FRIEND!

The word FRIEND is a simple six letter word which I've learned since I am  a kid, even before entering kindergarten.  I recall making friends with some boys and girls living next door and in school.  The meaning of friends during my childhood years is as simple as "if I like you and you don't tease or make fun of me, we can get along well, we share what we have, get to play with each other", then you are my friends.  I remember this common phrase "I don't want to be your friend anymore!"  All the memories of my childhood friends really gives me a big GRIN on my face and at times it really makes me think "why so silly of me?, why should I bother whether they want to be my friend or not?, why so sensitive over some funny names they call me??"  Guess, that's normal for all children to have such feeling and reaction!

As I gets older, I remember this meaningful phrase "I have a pen, my pen is blue.  I have a friend, my friend is you". I belief that this phrase is the favourite of many when writing Autographs!  Another great phrase is "There are big ships and small ships. But the best ship of all is friendship!"

The bond of friendship gradually becomes more precious and important to me as I mature into my life.  This phrase below is a proven truth.

Today, husband and wife, parents and children, parent-in-laws and children-in-laws, teachers and students, supervisors and subordinates, they will try to be friends with each other.  This will make our life more meaningful and happy.  As such it enables respect to flow endlessly between parties and helps bridge the differences between each other.  

Whatever it is, in today's material world, it is not easy to have good, sincere, honest and trusted friends.  There are some who will only be your friends if we are at par with them, in terms of standards and status; for some they will only be our friends during good times and when situations 'take a turn' they will run away and even become strangers in our life!!  Good real friends should be......

Personally, I prefer having a handful of good, real, best friends than tons of unreliable ones, who creates trouble and mess up our life!  

It is not those big things which we look at in any friendship, such as how rich you are, what high post are you holding, how many cars you have, are you a member of any high class club, etc..... BUT those endless small, tiny things in a person for example, honest, sincere, respect, caring, loving, good heart, etc, etc...... Here's a simple quote by an unknown author to share.....

"Friendship isn't a big thing - it's a million little things"

In this modern world "packaged" with many new technology, we can easily get connected with people who are living in the different parts of the world.  So, unlike the situations many years back, we tend to loose contact with friends or relatives who move to another place.  Communications in the olden days are mainly through mails and phone calls are very expensive.  Personally for myself, I am very thankful to the many new technology which enable me to re-connect with many old childhood and school friends whom I've lost contact for more than 30 years.  This meaningful quote tells it all......

"The most beautiful discovery true friends make is that they can grow separately without growing apart" 

~  Elisabeth Foley  ~

Finally..........

Home-cooked Pasta......

The word "Pasta" has never been in my FOOD  dictionary since when I am young.  I never recall eating even the most common one which is the Spaghetti!!!! As such, I never have the urge of consuming it, maybe its simply because its not our staple food; many years back pasta is not easily available or unpopular once upon a time, and maybe its because I don't know how to prepare it!

Once I remember eating it at a friends place and tends to like the way that its cooked and I remember myself saying "how I wish I can cook this pasta dish!"  This wish of mine takes quite a while for it to materialise, as far as I can recall, its due to the fact that my children, as they gradually grows older is having the like for Pasta.  It is from then that I start to acquire the skills of cooking them.  I recall the 'trial and error' situation and at times it can be rather frustrating, but by not giving up I am happy not only because I can cook my own Pasta dishes but also becoming a favourite of this non-Chinese dish!!

Fresh meat, prawns, mushrooms sausages, bacon, ham and others serves well with pasta, and it can either serve with different types of sauces or even dry, as well as makes good salad with combination of veggies such as tomato, potato, carrot, celery, etc.

Pasta salad

Two different toppings (Left) minced meat (Right) Prawns

Recently, I've tried a hand on spicy pasta with side dishes of tomato prawns and deep-fried chicken tender.  

Today, pasta dishes have become a favourite dish for many as it is easily available in most food courts.  Most mothers are also cooking the dish at home as the ingredients are easily available in our local supermarkets or hypermarkets.  

My favourite bitter veg

Bittergourd, a veg dislike by many happens to be one of my favourite vegetable!! I can just stir-fry a whole bittergourd and have it for my meal and a little bit of rice to go with it.......

This vegetable comes in different shapes and sizes.  I prefer buying one that is of medium size since its only consumed solely by myself in my family.  Bittergourd soup is another of my favourite dish.  It is a refreshing soup especially during hot weather.

Recently, I've tried a hand on stir-fried beehoon or rice vermicelli with bittergourd and chicken slices.  I've tried it once at one of our local foodstall but not only that its not that nice but the bittergourd slices are small and too few.  A favourite bittergourd eater like me would prefer a plate of stir-fried beehoon with bittergourd such as this to really enjoy a satisfying meal.......

A veg with a sophisticated name!!

Simply known as Mani Cai in Chinese and Cangkuk Manis in Malay.  I have been trying to figure out whether this veg has an English name???? Anything that is of interest to me I will try to get to its roots!!  YES, it is called Sauropus androgynus......

In Malaysia, this is a popular veg in Sarawak, whereas in Peninsular Malaysia it is not that well known.  To my knowledge this veg is only used for serving 'Pan Mien'.  For us local Sarawakians this veg is not only  a popular home-cooked dish but its also served at restaurants and food stalls.  A simple stir-fry with eggs makes a delicious and appetizing dish and has been long a favourite dish of many.

Another favourite local specialty is stir-fried beehoon with mani cai and it taste awesome with a generous sprinkle of crispy fried dried shrimps *YUMMY!*

This veg also makes a great 'lemak dish' when cooked together with mani cai, sweet potato and coconut milk!!! This lemak dish is popular among the Malays and trust me, its deliciously nice!  So, if any of you, who are not locals, happen to be in Sarawak, make sure you give it a try - don't miss it!

Once Upon A Time...... [Final]

Our new home in a single-storey terrace house, though it's smaller than our previous one but it's  not that small after all.  Me and my siblings thought our carefree and roaming around life is over, as it is a housing estate and not much space for us to run about and play and no more fun-time moving around in the surroundings of trees, flowers and plants!!  Not long after we've moved there, and after much exploration around, we found that there is a stretch of forest, just few yards away from the back of our house.  Beside our row of house is also a big piece of empty land, surrounding by bushes.  The areas around our new home seem to be just starting to develop - what a relief, as our new home turns out to be another great 'playground' for us!!

During the weekends, we will move around in the forest looking for wild ferns (midin and paku), pick them and happily bring them home for my mum to cook.  We enjoyed looking at the Pitcher Plant and the insects which got trap inside as well as plucking those 'wild green berries', which we called 'Pip Pop Seeds'.  Funny though,  popping those seeds direct into our mouth without having to wash it first seem to bring no harm to our health.  At that time we are all as healthy and strong as a bull!!  We also make caves out of the bushes next to our row of house and enjoyed playing there till we heard the voices of my mum's calling us for dinner.  Thinking about those days, I really appreciate my mum's patience with us all.  

Soon enough when all the houses are being occupied, we make more friends and enjoyed every moments of our childhood years.  We played games on the road, in front of our houses - skipping rope, "what is the time Mr. Tiger?", London bridge is falling down, hide and seek and I believe there are many more which I can't recall after so many long years!!

As years passed from our Primary School years to Secondary School years, our interests also seems to change.  We no longer play or run about outside our house.  I recall that on Saturday nights we love to group together in one of our house, on the music out loud and dance the night away!!   Thanks to a few of our group's parents who allow us to enjoy our self  in the heart of our homes, than roaming outside!!  I still remember clearly all the sweating from the shaking and twisting as we dance to the music.

All those running about and around, playing together and off course at times some misunderstanding which leads to small childish quarrels seemed to pass without much realization.  Soon everyone grew up, get on with our own ways, some lost but found, while some lost and never found!!  

Remembering those old days always reminds me of the song "Those were the days".  How I wish everything never have to end....... 

Life's journey.......

Each and everyone's life's journey differs from one another - some enjoys a fruitful, happy, healthy, prosperous and an easy life with everything served on a golden platter; whereas some are just on the average, having enough food on the table each day, clothes to wear and a roof over the head and manage to have some savings but couldn't go too much beyond the day to day necessities; and unfortunately for some they live a suffering life with not enough food, clothes and a proper shelter!!

Whatever it is, everyone's life is precious, we must continue to live life to its fullest within our own means. Do not compare our life with others or else it will make our life more difficult! No matter what situation we are in, it is for this simple reason that life must go on and for that to happen we must hope for the best, for.....

If only we dare to move on, and not letting any opportunity slip by, there is possibility that chances are there for us to dwell into a better life, as......

I believe that most of us have heard of this simple saying "Life's a Game!"

It is indeed true that our whole life is like a game, some knows how to play it well while for some when they fail, they really fall hard and some even can't get back on their feet again. I believe in the saying 'those who never fail never try anything'. So, in life if we fail we should try, try again! It is through failures that we grow more mature, wiser and successful. The birds gives us a very good and logical example.....

One who fail and try again is much better off than those who never try at all! In life there are such kind of people, one who always takes a short-cut in life. These people never realise the importance of the need to do something which makes their life more meaningful. They prefer lazing around, enjoying the things they like most, never bother about anything around them, never wanting to keep their mind into deep thinking or even too lazy to move around even in getting some chores or work around the house done!! They will only move out of their comfort zone if its something which is of benefits to them or else they couldn't be bothered or rather making excuses......

Responsible and wise people will prefer to keep themselves busy than being stagnant. Having something to do each day will bring us to achieve greater heights -be it at work, in studies or even those home-makers, as well as getting towards a healthier life.....

The meaningful phrases below, which describes the 'Life Lessons from a Butterfly' is a good example for us all to follow.......

If only we live the life of a butterfly then life would be more meaningful. We must always remember that our life is a gift from God, thus we must live life well.......

As we all travel our life's journey each day, have we ever give it a good thought "which steps have we reached today??"

Those who stop to think will strife more in life as compared to those who never bother to give it a thought! Keeping one self busy is better off than being lazy, so let's all move on with our life's journey............

Once Upon A Time........ [Part 3]

Great changes takes place after my father bought a new single-storey house at Poh Kwong Park, off Green Road in the beginning of year 1970. How I wish I could remember the actual date of our moving from our care-free and run-wild life to one that is of limited space and having to get acquainted with our new surroundings and new people that we are to meet.

It's sad to leave behind friends from our surrounding neighbours, but both me and my elder brother gets to stay on in our old school for another couple of months. Staying on means we need to wake up much earlier in the morning as we have to walk a long way to school. Taking the main road is not safe with the heavy traffic and having no pedestrian walk path, so we have to get the safest means which is going through the rubber estates. Though its a long walk for us both each day, but being children we seem to enjoy ourself, especially after class. As we don't need to rush home we always take our sweet time walking, strolling and picking the rubber seeds! Until today, I still remember how those rubber seeds looks like, which I believe today's children have never seen one before!! Happy memories also comes along with some scary memories. In the old days, whenever a new bridge is to be built there is always the spreading of the news of 'potong palak!' Whether it's real or rumours, well no one can confirm! It was during that period of time that the out-break of such news spread like wild fires! Even today, whenever I recall this chapter of my childhood days, I can still imagine how scared we are and the chills that runs through our backbones! The reminders of my mum as we bid goodbye each morning still rings in my ears "do come home straight after school, don't stop to pick any rubber seeds and be extra careful!"

The good and scary moments seem to pass by without much thought though, and we managed to get our school transfer sorted out and we both check in to our new school, Green Road Primary School during the starting of the 3rd Term in my Primary 3 year. It's a BIG relieve for both me and my elder brother as that's the end of our long walk to and from school each day, no more trespassing through someone's rubber estates and free from the so-called 'potong palak' fear!

Everything seems to start off well in our new home and with new friends in our new neighborhood and lots of new games emerged soon after that.......

Our 1st CNY in our new home 1970

My personal perception of SUCCESS!

This seven-letter-word, may be easily understood by most people, but different people do have a different perception of their understanding of it in terms of standards, influence, up bringing, and many other external factors.

The first principle which I strongly believe is this simple phrase....

In working life many people fought their way up the corporate ladder, or for some, even pushing themselves through promotions by all means, and by the time they achieve their aim they just sit back and relax, letting their subordinates to do the work!! Personally, I consider this type of people as having a 'short-term' thinking. They never bother to think further, as being promoted and holding a higher post would mean more heavier commitments and responsibilities, thus he or she must look further ahead than sitting back and relax! Such a person looks on SUCCESS as a destination, not a journey!! No matter how much we have achieved we still need to move on, for what lies ahead is another long journey to travel. The quote below is a good reminder to us all.....

One very simple phrase which I always bear in mind is "success never comes easy!" If we leave it stagnant and don't bother to pursue it further, never think of achieving it. The next quote below proves me right!

I wonder how many have heard of the saying "there is no short-cut to success"???? It needs endless efforts and many a times we need to forgo something in order to move towards achieving it. Working mothers for example, needs to leave their children at Nurseries or Day Care Centres while they are at work while many have to swallow their guilts of not spending enough time with them! I trust that not many working mothers manage to achieve a good balance between work and family.

I believe that those who climb up the corporate ladder from the 'grass-root level' can achieve more in their work as they have the experiences in all areas as compared to those who are put straight to the top level. An experienced supervisors who work their way up from the bottom tends to understand their subordinates more as well as their situations.

From my past working experiences, I do come across those who achieve success through hard work as well as those who goes through other means!! In any offices I believe that such situations do happens!! Whatever the situation maybe, I still feels that success through hard work brings real contentment in one's life, which generates real happiness and joy!

Though the quote above is absolutely correct, but it's just that situations doesn't work as such at certain time! Well, it all depends on each and every individual - how they think and what they prefers, cos' no one knows!

The sweet and loving memories of my late mum-in-law

My mum-in-law, the late Kee Song Ing was born on 16^th November 1942 and grew up into a beautiful, sweet girl......

A mother by example, she brought up all her children with loving tender care and discipline as well as her many guidance and good examples which she have imparted to us, children and in-laws. Her endless teachings upon our children, which are her grandchildren have brought all the good qualities upon them – Thank You Mum for everything! It is through all your efforts that our children grew up to be what and who they are today!

It is no denial that we do share some differences, but it is through respect and care that brought our relationship to achieve great heights. I always believe that ‘no two persons with different characteristics, behaviors and thinking can be equally the same!”

Your endless support and tips have prepare me well to be a good and responsible grandmother – you have indeed help me ‘sharpen my skills’ to take care of Brendan, my grandson, who is your great-grandson. It is through you mum, that grand parenting comes much easier for me with everything well prepared.

Today, 29^th February, we celebrate your 49th days of passing. Though you left us in person on 12th January 2012, but your spirit will forever dwell in our hearts!

Here’s a flashback of some of her great moments – moments to be cherished and well remembered……

Our family photo with Mum in February 1997 - CNY

- Grandma's first tea ceremony from her grandson, Alex & Choulyee- 13th December 2009

- A group photo after the wedding receiption at Lok Thian Restaurant

- The Kuek Family photo with Uncles & Aunties after a family reunion in Dec. 2009

Mum with 3rd Uncle (her 3rd brother) in Singapore - having our Skype conversation (May 2010)

(Left) Family potluck at Mum's place

(Right) Kuek siblings 'makan laksa' at sis. Michelle's place

10th August 2011 - Aaron treat grandma for dinner at Lok Thian Restaurant, after his first pay cheque (temporary work during semester break)

July 2011 - Kuek family potluck at sis. Michelle's place with Uncles & Aunties

(1st row left) - Grandma with her grandchildren

(1st row right) - Our family with Mum

(2nd row left) - Grandma with her three grandsons

(2nd row right) - Grandma with her six granddaughters

(Bottom) - The Kuek Family photo

28th August 2011 - Dinner at Mum's place

Great Grandma holding and looking at her first & one and only great grandson, Brendan

Grandma's 70th Birthday celebration - October 2011

This beautiful poem by Patricia D. Nunn is specially dedicated to my dearest Mum-in-law - 'A beautiful poem for a beautiful mother!'

A mother's love is consistent

and patient, it will never fade.

A mother's love is warm and

compassionate, even in the

shade. A mother's love will

always help you through the

weakest hours. A mother's love

is always like a bouquet of

flowers. A mother's love is

strong and will never steer

you wrong. A true mother's

love is beautiful in many ways.
A mother's love is sincere

and it takes a mother's love to

conquer our fears. A true mother's

love knows the depth of love.

A true mother's love is contentment,

just like God's love. My mother's

love is absolutely all of the above.