Family, God, Environment, Travel, Food, Friends

 Shania asked me innocently one day why I love to watch Thomas and Friends cartoons. A very good question. Actually, I started watching it when the kids began to watch Ceria on Astro. I knew about T&F before this, but never really thought much about it. Till Ceria on Astro. I was totally fascinated with the Island of Sodor and the Engines! Shania was a bit confused and asked why, me as her Mummy, as a grown-up, like to watch T&F. I told her grown-ups can like kiddies’ stuff too because there’s always a place in grown-ups’ hearts for those things.

I simply love those short stories about Thomas, Percy, James, Harvey, Henry, Gordon, Salty, Bertie, Terence, Skarloey, Toby, Duck, Bill and Ben, Douglas and Donald, Annie and Clarabel, Cranky, The Fat Controller, the troublesome trucks, and the rest of them. Somehow, when I watch T&F, I feel I’m transported to a land of beautiful and wonderful things. One of my favourite scenes is during winter. Calm and peaceful and soooo christmassy.

Recently, I bought a book from Kids’ Avenue entitled ‘Thomas and Friends - Story Treasury’ and I read it to the kids before they go to sleep every night. Even Tedorik can concentrate till I finish reading the four short stories. I’ve just ordered some T&F books online and I can’t wait to receive my parcel in a few weeks’ time…

I think it was a very memorable birthday dinner for Carol last night. A group of singers called the Borneo Gypsies sang ‘Happy Birthday’ and the best of all, ‘Oh Carol!’ for her. ’Oh Carol!’ is not exactly her favourite tune for reasons only known to her…. For as long as I can remember, she has always stopped me from humming the tune or singing the song (but I do it anyway to tease her… hehehe). Anyway, Trecey and I sang happily to the song last night - it was enjoyable, really. I must say the singers were really good (I wish they sang a few more songs though….)

Fish and Co’s a pleasant and lovely place to eat. Carol, Trecey and I had the New York Fish and Chips, Joanna had the ‘best’ fish and chips in town (well, that’s the name written in the menu) and Ann had a rice dish (but I can’t remember its name). It was a lovely evening with lots of chats and laughter. I will definitely return to Fish and Co next time, and that will be with Terence and the kids. 

It’s my Mum’s 65th birthday today. Last night we (as in my whole family) sent her a bouquet of roses and angpau. Today, my siblings sent pressies and a cake for her. She’s a marvellous person and we could not ask for a better mum! Her inner strength and perseverence are my source of inspiration. Love you lots Mummy! May God shower you with His bountiful blessings!

I really love this book I bought recently called ‘God’s little book for Peace - Words of comfort and reassurance for weary souls’. It’s handy and I keep it happily in my big hand bag everyday. Everytime I need some healing words or motivation, I just open at any page and I get inspired.

One of the phrases is ‘Remember, yesterday is gone and tomorrow is unborn; all you have is today. Live one peaceful day at a time’. Most of the time, we forget this. Well, I used to. We get so worked up with the worries and stress of everyday life that sometimes, we are blinded and we end up feeling really miserable and down in the dumps. We need to reach outside ourselves to find lasting peace and strength. This is not easy and that is precisely why we must remind ourselves everyday that we only have this moment to live our lives meaningfully.

We always hear phrases like count our blessings. And so we must. In the book it says ‘It’s not until something is taken away from you that you realise its importance. Count your blessings, not your troubles’. This is very true in all aspects of our lives. It’s not only loved ones whom we lost, it’s also applicable to our environment. When we lose our natural resources and there’s no longer enough for our future generation, then the realisation strikes and sometimes, it’s too late, isn’t it?

I know sometimes we can’t help but worry. But we must turn our problem over to God. After doing so, we must try to cease worrying and go peacefully about other duties. The book says it is no longer our matter, but God’s. And you know, it is true. When we surrender our worries to God, He will sort them out for us. I know because I’ve experienced this great blessing.

Have a blessed day today and always!

Mention the ‘assam pedas kepala ikan’, my hubby, Terence will drool and can’t wait to go to Fui Lau in Buhavan Sq, Donggongon. He’s a big fan of the assam pedas and I must admit it does taste very yummy. Shania loves it too. My eldest brother, whose name is also Terrance (only the spelling is slightly different) introduced the place to us and oh boy, how thankful we are to him!

We’ve been having the assam pedas for breakfast since Saturday. Only during weekends or public holidays we get the chance to go to Donggongon for breakfast as my office is in Wisma Budaya and Terence’s in UMS. So, it’s a real treat to the tummy when we go there.

Terence also likes the nasi lemak at Olde Station Kopitiam. The coffee is really kow-kow too and you musn’t miss the roti kahwin. It’s a simple snack to cushion your tummy while waiting for your main meal. Apart from Warisan Square, I found out there’s a new Olde Station outlet at the City Mall.  I think, I’ll pay the new outlet a visit the next time I go to City Mall…      

Calida came back to KK for her holidays so we girls went out for dinner in Barcelona Tapas & Cava, Warisan Square on Wednesday night. How lovely to meet up with the girls again. The ambience in Barcelona was cosy and nice too.  I love the way they decorate the restaurant. So there we were - Calida, Carol, Joanna, Lynda and I - talking and laughing as if we owned the place! We were a bit loud I think but the waitresses didn’t seem to mind. So what did we order? Loads.. As our appetisers, we had patatas bravas (deep fried potatoes with spicy salsa), salteado de salchichas (sausages cooked with onions, tomato and chilli) and ensalada de pasta (cold pasta with chicken, black olives, peppers, corn, peas and tapenade). I loved the patatas bravas - soft and tasty they were. Lynda was a bit late so when she arrived, we had already finished our appetisers. She had mediterranean salad (I think it had tuna and lots of nice vege). We shared the main course - paella mixta and paella de marisca. Both were rice dish - the first one had a mixture of chicken, prawns, etc. The second one had only seafood. Yummy! Carol was really pleased with the main course!

I also tried one of the mocktails called barcelona. It had a pleasant sweet-and-sour taste and I wouldn’t mind having it again the next time I go there. Definitely, I’ll return to Barcelona again… 

I attended my friend’s son’s funeral on Friday, 14th Sept. It was extremely heartbreaking and painful because you see, my friend’s son was only 19. He left so suddenly without goodbyes. He was diagnosed of having marfan syndrome, a very rare disorder. I was told that MS is due to tissues abnormalities, whereby the body tissues are flexible, including the heart. My friend nearly fainted and no words could make her feel better. I cannot imagine the pain she, as a loving and dedicated mother, has to go through at this time. Only God can provide the strength to go on because with human’s strength alone, no one can go through this.

I lost my brother Roland last year, 19 March 2006. He also left without goodbyes. He died in his sleep. It was so devastating to our family, and still is. He left his wife and two beautiful boys. I really miss him - his laughter and the kind person that he was. I don’t think the pain will ever go away but with God’s healing hands and support and love from family and friends, the pain eases bit by bit, day by day.

Our life is meant to be appreciated, every moment of it. For those who have lost their loved ones, my thoughts and prayers are with you. I believe our departed loved ones become angels to protect us. Although it hurts so much because we are unable to see them physically, the little comfort that we have is from the warm memories and love we once shared with them. 

During the recent environmental education workshop I co-ordinated in Tenom, I encountered a very ‘interesting’ character. When he came to register, his expression said it all. I knew instantly he was a tough nut I had to handle in the workshop. I said hello to him and he said ‘mendera bah ini (this is an abuse)’. I told him it was a very interesting workshop because there would be loads of fun environmental education games. He wasn’t convinced and I was a bit annoyed but I thought, o well, give him a chance.

During the tour around the agriculture park, I noticed he became interested and started taking photos using his phone. The ice-breaking session was fun for him because I saw him laughing and seemed to be enjoying himself. I was keeping my fingers crossed that may he be ‘converted’ into one of us i.e. those with passion to look after the environment. He even presented in one of the sessions as his group rep. Not bad eh?

I found out today from his boss that he gave a thumb’s up to the workshop! How lovely to hear that one tough nut’s heart has started to open up for the environment…. 

When it comes to ‘food glorious food’ in KK, I think we are spoilt for choice these days. If you’re looking for yummy desserts AND reasonable price, head for Secret Recipe in Warisan Square and Palm Sq, Centre Point. They have a wide range of cakes and my favourites are banana choc, tiramisu, white choc, classic cheese and blueberry cheese.  

Yuuuummmmy! For ice cream, I love going to Vedablu. Simply divine (just ignore the calories - we need to pamper ourselves once in a while). A new food court in town is Grace Point in Sembulan. You can find many types of cuisines there ranging from japanese, indian, korean, western, local, indian, and so on.. I like the ambience there too - it’s really cosy. (And do check out the toilets ya..) Another place that my hubby and I like very much is Olde Station Kopitiam in Warisan Sq. It has this cosy, olden days ambience and the food is reasonable. 

Atlantis Cafe in Damai offers my favourite snack platter with sandwiches, fries, chicken boxing, etc. It’s nice to have the platter and share it with a friend or two while having a drink. Delifrance is another yummy place to go for western food. For special occasions, Atmosphere is one of the places my hubby and I would go. For lunch, you can try their set lunch, quite reasonable (even better if you have their discount card) for a cosy place and a lovely view of the sea and KK. 

In Donggongon, I like the chinese dishes at Double 8. We also tried the Assam Pedas at Blue 7 a few weeks ago for lunch and it was really delicious. (Now I’m hungry…….)

Carol and I travelled around Sabah when we were back for our summer holidays in 1996. To be more precise, we travelled to Sandakan, Lahad Datu and Tawau. Actually, I wanted to go to Sandakan and Tawau to collect data for my undergrad dissertation so, I told Carol about it and she said, why not? let’s travel together! So we did.

The first destination was Sandakan. It took us the whole day from KK by coach to Sandakan. It was really funny in the coach coz someone’s kid vomitted and Carol and I nearly did so too. We were in Sandakan for a few days. After collecting my data, we went round Sandakan a bit. From Sandakan, we travelled to Lahad Datu to visit an old friend. Ate soooo much durians there (as if there were no tomorrows….) Then off to Tawau - ate more durians - courtesy from my Uncle and Aunt. There we understood perfectly the meaning of overeating durians - we felt really dizzy and couldn’t sleep properly because we also felt really hot! hehehe those were the days.. since we travelled by road so much (and the public transportation then wasn’t very pleasant) we decided to take the flight home to KK… Ahhh.. what a feelin’…..

Looking back at our experiences then, what we went through were priceless - may be one fine day Carol and I would do it again.. One fine day…