Friday, August 21, 2015

Crossing Another Threshold

We have been thinking of an opportunity to enjoy Paul and Jun Shi's gift which is a 3-course dinner at Peppino of Shangri-La Tanjung Aru Resort.

We decided to spend an evening at Peppino to celebrate someone special's birthday on 18 August.

Many thoughts flashed through my mind as I celebrated this occasion. Indeed, time has moved on so very quickly. I remember a similar dinner treat organised by Serene and Meng How way back in 2006 for the occasion of Father's Day in Promenade Hotel (Read here). Peppino also reminded me of my birthday celebration at the same venue in 2008 planned by Sam (Read here).

Thank again, Paul and Jun Shi!

We are indeed thankful to God for the opportunity to cross another milestone!
Starter: Thinly Sliced Veal Fillet in Tuna Sauce, Capers and
Sundried Tomatoes.
Diavola Style Roasted Half Chicken, Potatoes and Baby Spinach.
Fillet of Salmon, Tomato Panzanella and Basil Pesto.
Dessert: Calamansi Pie, Italian Maringue, Raspberry and
Chili Sorbet.
We were surprised when the staff of Peppino came with a birthday cake and sang the "Happy Birthday Song" to the birthday girl!

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

SIFF 2015: City Parade of Cultural Troupes

When we were driving from Jalan Tun Razak towards the roundabout along Jalan Pantai in Kampong Air on 12 August at around 1.45pm, we were surprised to be stopped by police outriders. I was trying to figure out who the VVIP could be that entered the city centre in the middle of the day and had caused such traffic interruption to the general public.
 
Before I could finish my internal conversation, I heard loud blaring of music and saw contingent of cultural troupes parading along Jalan Pantai towards the KK town centre. It then dawned on me that KK is hosting the 10th Sabah International Folklore Festival from 10 – 15 August 2015. We stopped our car and immediately joined the crowd to witness this rare event. This year, there are 16 troupes from 16 participating countries including host Malaysia. This parade reminded me of the last parade I witnessed in August 2014 in London – The Notting Hill Carnival in West London.
 
I loved the variety and colour of the costumes and the air of festivity. Sabah again proved to be the most ideal place in Malaysia to showcase tolerance and acceptance of cultural diversity.

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Having seen the street parade, we decided that it's worth our time to see the performance by all the troupes at the Penampang Cultural Centre that night which we did.
The Mexican Troupe.
Performance by the Philippines Troupe.
The Latvia Troupe.
The Russian Troupe.

Gracie Moves Towards 2 in KK

We had a pre-celebration of my adorable grand daughter, Gracie’s  2nd birthday on 7 July – just 4 days short of the actual day.

She was truly delighted with the birthday cake bought for her for this special occasion. Her numerous facial expressions speak volume of her happiness to embrace a new phase in her life!
This is my birthday cake!
What? This is not my birthday cake? What are you talking
about?
How many times do I need to tell you, this is my birthday cake!
Hurry up, let’s cut the cake!
Wow! All mine! How am I going to finish it all by myself!
I am thinking! Shall I share this with my korkor?

Thursday, August 13, 2015

Old Friend at Signal Hill Eco Farm

Even though Signal Hill Eco Farm has appeared in my Facebook for quite awhile, I had no idea that the man behind it is in fact a primary school classmate whom I last saw in 1963 at the end of our primary school education (Primary 6). That was 52 years ago!
 
Soon after I made a call to the designated phone number in the FB, a Whatsapp contact with the name of Lee Thien Fook and a photo appeared which finally revealed the true identity of the man behind this Farm.
      
I could tell from the location map in the FB that it would not be easy to find the place at night. So on 29 July, we decided to visit the Farm before the actual dinner date. Still, it took a few wrong turns before we finally found the place.
 
This chap is one person that I would never forget because of a “traumatic” experience I had way back in 1963 when I was in Primary 6 of Lok Yuk Chinese Primary School, KK. I did not know what exactly happened between him and the boy sitting next to him. Somehow, the incident or the conflict must have been very serious that finally warranted a public caning. During the end-of-school assembly, one of them was called to the front by the Principal. This boy being called happened to be the Principal’s son. Just before the caning, the Principal moved to the edge of the school compound and plucked a little tree stem around the diameter of 10mm. That was an instantly made cane after the leaves and tiny branches were removed. Once the boy was made to stand facing the whole school, he lifted the cane and started whacking the boy’s buttock. All the students were in shock and there was dead silence throughout the whole caning duration. To our surprise, this Lee Thien Fook was not called up for similar punishment. We could think of two reasons. Either he was not the aggressor but the victim or the Principal chose his son to “teach” a lesson for the whole school to see. Somehow, it was probably because of the belief that any adverse repercussion would be nil if the recipient of the punishment is the Principal's own son! We were told later that the poor boy had to sleep with his back facing up that night because the injury was severe as a result of the beating!

That was the one and only public caning I have ever witnessed. It was traumatic to watch and it has itched a lasting impression in my mind. I dare not ask my wife whether she has ever carried out such punishment on any of her students. Indeed, it takes a lot of gut to lift and cane and whack!
So on 1 August, our group had our first dinner at this Farm. Owner Lee contended that the Farm used Natural Farming rather than the conventional Organic Farming. The chicken feed that the Farm uses is manufactured in collaboration with a lecturer in University Malaysia Sabah (UMS). He claimed that the feed is added with extract from Tongkat Ali!
 
This is a halal restaurant that serves chicken, fish and duck only – all reared within the Farm. That evening, we only ate chicken and fish. Ducks had all been eaten. Out of the 7 dishes, 5 were vege. For vege lovers, they would love to dine here.