes the angle grinder. 

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. 

And I overheard the boys to men discussing about building a table????

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. 

Multi 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.

 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 😆😆).

1 egg

1 c liquid (I topped up the beer with water to reach a cup)

2tbsp olive oil

3/4 tsp salt

2 c HP flour

1 c whole meal flour

4tbsp various seeds

1/3 c walnut

2tbsp brown sugar

2tsp yeast 

Bake with Tesco machine..basic for 3 hours. The result is as the picture above. 

CNY 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.

5Zeta 2016??

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 😃😃😆😆😆😆. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

Take 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.

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.

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. 

To a new day and new adventure 🥂🍻!!

2016-2019

The 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!

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😼😼😼😼😼😼.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

OK resolution for 2019..I must start blogging again. Just pen a few thoughts would be good.

Danger lurks

It 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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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??

It was a normal Sunday afternoon....

A letter to the kids

Guidelines which we hope you will find helpful:

1. 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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.