Healthy Living - Santan & Raw Eggs

The man whose name is named for the Dewan of Institut Pendidikan Guru (IPG) Keningau, Tan Sri Sufian Koroh was so pleased with IPGK's gesture that he invited the Director of IPG Keningau, my better half to join him in a buffet at the Meridien Hotel. I was told that the Director was specifically reminded to bring along her hubby as well for this luncheon!

It was a lunch meant for his close Murut clan and we were the odd ones among the crowd. He treated us really well and had us seated next to him. As I was pre-warned, I was bombarded with his "lecture" on healthy eating life style: Raw vege, raw meat, raw eggs, spring water taken from mountain stream, santan milk......... He was so proud of not having fallen ill for over a year. He contended that if this goes on for two years, he would write a book about healthy eating habit.

For a man of 82 and with 3 wives, 14 kids and many grand-kids (which he said he lost count), he does look fit and very healthy. These days, no more politics, pursuit of power and fame. Just healthy living. I suppose that's what most "old" people would do.

Local papers published on Saturday were full of news about the IPGK Silver Jubilee. Let these cuttings speak for itself.

The Waiting is Finally Over

I am now blogging at Rafflasia Hospital. Sam has just been wheeled out and I bet it may take awhile before we are able to chat a little.

It has been a tormenting two days toying the idea of "operate" or "don't operate" and coming to the final decision. Of course, it was left at the end entirely to the patient himself.

Still even after a decision has been made and when a friend said otherwise, it still made you wondered whether you have made the correct move.

But after the ordeal, I think the decision to go ahead with the procedure was a correct one. Though the final outcome is not fully known, the reassuring words from the doctor of the procedure's success is comforting. And he further added,"the little piece of soft bone removed will be bottled and given as souvenir!".

Well, still need to wait awhile.................

His first audible words, "It's cold, I need another blanket!"

Welcome back to the real world.

Remove the Junks

The other day, I was having tea at the bread shop with two friends. One of them was saying how difficult it has been this year to get hold of the traditional 365-sheet tear-a-sheet-a-day calendar for 2010. He has been using this type of calendar since time memorial and found it inspiring and even soothing to tear a piece and read its content everyday.

He was proud to have collected boxes and boxes of all the screws he removed from the paper clamps year after year. At that moment, I was reminded of the typical hoarder who would just love to keep things (or junks as some would call them) under the usual pretext:

"Keep this as it may become handy one day" or
"This holds sentimental value" or even
" May be useful for the next generation".

The end result is that huge built-up area of the home meant for comfortable living becomes dead space piled with junks.

I remember in one of Oprah's shows when her invited guest who helps people to overcome hoarding problem has this to say:

"The question to ask yourself is not whether you can use the object, but whether you really will use the object. A good rule of thumb is that if you haven't used an object in over a year - say, you didn't even know it was there until you found it on the bottom of a pile - you probably can live without it".

One resolution for 2010: Stop the hoarding and get rid of the junks. May be easier said than done! Still, there is no harm trying.

Last Day of 2009 - In Keningau

The last day of 2009 was spent in Keningau helping the "Pengarah" to inspect some of her projects. One item to look at was this flying fox.

Earlier, with the incident of the collapse of a steel-cable suspension bridge just two months ago in Perak still fresh in the mind (Read here), I advised the Pengarah to make sure the contractor who was commissioned to build the flying fox to have his design endorsed by a Professional Engineer. Mind you, that collapse cost the lives of two innocent young students! That was another typical case of "Malaysia Boleh " or rather "Tidak Boleh" !

Had it not because of the lack of pulley, I would have probably swung into action ^-^ Just like the picture below!

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We also inspected the new Jungle Trial which I think will be nightmare for many incoming freshie trainee teachers. There is this single-person survival camp (spend a night in the "jungle" with 3 matches, one egg and a handful of rice only) which hopefully will not discourage aspiring students from pursing teaching career!

Imagine what it would be like if those young ladies and men drop into this larvae and tadpoles-infested pond while trying to cross it by hanging onto the suspended pipes!

The Pengarah was contemplating how to set up a rope trail across this bamboo grove.

 

One thing came to mind: Becoming a teacher is becoming more and more challenging but hopefully also fun-filled!

For adventurous visitors to Keningau, you will be assured of exciting time !

2009 is Ticking Away

Dong Zhi, Winter Solstice (冬至)

"Dong Zhi indicates the “arrival of winter”. Coinciding with the winter solstice, it is an occasion for the family to get together to celebrate the good year that they have had.

Unfortunately, we did not have the sweet soup of glutinous rice flour balls - Tang Yuan. It was said that eating Tang Yuan is symbolic of family unity and prosperity.

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Maintaining Christmas tradition and remembering old time

Christmas Eve Thank-giving Dinner

Coming of Age : Tai Chi Master

".......recently one of my contractors has been shooting out emails trying to blame the architects for the cause of the delay in their works and evade from their responsibilities. Assessing such erroneous claim is a very tricky thing. In some ways... it could be a trap"

When I read this comment, I knew that this professional has come of age. This also reminded me of the movie "Just Follow Law".

Some call this management skill, some call this tai chi skill... One thing for sure, you do need this occasionally to survive!

And what is a professional: One who tries his best and works hard, no guarantee on the reliability of the product, fee is chargeable no matter what !

My Blood is Boiling

It can drive you nut when you call and call and sms and there is no response. Wonder what's the point of having a hand phone !

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Then there is this case of a total stranger keeps on calling and bugging me through the hand phone. It all started when a site staff of one of the site offices who drove the company's vehicle and knocked one unfortunate fellow's car.

This victim must have called our staff countless of times for the police report and for his insurance claim but without success. Then there is another staff who chose the easy way out of passing the boss' hand phone number to the victim to allow him to pursue his case all the way to the top. The funny thing is that this staff has since gone silent and was unreachable when he also conveniently decided to switch off his phone.

I told the person-in-charge in no uncertain term to get the report from him by whatever mean by Monday morning latest so that the poor soul can have his case settled.

I hope the ringing will stop.

Hand phone, a curse and a blessing !

PR Role - In Keningau

The PR role that comes with being the “better half” of the Pengarah of IP Keningau turned out to be far more demanding than I had imagined.

It’s not just about showing up, smiling politely, and making small talk in BM. No  - you also need to sing, and yes, even dance! To my surprise, one of the lady lecturers invited me up on stage to dance, while my wife had to partner her Deputy. Suddenly, I found myself under the spotlight, with more than 200 pairs of eyes fixed on us. Talk about pressure!

My dance partner, however, was not amused. Halfway through she complained: “Why do you keep switching to dance with the Pengarah? I’m your partner, not her!”

Well, I did my best to play the role with charm and dignity (at least that’s what I’d like to believe). Hopefully, the audience thought so too. ^-^

Annual dinner as well as birthday celebration for those born from June to December.

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Here we were - singing our hearts out to the delight of the whole crowd.

Dancing the night away - unfortunately, the photographer didn't capture us.

Fashion show of those who wore traditional costumes.
Posing with the king and queen of the night.

No Souvenir...Food Aplenty

This trip, we didn't buy any souvenir as this is not the agenda of the tour. Food being the number one target and sight seeing as the little side kick.

On many occasions, we wished we have the stomachs of camel so as not to miss out the many attractions we found on signboards.

This "Fabric Washing Bridge Kay Si Wan Than Mee" which was found immediately after the Laksa "under the tree" in Penang.

This Black Feet Mountain Chicken in Bidor.

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There were also occasional surprises. For example, in Kuala Lipis where credible Chinese food is hard to locate, we found this Low Kwan Restaurant which is in Jason's recommended list. Main attraction is the Patin fish.

There was this impromptu birthday party hoisted at the little lobby of Hutton Lodge, Penang which was totally unexpected. A cake with toothpicks as candles! Thanks for the ingenuity.

Hutton Lodge: Plenty of memories.......

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My special thanks to Hui Min for her generosity for making available the Lexus to make this trip so much more convenient and hassle free. For me, this trip would have been less fun if I were not on the wheel. I thoroughly enjoyed the driving. No hesitation to do it again.

Teochew Chendul, Penang Road

We were there twice. We had wanted to have a final round the morning we left Penang for KL, unfortunately, it was not yet opened.

Even operating by the road side, 5 people were seen manning the store in full uniform. A little shop lot nearby is for those who would like to savour in the comfort of seats and fans away from sunlight.

Alicia was so fond of it that she was eyeing what little left in her sister's bowl after she finished hers!

 

The little shop is proud of the celebrities who have patronized their outlet. Among them is Lim Guan Eng, Chief Minister of Penang.

Chief Minister of Penang Lim Guan Eng
Characters of Phua Chu Kang

Ms. Garmin the Navigator

The West Malaysia trip turned out to be far more interesting and rewarding then expected. With GPS, Ms. Garmin as the navigator, it has set a new standard for land traveling particularly in searching for food and lodging in unknown territory. With Ms. Garmin, tension between spouses would be a thing of the past.

"Yup, it's the navigating part that can be contentious. I confess that at one point at the start of the trip, the tension between the navigator and the driver got so bad that tempers were flaring up to breaking point".

The photo and quote above illustrate my point. (Sorry for using the photo without prior permission! ^-^).

Of course, there was moment of distress when Ms. Garmin failed to perform. One morning in Penang when we were ready to go after breakfast at Hutton Lodge, Ms. Garmin suddenly failed to load the map despite repeated trials. I really had cold sweat. "How are we going to continue the journey and to go back to KL ?". Not to panic, I made a few calls and finally my Garmin supplier called from KK to give me a few hints of solving the problem. After a few pushing of button here and there, the map finally appeared. What a relief! The adventure could resume.

Ms. Garmin is rated to have done a good job of navigating even with occasional interference and rivalry from the 3 ladies - back seat drivers!

I am sure everyone in the trip has thoroughly enjoyed the tour. I have never heard and seen so much laughter from the 3 sisters. Many untold stories of yester-years were revealed for the first time throughout the trip. I was really touched to see the bond they share and that they are still so opened and frank with each other even after all these years! I wish all siblings can be like this.

At Hakka Restaurant, KL

At Km 0, Kuala Lipis. Interestingly, this point which was first established by the British is regarded by tradition as the centre of Peninsular Malaya.

At entrance to Gua Tempurung, Ipoh

At Istana Kenangan, Kualau Kangsar, Perak
At Bidor

Already, there is talk of another similar tour, may be to the east coast up Kelantan and Thai border or even touring New Zealand.

Just wait and see.

090909

At the stroke of midnight, my hand phone buzzed and I found a greeting from a friend for this unique day.

Many would choose to wed on this 999 thinking it would ensure long lasting and happy marriage. For many, lives just go on as normal. May be it's good time to pause and reflect.

Tennis is in the Gene

After going through some of the old photos, I now realise that tennis in fact is in the gene....

My future wife at a tennis court in Fraser's Hill
during an overnight stay there in 1973.

At a tennis court in Fraser's Hill in an
overnight stay in 1973. Pictured with KC Ho .

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The “tennis coach” wearing a cap in the previous old photo - looking much the same today!