Indeed I am Glad!

There are many endless things which makes me glad, from little  things to something big. Recently, I came across a meaningful picture with only a few words which was posted on Facebook. By just looking at it, I immediately say to myself "YES, Indeed I am Glad!"  If you are lost with what I am talking about, let me share with you this image.  You will truly agree with me if you are growing up in the same era as me or before me....

Well.... those childhood days, so carefree, healthy and get to run around and socializing with our neighbours' children; playing games of Hopscotch, "Hello Mr. Tiger,"  Rope Skipping, Marbles and many more marvelous games.

Disappearing into the forest behind our houses we get to pick fresh ferns and proudly bringing them home to our mothers to cook; plucking some edible wild berries (one which I clearly remember is pip-pop seeds); as a child we curiously take a peep at the inside of the pitcher plant which is half-filled with water and the insects that are trapped inside and the most fun part is building a small hut out of branches and leaves, resting in it and listening to the sounds of insects and birds.... well, those really were the days!

Comparing today's children to those of our days, well, they are almost glued to their computers, hand phones, tablets, etc from an early age.  There is not much of a proper communication between family members and friends. Communication is an important tool which many children are lacking today. Without socializing from their young age, children will grow up to be more self-centered; and for them to get along successfully in society when they grow up they must learn to interact with others in a healthy, positive and productive way.  I believe, all this qualities of life have to start from young. Today, most parents might think that, well... when they start school the teachers are there to teach them, but they never realise that it is never easy to make that change, and even many adults are unable to change!

Whatever it is, time change and situation change, but I really appreciate all the things I have gone through in my childhood years.  Ours is still the best! Indeed I am Glad!!

Remembering my pet-dog Darkie this season of The Lunar New Year

On 19th August 2015, after performing several tests on Darkie the Vet brought us this sad news - that all her organs are failing her and this is due to old age, and to prevent her from suffering further, the only way is to put her to sleep.  This shocking news sent tears rolling down my cheeks!  Days, weeks and months passed, I have been missing her a lot - her barks, sight, many a times her mischievous looks, the sound that she makes when she's having tummy ache and requesting us to open the gate, etc.... 

The bond between a pet and it's owner can only be felt and understood between them, and for those who never have a pet they might think that we are crazy, after all it is just a dog!  This meaningful quote by Emily Perez shared my feelings....

It was only after two months later that I found peace and relief through a friend, Nancy who is also a pet lover, who told me about the Rainbow Bridge.  I was lost then as this is the first time I've heard of this Rainbow Bridge and not knowing what it is all about.  After browsing through the relevant websites I finally realise that Darkie is now in a safe place, she is healthy, happy and having lots of friends to run together in the field.  

Let me share with you all an extracted article explaining about Rainbow Bridge from Wikipedia...

"The story tells of a green meadow located "this side of Heaven" (i.e., before one enters into it). Rainbow Bridge is the name of both the meadow and an adjoining bridge connecting it to Heaven.

According to the story, when a pet dies, it goes to the meadow, having been restored to perfect health and free of any injuries. The pet runs and plays all day with the others, there is always fresh food and water, and the sun is always shining. However, it is said that while the pet is at peace and happy, they miss their owner who had to be left behind on Earth.

When their owner dies, they come across the Rainbow Bridge. It is at that moment that their pet stops what they are doing and sniffs at the air and looks into the distance where they see their beloved owner. Excited, they run as fast as they can until they are in their owner's arms, licking their face in joy while their owner looks into the eyes of their pet who was absent on Earth, but never absent in their heart. Then side by side, they cross the Rainbow Bridge together into Heaven, never again to be separated."

As the Lunar New Year is approaching, my hubby has hung up the red lanterns at the car porch, this sight reminds us of our dear Darkie.  She has never like the sight of 'red lights' as if sensing to her that the sound of fireworks and fire-crackers, are just round the corner, Most pets, if not all (there might be some exceptional pets) are also in the same situation.

When the lights of the red lanterns are being switch on for the first time few nights ago, both myself and hubby are smiling to each other with the same thoughts in our minds and fresh memories of Darkie flashes back and forth in our midst. 

To end my write-up I am sharing this beautiful Rainbow Bridge Poem with everyone out there who have ever lost their loving pet/pets....

This last photo of Darkie was taken by my daughter Karen few days before she left us.  

May your soul REST IN PEACE Darkie, Amen!

A FUN-FILLED Christmas 2015 [Part 2]

Sharing Brendan's fun-filled moments in Kuching....

Blowing bubbles

At Everrise BDC
Train ride

The mini carousel 

inside the boat

enjoys the boat ride

Wow... motorcycle ride...

Santa Claus distributing sweets...

At the Christmas children's party
@ St. Peter's Church

putting on his party mask

just before the party s

Can you spot Brendan?  

Special request by grand-boy Brendan to have a BBQ, myself and hubby plan out this BBQ dinner on Christmas Day....

our small BBQ set

home-made satay peanut sauce

Lamb

pork and chicken satay, sausage

Chicken Wings

Simple stir-fried beehoon

Great grandmother and great grandson

Mum join us for our BBQ dinner

Another fun-filled morning for Brendan at the mini playground of Toys R Us, Spring.  As it is a working day, the shopping mall is rather quiet and he gets to have the whole playground to himself....

all smiles....

happy with thumb-up!

on to the horse...

to the baby slide ~ smile ~

over and over with this slide....

more of a baby swing....

Well... it is indeed a fun-filled Christmas holiday for everyone in the Kuek family.  In my last phone conversation with Brendan recently he is asking me what month comes after February, then March and so on until when the month of December was mentioned he said with a happy-cheeky tone "December, I am free, I go back Kuching for holiday!"  The reason for making me saying out loud all the months from February until December is his count-down for another fun-filled holiday at his birth place KUCHING!  

A FUN-FILLED Christmas 2015 [Part 1]

As usual, year end has always been busier, especially the weekends - Spring Cleaning! The Year 2015 ends in a much drier mode and thanks to Mr. Golden SUN which gives us the precious sunlight to dry our loads of washing ~ smile ~

Christmas is full of fun and laughter, with all my children coming back home, one after another for their year-end holiday.  Grand-boy Brendan is the first to be back home with his mum, and he just couldn't wait for CHRISTMAS... this photo speaks for him!

Sharing some of my Christmas bakes.....

Fruit Cake

Lebkuchen

Chewy Nutella Chocolate Chips Cookies

Stollen Bread

Christmas Log

I am so proud to have bake my first ever Christmas Log, though it doesn't looks that nice but it taste awesome.  Thanks to Diana Gale for sharing this great recipe.  

This Christmas has also been a season of great Feasting for my family.  We all enjoyed so much delicious food, either outside or home-cooked.  Another Chinese festival which comes 3 days before Christmas is the Winter Solstice Festival.  Most, if not all Chinese families will prepare the glutinuous rice balls in sweet soup to be eaten by all members of the family.  This year I have my grandson Brendan, who is old enough to help in the making....

"see, it's round"

For our Christmas Eve Reunion Dinner, I am preparing Steamboat and some home-cooked favourite dishes of my children....

Stir-fried leek flower with prawns

Stir-fried midin with belachan

Deep-fried pork ribs

Meat rolls /ngo hiang

Steamboat ingredients.....

meat....

Chinese napa cabbage

meatballs, eggs, pig stomach, fish maw

abalone, young corn, mushrooms...

Brendan gives a "double-thumbs UP" for the dishes, meaning to say he enjoys the food very much!

The most awaited moments for Brendan, being the youngest in the family is.....