The New Members of the Family

We decided to name the puppies Tobi, Sapi, Kapis and Copy. The new mother, Jazzy, is still very protective over her puppies. What a good mother she is! Here's the photo of them.

Finally an update!

So, it's now 2010. Finally. How time refused to fly when I am not having fun. LOL

I'm back to work again after a long good holiday in OZ. I don't know why but I'm so glad to be back to work again. Some friends said I'm crazy for feeling guilty having to receive full pay on my holiday. What can I say, it's not something that I made up, it's really what I feel for getting paid on my holiday. I'm taking tax payers' money for sitting at home with my legs crossed, how can I say I'm happy? I'd be lying if I said I was not happy when I made my trips to Penrith shops but still, when I go to bed and reflecting on what good and bad things I've done during the day, it falls on 'bad things' category. Well?

I know I have not being true to myself (again) when I said I will make an effort to keep writing here. This time I won't blame it on anything, this is just how I work with this blog. Although I am not very consistent with my blog, I still love reading other people's blog. I love commenting on their writings too. Sometimes I emailed the blogger to praise on their marvelous writing style as a way of encouraging them to keep good post coming. Can't blame me, can you? After all, their writings are my reason to surf the net. Otherwise, I would just subscribe newspapers and read on all the government lies!

Most of my favourite blogger could make me feel like I am reading them, sitting next to them - scrutinizing their brains. Some of them are really awesome that I can't wait to read their updates. Among all blogs that I read, those racists and religion fanatic blogger are the only ones that annoy me the most . NO, I'm not a fan, but somehow I keep coming to their blog to see how far those shallow people could go with their shallow opinions. Many times I go back there only to prove to myself that other people out there too, have bad days like me. Only they could not get over it and therefore taking it on other people. Visiting their blogs is kind of reminder to myself : If I don't get over my bad day, I could end up exactly like them! Touchwood.

You see, every time I got inspired by people's excellent writing, I craved so much to be like them. I would work my brain on ideas, drafting for days, but you know lah, people like me is never talented at anything. Ordinary people like me with ordinary English vocabulary could only produce ordinary writing. I never wonder why my visitors never return or subscribe or have anything to do with my blog. Oh well.

Enough with that. Let me bore you with something else.

I am planning to join Monkey in OZ for good this year. To be honest, I can't say I am up for it for I still love what I am doing here in my hometown. It's not about me starting to fall in love with my job; it's the hometown and its people. When I was growing up, I wanted so much to get out from my hometown. I hated everything in here. All I wanted to do was to be a grown up and then disappeared forever. As I grew up and traveled some part of this globe, I started to realize, I did not hate my hometown. It was not the town that made me sick- it was my parents. I later learnt that 'home' was what I wanted to leave.

Now that I'm back to my hometown and living separately from my parents, I am able to see the beauty of my hometown. I started to love it, I want to live here. Though it's only a small and quiet one, it offers me serenity and security. The people are sooooooo good, I feel accepted and appreciated here. But my husband needs me, just like I need him too. He has been sacrificing a lot for me in the last five years. He did everything to make me happy and comfortable, even though things he did were against his own pleasure. He put me first before his own needs. Five years is a long time, it is enough time already. I guess it is now my turn to pay back his goodness to me. He deserves every bit of it. I am trying my best to prepare my mental for this plan.

One thing I know I should not do is to worry about this. I believe god will only let me experience life within my ability. It's soooo good to believe in god, isn't it?

A picture tells a thousand stories (3)

Last Saturday I visited my mum at her hometown. It was suppose to be a day trip but you know lah, my mum is very good at making me feel guilty for not spending more time with her. I do love spending time with my mum, I love her very much. Just that weekend, I had so many things going on at work. I was suppose to be at work on Saturday to finalize preparation for school sport day on Monday.

Anyways, I stayed. When I woke up in the morning, there sat one of my aunts next to my bed, already waiting for me to open my eyes. Apparently I 'already' had a plan for that day. Just, it was not me who planned it. My mum and aunt were very excited to take me to my aunt's orchard. I'd prefer sleep in to walking in the orchard under the hot sun but arrgghhh....I did not have the heart to disappoint them! Of course I knew by agreeing to go, I will be the one who will drive and also carry a few sacks of fruits back to the car... but what option did I have? These old people have those weird voices. When you hear them, you can't help but to keep your mouth shut and nod your head against your will. Damn, can't wait to be old and get those weird voice! It must be fun to make younger people nod their head every time I speak.

Although I went in a grumpy mood, I must say it was surprisingly a pleasant trip. Despite the hot sun and mosquitoes attack, I enjoyed picking the fruits from the tree and ate them like nobody's business. They seems to be more delicious when they are totally free. Maybe the joy was also because we stopped at the next orchard (belongs to my late grandpapa) to say hello to him at his grave. I have been missing him so much. Being able to visit him and tell him I love him was really, erm ... I don't' know, nice? Relieving? I'm glad my oldies dragged me with them that day.

I took a few photos using my old phone (Note to hubby: it's really time we should consider getting me a good phone and a digital camera!). I put little stories too so we all know what they are.

Cempedak trees. The fruits taste very sweet.

On the way to grandpapa's grave..

Hello grandpapa!

Grandpapa was buried in his orchard. Next to his grave is a big bambangan tree. It's almost past the season but it must be our good luck, there were still some for us.

While collecting the fruits, my aunt said, if I ever needed herb for treating scabs (touch wood, I never want to have scabs!) I should remember this plant:

She did say the name of this plant in Dusun but I don't remember it anymore. If I'm not mistaken, she said Kuinin or something like that. Just out of curiosity, I googled 'Herbs in Malaysia'. I was surprised to find out it was the famous 'Tongkat Ali'. I was like, wow, we have Tongkat Ali trees as weeds in our orchard? They are everywhere! How cool is that?

(It's funny that my aunt uses Tongkat Ali to cure scabs. I thought it was well known as to make men stronger in bed. Lol!)

By the way, these are the people who made me nodded my head against my will. Love you guys. You're the best!

When I got home, I made my first attempt to make my first Bambangan pickles. I hope it will come out edible!

Ta ta!

Sharing is Caring

Yup, that's my blood flowing out of my body. Probably it is now dripping into someone's body, saving their life.

It's been many years since last I donated my blood. I used to do this on a regular basis when I was still a college student. When I got married and started working, I guess I got a little busy coping with my new life and forgot to share love in this way.

As you may already know, I do occasionally boast on my bags or shoes or new books. I do also love to exaggerate on how bad is my day or how much I love my husband. But one thing I do not do is talking about my charity works, it's something I keep to myself. However, this time I give an exception to this one particular thing I did; donating my blood. I'm boasting it right here right now. Please notice it, feel disgusted and leave. Or, keep reading and tell me in the comment box that you agree with me too.

It popped out in 'how's your day' phone call between me and monkey. When he learned that I donated my blood, he freaked out! He thought I did it to have 'extra money' (eeewwww! I feel dirty typing that!). According to him, some people in his country (and probably also in many countries around the globe) are doing it for living.

EEEEWWWWW!!!

He only calmed down when I explained to him that I DO NOT give my blood for money, that is why I call it DONATE. True, they provided refreshment after the process but it doesn't count as a 'price' for my blood. It was just their way to say thank you, that's all. Oh, and yes, they will keep record of my 'kindness' and give me special room next time when I get sick and need to be hospitalized. But heck, who's waiting to get sick and be hospitalized? Not me, touch wood.

We all may have our different opinions and beliefs but seriously, it hurts to know that people make a living out of their 'free blood'. GROSS! I'm not saying I'm a saint or anything for giving my blood for free. My point is, god has blessed us with good health, He gives us beautiful and perfect body too, COSTLESS. Why would we go out and share the bless with price? Why? Counting our blessing is not enough, is it?

Again, we all may have different opinions and beliefs. Sometimes we may agree with others and view our opinions again. But on this one, I stay hard and firm, you know what I mean. If you are sharing something that is given by god, share it with love. Love is priceless, so share it price-less.

Though, I hope I don't sound like I'm announcing to the world that I'm giving out all my blood. Please don't take it like that because I need to keep some for myself too. Also, do note that my blood is not available all the time because FYI, I'm very scared of the needle. It's big and not to mention, it sucks blood!

I will only do this every 3 months as recommended by doctors. So, if you need some, talk to me 3 months from now. And don't worry, your body will like my blood, it's O+.

Ow, I just realised something. Maybe that is why mosquitoes like me too?

Nooooooo!!!!!

A picture tells a thousand stories (2)

Dearest lil bro Jeb,

As you requested, here's the photos of our little apartment in KK. Forgive the quality, they were taken using my cheap old mobile phone camera. The house is still in a mess and needs a lot of works, but nonetheless a perfect shelter for when you get stranded in the city. Lol!

So, I assume you'll do the kitchen cabinet and the rest of the kitchen's stuffs, ya? Oh, and also the laundry area? Thank you. He he.

Living room

Dining area




My bedroom (because I can)

Still my bedroom

Second bedroom...



...and this can be yours if you clean it.

Empty Kitchen



Laundry area, also empty

The 2nd toilet, in case you have not seen a toilet before
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and these legs are belong to someone who has lost a total of 2.5kg in 2 weeks.

Guess who?

The Wedding Finger (Chinese Version)

My dearest friend, Shirlene, forwarded this to me. I thought it was nice and somehow convincing, so I share it here. Enjoy!

Why should the wedding ring be worn on the fourth finger?

There is a beautiful and convincing explanation given by the Chinese .....

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The thumb represents your Parents.

The second (index) finger represents your Siblings.

The middle finger represents you.

The fourth (ring) finger represents your Life Partner.

The last (little) finger represents your children.

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First, open your palms (face to face),bend the middle fingers and hold them together,back to back.

Second, open and hold the remaining three fingersand the thumb - tip to tip.
(As shown in the figure below):

Now, try to separate your thumbs (representing the parents). They will open, because your parents are not destined to live with you lifelong, and have to leave you sooner or later.

Please join your thumbs as before and separate your Index fingers (representing siblings).. They will also open, because your brothers and sisters will have their own families and will have to lead their separate lives.

Now rejoin the index fingers and separate your little fingers (representing your children). They will open too, because the children also will get married and settle down on their own some day.

Finally, rejoin your little fingers, and try to separate your ring fingers (representing your spouse). You'll be surprised to see that you just CANNOT, because husband & wife have to remain together all their lives - through thick and thin!!

What can possibly beat this?

Sedaaapppp!!!!

A picture tells a thousand stories (1)

Notes:

* These photo were taken last year during my family annual activity; planting padi in my grandparents paddy field. All of the people in the photos are my family members, who requested to be unnamed here.

** There are reasons why I was not in the photo. As an animal lover and protector, I am against animals slave. As you can see in the photo, buffalo were used to plow the field. Although I am quite resilient on what I believe, for some reasons I could not convince my family members to believe it too (which is a shame). So, I decided not to help them in the field and took preparing lunch task instead. Plus, I am so damn scared of leaches. I think they could harm me in many ways and feast on me after defeating me. No way I'm exposing myself to that sort of danger.

*** If you ever thought of experiencing real country life, why not makes it come true? Come to our place in Borneo and experience traditional country Dusun life. You can stay here for nothing, my family love visitors. Don't worry, you won't end up in our pot. Lol! But you have to put up with our old country house and probably food you never tasted in your life. Oh, and also my grandfather. He would tell you non-stop stories about World War II and how much we are a lucky generation. Do expect that from our 100+ years old Aki.