It's my 400th Blog!!!

Though unbelievable but....... I am now writing my 400th Blog! To be frank I haven't been blogging since the final quarter of Year 2009. Even my daughter commented "Mummy, your blog is dead!" It's just that I am real busy with the preparation of my son's wedding, at least it's now over!!!

Not much of a preparation for this coming Chinese Lunar New Year, as we are going over to KL to meet up with the rest of my children Alex, Choulyee & Karen and will be spending our festive holiday there. Really looking forward to it and just wait & see what are in store for us and will share with my online friends when the time comes.

My resolution for 2010....... "to get my blog going......" So, hoping to get full support from you all and...............

'Green Panel' Shell Petrol a scarce

Today, if we want to refill our car petrol at any Shell Station, we might not get the petrol that we require, thus we need to drive in, take a look at whether there is any 'Green Panel', if there is none, then we need to try other petrol stations again. Mind you, this morning I went into two petrol stations but both do not provide such petrol. It is really frustrating, especially when our regular petrol station is out of the way at that moment of time.

In the past, as long as we wanna refill our car petrol all we need to do is to drive in to any nearest petrol station to get such service, but it is not so today! With the increase in petrol price customers are expecting at least a status quo service level or even better, but it seems to be even less favourable!

Finally, I have to drive all the way to my regular petrol station, take my queue to get my petrol refilled. Long queues at petrol stations for the 'green panel' petrol is very common these days as the service to provide such petrol is scarce! Hoping that such service will improve in the near future.........

A tale behind such scenic views.......

To most people, such a scenery might be considered very normal and there is no big deal about it, but for me and my family members, there is a tale behind such scenic views!

To recap this tale, it's roughly about 15 years ago when our family is having a stay over at one of Kuching's one time popular resort - Damai Lagoon Resort. It was on one late afternoon and our family were taking a stroll around the resort, and all of a sudden my youngest son Aaron, who was only few years old then was pointing towards the mountain and shouting "It's going to explode!"

We were all astounded by his words and was looking towards the direction he's pointing and to only come to realise that it is none other than the heavy clouds ascending across the mountains, which is a very common sight at that time of the day as the air is getting colder. Our surprises suddenly turned to laughter.

From that time on, whenever we saw such views it will always brings smiles to our faces and we will always remind each other of the phrase.........."It's going to explode!" and if Aaron is with us he will sure give us all a 'shy' smile!!!!

A healthy Hakka delicacy

LUI CHA has been a long time healthy delicacy not only to the Hakka people but to all people at large who loves to eat vegetables. It is served with a combination of few type of vegetables, Chai Po (pickled turnip), fried beancurd, fried peanuts, rice and a bowl of soup comprises of grinded tea leaves & others.

Personally, for a very long time I wish to eat this dish but after two attempt I failed....... wanna know why?????? What kept me away from this dish is the strong smell of the tea soup. I know there are people who eat this dish without the tea soup, but for myself I strongly felt that eating this dish without the tea soup is better off than not eating this Hakka Lui Cha at all!

However, just before Christmas a friend of mine brought me to a place selling home-made Lui Cha. I was quite reluctant at first as I told her that "I really don't know how to eat". But this time I was really caught by surprise as the tea soup of this Lui Cha taste much more different than those that I've tasted before. Off course I started off with the not-so-bitter tea soup and after this first attempt I brought my daughter to have her first bowl of Hakka Lui Cha and will be bringing my mum and many other friends after this.

For those who loves this Hakka delicacy, I strongly recommend you all to have your favourite bowl of Lui Cha at Jalan Intan, Off Jalan Tengah of Jalan Pisang Road West. It is the first corner single storey house as you turn in to Jalan Intan. I believe that after your first attempt, you will be one of their regular customer. I've already had my third bowl since then, so friends, enjoy your Lui Cha!!

Surrounded by the rich, beautiful nature.........

It is indeed blessed for us who are living in a state or country that are surrounded by the rich, beautiful nature! Though in the city itself we might not be able the enjoy the beauty that nature has for us, but as long as we are willing to drive some distance away from the busy hectic life of the city, then we are able to breathe the cool, clean air, which is in a way like helping us to detoxify our lungs as well as unwind our life & getting rid of our stress level!!

Sematan, 110 km from Kuching City is a quiet little sleepy town which is worth exploring. Let me share with you all some beautiful and breathtaking photos taken by my daughter Karen when we were there, right after Christmas 2009.

Top (1st) The quiet little sleepy town
Top (2nd) It's rich, beautiful nature
Bottom (Left) Carefree folks (both men & women) enjoying fishing on the jetty
Bottom (Right) Stealing a snap shot

Cheers to 2010!!

2010

May the New Year 2010,
Open up for us new horizons,
Fill our hearts with new hopes,
And bring for us promises of brighter tomorrow,
Happiness & prosperity!

10 hours to another New Year........

Roughly 10 hours from now comes the new year 2010!! Tonight will be a night where people gather with family members, relatives and friends to usher the new year. It is also a time to enjoy to our fullest as it's the last day of 2009, which is........

As the clock ticks its way to 12 midnight, let us treasure the remaining hours of 2009 and look forward to a new year full of happiness, joys, prosperity, love, peace and most of all good health!!

"God Bless Us Always!!"

A Very HAPPY & BLESSED Christmas!

It is this season of the year again, and here's me wishing you all.........

"Time really waits for no man", it's really passing through so fast! This old photo of my daughter taken during Christmas doesn't seem that long ago though, but calculation shows that it's nearly 20 years ago...... wow!!

I am also sending you all my heartfelt wishes with love, peace & joys that is ever flowing & never ending.

"Merry Christmas & God Bless Us All!"

A very rare opportunity to experience!

Back to the days where this two songs and films "Saturday Night Fever" & "Grease is the word" is being made popular, many dancing kings and queens are seen enjoying themselves at most of Kuching's favourite dancing spots. As far as I can recall, Green Dragon Coffee House & Supersonic Coffee House are the two most full-house spots especially during the weekends.

When going to such a place, it's either in groups or couples, but have you ever come across a situation where the whole family which comprises of grands, parents & children enjoying themselves on the dance floor??????

It is indeed an enjoyable night to remember as such an opportunity is really rare and our 'Kuek' family of three generations are considered real lucky to have the chance to drink, laugh, joke, enjoy, take photos, clap, sing & most of all 'dance to the music'. Indeed, it's "A very rare opportunity to experience!"

It's just unbelievable!!!

It's just unbelievable to come to get to realise that my last blog is a month ago!!! Goodness gracious!!! How time really flies!!!!!!!!!

With the rushing up and down, preparing for the big day of Alex & Choulyee......... at last everything is now over!! 'A Big Sigh!! Phew!!!'

With relatives coming over from Singapore ,Hongkong & London it's always nights of great food at well known restaurants around Kuching City. At the end of the day...... we need to go vegetarian for a while in order to rid off our body's high cholesterol or uric acid level - haha!! No joke, it's true!!

The month of December has been a month full of birthday celebrants for our Kuek's family. Here's some photos to endorse it...........

The birthday boys & girls: Carol, Jessica, Jonathan, Karen & Aaron
Photo top (left) Everyone smiling in front of their birthday cakes
Top (right) The birthday celebrants making their wishes
Bottom: All get an equal opportunity to cut their birthday cake