What a year!

Again, it's time for us to ponder and think of all that we have done and all that has happened in the whole 2007. It's been a crazy year.

Personally, I got married. Then my mom left us. It was a shocking sad experience for all of us. But we managed to pull through, thanks to our relatives and friends who guided us through this rough period.

Within our country, ups and downs. Wong Mew Choo made us proud by winning her 1st title, the China Open. We also finished 2nd in the Korat Asean Games. On the downside, Nurin was sexually assaulted and killed in a beasty way. Another girl from Penang, forgotten her name...was killed my her mom's boyfriend, then burned! Shame on u, motherfucka. There has been a few street demonstations, which led to a few arrests. Mat Rempits are more daring these days, racing on the roads despite road blocks being held more often by our fellow policemen. Snatch thief also more daring, more and more cases of citizens injured in snatch cases.

Globally, I'd say, there are just too many happenings. The latest being suicide bombing at Pakistan which killed former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. She managed to avoid death in the 1st attempt by her enemies few weeks earlier, but not everyday is Sunday la.... Suicide bombing is the latest and current trend used by extremists and terrorists in killing their enemies. It proved efficient, but I wonder how these people managed to psycho their followers to just give up everything, especially their OWN LIFE? Phew....what a crazy world...

Anyway, it's the end of the year. I believe many people are taking a long holiday. So am I!!! In just 4 hours, I'll be flying to Korea. It's my 2nd time there, this time for my belated honeymoon. Well, my wife and I are really looking forward to this trip. Hopefully, we don't freeze too much over there and start to regret going during winter.

I still gotta pack, while waiting for my chauffer to arrive. "Chauffer"...u know who u are. Haha.... Thanks a lot man.....and Happy Holidays & Happy New Year 2008.

Weekend Outing

Manage to go back to Melaka last weekend, to meet up with my childhood buddies.

After work, drove down straight away. No jam, but arrived late. Had dinner at Bei Zhan Restaurant, the food there not bad. There were 10 of us, Mick, Myke, Chris, Jason, John, Kia Hau, Alan & wife, Damian and me. Those fellas were lucky to have reached earlier, and played a round of futsal. After dinner, we lepak'ed at Sports Bar. Quite a nice place, minus the noisy music. Watched Liverpool trashed Pompey 4-1. Happy that Mike Lim and Desmond joined us for a few drinks. It's been so many years since we last met Mike Lim. He's in UK now, lecturing; while Desmond is in KL, with Sunway Group. We played pool and dart. Poor John lost the dart game and had to pay for supper, the usual dim sum that we frequent.

Sunday, we were supposed to play tennis in the morning, but as usual, our plan never always come true. Everyone was too tired. So we met at Dr Fabian's house instead. Dr Fabian's daughter, Chong Kar Yee celebrated her 1st b'day. Congrats to Fab. One daughter now, another kid on the way...Phew...u really work hard la... Me and Jason, were supposed to leave earlier, but the traffic in Seremban was bad, so we stayed till 11+. Drove back side by side, reached KL around 1.30am.


It was a tiring weekend, but overall, a nice one. We managed to have X'mas gathering every year, without fail. Hopefully, next year will be a better one, with a few additional members to the family. Fyi, Myke's wife is expecting a baby, due in June. Congrats to u too man...

Looks like I gotta work hard too....hehehehhe....

By the way, I guess none of us took any photo of our gathering this time...altho most of our phones are equipped cameras....sigh....

Winter Solstice Festival

Jennifer Tan sent me this video...it's kinda cute, and it happens everyday. Misunderstanding due judging another person too soon. Have you experienced it before? And then spend hours or days explaining.... Let's just face it, life is tough indeed....



Today is a special festival for the Chinese. It's the Winter Solstice Festival. It's also know as the Winter Festival in China. Small little glutinous rice dumplings (tangyuan) is offered. It's a time for family gatherings.

I, myself, am also going home. I'll be meeting my dad and brothers, then join my frens for a bbq. It's been quite some time since my frens and I had a gathering. I really look forward to this gathering.

X'mas is near, I'd like to wish my readers a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I'll be away this New Year. Where to? I'm not gonna tell you yet. Surprise is good sometimes....

Enjoy your holiday ya....

Time Flies

It's been 2 long weeks that I did not blog. Phew....time really flies. I hardly have time to even check my mails. Frankly speaking, I've been really busy. It's end of the year once again. X'mas is just around the corner, so is New Year 2008. As for me, I have deadlines for my project. We are rushing to handover the houses to the purchasers. Worse still, it rains almost everyday here.

Okay....let's catch up on all the happenings these past 2 weeks.

Last Sat, we(my brothers) went home. It's the 7th week of my mom's passing away. Sunday morning, we got up at 6.30am, went to the pasar borong to buy some fishes(keli, in Cantonese is Sang Yue). We proceded to the Durian Tunggal Dam, made some prayers, then let free of the fishes. We believe this will bring good merits to my late mother, wishing that she might not be reborn into this cruel world again, or if she is being rebirth, may she rebirth onto the higher plane of existance. This is the believe of the Buddhists.

At almost noon, we went to the Jelutong Columborium, waited for the monk to arrive, and had some prayers. Altho we are all still sad that this misfortune has happened to us, still, we chit chatted with all relatives who came on that day. We proceeded to have vegetarian lunch, then waved bye bye to all who came.

At night, after saying good bye to my dad, we left. I could remember seeing my dad as a cheerful man 2 months back. He used to crack jokes and all would laugh. But things has changed. He has more white hair than before. He is very much quieter than before. And seldom put a smiling face in front of us. He really changed a lot. Physically, I mean. I could feel the environment in the house not as warm before. I really hope all these negative impacts will go away soon. I'm not blaming anyone, just that I feel it's different nowadays. Sigh....how I wish I could go home and enjoy mom's home cook food......and chit chat with mom and dad like we used to be....

Well, mom, you have been a great mom. We will never forget you, in our lifetime. We will cherish you, and remember all the good things that you have taught us. You are the best mom in the whole wide world. Thank you mom......

Other happenings....I bought a Christmas Tree....still got no time to decorate it. Will do my X'mas shopping later in the week. Hopefully Teluk Intan got nice and cute decos to hang on the tree.

Miss World 2007

Congrats to Zhang Zilin from China for being crowned Miss World 2007.

I did not watch the finals event but from the photos, I can see that she looks quite normal. I was expecting our really beautiful (maybe the most beautiful of all Malaysian contestants over the years) Boleh-sian Miss Deborah Priya Henry to be in the top 3 but she only lasted the last 16.

Anyway, what I'm trying to say here is, most contest in China thesedays has lost it's spark. It's a beauty contest, but the most beautiful did not win. And in the badminton China Open and Hong Kong open lately, there have been some bad calls by the umpire, even when the linesman did say the opposite. I'm quite worried by this upcoming 'unfriendly' and 'unsportsmanship' trend. Next year is the Olympics, and hosted by Beijing. If this dishonest and unfair decisions are being brought into the Olympics, then I think it's really going to be a big problem to the host country. I'm not gonna complain much here 'cos here in Malaysia, it happened too. Remember Andrea Fonseka? Those who do not know or forgotten about it, just google it thru.

It doesn't matter wether it's about me being a Malaysian or of Chinese background. I was born here and grew up here as a Boleh-sian. I believe there have been some racial incidents lately, but there is nothing that will stop us living harmoniously in a multi racial country like what we've been doing for the past 50 years. No matter what, I'm still up for fair game. IBF, do something about it ya....

Blogging...FROM HOME

I'm so glad this is the first time I'm blogging from home.

I've just got my modem from Streamyx. The installation is so simple, and I'm connected straight away. Phew...thumbs up to Streamyx.

Anyway, I'm not gonna make full use of it now, 'cos I'm so tired. I'm gonna sleep. Good night!

Malaysia BOLEH???

Congrats to Wong Mew Choo, our national heroine. Being the first female Boleh-sian to win a major Open Circuit, she definitely makes all of us proud.

I was quite bored yesterday, so I youtubed for videos and I found this. Anyway, thanks to YB Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob that the gesture he showed is finally accepted in our Boleh-sian lifestyle. You are indeed our Hero! Hats off to you too....

Please pass on...THIS MAY SAVE A LIFE !

JPJ has done extensive testing on a newly designed seat belt. Results show that accidents can be reduced by as much as 45% when the belt is properly installed. Correct installation is illustrated below.......

Just for laughs...hope it brightens up your day....

3 weeks passed

I just came back from Melaka yesterday. Went back to pray my late mother. It's been 3 weeks. We are supposed to pray for the 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th 7 days. That's the Chinese Tradition. Well, wether we believe it or not, we will do it. Remembering the days when my mom was alive, she really did so much for us, and expected nothing in return. I was thinking, what is the purpose of a human being in this world? You come, just to continue the human chain? Or you have other purposes in life? Phew... it's a hard one. I can't really tell. Can you? Can anyone tell?

Anyway, I'll be going home again in 2 weeks. Anyone wants a lift to the Ol' Historical Malacca?

Lady Rain

Guess what...it's a Saturday afternoon and I'm still in the office. Like what I always say "Bang, cari makan susah la....". It's raining cats and dogs again, YES...AGAIN!!! The weather here in Malaysia towards the end of the year is always wet. Some may like it, some may not. For me, I think it's bad for the construction industry. Works are delayed due to the rain, and after the rain, the working conditions are really bad. I'm not gonna complain too much here, 'cos there's nothing I can do about it.

I'm wondering what my families and frens are doing right now.
My day, maybe working...just like me.
My brothers, sleeping....perhaps.
My frens.....arrrgghhh....lucky fellas.
Mick is in Cambodia, holidaying. Chris is in China, holidaying. James too is in China. Mike Ang, at home I guess...talking to his yet to be born baby. John, sleeping...what else??? Zach, still working, just like me. Dr. Fab, snaking....and Damian, probably flirting with some SIA flight attendants.

Well well....Forrest Gump once said "Life is like a box of chocolate." You'll never know what you gonna get. Life is so unpredictable. If you ask me, am I still thinking of my late mother? Hmm...Yes I do. It's a norm. After all, we are all human beings. Anyone would do that, won't they? Especially on a rainy Saturday afternoon....

I'd like to share with you a pretty nice song. I always think of this song on rainy days, and it brings me back to my teenage years...those were the happy go lucky times. Nothing much to worry about, only exams...Do u guys feel the same? Is there a certain moment when you'll sit down and slowly dream away... to those cherisable moments in your younger days?

Anyway...Enjoy the song...

p/s: u gotta silent the Avril song on the left

Lady Rain by Indecent Obsession

There were times when the sky would bring me nothing
Except the smell of the rain at summertime
So I left my window open just to let you come inside
Saying that you'd never leave me was a lie

Well there were times that my eyes were filled with water
But all the world was desert dry
So I hugged my pillow closer and I tried to close my eyes
But the sound of distant thunder made me cry.....

Lady Rain, I hear you at my window
Lady Rain, I need you softly falling on my face
Why did the sunshine come and take you away?
I'd wait for you again, my Lady Rain.....

I hear the sound of her breathing in the darkness
And autumn rain can turn to snow in the night
I'll be sleeping this September, but I'll leave the fire light
Just in case you feel like coming 'round again

Lady Rain, I hear you at my window
Lady Rain, I need you softly falling on my face
Why did the sunshine come and take you away?
I'd wait for you again, my Lady Rain.....

And late at night,when you pour down on me
You're just in time to wash all the tears away....

Human or Ape?

They have always rejected the Charles Darwin theory, but we all know that ACTION SPEAKS LOUDER THAN WORDS. They have proven it once again. Enjoy the video especially the final 60 seconds...Oh boy, these University students really behave like APEs....

One Wedding & Three Funerals

From the title above, you may know that this is indeed going to be a very sad post...

27.10.2007

07:30 - My cameraman, Daryl called, telling me that he's going to arrive in 5 mins. I was still in a slight hang-over/tired condition, due to the bachelor night. Some of my childhood friends drove all the way from KL and Singapore and arrived slightly past Midnight. Felt a bit dizzy but nevertheless, today was my BIG DAY. A BIG YES, it's my BIG DAY!!!

08:00 - Mike Ang arrived, smartly dressed. I was impressed. I took a shower, combed my hair, wore my clothes and went outside. It was a bright day, thank God, no dark clouds.

08:30 - Almost all my 'brothers' had arrived. I wore my tie, and prayed to God before leaving my house to grab my (future) wife home. It's a tradition for our parents to help us wear the coat, symbolising "son, u r a big man now!".

09:00 - As I walked into the bridal car, I shook the hands of all my hengtai's (brothers) and gave them a hug. They were the ones that I grew up with, they are the ones that I cherish and they will be the ones that will stay by my side whenever I needed them most. (True enough!)

09:30 - We arrived at the hotel where the bride stayed. Gave an ANGPOW to her brother who was given the honour to open the door for the GROOM.


Now here comes the entertaining part, the bride's sisters' were supposed to put some tests for the GROOM to show how much HE loves HER. 'Easy' I would say, I passed with flying colours. There were 4 flavours, SWEET, SOUR, BITTER AND HOT, of which I'm asked to eat. I'm alright with all except for the last one. Of course, my brothers came to the rescue and swallowed some 'cili padi's. I then sang 2 songs and gave paid my ransom before being allowed to see my beloved BRIDE.

Single and Available...Any takers?

10:15 - Kneeled down before my bride, and put the ring onto her 4th right finger. Then took a few photos with her family and relatives, before heading back home. In old tradition, a newly wed couple has to go back to the in-law's house on the 3rd day, but in modern tradition, what we did was go round the hotel 3 times, and back into the hotel room. And that's all!

11:00 - Reached home. Prayed to God, then to our ancestors, and then 'tea ceremony'. After the tea ceremony, everyone took turns to take photos with the newly-weds. Of course, we took a family photo. Not knowing that this 'complete' family photo turned out to be the last with my mom, and also her last photo alive. We can see that she smiled and was happy during the photo session.

Soon after, I carried my bride into the room where we spend a few good minutes together.

A virgin boy was asked to poke the wrapped saliva pot (i don't know the meaning of this), and a few boys were called to jump on the bridal bed(a believe to have many many kids especially boys). Oh! I should have asked John to join in the fun! (John, don't angry ya)

The party ended at around 2pm, and everyone went home to get ready for the wedding dinner.

17:00 - I was at the hotel preparing for the final countdown. My wife was doing her make-up.

18:00 - My mom and mom-in-law arrived. My mom complained of blurred vision and dizziness. Her left hand soon felt numb and she can't stand straight. I knew something was not right, immediately called my childhood friend, Dr. Fabian. When he arrived 10 minutes later, my mom's condition was better, being able to walk properly and her left hand was alright. Dr. Fabian said she had a mild stroke and advised us to send her to hospital.

19:00 - The wedding party started, everyone was puzzled why my mom wasn't with us. I just said she's not feeling well and needed a rest.

I'm not going to go into details about the dinner 'cos I myself wasn't too sure what was going on, except that I had a few friends taking care of the whole situation, the slideshow, the music, the effects, etc.

I gotta thank my relatives and friends who came from near and far for this occassion. Cheers!

22:30 - Dinner ended. We got a small birthday cake for the Michael's, Ang and Song.

23:00 - Waited for the last few guests to leave and rushed my mom to the hospital.

28.10.2007

00:00 - Immediately got her into Emergency ward, the doctors and nurses gave her a few needles and then sent her to ICU.

02:00 - Mom was still able to talk and her condition was ok. She asked us to leave.

10:30 - Went back to the hospital, we got a shock of our lives! Her condition before we left and now is totally different. She couldn't move, she couldn't see us. She was breathing so deep and hard we could hear it. A nurse told us she had another stroke at 5 in the morning. She was semi-conscious. Tears started to roll from our eyes. We knew it's too late. There was nothing we could do. We could have stayed and accompany her, but we did not! We could have talked to her but we did not! There were just so many "we could have....but we did not" coming out of our minds.

Eventually, it's a bitter pill to swallow. We did stay on and talked to her in her ears. We knew she could hear us. At times when we talked about the sad things, there were tears dripping from her eyes. I'm serious! It's true!

She sufferred for more one day before she passed away peacefully at 12:05 the next day. Everyone was freaking shocked! So were we, and we still are.

She did not have the chance to be a grandma. She did not have the chance to enjoy life. Worse of all, she did not have the chance to even say her last words!

Well, if I look at it in a negative point of view, it's me who has caused her to be over-stressed and over-worked due to my wedding, and it's my fault.

If I look at it in a positive point of view, she has always wanted to see one of her sons get married, and she was so strong, altho suffering, still managed to last till she see me got married and peacefully go away.

No matter what I think, it's not going to change the fact. The fact is - she's gone. I now bear the responsibility to take care of my father, and my brothers. I'll have to make sure that they lead a better life from now onwards. My mom was always worried of my brothers, my youngest brother 16, exposed to the most vulnerable period of his life. As a teenager, he wants freedom, otherwise he'll rebel. One wrong move will lead to disaster.

Before my mom left us, I promised her to take care of the whole family. "Mom, I will keep my promise"; and we will always pray for you....

The next 3 days was cold and quiet. Everyone was busy doing things, preparing for her funeral. It's so taxing but we knew she had gone thru worse things in her life bringing us up. We stood together and with the support of our relatives and friends, we managed to pull through the worst few days of our lives, together, as a family.

After the whole episode, my dad told us that although he was very sad, seeing all his relatives and friends going thru difficult times together with us, he felt touched and happy. I felt the same too, some friends who had just left Melaka to be back at work, upon hearing the news of my mom's demise, they drove all the way back from KL and Singapore! Bro, I'm so touched!!!!

As for me, I've gone thru 2 major events of my life, all in a short span of 3 days. It's like climbing Mount Kinabalu at one point, and fell down hard. I knew you guys are always around me, giving me moral, mental and pyhssical support. I will stand up, walk and climb again. This time I'm going to climb Mount Everest. Pray for me guys....

To all my relatives and friends who were there giving me support thru and thru, thank you so much. I won't forget that you guys are a great bunch of people....you'll always have a place in my heart.

My friend said this to me over supper the other day, no matter what happens to me, even if I die, i'll never get to see my mother again. It's really true. So guys, call your loved ones, spend more time with them, cherish them.

I almost forgot, the other 2 funerals? I posted about the demise of John's grandma a few weeks ago. And we all know that Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong also passed away in recent weeks. My condolences to all who has lived meaningfully and left us for good, may your souls rest in peace...