Catching the sun before it sets

The holiday is ending. It was a quiet and restful two weeks with a few busy trips to Melaka and KL. on top of it two wake services to attend. One of it was Uncle Lincoln's who was 90. 

On Friday we decided to drive to Port Dickson to watch the sunset. We started off at 5 pm. We exited the first toll and tuned into Pantai Cahaya. Our favorite beach here.

Some changes have been made. There is a bridge that connects the mainland to a little swampy island. Usually we would be very careful here because we need to leave the island when the tide comes in or we'll be trapped. This time we found platform has been built to enable us to walk into the island whether there is a tide or not. The sad part is a lot of trees have been cut to build the platform. 

As the tide was low, we were able to walk around the island. The kids went off on their own and walked to the rocky side overlooking the sea. It was totally secluded and nice and we had a great time in this corner taking pictures of the sunset. 

It was still hot when we arrived about 5.40pm. 

The tree, the sea and the rocks. I'll never get tired of the sea even though it is the same place that we visit each time. 

Walking the rocky path to the secluded side of the island where we found a pond and lots of balitung amongst the rocks. 

Various shades of sunset. 

Finally we got off the island. Was a bit difficult to walk on the rocks with slippers. So didn't want to stay till its too dark. 

Then off to find dinner. We went to the roundabout before Teluk Kemang. Lots of shops along this road. We wanted Ramli burger. So went to a Malay restaurant and ordered Ramli burger. It was so so delicious. 

What a great way to end the holiday. 

Cendol

I've heard about this cendol place at Bukit Rambai, Melaka from uncle Ben n Lyn. Few months back when we visited Melaka, we googled and found this place. But I was close by the time we reached. 

Today we made a trip here with the Myfers. We reached past 11am. There was a long queue. There is only this old lady....I think they call her Aunty Poh. She was doing everything. 

There are coconut trees around her house. She took coconut milk from 30 coconuts. She made everything herself. 

Around her compound are fruit trees. People were helping themselves to the rambutans. There is also durians at the back. Langsat is for herself. Before leaving Pator wanted to pay her for the fruits because the youths were also happily plucking rambutans to eat but she didn't accept. She just mentioned that the Langsat is for herself but we can take other fruits. I saw the youths returning home with bunches of rambutans and Aldrin had two durians with him. 

Anyway back to the cendol....after queuing for more than half an hour, it was our turn. She had only Santan for 9 bowls but we wanted 25 bowls. So we ended up sharing...each of us taking a few scoops. We had 10 bowls of tai bak going round also. Tai bak is without coconut milk and gula Melaka. Some sweet dessert also. 

We washed our own bowls and spoons. The youths helped her to clean up the table. Interesting how she runs her business. 

The car park was full. We just park whatever space there is around her compound. A shed is built in front of her house where there are a few tables. She has her ice machine and whatever needed for the cendol. She sold her cendol in less than two hours. 

Poppy seed bread

1cup warm water

1 tsp butter

1/4 cup oil

3 cup Hp flour

1 tsp salt

2 tbsp sugar

2 tbsp poppy seed

2 tsp yeast 

Put in d bread machine in the order above 

Kenwood machine: 750 g, dark

3 hours 18 minutes 

Banana walnut muffins

The kids are tired of sandwiches everyday and asked for a change in menu. So I decided to bake banana walnut muffins as requested by Lyn. I've tried a variety of recipes but can't remember where I found or kept them. Today I decided to keep the recipe I use in this blog or else I will forget again. 

Did some changes to the recipe below. Used cooking oil instead of butter. Used half a cup of brown sugar instead of the amount suggested. Can still reduce a little as it is still too sweet. Replaced coffee with cinnamon powder. 

The product: fantastic. As the cups I have are rather big I have only 10 muffins instead of 12. I reluctantly let KC ate one after his dinner. All of us took a pinch. Really great because it is so so nutty. A good healthy snack for the kids' recess. 

Now I have only 9 muffins left. Need to ration them because Lyn wants to share with her friends too. 

Severe allergic urticaria

It all started last Thursday when Dan complained of itch. Thought it was just mosquito bites. Sent him off to school itchy. 

Rashes started breaking out later but not too severe. Put tiger balm n some cream to stop the itch. On Friday sent him for badminton. An hour later he phoned to say that he can't play anymore. He was totally swollen when I brought him home. Sent him to a doctor. 

The rashes came on and off ....he was especially bad when he woke up in the mornings. Saturday attended a party and Sunday went for a buffet. The variety of food wasn't helping him. By Monday he was bad and I decided to leave him at home. Come evening sent him to the doctor again who prescribed the same medications. 

Justine wasn't happy with his condition and wanted us to change to another doctor. He wasn't better after the medication this time. So I took Tuesday off to send him to the hospital. 

J introduced us to Dr Yap. Dan was admitted as he was coughing badly and his throat was constricted. He felt feverish and cold at the same time. I left him in the hospital. When I returned with lunch, the doctor was leaving with the anesthetist. 

What happened? He was to go on drips. The nurses couldn't find the veins because of the swelling. The doctor and anesthetist were called in to help. They poked him 13 times. His arm and wrists were so painful that I had to feed him. 

As this is his second tome staying in the hospital this year, we left him there on his own during the night. 

The sad and swollen boy waiting to be admitted. 

The next day morning I came with my toaster and bread. He wanted toasts. Hospital food is lousy. Gave him a hearty meal. He has good appetite. Must be the steroids. 

Looking much better here. He came home the second and third night. He rested better at home. So we had the room just for him to sleep during the day. 

Today I dropped him off at the hospital on my way to school. He walked up to his room like a boss. Justine brought him lunch and met with Dr Yap and the dermatologist. I came to the hospital after two and they were processing his discharge papers. 

He is home with a month's supply of medication. We really do not know the cause. Most likely environmental. Suspect the construction opposite the house with the cement trucks that keep coming in may be the cause.  The whole house is sterilized with dettol. I put the ionizer in his room. If the rash breaks out again we have to send him away to Justine's house. Will do an allergy test later when he is done with the medication. 

Been stressful for us. He is upset with what he is having. Can't understand why he's having the allergy. He's restless being away from school so long. He was bored in the hospital as he was left alone. We have to work. Hope he will be healed totally quickly. 

Development

After almost two months, kc and I finally were able to climb Kepayang Hill last Sunday. What a shock we had  when we reached the entrance to the hill....the whole stretch at the bottom of the hill has been cleared.

Whenever we get off the road into the path our first reaction is it is so cool. Now we have to use the umbrella all the way till we reach the shades of the tree.. 

I wonder if the hill will still be here for us to climb in ten years time. We were hoping to make this our regular exercise route when we retire. Think we have to look for another hill close by to climb soon. 

Not only has man destroyed the hill....nature itself has leashed its fury on the trees. Here is one tree which was standing two months ago but now fallen. Must be one of the storms recently. Over the years the hill has gotten thinner and thinner. 

Looking at all the changes to nature around us, I think that one day Earth may end up like Krypton. 

Confessions

Much hu ha in school this week over the school confession page on Facebook. I saw the page quite a while ago but didn't bother to check it out as it would be gossips etc and I just don't have time for such things. 

Anyway while the girls were reprimanded on Monday, I quietly sat behind and started reading the confessions. Wow.....

It was quite ok at first. I thought there was a lot of reminiscing like sitting around the longkang....birds chirping only during Mr Madhavan's class etc. 

When I reached the earlier posts, found them to be quite bitchy. It was more like a hate page....lashing out at teachers personally. One teacher was called a witch. Think there was a Rapunzel (I didn't see that) and a hamburger somewhere. It hurts a lot to be called names and to be mentioned in such an angry and hateful tone. Maybe somewhere in time some of these teachers have offended the students one way or other (who has not offended any soul before....must be a saint or out of this world)....but do they deserve public declaration of how bad they had been? Were they that bad that it is unforgivable?

The page is abused whenever a teacher is personally condemned. It is not a confession then. I am sure the purpose of the page is noble...if used in its exact context; confession. Infact I found many many uplifting comments, jokes, reminisces, reflections and yes...interesting confessions. It would have been so nice if we have all kept to the original intent...and not abuse the page. 

Kindness is in shortage today. I used to tell the students to rub some kindness around. I don't feel very kind nowadays. What has happened to society? What is freedom of speech when the speech creates anger, unhappiness, ugliness? 

Here is another proof of the failure of our education system.