D' Family-Musical Group of the 70's

Recently I manage to get hold of two very old photo albums, which are in the 'very safe custody' of my mum, so get to borrow it home, view through & scan using my BenQ (an average quality scanner)........ and there I found a group photo of my family, each holding a musical instrument owned by my late father.

As I've said in my earlier blog, my dad is a 'musical talent' in a sense, as he can play any musical instruments that he could get hold of. Not only that, he can even come up with a musical instrument made out of wood or even coconut shells. I still recall when he make himself the Erhu, a Chinese Violin or chinese two-stringed bowed instrument which he later enjoyed playing with it, especially after his tiring day's work in the hospital.

Let me share with you some of the old photos which are in black & white and though it's not that clear but the sweet memories of each photo are the things that matters most..........

My younger brother with the guitar (Left)
Me & my dad with his electric guitar (Right)

D' Family-Musical Group of the 70's
My dad with his Piano Accordion, brothers each with a guitar, my sister another of dad's wind musical instrument & me with the violin

My mum & me [in action]..........

Dog included when planning for a holiday.......

For our family whenever we plan to go off for a holiday, we also need an extra plan for our pet dog 'Darkie'. To dog lovers, you'll understand, but for those who don't have a pet dog at home, you must be thinking that I talk nonsense!!

This morning I pay a visit to one of Kuching's Pet Shop 'Amazing Pet' situated at Rock Road to enquire on the boarding services which they provide for all kinds of home pets. Guess what I saw????? Different kinds of cute dogs include Hush Puppy, cats & rabbit, just to name a few. Each time we take a break for a holiday we will send our dog for boarding, at Verterinary Clinic or Pet Shop which cater for such a service. Meaning to say, whenever we take a vacation our pet dog gets to have the opportunity for a special stay at some pet's hotel..........

"Dogs have given us their absolute all. We are the center of their universe. We are the focus of their love and faith and trust. They serve us in return for scraps. It is without a doubt the best deal man has ever made".

~ Roger Caras ~

Another special day for the 'grands.....'

It's September 13th, another grand day for all grandparents! Here's a short, meaningful poem to share with all........

"The history of grandparents is remembered not with rose petals but in the laughter and tears of their children and their children's children. It is unto us that the lives of grandparents have gone. It is in us that their history becomes a future".

~ Charles & Ann Morse ~

"Always Think Positive"

No matter how rough and winding our road of life are, we must never allow those negative forces to over-rule our minds, hearts, thoughts and most of all our precious life!! Having a strong determination to continue pursuing to reach our goals and objectives can only make situations possible for us. When making a serious decisions in life, we really need to think positively so as to make a wise decision, a decision which we'll never regret throughout our life. The right to make a personal self decision lies in our own hands, so I strongly believe that what other people think is not important. As long as we've made a right, worthy decision for our self and always think positive, then it's considered reaching our dreams..........

Today is Positive Thinking Day, so if you've not been thinking positively then why not give it a start and I assure you that you'll never regret.

"The happiest person is the person who thinks the most interesting thought"
~ Timothy Dwight ~


"Have a nice day"

5 Simple Rules To Be Happy!

To be happy is everyone's intention, so why not just try out these five simple rules, after all there is nothing to loose!

"Happiness consists of living each day as if it were the first day of your honeymoon and the last day of your vacation"

Through the pages of my working life......... [Part 4]

I really have indeed spent three quarters of my working life in this so called place 'Store' which then change its name to Warehouse Operation & Materials Management...... finally to Malaysian Logistics.

Here's to recall some moments and memories which I've not captured in my earlier Blog, both in words & old photos to be shared with all friends & readers........

Attending courses or trainings in relation to our scope of duty is a requirement for all staffs. In the early years, most of the specific courses are conducted in the Training Centre in Kuala Lumpur, which is Jalan Gurney. I remember attending a course there during the landas season, and due to the non-stop heavy downpour the training centre was flooded. Water gushes into the lifts which leads to our hostel (as the hostel area is low lying), and goodness me, I have to climb 19 floor up and down each day. I still recall at one evening the flood water was so high that we can't even cross over to the canteen to have our dinner. Being so hungry and inhaling the smell of nice foods surrounding us........ oh! it's an experience which I cannot forget!! In actual fact the water doesn't subside, luckily some good samaritan men get some tables, over-turn it to make boats, so we, the ladies climb onto it and they pull us over to the other side which is the higher ground, to get our food and then back again to our hostel after dinner - May God Bless them all!

Another bitter moment which I'll never forget is moving our store materials from the existing place to another building few yards away using a Wheelbarrow!! Surprise right?? Though we have our company's vehicle but during peak time when the vehicle is out, the only available thing for us to use is wheelbarrow. And just to elaborate, our materials are not put in one place but all over the different parts of the building and worst is the new place is double-storey, meaning to say, we need to carry some of the materials up to the 1st floor! Thinking about it really makes my bones and body feel aching!!

Later, the whole store was moved to Bintawa and being surrounded by Fertilizer Plants just can't imagine how we all suffered during those period of time - the horrible smell and small particles drifting all over........ I remember at one time I get this problem of hair-dropping, so have to put on a hat whenever I go outside, I wonder anyone remember the lady with the 'big-red' hat!!! Another unavoidable problem I face at that time is the throat & skin allergy.

- Taken at the canteen of the training centre in KL in 1990
- I always remember the blue plastic plate with many compartments & the blue cup
- All the 3 meals (breakfast, lunch & dinner) are being served there






Taken at Dewan Suarah "Majlis Makan Malam" on 18/12/1989
(Left) A group singing
(Right) My colleagues & I smiling away......


- Taken in 1990 at Holiday Inn Pool Side
- Atur Vendors' Night
- Duet with Nancy & the band members from Telekom








(Top Left) Me & my colleague (Mr. William) doing Stock Taking at Limbang Store
(Top Right) "Action" in the office of Angela Bine Bari
(Bottom) Group photo with the In-Charge & colleagues from Limbang Store

'Radio Day 090909'

What a coincidence......... for 'Radio Day' to fall on this day with beautiful digits of 090909!!

As I was looking at the date on my cell phone for purpose of parking my car at one of Kuching's popular shopping center, there I come to realise "Wow! today's date is special 090909". I was in the midst of tearing the parking coupon when all of a sudden I heard the announcer from Lite Fm mentioning that today is Radio Day!!

Talking about radio, we really ought to thank the person who invented it. From as long as I can recall, this small electronic device has been of so much use since I was young till now....... Everyday we make use of it to catch the latest happenings around us, and when we are caught in a traffic jam it never fails us by keeping us entertained. When we travel long journey it has been our best companion, accompanying us throughout our boring journey without fail.

On this special day, we are not only thankful for the person who invented this special device but special thanks also to all the announcers who accompany us day in and day out - being the earliest to leave their home each morning and the last to leave their radio station at the end of the day. "Thank you for the job well done!!" & May God bless you all always".

Watermelon, the presentable thirst-quencher

The most juiciest fruits which most of us will thirst for during this hot, dry season is the mouth-watering Watermelon........... Normally, it doesn't need to be beautifully cut, decorated or presented on a 'silver platter' to serve this fruits, but let me share with you some better ways of serving it, which I think will send us craaaaving for it........ yum.....yum.......

Something to reflect.........

As I was attending Church Mass yesterday morning, I met one of my Grand Auntie (my grandmother's 3rd sister). Surprisingly she came and sit next to me, but hardly recognise me until I greeted her. That's the norm of old people, that's why me & my husband always remind our children to greet the elders first in case they meet any one of them as the younger people have better memories than the old.

Since it is still early so we both have the opportunity to chat and update each other on our family members and relatives. In her sad tone, she also mentioned that she haven't meet up with any of those relatives for a long time.

That short chat really makes me reflect on our precious life which many seems to neglect and many opportunities slip by without giving it a thought and it is only when we are old and lonely that we realise how precious those wasted time, lives & opportunities are to each and everyone of us.

The best time & opportunity for us to get acquainted with our cousins, family members & friends are during the time of our childhood days..... why?? Well, when we are young we tend to go where our parents goes, such as visiting our relatives & friends. But, how many can recall being very close to their cousin brothers or sisters???? At that tender age, it is never easy to be close with them, instead there seems to be more quarrels & fights than friendship! I think you will all agree with me. Reflecting on those childhood days sometimes makes me smile, laugh or grin cos' our thoughts, feeling and acts are childish, sometimes I wish how good if "we can think how we are thinking now".

As we grows older, graduated from studies, off to work and some might be settling down, thus there will be no more opportunity for us to get together with our relatives & friends. Everyone is busy with their own tight schedules and mind you, this will ding-dong on for the next 35 years or more, till we retire. It will only be then that we come to realise "well, where are all my relatives & friends?????"

The Nature of a MOTHER

I belief it is by nature that 'A Mother's worries has no end'. No matter how young or old, near or far our children may be, in our everyday life we are always showing our undying concern for them & silently praying for them.

To recall the scenarios of my children's first time driving a car, on their own, after they've got their driving license has always been hard for me. I still remember when my eldest son starts driving and during Christmas Caroling he's involved and every night he will be back home after midnight, sometimes at 1 or 2 in the morning. I dare say that I can only lie awake every night in my bed, unable to fall asleep, until I hear the sound of his reaching home safely then can I turn in for the night, which by then is already morning. The same situation goes for my daughter too...... and now....... my youngest son, Aaron.

This morning he's driving on his own, for the first time to the St. Joseph's Catherdral for a youth 'Tea-Coffee' sale (something like that), supposedly to reach the church by 6 am. As he sets his alarm clock at 5.15 am, and even before it rings I am already up way much earlier.

Guess, all these curiosity & worries are the concerns of all mothers towards their children which comes just naturally. But, I do wonder - is there any other mothers who doesn't feel that way??? Maybe there is....... and maybe not?????? Whatever it is, I believe that it is a norm as it is the nature of a mother to behave as such...........

Through the pages of my working life......... [Part 3]

For easy reading purposes, my earlier Blogs which I've shared on my working life are dated as follows: February 22nd 2008, June 22nd 2008, November 1st 2008 & November 15th 2008.

As promised in my earlier Blog, I am here to share in pictures/photos the happy times that we've had, apart from work-sweat, work-sweat, work-sweat.........

Farewell Dinner for Mr. Arthanari (Officer-In-Charge) on his retirement at Sri Satok Coffee House



Farewell Dinner for Mr. Teo during his retirement

Farewell Party for Mr. William on his retirement in the store premise

Farewell Party for Mr. Lawrence on his retirement in 1990



Another Farewell Lunch for Mr. Richard on his retirement at Rajah Court
The singing king & queen of store...... Dihi & Me!

Staffs from throughout Malaysia attending a Workshop in Kota Kinabalu in 1995
Our Sarawak Team, taken during the Night Dinner (Top, Left)
Group photo during our visit to KK Store (Top, Right)
Group photo taken at the venue of our Workshop (Bottom)

Through the pages of my working life......... [Part 2]

Unending efforts in applying for a permanent job finally becomes a 'dream comes true' for me after my four short months as a Temporary Enumerator in the Statistics Department.

On 2nd March 1981 I was appointed as a Storekeeper which is known as Penyelenggara Stor Tingkatan Biasa in the Telecommunications Department, Kuching. I still recall on the morning of my reporting duty at Were Road, I am having this mixed feelings all inside me....... knowing not what to expect! Though I feel happy & curious, at the same time there is this feeling of fear and worries.......

After reporting duty to Staff Department, I was being asked to report to a Senior Technical Assistant who later gave me a lift to my base station at Jalan Tenaga, Pending, which is quite a distance from the place I reported for duty.

Upon reaching the place called STORE, I was met by a Store Officer, who was the incharge and was later introduced to the rest of my up-coming colleagues. The first thing I observe is 'It's a man's world!' Sure enough, I am the 'Rose among the thorns'. Somehow I was greeted with smiles & warm welcome from all those strong man - it's does relief me though!

Spending 20 years three and a half months of my life in this solid place called Store; going through hardships being a lady working in a man's world; using up lots of my strength to lift heavy loads; perspiring 'tons' of sweat, and...... and..... I've some write-ups in my much earlier blog, so if you are interested, go search & grab those reading articles for your reading pleasure.

After 9 years of hard work, determination & commitments, I was promoted to Senior Storekeeper on 1st December 1990. This really is the 'fruits of my harvest!!' A promotion means more responsibilities added onto my scope of duty, thus being put in charge of the whole Warehouse Operations. Though it's a heavy burden on my shoulder and despite my busy work schedules, day in and day out, one thing I never forget is 'Prayer'. I greatly believe that it is through prayer that all my heavy burdens are being lifted physically & spiritually and I am able to continue each day of my working life without much problems. I really praise and thank God for his constant presence in my life each day!

So much for this write-up & sharing, will put up some old photos in remembrance of the many great days of our lives (me and my colleagues) spent in the Store in my next blog. So, watch out for it dear friends........

Why, Oh! Why??

Why, Oh! Why?? are Kuching drivers becoming more and more irresponsible!! I really can't understand WHY??

Since young we have all been taught many things in life....... apart from what we learn, we also observe people around us - what to do and what not to do!!

Being road users adhering to emergency SIRENS such as Ambulance, Fire Engines & Police have been every individuals responsibility. The simple reason being "It involved the life of someone". BUT there are still some irresponsible individuals out there who simply just IGNORE the importance of such a siren!!

Just to share an incident........ while I was on my way home just now, I saw an ambulance with it's siren on, struggling to drive through the 'red' traffic light as the moving vehicles from the 'green' light refuse to stop and give way to the poor ambulance........ Oh! what a sight indeed!!!

As I was thinking...... and thinking........ I just wonder???? Are those drivers really 'DUMB', pretending to be 'DUMB' or trying to take opportunity??????

Perfection.........

I belief in this simple phrase 'No one is perfect!' Though we are human, but we are never born the same: some are strong while others are weak; some rich but others poor; some are born more intelligent, beautiful, successful & luckier than the others, and many more. In my personal opinion, as long as we feel satisfied with the things that we pursue or do and is happy with our life, it is considered 'Perfection'. I also strongly feel that perfection cannot be measured and compared from one person to another as it very much depends on the individuals.

Another important factor which relates to perfection or self satisfaction in today's era is 'CHANGE'. Though, with drastic changes of new and modern technology, it's not surprising that there are still many who cannot adapt changes in their life. No one can deny change in today's 'ever changing world' and needs to bear in mind that things will not stay the way they are and we all need to change in order to move ahead.

Here's a beautiful short poem which best support my views on 'perfection'.

"Action and reaction, ebb and flow, trial and error, change -this is the rhythm of living.
Out of our over-confidence, fear;
out of our fear, clearer vision, fresh hope;
And out of hope, progress".
~ Bruce Barton ~

"If we don't change, we don't grow.
If we don't grow, we aren't really living".
~ Gail Sheehy ~

A whole new month.......

To recall...... it wasn't long that I welcome the month of August in my blog, but somehow in just a glimpse of time, it's another whole new month - September!! So, I'm here to say.........

and may we all have another great month to look forward to as well as 'Do, Think & Act Right' so as to stay healthy and have a happier life & May God Bless You All!!