Blissful Bride

 A night of bliss and joy.

Last night at the Renaissance we had fun meeting up with friends and ...ex students.Yes it is good to see Jeremy Lok of 2000, Benjamin Lim 0f 2003 and my old memory failed to recall others.It is again during such occasions that we get together to wish one another well and be happy for ourselves.

 So now who is the next blissful couple?

 So petite and pretty, Wai Yen an ex-Sefieldian is now married!

 Wai Yen is daughter to her mother; Looi Chui Yean. Mother and daughter can enter a look-alike competition and they will win.

 This is Benjamin Lim.

 He was also the star of the night among his teachers. He wormed himself into a seat next to all his favourite teachers...Ms Goh and Madam Daisy; both his mentors in his form 6 days. He is a good boy. Why you may ask? He is not shy of his teachers anywhere, anytime.He makes himself available for them and treats them with care and respect. That's what Puan Periachee tod me as he was extra helpful making sure she was comfortable and getting a chance to have her blood tested when she visited Universiti Hospital some time ago. Dr. Benjamin Lim is a true son of the school.He told me he already has a girlfriend. Good for him.

 But most touching of the evening was when I saw Puan Malar asking the 3 boys; Dr. Benjamin Lim (extreme left), Dr. Lee Kin Hun, and Dr. Lee Kin Mun to stand beside her for a shot. She has the absolute right because she was their Biology teacher ! Now you know why a teacher indeed has a story to tell behind the success of a child.Both Kin Hun and Kin Mun are brothers to the bride; sons to the mother of the bride.What a proud day for Madam Looi !

 Look at the beautiful photo of teachers and students...beautiful because of the story behind it. 

Teachers feel happy to see happy proteges.

 The bride could not stop herself from taking a photo with all her teachers.

This has been an evening of teachers' affair.

When you have a mother for a teacher you have teachers on your wedding dinner too.

Wai Yen expressed her heartfelt thanks to her parents for their sacrifices and hard work in working long and hard hours to give them an overseas education.She touched many with her few sincere words.

To the blissful couple; may the days to come be ones of good companionship, comradeship and complement.

Congratulations Wai Yen and Thon Hon.

The Bazaar

 The Annual Affair

Every year at this time the Muslims go through a month of cleansing and fasting and discipline. Food is not too be consumed in daylight hours but within the stipulated period. So my Muslims friends and children in school follow a strict schedule and honour the fast.
After a day of fast, they can be treated to some goodies and Malaysia has plenty to be proud of. Strolling along the designated spots near where I stay, I get pretty thrilled at the colorful display of food. I get my spirit lifted up from the ups and downs of life just by gazing at the vendors and their creative business cues.

 The vendors set up their stores by 3pm each day.

 Do you see what I see? Assorted jellies.

 Chicken cooked by the charcoal way...so palatable.

 Yummy vegetable curry; I love the soya bean curds.

 Another variety of deep fried chicken.

 What do you call these? Call them...popiah.

 Keropok lekor ; the Terengganu way.

 Malaysian Satay only found in the style that I like !

 The famous Kelantanese Nasi Kerabu !

 Deep fried stuff; in all forms for all tastes.

 For more home cooked style; try them. If time does not permit you to cook,just buy them off the peg !

 Something new...steamed bean curd ; looks interesting and served with much creativity.

 The murtabak for the meaty people...

 Otak-otak has found its way to the hungry stomachs...

 But actually to reveal the truth; I come here looking for the curry puffs above. Every year for the past 5-6 years, during the Ramadan season I will search high and low for this particular store. I only like curry puffs from her. Look for it yourself and tell me if you would consume other versions after these.

And... after a day of fasting, these quenching liquids make your day.

Make your way to the Ramadan bazaars.

For overseas friends and students, come home.

Home, sweet home.

One Too Many

Papa : What's this? What's it doing in the car?

Mama: False eyelashes?

Papa : Who wears them? 

Mama: I don't.

 When there are just too many hanging around for a wedding dinner, you won't know who wears them..

Just one too many...Make a good guess.

Which daughter?

Not only eye lashes but shoes, earrings, clothes...

Some are bought to be put aside after a session; others not even used.

Wait till they become mamas !

The Wait

 It's not the wait that you want.

It is an agonising wait.

You feel it most if you are parents to children who ask you to book plane tickets in anticipation of a graduation ceremony.

 It took the toll out of me each time I had to go through it.

All thanks to cheap air fares when you book plane rides way ahead of a stipulated date.A colleaque shared with me of the impending graduation of her son this month. She told me that her son's results are not released yet and that they would only be released 2 days before the graduation. But her tickets and holiday dates have been booked and whether she liked it or not, she and her husband had to go in faith. She said she would leave it all to God.

Many times I had to go through this ; well at least 3 times? 

In some foreign universities the stipulated graduation days are neatly arranged and at times they can be altered to accommodate important changes. Each time I book tickets for the girls red letter days I prayed extremely hard; that they would make it at the final countdown.

I have also witnessed cases of family friends who actually arrived for the ceremony but later to find out that the child did not make it.Well. as parents we can only ask the child to try a resit and pray for divine intervention.

So my friend arrived home yesterday and there was a wide smile on her lips.

Congratulations Nithi ;  well done.

The Sabbath Prayer

Tradition

In steep traditional Jewish practice, family prayer is revered as it is a call to God for His divine protection, blessings and approval. Fiddling through some videos, I came across this song and found it even true till this day as a mother appealing to God for that revered favour upon my loved ones.

Some requests don't differ from olden times; that of the call of God's grace and mercies.

Do listen to the lyrics and catch the sentiment of the love of parents for their children.

The sentiment remains the same even in this modern era; that the best should come to our children.

Enjoy the song; though old and ancient it may seem.

Why do people still look for old castles and palaces in tourist spots?

Yes, it is good to look into olden times to see what life was then.

Some things don't really change.

Double Joy

 It is the season of marriage.

Every mother of my contemporary seems to either have a son or daughter being partnered. 

What a joyous season.

Last evening was a double dosage.

A double wedding for the sons of school colleague Puan Rahizam.

 Puan Rahizam is indeed a lucky lady to be made a mother -in -law to both her sons' spouses on one evening.Everything saved; expenses, time, effort.

But the greatest joy is to see both sons with the loves of their lives.

 What handsome couples.

May the richness of life be theirs to behold and keep.

 That's Puan Rahizam and Dato Sabri in the centre. 

They were indeed happy as I see their cheerful expressions.

 That's Datin Hasiah; a dear ex-colleaque standing beside Puan Rahizam. Datin Hasiah has been carrying out the doting duties of a dear grandmother to her third grandchild. She told us it is not easy being a 'confinement lady'...but admits that it is her love for her daughter that drives her to great great lengths to see her through the challenging times. A mother's love never ends; does it?

 Standing :Rahim's beautiful wife on the left, Patricia, Zunaidah. Maziha, Khadijah, Suzie Tan, Zaidah.

Sitting : Chuah Lay Suah on my left and Rahizam on my right.

A perfect evening for a get together.

Of course, the dear Principal with daughter and Rahim's wife.

It was a simple but meaningful evening with the couples exchanging their vows and promising one another faithfulness and trust.

May the couple find true happiness in one another.

The Lovebirds

The Knot

I saw them growing up; heard them going through struggling LDR moments but in the end they have decided that they are meant for each other.

They are brave and decisive and know what they want.

So they tied the knot and pleased God.

May they quickly know the tricks of a good formula to a blessed marriage and be ready to ward off the threats of ungodly arguments and unnecessary squabbles and love one another in good and bad times.

But above everything else may they be a godly couple ready to live out the principles that will be the envy of many and the pride of their God.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

 Happy For Both Of You .

The Baker

 The Barrister is home; I will tend to think the baker is home.

The first request on arrival is the persistent cry to get the love of heart; the Kitchen Aid cake mixer.

When she insists even dad gives up; so just in.

Why the commercial mixer? Isn't an ordinary one enough?

No, she said.

"I wanna bake a cake for Keshia's wedding!"

The first response from dad; " eh, you sure you can handle the assignment?"

Yes; she reiterated.

Thanks to Keshia; she got the love of her heart.

  
So the operation started since 2 days ago.

There are 3 layers of this iced butter cake...just like the story of the 3 teddy bears.

After being iced, they were refrigerated.

The topping is quite a task.

Her fingers may be small, but they are precise and deft; just like the way she thinks and behaves.

I don't know how she acquires the skill though I have suggested that she attends some formal baking class to enhance her learning and skills.

Keshia has full confidence in her ...

So these 3 layers were placed in the air-conditioned hall to maintain its moisture and at the same time to prevent "sweating" ; a term to connote melting?

The house help was almost coerced to accompany them throughout the night...less ants and the like decide to  attack.

So the 3 layers were transported to the church for the final decor by the baker and her assistant who only moves here and there under instruction...

You see what I mean? The architect sees to the final look...

Hmm...impressive. What do you think? Simple and sweet.

The bride will surely be lovelier than this sweet thing.

Congratulations Daniel and Keshia.

A Rupture

Ignorance is not bliss; it can produce fear.

Sometimes we refuse to think of the worst; we overcome fears by consoling ourselves that nothing can be worse than a possible bad situation. So it is good to share some experiences so that if you do find yourself in the same dilemma , you will not be so afraid.

It was just one of those days when it did not rain but poured.

He had quite a morning when a pail of paint toppled and messed up the car.As usual, he thought he could salvage the pail of paint but his kung fu acts caused him to ram against a curb and yes, a dent appeared.He doesn't concede to defeat easily so he tried to restore the dent; with some success.Then he tried to clear the messy paint. Why go through the hassle? He doesn't give up easily; does he? Yes he MUST clear it...but sometimes one must concede to the fact there are masters of trade; that he only needs to send to the workshop.

The harsh one tore, replaced, cleared and wiped like a mad man; only to make the idiomatic expression come true: Penny wise , Pound foolish.

In the process of cleaning, he hurt his finger.

There was this sudden loss of control over the finger. The last segment of the middle finger could not be restored to its original state.In a layman's eyes what could have happened? Will it recover by itself with some ointment?

The first instinct was to call the daughter. "Grace, why is daddy's finger like that?" The interrogation came in; has he been rough with it? So the story went on and on..."Daddy needs help. He has torn his tendon.Go see an orthopedic surgeon." Was it really that serious? Will it not be restored by itself? Will dad see a doctor? He told me he would see about it the next morning.

So throughout the night he plastered his finger so that it was restored to its original state.

 

The phone rang...

"Mum, send dad to me and I will get my friends to help him" the daughter said. 

It had been confirmed by Dr. Lee that he needed orthopedic procedure.

The obstinate one now knew some fear.

So, the dear wife made a decision. No need to go down; just pop over to the nearest hospital.

Lo and behold; he was told that it is not uncommon to happen to people whose work involve the use of hands.

The treatment?

Hahaha...look at it.

Yes, all it needed he was told was to get the finger bandaged, straightened and wrapped for a period of 6 weeks! So he had a good time signing cheques last night. The surgeon told him about another alternative; to have a minor surgery to insert a steel plate as was done to a dentist a previous time, so that normal work could be performed.

That will be gruesome; so he decided on the simpler procedure; stuck with it for 6 weeks. The doctor also said the human body will miraculously heal by itself after that period of time. If the finger is not bandaged and straightened it may never be able to be in its original state again.

Though simple; the procedure was necessary.

No medication; just the procedure.

So what do you learn?

Bandage yourself and save RM250.00; all done in 15 minutes.

And...be gentle.