Who needs words when you have a face like this??

 

 

 

 

 

The eating continues! 

 

We started with a 'hoi leen' breakfast this morning ... another tradition that I really enjoy.  After that, we went home, and spent the rest of the day hosting visitors.  Every time someone came by, we ate.  And then before I knew it, it was time for dinner ... more food with the family!

 

We went to Wooi Mei Restaurant at Section 17.  One of our family favorites.

 

We had the traditional 'low hei' ...

 

 

... mixing it up and tossing it real high ...

 

 

When we were done with that, we also had pork chops ...

 

 

And deep fried fish ... SO crispy and crunchy on the outside, and soft and smooth on the inside ... yummm ...

 

 

We had 'kum heong' chicken ...

 

 

Two types of vege ...

 

 

A taufoo dish ...

 

 

And we finished it ALL up in 20 minutes!

 

 

And THEN - social creatures that we are - we all rushed off home to catch the Korean drama series You Are My Destiny that has been airing forEVER and is everything a soap opera should be - complete with strong bitchy women, the evil mother-in-law, the long-suffering protaganist, the jerk, love, hate, tears, drama ...

 

 

LOVE Chinese New Year!

 

 

 

This morning started off as it usually does for us on the first day of CNY ... with the traditional giving of tea to your elders.

 

 

This is probably my most favorite tradition of all, as I think it allows you to show honor and respect to your elders, and it allows your elders to pass on their blessings to you.  I can't think of a better way to start the new year!

 

PS:  This following pic of me on the first day of CNY is for Doreen, in response to her Bali dress ... sorry, bit of an inside joke ...

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today is new year's eve, and the stuff fest that marks the festivities begins today!  We celebrated by having the traditional family reunion at my grandparents' home, even though they are both no longer with us. 

 

 

This is the first new year without the both of them - my grandmother passed away five years ago, and my grandfather went to join her in heaven in March of last year.  So although technically we don't have to visit the home tomorrow, we are all meeting up there anyway.  There will be no tea ceremony - no serving of chinese tea to my grandparents - but I think we have been converging there for so long that no one really wants to break the tradition.

 

Sometimes I am so brilliant that I amaze even myself.

 

I was doing the laundry today, and there wasn't enough clothes in the washing machine to keep it balanced, so when it was doing the spin cycle, it kept tilting to one side rendering the machine useless.  I guess it's some safety thing.  When this happens to my mom, she stops the machine, wrings the clothes by hand, and then puts them out to dry.  I wasn't about to hand squeeze a whole load of clothes.  So I thought about it for a while, and then - ting - a lightbulb went off in my head.

 

I went and got a clean towel, chucked it into the washing machine, restarted the spin cycle - and ta-da!  The towel added just enough weight to the machine to keep it spinning.

 

Pure genius.

 

Mom is down and out with a busted knee and is also fighting some stomach virus.  That has left the laundry to me - and also the dinner preparations.  Dad tries to help out, which actually means double the amount of work for me.  But the thing is, I want  him to keep trying, in the off chance that he might actually get it right one of these days thus relieving me of that particular chore eventually.

 

(try to keep a straight face)

 

 

(wipe tears from eyes)

 

I'm so funny, I totally crack myself up sometimes ... !

 

(pause)

 

Oh good God.  I am discussing laundry and dinner preparations on my blog. 

 

I have gone from 'Sex and the City' to 'Desperate Housewives'.  If that's not sad, I don't know what is.

 

 

 

 

My parents celebrated 40 years of wedded bliss ...

 

Hmmm ...

 

My parents have been happily married for 40 years ...

 

Hmmmmm ...

 

My parents have shared their ups and downs, joys and despairs, disagreements and love - and are still very much together after 40 years of marriage.  That is an impressive record, states the one who's longest relationship to date has been 3.5 years.  What can I say - I have a low threshold for boredom. 

 

Last Sunday, my parents celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary. 

 

They are an oddly eccentric couple  - have very individual idosyncracies - are as different from each other as the sea and the sky - are more often than not extremely dopey - yet somehow make up for each other's weaknesses.  

 

More importantly, they are wonderful parents - always available for us as we were growing up, and still available for us now, though in a different context.  Always encouraging.  Always supportive.  No matter what my sister and I said we wanted to do with our lives, they never responded negatively.  Infact, they told us that anything was within our reach, and then offered us unflailing motivation and support.  We never once heard the words 'stupid' or 'impossible' cross their lips ever as we were growing up.

 

To have my parents always there - so constant that they were often taken for granted - I count as one of the greatest blessings in my life.

 

 

 

 

Look at this little beauty!!

 

 

Ain't she gorgeous?!

 

OMG, I so need the ocean now, it's not even funny ... And my first dive trip of the year will be to Tioman on Feb 17th, one whole month away!!

 

 

 

 

Paperwork SUX!!

 

 

 

 

This was Mel two days ago singing Daniel Powter's Next Plane Home ...

 

I woke up early to baby blue eyes from afar, WHOAH OHH

And when the sun comes through mumble mumble angel you are, WHOAHHHH OHHHHH

Mumble mumble mumble wrong

Mumble mumble mumble gone

 

With every season change mumble mumble mumble WHOAHHHH OHHHHHHHHHHH

Mumble mumble mumble mumble flowers don't bloom WHOAHHHHHH OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

 

(then suddenly, kan, very confident and loud)

 

I CAN'T BELIEVE I MISSED YOUR BIRTHDAY AGAIN

AND I WANNA COME BACK BUT I JUST DON'T KNOW WHEN

 

And I'mmmmmm so lonely mumble mumble with me

 

THAT'S WHY I'M GONNA BE ON THE NEXT PLANE HOMEEEEEEEEEEEEEE ...

 

**********

 

She's gonna kill me for sharing this, but I found it very amusing!!

 

I think I need a life ...

 

 

 

 

We are all idiots. 

 

Before you jump all over me and take offense at what I've just said (on a side note, aren't we the most defensive when someone says something that is true about us that we don't want to admit?!) - I want to say that when I say we are ALL idiots, I include myself.

 

Two months ago, I had to change the batteries on my dive computer.  I removed the old battery, went to the watch shop, bought a new one, came back, opened up the back of my dive computer, put the battery inside, shut the back of the dive computer, and - blank.  Nothing on the screen.

 

I took the dive computer back to the watch shop, showed it to the guy who sold me the battery.  He opened the back of the dive computer, removed the battery, lifted up the metal piece, re-inserted the battery underneath the metal piece, replaced the back cover of the dive computer, and - voila.  Handed it back to me, fully functional.  This exchange took less than 10 seconds and nary a word was exchanged, though he did smirk when I mumbled my thanks and exited his premise.

 

In this case, on this particular day, I was an idiot.

 

Yet at the same time, I somehow managed to maneuver my car through the confusing streets of KL without getting lost.  I also managed to get myself safely home.

 

What I'm saying is that - we're all idiots - but our stupidity seems to be compartmentalized so that we can still function on a daily basis without appearing to be too inept.

 

How about a more recent example?

 

I had arranged to meet with Doreen and Albert for brunch at Kanna in Section 17 last Sunday.  I drove around the block twice, and the parking spaces were chockablock.  Cars were even double parked.  So I thought I would park at the bottom of the slope.  I noticed cars parked on the grass median.  So when I saw a spot big enough for the huge monster of a van I was driving, I thought - yes! Parking!

 

As soon as I drove onto the grass median, I realized why the spot was empty despite it being full everywhere else.

 

The grass was soggy, muddy and soft.  Let me rephrase.  The grass was VERY soggy, VERY muddy and QUICKSAND soft.  By the time I felt my front tyre sinking into the ground and realized my mistake, it was too late.

 

(Side note to mom who reads my blog:  THE CAR IS OKAY!!  I HAD IT CHECKED BY THE MECHANIC!!)

 

 

My first thought was ... crap!  This would make great blogging material, but I don't have my camera with me!  (Thankfully, Doreen came through for me on this, so all photo credits go to her!)

 

My second thought was ... Now I have to wash the car before my parents see the mud on it.

 

Then and only then did it dawn on me that before anything else, I would have to get the car out of the oozing mudhole thing.

 

A couple of phone calls later and the guys who own the car workshop below my shop came with a tow truck.  They then attached a chain thing to the back of my van and pulled it out.

 

 

 

It took less than 3 minutes and cost me RM50.

 

 

 

I have also had to endure endless ribbing and teasing from the mechanics.

 

Idiocy comes at a price, apparently.

 

 

 

 

Let's just say, hypothetically speaking, that there is this divorced dad of a 12 year old girl.  And let's just say, hypothetically speaking, that at some point after being divorced for 10 years or thereabout, this divorced dad - henceforth known as DD -  decides to remarry.

 

 

Let's just say, hypothetically speaking, that the 12 year old girl is down and out with a really bad case of the flu.  And let's just say, hypothetically speaking, that she is tired, listless, ache-y, teary, and generally feeling like crap - as we all feel when we have the flu.

 

Now let me ask you - if you were the DD in this hypothetical situation - would you insist on taking the sick 12 year old girl to the tailor to get measured for her flowergirl dress today, now, this very moment, knowing full well that she is ill - or would you wait a few days until she is feeling better?

 

Is it any surprise, hypothetically speaking, that said DD has more often than not deferred on his child support payment  - and has used his visitation rights only when it has been convenient and does not require much going out of his way?

 

Isn't it amazing how a purely hypothetical situation could make me so mad? 

 

 

 

 

MERCY MALAYSIA POISED TO DELIVER MORE EMERGENCY MEDICAL AID TO GAZA

KUALA LUMPUR, SATURDAY, JANUARY 10, 2009 – The further disruption of medical services in Gaza has prompted MERCY Malaysia to draw up a comprehensive plan of action which includes providing ambulances and a mobile blood bank unit to help address the pressing needs faced by the Palestinian people.

“Four ambulances are at this moment being worked on to be fully-equipped vehicles. When ready, they will fill a portion of the need for 40 ambulances.” Currently, there are only 30 in Gaza. The mobile blood bank unit will deliver blood supply to the wounded.

In Gaza, hospitals are running out of supplies and dozens of ambulances have been destroyed by the bombings.

“The needs are very high. Everything is needed right now. We hope to institute more health-related programmes through our local partners. We are not short of very good partners,” MERCY Malaysia President Datuk Dr Jemilah Mahmood said during a Press Conference at the MERCY Malaysia headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

To date, nearly 800 have lost their lives over the past two weeks and more than 3,000 have been injured. It is estimated that 1 in 3 injured or killed are children.

“We also feel very strongly that the need for psychosocial support programmes are urgent, plus, the need for highly specialised doctors,” Dr Jemilah, fresh from her 11-day stint in Egypt, said.

She also said that the complete breakdown of sewage systems in Gaza could cause diseases to spread.

“It is one thing to die in a war and another to die from a secondary affect,” she said.
Dr Jemilah, saddened by the atrocities which have befallen the innocent in Palestine, said there needed to be investigations into why schools were bombed.

“Children shot in the head by sniper fire – who is going to be responsible?” 

A second consignment of surgical sets and medical equipment worth USD100,000 is expected to be transferred to Gaza on Monday.

The first consignment of medicines and medical equipment weighing 50 tonnes, also worth USD100,000, were transported in five trucks earlier this week. Surgical sets and disposable items including syringes, intravenous infusions and bandages, were among the items delivered across the Rafah border.

To date, MERCY Malaysia’s Palestine Relief Fund has chalked RM5.35 million, thanks to the generous contributions of the public and corporate donors. MERCY Malaysia has earmarked the funds for immediate needs.

Asked whether MERCY Malaysia had enough funds, Dr Jemilah replied: “We have a simple policy. We will optimise whatever we have. How much, does not matter. What matters is the quality – that we will use the funds to the best of our ability. That is being accountable.”

Dr Jemilah thanked the Malaysian Government for entrusting MERCY Malaysia with USD1 million (part of the Palestine Relief Fund).

“We will not fail them.”

Dr Jemilah also thanked corporate donor PETRONAS for its contribution of USD300,000, as well as the Malaysian public for continuing its support for MERCY Malaysia’s work not only for the Palestinians but in other vulnerable countries around the world.

Meanwhile, MERCY Malaysia Vice President Dr Ahmad Faizal Perdaus encouraged Malaysians to continue to donate to the Palestine Relief Fund.

As at 2pm today, medical specialists, many who have been camping at the Rafah border, will be allowed into Gaza to treat the wounded.

A number of doctors were allowed into the Strip today whilst another group will be allowed entry tomorrow. In Malaysia, 20 MERCY Malaysia volunteer doctors are on standby for deployment.

Please donate to the Palestine Relief Fund through MERCY Malaysia. For CIMB users, make cheques payable to MERCY MALAYSIA through account number 1424-000-6561053. MAYBANK users may make cheques out to MERCY HUMANITARIAN FUND at account number 5621-7950-4126. Please indicate “Palestine Relief Fund” on the back of the cheque.

For more information, please contact 03-22733999 or log on to www.mercy.org.my

 

  

 

This is a half an hour video that discusses the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict in Gaza.  It's long.  It's graphic.  It's depressing.

 

When you're done watching it, please, I urge you to contact Mercy Malaysia at 03-2273 3999, or email them at info@mercy.org.my and find out how best you can help raise funds for medical aid that can save the lives of wounded children in Gaza. 

 

 

For every person that signs up for the open water course with me, I will donate RM100 to Mercy Malaysia in their name.  Why should the children have to pay for our mistakes?

 

 

 

Two nights ago, I had dinner with some neanderthals who somehow managed to crawl into a huge space quantum time warp thing, and miss the evolution ladder altogether.  Then apparently they emerged some 20 years down the line, with their caveman characteristics and perceptual narrowing, seemingly unaware and oblivious of gender equality and modern feminism.

 

If you are reasonably decent looking, with average intelligence, well-read, well-travelled, with a good sense of humor - and you carry yourself with dignity, and you speak well - then perhaps I could forgive you for being chavaunistic.  Maybe. 

 

But if you have a gut that hangs out over your too-tight jeans, and you speak with your mouth so full of food that bits spray out, and you make pathetic attempts at humor and then bray like a donkey because you think you are so damn funny - and then you speak degradingly of women, in the presence of one (!) - and downplay the role they play in today's society - well then, you are just so SAD that it doesn't even warrant a response from me.

 

But that doesn't stop me from bitching about you on my blog.

 

So there I was, stuck in miserable company, exchanging knowing looks and superior smiles with the only other female at the table - while these past-their-expiry-date creatures from hell all chewed and slurped and laughed and snorted and wondered why they don't get laid more often.

 

Doesn't take a genius to figure that one out.

 

 

 

 

 

Someone called the house this morning asking if it was the Toyota Service Center.  The thing is, we get these calls ALL the time.  It must've been their old number or something.  And obviously some people are not very up-to-date with their contacts.

 

In any case, I usually just say 'No' or 'You've got the wrong number' - but for some reason, this morning, I replied with a 'I don't think so'.

 

The haughty lady on the other end then haughtily said in her haughty voice, "What do you mean 'you don't think so'?  Either it is, or it isn't".

 

Which is perfectly true, and she was absolutely correct.

 

But I didn't like her obnoxious tone of voice.  Infact, it annoyed the living piss out of me.

 

So I said, "Yes, this is the Toyota Service Center".

 

She snapped back, "Let me talk to Nigel".

 

I said, "Please hold on, ma'am".

 

Then I put the phone receiver down on the table.

 

15 minutes later I went back and picked it up and said 'hello'?  But there was no one on the other end.  I wonder how long it took her before she hung up.

 

She didn't call again.

 

 

 

 

So I screwed up my knee again yesterday, just when it was going good too. 

 

If you've ever had a recurring injury, and if you know me well, then you would have no problem answering the following:

 

What would cause my knee to start hurting again?

 

1.  Dancing all night at a rave party.

2.  Lifting an overturned bus to save people trapped underneath.

3.  Practicing for a triathlon.

4.  Missing a step because you're so busy trying to finish your Picnic bar before you go into the house where everyone would want a bite.

 

No prizes for guessing correct.

 

 

 

 

Mel and I had an eventful first couple of days for 2009! 

 

Firstly, we had to go and get her Mykad done, since she's officially twelve now.  After harrassing my friend, Sheikh, for directions to Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara in Putrajaya - and trying to get every little scrap of information so I could actually arrive at the office - I chickened out at the last minute, and settled on going to one of their branches in Maju Junction, since it's right by my old office where I used to work.  I'm so not known for my navigating abilities on land, okay?  I know one way in and one way out of KL city, and if they close a road, or it suddenly becomes a one-way street, I'm totally screwed!  Conversely, throw me anywhere underwater, and with or without a compass, I will get you where you wanna be.  Mostly purely by instinct.  What can I say?  The ocean speaks to me, it really does.

 

Anyway, we arrived at Maju Junction at 10am.  The office opens at 7:30am.  But I weighed the options of getting Her Royal Teenship out of bed at 6:30am and having to deal with Ms Grouch the rest of the day - versus letting her sleep in and arriving later at JPN, but having a more pleasant daughter.  I chose the latter.

 

As a result of that, there were 40 plus people ahead of us by the time we took our number!!

 

I was resigned to the fact that I would probably have to spend the whole day there.

 

However, I was very pleasantly surprised.  They were amazingly efficient, very friendly, helpful, polite, courteous.  No long faces, no black moods, no superiority complex.  Mel and I were done in slightly less than 2 hours - and they even let her see her picture to make sure it was okay before they sent it in to be processed! 

 

I was very impressed with the Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara!

 

Today, we attended the orientation for Mel's schooling next year.  After much deliberation, thought, research and speaking with various individuals - I have decided to enroll Mel in an American home school program.  I have lost my faith in the Malaysian education system.  How can I trust an education system that can't even decide if it wants to teach in English or Malay?!

 

Anyway, just to reinforce my conviction that I had made the correct decision, when Mel sat for her diagnostic test, she tested at a Grade 5 level.  Age-wise, she should be a Grade 7.  You're talking about a straight A UPSR student testing TWO grades lower.  Apparently, according to the school, it is very normal for a child crossing over from the government syllabus into the home school program to test at much lower levels.  Scary, ain't it??

 

So Mel has some catching up to do this year, but I have no doubt she'll be able to do it, for as long as she stays motivated.

 

2009 is gonna be a great year for the both of us - new beginnings, new opportunities, new accomplishments.  May it be the same for you too!  Above all, in whatever you do this year, may you find peace and happiness.

 

Happy 2009!