You Only Live Once

Spare a Moment and Pray

On 12th May 2008, a magnitude of 8.0 earthquake struck the south-central region of China. Hardest hit is the Sichuan province, China. 70,000 people died.

Journey of A Mother

 

Happy Mother's Day !

Retirement

The common word heard spoken recently is "Retirement".

First, one of our clients, a design-and-build contractor asked us to help to look for a GM since the current GM who is a retired JKR engineer has finally decided to "retire" after working 3 years after his first retirement at 55. His reason of not wanting to work anymore is that he no longer needs to work since all his children have graduated.

Then there is this shocking news of Justine Henin's announcement of retiring from tennis at the age of just 25 when she is ranked first in WTA. Like Paul said,"She is burnt out !".

The No. 1 lady golfer Annika Sorenstam also announced her retirement from golf.

But then if one has no specific plan of what to do after retirement, life would really be boring........

Travel to Heaven

Travel to Heaven

This 85 year old couple, having been married almost 60 years, had died in a car crash. They had been in good health the last ten years mainly due to her interest in health food, and exercise.
When they reached the pearly gates, St. Peter took them to their mansion which was decked out with a beautiful kitchen and master bath suite and Jacuzzi.
As they "oohed and aahed", the old man asked Peter how much all this was going to cost.
"It's free," Peter replied, "this is Heaven."
Next they went out to survey the championship golf course. They would have golfing privileges everyday and each week the course changed to a new one representing the great golf courses on earth.
The old man asked, "What are the green fees?".
Peter's reply, "This is heaven, you play for free."
Next they went to the club house and saw the lavish buffet lunch with the cuisine's of the world laid out. "How much to eat?" asked the old man.
"Don't you understand yet? "This is heaven, it is free!" Peter replied with some exasperation.
"Well, where are the low fat and low cholesterol tables?" The old man asked timidly.
Peter lectured, "That's the best part...you can eat as much as you like of whatever you like and you never get fat and you never get sick. This is Heaven."
With that the old man went into a fit of anger, throwing down his hat and stomping on it, and shrieking wildly.
Peter and his wife both tried to calm him down, asking him what was wrong.
The old man looked at his wife and said,
"This is all your fault. If it weren't for your blasted brain muffins, I could have been here ten years ago!"

1969 Vs 2008

Last Friday, I attended a wedding dinner of the son of one of my former secondary school classmates of Lok Yuk School, KK. We had the chance of meeting up with old friends whom we have not seen for some time. All show sign of having been "ravaged" by the passage of time. It's hard to believe that almost half a century has passed since those days when we were secondary school boys and girls!

 

I thought it would be interesting to see what almost 40 long years have done to us. But by their faces, they look a happier bunch in 2008 compared to 1969 then!

An Eating Place Called "Remember to Eat"

I was in KL again on 25 April 2008 to attend a meeting in Putrjaya. I met up with My wife who also happened to be in KL for her meetings and official obligations.

We met up with Minmin's family for a meal and dessert at this place called "Remember to Eat" at Plaza Low Yat, Bukit Bintang. The Sesame Dessert is not bad.

The sweet young lady next to me is now in U already ! Well, that's another milestone in life.

The Dessert in front is Mango Loh.

Cute

It is rare to find kid who is so willing to pose and be photographed. I find him very adorable! On the way back from Kluang to Sri Gading, My wife kept asking him to tell stories and sing songs. He obliged and before long, he was just too tired to carry on and fell asleep.

When I was at the wheel and he was telling stories, I was for some moments thought that I was back in the 80's listening to my kids telling stories. Somehow, non-Caucasian English-speaking kids sound very similar. Yea, stop dreaming!

A Short Trip to Kluang

Da Shau (大嫂) appeared more health conscious than the last time I saw her some 6 or 7 years ago. From the amount of publications and pin-ups on health-related issues, I suggested to her to consider giving health talks to interested public.

I was impressed with the way she displays the photo's of relatives and loved ones on the countertop in her living room. I saw a lot of familiar faces !

Sri Gading as at April 2008

This is one of the places in Malaysia where time stands still. This little town hardly has undergone any major change since I first saw it in 1974.

One of the changes however is a new sundry shop called Xian Kiat Trading. The boss is none other than my wife's 3rd brother. The "little boss" seen in the photo is proud of his shop!
Talking about this little boss, I am indeed amazed by his "photographic mind". At the tender age of three and a half, he "reads" the Entertainment page of the newspaper to pick up the TV programme of the day. Somehow, over time, he is able to pick up and compare the programme titles as shown in TV as against those printed in the newspaper. He can correctly tell you what is going to be shown in the TV by looking at the newspaper. Pretty amazing!

Lundong sold in one of the little food stores by the road side built on top of the drain was delicious.

Another morning, we had roti cannai at another nearby food outlet acclaimed to serve the best roti cannai in Sri Gading. The roti cannai man was really competent in that he handled taking of order, cooking the roti cannai and acting as cashier all at the same time.

Looking at the apron worn by the roti cannai man, I thought he is a member of the "Bersih" movement that had caused "havoc" to the Malaysian Government just before the election. My wife thought otherwise. He wore it probably just to prove he was serious in upholding good and hygienic food handling practice !

When we wanted to make an order for gong-gong, the roti cannai man simply said that he knew what is the usual order for him.

That proves one point: He must have been there countless times eating the same thing over and over again!

At first, I could not believe that there is a road named after my wife's Dad. I was proven wrong when I was finally led to the Jalan not far from the Xian Kiat Trading.