The Spring Cleaning

Oh what a day!

We thought we had a hill, a mountain and a sky to climb for.

We saw the challenge but when we put brain and brawl together the answer is there.

The day came when we have decided for the best to happen.

The school needs a clean up before the children meet another greater challenge; the public exams.

We will clean the school.

This boy with the mop and pail is in Form 5. The boys behind him are also in Form 5. In some parts of the world, school children are gauged by their commitment to charity work . So I think they are commendable for their participation.

When you look at the younger ones your heart goes out to them. They came in proper attire; right attitude and a mind to work. Notice their pails, cleaning liquids and boxes. All thanks to good upbringing from the home too. We say thank you to the parents.

So the teachers too came with a heart and mind to clean up, clean up, clean up.

The students were ever ready to chip in as much as effort as they could. They were such darlings.

All rubbish must go.

Pn Zunaidah says even the bin must be tip top.

 So, Mr. young man said he would do the arrangement. All books to be kept in straight lines. He  also can have the privilege to maintain law and order here. Thank you.

The teachers in quiet spirits went through the gruesome task of clearing and throwing. All spring cleaning must begin with the first process : THROW. Get rid of RUBBISH.

 They mopped and mopped.

D' archive is spotlessly clean.

 Ms Pamela is young and energetic. She is a total blessing to the school. She cut and paste all the time !

 She said: No, no, no ... wait till I have finished clearing my garbage !

The discipline board is out to kill. Their room will outshine others. It's the discipline they have to display all the time ! Kudos!

 This SPBT teacher is hands on. Her room needs to be a good example too.

 

  At the end of the day, she said her old bones are not sparing her.

 
 I am just a lonely girl; lonely and blue. Where are my friends? But it's alright. I will do my best. Good girl.

 This is the epitome of help. Push and and throw.

 Young men all out to help the teachers.

 Hey we are cleaning the fans. We want to be under clean fans for the exam.

 Zach is working...

 The hall is not spared. 

Need to clean up for the center.

The teachers go beyond the staff room.

They clean special rooms too.

 You see... the maid cleans her tables at home. In school she cleans the tables. Exemplary !

 Oh she needs to clean the marks on the tables ! She cleans and cleans.

 At the end of the day, the victory is ours !

Teachers and students are happy !

So we deserve the lamb !

 We had a gainful adventure.

We cleaned and we earned some money through noble recycling.

So we hope the school is cleaner now for our next agenda...the public exams for the children.

Pray we make it well too.

The Handsome Couple

The royal ambassadors of Britain are a hit here. They are their parents' and country's pride and exude charisma wherever they go.It is a pleasure to see them perform their official duties and every young couple should perhaps emulate them.

Last year they created international excitement at their wedding. It's the general feeling that they have made the perfect decision. Somehow when a decision is right it will receive approval from almost every quarter.  They received warm reception from the Malaysians ranging from the government to the general public.
The Duchess of Cambridge is especially sensitive to the local people and their practices. She dresses appropriately and puts on the scarf as she enters the mosque as a mark of respect. For this she has won the hearts of the Malays.Being sensitive and smiley will charm her subjects and people around her. The Duchess has indeed risen up to the occasion and the 2nd in line queen has surely a magnanimous role to play.

It is also a pleasure to see young blood taking the helm and be groomed for greater works for their nation.

 May they continue to grow graciously in their various capacities and be respected by the world.

 May they also be very strong and face the challenges of life with little fear.

We will see more of this royal couple.

The Feeling

Never easy to leave the home.
When I was younger; single and in the varsity, I used to make weekend trips to see my parents. Each time I left home for KL, there was a tug at my heart. This tug stays with me; I thought it would leave me as I grow older. It never did.
Yesterday, dad and I made a trip back home to see the old folks. They seem jovial as before and gave us a sumptuous dinner in one of the local eateries.Even at this age, they still would not allow us to foot the bill. They remain as father and mother to us; we never seem to grow older in their sight; we are always children to them... to be fed and taken care of by them.You wonder who looks after who.

Kong followed the news and was vocal about the dispute between Japan and China over an island; Por was ranting over the girls if they were doing fine in Singapore...
Next, they want to know when I will retire; and help me weigh over the issue. To be busy or not to be.They told me it is not easy to have nothing to do and ask me to emulate them...
Soon, they say the holidays will be here. Little do they know how untrue it is...there's really no holidays.
The holidays are here for us  to plan for the coming year.
So the cycle goes on and on.
It was a short stay.
All good things must come to an end.
This morning we left for home.
The tug at the heart came again.
It is always difficult to leave them.
But we had to.

So, the good news is we will see them again.

We look forward to another weekend with them

God bless my parents, I pray.

The Martial Arts

A day of appreciation for co curricular ventures in school. 

Do you not think that those active outside the classroom are just as competent in the classroom? Many are all-rounders and it is through these kinestic activities that many strengths are nurtured. Leadership, determination, perseverance, cooperation, sportsmanship are only some of the qualities acquired. Life is more than studies; everyone knows that. How you function and behave in group activities will be a reflection of your acceptance and assimilation into an organization.

The mental strength developed through co curricular activities will see the students through the many challenges ahead.  The school is the perfect ground for development of character.

Last Saturday we had an exhibition of the martial arts before the ceremony began.It was an interesting performance and students went all out to display skills and styles !

Watch them in action.

The taekwondo boys and girls.The activity has been in school ever since its advent and many are still attracted to this art.

The instructor has been with the school since the beginning.

Wudo is relatively new but has obviously gained popularity. The players seem very serious.

How do you like the drummers? Clad in traditional clothes but playing to the tune of Chinese music. 

A unique combination of cultures and moods.

The opening performance to the day was indeed impressive.

The Mooncake

The Mooncake Festival

Popularly cherished as a festive practice, the Moon cake Festival again will be enjoyed by many Malaysians in a couple of weeks' time.Legend has it either for a hero to look for his beauty in the moon or secret messages being passed in the moon cakes to save some kingdoms from enemies of Outer China.Whatever the reason, legend or belief, the festival is here to bring families together for a time of family gathering and tea drinking camaraderie.

When I was a little girl, good old Muar was adorned with these paper lanterns along the main streets and homes. People love to take occasions for times of joy, happiness and fun. So I  also took part in lantern processions along the streets and often ran to the Hainanese Association next to my mother's shop and see the percussion band marching up and down in joyous festivity. It is easy to be happy when you are young and you are get excited at the slightest moments. How good it was then.

I remember consuming cakes packed in these cute things. The pastry is mere flour with little taste. It cost me 20cents each then. To my consternation, the price now is beyond me; I cannot bring myself to buy them anymore.They told me not to compare but I just cannot. When I do, I would rather not eat. That's the downside of knowing the past.

Today, I was given a pleasant surprise when I came home from a long day.

Little Sara is at it again.

Last evening she bought some red beans and soaked them overnight. She must have made the paste this morning.See she was already coating them with egg yolk; the final stage of the moon cake making process.

Into the oven they went.

After some 10 minutes, the cakes were browned and ready to be cooled.

Lovely, fresh and clean moon cakes for taste.

Moon cakes are expensive affairs these days.

You pay them for the elaborate packaging.

I will not pay for them.

I am fortunate that someone has baked them for me.

No preservatives.

Sara says : Mum, eat it 3 days later. 

By that time, the richness of the paste will be incorporated.

But I wait no 3 days; I cut a piece while it is hot.

Have you ever tasted hot moon cakes ? Never.

So I chose to be different .

Eat it while it is hot.

Verdict? Nice, lovely, clean and not too sweet.

But I sincerely believe it will be even better after 3 days.

Sara and her moon cakes.

The Decision

Decisions, decisions, decisions.

We make them everyday. Out of each decision, a choice is made.We rationalize from all possible angles and then conclude. Though some decisions are right, they can sometimes seem wrong. So we have to be brave and be resolute. So, we must not be afraid to face the consequences.

So the morning came on the day we wanted to fly. How do we go to the airport? To call a cab? To persuade someone to send? Then what happens when we want to come home? The norm is to call the cab. But  at times waiting to catch one can be challenging. So this time around, I told dad to make a decision which we had never done before.

Drive there.

Park the car there.

But for 3 nights?

What would the charge be?

At the LCCT airport, there exists a car park that charges the price of a budget feature too.

The downside is that you may have to walk a distance to the terminal but that is not impossible.

Dad informed that when he flies a one day trip he would normally park his vehicle there and save himself of the agony of hailing for public cabs. So, yes we would park it there.

Of course it would be practical to drive a more seasoned one so that you would not be unduly worried.

There is no shade but most public ones may not have one.

After weighing the yeses and nos, the decision was made.

We would drive ourselves there and home for the plane ride.

Well, the car was safe and sound, we saved ourselves the many hassles but the best of all was :

The parking fee was affordable !

Only RM54.00 for 3 nights; 4 days.

(Rm16.00 a day)

Would you make  the same decision?

 The Venice of the East, Bangkok is gracefully featured with canals and the Menam Chao Phraya which attract tourists through her lifetime. This river is instrumental in the amazing growth of the city and is truly a magnificent waterway which gave birth to economic, cultural and historical chapters of the nation.

So, we cannot leave the city without a cruise along the waterway ; can we?

Dad said we must sail along the Menam and see the landscape along its banks.

Dad was ambitious.

A cruise in the night.

What can you see?

But they say beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder.

So we attempted to cruise in the world of darkness.

 Dad was generous again. My friends tell me you can pay RM25.00 for dinner and river cruise in a public vessel. Dad though thrifty at most times, chose to be otherwise this time. He opted for a fine dining cruise. 

So he paid the hefty sum. But who cares?

 Enjoy the cruise.

The Anantara chain manages this package and we had to travel a distance from China Town to the place.It was a breezy evening with the best of weather and ethos. The vessel is a typical old Chinese-looking junk giving an authentic feel of olden time sailing moments. This was also the first time we dined on such a vessel; but it reminded us of the cruise with our girls along the Pu Tong River in Shanghai in 2010.

 Besides the cruise we were in, we noticed many other less elaborate vessels carrying tourists too; some without dinner I believe.

 The Chatrium we were inforned by Ake has many businesses; hotel, apartments and even ferry services.

We actually saw the hotel and apartment along the waterway.

 The Great Pearl and Sabai Cruises were accompanied by songs, dances and cheers unlike the Manohra Cruise we were in. Ours was a quiet and contemplative crowd with more serious talks and even romance among some. I was telling dad about the couple in the next table; were they married? 

If they were, they surely lived up to the name of love.

 At the far corner, Asiatique stood clear. Later we were told that it is somewhat like Harbour Town of Queensland as part of it borders the water and has a sprawling spread of shopping delights. We only discovered it on the eve of our departure for home. So if you do make a trip to Bangkok, it will be good to include it in your itinerary.

 The Ramada Hotel

 I may be wrong but I may also be right; this is the oldest hospital in Bangkok, the Siriraj Hospital

You have to pardon me if I am wrong but there is a hospital along the way.

 Western and Chines food outlets.

 The Sheraton has its rooms facing the waterway too.

 This is a barge; ferrying goods from one point to another.

 An old Catholic Seminary; the Holy Rosary Church. Christianity found its way to her  doors but Buddhism is the State Religion.

 The majestic Siamese temples are abodes of worship for the many millions of local people.

Wat Arun Ratchawararam on the right and the Grand Palace on the left are significant landmarks along the Menam Chao Phraya and held in great reverence here.

 Tucked along it is also Thailand's famous Thammasat University; a leading education institution.

Of course, we can expect bridges after bridges here, like what we see across River Thames in London. Some of them include Taksin Bridge, Phra Pok Klaw Bridge and this one I think is Rama VIII Bridge, an symmetrical suspension bridge.In the night it is not so easy to recognize. 

 But what is dinner without the typical Thai cuisine?

Everything is hot and coconut flavoured.

The appetizer is a combination of dried shrimp, nuts, ginger, shallot. chilli padi and sambal wrapped in leaves.

 That's grilled chicken, prawns on anchovies , wanton.

  White rice with brown sticky rice.

 Chicken curry; the Thai way.

 Prawns in Tom yam soup.

 That's the famous mango with sticky rice.
All these taken with a bottle of local Champ Beer.

A lovely evening cruise for 2 tired bodies in need of a break.

Dad had no phone calls for 3 days because it was switched off.

Only mama's phone was on; to receive the girls' complaints about one another.

A good trip.