A BIG 'Sigh of Relief!'

Time flits by... It has been nine fabulous, great, stress-free years since I quit my job!  November 1st marked my freedom from working life, a life which still brings chills from the edges of my ears to the tip of my toes.  This is an experience which many won't understand, except for those few who have ever been in such a working environment.

To get the details, check it out in my earlier blogs as listed below:-

1. 15th November 2008 - A 'Diffucult & Bitter' trod down memory lane....
2. 31st October 2009 - Three years ago....
3. 1 November 2010 - Remembering those 'bitter-sweet' moments....
4. 2 November 2011 - Five years ago....
5. 5 November 2012 - More to look forward with contentment towards a stress-free life....

The decisions and action taken nine years ago comes with no regret.  I found real happiness instead....

Yes, I dare say that money is also equally important, but then again, can money buy everything???

It's indeed A BIG 'Sigh of Relief' for me as I continue my glorious walk into the 10th year of a stress-free life full of contentment, joy, peace, happiness and freedom.  Praise The Lord, Amen.

Exploring Asajaya

Asajaya is a small town located in the Samarahan Division.  Kota Samarahan, previously known as Muara Tuang is my mum's birth place.  During my young childhood days, roughly about 3 to 5 years old, I remember travelling there via river to visit my grandparents, who owns a grocery shop and we really enjoyed our visits as there are so many types of sweets and tit-bits for us kids to munch! Today, it is easily accessible through the 25-kilometer road linking Kota Samarahan and Kuching.

It's a Sunday, after sending Aaron off at KIA we started our journey roughly about two in the afternoon to Kota Samarahan.  Our first intention was to cross over Asajaya by Ferry and made a return trip by land, but upon reaching Kota Samarahan Ferry Point, we learned that the ferry will only start at 3 pm. as the tide is still low.  Instead of waiting we decided to drive straight to Asajaya.  The journey by road is much further as compared to the ferry ride but along the way we get to view and experience the lifestyle of the people there.  

The first spot of interest.....

This signboard tells us that the Chinese Temple is somewhere ahead, so we drive on and on until the end of the road, looked and looked but see no temple.  Then we realise "The Temple is at the other side of the river!"  We all have a good laugh and decided to come back for it another time.  

It is indeed interesting to see the villagers crossing the river by motorcycle in a small boat.

We continue on with our journey to Asajaya Town, which is just one straight road with lots of coconut trees, maize plants, banana tress and others being planted along the side of the road.

Finally, we arrived at Asajaya Town, Pekan Asajaya in Malay.....

We queued at the Ferry Point to cross over Kota Samarahan.....

vehicles disembark at Asajaya

driving into the ferry

off we go...

disembark at Kota Samarahan

It is an interesting afternoon exploring Asajaya, We stop by Summer Shopping Mall before making our journey back to Kuching.  As it is nearly evening we decided to have dinner at Stutong....

A frustrating situation!

It's lunch time, and I am ordering some food at a hawker stall, choose a table with fan nearby expecting to enjoy a satisfying meal with a cooler environment,  BUT to our surprise the food is served just within a few minutes and the smell of the rice in the first place knock me hard on the head! I told my mun "it's overnight rice!"

Next, I spoon a spoonful of soup and taste it, "Oh, my! The soup is not hot, just slight warm!"  Trying to stay cool, I try to dig into the soup again looking for chicken meat and the salted vegetable, as I am ordering a bowl of salted vegetable chicken soup.  To my surprise the chicken meat and salted vegetable are over-boiled,  must have been the left-over from the previous day.  Not to mention it's tasteless!!  

My mum is not choosy in terms of food, anything will satisfy her taste bud and she seldom complain.  When I tasted her buttered chicken "Oh, my! my! It's so hard!"  It must have been the left-over chicken!! It's not surprising that all the food in that stall are LEFT-OVERS!  

Will we ever go back to that food court again?? NO, NEVER!!!!!  Not only that particular stall, but NO to that food court!! Serious......

Something Special of Christmas 2013......

Celebrating Chirstmas in the warm heart of our HOME has always been something joyous to look forward to.  However, I get to experience something  Special this 2013 Christmas - flew to KL before the celebration to be with my children and grandson Brendan and flew back on Boxing Day to join hubby and Aaron ~ smile ~ I really find myself very blessed! Praise The Lord, Amen!

Why I consider myself so blessed?? Well, I get to celebrate not only Christmas but Karen's Birthday on the 19th with yummylicious hotel foods and also The Winter Solstice Festival or Dong Zhi Festival on the 22nd with my homecooked dishes......

I also enjoyed the beautiful decorations of some Shopping Malls....

and great moments of 'family-bonding'.....

We all have a blessed and joyous celebrations all together 

~ CHEERS ~ 

YES, Finally......

YES, Finally...... myself and hubby are RELIEF from the heavy load which we have been shouldering from the moment Alex completed his Form 6, then further his education at UPM in the year 2002, followed by Karen in 2004 and four years later Aaron. It's indeed a heavy responsibility in terms of financial, anxiety, worries, concern, safety and care. 

For those who have been in such a situation you will understand how I feel.  Patience and positive thinking are all that we need to get through it.  I recall having sleepless nights thinking and worrying about their well being - whether they have their meals, enough rest, how they get along with their studies, course mates, lecturers and how they adapt to their new environment, etc.... etc......

The starting years have been rather difficult for me and by the time I get settled in with Alex's away from home, soon enough it's Karen's turn.  Her situation is of more concern as she left for KL soon after she completed her Form 5 and just turned 17 years old.  During long semester break we will make sure that she come home and we are always in constant contact through phone calls.

Aaron, being the youngest gets to study in Kuching and is considered to be the most lucky of them all - not having to worry about food, accommodation, transportation and help as and when needed! But, it's not easy for us either, why??  Well, we watch him through his one year of Foundation followed by four tough years of degree - the struggles, tiredness, stress, sleepless nights, worries, being sick just before semester exam, etc....

It's been 12 long years seeing our three children through their studies.  Throughout these years I have been in constant prayer to God for their safety, protection, guidance and success.  Thank you Lord for your continuous blessings upon each and everyone of us in the family.  I trust that with your constant presence in our lives, everything is made possible for us all.  Praise The Lord, Amen!

Today, with Aaron completing his studies we are free from this part of a parent's responsibility - Education! With the closing of this chapter of his life, he's now looking forward to the next chapter, which is CAREER!

CHEERS to Alex, Karen and Aaron.....

Day Trip to Melaka - what to expect??

Our original plan is a two days one night stay in Melaka, but with a work commitment coming up for Karen we then decided to go for a day trip instead, more of a "Food Road Trip!"

Waking up earlier than usual, have breakfast at departure lounge, Damansara Utama, PJ, then start our day's trip to Melaka ~ smiles ~

 Our first stop upon arrival at Melaka I queue up for the Chicken Rice Ball while Karen parked her car.....

Stopped by this stall to buy Chendol

Though the weather is rather hot but we both manage to exercise our feet, take some stroll around the nearby area, then walk back to our car and enjoy the cold icy Chendol.  Next, we decided to stay indoor at a Shopping Mall, followed by afternoon tea......

After the yummy Crepe and several glasses of tea in the cool environment, we then decided to move around Melaka's famous  A Farmosa and its surrounding areas.  We managed to capture lots of nice photos.....

Feeling satisfied with the clicking of our cameras we then decided to go for another round of food before our Nyonya Dinner - Satay Celup!

 Right after this we drove to MAKKO to enjoy the real taste of Nyonya foods.......

 After a satisfying meal, we made our way back to KL.  It's indeed a journey full of nice yummy foods which satisfy our taste buds as well as great moments with my daughter Karen!