Irene's Ramblings

Biggest Water Melon in 1983

2011-12-24T13:42:00.006-06:00

Friday, 16 December 2011

Wow - a replica of the watermelon that held the 1983 Guinness World Record! We happened to be at the store - Conrad Farms, Inc. 7400 East 151 Street, Bixby, Oklahoma. What I like about this store is that they have all kinds of nuts, but we only bought almonds (inshell $2.79/lb), pecans (inshell $4.59/lb) and hazelnuts (inshell $3.69/lb) And I love nuts!

50 and 75 Cents Movies

2011-11-16T16:26:00.007-06:00

Tuesday, 15 November 2011

A friend told me about 50 cts movies on Tuesdays. I googled for the location and only found 75 cts movies on Tuesdays at Cinemark Movies 8, 6808 South Memorial Drive, Tulsa, OK 74133. I thought that was it, and that maybe the price has increased.

75 cts is great! We got to see the following shows at Cinemark Movies 8:
(1) Source Code (28 June 2011)
(2) Priest (5 July 2011)
(3) Thor (12 July 2011)
(4) Rio (19 July 2011)
(5) Pirates of the Caribbean (9 August 2011)
(6) X-men: First Class (16 August 2011)
(7) Mr. Popper's Penguin (23 August 2011)
(8) Super 8 (30 August 2011)
(9) Zoo Keeper (6 September 2011)
(10) Captain America (4 October 2011)

50 cts is better! Thanks to the same friend again. She phoned me one Tuesday night couple of weeks ago, asking if I would like to go with her to the 50 cts movie, but I did not get her message in time. When I returned her call, she had already attended the movie and I asked her what cinema she went to.

Super Saver Cinema, 5970 East 31st Street, Tulsa, OK, movies on Tuesdays are 50 cts! We went to our 1st show there today!
(1) Smurfs (15 November 2011)

75 cts is good. 50 cts is better!

I have never attended so many movies at the cinema in 10 months. 14 movies since the 7 January 2011. I love it!

When I was a little girl, me and my 2 brothers would follow our parents to the cinema. We entered free. There were 3 different sections/seatings in the cinema: 1.50, 1.00 and 0.50. My parents bought the 50 cts tickets. It tickles me to think that I was able to attend 50 cts movie just like what my mum had!

I found this site w.r.t. the pricing after that - http://www.tulsapeople.com/Tulsa-People/February-2009/Cheap-Thrills-Entertainment/

Online Games

2011-08-01T07:45:00.007-05:00

Monday, 1 August 2011

When there is noone to play table games with you, try online games! They are free if you can live with interruptions of advertisements. I can live with that. It gives me the break to do something quickly (about 2 mins) instead of sitting in front of the screen continuously. There won't be any interrruptions if you upgrade to paid members.

My addiction to online games started the 30 January 2010. Must be so bored and restless so I searched for scrabble. Don't know why I went for that game first instead of upwords which I find more challenging. Maybe because it is simplier.

There are other games on the www.pogo.com as well. There are many games. I have played poppit, word whomp, 1st class solitaire, Yatzee Party but I am now stuck to the scrabble. A dictionary and a 2-letter word is available for use as well.

I found Sudoku online as well, but I hardly visit the site now.

Sometime in June 2011, the scrabble website or my computer system kept shutting me off when I was playing. And I landed with another online game site. I don't play at casinos so this is great - slot machines. This does not require as much brain work as the scrabble. And this is a great place to help people. What happen is you enter a room and there could be 4 others playing. The maximum no. of people in a public room is 5 people. And the best way for everyone to score and be happy is to help each other. You don't help anyone in the scrabble room. You play to win. In this www.winster.com - SlotSocial - the more you help and cooperate in the room, everyone is a winner.

Someday I am going to check out this game online. I like this game too.

I met nice people and nasty people while playing scrabble and slot machine online.

In a 2 players scrabble room, one guy kept making remarks that I was toooooooooo slow. He went on and on and I was irritated. However I kept quiet and walked out of the room.

Then there was one time, in a 2 players scrabble room. The person icon was a female, the name was a female, but from the remarks (sexual) I believe he was a male. I kept quiet and walked out of the room.

The scrabble website is not functioning as designed. Even though you choose to play in a room of 3 or 4 players, you are likely to land up in a room of 2. It is safer in a room of 3 or more. That way, people usually don't make unpleasant remarks.

One time I was in a 4 players scrabble room, one guy made some sexual remarks to the remaining 3 players (female). We warned him to stop or we would report him. He did stop and then he walked out of the room.

Meanwhile at the slot machine room, I was called a bitch. Icons for players are all the same. By the name, I believed he was a male. He didn't like the way I played so he called me a bitch. I didn't walked out this time. I played with the others and ignore him. He walked out the room eventually.

Then recently I came across a guy (whom I will call XXX here), in the slot machine room. In this game, if you see a player needing something you give yours to him/her, if you don't need it. I saw he had something I needed (which he can let go instead of spinning it away) so I asked from him. He refused, stating that he would trade if what he gets is what he needed. I know he didn't require what I was giving away in exchange for what I wanted. I remarked to XXX that he was selfish.

It happened during that session there was a host. XXX asked for something that the hose had. The host said to XXX that she wouldn't give to him what he wanted because he was selfish to other players. After a while, the host walked out of the room. I think she did not want to play with XXX in the same room. And then XXX walked out too. I enjoyed the rest of the session.

All kinds of people out there, in front of the screens, playing these online games. I am thinking it could be anyone - young, old, friendly, nasty, helpful, kind, selfish, etc. etc. or it could even be your neighbor next door. Who knows!

Another Year Younger!

2011-07-25T20:38:00.010-05:00

Monday, 25 July 2011

Today I am a year younger? There is no such thing as a year younger. Silly old lady! Cannot deny or hide the visibility of silver strains of hair appearing on the head. Dyeing can temporarily help to conceal them but they will continue to appear. In reality, I am a year older today. Who wants to grow older? It is inevitable. It is part of life. My foremothers went through the change. It is my turn now. I have to learn to grow old gracefully. If feels old to be addressed as grandma. My heart don't feel that old!

I purposely don't reveal my birthday on the Facebook. I know if I do, there will be birthday wishes on the wall. Not surprisingly there are only a few handful of friends and the people who are closest to me, my husband, my children and my only sister remembered. And that is good enough for me. They are the people who really care and love me unconditionally.

Mike came home and surprised me with a birthday card, a bouquet of chrysanthemum flowers and a birthday cake! I had told him over and over again that I don't care much for material things, so he didn't tell me what he was going to do. I appreciate him for his presents, thoughts, kindness, gestures and most of all his love for me.

We had invited the missionaries to join us tonight for dinner. Nothing fancy. I had prepared ham hock and navy beans soup tonight for the 6 of us. I am glad we all liked it. My new recipe of ham hock and navy beans soup, using smoked ham hocks, smoked sausage, hot dogs, rotissiere chicken, onions, garlic, celery, carrots and navy beans. I had used 2 lbs of navy beans and this is what was left.

Mike baked biscuits to go with the beans soup.

Mike also brought back home Rocky Road ice cream to eat with the birthday cake. The ice cream is too sweet for my taste bud and so is the cake frosting.

My company for the occasion - Elder Wilson, Elder Saykhu, Mike, Elder Sorensen and Elder Virgin.

Coupons

2011-07-24T12:26:00.015-05:00

Sunday, 24 July 2011

Felt like rambling today about couponing! It is exciting, fun and cost saving!

Started off with 2 x $1.00 off coupon for 1/2 gallon Blue Bell ice cream on the 12 February 2011. In that store it was sold for $3.99 and so we got it for $2.99 each. I have seen stores selling for $4.99 and even $5.99.

Then I learnt about the double manufacturer's coupons (up to and including $1.00 face value) at Harps for a week each month on the 3rd Wednesday. Our 1st experience was on the 21 February 2011 whereby we paid $6.57 for $10.57 of products. So that was $4.00 saving. Not much but better than none. We haven't been there since the 13 April 2011. This is a once a month event and only on a particular week, so it doesn't suit our schedule. Also, I haven't come to the stage that I have lots and lots of coupons. I read about organising your coupons in a binder, etc. I saw shoppers looking into their coupons binder at Harps. They are what we call extreme couponers.

On my 1st double coupon experience at Harps, the cashier gave me the address of MoneySavingQueen website to look out for savings. Interesting what you can get, but you have to check everyday or else you might miss out on something you want.

Good thing I saw the 22 July 2011 posting of Arby's $0.64 sandwich with the purchase of a drink coupon. But the coupon was only valid on the 23 July 2011, their 47th anniversary. And since Arby is close to where we intend to shop for groceries yesterday, I printed the coupon. I don't care for beef but Mike does. And you know what? I only realised from the receipt that they minus $3.19 for the classic roasted beef sandwich and no indication of $0.64 charge. We only paid for the small 22 oz Dr. Pepper Diet drink $1.59 and $0.14 Tax. I phoned the store and told them that I owe them $0.64. They said not to worry about it. So that was a blessing.

I love the freebies, but they go quickly. So far, I have received freebies of Nexxus hair products, Aveeno hair products, Emergen-C vitamin drinks, Purex laundry detergent and I don't remember what else. And the freebies usually come with coupons.

Have you ever try Cobalt cheese? Sometime last month, I got to use a coupon for that product. I had that coupon for a few months and each time I went to the cheese section of any store, I did not see the product and the size mentioned in the coupon. Luckily it was still valid when I saw it last month. Instead of paying $2.12, we paid $1.37. That was good, since it was only 8 oz and I have not tasted it before. And then I read about $1/1 printable coupon but it was gone by the time I found it. And then I read that it was an award-winning cheese. No wonder they stand out from all the cheese I have eaten. At least for me. So I wrote to Cabot a snail mail since that is the only contact address in their website. And guess what? They sent me 4 coupons of 50 cents off any Cabot product. And the coupons are good until the December-31-2011!

Now, Mike prefers the Heinz Reduced Sugar tomato ketchup and I have only seen them in the 14 oz bottle. I am not particular about brand, so long as they taste tomato. And Heinz is not cheap either. So I emailed them. And guess what? They sent us 3 Reduced Sugar Tomato Ketchup coupons 50 cents off. We had exhausted the 3 coupons on the 6 May 2011. We paid total of $5.34 instead of $6.84 for 3 bottles. We also received coupons for other Heinz products and gave them away as we don't use those products. So that was good!

I was so happy when I came across the $2.00 discount coupon for rotisserie chicken as well as 8-piece fried chicken. And you can print them again and again till the offer expires 31 December 2011. I saw them on the website for meat and poultry printable coupons and deals. We used our 1st $2.00 off coupon for the rotisserie chicken on the 23 June 2011 and to date we have used 5 coupons. And we used our 1st $2.00 off coupon for the 8-pc fried chicken on the 28 June 2011 and to date we have used 3 coupons. Since they are for Tyson chicken, they are available in Walmart Deli department. However, we noticed that the prices in Walmart Neighborhood Market is $2 more than Walmart Supercenter, so we buy from the later. After coupon, we paid $2.98 instead of $4.98 for the rotissiere chicken and $3.88 instead of $5.88 for the 8-pc fried chicken. Yay!

Sometime last month, we found the rotissiere chicken too salty! We like the rotissiere chicken for the past years and we enjoy it until this particular purchase. So I emailed Marketside, the company of the Deli products, voiced our grievance and suggested the lowering of sodium for health reasons. And guess what? They sent me a Walmart Certificate amounting to $7.00 towards any one (1) marketside product. Yay! I haven't use it yet. The coupon expires 2 January 2012! This the biggest $ coupon, for food, I got so far.

Searching for coupons on the internet takes time. Since I am not earning, I take that my way of working to cut spending. If you are lucky, you come across them in time before they are gone. From time to time, I find coupons that I could use from the weekly paper advertisements that come into our snail mail box.

I received a surprise coupon a few days ago - $15 off my next electronics or accessories purchase of $50 or more at Dell. It was a timely surprise. We are running out of black ink cartridges.

Recently I found discount coupons for visits to places of interest. That thrilled me. We used the 1st of these coupons yesterday at the Tulsa Air and Space Museum. We paid a total of $18 instead of $22 because of that.

I think I have enough of ramblings today. I am thrill to find coupons! Hope you too!

Daring or Bold Jumping Spider

2011-06-02T17:36:00.006-05:00

Thursday, 2 June 2011

I am not interested in spiders. And picking them up with my bare fingers is a NO NO! Accidentally, I picked up a spider about 9:40 am today!

My eyesight are not perfect. It looked like a piece of black thing on the glued floor carpet, below the computer desk. It was where my feet would be if I sit down at that desk. Can't make out what black thing it was even. Didn't look nearer to see what it really was. I took for granted it was trash and that I have to pick it up and throw it into the trash bin. I bend down and picked it up with my right fingers, and immediately threw it down. The black thing was moving!

I saw it crawling away on the Persian carpet but couldn't find it, after coming back with an empty container. Felt the middle finger of my right hand tinkling like it was pinned by a few needles. Didn't think about washing my hand except to apply "Kum Peng" Relief Liniment (as insects bites was listed as one of the application). Even though I knew it was not an insect I did not have any other medication available.

I was worried because of the things I have read about spider bites so I went to our apartment complex office. I asked if I could sit there for a time, just in case something went wrong with me. I was thinking of the worse scenario of being bitten by a poisonous spider and my body's reaction to it!

The office manager poured hydrogen peroxide over my hand, wiped my finger with an antibacterial towelette and applied antibiotic ointment. Even though she did not think I have been bitten because there was no bite marks, she gave me a packet of the towelettte and a packet of the ointment to take home and to apply after lunch. She also gave me a "Catchmaster" sticker and if it catches spiders or other bugs, to report back to her. She would send their pest controller to our apartment.

Back home, I tried again to look for the spider, underneath the Persian carpet, thinking that was where it went. Instead I saw it on the top of the Persian carpet, around the place where I had thrown it and saw it crawled away. It was a dead spider! I must have walked over it. The Persian carpet is dark and the spider is dark too. I had the house shoes on when I picked up the live spider.

From the internet, it looked like Phidippus audax - black with small white triangle on its back and the bright metallic blue chelicerae.

The tinkling feeling on the finger had disappeared after a few hours. I am alright. Poor spider, I didn't mean to kill you. It was a common jumping spider in North America. And I read somewhere that it eats insects and other spiders.

Cinema Gift Card

2011-04-30T20:07:00.004-05:00

Saturday, 30 April 2011

Thank, Merri, for the cinema gift card. It was her 2010 Christmas present to us. Mike & I got to attend 3 movies out of it.

We saw "Season of the Witch" on the 7 January and "True Grit" on the 17 January. This morning we watched "Paul".

We thought we would get $1 balance but instead we have to pay $1 more.
The ticket cost $1 more starting last Saturday! It was $4 before.

Double Checking

2011-03-08T09:56:00.004-06:00

Tuesday, 8 March 2011

It is time to check the electricity bill online! They usually appear on the 8th of the month.

It hasn't. Instead I got a shock to see that I had paid $3.10 less of the $76.38 electricity bill for the month of February. That mistake means 5 cts (1.5%) penalty charge since it is due the 1 March.

I wondered how come I made this kind of silly mistake. Luckily it is only 5 cts penalty charge. I am usually very careful! And I haven’t log in the website since I checked the last month's bill! I guess the 8 February winter storm got me mentally!

Happy International Women's Day to me! It probably happens to other women as well!

Three Celebrations in One

2011-02-17T15:03:00.012-06:00

Thursday, 17 February 2011

Happy Chap Goh Mei (Wikipedia spell it Meh) - Hokkien dialect meaning 15th Night. Today is the 15th day of the new Lunar Year and the end of the celebration. Usually the evening starts with a special dinner, may not be as grand, as the Chinese New Year's Eve dinner with loved ones. There would be a lantern procession in town. This lantern possession is different from the Mid-Autumn festival (Mooncake Festival). The Chap Goh Mei lantern procession see beautifully decorated floats, built by organisations and companies, lion dances, etc. The difference is that on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, little children are allowed to carry a lighted lantern and walked outside the home, together with their older siblings or their parents. And they loved it.

Here I would like to share with you how my year of the Rabbit was so far.....

A delightful surprise gift on Saturday, 5th February 2011, in our mail box - a Chinese New Year card together with an Ang Pow - Teochew dialect meaning red packet - containing $20. I never imagine.

We had to postpone our Chinese New Year's Eve dinner (Wednesday, 2nd February 2011) because of the blizzard on the 1st February! Travelling is out of the question, for our guests.

While we were stuck at home in the cold winter day, I imagined my children visiting their relatives, enjoying the fellowshipping, feasting and the festival atmosphere. This is the time of the year that nothing is more meaningful than to be with your family loved ones, not just one but as many as possible.

Having guests to join us is good because it instills the desire for me to cook. As I get older, I get lazier cooking! I wouldn't be lazy if I have my children to cook for as well.

For this year's celebration, I bought Mandarin tangerines instead of the valencia oranges. It is the only closest similarity to the Mandarin oranges, that I am used to for this festive season. I think Mandarin tangerine is smaller in size but the skin is quite similar to the Mandarin orange. I thought Mandarin tangerines have the same Chinese New Year symbol as any oranges but not quite. Tangerines, sound as "luck" in Chinese, therefore are symbolic of good luck while the oranges, sound as "wealth" in Chinese, therefore are symbolic of wealth.

Chinese New Year dinner is only once a year so I decided to cook different from my usual. Thanks to the internet, there are lots of recipes to choose from.

(1) Sweet and Sour Pork (the healthier way) - I don't like the popular way of the pork being coated with batter and deep fried. What I would omit next time, with this recipe, is the cornstarch. I don't like starchy dishes.

(2) Braised Chicken Feet in Soya Sauce

This is interesting. I converted the weight of the meat from gms into lbs wrongly. The recipe calls for 600g of fresh chicken feet. I had 1.5 lbs. So that is okay for the recipe. BUT my mind was stuck with 1 lb = 1000g! And so I ended up using 3 times the light and dark soya sauce, the spices and other ingredients. No wonder it turned out to be salty.

My common sense should have realised that there was something wrong with the amount of ingredients I was using for that amount of meat, but I was determined to follow the recipe diligently. I am sure the chicken feet would taste great if I hadn't mistook the weight. I thought maybe the recipe is meant to be salty, as they are eaten with the rice. I have my own style of cooking the chicken feet. No specific amount of soya sauce. It depends how I want my dish to turn out.

I think Mike and our guests were being polite when they said the chicken feet tasted just fine OR maybe they have salty tongues! I used some of the left-overs in my vegetable soup today, and it was delicious since the chicken feet were already salted.

They said that eating chicken feet is good for our joints because they are full of collagen. That is why the sauce is succulent when we cook them slowly for a long time. The sauce is like a gelatin when it is cooled down. That is why there is no flour needed to thicken the chicken feet sauce!

(3) Stir-fried Prawns in Tomato Sauce
Again this recipe calls for gms in prawns and I regarded the 1.09 lbs I had as 1.09 kg! After the end result of the chicken feet, I decided not to follow the seasoning part anymore. I did, however used 4 times the amount of tomatoes and spring onions, but that was okay. I liked the dish! Next time I am going to omit the potato flour so that it is not starchy.

(4) Stir-fried Kung Pao Chicken - I like this dish. No problem with this as the meat was in ounces.

(5) Beef - Broccoli Stir Fry - this is a tricky recipe. It calls for a small chuck roast and no weight. It turns out alright except that I had too much water. And I would omit the cornstarch next time.

(6) Baked Snapper with Black Bean Sauce
I used the black bean sauce recipe from the 'Easy Baked Salmon with Bake Bean Sauce'

Traditionally the fish should be served whole for Chinese New Year to symbolise prosperity. I cut off the fins because they pricked my hands and the tail was cut because I can't get the whole fish in my baking tray. I guess I wouldn't prosper this Rabbit year.

I was however disappointed that Mike dumped the black bean sauce that the fish was sitting and marinating in. I had asked him to help put the tray of fish into the oven. He said the sauce would make the fish soggy and he didn't like soggy fish. He is a good cook. He has his own way of cooking. He forgot I was the cook this time, and he should have asked me :( Lesson learnt: be clear in our instructions, don't assume people know.

Luckily it turned out alright. The fish had been marinated. I would have used whatever remaining sauce in the tray, after baking, and pour over the fish.

Well, since the dinner was held on Wednesday 16 February, we decided to consider it the Chinese New Year's Eve Dinner (2nd February), the Saint Valentine's Day (14th February) as well as the Chap Goh Mei aka Chinese Valentine's Day (17th February).

Mike gave me a card, a limoge box and a balloon for St. Valentine's day.

The celebration of the new Lunar Chinese New Year of the Rabbit has passed.

Wishing everyone Happiness, Joy, Health, Success, Innovation, Safety, Serenity, Peace, Love, Blessings, Generosity, Wisdom and may your dreams come true.

Beauty in the Eyes of the Beholder

2011-02-17T12:59:00.005-06:00

Monday, 7 February 2011

I saw this guy with his long pleated hair at a grocery store. To me, minus the beard, I thought he looked like the famous American actor Brat Pritt. I knew this guy definitely wasn't.

I don't see men with that length of hair. I believe the Sikhs have longer hair because they don't cut their hair, roll them on top of their head and covered them with turbans.

This guy told me that he stopped cutting his hair since the 80's and hadn't comb his hair since the 90's.

I wondered what happened if he caught lice! I wondered how his companion can stand it. It would smell, from sweat, in the hot and humid weather.

Frozen Shoulders

2010-12-28T11:30:00.010-06:00

Tuesday, 28 December 2010

Every time I returned from my janitor work, my shoulders ached. First number of months in the work - after a day's & a night's break, the shoulders felt better. After that, the shoulders remained achy, even after any breaks. Normal work days were Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.

The aches were not so unbearable that I would consult a doctor. A friend (who is also a janitor but works for a different company) said fortnightly visits to her chiropractor kept her going. With the work schedule that I was in, I felt that the aches would come back anyway. The doctor's prescription or the chiropractor's adjustments were only temporary relieves.

I believe that our bodies have the capability to heal themselves. So I waited until I left my job.

1st week and 2nd week out of employment only see pain and stiffness in my shoulders - I could not lift my right arm beyond/above the level of my eyes! It was as if that shoulder joint was locked! My left shoulder could stretch higher but with pain! My body was not healing itself!

I believe in traditional healing. Between chiropractor and acupuncturist, I went to a chiropractor! Visited 3 times and that was all I needed for experience. I didn't feel there were much improvement in my arms. I did feel better only immediately after the therapies ministered at the clinic, but next day the stiffness returned. Mike was right - chiropractor is not what I needed to heal my stiff shoulders.

A friend said she wanted to try acupuncture for her hands. Even though the acupuncturist was professional, whose father was also an acupuncturist, circumstances only allow us 2 times. I am thankful for that circumstances! 2 times was enough experience for me! I don't like the needles!

12 weeks plus, I finally consulted a doctor who diagnosed me as having "shoulder adhesive capsulitis".

After 3 visits to the doctor, x-rays of both shoulders, MR of my left shoulder and 8 physical therapy sessions, I can stretch my arms as in the picture posted here.

I have to continue doing the stretching exercises, that I learnt from the physical therapist, daily, to return to full flexibility. I am happy that I can hook my bras behind to-date, even though the arms are not as flexible yet. I am getting there!

Carelessness

2010-10-18T10:11:00.006-05:00

Saturday, 16 October 2010

Talk about carelessness. That was me this morning. I knew where I was going to and I know what I was going for BUT I forgot the ascending steps. Ouch, it hurts.

Mike saw me fall and he said his heart dropped.

Wrong Place at the Wrong Time

2010-10-18T08:46:00.007-05:00

Tuesday, 12 October 2010

You could be cautious on your part, but someone else wasn't. Mike was on his way to get me when someone bumped him from behind at a traffic junction.

Saturday, 5 February 2011

This happened during the past 4 days, during the winter storm and blizzard, at our apartment parking lot. We didn't go out. Someone did and knocked our car and run. The same side as the accident on 12 October 2010! Since we can't afford to pay the $500 deductible, it would have to stay that way until don't know when! Irresponsible culprit! Hope this would be on his/her conscience forever.

The Little Amazing Drummer - Howard Wong

2010-10-06T09:19:00.007-05:00

Wednesday, 6 October 2010

I love this Howard Wong. He is only 3 years! And he is a Malaysian! I was so impressed by a dance video earlier on - dancing to the flight safety instructions, by the Philippines. And now Malaysian's talent. Wow!

He is so adorable. Played and played until the very end of the song. I can't help thinking that he should wear some kind ear protective equipment.

Thumbs up for Malaysia!

They Know How to Repel Pigeons

2010-10-06T07:48:00.010-05:00

Sunday, 3 October 2010

Hundreds of pigeons flock there. Inches of poop needed to be cleaned out, otherwise the roof would collapse one day!

And they got the contract to clean it out and install a pigeon repellant system.

At the end of the cleaning, these are what were collected. The pile is actually higher because they have thrown away a number of bags the day before.

The pigeon repellant system was installed after that.

Mooncake Festival

2010-09-21T17:59:00.017-05:00

Tuesday, 21 September 2010

Tomorrow is Mooncake Festival. The Chinese called it the Mid-Autumn Festival. It is also known as the Lantern Festival.

It is the night when my Mum would offer offerings to the moon God. Moon worship dates back over thousand years in China's Shang Dynasty.

Mum would set a table outside the house, in the open, and there would be the jar of joss sticks burning, small cups of tea, peeled pamelos, peeled/cut sugarcane, boiled but unshelled groundnuts, taro (yam), mooncakes and I forgot what else.

That was so many years ago. After her passing, Moon God worshipping did not continue with any of her children. The little children enjoyed walking outside in the open, on the street or around their house, in the dark, with their lighted lanterns. Last time they used real small lighted candles but nowadays battery-operated light bulbs are used instead. The latter of course is safer.

How did the Mooncake come about?

I don't know which one is really true, but here are the 4 legends that I have taken from the About.com

Quote..

The Lady - Chang Er
The time of this story is around 2170 B.C. The earth once had ten suns circling over it, each took its turn to illuminate to the earth. But one day all ten suns appeared together, scorching the earth with their heat. The heat was saved by a strong and tyrannical archer Hou Yi. He succeeded in shotting down nine of the suns. One day, Hou Yi stole the elixir of life from a goddess. However his beautiful wife Chang er drank the elixir of life in order to save the people from her husband's tyrannical rule. After drinking it, she found herself floating and flew to the moon. Hou Yi loved his divinely beautiful wife so much, he didn't shoot down the moon.

The Man - Wu Kang
Wu Kang was a shiftless fellow who changed apprenticeships all the time. One day he decided that he wanted to be an immortal. Wu Kang then went to live in the mountains where he importuned an immortal to teach him. First the immortal taught him about the herbs used to cure sickness, but after three days his characteristic restlessness returned and he asked the immortal to teach him something else. So the immortal to teach him chess, but after a short while Wu Kang's enthusiasm again waned. Then Wu Kang was given the books of immortality to study. Of course, Wu Kang became bored within a few days, and asked if they could travel to some new and exciting place. Angered with Wu Kang's impatience, the master banished Wu Kang to the Moon Palace telling him that he must cut down a huge cassia tree before he could return to earth. Though Wu Kang chopped day and night, the magical tree restored itself with each blow, and thus he is up there chopping still.

The Hare-Jade Rabbit
In this legend, three fairy sages transformed themselves into pitiful old men and begged for something to eat from a fox, a monkey and a rabbit. The fox and the monkey both had food to give to the old men, but the rabbit, empty-handed, offered his own flesh instead, jumping into a blazing fire to cook himself. The sages were so touched by the rabbit's sacrifice that they let him live in the Moon Palace where he became the "Jade Rabbit."

The Cake - Moon Cake
During the Yuan dynasty (A.D.1280-1368) China was ruled by the Mongolian people. Leaders from the preceding Sung dynasty (A.D.960-1280) were unhappy at submitting to foreign rule, and set how to coordinate the rebellion without it being discovered. The leaders of the rebellion, knowing that the Moon Festival was drawing near, ordered the making of special cakes. Backed into each moon cake was a message with the outline of the attack. On the night of the Moon Festival, the rebels successfully attacked and overthrew the government. What followed was the establishment of the Ming dynasty (A.D. 1368-1644). Today, moon cakes are eaten to commemorate this legend.

.... Unquote

For many years, the fillings of traditional mooncakes were:
(1) sweet bean paste - made from red bean, mung bean or black bean.
(2) lotus seed paste - made from lotus seed or white kidney bean. This particular mooncake comes with either 1 or 2 salted duck egg yolks as well.
(3) five kernel - made up of chopped walnuts, pumpkin, watermelon, peanuts, sesame or almonds.

I don't really care about eating mooncakes because they are full of sugar. However (3) above is my favourite. I like to bite little by little and slowly enjoy the mixture of nuts.

Last time you can only find traditional baked mooncakes with the above traditional fillings, but since then there are non-baked mooncakes (made with cooked rice flour skin) and fillings of whatever one can think of, even durian!

As for the packaging, last time they would come in a red coloured square box of 4 pieces. But now, they are packaged in all sort of packaging. And of course they would cost more. It is not the younger generation are more creative. It is because the older generation, probably are not courageous to present their ideas!

Thanks Lian, for the mooncakes.....

Cantonese - Blackberry Blackcurrant Cheese Mooncake.
Ingredients (as listed in the package) : Lotus seed, sugar, refined vetable oil, mung bean, blueberry filling, cheese dried blackcurrant, maltose, wheat flour, melon kernel seed, egg, alkaline water, permitted blueberry flavour and salt.

Cantonese - Supreme Mixed Nuts Mooncake.
Ingredients (as listed in the package): Whole shell almonds, walnuts, sesame melon kernel seeds, dried winter melons, dried chicken meat, chicken floss, scallops, sugar, refined vegetable oil, maltose, kow flour and eggs.

Happy Mooncake Festival. Enjoy.

Blogging

2010-09-13T07:27:00.005-05:00

Monday, 13 September 2010

Check out my recent postings in the following blogs:

http://renejenny-family.blogspot.com
http://renejenny-kl.blogspot.com
http://renejenny-kk.blogspot.com
http://renejenny-anchor.blogspot.com
http://renejenny-malacca.blogspot.com
http://renejenny-dance.blogspot.com

Flying Over the Greenland

2010-09-13T07:09:00.006-05:00

Saturday, 11 September 2010

Interesting for change of route that we have flown - across the Atlantic Ocean, over the Greenland.

Grateful two of the pictures, taken from the plane, turned out good enough to be shared with you.

I wondered why Greenland is so called such so I googled and got this answer:

Quote

The name Greenland comes from Scandinavian settlers. In the Norse sagas, it is said that Erik the Red was exiled from Iceland for murder. He, along with his extended family and thralls (slaves), set out in ships to find the land that was rumored to be to the northwest. After settling there, he named the land Grønland ("Greenland"), possibly in order to attract more people to settle there. Greenland was also called Gruntland ("Ground-land") on early maps. Whether Green is an erroneous transcription of Grunt ("Ground"), which refers to shallow bays, or vice versa, is not known. It should also be noted, however, that the southern portion of Greenland (not covered by glacier) is indeed very green, at least in summer.

Unquote

Ketupat

2010-09-13T06:57:00.004-05:00

Friday, 10 September 2010

Compressed glutinous rice boiled in these weaved baskets. One of the traditional must-haves for the celebration of Hari Raya Aidilfitri. Nowadays you don't have make the baskets yourself, you can buy them at the market. This picture was taken at a Miri market.

Cooked ketupat (picture from wikipedia.org)

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri to all my Muslim friends.

Acupunture

2010-09-07T11:33:00.008-05:00

Wednesday, 18 August 2010

They said acupunture is good for stiff shoulders so I tried. Went twice and only thinking about doing it scares me.

Needles sticking in different areas - ear, face, leg, lower back - oh my goodness! When nothing else works, and you are desperate for a relief to stiffed or painful bodies, and there are reports that it works, you will face that fear!

My friend and I were fortunate that this was a period of charity drive and it only cost us 5MRinggit per visit. According to the acupunturist, you need to be treated at least 10 times before you can see result, especially with cases that is months old. This is in Kota Kinabalu.

Queen Card for Ladies' Restroom

2010-09-07T11:27:00.004-05:00

Tuesday, 14 August 2010

This is new to me. Queen card image instead of the usual ladies image for the restroom. And King card image (picture came out blur) for the men restroom. Saw this in Kota Kinabalu.

Eating Durian for the First Time

2010-08-11T22:25:00.009-05:00

Wednesday, 11 August 2010

It was on sale at a supermarket at 10MRinggit for 5 packets. It saved us the trouble of opening up the thorny husk and the possibility that not all the flesh inside are good.

It was fun watching Mike eating the king of the fruit for the first time! He started with a pinch of the soft custard-like flesh

Then from the big seed!

He is cute!

I am a year younger!

2010-07-31T14:01:00.005-05:00

Sunday, 25 July 2010

Two years ago, I said "I am a year older". This year, I said "I am a year younger". How about that?

Spent the latter part of the morning at church and the rest of the day with family and a neighbor-friend.

50 Cents Swimsuit

2010-07-17T16:50:00.008-05:00

Friday, 25 June 2010

Talking about "needs" and "wants". My swimsuit is still usable, so I am fine. The colors attracted me. The swimsuits were in good shape. The garage sale price was irresistible - 50cts each.

Well, I have spare swimsuits if friends come to visit!

Not 1 Pair of Shoes but 10 Pairs!

2010-07-14T22:37:00.020-05:00

Saturday, 16 October 2010

I heard her went into a room and I heard her moving things inside. Next thing Aunt Loraine came out and gave me a plastic with these shoes in. Aunt Loraine can't wear any of her shoes anymore because of some ankle problem and she only wear one kind now. Thanks, Aunt Loraine.

Friday, 2 July 2010

Have you ever been given 10 pairs of shoes at one time? That happened to me today. Aunt Loraine took me to her room and got me to try them. We didn't count how many pairs I tried until I was back in my own home and had them in the 20-Pocket Over-the-Door Shoe Organizer, which Aunt Loraine gave as well.

Aunt Loraine had given me 10 pairs and they fitted into the shoe organizer! There would be an 11th pair if it wasn't too small for me. Due to some problem with Aunt Loraine's feet, she couldn't wear them anymore and none of her her daughters' and granddaughters' feet could fit them either. And Aunt Loraine didn't want to sell them.

Aunt Loraine was happy that I could wear them. I am thankful for this blessing.

Stand By Me

2010-06-16T18:33:00.007-05:00

Wednesday, 16 June 2010

Thanks, Iain, for this video. I love it. I love it so much that I have to keep that in my blog. And the remark that came with your forward:

Quote
.... watch something absolutely stunning, technically and muscially. The musicians don't know each other, as they are from different places around the world. So, the sound and image technicians (volunteers) did an amazing job capturing the sound of each of the "singers", individually and globally (they are outdoor performances and it is extremely difficult to do without "external noise"). They managed reaching a remarkable level of musical purity. We come to this wonderful musical achieved through high technology, that joins people around the world for an instant, making them feel and talk the same universal language: music. Moments like this, with great dedication and generosity, make us still have some hope in the "human race".
Unquote

Stand By Me | Playing For Change | Song Around The World from Concord Music Group on Vimeo.

Who says you have to be professional to do great things?

Beauty of the Earth and Music

2010-05-22T10:13:00.007-05:00

Saturday, 22 May 2010

I am so thankful for God's creation and the beauty that He has blessed us with. I am thankful for good wholesome music that brings good feelings to me.

I am so thankful for being able to listen freely to the music and songs that I like, on the internet. And as I listen to them this morning, my thought went particularly to this picture that I took in Penang.

Heavenly Father loves us and only wants our happiness.

Seriously, Banana for One Dollar!

2010-05-15T19:46:00.002-05:00

Saturday, 15 May 2010

Except for the brown spots on their peels, they are not over-ripe. I prefer these than the complete yellow peels. These are softer and sweeter. We got all of these for $1.

Happy Mother's Day - 2010

2010-05-09T15:33:00.034-05:00

Sunday, 9 May 2010

Someone passed me a folded note and said it was for me. That was last Sunday.

I have a secret grandson! I was too stupid not to think that the bottom S.G. means Secret Grandson until I have searched in vain the names of the children of our branch members and told Mike about it. I asked the sister who passed me the note if she had receive a similar note. She is a mother too. She did not receive any folded note. She couldn't be lying! I didn't ask other Sisters, even though I wondered.

Mike said it would be more fun that I don't know who S.G. was. It could have been one of the Primary's activity. So I didn't ask anymore about what was going on. It was supposed to be secret.

During the following week, I came to the decision of putting a MRinggit note into an ang-pow (red packet) as an appreciation, and I would give to whoever who acted as the liaison, middle-person, whatever you call, to pass to my Secret Grandson. I forgot about the ang-pow packet until we were on the road to church this morning. And we didn't drive back for that either. Furthermore I didn't have that red packet ready either.

After their presentation of the song (that I have embedded from YouTube)

the children passed out the following things to all the mothers:

(1) a kitkat

and (2) a plague

This is a special day because a family member gave me a rose! Thanks, Roger!

I miss my own children. Even though we got to communicate, I still think of them and their well-beings often. And in my heart I pray that they are always well and happy.

This day, I think of my mother. She has been gone 2-1/2 years. It was only when I became a mother myself and experienced her situations, that I could really comprehend and appreciate what she was going through, felt and what she did.

I think she wouldn't like the pictures that I posted of her here. She would say she is old and not good looking. These pictures were taken in her last 2 years of her life on the earth. When we were growing up, my mother took very good care of all of us. There were 5 of us. We hardly got sick and the nurse told my mother that our medical records are 'clean' because we hardly go to the clinic, apart from the necessary vaccinations.

October 2005: Mum, Yours truly and Mum's eldest grandchild. There is a special bondage between Grandmother and her eldest Granddaughter

Grandmother and her youngest Grandson.

She was Great Grandma to Jenna (the youngest of her 2 great grandchildren).

Elder M. Russell Ballard on mothering:
"There is no one perfect way to be a good mother. Each situation is unique. Each mother has different challenges, different skills and abilities, and certainly different children. The choice is different and unique for each mother and each family. Many are able to be “full-time moms,” at least during the most formative years of their children’s lives, and many others would like to be. Some may have to work part-or full-time; some may work at home; some may divide their lives into periods of home and family and work. What matters is that a mother loves her children deeply and, in keeping with the devotion she has for God and her husband, prioritizes them above all else." “Daughters of God,” Ensign, May 2008, 108–10

Pearl S. Buck:
"Some mothers are kissing mothers and some are scolding mothers, but it is love just the same, and most mothers kiss and scold together."

To all the mothers who are reading this post:
Happy Mother's Day! God bless.

Chinese New Year's Eve Dinner

2010-02-20T17:06:00.029-06:00

Saturday, 13 February 2010

Instead of staying at home and enjoying the Chinese New Year's Eve, Michael ended up in a hospital bed!

Samples of his blood showed that Mike had a pancreatitis infection.

Wednesday, 17 February 2010

It was not Chinese New Year's Eve today but that didn't matter.. What matter was that our Chinese New Year's dinner is not cancelled. Chinese New Year's celebration is 15 days and today is only the 4th day.

Discharged from the hospital yesterday and Mike was ready for action - pouring his egg mixture to do an egg crepe for his own version of Korean Om Rice.

I found this Honey Garlic Barbecue Spareribs recipe in the chinesefood.about.com. I thought it read good and suggested Mike try it. It turned out great! We loved it.

Something that I am trying for the first time - Baked Curried Chicken, using Maggi Mix. I got the idea from Great Baked Chicken Curry Recipe from grouprecipes.com. It tasted good!

I have my own beef stew recipe but I thought I tried this Crock Pot Beef Stew recipe (minus the beef stew mix) from the cooks.com. Not bad but I think I prefer my own recipe!

Now the stir-fry dishes. My own version of stir-fried prawns with red and green peppers. I love the red and green colours combination.

My own version of stir-fried beef with broccoli.

Stir-fried french beans with eggs. This is a dish which I cooked quite often in Malaysia. It is simple, quick, cheap, nutritious and delicious. But somehow stir-frying the beans in the US do not result with the same result as I got in Malaysia! They seemed to be harder and not done, even after I left them longer in the pan. Maybe they are old! Probably they are meant to be boiled! I have to try again!

Stir-fried pork with ginger and spring onion (I am not used to calling spring onion as scallion) - another simple and delicious dish I like very much. My recipe is almost the same as the one posted by a blogger, whose posting I have linked to the name of this dish, if you are interested.

Last dish was my version of stir-fried lettuce with garlic (no picture taken - no time - and hungry people are waiting). I cooked this dish a few times before. So I thought I do that for others who haven't tried it.

Typically, Chinese don't eat raw vegetables. Almost all vegetables are cooked! I have linked a recipe of it from the chinesefood.about.com to the name of dish, if you want to try it as well.

Voila! The dinner/buffet table is ready! Usually we sit around the table but there is no space so buffet will do!

Glad Elder Pickett & Elder Villarreal were able to join us.

And we are also happy that Roger and Robin were able to make it. We were sorry the rest of the family - Michelle, Joshua, Patty & Melvin - couldn't come because they were sick.

If God would grant me a wish today, I would wish Lian and Yean (and Anges) are here with me now.

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR ** TAKE CARE ** GOD BLESS

Did You See The Flag?

2010-01-26T13:59:00.007-06:00

Wednesday, 20 January 2010

It was a funeral service of a war veteran at the Calvary Baptist church. Mike would be playing the bagpipes. He saw the flag first. My beloved country's flag is amongst the many flags hung there! For both of us, it was an exciting and happy sight.

I got to speak to the pastor's wife and she said the flags showed the countries where their missionaries have served.

Be Careful - Cuidado - 小心

2009-12-30T09:40:00.007-06:00

Wednesday, 30 December 2009

Once upon a time in December 2009, I came across this situation. There was a metal pipe protruding, in a doorway.

And I voiced out to the people present then. Someone, who was not responsible for that, immediately tied a pink rag. I wrote a note and slip it into the tied rag, meant for whoever had that pipe positioned, that it was a safety hazard.

Next day I saw a piece of paper with the word "Cuidado" stringed to the top of the ceiling. Right then, I didn't know what language that was. But I guess it would mean either "danger" or "careful" (which I learnt later being the meaning of Cuidado in Spanish).

From his signed name, I believe he is a Hispanic. Did he think I was a hispanic? What irritated me was that he wrote on my note "Open your eyes". That does not justify one's action of an obvious safety hazard.

Some days later, I wrote (read as xiao3 xin1). I wonder how the person reacted when he saw that - amused or irritated? I was just being naughty!

The sign is still there todate but the rag is gone.

Christmas Tree and Presents 2009

2009-12-25T13:28:00.014-06:00

Friday, 25 December 2009

Some people like real Christmas trees. These pine trees were sold for $21.99 each.

We preferred the "forever" tree which cost more. For $25, including the coloured lights, I think it was a reasonable price. And furthermore you can use it for years.

Gifts, in material kind, is not my love language. But for some people it is. This Christmas we are blessed with many: Boroque glass candle stand (with the words: live well, laugh often, love much), ceramic scented candle holder in the shape of a dog reindeer, wooden cross inscribed with the "Lord's Prayer", Axxents 3 piece micro fleece set, Sephora by OPI daily hand moisturer, George Foreman the lean mean reducing grilling machine, Snuggie (the blanket that has sleeves), Compact 'Press 'N Open' Booklight, DVD "GoodFellas", bracelet.

Mike loves the B17 bomber model.

And I think this little baby doll is beautiful!

Harvested Cotton

2009-12-02T12:55:00.008-06:00

Saturday, 28 November 2009

For many weeks the sight of the cotton fields amazed me. It was only 2 weeks ago when I decided to take pictures of the cotton plants before the field is harvested, and wrote about it.

This afternoon as we travelling to visit the Cows of the Sky, I saw more cotton fields, but this time the miles and miles of cotton fields are cleared of their cotton.

Bundled and ready to be sent for processing to ??????? Someone said China.

A part of the cotton factory.

Beauty of the Fingernails

2009-11-27T13:49:00.010-06:00

Friday, 27 November 2009

It is not like I have not seen people doing manicure before. It is not like I have not seen manicuring and pedicuring done together with hair styling.

What striked me was the manicuring was done by both the male as well as the female workers. There were about 4 male workers out of 6 manicurists, each behind their own respective work desk.

This is a picture of a man working on a client's fingers. I almost wanted to type a "female" client's fingers. Has anyone seen any ordinary man (except for transvestites) going for manicure?

I admire those ladies - how they can keep their fingers long, clean and polished. I have tried but I still prefer my nails trimmed. Furthermore I find it hard to type or work with long nails.

Cotton Fields

2009-11-19T12:18:00.000-06:00

Thursday, 19 November 2009

Remember the cotton song called "Cotton Fields" sung by the Beach boys, that started with the following lines?
When I was a little bitty baby
My mama done rock me in the cradle
In them old cotton fields back home

Interesting to see the actual cotton fields

There are 5 segments in a cotton bulb. The cotton on the left was picked from one of the older bulbs in the field. The cotton had puffed out from its segment.

The bulb that I have picked home is now emptied of its 5 segments.

"Milo" for People and Livestock

2009-11-18T13:54:00.004-06:00

Monday, 26 October 2009

When I first heard the name of the crop, I thought it sounded like the "Milo" drink I love. It was. And it spell the same too! How interesting! I wonder if the farmers know about the "Milo" drink?

Technically known as grain sorghum, it is used as a feed grain for livestock in the United States, according to this website http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/AFCM/sorghum.html

The "Milo" that I love. I miss them! Usually I would make it a hot drink out of it but you could make it cold too. I have tried mixing them with agar-agar to make Milo jelly - it is nice. I have also used them as a substitute for cocoa into my cake mixture!

9 Months In the Womb

2009-10-21T13:36:00.005-05:00

Wednesday, 21 October 2009

This is an amazing video (in Indonesian). Evariny Andriana did a great job clipping the original National Geographic video. The music by Vina Panduwinata is lovely.

I don't know you, but it brought tears to my eyes - the miracle and creation of God.

Raccoons

2009-09-12T20:24:00.015-05:00

Saturday, 12 September 2009

They were taken and cared for when they were only a few days old. Roger didn't rear them as pets but rather for education purposes. They don't bite Roger or his family but they could bite strangers and visitors.

Rico is the male and he is bigger in physique. He tried hard to stretch his hands out to catch me! I call the 2 front feet "hands" because they look exactly like our hands - five slender and flexible fingers that grasp and climb. And I was right to call them hands because I found out later in the internet that they were indeed hands. I don't like the look of his claws.

Bandita is the female and she is smaller. This is the only picture I managed to take a solo picture of her.

They look so alike to me. It is not easy to see Bandita and her actions. She is always hiding away in their kennel when I visit.

Chihuahas and Huskies

2009-09-10T14:29:00.015-05:00

Thursday, 10 September 2009

Chihuahuas

Prancer is the grandmother of Emma (the chihuahua puppy that I wrote about last month). I think she is the prettiest of the pack.

Princess is Emma's mother. Princess is the daughter of Prancer. Princess is expecting again and that is probably why she likes to lie down.

Emo is Emma's father. Emo is also Emma's uncle. Emo is the brother of Princess and son of Prancer. He is either shy or not very social. This pictures is taken under the house!

And lastly meet Emma's brother - Edward.

The female Chihuahuas are more friendlier than the male ones. Edward wouldn't come to me when I called his name. Emo would run under the house when I approached him.

Huskies

Buster is the male and white colored while Aspin is the female grey colored husky. They are kept inside the compound and so we are always separated by a fence. I wonder how they would react to me otherwise. Whenever they see me, they would walk to the fence and I would pat them over the fence.

Emma

2009-08-22T21:16:00.008-05:00

Saturday, 22 August 2009

3 months old Emma was presented me on the 13 August, as a birthday present, because I said I would have her. She is a chihuahua.

And to complete the gift, someone else presented a dog bed, a twin dog feeding bowl, doggy pad for housebreaking, a pan/spade poop scoop set, a bag of puppy feed & a dog belt (which I have not used yet).

I returned Emma and her things back to her original owners today. Emma and another of her siblings were taken home by someone else right away. I am glad because Emma deserves a more tolerable master than I have been.

I have looked after 6 dogs at one period. My children and I love to play with them. I gave them bath, cooked for them. They were a mixture of terrier, collie, shih tzu. The difference is that they stayed outside the house.

Having a dog living inside the house, running about, pooping around and biting clothes and shoes, is just not my cup of tea.

Book: Learn From Successful Entrepreneurs Part 1

2009-08-19T13:39:00.009-05:00

Monday, 10 August 2009

It was the 1st part of the "Learn From Successful Entrepreneurs" sold to me by a worker, at the publishing company, who answered my call. There are no more copies on sale and no more inpublication. We met at an LRT station. She came with a colleague and I went with Yean. We have never met each other.

It was her personal copy. Although the cover is stained the inside is still good. Initially I asked if she could lower her price. She told me to give me whatever I could paid her. In the end I just paid her the full price (MR10) because the contents is okay and that is more important.

There are 40 business entrepreneurs listed in this book too. I enjoyed reading it.

(1) Azim Hasham Premji - Founder of Wipro Limited (India's biggest and most competitive IT Company)
(2) Bill Gates - Chairman, Microsoft Corporation

(3) Charles Wang - Co-founder of Computer Associates International, Inc.
(4) Colonel Harland Sanders - founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken

(5) Craig O Mccaw - Pioneer of Telecommunications
(6) David Beckham - English Footballer

(7) Elliot and Ruth Handler - Co-founder of Mattel and creation of Barbie Doll
(8) Fred Smith - Founder of FedEx

(9) Jackie Chan - Stunts Movie Star
(10) Jeffrey Bezos - Founder of Amazon.com

(11) Jerry Yang - Co-founder of Yahoo! Inc.
(12) Johanna Quandt - BMW

(13) Karl & Theo Albrecht - Founders of supermarket chain Aldi Nord
(14) Kim Sun Joo

(15) Kumar
(16) Kumar Mangalam Birla - Chairman of Aditya Birla Group

(17) Lakshmi Mittai
(18) Leo Burnett - Advertising Executive

(19) Levi Strauss - Founder of Levi jeans
(20) Lim Goh Tong - Transformer of Genting Highlands to a resort

(21) Matshushita Konosuke - Founder of Panasonic Corporation
(22) Mikhail Khodorovsky - Founder of Menatep Bank (Russia)

(23) Mohamed Al Fayed - Owner of Harrods Departmental Store (Knightsbridge)
(24) Narayana Murthy - Co-founder of Infosys Technologies

(25) Philip H Knight - Co-founder of athletic apparel maker Nike
(26) Pierre Omidyar - Founder of eBay auction site.

(27) Robert Johnson
(28) Tan Sri Robert Kuok - Malaysian Chinese businessman

(29) Robert Saxe
(30) Roy Thomson

(31) Sanjiv Singh Sidhu
(32) Steve Case - Co-founder of American Online (AOL).

(33) Sumner M Redstone
(34) Tadashi Yanai

(35) Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary - Malaysian Business entrepreneur
(36) Tan Sri Ananda Krishnan - Malaysian Business entrepreneur

(37) Toyoda Eiji - Managing Director of Toyota Motor.
(38) Vijay Singh - Fijian professional golfer

(39) Warren Buffet - Most successful investor in history
(40) William Ding Lei - Founder of NetEase.

Book: Learn From Successful Entrepreneurs Part 2

2009-08-09T09:04:00.004-05:00

Sunday, 9 August 2009

Learn From Successful Entrepreneurs Part 2
(Publisher: Vanakkammalaysia Dotcom Sdn Bhd) (Price: MR10.00)

If it isn't for this book, I wouldn't have recognised the names of these successful entrepreneurs. I won't remember all the names listed in this either after reading this book but it has been very interesting to read about how they founded some of the branded things that I have heard, read, seen and used, and how others succeeded in their respective businesses and interests.

(1) Akio Morita - Sony radios
(2) Amar G. Bos - Bose speakers. Never came across them until a recent visit to a classmate and I was amazed by the quality of sound produced by the small Bose speakers

(3) Arun Netravli - Bell Laboratories.
(4) Ashok Kumar Goel - Laminated tubes.

(5) Brownie Wise - Direct selling of Tuppware. I think the plastic ware are the best.
(6) Carlos Slim Helu - The Book said he is King Midas of Mexico

(7) Tan Sri Francis Yeoh - A prominent Malaysia business entrepreneur.
(8) Gianni Agnelli - The book said he is the king of Italian Industry.

(9) Henri Nestle - First infant cereal. Now I know how "Nestle" started. It is a brand that I like - Nestle Cereal, Nestle milk, Nestle chocolate, Nestle drinks. etc.
(10) Henry Ford - Ford trucks.

(11) Jamsetji Tata - Indian business entrepreneur
(12) John D. Rockefeller - The book said he was history's first billionnaire and founder of Standard Oil Company.

(13) Katherine Graham - The book said she is the most powerful woman of 20th century and winner of the Pulitzer prize.
(14) Larry Ellison - Oracle Corporation. This is interesting to know as I have come across the Oracle system.

(15) Liu Yonghao - Chinese business entrepreneur.
(16) Mary Kay Ash - Mary Kay beauty products. I have heard of her products but I have never tried them.

(17) Masayoshi Son - Broadband business.
(18) Michael Dell - Dell computers. I have used Dell computers before.

(19) Michael Lee-Chin - Canadian business entrepreneur.
(20) Olivia Lum - Huflux water and fluid treatment.

(21) Oprah Winfrey - Oprah Winfrey Show. I like to watch her talk shows.
(22) Ramalinga Raju - Satyam Computer Service Ltd.

(23) Ray C. Anderson - Interface Carpet.
(24) Ray Kroc - McDonald's Fast Food Restaurants.

(25) Richard Branson - Virgin Group.
(26) Richard Li - My first time reading about him.

(27) Richard M. Schulze - My first time reading about him.
(28) Roy Allen - A&W Root Beer. I prefer that to the Coca-cola.

(29) Sabeer Bhatia - Hotmail free email services!
(30) Sam Walton - Walmart. I enjoyed shopping there - good prices and plenty of choices.

(31) Soichiro Honda - Honda motorbikes.
(32) Stelios Haji-Ioannou - Low cost air travel.

(33) Tan Sri Mustapha Kamal Abu Bakar - Malaysia business entrepreneur - MK Land.
(34) Thomas Watson Jr. - IBM

(35) Tiger Woods - Golfer
(36) Tokuji Hayakawa - Sharp Company

(37) Tom Monaghan - Domino's Pizza. I don't think I have tried this yet.
(38) Dato' Tony Fernandes - Air Asia, Asia's first budget airline. Thanks to Air Asia, everyone can fly.

(39) Walt Disney - Animated Characters, Disneyland, Disney World.
(40) William Wrigley, Jr. - Chewing gum.

Out of the 40 persons mentioned in this book, I know only Oprah Winfrey, Tiger Woods, Dato' Tony Fernandes, Walt Disney! That shows how much I have been reading!

Book: What Your Doctor Doesn't Know About Nutritional Medicine May be Killing You

2009-08-09T08:45:00.004-05:00

Sunday, 9 May 2009

I don't know what had gotten into me. I haven't been able to finish reading any books until recently. Thanks to my new pair of reading spectacles.

What your doctor doesn't know about nutritional medicine may be killing you
(Author: Ray D. Strand, M.D.) (Publisher: Advantage Quest) (Price: MR29.90)

Dr. Strand wrote about nutritional supplements as complimentary medicine and not as alternative medicine. He also spoke about us controlling the disease and not letting the disease control us.

It is interesting to read how he treated his patients (suffering from Fibromyalgia, leukoenoephalopathy, multiple scelerosis, cardiomyopathy, ovarian cancer, neuroblastoma, macular degeneration, Crohn's disease, systematic lupus erythematosus, osteoarthritis, asthma, bronchial asthma, cystic fibrosis, Parkinson's disease, multiple scelerosis, Syndrome X (insulin resistance), Diabetest, etc.) with the nutritional supplements.

I think one of the reasons by I enjoyed reading his book is because I believe in nutritional supplements. I know my body does not get all the nutrients, from the food that I eat every day, and therefore I need to take supplements.

Nobody wants or enjoys being sick. I personally feel more sick when I am on medications of any sort for an extended time.

Eating Live Fish and Human Flesh???

2009-07-31T02:12:00.003-05:00

Friday, 31 July 2009

What is happening to us? Today, I was forwarded 2 videos.

Eating Live Fish in Shanghai - The fish is still breathing when served. Don't the customers have feelings? What if they were the fish instead? Do fish have feelings?

And eating human in Thailand - Look at them smiling! They must done this before and enjoying it. Looked like cannibalism is not a thing of the past

***4 August 2009: oops! I noticed the video has been removed from Utube***

Dengue Fever

2009-06-30T16:29:00.013-05:00

Monday, 29 June 2009

Dengue Fever was not in my thoughts at all. It is a disease that I know exists in Malaysia. I have not experienced any attack on my immediate family, my siblings, their families and people whom I have associated with.

There was no empty containers with stagnant water in the KL condo where I stayed. I have no clue where I was stung. It could be anywhere - corridors, lifts, parks, swimming pool, roads, LRTs, etc.

I am glad the Aedes mosquito chose me as its victim instead of my two children. There is a reason why I have to experience this. Thanks to God, my immune system had fought back.

Let me share with you my experience relating to the dengue fever and what happened during those time.....

I had a sebaceous cyst operation on Friday 5 June. For me, it was just a minor operation, nothing to fuss about, so I went about doing things with Lian and Yean for the rest of afternoon and evening. I was a day-patient from 8am to 2 pm.

Traditionally, I have been brought up to believe that one should not eat any kind of shellfish, fish with scales, certain kind of fowls and animals, eggs, after an operation, because they could cause infection to the excision. You would think I would be wise at my age to heed to traditional beliefs but I chose to listen to the surgeon's remark that I could eat anything! I ate a few fried clams (maybe only 3 pcs) that night.

The next day was Saturday, I visited a friend in Segambut. GY was a friend visiting from Kota Kinabalu and I didn't want to cancel the meeting because it was not easy for us to meet. Furthermore, she had never ride on any public transport by herself, so we couldn't meet somewhere in between.

I was with GY from 12 noon to 5 pm. I started feeling lousy at about 3 pm. I felt a temperature and a sense of fatigue. I didn't understand why. Anyway, we walked to the KTM station and I took the Intercity Express Train from Segambut to KL Sentral. Then I took the LRT from KL Sentral to Jelatek.

Lian and I had agreed to meet at the Jelatek LRT station at 5:30 pm, but due to unforeseen circumstances, she only arrived about 6 pm. I didn't remember ever feeling so lousy and reckless for a half hour wait!

We walked to our church from there to attend the night's district conference. After that it was bus from the church to the Ampang LRT station, train from the Ampang LRT station to the Salak South LRT station, and finally bus from the Salak South LRT station to our condominium. By the time we got back home at about 10:45 pm, I felt so sick that I went straight to bed without taking any medicine for my fever. I thought I would be okay with the course of antibiotic pill (Unasyn Tab 375mg - 6 tablets) given by the surgeon. I was given Beafemic Cap 250mg - 10 tablets, but I didn't take any because I didn't have any pain.

Sunday morning, I felt too feverish to go to church. I would like to be in church but I wouldn't be able to concentrate - sitting and participating in meetings for 3 solid hours. After taking a panadol soluble, I sweated and felt good for 2 or more hours, then the fever came back again.

GY was a nurse before and she expressed her concern that my excision might be infected and advised me to consult the surgeon. I didn't, until the following Thursday 11 June.

There was another KK friend, and she has moved to Puchong in December 2008. JC has not ride on any trains yet. We have agreed that I would come and stay with her from Sunday night to Thursday. I don't feel that sick enough to stay home and miss this time with Josie. We never know when we are going to see each other again.

Josie applied Aloe Vera cream and also "Minyak Batu Sai Kong" to help with the healing of the cyst excision.

I started taking "High Strength Yinqiao" capsules because it had helped with my fever before. Also due to lack of appetite, my gastric problem had returned and I felt that the panadol soluble only worsened my gastric.

Because of my brought up and experience in Chinese medicine, I continued administering to myself the "Super-act Linyang Yinqiao" tablets since they have now replaced the "High Strength Yinqiao". The Chinese Medicine shopkeeper said birds' nest would revitalise my well being and so I bought 2 bottles. Luckily I only bought 2 bottles because I did't like their taste. Tasted like old stock. On top of those purchases, I also bought chewable Povil Antacid tablet for my gastric.

I got Yean to take me back to our condo on Wednesday night. I didn't feel like staying until Thursday. I did feel good, for a few hours, only when the medicine was taking effect. The over production of acidity in my stomach added to my already lousy feeling of being sick.

I got Yean to take me to a pharmacist who recommended me Oprazol pills 20 mg for my gastric and Duzen-B Antiobiotic cream 5gm for my excision area.

Thursday11 June, I phoned my surgeon and voiced my fear of infection on my cyst excision and my concern of my fever, loss of appetite and fatigue. He was off that day and also the next day, but he told me to come and see him the next day.

Apart from the above symptoms, I have felt light-headedness sometimes. I thought maybe it was due to my lack of appetite and not eating enough. I had felt that my whole body (bones and muscles) was aching. It was a feeling I have never experienced before. I have just learnt that Dengue fever is nicknamed "breakbone fever". Now I know why the nickname.

Other symptoms that I experienced was redness and pain in the eyes (which I assumed to be just sheer tiredness and not enough sleep), nausea and vomiting (which I assumed to be associated with my gastric because it did happen before). These symptoms, I have learnt, are some of the symptoms of Dengue fever.

I am glad I did not take Aspirin because it could cause severe bleeding. I had taken the right medicine - the Panadol soluble (paracetamol) to relieve the muscle, joint aches, fever and headache.

Back to the visit with the surgeon. Dr. L looked at my cyst excision (on my back) and commented that they were good and not infected. I voiced my fear of H1N1 Fever (Swine Flue). He ruled that out after learning that I had returned a month ago - 12 May 2009. He said he would take my blood and sent it to the laboratory to test for dengue fever. Dengue fever??? It had not crossed my mind at all. He said he would call me tomorrow when the result is out and if I am infected I would be admitted into the medical center. Dr. L prescribed Panadol Tablets 500mg (30 pcs) and Suprim Tablets 400/80mg (16 pcs). I returned the latter tablets to the pharmacist the next day as I have not started on it nor needed it either.

An hour later, while Lian & I was shopping, the surgeon called and said it was positive and that I have to be admitted. However, I have to see the appropriate physician first, that he had referred the case to.

It was not fun returning to the medical center because it was Friday afternoon and the traffic was bad bad.

Dr. C asked me when I started having the symptoms. He said that my platelets counts (76) was not a cause of concern. The onset of the Dengue fever had already started last week and I was recovering. Dr. C told me to come back tomorrow (Saturday) to have another blood test to see if my platelets would increase. If it lower, he would have to admit me.

Thank God, it went up to 112 the next day. The blood test also confirmed that I have antibodies. I went home with: Prevacid Tablets (Japan) (28 pcs), Motilium Tablets 10 mg (6 pkts x 10 pcs), Essentiale Forte (Germany) (50 capsules), Prednisole (7 tablets) and Xanax (10 tablets). I had requested for some kind of medicine to help me sleep. I have not been able to sleep.

Because of my continual gassy feeling before and after food, Dr. C recommended that I take a breath test for H pyloric bateria and another test on my intestines. I don't remember if it was colonscopy. I could not take the breath test that morning because I had been munching biscuits while I was waiting to see the specialist.

I am grateful nowadays we can just do a breath test to check for H. Pyloric bateria. I don't know if I would go for another gastroscopy (if I have the choice) even though I am under the influence of anaesthetic and didn't feel anything except being drowsy after.

The breath test next Thursday 18 June, came out negative. It was a relief!

Dr. C's last remarks was I would feel exhausted for sometime. He didn't say how long. I guess it depends on my body. I would still feel ligh-headedness, fatigue.

It is now past 3 weeks since that Saturday afternoon of the 6 June. I don't feel sick but I don't feel the same energy that I have before. I feel tired easily.

One thing for sure I am grateful to learn is that I have antibodies in my bloodstream that will prevent me from having a relapse for about 1 year.

I have learnt also that the the bitter juice from papaya leaves can cure dengue fever. I also read that pegaga juice is also a natural cure. I don't know what pegaga is.

I didn't know about the papaya leaves' juice until I came to Kota Kinabalu. GY, whom I visited in Segambut, blended me the juice, after learning that I had dengue fever. It was alright to drink the juice even though I am recovering. The juice tasted bitter.

I Am Back to Blogging

2009-06-20T09:36:00.005-05:00

Saturday. 20 June 2009

Finally, we got internet connection to the condo last Friday, 12 June, but didn't get around to blogging until today. Friends have been wondering what is happening to me. I have not been writing to them either. If they read what I blogged they would know.

I have updated (1) http://renejenny-wonderland.blogspot.com (2) http://renejenny-kl.blogspot.com

Hope you like the pictures.

What is your Interest?

2009-05-22T00:50:00.005-05:00

Friday, 22 May 2009

A lady friend called yesterday, asking if Lian or I would like to buy a ticket from her for a 3-day course, starting today, by the famous writer of "Rich Dad Poor Dad" - Robert Kiyosaki.

She has bought 2 tickets a year ago but she alone could attend the course as the other intended participant is away from the country.

The tickets were RM500 each when she bought them a year ago. They were gold seats because they were seats in the 4th row from the stage. Now, the general seat is RM2990 and the budget seat is RM1998. So her seats now cost over RM3000. She welcome to part her spare ticket for whatever one can offer on top of her original cost.

Lian and I were not interested. I know other people would grab that opportunity. They say it is worth it, an investment to the accumulation of monetary wealth and financial independence. Besides being not interested, I don't have that kind of money to invest and no matter what people say I don't care about this Robert Kawasaki.

I suggested my lady friend contact a man friend, who I know greatly admire this icon figure of Robert Kawasaki and, who incidentally was arriving in Kuala Lumpur this morning. Maybe he would be interested. Unfortunately this man friend had prior appointments.

Finally, my lady friend asked if either Lian or I would want to attend, free of charge. She didn't want to waste the ticket.

I am so sorry, my dear friend. We can't. Even though they say it would be an experience of a lifetime with this famous man, this 3-day course would take away the precious weekend time with our family members, who we don't see during the weekdays and sometimes for many weekends and months. Maybe it is only A weekend but life is unpredictable. We may not have ANOTHER weekend. And, also I prefer attending church meetings on Sundays.

I asked if she could sell back the spare ticket to the organiser to resell it for whatever the present price is and thus making a profit. Sad to hear that she can't. Well! consider that it is still cheaper to attend the course for RM1000 (the total of the 2 tickets she bought) than to pay for the present price of RM3000 plus for the gold seat.

Know you have a great time, my friend. Enjoy.

Using Computers at Cybershop

2009-05-21T05:25:00.003-05:00

Thursday, 21 May 2009

What do you do when you have a computer but you don't have Internet connection at home? I have always been blessed with both, in the comfort of my homes, until now. It is not because Internet service is not available in this area. It is because we chose not to subscribe yet.

Having been so used to taking all the time I wanted do my email, Facebook, blog, surf, etc. I still can if I am willing for the time, which is more expensive.

I don't dare to go into the https:// even though they are secure sites for fear that this public computer have been fixed with device to store our personal particulars. I don't dare to upload pictures from a pendrive for fear that it might be virus affected. It happened once when a photoshop uploaded pictures, for the purpose of reproduction, from my pendrive to their computer. I just can't trust public computers, and even private computers unless they belongs to people I know and trusted! I guess that is why we say "personal computers" where you have your own settings, favorites, etc.

Anyway, I am thankful that there is a cybershop, that is only a few minutes walk from where I am staying for this time. They charged MR2 for members and MR2.50 for non-members, so I signed up for membership even though I am not a permanent resident. It is life membership and you don't have to pay any fees of any kind to maintain that membership, except to top up when your credit runs out.

At least I am able to do my email and be connected to my friends as well as to blog (minus the pictures) for the time being. That will do.

And for not having Internet connection at home, I will just use the computer to do other works that don't need Internet access. I have a weakness to be glued to the computer, especially when the Internet connection is on, so this is a time to enjoy other things in life!

Learning to Love?

2009-05-02T07:03:00.010-05:00

Saturday, 2 May 2009

Thank you Sister Cathy for forwarding this to me. Maybe the Lord wants me to hear this. You didn't know it is my second wedding anniversary today.

I wish I have learnt this and your presentation on the five languages of love when I was young and single. I guess there is a reason for everything that had happened.......... and it is never too late to learn.

This is a very good article, read it.
Those who are still single may learn something from here....
Those who are already married may take it as a guideline to improve your marriage....

DID I MARRY THE RIGHT PERSON?

During one of our seminars, a woman asked a common question.
She said, "How do I know if I married the right person?"
I noticed that there was a large man sitting next to her so I said, "It depends. Is that your husband?" In all seriousness, she answered "How do you know?"

Let me answer this question because the chances are good that it's weighing on your mind.

Here's the answer.

EVERY relationship has a cycle. In the beginning, you fell in love with your spouse. You anticipated their call, wanted their touch, and like their idiosyncrasies.

Falling in love with your spouse wasn't hard. In fact, it was a completely natural and spontaneous experience. You didn't have to DO anything. That's why it's called "falling" in love...

Because it's happening TO YOU.

People in love sometimes say, "I was swept off my feet." Think about the imagery of that __expression. It implies that you were just standing there; doing nothing, and then something came along and happened TO YOU.

Falling in love is easy. It's a passive and spontaneous experience.

But after a few years of marriage, the euphoria of love fades. It's the natural cycle of EVERY relationship. Slowly but surely, phone calls become a bother (if they come at all), touch is not always welcome (when it happens), and your spouse's idiosyncrasies, instead of being cute, drive you nuts.

The symptoms of this stage vary with every relationship, but if you think about your marriage, you will notice a dramatic difference between the initial stage when you were in love and a much duller or even angry subsequent stage.

At this point, you and/or your spouse might start asking, "Did I marry the right person?" And as you and your spouse reflect on the euphoria of the love you once had, you may begin to desire that experience with someone else. This is when marriages breakdown. People blame their spouse for their unhappiness and look outside their marriage for fulfillment.

Extramarital fulfillment comes in all shapes and sizes. Infidelity is the most obvious. But sometimes people turn to work, a hobby, a friendship, excessive TV, or abusive substances.

But the answer to this dilemma does NOT lie outside your marriage. It lies within it. I'm not saying that you couldn't fall in love with someone else. You could.

And TEMPORARILY you'd feel better. But you'd be in the same situation a few years later. Because (listen carefully to this):

THE KEY TO SUCCEEDING IN MARRIAGE IS NOT FINDING THE RIGHT PERSON. IT'S LEARNING TO LOVE THE PERSON YOU FOUND.

SUSTAINING love is not a passive or spontaneous experience. It'll NEVER just happen to you. You can't "find" LASTING love. You have to "make" it day in and day out. That's why we have the __expression "the labor of love."

Because it takes time, effort, and energy. And most importantly, it takes WISDOM. You have to know WHAT TO DO to make your marriage work.

Make no mistake about it. Love is NOT a mystery. There are specific things you can do (with or without your spouse) to succeed with your marriage.

Just as there are physical laws of the universe (such as gravity), there are also laws for relationships. Just as the right die and exercise program makes you physically stronger, certain habits in your relationship WILL make your marriage stronger. It's a direct cause and effect. If you know and apply the laws, the results are predictable... you can "make" love.

Love in marriage is indeed a "decision". Not just a feeling.

Mum said "Don't Waste"

2009-04-20T08:25:00.003-05:00

View this movie at cultureunplugged.com

Monday, 20 April 2009

This morning 2 friends forwarded me the same video. I got teary towards the end. When we were little, our mum would always reminded us not to waste our food and think of people who can't afford to buy food.

Thank you Karen and thank you Tan for sharing the video.

The Weather Report

2009-04-11T06:59:00.013-05:00

Saturday, 11 April 2009

This morning I receiving an inspiration poem, by B.J. Gallagher, and I want to share it with you. I hope I will remember to say "Great" even though I don't feel that way, so that I can make it so. Isn't that lying?

"Any day I'm vertical
is a good day"
...that's what I always say.

If you ask me,
"How are you?"

I'll answer, "GREAT!"
because in saying so,
I make it so.

When Life gives me dark clouds and rain,
I appreciate the moisture
that brings a soft curl to my hair.

When Life gives me sunshine,
I gratefully turn my face up
to feel its warmth on my cheeks.

When Life brings fog,
I hug my sweater around me
and give thanks for the cool shroud of mystery
that makes the familiar seem different and intriguing.

When Life brings snow,
I dash outside to catch the first flakes on my tongue,
relishing the icy miracle that is a snowflake.

Life's events and experiences
are like the weather -
they come and go,
no matter what my preference.

So, what the heck?!
I might as well decide to enjoy them.

For indeed,
there IS a time for every purpose
under Heaven.

And every season brings its own unique blessings.

Someday When We are Wiser .......

2009-03-29T08:55:00.007-05:00

Sunday, 29 March 2009

I have been wondering how I can have music in my blog and I am so happy I did it all by myself. "Someday" by the Celtic Woman, is one of my favorites.

Someday, when we are wiser
When the world's older
When we have learned
I pray someday we may yet
Live to live and let live

Someday, life will be fairer
Need will be rarer
And greed will not pay
Godspeed, this bright millenia
On it's way, let it come someday

Someday our fight will be won, and
We'll stand in the sun, in
That bright afternoon
'Til then, on days when the sun
Is gone, we'll hang on
If we wish upon the moon

There are some days, dark and bitter
Seems we haven't got a prayer
But a prayer for something better
Is the one thing we all share

Someday, when we are wiser
When the whole world is older
When we have love
And I pray someday we may yet
Live to live and one day, someday
Someday life will be fairer
Need will be rarer
And greed will not pay

Godspeed this bright millenia
Let it come
If we wish upon the moon

One day, someday....soon

Who is the most important person (mortal beings) in your life?

2009-03-27T08:17:00.012-05:00

Friday, 27 March 2009

Who is the most important person (mortal beings) in your life? There had been times in my life when I have answered (1) my mother (2) my husband (3) my children. I didn't think of "me".

"Isn't that selfish?" Haven't we been taught that when we put others first before our own needs, we would be blessed with joy and happiness? On the other hand, aren't we blessed with the freedom to choose our course of actions?

Are we willing to sacrifice ourselves? Are we willing to forgo our interests for another? Are we willing to go along with another's ideas or plans (just to keep peace) even though we felt no confidence in them?

I realized that the most important person in my life, on earth, is myself. I don't think loving oneself is selfish because if we don't love the persons we are, how can we be truly happy? And when we are not happy, our health would be affected. And when we are not happy and not healthy how can we even service others what more to say love others fully?

There are 2 quotes from Anne Morrow Lindbergh that say:
When one is a stranger to oneself,
then one is estranged from others too.
If one is out of touch with oneself,
then one cannot touch others.

Mistake Unnoticed???

2009-03-16T23:23:00.007-05:00

Sunday, 15 March 2009

Nobody came to me and tell me that the skirt was worn wrongly. I would guess that it was not obvious because of the floral print. Maybe those who have noticed just smile and didn't care less. I really don't know.

It is not like I have not worn this skirt before. Today I didn't check the label for guidance. Labels are worn to the back if I am not wrong. The label of this particular skirt is together with the zip. And so this skirt was supposed to be zipped to the back and not to the left hip. I also forgot to check the cuttings as well!

It was at home when I looked at the pictures taken after the church meetings, that I realised something was wrong. The lining of the skirt, captured in this picture, fortunately was only in this picture due to me leaning against the car.

Mike said he didn't notice so I guess I looked okay! Where is my mind again? I know Lian and Yean would shake their heads and exclaimed "Mum.. Mum.."

Open Toilet

2009-03-15T19:34:00.008-05:00

Friday, 13 March 2009

11 months ago I posted about a public toilet. Here is another public toilet and for me a funny one as well. It would be interesting to see the expression of all the ladies, including yours truly, who entered this restroom.

There was no sign on the door to say that it was under maintenance. I walked into the room to discover that a wall missing and that it was opened to the cleaning section! I just can't help laughing to myself. A lady thought it was funny too walking into this particular "restroom".

Vitreous Hemorrhage

2009-03-12T14:57:00.009-05:00

Tuesday, 11 March 2009

Mike drove (it was a 3 hour drive) me to see the retina specialist (Anthony De Beus, MD) that the Yuma Ophthalmologist referred to yesterday, at the Southwestern Eye Center (5251 West Campbell Suite 102, Phoenix, AZ 85031).

The retina specialist couldn’t see any tear in my retina or find the problem that caused the ‘oil floater', and therefore could not fix the problem. He asked that I come for review on the 14 April 2009 when he comes to visit Yuma. Until then, if I see more floaters or dark shade descending (which is a sign of retina detachment), to seek medical attention from the Ophthalmologist immediately. His diagnosis was Vitreous Hemorrhage.

He said it is common with people who are near-sighted like me! He said the floater would slowly fade away over time, between 2 to 6 months. My goodness!!!! If it is really annoying and I can't stand it, surgery can be performed to clean up the floater but he wouldn't recommend it unless it is very necessary.

Retinal Detachment

2009-03-12T14:28:00.006-05:00

Monday, 9 March 2009

Because it was not advisable to take chances, I was advised to go straight to the Emergency Department at Yuma Regional Medical Centre (2400 South Avenue A, Yuma, AZ 85365, 928-336-7100). A physician (Jennifer Gray, FNP) examined and diagnosed me with Retinal Detachment.

Since there was no eye specialist there, I was referred to a Ophthalmologist (Eric Farber, MD) at Southwestern Eye Center (2149 West 24th Street, Yuma, AZ 85364, 928-726-4120). He said the ‘oil floater’ that I saw was blood. However he could not find any ruptured blood vessels or torn in my retina. He said I should see the retina specialist who would be in Yuma this Friday. Michael said he would rather take me to see him tomorrow and so asked where the retina specialist would be tomorrow.

Posterior Vitreous Detachment

2009-03-08T23:15:00.004-05:00

Sunday, 8 March 2009

About 7:50 pm, I emerged out of my night gown and saw a few lines of black thread in my right eye. I thought some thread had come out of my gown. I looked down at my gown but there were no threads tangling down. I looked at my glasses. They were clear. I covered my right eye with my right hand. My left eyes were clear. I covered my left eye with my left hand. I saw those threads again but this time look like cobwebs of black oil floating in a pool of tiny tiny drops of water. From information that I found in the internet, I thought I have posterior vitreous detachment. I told Mike and he said we would call for appointment with a ophthalmologist tomorrow morning. What I was scare of is retina detachment which happens to people with high myopia, like me.

Treasure in the Junk Mail

2009-03-04T10:19:00.003-06:00

Wednesday, 4 March 2009

Luckily for the Hotmail, there are not as many as the Yahoo or the Google, otherwise I would have delete them all with a few clicks.

This is probably the 3rd time I found a friend in the Junk. A friend, whose new address, is not yet listed in my contacts.

She wrote: Hi! Guess who l m? l bought a laptop about 3 weeks ago, so far only know how to e mail, ............................................

It was her subject title that caught my eye. It was how we met. It was what we did together. It was what causes misunderstandings between us, but ultimately strengthen our relationship.

I have been thinking about her a lot lately and missing her.

Return to Sender AGAIN!

2009-03-03T14:07:00.007-06:00

Tuesday, 2 March 2009

Today I received a returned Christmas card from friends.

One year ago, I was annoyed by the Postal Services as regards to mail, that were addressed to me 100 percent correctly, but were not delivered to me for I don't know what reason - maybe terrorism because I don't bear an Caucasian last name.

It happened again in December 2008. A Christmas card was returned to friends in Oklahoma. They showed to me the returned envelope when I visited them.

The address was correct. The Post Services yellow label on the envelope said:
Return to Sender
Not Deliverable As Addressed
Unable to Forward

I called the Post Services and they took down my name(s). I wonder if this happens to other people. I can only remarked "Stupid". Whatever the policy is, it is definitely not clever. Address correct, name alien, if there is a threat inside, dictating device would be incorporated in the system.

Interestingly, we received mail that were addressed to people that we have no idea of, which I marked "Unknown" and left them in the mail box for the delivery man to collect. Sometimes you wonder what the heck is going on. Racial discrimination? I can only remarked again "Stupid". Maybe I should give myself a local Penname.

Teddy Bears

2009-01-09T14:28:00.009-06:00

Friday, 9 January 2009

I guess I am attracted by teddy bears!

This is in the Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

And this is a Christmas decoration in Yuma Foothills, Arizona, USA.

Thanksgiving Day Indeed!

2008-12-14T20:51:00.004-06:00

Thursday, 27 November 2008

I kept thinking about the experience this day. Mike was driving at 80 m.p.h and the surface of the highway was wet. It had rained heavily the previous night and it was raining a little that morning.

It happened so fast. I had not tried a tea cup ride in any theme parks before because I don't like the look of the movements, but after the 3 and a half circle skid on the road, I felt like I was riding in a tea cup. Is that how a tea cup ride feels like? I really don't know. I associated that experience to a tea cup ride and I don't how why either.

It was so quick. I didn't feel afraid during that few seconds, because Mike was calm and was in control of the steering wheels. Luckily there wasn't any car in front of us. We ended facing backwards and neatly on the left side of the road. We sat there speechless, for a number of seconds, and watched a large truck coming towards us and passing us on our right side. I guess this was a common sight because the driver didn't stop to ask if we were okay. I am pretty sure he saw what had happened.

It was Thanksgiving Day. Thank God for all that He has blessed us with and all that He sees fit to bless us.

Behind the Kitchen Door

2008-10-29T22:42:00.008-05:00

Monday, 8 September 2008

Here I go, rambling again. This family of dogs were barking at me outside the kitchen door. They were not huge but their barks were loud and piercing. If they knew I am a fan of dogs, they would have been friendly but I am not a regular visitor to their masters and they wouldn't stop barking until I was out of their sight! Luckily there was a netted fence otherwise they would be chasing me!

I found A Coin!

2008-10-18T21:24:00.008-05:00

Wednesday, 17 September 2008

Computers, flowers, fruits, nuts, now it is money talk! I don't usually look down on the ground when I walked but today my eyes caught something that I thought it would be, embedded in the cement floor outside the shop.

Yes, I was right. It was a coin and it must have dropped onto the then newly poured cement mixture!

Horned Water Chestnuts

2008-10-08T10:13:00.008-05:00

Tuesday, 16 September 2008

These black hard shells looked like bulls' heads. Maybe there is a legend behind the resemblance. They were about 2 inches wide and hard! According to a vendor in the Miri market, they were imported from China and only available once a year, around the Mooncake festival season (lunar month of August). I was told to boil it for about an hour. Opening them was not easy! Technically they are called water caltrop. They are called Ling Nuts as well.

Dragon Fruit and Brinjal are Both Fruits

2008-10-07T08:07:00.009-05:00

Tuesday, 7 October 2008

For the 1st time I saw what a dragon fruit tree looked like.

Is brinjal (also known as eggplant or aubergine) a fruit or a vegetable? It is actually a fruit eaten as cooked vegetable! This pendulous purple colored brinjal is common.

These elongated oval shaped whitish-green brinjal is new to me. They taste as good, when cooked with anchovies or dried prawn or curry.

Hibiscus & Cannis Lilies

2008-10-06T00:19:00.029-05:00

Friday, 26 September 2008

What would the earth be if there is no flowers? Gardening is not everyone's hobby but I think everyone enjoy the beauty that flowers radiate. Thanks to God for flowers. Today I am blessed to see different kinds of the hibiscus (Bunga Raya), the national flower of Malaysia, in the Kuching Friendship garden. I am captivated.

Once upon a time I noticed the red colored single petal hibiscus flower.

My eyes was blind to the white ones???

I like the multi-layers petals :) I think they are more beautiful - the red, purple and pink. I know there are many many colors.

There were also the cannis lilies in the Friendship Garden. I see the yellow, pink and red colored.

Without the Personal Computer

2008-10-05T21:23:00.010-05:00

Saturday, 20 September 2008

Why the silence? What is going on? What have I been doing? Where have I been? Check my blog - Miri, Kuching. I haven't blog since my birthday!

August was buzzzzzzzzzzzzy, no time to blog and not in the mood to blog either! September, I had the time and mood to blog mood but no computer.

Here I go again................ what is like to have no personal computer to use?

I thought I could use other people's computers. I thought I could use my nephew's and my niece's. No wonder it is called a 'personal' computer.

Different computer have different settings. I don't feel comfortable using their computers to do anything else but check my email. I told my friends to stop forwarding me mail for the time being. I have no time to read forwards so I deleted most of them, since it is my habit to clean out the mail box. I replied to email but only with a few lines or so.

Worst experience was preparing my talk for a sacrament meeting. A friend's computer was working perfectly but she does not have a printer, so I saved my document in a thumbdrive. Took it to my nephew who has a printer but the computer couldn't read it nor any other documents of mine! Niece's computer is waiting to be reformatted. I was happy that my former classmate, a computer graduate, agreed to let me use her home computer, even though I have to come after 9:30 pm. That was okay, anytime so long as I can print out my talk for that Sunday. I can sleep in the next day. Happily I continued with my talk but unfortunately her (or her son's) printer wouldn't print at all. Her son said it wasn't working due to some virus. I felt disappointed but I had a good visit catching up with my classmate until 11:30 pm. The computer in her house was only used by her son so it was not surprising. My nephew, my niece and now my friend's son are all teenagers! Don't know where they surf in the internet!

I ended up handwriting the 10-12 mins talk. I didn't count how many times I had rewrite!

Computer does make life easier when it comes to preparing talk because you can edit them as many times you have to!

Someone said the computer is the devil's creation. I don't agree with that. It depends on how you use it. To me it is a blessing so far.

I Am A Year Older!

2008-07-27T17:59:00.006-05:00

Friday, 25 July 2008

That was my girl, who loves to draw and does things with her hands. Amidst her busy schedule as a full time missionary, Lian colored a birthday card, which I received in the post yesterday. Thank you Lian for your time and effort. That was a very special present.

First phone call in the office was from my boy who was getting ready to sleep. It was an hour or so to midnight for Yean. For him this day was almost over. For me this day just started. Thank you Yean for the call - it meant so much to me. I knew you were mindful of the time to call me.

A video presentation - a gift that I have not received before and never thought I would receive. I was touched that 2 young ladies, whom I only knew since 2006, would have produce this presentation just for me. My tears dropped throughout the show - the song, the pictures of my beloved mum, children, friends, etc. Thank you Sister Khrissy and Sister Jennifer.

Thank you Brother/Sister Broadhead for your electronic birthday card. I really appreciate your continual friendship and support to me and my children. And to my dearest friend, Lee Hong, for your electronic birthday card and your continual friendship as well. Thank you Merri for the birthday text message

Mike handed me 3 stalks of roses on Tuesday 22 July. He mistook his mother's birthday for mine! Definitely sign of old age! I was glad he didn't buy me any birthday cake or sweet this year because I don't care for those things. We watched "Journey to the Center of the Earth" at the Hawkins Theatre in Yuma Palms and had dinner at one of my favorite restaurants - Olive Garden. Thank you Mike for a lovely birthday evening celebration.

Gosh! I am a year older! In no time, I will be looking at my mother in the mirror!

Sleeping Beauty

2008-07-24T10:54:00.007-05:00

Wednesday, 23 July 2008

Sheridan didn't know I took this picture. And I am not sure she will allow me if I had asked her. But I know she will look at this picture when she is older and smile.

It was the morning of her birthday. I didn't plan to take any picture of her sleeping. She looked so beautiful and peaceful and I couldn't resist. I guess that is why "Prince" couldn't help falling in love with "Sleeping Beauty" and ended up kissing her.

A Note From Heaven

2008-07-07T00:40:00.005-05:00

Sunday, 6 July 2008

The following words touches my heart. It is a condolence card that Mum-Betty received, in respect of Billy's passing. It makes me cry. Feels like my parents and brother are speaking to me. Dad died in September 2005. Mum died in October 2007. Brother died in 1999.

If I could write from Heaven,
this is what I'd say,
Please don't miss me too much,
I'm with you throughout your day.

You may not see or hear me,
but if you're quiet and still,
You may just feel my presence;
because, in Heaven, there is free will.

Don't worry for the day,
it will come and go as planned,
Enjoy each moment you are given,
keep worry from your hand.

Keep sorrow to a minimum;
For if Heaven you could see,
You'd know I'm safe and happy,
I did not cease to be.

Moments in time are brief,
until we'll be together again,
as Eternity lasts forever,
our lives, they have no end.

I guess I am still mourning for my mum. Tears were shed during the memorial service for Billy. I was shedding tears for my mum.

Aunt Eddy practising "Both Sides of The River" for the memorial service.

John 14:27 says:
Peace I leave with you
My Peace I give you.
I do not give to you as the world gives.
Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid

Wal*Mart Gift Card

2008-06-28T23:49:00.006-05:00

Saturday, 28 June 2008

Finally I used the free Wal*Mart Gift Card this afternoon. I didn't ask the expiry date when I received it on the 31 May and I was beginning to worry. It was only a $5 card but it was still money. So I got myself (1) Hand and Body Lotion (2) Deep Cleansing Skin Cream. Including tax, the total amounted to $4.98! I was happy with the purchase.

How did I get the Wal*Mart gift card? I wanted to check if a 'scratch & win' flyer from a car dealer is genuine! It stated that if the number revealed, after the scratch, matches the winning numbers listed, we could claim the prizes without any obligations.

I told Michael I wanted to see if the car dealer is genuine about that statement. Michael didn't say anything. He said he would wait for me in the car and let me experience dealing with American businessmen. The car agent smiled when I told him I have come to test their flyer and claim my prize. He led me to the sales office, filled out a form and gave me the Wal*Mart card.

Panicking Seconds

2008-06-28T22:12:00.007-05:00

Thursday, 26 June 2008

I thought I was going to die of suffocation! I wouldn't want to die this way!

Jimmy called that he needed to pick up the bee suit for a bees removal job. I thought I check in the bird van if the bee suit he last wore was still there and have it ready for him to collect.

I unlocked the sliding side door and climbed in. The door slammed shut behind me. I turned and pulled the handle but the side door remained shut. I couldn't open the back door as well.

It was middle of the afternoon and it was very uncomfortable and hot inside the van, having been parked under the summer sun since morning.

I had the car key with me but it couldn't open the doors from the inside. I had my cellphone with me. I could have call Jimmy or Michael and ask them for advice, but I didn’t. Michael was about 40 miles away and Jimmy was on his way here but didn't know how soon. I didn't know why I didn't call them.

The few seconds of panicking turned to the next few seconds of relief when I manage to open the door to the driver section.

What was going on with me this afternoon? I could neither open the door of the driver nor the passenger side! After starting the engine running, I tried the driver's door again and this time it opened!

Jimmy told me that I could open the back door from the inside. I tried the back door again. It opened when I pulled the handle!

Another incident of ignorance! When I told Michael that I might die that afternoon, he said he would buy the flowers!

Cracking Pecans

2008-06-07T19:07:00.011-05:00

Saturday, 7 June 2008

I don't know how long it took us to crack all the pecans! We didn't have any kind of nut cracker so we used the only cracker we have - crab cracker. Mike cracked the shells while I struggled to take out the nuts!

The pecans were given by Aunt Onlee during our travel to Uncle Jim's funeral last month, collected from her own pecan tree in her backyard. We said we are going to retrieve all the nuts and freeze them but never got around doing it until this afternoon.

We ended up with majority of the nuts broken. But that don't matter at all because they are still edible.

Out of curiosity about pecans, I learnt from the Internet the following nutritional benefits of this particular nut:

(1) Pecans have more antioxidant capacity than walnuts, hazelnuts, pistachios, almonds, peanuts and cashews.

(2) Lowering total cholesterol by 11.3 percent and LDL cholesterol by 16.5 percent.

(3) Pecans may aid in weight loss and maintenance.
(4) The unsaturated fat in pecans is heart-healthy fat.
(5) Pecans contain more than 19 vitamins and minerals

Fresh, Delicious and Cheap Strawberries

2008-05-28T23:10:00.003-05:00

Wednesday 28 May 2008

They are so fresh and delicious. And cheap too - $1.00 for 1 lb (19 pcs) of strawberries. I didn't care for it before but after this pack .............. I love it! Maybe different country different taste!

Duffy, the Shih Tzu

2008-05-18T21:42:00.008-05:00

Friday, 16 May 2008

Duffy reminded me so much of Banjo. This black colored Shih Tzu is so cute. I met Duffy in the Southwest Soaring Museum, New Mexico. I think we have a good time together. I threw/rolled the tennis ball as far as I could on the floor of the museum hall. Duffy would run as fast as his four legs could carry it, skidded most times to catch the ball. With the ball in his mouth, he would walk to us.

Duffy would look up at us. Alternatively he would stand up and placed its 2 fore feet on our thighs. Duffy wanted us to throw the ball again. And so I did again and again. I don't how many times but I did. Duffy loved it and so I played with it until Mike & I left the museum.

Duffy's master said I spoiled it because it would return to me for more throws. Duffy would whine if I ignore it.

Duffy knew I would play with him, even though I sat on the stage. Duffy looked at me with his big round right eye. Poor Duffy lost his left eye from an accident.

Black Sock in a Golden Slipper

2008-05-04T20:19:00.004-05:00

Friday, 2 May 2008

It was one of those embarrassing experience in my life! Dressed in a elegant floral long dress and walked with a matching pair of golden-colored slippers with the right foot in black-colored nylon sock! Maybe people noticed maybe not.

I had to wear a black-colored nylon sock so as not to dirty the slippers that I tried. I forgot to take it off when I was done with the slipper section.

Worst of all, I had slipped both feet back into my sandals without feeling the difference! And where did I go from there? From the distribution center, we drove to the Mesa temple ground, walked from the parking lot, passed a big wedding group that was gathered in front of the pool, passed more people in the temple to/from the cafeteria where we had our lunch.

It was just before I entered the changing room that I looked down at my feet and at that split second wondered what the hell my right feet was black! And realised instantly that I had worn the sock all the way from the distribution center! This is one of those shocking and embarrassing moments. After that I just want to laugh when I think of it.

Toilet Woe

2008-04-18T22:50:00.008-05:00

Friday, 18 April 2008

The restroom was rectangular in shape. I don't understand why the toilet flush system was installed against that side of the wall? The toilet seat is about 8 inches from the opposite side of the wall.

The wall is about 2 inches from my knees when I sat down on the toilet seat! I wonder how a person with long legs would feel? What about a full term pregnant woman?

Praying Together As Employees

2008-04-14T17:02:00.002-05:00

Monday, 14 April 2008

Every business morning, our Company practice the ritual of a prayer together and sharing a scripture and a thought. It is to remind us that our Heavenly Father is the head of the business, and that we would go about doing our business the way He would want us to operate, especially our dealings with each other and our customers.

Most times the scriptures and the quotes that I received daily, on the net, from my church were applicable to all of us, regardless of our different denominations.

The scripture of today was:
Ecclesiastes 11:9-10 "Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment. Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity."

The quote of today was:
Ezra Taft Benson "Give me a young woman who loves home and family, who reads and ponders the scriptures daily, who has a burning testimony of the Book of Mormon. Give me a young woman who faithfully attends her Church meetings, who is a seminary graduate, who has earned her Young Womanhood Recognition Award, and wears it with pride! Give me a young woman who is virtuous and who has maintained her personal purity, who will not settle for less than a temple marriage, and I will give you a young woman who will perform miracles for the Lord now and throughout eternity" (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 558).

Today, I didn’t feel the scripture and quote were appropriate for everyone in the meeting group. I looked quickly in my scripture book but couldn’t make up my mind what verse to share. Since they were all in the room already, I decided not to waste time and suggested that we pray only this morning.

When I got back to my desk, I saw the following bookmark was on my desk. It must have fallen out of my Book of Mormon when I returned it to my drawer hurriedly before I went into the meeting room.

3 Nephi 22:13 And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children.

(which I recognized as from the hymn “Teach Me to Walk in the Light”)
Teach me to walk in the light of his love
Teach me to pray to my Father above;
Teach me to know of the things that are right
Teach me, teach me to walk in the light.

Heavenly Father knows how much I feel about us being in tune with the good spirit and working in harmony. I had proposed that we incorporate this ritual in our company, after what I felt in a big office in Malaysia.

I was impressed when the PA system announced the moment of prayer for all the Muslim employees. I was thinking: If the Muslims in an office can unite to pray to their God, why can’t we Christians do the same thing? I know we pray together as a family, in church meetings and in other functions, so I thought what about praying together as employees of a company? It always feel good to pray to God.

Still Don't Know the Policy

2008-03-17T14:49:00.004-05:00

Monday, 17 March 2008

"Calm Down" said the Postal Services officer. I must have sounded confused, disappointed, desperate and angry as I related what had happened to the letter that finally got to me last Saturday and who knows what other letters. A friend in Malaysia said her letter to me was returned!

I asked the officer what do they look at - the name or the address? He said sometimes the name and sometimes the address! What a policy!

Anyway, he was a nice guy. We had some light moments about names and nationalities! He sounded funny pronouncing my name. When I corrected the nationality that he thought I was, he was not surprised by my sensitive response. That reminded of a friend in Scotland who corrected me when I refer him as an English.

The Postal Services Officer took my name and reported that the postman have pending mail for me and would deliver them on his round. Problem solved :)

Some Policies I don't know about the Postal Services?

2008-03-16T17:40:00.008-05:00

Saturday, 15 March 2008

I am very disappointed with the Postal Services today! Very very disappointed. A letter posted to me, using my maiden name, on the 22 February 2008, was returned to the sender on the 2 March 2008. It was never delivered to my residential mail box!

One sticker on the envelope said:
...........................................................................02/27/08
UNABLE TO FORWARD/FOR REVIEW
NO FORWARDING ORDER ON FILE
RETURN TO POSTMASTER
OF ORIGINAL ADDRESSEE FOR REVIEW
.............................................................................................

Another sticker on the envelope said:
..........................................................................03/02/08
RETURN TO SENDER
ATTEMPTED - NOT KNOWN
UNABLE TO FORWARD
...........................................................................................

The sender posted it again to me, using the same name, on the 12 March 2008. This time, it was c/o Mike's name. It is ridiculous! This is the first time in my life that a mail is not delivered when the address is valid!!!

I don't understand why and I am going to find out why! If it was because of my name, then I shouldn't be receiving any mail with that name at all. I have received other letters, with the same name and address, from the same sender.

Forgotten International Women's Day

2008-03-08T15:40:00.013-06:00

Saturday, 8 March 2008

While uploading some images on to my dance blog, it suddenly occurred to me that today is the 8 March and it is International Women's Day! What a coincidence that our Stake had chosen this Saturday to celebrate the Relief Society's birthday. Our ward already celebrated the birthday on Thursday 21 February. Officially, Relief Society will be 166 years old on the 17 March 2008!

It is interesting to note that IWD is an official holiday in these countries: Angola, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Eritrea, Georgia, Guinea-Bissau, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Madagascar, Moldova, Mongolia, Nepal, Russia, Tajikistan, Transdniestria, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Zambia.

It is also interesting to listen to the remarks made by women from different countries. In some countries women took to the streets and rallied for their rights, I remembered only activities related to dancing in my life!

I remembered being part of a mass gathering of women, from different associations of the city, all dancing one morning of the 8 March. And one night of the 8 March, I just enjoyed dinner with other women friends while watching stage performances performed by women from different dancing groups. What I have experienced during this particular day is dancing only! We did not rally for better pay or equal rights. Maybe we were complacent with our situations or we were not aggressive enough to voice our grievances!

Coincidentally, it was the 12th Malaysian general election today! The Malaysian women would be busy voting and helping in the election as well!

To all the Women reading my blog - Happy International Women's Day! Enjoy being a woman!

Arthritis, A Sign of Wearing Out

2008-02-01T12:51:00.000-06:00

Friday, 1 February 2008

I am very happy today! Happy because the discomfort in my left hand and lower left arm are gone. Fell down twice when alighting from bicycle rides in October 2007.

Even though the bicycle belonged to a 11 yr old boy, it was a little too tall for me! Getting myself up on the saddle was no problem. I had an enjoyable time cycling in the park.

Coming down was not easy with only the left foot on the ground. The weight of the bicycle brought me down to the left side. The bruise didn't scare me because it was healed after a few days.

Two weeks later, Not asked me whether I wanted to use his bike again. He said that his dad has lowered the saddle because it was also a little too tall for him as well. The height was rectified for Not but it was still a little bit taller for me. I fell again on my left side when alighting. This time the area between by thumb and wrist hurt. I thought the discomfort would go but it was still there whenever I turned my wrist. I thought one of my nerve was injured!

Mike brought me to see the Bone & Joint Physician on the 14 Nov. Xrays showed that I have arthritis! Just to make sure my nerves were okay, the receptionist made appointment for me to see a Neurology Physician on the 12 Dec. I didn't like the nerves test, even though they were just small electric shocks! The Neurology Physician said my nerves were all intact!

There was a continuous flow of patients in the Bone & Joint Physician's clinic on the 30 Jan. The B&J Physician wanted to review the result of my nerve test that he sent me to. My appointment was at 11:30 am and I only got to see him at 1:10 pm! And it was like less than 10 mins meeting.

The Bone & Joint Physician recommended a Cortisone Injection. I agreed. While opening the cabinet, he said "get ready". I turned my body and eyes from him because he said it would be a painful injection. Painful or not painful I don't like needles! And it was indeed painful. I am thankful for Mike's presence. I clinged to Mike like a child, with my face buried on his body.

The Physician didn't tell me the side-effect. I didn't know about the 'cortisone flare' that I learnt later from the internet, being "a condition where the injected cortisone crystallizes and can cause a brief period of pain worse than before the shot. This usually lasts a day or two and is best treated by icing the injected area".

The muscles in the spot where the injection was ministered and the muscle (or bone, I don't know) leading to that spot felt stiff the night of the injection and the whole day after (yesterday) . I phoned the clinic and was told that the Physician was performing surgery and would only be back in office Monday!

I didn't feel the discomfort anymore when I woke up in the middle of yesterday's night. It was okay. Arthritis in my left hand due to too much dancing movements, too much typing, too much carrying heavy things, too much handling of cold stuff, cold weather?????? I probably had arthritis already and it only emerged after the bicycle falls? I really don't know! Definitely another sign of physically getting older and slowly wearing out.

First Tag 2008

2008-01-29T18:12:00.000-06:00

Tuesday, 29 January 2008

Tagging time! Thanks, Cam. Here goes.......

A- Attached or Single? Attached as to Married?
B- Best Friend? The Dog is Man's best friend.
C- Cake or Pie? Don't care.
D- Day of Choice? Friday
E- Essential Item? Identity Card
F- Favorite color? Bright & beautiful.
G- Gummy Bears or Worms? What is that?
H- Hometown? Where the heart is.
I- Favorite Indulgence? Dancing
J- January or July? January - new resolution!
K- Kids? Blessings from God.
L- Life isn't complete without? Family and Friends.
M- Marriage Date? Whose marriage date?
N- Number of Brothers and Sisters? Whatever the statistic of the population on this earth is.
O - Oranges or Apples? Oranges after a meal. Apples when I am sick.
P- Phobias or fears? I tried my best not to be afraid.
Q- Quote? Beauty is in the eyes of the Beholder
R- Reason to smile? God loves us.
S- Season of choice? Festive Season
T- Tag three friends or family Anthony, Iain, Singapore Girl, Princess Ivy
U- Unknown fact about me? To remain as unknown.
V- Vegetable? Yes, it is healthy for us.
W- Worst habit? Cursing (what I think as the worst habit anyone can have)
X- X-ray or ultrasound? Whatever the doctor recommended.
Y- Your favorite food? Malaysian
Z - Zodiac sign? Western or Eastern?

Hamper of Scrapbooking Kit

2008-01-28T13:11:00.000-06:00

Monday, 28 January 2008

Must be my lucky day today - 28th day of the year 2008. Someone came and presented me with a hamper of scrapbooking kit!

The surprise gesture definitely lifted up my spirit. I was feeling down yesterday afternoon as well as yesterday night. Blamed the mood on my hormones!

I have never done scrapbooking before so this would definitely be interesting. I know Lian would love this. She likes handicrafts and she is good in it as well.

The Process

2008-01-18T14:34:00.008-06:00

Tuesday, 3 March 2009

I started writing about this process on the 18 January 2008 to document the process but didn't publish until today. Hopefully this will give some people an idea what to expect.

Gosh! To obtain a Permanent Resident card (Green card) is indeed a process!

Mike had to submit 3 forms:
(1) Form I-864: Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the Act
(2) Form I-130: Petition for Alien Relative ($355)
(3) Form G-325A: Biographic Information

I had to submit 2 forms:
(1) Form I-485: Application To Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status ($930 + a biometrics fee of $80 = $1,010)
(2) Form G-325A: Biographic Information

I find the total amount $1,365 amusing. My mind related it to: In 1 year there are 365 days!

In order for me to travel out and return, while the green card is in progress, I have to submit 1 application form:
(1) Form I-131: Application for Travel Document

In order for me to work, while the green card is in progress, I have to submit 1 application form:
(1) Form I-765: Application for Employment Authorization Document

The Application for Travel Document (I-131) would cost $305 and the Application for Employment Authorization Document (I-765) would cost $340 if they were not submitted together with the Form I-485 (Application To Register Permanent Residency).

We started filling the Adobe forms, on the computer, on the 26 September 2007. After reading the instructions of the related forms, we realized that there were a number of supporting documents to be collected before the applications could be sent.

****

There were the affidavits from relatives & friends about my relationship to Michael. First affidavit was given to us on the 8 October by Grant and the last (9th) was given to us on the 19 November from Ronald.

****

I had to submit a medical examination report and it must come from an USCIS designated medical doctor. Here goes another episode......

19 November '07: Paid Horizon Health Services $210 for Medical examination & Report. My weight and height measurement was taken. Given 2 vaccinations (1) Measles/Mumps/Rubella (2) Titinus. A Tuberculosis Skin Test was administered. Seen by Dr. Lorena Jauregui. Asked to return (1) 21 November for result of the Tuberculosis test (2) 19 December for Titinus booster. Asked to go to Yuma Regional Plaza Lab for blood test ($36) – result would be sent back to the Horizon Health Services.

21 November '07: Result of Tuberculosis test – positive. Asked to go to Yuma County Public Health Services (no payment required) for consultation of tuberculosis. YCPHS asked me to go to Focused Imaging of Arizona for chest x-ray. YCPHS said that the x-ray film would be sent back to them. YCPHS said to come back Mon 26 November. Told them that we would be out of town. They said to call them when we get back to town again.

30 November '07: Yuma County Public Health Services (YCPHS) said to see them on the 4 December to obtain results.

4 December ’07: Visited Yuma County Public Health Services and collected result of chest x-ray (Focused Imaging of Arizona) and Supplement Form to I-693, and sent them back to Horizon Health Services.

5 December ’07: Sent papers that I collected from YCPHS yesterday to Horizon Health Services. Given a sealed packet that I was to submit to Immigration, to be opened by them only.

19 December ’07: Visited Horizon Health Services [3250 East 40th Street, Yuma, AZ 85365, tel. no. (928) 317-5023] for titinus booster ($30). They passed me a sealed envelope, to be sent together with the first package that they gave to me on the 5 Dec ’07, both to be opened by Immigration Depart (USCIS) only.

****

Friday, 28 December 2007: We got all the supporting documents! Checked the website to see whether the forms that we have filled were still valid. Fortunately, we didn't have to refill any forms. Last thing - individual pictures of Mike & myself, taken according to USCIS specifications, at Walmart - $20

****

Saturday, 29 December 2007: Finally we mailed out the package to USCIS, Chicago IL 60680: $1.69 (Cushion Mailer) + $7.00 (Priority Mail) + $0.65 (Delivery Confirmation Label # 03070020000313305254) = $9.34 . It was a relief for me. I have been worrying about it for the past many months, waking up in the middle of night thinking about it.

****

Friday, 4 January 2008: Received acknowledgement of Form I-130 Petition for Alien Relative.

Tuesday, 8 January 2008: Received acknowledgement of Form I-131 Application for Travel Document & Form I-765 Application for Employment Authorization Document.

Thursday, 10 January 2008: Received acknowledgement of Form I-485 Application To Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.

Thursday, 17 January 2008: Received appointment notice to appear at the application support center (3250 South 4th Avenue, Suite E, Yuma, AZ 85364) for the capturing of my biometrics (fingerprints) at 10:00 am on Wednesday, 23 January 2008.

Wednesday, 23 January 2008: My fingerprints had to taken manually because they didn't come up clearly on the scanner. All the years of house chores must have blurred the lines! My photograph and signature was taken too.

Saturday, 26 January 2008: Appointment notice to appear for interview at the USCIS office in Phoenix office (2035 North Central Avenue, Green Appointment Lobby, Phoenix, AZ 85004) at 7:30 am on Monday 21 April 2008.

Saturday, 1 March 2008: Received "Employment Authorization Card" valid from February 20, 2008 to Febuary 19, 2009. I can work legally!

Saturday, 15 March 2008: Received "Authorization for Parole of an Alien Into the United States" from February 20, 2008 to February 19, 2009. It was very disappointed to learn that the original envelope was returned to USCIS on the 3 February 2008. It should have come almost the same time as the "Employment Authorization Card". They have the same validity period!

I am very disappointed with the Postal Services today! Very very disappointed. A letter posted to me, using my maiden name, on the 22 February 2008, was returned to the sender on the 2 March 2008. It was never delivered to my residential mail box!

One sticker on the envelope said:
...........................................................................02/27/08
UNABLE TO FORWARD/FOR REVIEW
NO FORWARDING ORDER ON FILE
RETURN TO POSTMASTER
OF ORIGINAL ADDRESSEE FOR REVIEW
.............................................................................................

Another sticker on the envelope said:
..........................................................................03/02/08
RETURN TO SENDER
ATTEMPTED - NOT KNOWN
UNABLE TO FORWARD
...........................................................................................

The sender posted it again to me, using the same name, on the 12 March 2008. This time, it was c/o Mike's name. It is ridiculous! This is the first time in my life that a mail is not delivered when the address is valid!!!

I don't understand why and I am going to find out why! If it was because of my name, then I shouldn't be receiving any mail with that name at all. I have received other letters, with the same name and address, from the same sender.

Monday 7 April 2008: Cost $18 to obtained a certified copy of the marriage certificate from the registrar. A certified copy was obtained in compliance to the letter of appointment listed the documents required to be brought to the interview on 21 April 2008. It was disappointing that the Immigration officer (at the 21 April interview) said there is no need for the certified copy because she will certify the copy that was sent with the original application, after having seen the original Marriage Certificate that I brought there.

Tuesday 8 April 2008: Applied for social security card.

Monday 15 April 2008: Received Social Security card.

Monday 21 April 2008: Interview in Phoenix (2035 North Central Avenue, Green Appointment Lobby, Phoenix, AZ 85004). The Immigration Officer said she cannot approve my application for Permanent Residency until Mike have submitted additional information on his capability to support me. We were notified by letter to submit the additional information by the 24 May 2008.

Tuesday 6 May 2008: Posted requested additional information to Phoenix. $0.58 (1st class letter) + $2.15 (Return Receipt) + $2.65 (Certified) = $5.58

Saturday 10 May 2008: Postal Return Receipt received.

Saturday 17 May 2008: Received Notice I-797 at 00:45 am (we will driving back home, from Oklahoma trip). Don’t know when the letter arrived in the mail box. Was out of Yuma from Monday 12. Envelope was dated 13 May 2008. Notice I-797 was dated 9 May 2008. Notice I-797 is Welcome Notice. I have been approved the Green Card – Conditional Permanent Resident (2 years).

Wednesday 21 May 2008: Received Green Card (Permanent Resident) valid from 08 May 2008 to 08 May 2010. Need to submit an application to remove condition within 90 days before expiry date, to remove the conditions.

Time-wise, I think the system is great and commendable. Depending what you applied for, I heard some people have to wait a longer time. Overall, we spent $1693.92 for the whole process.

Please Drive Carefully

2008-01-07T16:42:00.000-06:00

Sunday, 6 January 2008

Old habits died hard. I automatically walked to the left side of Mike's truck when he met me at the airport when I first arrived in US 8 months ago. Months later I still make the same mistake sometimes! Mike laughed "Honey, you are in US".

In Malaysia, the front passenger sits on the left side while the driver sits on the right side and we drive on the left side of the road!

My first time sitting as the front passenger on the right side of the car was in China in 1999. China drives on the right side of the road too! It felt funny moving forward on the right side of the road. Now that I am getting more comfortable with moving on the right side of the road here, I wonder how I would feel when I return to Malaysia and move on the left side of the road!

Michael had courageously allowed me to drive to church to attend meetings, for the past month. When we were in a hurry, my left hand would automatically reach up to my right shoulder to pull down the body strap over to my left side. And of course, there was nothing to pull!

Then the signals. I still made mistakes in this aspect, especially if I didn't use my head in advance. In Malaysia it is located on the right side of the steering wheel but in US it is located on the left side. In Malaysia you push up the lever to signal when you are turning to your left and you push down the lever to signal when you are turning to the right. In US it is just the opposite - lever up signals right and lever down signals left.

Mike kept teasing me that in US, they drive on the right side of the road for the right reason! I kept saying that it is not incorrect for us to drive on the left side of the road in Malaysia and we are not on the wrong side in Malaysia! It is just the way we were taught to drive there. Now that I am in US, I will need to drive on the right side of the road, the way this country drive!

Today, for the first time in US, I drove by myself! Today, Mike didn't feel well to go to church. I asked him if it was alright for me drive myself. Michael had courageously sat by my side while I drove to church for the past month. I have gain confidence on that particular stretch of road but I dare not try any other street of the city. Michael said "please drive carefully".

Properous 2008?

2008-01-01T18:32:00.000-06:00

Tuesday, 1 January 2008

Hopefully this is a prosperous year for everyone! Chinese likes the number "8" because in the Cantonese dialect it sounded like prosperity. It usually refers to success in business and financial aspect $$$$ . Honestly, who does not want to have more money? Money is not the most important thing in the world but necessary. Hope everyone is blessed with more than enough money and still be humble.

A **** HAPPY **** NEW **** YEAR ****

A **** PROSPEROUS **** NEW **** YEAR ****

Christmas Tree and Christmas Presents

2007-12-30T15:25:00.000-06:00

Sunday, 30 December 2007

Christmas Tree - Our first Christmas tree! When Mike said "let's put up the Christmas tree" on the 2nd December, I thought that was much too early. Actually it was not that early because shops were already selling Christmas stuff ; many houses and lawns were also decorated with Christmas lightings.

Mike had the tree assembled but it was barren until the following weekend as we could not find the ornaments and the lights in the house to decorate it. It was fun shopping, especially when I got the share to pick what I like to adorn the Christmas tree.

Today is the 4th Sunday and the last Sunday for our Christmas tree for the year 2007. Need to take it down and store it away, with its accompanying decorations. Don't you disappear again unless you don't want to be up that tree come December 2008!

Christmas Presents - I am thankful for the presents that I received this year. My thoughts go to those who are homeless, poor, sick, and lonely while others are feasting and having fun. My thoughts go to those who had to be away from their loved ones due to their duty call in the military, missionary or other fields. Thinking of the less fortunate, who are struggling even with each day's necessities, I am reminded that we need to spend wisely.

I am grateful for the Christmas present, that Heavenly Father has given each and everyone of us, all because He loves us (John 3:16).

Friendships are Presents from Heaven

2007-12-01T21:47:00.000-06:00

Saturday, 1 December 2007

In the book "Hugs for Friends" an Unknown said "Some people come into our lives and quickly go... Some stay for awhile and leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never the same."

They came to Malaysia as missionaries only for awhile and they have left footprints on my heart.

Yes, friendships are presents from heaven! Thanks to all the friends that Mike & I were able to meet. You have made our trip to Utah more meaningful and enjoyable.

Nov 22 (Thur) - Mesa, Arizona - A Thanksgiving Day indeed to meet with Brother Lamb & Brother Rowley, who had served as missionaries in the Miri-Sarawak-Malaysia branch.

The members just love them to pieces!

Nov 23 (Fri) - St. George, Utah - Brother/Sister Telford who had served as missionaries in the Kota Kinabalu-Sabah-Malaysia branch . I remembered their first day in Kota Kinabalu as the 20 August 2004.

Brother Telford with his gong from Sabah-Malaysia.

I love to hear Sister Telford sing. She has such lovely voice. She taught the members of the Kota Kinabalu-Sabah-Malaysia branch to sing. There are many songs that reminded me of her when I sing them, my favourite being "As Sisters in Zion and We Will Bring the World His Truth". Because of her, I have learnt to sing better.

Nov 23 (Fri) - St. George, Utah - Brother/Sister Smiley who had served as missionaries in the Miri-Sarawak-Malaysia branch in 1999.

24 Nov (Sat) - Bountiful, Utah - Brother/Sister Jensen who had served as missionaries in the Miri-Sarawak-Malaysia branch in the period 2004/2005.

25 Nov (Sun) - Farmington, Utah - Sister Norberg, whom I befriended in the internet in January 2006 and have kept in touch since. This is the first time we have met in person!

and Brother Norberg, whom I have only communicated so far via email and telephone!

25 Nov (Sun) - Farmington, Utah - Brother/Sister Jacobs who have served as missionaries in the Kota Kinabalu-Sabah-Malaysia branch, in the period 2003/2004. We had memorable time visiting the Sisters together.

26 Nov (Mon) - Salt Lake City - Brother/Sister Broadhead who had served as missionaries in the Kota Kinabalu-Sabah-Malaysia branch from Jan-June 2000. I remembered whenever I took them home to their apartment, after Sunday church meetings, Sister Broadhead would insisted a hug before I drove away. I was not a hugging person then, but I have learnt!

26 Nov (Mon) - Salt Lake City, Utah - Brother/Sister Bishop who had served as missionaries in the Kota Kinabalu-Sabah-Malaysia branch from Nov-Dec 2001. It was a very short while but they have left footprints on my heart.

26 Nov (Mon) - Salt Lake City, Utah - A wonderful get-together lunch with Brother/Sister Jacobs, Brother/Sister Bishops and Brother/Sister Broadheads.

27 Nov (Tue) - American Fork, Utah - Brother/Sister Folsom, who had served as missionaries in the Miri-Sarawak-Malaysia branch in 1998. They were the first LDS missionary couple that Lian, Yean & I met, when we started investigating the church in 1998. It has been 9 years since. Brother/Sister Folsoms were fondly addressed by the children of the branch as "Grandpa" and "Grandma".

27 Nov (Tue) - Provo, Utah - Brother/Sister Merritt who have served as missionaries in West Malaysia, Curent Provo MTC Mission President/Sister Boone who have served as Singapore Mission President, Sister Serrao who have served as missionary in the Miri-Sarawak-Malaysia branch. Wonderful people!

27 Nov (Tue) - Provo, Utah - Brother/Sister Watts who had served as missionaries in the Miri-Sarawak-Malaysia branch.

28 Nov (Wed) - Cove Fort, Utah - Interestingly we met with Brother/Sister Telford again. They were driving to Midway, Utah and we were driving from Provo Utah!

I hope to meet with the other missionary couples some day! Wonderful people!

Mum Will Be Forever In My Heart

2007-11-13T16:05:00.001-06:00

Sunday, 11 November 2007

1:42:54 pm - Sis Monica phoned from Melbourne, to inform that our Mum was in a critical state. Our youngest sister-in-law, Caroline, had phoned her because she didn't know how to phone me in US. It was 4.42:54 am Monday 12 November in Malaysia. It was 7:42.54 am Monday 12 November in Melbourne.

5:57.52 pm - Lian texted me "Mum... Grandma just passed" It was 8.57.52 am Monday 12 November in Malaysia. I was getting out of a friend's home in Foothills and walking towards the car when the message alert tone sounded. My heart stopped. I had a strong feeling that my mother had passed away.

Mum has been called to rest at last. Her spirit is free now from the afflicted body. I know she is with Dad, Joseph, her beloved parents, friends. I am glad that she is now with Joseph who passed away in March 1999. I know Mum missed this younger brother of mine very much.

Mum wouldn't want me to cry for her but I can't help it. I am being selfish. I cried because I won't be able to see her when I visit Miri again. She was gone on the 6 July 2006 but now she is really gone for good from this mortal life.

I am thankful for a Heavenly Father who prompted me to phone Caroline on Malaysia 11:30 pm Friday night, to tell Mum that I love her, that I am fine here and she is not to worry about me. Caroline said Mum's closed eyes were moving when she heard my voice from the phone handset that was placed against her ears. Caroline said it seemed like Mum wanted to say something back but couldn't.

I am thankful for a wonderful mum who have shown me what it is to live life to the fullest. Even though I will not see her ever again in this mortal world until the Lord calls me home, she will forever be in my heart. I am thankful for friends for their condolences and support. I am thankful that my children were in Miri during this period and were able to there for the family (when I can't) and to walk this last leg of journey with Grandma to her resting place.

Mum will be laid to rest, next to Dad, at about 11:00 pm tonight (Malaysia 14:00 hrs Wednesday). I will be thinking of her as I have for the past many nights.

Same Birthday

2007-10-15T14:03:00.000-05:00

Monday, 15 October 2007

This was an interesting, fun and neat discovery!

As I was creating a birthday calendar of my friends and family, I noticed 2 birthdays. I thought I had made an erorr in my entries. Double-checked their response. Yes, they were the same date - the same day, the same month and the same year - 16 December 1932. And amazingly, they had served a mission in Malaysia. They do not know each other as they served in different branches and they have not met each other either. To add to the excitement - both their first name are basically the name, except for a little variance, because of gender's difference. I am waiting for response of their birth time!

A Sweet Note from a Sweet Couple

2007-10-14T23:12:00.000-05:00

Sunday, 14 October 2007

This was a note that I had safe-kept away. It was not just an ordinary note. It was a paper that was written by the sweetest couple that I know in Yuma.

It was dated the September 06, 2007. They wrote:

This is a great day! Irene has returned to Yuma.
To celebrate, I have arranged for the weather to get cooler beginning the end of September.
You will like it even more.
Welcome Home.
Gr... and Gl.... Ha..... and all of Yuma

I thought that was very sweet of them. Thank you! That piece of paper was at the door to greet us when Mike brought me home on the 6 September 2007.

The summer had been a little too hot for me and autumn was soon to come.

No money no air for your tyres

2007-10-10T17:48:00.000-05:00

Tuesday, 9 October 2007

I am thankful that pressuring vehicles' tyres in Malaysia is free of charge. I hope it will stay that way. I really hope so. I hope we would handle the venting hose with care always otherwise who knows it would end up like this:

75 cts per vent. 3 mins per vent.