Yesterday, my mum was looking for me . She called twice but could not get me. I thought that something had happened. I finally " found" time to call her as I was truly busy. All she wanted was to talk to someone, anyone as she was feeling lonely. I felt annoyed at first as I thought something bad had happened. But, I am sad that my mum could not find anyone at home to talk to.
We have global communication, we have internet, we have sms, yet there are times when a person can feel alone. Whats happening? Is this what I am looking forward to in my old age when all my kids are too busy to pick up the phone to say hello? Is this what I have done to my mother? I was so busy doing my thing that I had no time to pick up the phone and spend 5 mins talking to one who had nurtured me, loves me without condition, cooked for me, drove me to school for 17 years, so happy to see me whenever I return home......What have I become?
How can this be? It is so easy to forget our parents when we have a full life, friends, plans, dinner parties, yoga and kids to think and fuss about. It is so easy to forget that they are getting old , as we always picture our parents to be as when we left them to get married. We assume that they will always be there as and when we need them. It is so easy to forget that they are getting older faster then us , that they are slowing down in all departments and that the level of aches and pains increases by the day.
It was a wakeup call for me when she said that she called me just to talk. I will try to call more often . Even though I know she will say the same thing over and over, the same topic, the same complain, the same pain,.....it is better then not to hear her voice at all. It is sad that I have taken her for granted, just because I dont need her now , that she doesnt need me either. When I was little I needed her, I depended on her, now when she is old, she needs me "just to talk", she depends on me to remember to call. Forgive me mum !!!!
Well, I called twice today, out of guilt but its a start I suppose.
What can be worst? To be lonely in an over populated world. It is so ironic. But the busier people get the more lonely the older generation will be. Technology cant take the place of human to human care and comfort, the human voice, the human hands, the human smile and the love that pours out from the human heart.
Dr. James Dobson once said that our parents dont want expensive presents, big angpows etc. All they want is " US ". A little of our time, to visit them, to call them, to have dinner together once in a while. He couldnt be more right.
So, what are you waiting for ? Write it down on your 2010 resolution list : to call parents more often. CALL NOW .
Friday, February 26, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
No time to sleep
Wow, what a great week it has been. I am running out of road to drive. I have been driving around so much I am now ready for the Grand Prix for Mums!!!!. Its a once a year thing, you know, when CNY comes, and all are home for the celebrations. What a blessing we have to be surrounded by family and friends and neighbours too.
Most of my pants are tight, no kidding, so I am worried as how I am going to get through the week and after if I cant sit comfortably now and eat as more dinners are on the menu. I am not complaining. Having food to eat is better then worrying about where the next meal is coming from.
We have an abundance of food and most of the time we waste so much. Then we read in the newspapers of people struggling to get 1 meal a day. Try as we may but we are still so wantonly wasteful. Not only that we are also eating endangered species like there is no tomorrow. Well, there will be no tomorrow for some animals if the chinese chefs have their way.
I feel bad contributing to that. But when its already on the atble, not to eat would be a sin too. My only solace is that I didnt order that.
Last nite we had a fantastic meal at Ocean King . Roslind Kan gave us a very nice dinner. We ate till we couldnt move and took home the extras, too costly to throw away, really. It was an Inner wheel meeting nite and CNY dinner all rolled in one hosted by Roslind, Siew Kiet and Susan. Everything was big on the table. My only regret was that I should have borrowed a maternity dress for the occasion. There was absolutely no room to put all that good stuff. Had to undo the top button of my p---- after the 2nd dish.
On top of that we had 2 cakes. Cheese cake and chocolate cake, that is, after we had our mango pudding....confused??? ...well to cut the long story short, we PIGGED ourselves !!!...get the picture? ...all 26 of us....luckily the wooden structure of Ocean King is strong enough.
What can I say? This year started with a big bang and still going strong. Chap Goh Mei is on sunday. More pigging!!!! I have started yoga but I seriously doubt that a few leg lifts would make a difference. Maybe jogging round Fulliwa , Tmn Tying and Sunny Estate may help ! Ok, Ok, who am I trying to kid. The only way is to turn into a rabbit and eat carrots for 1 month.
Nevermond lah! Enjoy while we still can. Thank God for the plentiful harvest and try to life a good life. Any better and we will all turn into pumpkins rolling around....hahaha.
Most of my pants are tight, no kidding, so I am worried as how I am going to get through the week and after if I cant sit comfortably now and eat as more dinners are on the menu. I am not complaining. Having food to eat is better then worrying about where the next meal is coming from.
We have an abundance of food and most of the time we waste so much. Then we read in the newspapers of people struggling to get 1 meal a day. Try as we may but we are still so wantonly wasteful. Not only that we are also eating endangered species like there is no tomorrow. Well, there will be no tomorrow for some animals if the chinese chefs have their way.
I feel bad contributing to that. But when its already on the atble, not to eat would be a sin too. My only solace is that I didnt order that.
Last nite we had a fantastic meal at Ocean King . Roslind Kan gave us a very nice dinner. We ate till we couldnt move and took home the extras, too costly to throw away, really. It was an Inner wheel meeting nite and CNY dinner all rolled in one hosted by Roslind, Siew Kiet and Susan. Everything was big on the table. My only regret was that I should have borrowed a maternity dress for the occasion. There was absolutely no room to put all that good stuff. Had to undo the top button of my p---- after the 2nd dish.
On top of that we had 2 cakes. Cheese cake and chocolate cake, that is, after we had our mango pudding....confused??? ...well to cut the long story short, we PIGGED ourselves !!!...get the picture? ...all 26 of us....luckily the wooden structure of Ocean King is strong enough.
What can I say? This year started with a big bang and still going strong. Chap Goh Mei is on sunday. More pigging!!!! I have started yoga but I seriously doubt that a few leg lifts would make a difference. Maybe jogging round Fulliwa , Tmn Tying and Sunny Estate may help ! Ok, Ok, who am I trying to kid. The only way is to turn into a rabbit and eat carrots for 1 month.
Nevermond lah! Enjoy while we still can. Thank God for the plentiful harvest and try to life a good life. Any better and we will all turn into pumpkins rolling around....hahaha.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Oh so humbled !
As I sit here to record my special day today, well you see its my birthday, I feel so humbled by the Blessings I have received from so many of my friends and sisters in law and my neighbour.
Today I turn 53 and instead of just having a simple birthday, I have had so many celebrations starting from before chinese new year. The first birthday party was hosted by my morning yoga friends at Sabah hotel before chinese new year. All 7 friends turned up, Mrs. Chu, Joanne, Elizabeth, Siew Siew, Maggie, Ah Hing and Ah Lan. Everyone came dressed up and we had a good time. Ah Hing made a cake. Elizabeth gave me a present. Thank you all for being my friends even though you all have to switch to speaking in English just because I cant speak chinese.
The next celebration was last night at Sunny Estate. My brother in law cooked seafood yee main and we ate a sumptous meal of that and satay and cake. There were no left overs. I even received a present from my sisters in law and family. I am humbled by their love.
Today my afternoon yoga friends told me we were going to Audrey's house to celebrate CNY,, ok, but it turned out they had planned a cake and food and the warmest friendship and laughter I can ever imagined. My friends, Audrey, Mable, Elizabeth , Ah Lan and I chatted and laughed so much, that we forgot the time. We had ice cream cake!! Francine, Mable's daughter joined these old aunties for a laugh too.
Tonight, Jazz, my neighbour and Micheal, her husband have invited the whole Tsen clan for a steam boat dinner. I called Jazz to tell her that I can bring a cake but she has already baked my favourite cake for me. So I am going to celebrate my birthday again tonite. How can I thank Jazz for so magnanimous a gesture for a neighbour who cant cook or bake cakes like she can? I am humbled by her kindness and generousity and her warm friendship she has extended to us ever since we got to know her.
On top of all these good news, Pui Lin and Pit Ha have also sent me a big super moist choc cake for my birthday. To these 2 friends, I bow and say thank you for your kind thoughts and gift. I have done nothing to deserve such friends, well at least I cant recall ever saving any lives. Dont think I ran into any burning buildings to save anyone. Whatever it is that has caused me to be surrounded with so much love and true friendship from all around me, may I be humble enough to praise the lord for his blessing and to forever bless me with so great a crowd of people.
It is a feeling one gets once in a life time. It is a feeling one cant buy , not even on the internet with all of Bill Gates money. To be living amist so much is a blessing which can only come from God. I rpay that he will bless all my friends and family in the same way he has blessed me and my family.
Today I turn 53 and instead of just having a simple birthday, I have had so many celebrations starting from before chinese new year. The first birthday party was hosted by my morning yoga friends at Sabah hotel before chinese new year. All 7 friends turned up, Mrs. Chu, Joanne, Elizabeth, Siew Siew, Maggie, Ah Hing and Ah Lan. Everyone came dressed up and we had a good time. Ah Hing made a cake. Elizabeth gave me a present. Thank you all for being my friends even though you all have to switch to speaking in English just because I cant speak chinese.
The next celebration was last night at Sunny Estate. My brother in law cooked seafood yee main and we ate a sumptous meal of that and satay and cake. There were no left overs. I even received a present from my sisters in law and family. I am humbled by their love.
Today my afternoon yoga friends told me we were going to Audrey's house to celebrate CNY,, ok, but it turned out they had planned a cake and food and the warmest friendship and laughter I can ever imagined. My friends, Audrey, Mable, Elizabeth , Ah Lan and I chatted and laughed so much, that we forgot the time. We had ice cream cake!! Francine, Mable's daughter joined these old aunties for a laugh too.
Tonight, Jazz, my neighbour and Micheal, her husband have invited the whole Tsen clan for a steam boat dinner. I called Jazz to tell her that I can bring a cake but she has already baked my favourite cake for me. So I am going to celebrate my birthday again tonite. How can I thank Jazz for so magnanimous a gesture for a neighbour who cant cook or bake cakes like she can? I am humbled by her kindness and generousity and her warm friendship she has extended to us ever since we got to know her.
On top of all these good news, Pui Lin and Pit Ha have also sent me a big super moist choc cake for my birthday. To these 2 friends, I bow and say thank you for your kind thoughts and gift. I have done nothing to deserve such friends, well at least I cant recall ever saving any lives. Dont think I ran into any burning buildings to save anyone. Whatever it is that has caused me to be surrounded with so much love and true friendship from all around me, may I be humble enough to praise the lord for his blessing and to forever bless me with so great a crowd of people.
It is a feeling one gets once in a life time. It is a feeling one cant buy , not even on the internet with all of Bill Gates money. To be living amist so much is a blessing which can only come from God. I rpay that he will bless all my friends and family in the same way he has blessed me and my family.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
In the search for gold
What is it about gold that attracts us all, young and old alike. Is it the glitter and shine? Is it the beautifully crafted designs? What ever our age we all like to be adorned with golden trinklets. So, armed with vitamin M, we went to town to see what we could find.
Oh we found some alright but at what price? At RM135 per gram its no laughing matter. I remember the good old days when gold was around RM30 per gram. That we thought was expensive. Now, you have to sell your grandmother to buy an ounce!
After wandering from shop to shop we learnt that some shops charged exhorbitant prices. It pays to ask around, of course you have to have thick skin and lie and act, you know bad customer and good customer scenerio. The difference for 1 item was a staggering RM1500. It nearly gave us a heart attack, if it wasnt for the Norvase I take every morning! We could have been cheated of so much had we not shopped around and trusted one whom we thought was honest and a "friend" . Well, I am cancelling him out of my 'gold shop to visit list'
Anyway, having spent about 3 hours in town we came back with the securicor truck in tow.....just kidding. Everyone was happy, including the goldsmiths ( ladies). So all in all, we had a good morning. A lesson learnt!
Then we had porridge for lunch. Hey! What do you expect? After spending all that money on jewellery fit for a queen, somethings got to give....hahaha. Thats life in the 'fast' lane in Sandakan.
Oh we found some alright but at what price? At RM135 per gram its no laughing matter. I remember the good old days when gold was around RM30 per gram. That we thought was expensive. Now, you have to sell your grandmother to buy an ounce!
After wandering from shop to shop we learnt that some shops charged exhorbitant prices. It pays to ask around, of course you have to have thick skin and lie and act, you know bad customer and good customer scenerio. The difference for 1 item was a staggering RM1500. It nearly gave us a heart attack, if it wasnt for the Norvase I take every morning! We could have been cheated of so much had we not shopped around and trusted one whom we thought was honest and a "friend" . Well, I am cancelling him out of my 'gold shop to visit list'
Anyway, having spent about 3 hours in town we came back with the securicor truck in tow.....just kidding. Everyone was happy, including the goldsmiths ( ladies). So all in all, we had a good morning. A lesson learnt!
Then we had porridge for lunch. Hey! What do you expect? After spending all that money on jewellery fit for a queen, somethings got to give....hahaha. Thats life in the 'fast' lane in Sandakan.
Decoration Babe style
I am writing 2 blogs at one go cos I have to slip in and grab the computer when one is available. I actually have to ask for permission to use the computer....in my own house!!! All the kids are back so my family room has become a cyber cafe cum YMCA. Things everywhere, mattress/blankets on the floor, bags of clothes or rather bags...the clothes are on the floor, water bottles all over the place...you get the picture right? Pig sty decoration ...and to think that I was so excited to pick them up from the airport days ago !
To tell the truth, its not only the family room that is like a pig sty, all my boys' rooms look like they have been decorated by the same decorator, Babe ! Wont tell you what the toilet looks like....do you think girls are better ? Well, I will never know. Havent got one of those living in my house....hmmm, too bad how sad.
I am now sitting between Douglas and Jordan, both playing an online game, talking to the screen and shooting computer generated soldiers....it is hard to concentrate on what I want to say when you have soldiers dying left right and centre !!!!!...Douglas is talking non stop in english and chinese to his Alienware screen. I didnt know the American soldiers in the game understand chinese ?....hahaha.
Ok, better stop now before I get nightmares of snippers shooting at me tonight. Tomorrow we are going to spend Fred's, Casey's ( maybe not) and Big sister's money at the goldsmith's shop in town. Must help them to generate the sandakan economy. Hope the MPS remembers to lay out the red carpet and the band ready ! oomph pah pah here we come.
To tell the truth, its not only the family room that is like a pig sty, all my boys' rooms look like they have been decorated by the same decorator, Babe ! Wont tell you what the toilet looks like....do you think girls are better ? Well, I will never know. Havent got one of those living in my house....hmmm, too bad how sad.
I am now sitting between Douglas and Jordan, both playing an online game, talking to the screen and shooting computer generated soldiers....it is hard to concentrate on what I want to say when you have soldiers dying left right and centre !!!!!...Douglas is talking non stop in english and chinese to his Alienware screen. I didnt know the American soldiers in the game understand chinese ?....hahaha.
Ok, better stop now before I get nightmares of snippers shooting at me tonight. Tomorrow we are going to spend Fred's, Casey's ( maybe not) and Big sister's money at the goldsmith's shop in town. Must help them to generate the sandakan economy. Hope the MPS remembers to lay out the red carpet and the band ready ! oomph pah pah here we come.
And the eating continues
Well, 4 days down into chinese new year, 11 more days to go. It has been a fairly good year so far.....if you consider eating non stop good that is! We did the usual open house visits. Met the usual crowd of friends. Ate the usual chinese buffet food, roast pork, roast lamb, noodles, sweet sour prawns and mix vege. Drank the usual drinks. Having done this for as long as I can remember, it is no longer as exciting as when I was.......
However having said that, it is a blessing to be able to spend yet another year with family and friends. Somehow the fellowship is more important than the food and the new clothes. The joy of having the kids home for the celebration is priceless.
This year is the first year that I experienced having the kids home for chinese new year. Year before last they were home all the time, well at least 2 of them. So there was no difference. No empty nest syndrome. This year it was even exciting to go to the airport to pick them up one by one......now I know how my parents feel when we go home to visit. Maybe as I walk into the second half of the century I am becoming soft......hahaha.
We have many more nights of feasting at home. Many more delicious fare to lay on the table. Many more nights of nostalgia. Many more childhood secrets to be exposed by your "loves" ones. Now I have an advantage here. I have no family members in Sandakan to tell of my naughty childhood days, not that I was at any time naughty.....my mum doesnt blog so, no watergate here.
Anyway, to cut a long story short, chinese new year is all about feasting , feasting the tummy, feasting the soul, feasting the ego and feasting the friendship. Eat, eat,eat and eat....the chinese recipe for long life, prosperity and happiness.
Trust me ! The chinese civilization is still around, so they cant be wrong. So? What are you waiting for ?. Go eat !!! Why should I be the only one getting fatter !!
However having said that, it is a blessing to be able to spend yet another year with family and friends. Somehow the fellowship is more important than the food and the new clothes. The joy of having the kids home for the celebration is priceless.
This year is the first year that I experienced having the kids home for chinese new year. Year before last they were home all the time, well at least 2 of them. So there was no difference. No empty nest syndrome. This year it was even exciting to go to the airport to pick them up one by one......now I know how my parents feel when we go home to visit. Maybe as I walk into the second half of the century I am becoming soft......hahaha.
We have many more nights of feasting at home. Many more delicious fare to lay on the table. Many more nights of nostalgia. Many more childhood secrets to be exposed by your "loves" ones. Now I have an advantage here. I have no family members in Sandakan to tell of my naughty childhood days, not that I was at any time naughty.....my mum doesnt blog so, no watergate here.
Anyway, to cut a long story short, chinese new year is all about feasting , feasting the tummy, feasting the soul, feasting the ego and feasting the friendship. Eat, eat,eat and eat....the chinese recipe for long life, prosperity and happiness.
Trust me ! The chinese civilization is still around, so they cant be wrong. So? What are you waiting for ?. Go eat !!! Why should I be the only one getting fatter !!
Friday, February 5, 2010
Couch potato sydrome
Why is it that when chinese new year approaches every activity stops? No yoga, no bible class, no meetings.....the reason? Everyone is busy getting their houses ready for the chinese new year. Well, you know, cleaning, polishing, baking cookies ( hahaha), scrubbing the garage floor ( double haha) painting the gate etc etc.
Does this mean that for the rest of the year the house is left to collect dust and rot? Isnt the house always clean? Strange that people only worry about such things just before the new year. That 5 hours of fame when you have an open house, people streaming in to admire your collectibles. That 5 hours when you remove the plastic covers from the furniture. that 5 hours when you put your best china on the table.
I dont recall seeing how clean someone's house is when I visit. I am too excited about chatting and catching up with friends. Guess I am weird huh? So even if the floor is not sparkling, dont think that would spoil my visit. I drink from plastic cups at some open houses, so where's the expensive china.....cant understand what all the fuss is about. People are so busy that they need 2 weeks off to get ready for chinese new year.
The reality is that after all that hard work of cleaning the house for that 5 hours of fame, the guests leave the house so dirty that one wonders whether the guests were people with culture or just plain animals! Well, when I say dirty I mean orange peels on the floor, straws from the packet drinks, servettes in the garden, peanut shells, bits of food and the list goes on. Maybe it would be better to just leave the house as it is and clean after the event. But then again, good luck wont come into a dirty house????...hmmmmm.
Anyway, I will become a couch potato for the next 2 weeks, eating and chatting. I have stopped swimming cos I have just colored my hair. Wouldnt want the chlorine to bleached my expensive dye....hahaha. My yoga teacher will be on leave from today onwards. My ladies sharing group is busy cleaning their houses, guess that leaves me with plenty of time to watch the apples grow!!!
Ok, got to go and keep that dust from landing on the picture frame...chao.
Does this mean that for the rest of the year the house is left to collect dust and rot? Isnt the house always clean? Strange that people only worry about such things just before the new year. That 5 hours of fame when you have an open house, people streaming in to admire your collectibles. That 5 hours when you remove the plastic covers from the furniture. that 5 hours when you put your best china on the table.
I dont recall seeing how clean someone's house is when I visit. I am too excited about chatting and catching up with friends. Guess I am weird huh? So even if the floor is not sparkling, dont think that would spoil my visit. I drink from plastic cups at some open houses, so where's the expensive china.....cant understand what all the fuss is about. People are so busy that they need 2 weeks off to get ready for chinese new year.
The reality is that after all that hard work of cleaning the house for that 5 hours of fame, the guests leave the house so dirty that one wonders whether the guests were people with culture or just plain animals! Well, when I say dirty I mean orange peels on the floor, straws from the packet drinks, servettes in the garden, peanut shells, bits of food and the list goes on. Maybe it would be better to just leave the house as it is and clean after the event. But then again, good luck wont come into a dirty house????...hmmmmm.
Anyway, I will become a couch potato for the next 2 weeks, eating and chatting. I have stopped swimming cos I have just colored my hair. Wouldnt want the chlorine to bleached my expensive dye....hahaha. My yoga teacher will be on leave from today onwards. My ladies sharing group is busy cleaning their houses, guess that leaves me with plenty of time to watch the apples grow!!!
Ok, got to go and keep that dust from landing on the picture frame...chao.
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