A Happy and Blessed New Year 2017

A very big HELLO to all beautiful people out there!  It is the first day of Year 2017.  Let us all start the New Year with a joyful heart and a vibrant soul. 

As we all Logged Out of the Year 2016 and Logged In to the New Year 2017 roughly about 15 hours ago, we are leaving behind the old chapters that are filled with pages of good and bad; smooth days and rough ones; the happy and sad; nice and ugly; joys and sorrow and so on. Whatever it is, I believe that we have all begin the New Year with happiness, cheers and smiles on our faces. Definitely, we will also be looking back at all the warm memories, feel proud with certain achievements or take a lesson from our previous mistakes.  May this new year fill us all with endless fun and laughter in our everyday lives.

On this joyous day let me share this beautiful phrase which I've came across with everyone....

Each moment in a day has it's own value.

Morning brings HOPE,

Afternoon brings FAITH,

Evening brings LOVE,

Night brings REST,

Hope you will have all of these everyday.

May The Good Lord bless us all, Amen.

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!

Hello July!

Come to think of it, the month of July really comes as a surprise for me! Why?? The month of June just slip by without much thought, and I dare admit that it's all because of my laziness.  Many a times I signed in but just starred blankly at this white page, I seem to be 'lost!'

Well, hope that July will be a more energetic month for me (more to of my mind as I am as usual very energetic physically day in and day out).

On the overall, the first six months of the year 2014 have been great for my family, thank you Lord for your presence in our daily lives. May your abundance blessings, guidance and protection continue to be upon us all, Amen.  Praise The Lord! 

Just seem like yesterday.....

It just seem like yesterday that all Chinese families are in the hustle and bustle of preparing for the Lunar New Year celebration. Everyone are so happy, despite the hard work of course, couldn't wait for the family members who are studying or working away from home to get home to usher this yearly festival, and not to mention the REUNION Dinner!

"Time really waits for no man!"  The celebration flew without our realization, the many things which we've planned doesn't really come to materialise ~ sad ~   Come to think of it, I really miss those good old days when the children are studying in their Primary and Secondary years, where we have all the time to spend with each other.  

If only, at a click of a button we are able to rewind time, like an Astro program which I've watched recently- just curious "why can't human come up with such a device, with all the new technologies???" ha...ha...... What an imagination!!

My family get to kick-start the celebration with loud "BANGS" (a reunion lunch in the heart of our beautiful-sweet home AND a reunion dinner on a grander scale with the Kuek Family at a local restaurant).  With Alex, Choulyee and grandboy Brendan leaving after a week holiday, our closing of the celebration Chap Goh Mei is a quiet one.  The four of us decided to enjoy our favourite dinner of Crabs at Padungan Seafood Bay!

Memories of the past will always be well treasured in our hearts, let us look forward to each new day with great joy, happiness, love and cheers as each day is a gift from God.  Amen!

Sunshine....

Since I came home on Boxing Day last year, the rain has been pouring in Kuching City, be it heavy downpour or drizzling throughout the day, though it might stop for a while.  Kuching folks hardly get to enjoy the warmth of the sunshine, except much of a cloudy-dark sky with raindrops!  

Today, we are so happy enjoying a day full of SUNSHINE.!!  Hope that we are able to greet each morning with this beautiful two-word phrase from today forth......

This is the time of the year with lots of washing to do, cleaning and dusting, thus Mr. Golden SUN please do shine for us all and THANK YOU!   

HELLO Year 2014.....

On this second day of the New Year 2014, I would like to say a big HELLO to everyone.  New Year always begins with new stories of each one's life, that of people around us, happenings that are of interest to us, articles worthy of sharing, something of great sentiments to reminisce and others.

A beautiful phrase from Edith Lovejoy Pierce to share....

"We will open the book. Its pages are blank.  We are going to put words on them ourselves.  The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day."

As usual, each year we come up with new resolutions, which is an affirmation on how we are to live our life in the year to come.  Like goal setting, resolutions also gives us direction - what we are to do and accomplish; what would you like to attain, little things or big?; what would you prefer to be included or removed in our life; what problems to solve; decisions to make, etc.....  All these depends solely on each individuals and not any two persons are of the same thoughts, except by coincidence of course!

Confirmation from Melodie Beattie's words....

"The new year stands before us, like a chapter in a book, waiting to be written.

We can help write that story by setting goals."

I believe, that is why everyone loves New Year and welcome it with great peace, joy and happiness. Everything seem to start anew with a fresh beginning and new hope!  Let us all walk this new year 2014 which is just two days old with full confidence, expectation and hope.  May it be a year of:-

Health & Happiness

Wealth & Wisdom

Peace & Prosperity

Glee & Glow

Love & Laughter

God's grace and blessing aplenty!

People whom we once knew........

Who could have imagine that people whom we once knew can become total STRANGERS???  One whom we've worked, ate, attended dinners/functions  and most of all enjoyed so much great moments and laughter together??? Well, that is what life is all about!  One moment we can be very close and in times to come we are enemies! 

Personally, I've been in such a situation on several accounts.  It's hurting of course in the beginning but gradually I manage to let go telling myself that "good friends/colleagues/buddies are not meant to hurt each other, if it is so, then they are not worthy of my friendship!" Mastering the technique of 'looking beyond imperfections' really brings happiness, so whenever I am in such a situation I'll make use of this as my tool to overcome the situation.....

Achieving my 600th Blog Article!

On 17th December 2010 I recorded my 500th Blog Article and thought that I can easily write 100 articles in the next couple of months or a year to the most BUT it is only after 2 years that I manage to achieve my 600th blog article, which is today ~ HooRaY!!! I've made it just before Year 2013 come to a close, CHEERS to myself....

Despite having many commitments in year 2011 through 2013 I am proud to say that my Blog still SUSTAIN, just that at times I might be silent for a while and pop-in as and when I am free.

I sincerely hope that I'll be blogging more often in 2014 and is able to come up with more interesting write-ups to entertain my readers.  As usual, I am open for constructive criticism, for purpose of personal improvements.

Till then, have a blessed and happy New Year 2014 and Good Luck!

Counting down the New Year 2014......

Eleven days ago, on 18th December, I've just made my count down to Christmas..... who could have imagine today is the 5th day of Christmas!!  In  just two short days we will be ushering the New Year 2014..... time really, really flies!

We are experiencing a rather wet Christmas this year, especially in Kuching.  Hope that the rain will end with the coming of 2014.  As usual the Chinese families are busy doing their Spring Cleaning, myself included. in preparation for the Chinese Lunar New Year which falls end of January 2014.  With lots of washing we really need sunlight to dry our laundry.  

What to expect for the new year?? Well, let's move  forward positively with peace and pray for the best.

A meaningful quote from Lao Tzu to share.....

"The man with a big heart!"

I believe that we have all heard, read or come across this simple phrase "The man with a big heart" quite often in our life.  What do we understand from it? Different people might have their own perception and understanding of it.  Personally for me I see such person as kind, generous, helpful and willing to share what they have with others.  

In today's sophisticated and fast pace world, I am just wondering,  are there many of such people around? People with those good qualities who will put others first before their own??  

The word 'man' might give us a perception that it implies to grown ups only, but if we think outside the box it is not!  If we care to take a closer look and be more sensitive to situations and people around us, we might come to realise that some young children have a bigger heart than grown ups!  Let me share this beautiful picture and meaningful phrase with all in the hope that we can all be a better person and the world will be a better place for us all to live in!

Spring Cleaning.....

It just seem like yesterday that we welcome another new year, but with the day passing by so fast, we are now crossing over to the second half of January 2013!

As the Lunar New Year is just round the corner, every Chinese family are busy preparing for it and most are seen busy with their yearly spring cleaning.  For this activity, I believe that we all need the bright sunshine to dry the washed curtains, blankets, carpets, etc...etc....  I think this is the time of the year where everything needs to be thoroughly clean as we await for the Lunar New Year!

As far back as I could recall, my mum would be busy scrubbing the cement floor with a brush and her bare hands, as well as the drains, baking biscuits and cakes, making our new clothes and many countless chores! In today's modern era, most chores are being made easier with the availability of pressure guns to clean the stubborn dirty floors and drains, ready made clothes are on sale in big and small shopping centres, even ready made biscuits, cakes, tit-bits and many others are being sold everywhere! For some they would request for cleaners to do the spring cleaning for them.

With everyone busy preparing for the coming of the Lunar Year of The Snake, let us all take special care of our self and......

Just POPPING IN.....

A BIG HELLO to all viewers of my blog!!! It's indeed three loooong months being out of sight!  Not to worry though, cos' even when I don't have the time to write I make myself clear that my blog won't be totally DEAD!  I am still logging in once a while even though I don't have the time to put my thinking cap into writing.

WOW!!!! Who could have imagine that we are already in the final quarter of Year 2012 and in two short months we will be welcoming the new year???  With the hustle and bustle of everyday life, we simply can't catch up with time!  Day, week, month and year seem to get by real fast. 

Grandparenting has indeed occupy so much of my time, and with Brendan turning ONE a month ago, he's now running about in the comfort of our sweet home.  Many things needs to be reorganised to suit his presence, so as to ensure that the environment is safe for him and I can leave him alone when I am busy with my daily house chores.  Taking care of a baby who is now a toddler is never an easy task.  Previously I used to get things done according to my own time, but today everything needs to be plan out according to his schedules.  Good and proper time management is an important factor to incorporate into such a situation.  Putting into practice those time management techniques which I've been implementing in my working years really helps a lot.  What I've learned and practiced throughout my 25 years 8 months of  working life seem to be not wasted.  It is indeed great blessings to gain and experience so much as they are of great importance in my life!

Will be popping in again soon......

Taking a long break......

I am back!!!

Though it doesn't seem long but calculation tells that I have taken a long break of nearly two months!!

Time really flies..... it seem like we are just welcoming the new year and who could imagine that the month of February is coming to an end, Oh! My!!

Too long a break makes me feel lost and not knowing where to start. Whatever it is I need to get going or else my daughter's comment some time ago "mum, your blog is dead!" will be materialise hahahaa..... This positive comment of hers have given me the positive energy to move on, despite all odds.

Wishing everyone out there, the best of cheers and health ahead and take care!

A late LANDAS SEASON

As usual the yearly Landas Season will normally start end of November or early December till January, BUT this year is exceptionally abnormal, so to speak!

I still recall telling my mum-in-law in mid December "this year's rainfall is less". Surprisingly, it's not less but just that it came late! Rain started to fall right after Christmas Eve or on the very early morning of Christmas Day!!! It reminds me of a beautiful Christmas Song "Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow" but for our situation it's "Let it rain, Let it rain, Let it rain".

It has been raining very heavily since the early morning and there seems to be flood in most places including the heart of Kuching City. As usual the flood is mainly caused by the poor drainage system which we've had. Year in and year out the same problem arise but yet no one can fix it, so SAD!

Whatever it is, I sincerely pray that in such a situation everyone will be road worthy and road conscious so as to stay safe. Practicing good road safety habits is not one persons responsibility but the full responsibility of everyone! God bless us all and have........

It's CHRISTMAS!!

The most awaited season of the year is finally here, it's CHRISTMAS!!

At the dawn of Christmas morning, rain start to pour in Kuching City. To me personally, it's not much of a problem..... being not able to experience 'White Christmas', "RAIN" is fine for me!!

Despite the rain St. Peter's Church first Mass on Christmas morning seemed to be over-crowded. The happy faces of everyone present there seem to boost the Christmas mood - Love, Peace, Joy and Merriment fills the air.

To everyone out there.......

My personal perception on 'Leadership'

How many ever realise that we are all leaders in one way or another? I believe many will consider leaders as someone who hold high posts; those who indulge in activities of organisations or clubs; or the most outstanding of all our State and Country's Political Leaders. If this is what we have in mind, then, it is indeed a wrong perception!

Let us not forget that each and everyone of us are leaders in our own home and family. Leading a family is as huge a responsibility as leading an organisation, though there are some differences in terms of expectations, requirements, procedures and processes.

The building up of this leadership qualities starts early in life, whereby many might not realise! For example, in any group of children or youngsters who get together for games, sports or even during their studies in class, a few always seem to take the lead. It can be seen for those who have no leadership quality, as they will not be willing to step forward, instead will just shy off!

Whatever the scenario may be, it is from this childhood years that helps build up these leadership skills, which by the time their educational years are over, there will be possibility for them to be potential leaders as they step into their career life. Others might be leaders in organisations or clubs, while some in politics.

In any circumstances, it is not always that these young leaders grow up to benefit mankind, while for some they may not grow up to be leaders at all. Occasionally, a rather quiet and shy youngster develops later in life those qualities of leadership and goes on to become a corporate figure or political leader.

Though leaders are aplenty in every fields and areas, it is sad to say that there are many who don't lead with sincerity. Such a situation will set bad examples to others as the phrase 'The best example of leadership is leadership by example!' Why is it so??? It is as simple as people tends to follow their leaders - what they say, do, request, etc.

I strongly believe that good leaders should embrace the full spirit of 'PROFESSIONALISM', which many are still lacking. Many still lead according to their whims and fancies! Leaders should be able to accept the views of those within the team, not just expecting others to follow blindly. Everyone should be given equal opportunity in discussions or debate. Whatever decisions made must be beneficial to everyone concerned, whereas irresponsible leaders tends to point fingers and decisions are made for purpose of personal gain. Based on my personal experience, decisions from co-members can be more effective than those from the top. How many care to think that way?????

Professional leaders can and will accept constructive criticism for the betterment of an organisation, or in the case of politics, professional political leaders will bring their State or Country to achieve great heights. With full trust, respect and sincere support from the people the country's leaders will reap great rewards with stable economic growth and development; unity, respect and care among the people as well as it's leaders; and setting good examples to our neighboring countries and finally gaining full respect from the whole world!!

Finally, before I end, I would like to share some beautiful quotes.......

"The quality of leadership, more than any other single factor, determines the success or failure of an organization"

~ Fred Fiedler & Martin Chemers ~

(Improving Leadership Effectiveness)

"Lead and inspire people. Don't try to manage and manipulate people. Inventories can be managed but people must be lead"

~ Ross Perot ~

"Leadership should be born out of the understanding of the needs of those who would be affected by it".

~ Marian "Anderson ~

What a Relief!! Election is over.......

With all the campaigning from the different parties for the last few weeks, finally the State Election is all over!!! The streets of Kuching City early this morning seems to be quiet...... guess, most people are still in bed getting their 'beauty sleep!'

It is indeed a BIG Change for the opposition party - DAP and PKR....... Cheers and Thumbs UP!! Change is necessary for the betterment of any State and Country, so let us all be gentlemen, whether win or loose everyone should accept the result without any hard feelings. No matter which party won, with the election over, we as the people of Sarawak will be looking forward to a great future in this beautiful 'Land of The Hornbill'.

Till we all meet again in the next State Election five years time, here's wishing us all the best and God Bless!!

My sincerest point of view........

For generations, we Malaysians, despite the differences in race, religion and culture have been blessed with living together in love, peace, joy, harmony, respect, care, concern and support for each other.

Today, situations seems to be changing, not for good though. To be very frank, looking at the present scenario makes me wonder????? Will we be able to continue to live in peace and harmony as we used to????? Is there going to be light at the end of the tunnel for us all???? What will be the outcome for the future generations???????

Everything has it's limit, so with the state election coming up in four short days are we opting for a change??????

"Change means that what was before wasn't perfect.

People want things to be better"

~ Esther Dyson ~

Many questions seem to be popping into our heads, but to make things happen we must all dare to make changes in order to make the difference!

"We must become the change we want to see"

~ Mahatma Gandhi ~

Changes takes place in every phases of our life, and yet there are many who resist change. Without change we will all be deprive of new opportunity, progress, growth, happiness, hope and wisdom.

"Without change, something sleeps inside us, and seldom awakens.

The sleeper must awaken"

~ Frank Herbert ~

Here's what Charles E. Rice, CEO of Barnett Bank got to say........

"Think of managing change as an adventure. It tests your skills and abilities. It brings forth talent that may have been dormant. Change is also a training ground for leadership. What we think of leaders, we remember times of change, innovation and conflict. Leadership is often about shaping a new way of life. To do that, you must advance change, take risks and accept responsibility for making change happen"

Good and responsible leaders brings a State or Country to achieve great heights but an irresponsible self-centered leaders brings forth disaster instead!

"The best example of leadership, is leadership by example"

~ Jerry McClain ~

"The quality of leadership, more than any other single factor, determines the success or failure of an organization"

~ Fred Fiedler & Martin Chemers 'Improving Leadership Effectiveness' ~

Anything that is stagnant tends become too complacent, same applies to the scenario of leadership in all aspect. In the case of politics, complacency will lead to negligence of the leaders which affects the state or country's growth and future developments, the needs of the people, respect and care for the people who pledge their support and hoping for a better tomorrow and many others........

Mother Theresa's precious words seems to echo in me and makes me wonder????????

"Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless"

Many a times, "being a common people leading a simple, contented life and who never offend others" instead, we are being offended by the hush and uncalled for statements from some of those irresponsible leaders, which are then being 'picked up' by some other irresponsible people down the line....... and it goes on and on....... For information, I am one of those unlucky people who experience such a situation at one of the Government's Poliklinik in Kuching. I trust that if such a situation continues our country's peace, unity and harmony will be at stake!!!

Respect is a two way traffic and it needs to be earned! If we want others to respect us we must respect each other! This principle applies not only for common people like us but everyone in general - age, rank, authority and gender doesn't make any difference!

Being a responsible citizen, I place my concern for this coming state election. Let us all make wise decisions for a better tomorrow where peace, unity and harmony prevails in this multi-racial state of Sarawak and country Malaysia!

'May God bless us all!'

"Praise The Lord, Puji Tuhan"

The pouring rain in Kuching City.......

The weather in Kuching City till end of 2010 seems to be superbly fine...... we continue to enjoy the sunshine plus occasional rain. Comes the New Year 2011, the first week is still okay but all of a sudden the rain starts pouring!!!!!

I remember it has been raining so heavily on 10th, Monday night till the next morning......... and what shocked us on the early 11th morning is that the Kuching International Airport is closed - all flights coming in and out of KIA is 'CANCELLED!' The main cause and scene of attraction and concern happen to be an Air Asia Flight from Kuala Lumpur to Kuching upon arrival skidded off the runway!! Though such accidents do happen in Kuching, but it seems to be first time in history which resulted in the airport closure!! This is also my first time experiencing such a situation, whereby sending someone off from Kuching airport only after four attempts with a total waiting time of nearly 40 hours as from the original flight time.

Hoping that the rain will not continue to pour as next week will be 'High Tide' and I believe that everyone is praying for fine weather so there won't be flood in Kuching City, especially those flood prone areas. "May God bless us all!"

How fast time flies......

The Year 2010 really seems to be flying through........ soon, in roughly about 2 days 3 hours and couple of minutes the 'Year of The Tiger' will be replaced with the 'Year of The Rabbit'.

Have we come up with new resolutions for the coming year?? Are they the same old lists or is there anything new???? Well..... there is still time for us to come up with our final list of resolutions for the new year, so let's give it a good thought!!

This end year, we are indeed blessed with a considerable good weather - not too much of rain but a combination of both rain and sun. As most household are now busy doing spring cleaning we all need enough sunlight to dry curtains, cushion covers, blankets, etc..... For those who are doing repainting sunlight is equally important.

Let us all treasure and make full use of whatever time that is left of the Year 2010 and usher the new year with full spirit of peace, love, happiness and joy!!

"May God Bless Us All!"