Calligraphy and me

After the calligraphy competition organised by Confucious Association last year, Elyse was eagerly anticipating the next competition.  Finally, the teacher informed her there would be one at Taman Merlimau.  I didn’t even know where it is???  Thankfully, the teacher was one of the judges and she graciously offered to bring Elyse there with her.  I was spared from chauffeuring and baby-sitting.  That was good news!  So, I packed some food and water for her and then rushed her to the teacher’s house after Sunday Service.

With prior experience, I foresee that Elyse could probably be back around 4 or 5pm.  On the hind sight, I was happy because with her absent, I need not to play the peace-maker role between the sibling rivalry.  The whole afternoon passed by swiftly with me thinking, ‘Is Elyse bored there?  Did she drink water?  Have she eaten the food I packed for her tea break?  Is she alone?’  Mothers will always be mothers.

Tick Tock Tick Tock … it was already 6pm but still no sign of Elyse.  I was anxiously waiting for the teacher to call me so that I can pick Elyse up from the teacher’s house.  Finally this concerned mom tried to get in touch with the teacher.  ‘doo… doo… doo… doo…’  No one picked up the call.  Perhaps the teacher was occupied.  Perhaps the hall was too noisy.  After a few attempts, mommy decided to go to the teacher’s house without waiting for her call.  Her reasoning is: By the time the teacher called, it would take her easily another 20 minutes to reach the teacher’s house.  Then another 20 minutes to drive home.  Darling would be starving.  If she waited for her daughter there, it would save 20 minutes then darling can come back home faster to have her dinner.  Mommy even packed dinner for her darling in case she wanted to dig-in in the car.

Finally, the teacher called me back while I was driving.  She told me that they are now on the way back from Merlimau.  I reached teacher’s house and waited there for quite awhile.  Waiting for our kids is a norm for parents, don’t you agree?  The only guilt I have was that my son has to wait together with me.  Thank you for your patience, my little prince!

Elyse was overjoyed when she saw me waiting in front of the teacher’s house.  She couldn’t wait to share the good news with me.  She won the consolation prize!  Looking at her sparkling little eyes, I swallowed all my complains and cheered her up for her achievement.  Indeed I worry too much, my darling was not a least bit hungry nor tired.  On the contrary, I was famished and wearied. 

Lesson learned:  It’s time to let go… my kids are growing up and they can take care of themselves.  So, does that mean that hubby can bring me for our second honeymoon soon?!!  hehe…

Revisiting Year 2016

As the year 2016 came to an end, these are some of the highlights of the year.  This rusty brain couldn't contain so much information, so memories are kept in the form of pictures.  If no picture taken, I may have missed out.


January

• Happy birthday, Daddy!  Another mini birthday celebration in the office for my dearest.  Looks like this is gonna be a yearly event.  Thank you, office staff, for making this day so special. This time, the children didn't join in the celebration as they were in school.  

• Cornelius and Irene invited the DG members to their house for CNY gathering.  The food was yummylicious and the fellowship was awesome.  We had fun singing some 'action' songs (haha... back to youthful days).  Thank you so much for their hospitality.

February

• Back to JB for CNY reunion.  

• Pak Tor 101 - visited two tourist attraction restaurants, The Daily Fix and Locahouz.   These are some of the highly recommended cafe in Tripadvisor.  

• Hubby's first visit to Botanical Garden.  This used to be some of my DG members Sunday's walking spot.  

March

• A visit by Vic Cern and Yieng Yin.  Baby Faith is always so adorable and lovely.  Enjoyed the warm fellowship and stories shared.

• Another friends' visit - Yap and Hazel.  First time seeing this cute, chubby baby Matthew.  

 

• Discovered a heaven for my kids - Bukit Serindit playground.

April

• Joining Ujong Pasir's DG retreat at HS Farm.

• Watched magic show at Dissendium Theatre.  Fantastic evening!  A big thumbs up!

• My DG retreat at Titi Eco Farm.  Food adventure trip: Eating hibiscus flower and weird healthy food for the first time.

May

• My prince is turning 5!

Birthday celebration at Sunday School

2nd round at the kindergarten

June

• The much anticipated musical '2nd Chances'

July

• Circus was in town!  Sadly, Erwyn was disappointed as he thought he would be seeing lion and tiger in the circus.  Instead, the circus nowadays are mainly acrobatic performance.  Even that, I commented that it was just an average show.  

• Elyse sat for her Initial piano exam and passed with flying colours. 

Aug

• A visit to the Zoo Negara - highlight of the trip: Panda!!!

• Stumbled upon this special place: Submarine Museum - an informative exposure to both kids and adults.

• Wanna take a peep into the royals' daily life?  Istana Negara, the old palace is now opened for public viewing.

Sept

• Finally her wish come true: Elyse's birthday party at McDonald

• First time participated in a calligraphy competition

• Back to JB for some swimming, rugby, cycling, funfair, and karaoke session.  

• Lantern Festival celebration organised by the church

• Celebrated 12th Wedding Anniversary with a surprise from hubby: a bouquet of white roses

• Another trip to HS Farm with a another DG.  This time, we had a surprise visit from Donald Duck and Minnie Mouse!

Oct

• Daddy and Erwyn had a wet fun day at A Famosa Waterpark whereas Mommy and Elyse made a trip to Chiling Waterfall, KKB.  Love the fishes!!!

• After the visit to the waterfall, I lost my hearing on the left ear for two weeks.  It was due to the ear infection as I was having a terrible sore throat prior to that for a couple of days.  Quite a torturing experience as I couldn't hear very well and the cause was unknown initially.  Through it all, learn to appreciate my 5 senses and God's grace for good health.

•  A make-over for my faithful little Kancil.  Nothing impressive.  And though I chose the wrong colour :(  At least, my little Kancil is 'brighter' now.

•  Hosting my honorary guest - grandma, for a couple of days.

• Erwyn received his first love letter from a kindy friend.

Nov

• A very important day for the queen of the house.  But it didn't end very well with too many 'unfortunate events'.  Still, I feel so blessed to have friends who remembered my birthday and delivered the birthday cakes to my doorstep for the past 3 years.

• This year, Elyse was invited to perform at Erwyn's kindergarten graduation/concert.  So, both kids are happy!

• A visit to Tanjung Bidara beach and the Turtle Sanctuary.  Our favourite beach for the time being.

• Your sincerely and two other church members attended Bob Fitts Worship Seminar at FGC JB.  

• Elyse sat for her Piano Grade 1 Theory Exam.

•  A midnight shocking visit by Mr Snake.  Truly make this year very eventful indeed.

Dec

• As an act of appreciation to all the members in the worship team, I threw a Thanksgiving Dinner at my house.  This was the first time I had a party at home.  The stress was intense.  Tried out two new dishes and it turned out not bad.  We had a good fellowship.  So much so that we have forgotten to take any pictures.  Argh...

•  A day after the Dinner, my house turned into a mini swimming pool.  It was raining non-stop for the entire day and at midnight (again!) water seep into our house from the air well.  Thank God that I noticed it earlier.  But it happened so fast that I only managed to protect the bedroom (right next to the air well) from flooding.  Half of the living room and the kitchen was covered with water. 

• Sending out Christmas cheer to 135 families during this advent season.

• Elyse was invited to attend Erwyn's kindergarten Holiday Programme.  Both of them enjoyed it to the max.  Erwyn even asked mommy to have another baby so that next time he can 'tumpang' attend the holiday programme when the baby attends kindy.  Oh my... oh my!

• Have a taste of snake meat!  Bravo, mommy!

• Andrew is 'promoted' to be the DS of the Southern District at the TRAC Conference.  He is also pastoring 3 churches now.  Great power comes with great responsibility.  It also means, less family time.  

• A day at the Bayou Lagoon Resort for some wet wet fun!  Unfortunately, mommy slipped and fell; and her hp had decided to go for a swim as well.  Lost all her contacts and precious memories.  Sob Sob.

• Missed this event in KL.  Was thrilled to find out the organizer had it here in Malacca.  Indulged in the romance of the LED lights.

• Just when we thought we would end this year with the highlight of the snake intrusion, we encountered another mysterious creature who made so much noise at our rooftop and caused one of our room's downlight's reflector to fell at 4am, waking all of us from slumber land. 

• This year, the church was brightly lighted up with Christmas lights all over the lawn.   Loving it!

Year 2016 was indeed challenging.  The first part of the year I was occupied with issues related to the musical.  Thank God that it turned out pretty well.  All the hard work and sleepless nights paid off.  The second half of the year we face threats like snake, the mini flood and the mysterious creature (we suspected it was a 'musang').  Finally, year 2016 is over and we are now in year 2017 with new challenges ahead of us.  One of the major issues is none other than hubby's new responsibility.  Praying for God's grace to sustain us and strength to face each day.   Looking forward to the many blessings God installed for us in the coming months.  Above all, thanking God for everything He has done for us and for Him to continue to work in us.

Christmas cards

This year, I have decided to send out some Christmas cards.  I wasn’t sure how many ‘some’ actually meant.  Just thought of sending some Christmas cheer in a more traditional way.  FB, whatsapp and twitter are some of the latest ways people connect to each other.  But I believe snail mail does have its unique place.  When was the last time you receive a letter that brighten up your day instead of bills after bills in your mailbox?  I threw in the idea to hubby and he agreed.  That’s the most important step as I need him to help me to get the house address of the church members. 

When I received the list of the addresses from the church office it was already entering the first week of December.  Thank God that my mom and sis were visiting me that few days.  Whenever they are with me, I am free from cooking and most of the household chores.  So, I concentrated on writing Christmas cards.  Even that, it took me four days to complete every single one of them.  By the end of the first day, my fingers were in so much pain.  I wondered how I survived those students’ years where hand-writing was a norm.  The subsequent days I reduced the hour of writing; it was done on a more relaxed mode. 

All in all, there were approximately 135 well-wishes sent out to the faith community.  A minority of them are personal friends or relatives.  Quite a number of them thanked Andrew (whose only involvement was buying the stamps) and me for the effort.  A few members returned the favor by sending us Christmas cards as well.  Nothing significant, yet I am glad to have done a simple act that brought a smile to someone’s face.

Merry Christmas (Oops, sorry.  Now it should be Happy Chinese New Year)!  

Snake Intruder

Sorry, didn't get a better picture.  Was too 'busy'  :p

It was just another evening.  Putting the children to sleep; tidying up the house; and ironing the clothes.  Nothing seemed unusual. 

Hubby just returned from a church meeting.  He’s tired.  It had been a long day for him.  After washing up, he went to bed.  As for me, I continued with my never-ending household chores.  It's passed midnight.  Finally, the last piece of clothing appeared to be free of wrinkles.  I was proud of my achievement.  I kept the iron and was about to switch on the computer.  Early of the day I promised a friend that I would try to search for a short nativity story online.   It was meant for her to train her pupil for a story-telling performance.

Just then, my dog started to bark.  Feeling annoyed, I wondered what trigger the unpleasant reaction.  This would disturb hubby and the children, I thought to myself.  As the noise came from my side door, I drew the curtain away and tried to peep outside the glass door.  I was taken aback initially as I saw a figure.  haha… that was simply me – my reflection in the glass.  Feeling silly, I turned on the porch light.  Still, I spot nothing.  But I noticed that my dog was looking down at the floor and barking.  It appears to me that it could possibly be a snake or a monitor lizard.  Well, that seems fine with me.  In fact, I think a human intruder is more scary.  Don’t you agree?

With a big sigh, I unlocked the front door and braved myself to check out the cause of my dog’s barking.  I would certainly prefer my husband to do so.  But knowing that normally after the business meeting it would take him awhile to fall sleep.  And it would be my last resort to interrupt him with some petty insect.  Well, I do enjoy the cold air at night as I marched towards the side door. 

Looking from a distance, I saw something long and black.  Even with the light on, I couldn’t see clearly.  It didn’t look like a monitor lizard.  Could it be a snake?  But… a snake with this size?!?  It couldn’t be.  Cowardly, I dared not to move closer for a better view.  I retreated to the house searching for a torch light and my mobile phone.  Perhaps I can get a better picture with the torch light; alternately I could snap a picture and enlarge it to identify what creature is that.

Having done so, I was quite certain that this IS a snake.  A snake with this size… this is no joke.  So, I went back into the house and woke hubby up.  Calmly I told him, “There’s a snake, quite a big one.”  Hubby got up and followed me to the porch.  He was stunned when he saw it with his eyes; even with my warning.  “This is a python”, hubby exclaimed with unbelief.

He took the gardening tools and decided to smack its head.  “Are you sure?”  I questioned him.  And that’s when the drama begins.  The snake was lying still all these while until hubby attacked it.  It reacted and crawled up to the window panel.  And then it launched back to attack hubby but failed.  It then crawled swiftly to the bushes at the backyard and disappeared into the night.

To be honest, our backyard was quite unkempt due to the lack of gardener in church.  There were banana trees, mango tree, guava tree, and some unknown species growing all over.  I have been nagging about this tiny jungle for quite awhile yet my voice was not heard.  Now thanks to this python; after this incident, the leadership of the church acted upon it swiftly and cleared off the entire backyard.  Now the backyard looks so neat and tidy.  Although it’s a pity to cut down the fruit trees, I have been struggling to maintain it. 

Work in progress

Finally, a neat backyard

A little amusement

The care and love from the church family is also evidently shown after this incident.  The next morning, a few church members called up and even offered to buy sulfur for us.  The leadership proposed for us to move elsewhere.  And one of them actually offered us their house to stay.    We sincerely thank each one of them for their concern. 

And not forgetting our dog; it certainly serves us well although there are times I feel so frustrated with the mess it creates.

It was a night to be remembered.  After all, how many people would get a chance to see a wild python this size in their backyard?  



ps: after the entire night's hoo-hah, hubby went back to sleep. And suddenly the thought came to him that he should have called the fire brigade.  Well, guess all the adrenaline didn't help us to think of it.