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!

Trip to Hong Kong and Macau [Part 4]

It's our 5th day in the beautiful city of Hong Kong.  After our breakfast Uncle/Granduncle brought us into the market which is just next to the bus-stop.  The seafood are so fresh, including veggies, dried ingredients and many others.  The bus came on time and we made our day's journey to Tung Chung Station, from there we walk to the Cable Car Station for our cable car ride to Lantau Island - A Journey of Sky-Land-Sea.....

From here we catch a bus to the wharf for our next journey by boat to Tai O Fishing Village.....

As our boat moves around in the open sea with the intention of viewing the popular Pink Dolphin, the waves are getting bigger. I haven't have such open sea experience for a very long time ~ sweat ~

After we disembark we take a stroll through the stalls selling all types of dried seafoods, cakes, biscuits, and Tai O's specialties.  We indeed have a day well spent in the beautiful island of Lantau!

4th November is our last day in Hong Kong, and we leave the best to the last - Hong Kong's Disneyland! 

We ventured almost every corner of Disneyland, enjoyed many rides, experiencing many adventurous places of interests and not forgetting the Parade.  The drizzling rain doesn't hinder us from enjoying ourselves. The sky is getting dark as we are about to make our way back home.....

On our way back we meet up with Uncle/Granduncle at a nearby restaurant for dinner.....

After dinner we walked home, refresh ourselves, do our packing and then spent great moments chatting and sharing with Uncle/Granduncle before we call off the day! We really enjoyed our stay and holiday in beautiful Hong Kong.

Trip to Hong Kong and Macau [Part 3]

Our Day 3 adventure is something 'out-of-the-ordinary!'  It is not something which we've planned but it spontaneously comes from Grand Uncle during the discussion between Karen and him.  With the directions given by Uncle/Granduncle, we both made our way by bus to this so called place Stanley.  It's a long and winding journey and finally we made it there.....

The place have many interesting things to see and we love the beautiful and captivating scenery.  After we have ventured enough we took the bus back to the center of Hong Kong and moved along the busy streets, then find our way to our next stop......

It's another long and winding road by bus right up to The Peak ~ cool ~  After a late lunch we head direct to.....

We enjoyed capturing photos with the wax statues of celebrities and important people throughout the world. It's indeed a great experience.  By the time we completed adventuring this Wax Museum, we found that the sun is almost setting, and in order not to miss out the beautiful scenic views, we rushed up to the Peak Tower. To our astonishment the views are fantastically beautiful and being there really gives us great pleasure!

before sunset

after sunset

The next day, 2nd November, as usual after breakfast we start our day's adventure - The Avenue of Stars!

supporting our Malaysian actress....

We moved on to Ladies Market......

after which we stopped for Pizza at The Spaghetti House.....

then made our way back home.  We both decided to take an early break from our adventures today and having dinner with Uncle/Granduncle.  Karen is still at work while on holiday, even on the MTR ~ sigh ~

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.....

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.....

Christmas countdown.....

It's a week to CHRISTMAS!!  How fast time flies.....  

This year I'll be spending Christmas with my children and grandboy Brendan away from my hometown. Well, I am feeling happy and joyful at the same time will be missing dear hubby and Aaron.  That is life, we simply can't get the best of both worlds right??  Look at the positive side of life to get the best out of everything ~ SMILES ~

The beautiful Christmas decorations in Shopping Malls and the soothing, lovely Christmas Songs which are played and aired really makes the Christmas Season comes alive. May we be filled with peace, joy, happiness, cheers, good tidings and merriment during this special season and the whole year through. Wishing everyone MERRY CHRISTMAS in advance - ENJOY & Be HAPPY!

Trip to Hong Kong and Macau [Part 2]

The sun is shining brightly on a cool Wednesday morning.  We started off with Dim Sum for breakfast at a nearby Restaurant with Uncle and his god-daughter. Though Dim Sum sounds light but the quantity that is ordered and being served before us really makes our eyes 'pop-out!' Oh my,my!! How are we going to finish eating them?? So many varieties!  It takes us all quite a while to finish munching and swallowing them all and by the time we finished, we are all SO FULL! Karen's words still rings in my ears "never mind mummy, we have to walk many miles today" and we both SMILES.....

Based on our itinerary, we will be going to Ocean Park! Yeah.....

When we arrived there, we learn that it's Halloween and the whole place are beautifully decorated with pumpkins ~ cool ~

We started off with the Grand Aquarium - so huge with many sea creatures to see. We enjoyed being in the depths of the ocean!

We get to watch An An, the Giant Panda walking up and down, but Le Le is inside the house so we only get to watch her through the TV screen. The Pumpkin Creation Lab is fabulous. We enjoyed viewing the different types of images which are beautifully created - very innovative indeed!!

We moved into the Streets of Old Hong Kong......

Next, we get to feel the freshness of nature as we take the trail path - ponds, shrubs, trees and different types of plants.  All of a sudden we saw a suspension bridge, which is Karen's 'must-walk' adventure hehe!

As we continue venturing many  things capture us with interest - Fun-tastic Funhouse, Panda Village, Goldfish Treasures, Whiskers Harbour, and then we found ourselves in this ride "BALLOONS UP-UP-AND-AWAY."  What thrills us is not the ride itself, but the gorgeous views.....

A Halloween Fest show is being put up for kids after which we get ourselves seated among many visitors waiting patiently to watch the bird show.....

The bird show is great with them being so well trained and smart!  We have covered almost all of this part of Ocean Park, and we went to the Ocean Express Waterfront Station to take a train/tram to another section....

WOW! Karen is so excited then...... I could hear her saying,  "I wanna ride this, that and... and....." her face full of bright SMILES! There she is on the queue......

While waiting for her I was taking a long stare at the Whirly Bird Ride...... can I go for this ride??? I could hear myself asking the same question over and over?? Not long after that.....

YES! I am flying high up in the sky!!! Enjoyed this ride very much ~ smiles ~    We both decided to grab something light to eat and drink as well as to rest our feet.  Soon after that we are back on our feet and we caught sight of this beautiful view......

Our first intention is to have a ride in that Flyer but sadly we didn't manage to get there, which we also believe that there will be a very long queue!  We take a quick stroll into the Rainforest - birds, fishes and flowers.  What comes up next?? The Ocean Park Tower, which capture the 360 degree views of the whole Park....

We walk on towards the Pacific Pier to view the California Sea Lions enjoying their playful acts both in water and on land.  Next, we took several rounds of escalators and come to this Mine Train Ride, another ride which Karen is eagerly waiting to go for it. With a waiting time of only 20 minutes, she decided to go for it and by the time the ride is over the sun is almost setting.....

It's another long walk we have to take to reach the front area, and Karen go for her final ride - The Eagle!

We are on a very long queue for the Cable Car ride over to the Old Hong Kong.  We managed to capture some photos at the beautiful musical fountain, which can only be viewed at night. The place are getting very pack and people are coming in for the Halloween celebration.  Many of them are wearing scary costumes with weird make-ups, scaring people at every corners! 

We made our way out of that congested place and back to Hang Hau MTR Station, get something to eat and then head for home.  It's a tiring yet enjoyable day for both of us.  Mind you, that is only our day one touring this huge city of Hong Kong!