What to do with damaged currency notes?

Friday, 22 December 2006

A torn 50 MRinggit currency note. Don't know what happened to it. We found it among our late father's possession. The rest of the family said it cannot be used anymore. I can't believe my ears! 50 MRinggit may be nothing to the rich but it means a lot to the poor. There must be a system whereby the government would take back damaged currency notes - torn, scratched, scorched, smeared, etc.

Asked my friends, who worked in the banks. One told me maybe the bank that I frequent, might take it from me and give me a new 50 MRinggit note. Another said the only bank that would take it back is Bank Negara Malaysia (Central Bank of Malaysia). An officer in the bank that I frequented told me that only Bank Negara Malaysia would take it back and give me in return an amount, according to the damage.

In the state of Sarawak, the only BNM branch is in the capital city of Kuching - that is 1 hour by Boeing from Miri. In the neighbouring state of Sabah, the only branch is also in the capital city of Kota Kinabalu - that is 45 minutes by Boeing from Miri.

Well, since I am here in Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia, I had the opportunity to visit the head office at Jalan Dato' Onn. We were lost looking for it, since we have never been there before. Glad we were lost because it gave us the opportunity to discover places of interest that I have not been. And happier still I got 50 MRinggit, not more or less, for the torn currency note.

I met one elderly couple who brought notes that have been torn and worn out, and looked like the cockroaches have their share on them as well. I am glad that BNM will be exchanging them for new notes that they could use.

Now, we know where to go to if any of of our MRinggit notes are damaged. We can also bring any old notes, that are no more in circulation, that we do not wish to keep or collect!!

Christmas Presents

Monday, 25 December 2006

There is always a first time in whatever we do. For me, this is first time I spent Christmas in Kuala Lumpur and the first time opening Christmas presents on a Christmas morning! Thanks to Lian again.

The first thing she excitedly said when she sat down in the sitting room was "Let's open the Christmas presents". It was fun, looking at each other's expressions and sharing/feeling each other's joy with the presents we got for each other.

As we feel the love and joy of this special day, my thoughts go to those who are homeless, poor, sick and lonely. For some, this is not a public holiday, life is just another working day so that they could bring food on the table.

Thinking of the less fortunate, who are struggling to earn a honest living, I am reminded that there is no need to spend unncessarily. There is no need to buy anything that catches our eyes even though we could afford to and end up collecting dust! There is no need to throw money to pay expensive branded things and found out later that the less famous and expensive made are as good!

Whatever our circumstances are, and whoever we are, I am grateful for the Christmas present that Heavenly Father has given each and everyone of us, all because He loves us.

The Beauty of a Christmas Tree

Thursday, 21 December 2006

Christmas tree (and a real look-alike tree, that friends helped to cut) was a must in the house when Sis was home, when I was then only a teenager.

It sure radiated the atmosphere of Christmas with one in the house.

I didn't continue to put up one, when Sis moved away. I didn't feel the same desire because I was a teenager who was lazy to put up a tree and furthermore the only Christian left in the house.

I did look forward to the Christmas Eve midnight service and the Christmas morning service, so that I could join the choir and sing the Christmas songs!

Hopping from one member's home to another's and eating the whole day - that was fun too!

We are thankful for the knowledge that this is an important religious event - the coming of our Saviour, and why he came.

I shouldn't have let personal feelngs rule over me when I was no more a teenager and yet didn't put up a tree during Christmas either in my own home. Maybe the beauty of the tree would have cast away all the negative energy and prick a cord in someone's heart.

Thanks to Lian. Like her Aunty, she knows the magical beauty of a decorated Christmas tree.

You can choose to walk out of the door

Friday, 15 December 2006

You are alone. There is no pets. You did not step out of your main door for 4 full days (including nights). You stayed in, because you chose it. You did not talk to your neighbours through the windows. You only communicate via the fixed or the cell phone (verbal and sms), email, video or voice conversation via the hotmail or the Yahoo Messenger.

It felt terrible and lonely. The hours seem very long, even though you have the opportunity to watch the 15th Asian Games in Doha, or any other channels, in peace.

Definitely you have all the freedom and peace to do when and what you want to do, but you wouldn't want to try this. You could progress into a loner, selfish person, maybe a bore. You can die of loneliness if you continue this day after day!!

I am grateful that we have the freedom to walk out of that door.

Definitely Growing Older and Forgetful

Friday, 15 December 2006

Counting down. 16 days and it will be 2007. One year older definitely and hooooooooooopefully not one year more forgetful.

For the past few days, I got mixed up with my passwords. That is the problem with having different accounts in the internet. Today, I forgot a new password in less than 6 hours after I have changed it!! I was sure I typed in the new password but it was rejected. I have been able to solve the problem before but not this time.

No choice, but to write to Technical Support. Let's see how clever the system is.

No Pork Today!

Tuesday, 5 December 2006

I had in mind what to cook tonight - "Braised Pork with Black Mushroom in Black Soya Sauce".

Went to the grocery shop early in the morning thinking that I could choose the best. It was about 6:45 am and there was not a single slice of pork visible??? Asked the shopkeer and he said "no pork today". I remarked "then I better drive to Lutong (another pork outlet a few minutes drive away) to buy". The shopkeeper said "you would not find any pork in town today, unless the vendor is not licenced". I asked "why?" He said "they don't slaughter pigs today" "Every Tuesday they are off".

I didn't know Tuesdays is a off day for the pig butchers in Miri. This is new to me. I don't have a day set apart to buy meat and I am glad I picked today to buy otherwise I would not know when is the pig butchers' off day. I am going to find out when this off day started, just to satisfy my inquisitive mind! I wonder when is the butchers' off day in Kuala Lumpur? I am going to find that out soon!

Ended up buying beef instead and cooked "Stewed Beef with potatoes, carrots & onions".