Funny New Year wishes

May your hair, your teeth, your face-lift, your abs and your stocks not
fall; and may your blood pressure, your triglycerides, your cholesterol,
your white blood count and your mortgage interest not rise.

May you get a clean bill of health from your dentist, your cardiologist,
your gastro-enterologist, your urologist, your proctologist, your
podiatrist, your psychiatrist and your plumber.

May what you see in the mirror delight you, and what
others see in you delight them.

May someone love you enough to forgive your faults, be blind
to your blemishes, and tell the world about your virtues.

May New Year's Eve find you seated around the table,
together with your beloved family and cherished friends.

May you find the food better, the environment quieter,
the cost much cheaper, and the pleasure much more
fulfilling than anything else you might ordinarily do that night.

May the telemarketers wait to make their sales calls until
you finish dinner, may the commercials on TV not be louder
than the program you have been watching, and may your check
book and your budget balance - and include generous amounts
for charity.

May you remember to say "I love you" at least once a day
to your spouse, your child, your parent, your siblings;
but not to your secretary, your nurse, your masseuse,
your hairdresser or your tennis instructor.

(Ha...ha can't help but post this funny wishes sent to me
few hours ago.) Happy New Year 2009!

A different Christmas

A quiet Christmas with my in-laws just four days after my mother-in

law's funeral. May be quiet but meaningful, the sombre feelings were

suddenly forgotten with some good food and cheer. This Christmas

made me think about those living with cancer and those who have

suffered a major loss because of this dreadful illness.

In memory of my mother-in-law

God looked around his garden and found an empty place

He then looked down upon his earth and saw your loving face

He put his arms around you and lifted you to rest.

His garden must be beautiful, he always takes the best.

He knew that you were suffering, he knew you were in pain.

And knew that you would never get well on earth again.

He saw your path was difficult, he closed your tired eyes.

He whispered to you "Peace be Thine" and gave you wings to fly.

When we saw you sleeping so calm and free of pain.

We would not wish you back to earth to suffer once again.

You've left us previous memories, your love will be our guide.

You live on through your children, you're always by our side.

It broke our hearts to lose you, but you did not go alone.

For part of us went with you on the day God called you home

In Hospital

Today marks the 17th day in hospital for my mother-inlaw who
is suffering from end stage gall bladder cancer.She lies in bed
heavily sedated with morphine due to pain . Illness and pain
brings us to our knees in prayer.This episode makes us realise
how precious life is.

I am busy helping out with the rest of the family to
look after her at Johore Specialist Centre. I admire her
strength as she goes through peaks and valleys of her
treatment. As a family, we take steps to make her as
comfortable and painless as possible. Behind all sickness
is finally the sovereign hand of God.

Malaysian atmosphere in Singapore

Was in Singapore yesterday, and had tea tarik at the Tanjung

Pagar railway station. This is actually my first visit inside

the station although I have passed this heritage building several

times before....

I certainly feel very at home here.

These murals are beautiful!

Hmmm....the sign says Sufian Enterprise but whats the Buddhist

alter doing there?????

Perfect ride for two!

All I want for Christmas is.............

Ginger has been in a festive mood since I put up the Christmas

tree, she is seen here looking at the baubles and decorations. Her

sleeping area is now temporarily shifted. No presents yet!

"Christmas is not about opening presents, it about opening

your hearts"

Happy Birthday Karen!

Its Karen's birthday tomorrow! Nan and me

has mischievously asked her out for lunch....and

she got the hint I guess...we had a free buffet lunch

at Grand Paragon, the latest newly opened hotel

in JB

Smiling for toothpaste advertisement?

Turkey with Cranberries...my favourite Christmas dish.

We were lucky to get this, early for Christmas though, as the proprietors

of the hotel were having some food-tasting.

"Birthdays are good for you. Statistics show that the people

who have the most, live the longest"

From Korea with Love

Received an email from Cheryl with some pictures

of herself in Korea. She is away working in Seoul and

from her pictures it looks pretty cold. The last time

we went to Korea for a family vacation was when she

was eight.

Yogic snail

This snail doing the split?

"You can do anything you set your mind to when you

have vision, determination and endless supply of

expendable labour"

Hometown Trip

Made a trip back to Sitiawan recently to observe All Souls day
which falls on November 2nd. We are late for this annual
visit at my parent's and one of my older brother's grave which
is on the way to Lumut. We brought flowers, sprinkled holy water,
burned candles and said prayers to commemorate and respect
the faithful departed.





Here is Cyn saying Hi! to grandpa and grandma. Managed to
squeeze time to have a look at my apartment at Lumut Valley Condo
and a quick walk around Lumut town.

An aerial view of the Malaysian Naval Base and Lumut town as seen

from the apartment.

Gosh...this sleepy town has certainly transformed.

Yoga for cats

I had to miss my yoga this morning, so I thought maybe

it would be a good idea to do at home. The minute I roll

my mat on the floor my two queens are ready to do their

stuff.....

The Gingerasana pose......

The Miawasana......

Final pose , relaxing and craving for attention from the man of the house.

"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened"

Yoga workshop with Bronze

I recently attended a yoga workshop organised by Yoga Essence
with Bronze. Found it very rewarding as he shared many guidelines
as how to stay safe on the mat . Before you embark on this journey,
you learn that it is not about achievement , it is more about the
mind and body relationship and awareness through yogic practices.
Finer details like alignment of the poses were discussed, and students
were allowed time to ask questions about why it is painful to do
certain poses.

I think this asana.....in Sanskrit is Virabhadrasana 1.....HmmmErrh...could be
wrong! Hehe......anyway have to check with Bronze...

....Ohhhhhhh...........I can't hold any longer........

....Fun time........

A picture of contentment and peace... we went home happy, it was
sweet and sweaty. Hoping for more workshop to come.

Food ....Glorious Food

Was away in KL for the Deepavali holidays. Had a great time dining out

with Cheryl , Cynthia and Dad. A taste of Austrian at Klimt's....

Beef goulash

...Schnitzel.....

...seafood paella.....

...this is the best apple strudel I have had...the thin crispy skin makes

it special.

The second dine-out at Le Meridian buffet dinner... the dessert

was superlicious....errh....the pistachio creme brulee was finishing too

fast.....

...the fountain of youth....chocolate.....

...food...more food....

Teppanyaki anyone?...Nah I prefer sashimi....

Personalised ice-cream..... This sumptuous meal made me put on about

1kg. Two nights in a row eating out was just simply great....can't

be doing this everyday!

Passing of a fellow jubilant

Susie will always be remembered as a lady who had a passion

to dance. She was just simply happy whenever she did line dancing

her son says. "Madu dan Racun" and "Hustle Bustle" are her

favourites.

The Susie I knew was a great wife and mother,

who adored her 4 sons tremendously and takes pride of them.

She was a quiet, humble and down to earth lady who had no

bad word for anyone. She has fought valiantly and bravely,

until sickness had taken a toil on her health. Her spirits

will live in us forever.

This is the last snap taken of her with fellow jubilants in 2007.

Sad News....and Good News

On 14th October morning, I received a phone call from my
sis-in law that my mother-in law has been diagnosed
with advanced cancer of the gall bladder. This is just
one day before my husband's appointment with his
oncologist for his routine checkup. Of course,
this is devastating for all of us. Because of the bad
timing the family thought it would be insensitive to relate
this to my husband and gave me the duty to telling
him this sad news in good time.

I told him immediately as I knew my husband is
strong and accepting. He was calmer than I had expected.

I accompanied him the next morning for his medical
appointment at the National Cancer Centre in Singapore.
The wait was not long, but nervy. The doctor cautioned
him as his appointment which was overdue(he missed his
appointment in February) and told him his condition is clear.
We were so relief ...the minute we walked out he said "Let's go
for Bak-kut teh!"

Hello Botox Goodbye Acting

Was reading my newspaper this morning and came

across this report about Courteney Cox revealing that

she has used Botox. She says that she hated the

muscle-paralysing effects of botox as she has lost her

ability to make facial expression which has hampered

her acting skills...so not necessarily good for everyone.

...And clearly side-effects do occur! However, I admire

her honesty.

Are you nuts?

No I am not! On my recent trip to KK I was recommended by

Beeda to use soap nuts as a greener way to do my laundry.

She learnt from her yoga guru that soap nuts which comes from

India , an alternative to laundry washing.

I have done some serious reading about this wonderful berry

and decided to give it a try. These berries contains saponin which

is a natural detergent. The shells are the one needed and the

nuts are discarded. I will place this shells in an sock and rubber band

it securely. Throw this into my washing machine with my clothes

and the rest is done. I notice that my clothes are clean , fresh

and so soft. It is 100 per cent natural, chemical free and

environmental friendly. Studies show that saponin inhibits

tumour cell growth.

For those who are ever worried about chemical detergent affecting

environment, but never found the alternatives satisfactory this

is the answer.

With age comes wisdom

Today is a special day, it's Cheryl birthday!

We pre celebrated her birthday over the Raya

hols when she was back in JB.

A family picture taken after a yummy Japanese dinner at AjeSai.

Seems like just yesterday she was born, this bouncy 7lb 6oz

baby is now an all grown-up adult. How time flies....

Wishing you Happy Birthday !

Raya Hols

The children are back for the Raya hols and it is just simply great
to have more noise in the house and also the best time for me
to exercise some of my culinary skills

Honey mustard ribs........

Salad with balsamic sauce.....

Salmon with sliced lemon....

And of course "torture time" for....

gingerrrrrrr

....................and miawwwwwww.........oh dear!

Safe at last in the arms of Dadddddyyyyyy.......at last

What better way to celebrate this festive holidays.

Pink for courage, hope and cure

Today marks the beginning of October, Breast Cancer

Awareness month. As I look into different website I

picked a few interesting items bearing the pink ribbon.

It is great to raise awareness and raise funds but do all

these things really tell us about breast cancer?