The Plan

The trip.

When we travel on our own, there is usually a plan. Do we go around on our own or do we sign up for a tour. But where the UK is concerned it is never dad's cup of tea to be tied to a travel agency. He will drive around the countryside and savor in the beauty of local scenes and rolling meadows. So this trip to the UK saw us again signing up for a local car to take us around the few days we were there.

Being a short trip and wanting the best of it, dad plotted a plan that included a visit to his old pal's home, some countryside B & B adventures, a London splendor and a pop-over to my childhood friend's home.

The list seemed long but it was done.

 Flying across the continents, I was most amazed at the arid and desert-like landscape over the Arabic lands as we witnessed features often spoken of and taught during Geography lessons in class; wadis, yardangs and zeugens. Geography is real-life stories. Dad could not resist but took shots of them. I have to admit though that I am not an ardent fan of window seats. I like seats along the aisle much to the  chagrin of Sara. We fought tooth and nail for that seat.

 Arriving at Heathrow's terminal 4, we immediately made our way outside the terminal to board a carriage to ferry us to the terminal where we had booked a car earlier on through the internet. If you intend to drive and rent a car, the earlier you book, the cheaper the rate it will be.

The van was parked just outside the terminal and served us well as it took us a good 10 minutes to arrive at the Europcar depot.

Many European made cars were parked neatly ready for rent.

Dad booked this make and it was comfortable enough for the 3 of us. An automatic car will cost 20 pounds more each day when compared to a manual one. Not very sure of the routes and the highways, dad opted for the automatic one. This time he had no one to help him in the drive. The last trip the older girls were with us and they supported dad fully in the maneuvering and chauffeuring of the vehicle. He cannot depend on me and Sara for that ! This was how much we wished the other girls were with us. But they had plans of their own. Or rather, no more time for us.

Necessity is always the mother of invention. When the older sisters are not around, the youngest one has to rise up to the occasion. She could not leave daddy on the lurch , thus she had to learn to read the map despite the great reluctance. Not only had she to read, she had to lead dad. No GPS...

The first evening was wet and cold. I immediately missed sunny Malaysia !But drive we had to. We needed to scour through all the places that we had sketched and planned.

Sara and dad worked hand in hand though she had to go through much stress. We made some mistakes here and there but the UK maps are superb as every detail is mapped and this made traveling easier. Getting into the main highways was important as it meant leading us to the many counties accurately. If you have children and especially boys, this mode of travel is the best.

So, equipped with a map, a car and instructions, we drove through highways and byways, hills and valleys and reached our destinations safely and in good timing. We prayed for journey mercies and guidance.

 

After we have seen and scoured through the countryside, we had the huge responsibility of returning the vehicle to the company in London City. In the city we don't drive; not advisable. There are too many rules and regulations and you will somehow break one of them. So to return the vehicle in its good state and making sure the fuel tank is full is a chore. Looking for a petrol kiosk is a challenge in the city and yet is had to be done. We filled it up the last time before returning. Otherwise they will top up at a different fuel price. We made a huge blunder this time though. Sara kept reminding dad that he had signed up for a plan which he need not fill up. He did not believe her and ended up doing the extra bit with a cost. He was not to fill up indeed ! So now he had to cal the company to get his fund back ! Surely a lesson learnt. Sara chided us for not considering her. I forgot she had an eye for details.

When the trip was done around the countryside, we were glad the burden of looking after the car was over. Now it was the oyster card and underground tubes. London is equated with tubes.

So,ends the story of the rented vehicle.

 We missed the older girls' company and noise.

It's Over !

 It seems such a long while ago. 

Yes, I went away thousands of miles and I am back.

I will in due time tell stories again...

 But for today, I am relieved to see the last of the PMR exam. I told the children the paper today is a determining factor in the straight As band and it's a challenge.

 Who wants to try the Chinese Language Paper?

I hope and pray for a good Christmas gift again this time around.

How many times can one get away?

 Someone once asked me what I eat each morning for breakfast. I told her I eat bread and butter packed by the house help religiously every morning for the last few decades.I am serious. It's hardly any day that I go through without bread each day. But today, I had a special kind of bread. What do you call that? It's croissant-like with chocolate toppings. I gazed at it for a while before the first bite. It was really, really good. 

She slept after mid night the day before; running between my room and the kitchen asking for suggestions for the toppings before a final conclusion was made.

I suggest to the maker to make croissants for Kong Kong this weekend and she kind of agreed.

 Then. exhausted after the day's work, I came home and was offered home-made ice-cream. It's pistachio toppings ! I am not joking and not bragging... it's out of the world. Now, I know she can open a little cafe if she decides to do so.

 Maybe I can suggest to her to teach the PMR students how to make ice cream?

 

 So the little things that make me a little brighter today can even offset the agony of mine losing my favorite shoes; eaten by the good-for-nothing Piper ! I came home on Sunday to be greeted by this!

Of course the ever protective house help had a million excuses... the dog was crazy; there was too much rain and what ever...

But never mind la...how to be angry with one with no brains?

Go buy new ones la.

Good Luck

 Another year.

Time flew by.

Soon the second last batch of PMR will be facing the challenge again.

Some have worked real hard; others have not seeped in the reality ; still others are happy go lucky.

Whatever state they are in, we can only pray for the best to come to them.

So we remember them in prayers; that they will be strong physically and mentally; that they will be healthy and they be kept away from ailments. We advise them against eating out of the home so that they will not be threatened with food poisoning. We also tell them to take vitamins and be robed in a happy spirit.

They listened and hopefully remember what has been told. Children, don't forget to bring your identification papers and sharpen your 2B pencils. Encircle the alphabets precisely and neatly. They must be tired of our reminders but who can escape Pn Poh and her constant tales?

The Interactors are displaying their generosity once again; golden chocolates for joy and strength !

So they went round distributing their expression of love to the exam takers ! Do well after you have consumed them!

To all my dear boys and girls, may the best happen to you all.

So well and when you think of me; think of As!

All The Best

From the school

A Gruesome Week

 What a week!

Teachers and PMR children frantically helping one another. Oh that the teachers' wishes may come true; that all will strive to do their best. Teachers are washed out in energy drilling their students with last minute exercise and advice. Kudos to some teachers who 'fought' to get hold of challenging children whose performance will affect KPIs! KPI, KPI, KPI ... a term that has been haunting us for the moment.

 They came day after day...teacher, teacher, teacher ... give more...

 For once, they choose to be very, very , very cooperative; they know when their hour is near.

 These two linguists; teachers of the Mandarin Language to be exact are in tight spots; the Chinese Language paper is a determining paper... Straight As or not?

 Drills, drills, drills... practice makes perfect.

 How about this for a light moment? Yes, the veterans transfer all their best energy to the school. Occasionally an ice cream treat evokes the happy hormones to arise !

Ms Tan is a little girl at heart ; she is a diligent girl.

Madam Ainon is also young at heart; we have decided that whatever state we are in, we learn to be happy .

That's Ms Tan CC, Chin LM, Shahrizad, Suhaili and Ruhaida...all very happy licking away !

Aya, Pn Chong  we also want la...typical of Doris Thomas. So Ms Teo and the Art expert; Pn Sumalidza; agree too. 

Some light moments for the hard workers of the school.

All thanks to Mr. WS Kang for his generosity; he supplied the ice cream.

We want more; we want more; we want more .

The teachers.

DownTown

 All In An Afternoon.

When you have plans to shop and you detail your trip carefully, much can be achieved in a few hours. One Sunday afternoon out of a strong crave to visit the beautiful city of Kuala Lumpur, Sara and I drove to the fheart of the city where everything can be found under the same roof. It all depends on your taste; whether you want to do serious shopping or you just want to exercise your limbs aimlessly.

 Lot 10. 

They told us there was a new comer there.

 When I told Esther that we were going there; she asked if there was a queue in which I replied : 

Why should there be one?

So I was rudely awakened.

The queue starts here; it said. So Esther see for yourself.

 Men and women. the young and old ; Asians or Caucasians; all lined up for their turns to go in.

Yes, H & M is in town.

Besides the one in Singapore, this is the only other outlet outside Europe.

So now we do not have to travel there to shop.

 The crowd was a frenzied one. Everyone seemed excited at the new outlet.

 The colours are trendy but not for the older women. Sara noticed that the choices are contemporary and from the latest season. She thought the selection would not be the latest.

 I must admit that there was much to browse through except the throng was so huge that shopping was not pleasant.

 You queue to pay too.

 After Lot 10, you only have to cross the street to Sungei Wang. At Sungei Wang, good old Auzzie Cotton On sure has a challenge to face in H & M. Competition is stiff!

 When all goods seem to look alike, you will concede to the famous Snow Flake outlet and take your favourite sweet.

 So typically Taiwanese, the chain is sure making waves locally. In Subang Jaya, people just walk in to the outlet to enjoy its display.

 This is my favorite choice...sweet potatoes, yam, red beans and black jelly. You can get addicted to it.

It is pricey and I wonder at people's affordability these days. This would be the cost of lunch for me.

 After being energized by the sweet. you can still walk into Berjaya Square and enjoy its ambiance.

 Everything is going cheap; but you wear it once...

So Sara ; don't be foolish. Don't buy to dump.

After that, you just drive along Petaling Street and go my favorite beef noodle stall and take dinner.

So, everything seen and done in 4 hours.

A wonderful Sunday afternoon.

Waltzing Maltilda

There are always surprises each day.

Today we had guests from the Land Of Down Under and to be exact; the Sunshine State of Australia.

They came on the invitation of our music coach; Ms Suzanna and it was a simple exchange of songs.

The girls range from 15 to 17 and were a friendly lot. I noticed they were down to earth and very approachable. They shared freely and were very pleasant; definitely not spoilt ones. They surely did their school  proud; the Mt Alvernia showcase chorale!

They came here with a mission; to sing to us.

So we sang to them too. Hear our local concoction.

Their music director; Mr. Daniel loved our Local tempo.

Maybe we should also visit them next year?

 Some parents came along too. They indeed displayed a casual and happy disposition. Many are here for the first time and some even said they liked the school !

Mr. Daniel presented some gifts from their country depicting their art and culture.Brisbane reminded me of Grace when she studied there. It seemed a long while ago. But till this day, I have good memories of the place when I visited her in her undergraduate days.

A photo for keeps. Our very own choir in sync with the Australian counterpart. We hope to have further affiliations in the near future. Oh that we will be able to visit them too.

So how could they go home without their nation's signature tune?

Waltzing Maltilda.

Great to have them for the day.