YuLong Snow Mountain

29 October 2007 – Lijiang - YuLong Snow Mountain
6th day – afternoon



The scenic spot after lunch was excited. It was the YuLong Snow Mountain or the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain located 15 km north of Lijiang city with an altitude of 5600 meters (18,400 feet) above sea level, is the highest mountain on the southern bank of the Yangtze River. There are totally 13 snow-covered peaks in this mountain. The Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is the mountain chain, which is snowcapped year round year round and its shape like a glittering jade dragon lying on the top of the mountain. The mountain is a holy mountain for the Naxi people, a soul of the tribe. Allegedly, the Naxi tribe believed that their Genius "Sanduo" was the god of mountain, living on the Jade Dragon Mountain. It is also a holy mount of love in the eye of the Naxi people.


Water Step Ladder




The Alpine at YuLong Mountain








The scenery can be divided into four kinds: the alpine snow area scenery, the water scenery, the forest scenery and the meadow scenery.


Walking Track at YuLong Mountain with Pine Trees at both sides




Everybody was in full armour. I wore 5 pieces of clothing, a short sleeve t-shirt, a long sleeve t-shirt, a cardigan, a wool sweater and a vest with gloves and stockings on as the Malaysian tour guide told us it would be very cold. Four of us shared a bottle of oxygen for RMB40 which we did not really need it. We took a cable car up the mountain to the YunShan Plateau. There are stalls selling coffee and snack up at the cable car station up in the mountain. From the station we walked for about 20 minutes to a green pasture where we stopped to take photographs. Then we continued to walk a big round for about 40 minutes to return back to the cable car station. At the side of the walking tracks are mountains slopes with all types of plants especially the pine trees. It was so sunny and hot that I have to take off all the clothing except for the t-shirts. I was a bit disappointed that the type of scenery we experienced by waking along the walking tracks is the meadow scenery with alpine meadows and the alpine snow scenery from afar was not very beautiful or cleared.
The water scenery mainly refers to the scenery along the banks of the White Water River or Baishui River, the Heishui River and more than ten pools and springs at the foot of the eastern part of the Yulong Snow Mountain which is supposed to be splendid was not so because of the renovation going on.


White Water River at the foot of YuLong Mountain under renovation



It was already 6.30 pm when we left for dinner from the pools. We went straight back to the hotel after dinner instead of going to enjoy the night scene of the old town because few of the team members were not feeling well.

Lijiang

29 October 2007 – Dali - Lijiang
6th day – morning

The journey from Dali to Lijiang was about 3 hours on coach so we have to start the journey as early as 8.00 am. On the way, we visited a 5 stars toilet which is the cleanest and most modern toilet with locked door among all that I have ever visited in China. We visited a tourist silver shopping spot where I bought a necklace without any pendant for RMB150.

Lijiang (the Beautiful River), the Naxi Autonomous County is an old city in beautiful surroundings in northwest Yunnan. The old town of Lijiang differs from other ancient Chinese cities in architecture, history and the culture of its traditional residents the Naxi ethnic, the people there are called 胖金哥 and 胖金妹 (male and female respectively). It is situated on a plateau at an elevation of 2,600m and is impressive because of its scenery and lush vegetation. With the Jade Dragon Mountain as backdrop, the old town has adapted itself harmoniously to the natural scenery.

Ancient City and Foreigners' Street (Yang Ren Jie)

28 October 2007 - Dali Yang Ren Jie
5th day – afternoon



The evening visitation at 4.00 pm enlightened everybody. We were given two hours until 6.00 pm to shop at Ancient City of Dali. One of the streets there is the "Yang Ren Jie", i.e. the "Foreigners' Street", as the name suggests, frequented by foreign visitors shopping or having a good time in teahouses. There are many silver shops along the Dali Ancient Town, Mingzhu Square and I bought 2 pairs of silver earings for RMB6 and a bangle for RMB10. Many team members bought the woolen hat at RMB10 each as our Malaysian tour guide said it was very cold at YuLong snow maintain.

Bai Tribe SanDaoCha Dance Performance

28 October 2007 - Dali
5th day – afternoon



After lunch we proceed to enjoy a famous Bai Tribe’s tea performance, Bai Tribe SanDaoCha Dance Performance where we were given to taste 3 cups of different type of tea while watching the dance performance.



We visited the mock-up village of the Bai beside the performance hall after the tea performance. There was a refection wall where in ancient time, it stored up solar enery and gave out light at night.

Dali - Filming Studio for “Tian Long Ba Bu”.

28 October 2007 - Dali
5th day – morning


Today is the 5th day of our trip. We were visiting the Filming Studio for “Tian Long Ba Bu”. In order not to miss the door opening ceremony, we have to reach there before 9.00 am. There were variety shows like acrobatic and lion dance on the way into the film studio.




We took a horse-cart to go round the hill for sightseeing instead of walking. We were inside the studio for about 3 hours. It was quite boring.



The Dali local tourist guide of the Bai Ethnic who was wearing the white Bai costume was not very professional. There was no explaination and the arrangement was in a mess

Erhai Lake (the Ear Sea Lake – 洱海公园 )

We reached Erhai Lake (the Ear Sea Lake – 洱海公园 ) at 6.00 pm. It was very windy. The natural scenery with willow trees and some fishing bouts floating in the lake that surrounded by mountains is beautiful.



Everyone was busy taking photographs.
On the way to dinner we took a view of the Three Pagodas that standing stately at the foot of Cangshan Mountain from afar. These three pagodas are symbol of the Bai’s culture and is a protected cultural unit.

The hotel we were staying was Asia Star Hotel, a five star hotel owned by a Taiwanese.

Kunming - Dali

4th day – afternoon - Dali



We started our journey to Dali just after lunch by coach. The whole journey took about 4 ½ hours. “Xiao He” did not follow us to Dali. Without him the whole journey was so quiet and boring. Everybody missed him a lot.

Dali in northwest Yunnan is a famous historical and cultural city of China and a national scenic zone. Dali is a major habitat for the ethnic Bai people, whose folkways are at once time-honoured and distinctive. The ancient city of Dali was first built during the early Ming; today only two city gate-towers are still there. The dwellings of the Bai people, however, are in perfect condition. The Bai is a tribe that loves flowers and likes white colour.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Whole Sale Market

27 October 2007
4th day – morning


We went to the Traditional Chinese Medicine Whole Sale Market after breakfast this morning. A lot of our tour members bought the Tian Qi (田七). I was not interest in the Tian Qi, I bought 500 gm of Dang Gui ( 当归) which I like for RMB123, a tube of Yunnan toothpaste which was strongly recommended by the local tour guide for RMB20 and 500 gm of Rose tea leaves that May said is good for beauty for RMB50.

To my dispppointment, the businessmen in China never changed, when I was back home, I found that the Dang Gui were only sticks of the branches, I was being cheated.

Shopping at factories not in the intenary

26 October 2007
3rd day –Afternoon – Bai Yu Tang （白玉堂）

From my traveling experience in China, beside visiting the scenic spots, factories or places that introduce tourists to buy the products that cost thousands or hundreds of dollars are other major places where the local tour guides with bring you to. From the Stone Forest, we went back to Kunming city and having lunch at the same beautiful country side restaurant. On the way back, we visited the Medical Hall “Bai Yu Tang” （白玉堂）. Some of the tour members bought the expensive Chinese medicine but Chooi Tau and I did not buy anything.

After that we were brought to a crystal factory where Chooi Tau and many members bought the crystal sun glasses. I didn’t buy because I am short sighted and the sun glasses are without any power.


In the afternoon we went to the LuoSiWan Whole Sales Market (螺丝湾批发市场). We were given 1 ½ hours to shop but nothing was suitable for me to buy. We were offered to have a free foot massage, but believe me, there is no free lunch in the world, the main purpose of the free offer by them was to sell their products which cost hundreds of dollars. After dinner, we went for a famous stage cultural show in the theatre which cost about RMB200 per person.

Stone Forest (Shi Lin – 石林)

26 October 2007
3rd day – morning – Stone Forest

Today the morning call was at 7.15 am, breakfast at 8.00 am. The Stone Forest is just within walking distance from the hotel – about 15 minutes walk. To avoid the crowd, we started journey early at 9.00 am, immediately after the breakfast.


Along the way, we saw bundles of maize hanging outside almost every house for drying up for later consumption.


The Stone Forest is 120 km from Kunming. This forest of stone, formed by erosion over millions of years, is comprised of many stone peaks, pillars and stalagmites rising abruptly from the ground and extending as far as the eye can see. It is one of the world's natural wonders.




Here, massive pillars of gray rock have formed a gigantic forest of stone. Some of these natural stone formations have the appearance of animals such as snakes, elephants, birds, and dragons. The whole journey of walking and climbing up and down from the entrance to the exit took about 2 hours.

Journey to Stone Forest (Shi Lin – 石林), Kunming

25 October 2007
2nd day – Evening - Journey to Stone Forest (Shi Lin – 石林)

Our next scenic spot was Stone Forest (Shi Lin – 石林). Normally the journey from Alu Caves to Stone Forest will take only about 40 minutes but because of the heavy rain in the past few days that caused soil erosion, the road was closed for repair. We have an alternative road which is still under construction. The journey was terrible, we were like riding a rocky horse on a rocky mountain. It took us 2 ½ hours that we have our dinner at 9.00 pm and checked in at YunLin Hotel at Shi Lin at 10.15 pm.

Chooi Tau was having backache, so she called for a room service body massage. It was already 11.15 pm and I was very tired, but the girl sweet talked to have a foot massage. The foot massage was lousy and it cost RMB60.

Kunming – Army Officials School

25 October 2007
2nd day – morning – Army Officials School


The morning call was at 7.15 am, breakfast in the Hotel Cafeteria at 8.00 am and we started our 2nd journey at 8.15 am. The first place we went was the Army Officials School (姜武堂). It is one of the protected/reserved history units in China that founded in 1909 and is located at the west of the Green Lake (翠湖). A lot of famous generals were students of this school.


It was drizzling when we reached there. The local tour guide told us lots of interesting history and stories where even members of other tour groups were also attracted to listen and gave him a loud applause after he has finished. One of the stories is the “Du Du Siew Mai of General Tang Shi Roa” (唐饶将军的都督烧卖).

The bus stopped at the side of the Green Lake Park which it is at Kunming City center. Every year lots of seagull will fry from Siberia to Kunming during winter time and this Green Lake is their resting place. Many locals and tourists are attracted to enjoy the wonderful scene of the seagull.

ALu Ancient Cave （阿庐古洞）

25 October 2007
2nd day – Afternoon - ALu Ancient Cave


Alu Caves which is believed to be the early dwelling place of the ancestors of YI ethnic minority. The ancient Alu caves are found 169 km from Kunming. A 3,000-metre-long travel route threads through this group of colossal karst caves in which underground rivers and numerous stalaco-stalagmites and stalagmites form a natural wonder in its own right. The caverns and stalactite and stalagmite formations are spectacular, as they are enhanced by an underground river and lake, the cave tour includes a boat trip. After the boat trip we have to take cable cars downhill to go to another part of cave and have to walk quit a distance before we were out of the cave.

Yuantong Temple at Kunming, China

Before we proceeded to ALu Ancient Cave （阿庐古洞), we visited the Yuantong Temple where I was only at the outer court because it was very smoky inside. There are many beggars outside the temple and some were pretended to be paralytic.


Restaurant at Stone Forest - sweet corn



We have lunch on the way to ALu Ancient Cave. It is a beautiful country side restaurant where we have to sit around a low table cover with red check table cloth on low rattan chairs with red check cushion cover. The structure of the building is very unique and special, just like a country home.

Grand View Pavilion or Daguanlou Park (大观楼), Kunming

24 October 2007 - Evening


After the Western Hill, we proceeded to the Grand View Pavilion or Daguanlou Park(大观楼) which is on west side of the “500 miles” lake that is 6 times of the size of Singapore. It was built more than 300 years ago in 1682 during the Ching Dynasty. All the way from the entrance are planted with beautiful chrysanthemum. The water lilies in the lake were only left with dry leaves but without flowers. The Daguanlou is one of the four famous pavilions in China. At both sides of the door of the Daguanlou are written with the longest pair of poem （对联）in the world ever since ancient time. It has altogether 180 Chinese words. Our local tour guide was so good that he could recite them and told us the history without looking at them for more than half an hour.



Grand View Pavilion or Daguanlou Park (大观楼)





Chooi Tau bought a pair of red slippers that she likes very much for RMB20 at a stall on the way walking back to the bus. Many team members bought gloves for RMB5.00 per pair and some other things like scarf, socks and hats. The shopkeeper was very happy because he was having so good business before he called it a day.

We have dinner in a restaurant and seated with three tables. It was a 10 course dinner with 8 dishes of meat, 1 dish vegetable and a bowl of soup. We could not finish the dishes and it was very wasteful. We requested for more dishes of vegetable instead of meat for the next meal. We check-in at King World International Hotel （锦华国际酒店）at 9.30 pm. The hotel room is quite spacious and comfortable. “Xiao He” was providing such a good service that he went door to door to see whether all of us were “ok” or did we have any other needs. His service was excellent.

Kunming-"Western Hill Dragon Gate” (西山龙门

24 October 2007 - 1st day afternoon
1st Scenic Spot - “Western Hill Dragon Gate” (西山龙门)

The first place we visited in Kunming was the “Western Hill Dragon Gate” (西山龙门). For environmental protection, all the buses have to park outside the park and we have to take the little electric train which can be seated with six to eight persons from the bus stop to the foot of the hill. Along the ways, there are stalls selling souvenirs. We have to climb hundreds of stairs to reach the top tourist spot, the Dragon Gate. It was quite exhausted but luckily in between, there are tourist spots that we can stop and Xiao Hei would tell us story or the history. Many people touched the dragon ball at the Dragon Gate in hoping that their value will increase hundred times.


The Western Hill Dragon Gate is a huge hilly dense forest full of “old ancient trees”. Climbing along the stone staircase, on the right is the hilly stone forest, on the left is the whole view of the “500 miles” lake. The scenery is beautiful, looking down from high and far, the lake and sky are in one colour. The whole view of the “500 mile” lake was under our eyes.

8 days 7 nights trip to Yunnan - Kunming, Dali, Lijiang

24 October 2007
1st day – flying to Kunming with MAS

The taxi dropped by to pick me up at 6.15 am after picking Chooi Tau at 6.00 am. We reached KLIA at 7.00 am and the taxi fare was RM80.00. We have our breakfast at a café after checking in. The flight took off at 10.00 am, a delay of about half an hour due to heavy traffic and all the planes have to line up to take off. We have our lunch in the plane.

Our plane landed at Kunming Airport at 1.30 pm. The Chine tour guide is a tough young guy name Jiang He (姜河). He asked us to call him Xiao Hei (小黑) or "Little Black". In Kunming, instead of addressing a lady "miss", we have to call "Ashima" for women of any age, and "Ah Hei Ge" (black brother) for all men.

Our Kunming tour guide "Little Black" is a very knowledgeable, joyous, passion in his job and good story teller. It was the first in my life that I met such an excellent story teller who is so well verse in history, can be so lively and elicit in linking the story to a truth. He belongs to the “Yi” ethnic minority.

Vacation! Vacation! Enjoy Your Vacation in Yunnan, China

Yunnan





Yunnan (Beautiful Clouds in the South) Province is the most southwest region of China bordering the countries of Vietnam, Laos, and Burma. Yunnan Province borders Guizhou Province and Guangxi Zhang Autonomous Region to the east, Chongqing and Sichuan to the north, and Tibet Autonomous Region to the northwest. Yunnan encompasses 394,000 square kilometers (152,084 square miles) and has a population of more than 42 million people.

Within these borders, Yunnan has a diverse topography that ranges from alpine mountain ranges to tropical rainforests and the greatest number of plant species in China (more than 18,000) as well as an incredible array of animals, including the Asian elephant and the protected Yunnan golden monkey. That is the reason why Yunnan is also known as a 'Kingdom of Plants' and a 'Kingdom of Animals', which have enough to offer those who care to come on bio-tour trips.

There are 25 different ethnic minorities in Yunnan, making it the most culturally diverse province in China. This multiplicity of cultures has endowed the province with a rich heritage that it shares with all who come to visit.

Until recent times most of Yunnan was not easily reachable as it was cut off from communication with the outside world by precipitous mountains. Many believe that the Shangri-la referred to in James Milton's Lost Horizons, was in Yunnan. It now may be the last virgin land where one can observe cultures whose layers go back for thousands of years into the past.

Traditional foods in Yunnan include chicken stewed in an earthen steam pot, rice noodles, roast ducks of Yiliang, Yunnan style ham, Xuanwei ham, and the daily are of ethnic peoples.
(http://www.tefl.cc/Yunan/index.htm)

Weather & Climate In Yunnan
Yunnan has a diverse climate, embracing temperate, tropical and rigid zones in one province. Kunming, the capital city, is marked by a pleasant spring weather which prevails year round while it is also notable for the abrupt change into winter weather caused by rain.

The climate in Kunming, China is warm and comfortable throughout the year. Temperatures never get too hot, nor do they get too cold. The city has even been given the nickname “The Forever Spring City.” With all of this however, certain months can be more comfortable to visit during than others

Dali's climate is somewhat similar to that of Kunming. Lijiang has a rather cold climate whereas Xishuangbanna is rather hot for most of the year.
(info@odysseycycling.com)

Lancome Skin Care

21 September 2007

I have been trying for many types of eye gel and eye cream. Instead of having any improvement, the dark circles, firmness and wrinkles are getting worst. Ai Lee recommended me the Lancome eye cream which she has been using for few months. Today is Isetan members’ day, with any purchase of Lancome products above RM380, there will be 8 pieces of gifts that worth RM450. In addition, there is a RM10 gift voucher for every RM100 purchase.

I bought a bottle of eye cream, a tube of UV protection cream and a bottle of toner which cost a total of RM425. Ai Lee bought 2 tubes of UV protection cream which cost RM380. We joined the bill and got 8 cash vouchers of RM10 each and two sets of gifts.

Back to office, which checking on the stock, I found that there was an extra bottle of eye cream in the bag. One of my colleagues said, “You are so lucky, you got another free bottle of eye cream”. I said, “No, I have to return the eye cream”. I planned to go back to Isetan at KLCC to return the Lancome eye cream to the sale girl. Ai Lee said she has to go over to Isetan again after work, so, I asked her to return the Lancome eye cream on my behalf. I took what are belonged to me and returned what does not belong to me.

Custard apples, inside the rice grain container

18 September 2007

Custard apple - a fruit that is usually round or oval, slightly pine cone-like, 6-10 cm diameter and weighing 100-230 g, with a scaly or lumpy skin. The fruit flesh is edible, white to light yellow, and resembles and tastes like custard. The seeds are scattered through the fruit flesh; they are blackish-brown, 12-18 mm long, and hard and shiny (Wikepedia encyclopedia)

Whenever I see any custard apple whether it is in the supermarket or at the garden, my memory will go back to the days when I was a little girl. I like to go my uncle’s house when I was small. My uncle with his family was staying in a wooden house with a big compound that planted with a lot of custard apples and other fruits like papaya and guava. They also reared chickens and ducklings. I remembered usually every visit, my uncle would sure go to the backyard to pluck some custard apples for us to bring home.

The custard apples were usually still very raw. My mom would put the creamy green custard apples into the rice grain container and covered them with the rice. When the custard apples ripe, they will turn soft. Every time when my mom opened the rice grain container and saw the custard apples have ripen, she would asked us to share custard apples among us. The custard apples with white flesh are juicy and there are a lot of seeds in between the flesh. Eating custard apples became part of my childhood’s memory.

During this mid-autumn mooncake festive season, my mom reminded us to buy my uncle some mooncakes and pameloes to thank him for taking care of us throughout these years. We must have a grateful heart.

Celebration of Mid-Autumn Moon Cake Festival

16 September 2007

There was no Chinese Service this morning. We were having our Mid-Autumn Evangelistic Celebration this evening. The celebration started with a buffet dinner at 6.00 pm at the Stream Cafe. There were a lot new comers. Yee Hui brought her mom, Lan Cher brought a mother with her daughter and V Jin brought............

The service started at 7.15 pm with a welcome speech by Bro. Stanley Kee. Followed by the action songs led by Ann and the team was the Karaoke of “Shanghai Beach”, “Loh Hon Pin, Loh Hon lau…………” and the Xin Jiang tambourine dance. Then was Lisa sharing the salvation message and altar called. There ware 13 new comers accepted The Lord as their personal saviour.

There was some more karaoke after the altar called. The children were playing lanterns and candles happily outside the sanctuary at the church compound. The last program was the lanterns dance danced by 14 sisters from age 12 to 80 years old. All the audiences were invited to the stage to join the dance after it has been dance for 1 round.

This time, I did not sing or dance on stage. I just helped around with the petty things like looking after the children, to help in the LCD projector and as a counsellor. The feedback from the new comers was positive and they enjoyed the program and food very much.

Don’t let your anger goes down with the sunset

10 September 2007

CKP called this morning, “You were like a volcano yesterday”, he said.

“There is no more fire in me already”, I answered.

Our friendship was restored and we started to chat like old friends once again.

“Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger" (Ephesians 4:26)

So Forgive and Forget!!

Public Speaking Club 15th anniversary

9 September 2007

The MCA Youth Public Speaking Club was formed on 9/9/1992. One of the initial purposes of the club was to train politicians to be good public speakers. Today, the Public Speaking Training Program trains students of all ages to be effective public speakers and presenters. After 6 months of intensive training, students are able and will be presenting a variety of program includes public speaking, drama, talk show and poem reciting during the concert in conjunction with the Graduation Ceremony.

There are four levels in the training program, the elementary, intermediate, advance and trainers. Beside public speaking, students also have the opportunity to learn about the administration, coordination, leadership and organising of events as they are required to stay back to train the new batch after their graduation. The PSC started with only 1 club, however, there are 18 clubs overall Malaysia today and the number is still growing.

Today is PSC 15th anniversary. Members from all branches were having camping near the National Zoo yesterday. Today is the "Good Friend" lunch gathering at "Sin Lok" Restaurant at Ampang Park. Actually I did not plan to go for the lunch, but, because CKP said he would be going so I bought the ticket. When I "SMS" him at 11.30 am, he said he was very busy and not be going. Off course, I was very angry and scolded him for wasting my $50. I was undecided whether to go or not. At last I decided to go because Gary Goh called me last night to say he would be going. Just like any other Chinese functions, the lunch that was supposed to start at 12 pm, started at 1.30 pm. This is supposed to be one of the biggest events for this year, I was quit disappointed that only a few of the speakers/trainers turned up. However, praise should go to Penang/Bukit Martajam Branch, they have about 2 tables of their members came. There were programs like speeches, ice breaking, dances and talent time but the sound system was terrible. Gary and I left at 3.15 pm while the program that scheduled to end at 3.30 pm was still on.

Lisa and Thien Hoe’s birthday

1 September 2007

To me, family bond is very important. I always precious the time of family gathering and try to make myself available for all the special occasions. Lisa and Thien Hoe’s birthday was in last week. Both of their birthdays fall on the same day. Only a mini celebration with some red hard boiled birthday’s eggs and fried noodles was not held on the exact date. We wanted to wait for Li Wan, my niece to come back from the university during the National Day Holiday to celebrate together.

Li Wan came back yesterday and we planned have our family dinner cum celebration at “Hee Lai Tang” Restaurant tonight. But, out of a sudden, Thien Hoe said he could not go, he was having dinner appointment with his course mates. We felt disappointed. However, we still carried on with our plan and went to “Hee Lai Teng” Restaurant for dinner. Our family likes to go to famous restaurants or hotels for dinner for celebration of any special occasion. For normal Sunday, we just go to normal restaurants or sometimes just hawker stalls for dinner. I always try my very best to attend these types of family special occasions. Tonight’s dinner was great, we have a good time of chatting and the delicious dishes we have were prawns, chicken, fish, stew lamb, pork rib, vegetables and desserts.

Lisa, my sister footed the bill. Praise God we can have such a sumptuous delicious dinner as a family tonight.

I love my Homeland

31August 2007

The golden anniversary of Merdeka

Today is Malaysia 50th Merdeka (Independent) anniversary. All the mass media, big organizations and politicians are wishing all Malaysians a Happy 50th Merdeka. After months of preparation, the grandest birthday party was kicked off last night at Dataran Merdeka, a big field just opposite the clock tower at the centre of Kuala Lumpur. The celebrations will continue for a few days and some of the programs included are: the Merdeka parade, fire works at Putrajaya and Merdeka Stadium. Thank God, they still remembered the Merdeka Stadium, a place where “Merdeka (Independent)! Merdeka! Merdeka!” were shouted 50 years ago, a heart felt and memorable place for most KL people and it is also a place where some people wanted to demolished it for commercial purpose.

During the forties and fifties when Malaya was still under the colonial occupation, the 3 main races, the Malays, Chinese and Indians were having the same spirit and target, a vision of building our country “Malaya” together.

After the independent, all the Malayans shared the result of the hard work. Everybody, no matter he was a Malay, Chinese, Indian or aborigines was proud to carry the name of “Bangsa Malaya”. Independent was the result of hard work contributed by all races. Under the leadership of our beloved Ex-Prime Minister Tengku Abdul Rahman, all races lived in peace and harmony. Graduates from overseas were longed to come back to dedicate their services to the country.

Things have changed, it is sad to see that many overseas graduates are reluctant to come back. Many may yearn to return home as here is their motherland, their roots are here, they missed their families, friend and life in Malaysia, but, something is keeping all these highly educated elites away. They are frightened, disappointed and frustrated with things that have been happened, words that have been said and policies that have been made. Like most Chinese, I too, felt grievance and my heart has sunken too.

However, Malaysia is still my motherland, I have never considered any other country as my homeland but Malaysia. My family has been here for few generations. Despite of all the fear, uneasiness, grievance and frustration, I thank God that we can still live in peace and tolerance.

I am still proud of Malaysia. Eventhough I did not tie a flag around my car, shouting “Merdeka” or “Malaysia boleh” in the public, deep down my heart, the love for Malaysia has not been decreased, it is my homeland. As a Christian, I pray for God’s blessings continue to be upon this beautiful country of ours. Amen.

Final debate – Public Speaking Class

22 August 2007 – 3rd week of August 2007

This evening was the final debate for the elementary class of the Public Speaking Class. I purposely went back to the Club after work to give them moral support. The traffic was terribly jammed that it took me half an hour to make just a "U" turn. It was almost 8.00 pm when I reached there and to my surprised they were already having their snack break. I asked, "Wah! The 1st match is already over?", because time for break is usually after the 1st match but before the 2nd match started. "No, it hasn't started yet, because one of the judges, Jin Ai was stuck in the jam and not arrived yet," one of the students answered.

When "Quai Fa", our chairman and also one the judges for that night felt relied when he saw me. He asked me to relief Jin Ai as one of the judges for the 1st match of debate for the 2nd and 3rd runner up. I was redundant and tried to push away because I was caught off handed with no preparation at all. But, I still have to help, it was already 8.15 pm, we couldn't wait anymore, the two matches of debate, including the judges' comments have to be ended at 10.30 pm.

The title of the lst match was “Inner Beauty vs. Outer Appearance, which is more important”. The whole process went on quit smoothly and the two matches of the debate ended at 10.45 pm after the prize giving.

Is praising a blessing?

19 August 2007 – 3rd week of August 2007

Bless someone with just a word of praise

Many people think that doing a good deed means having to do something great and fantastic. However, sometimes, even just a simple word of praise, encouragement, comfort, motivation or a tap on the shoulder can be a blessing to others. There will be a special presentation of lantern dance for our Mid-Autumn Evangelistic Night on 16-9-07. We have our first practice this afternoon. Out of 8 dancers, 6 are in their sixties and this is the first time they ever dance. I was helping the instructor to correct and counting their steps. It is just a simple dance but it was not easy especially for those who have never dance before. When they remembered their hands' movement, they forgot about their legs. When they remembered the legs, they forgot about the hands. It is not easy to coordinate both the hands and legs simultaneously.

After 1 1/2 hours of practice, most of them have already roughly knew their steps. We praised them and said 'well done' and said they could do better next week. From their face expression, it could be told that they were being encouraged and blessed.

A simple word of praise and encouragement can be a wonderful blessing to others.

Back to Sunday School

5 August 2007 – 1st week of August 2007

Once upon a time, I was a Sunday School teacher. I attended courses for Sunday School teachers and had been teaching Sunday School for 10 years since I was a very young Christian. However, I stopped and served in other ministry. After 10 years, I went back to Sunday School as a helper again today to replace Patricia Ong who has to attend the Christian Education Class. My heart was felt with joy and excitement. The class is for age 3 to 6 years old. There were about 20 children and all of them are very quit. It was a great time to mingle and mixed around with them.

Thank God that I can help in Sunday School again.

Precious Time of Gathering at Dynasty Hotel

4 August 2007 - 1st Week of August 2007

Long Lost Classmates’ Gathering at Dynasty Hotel

We have our secondary school classmates gathering this afternoon at Dynasty Hotel. I remembered the last time we met was at Bukit Jalil Golf Club, seven or eight years ago. This time we have Hi-tea at Dynasty Hotel. It was supposed to start at 12.30 pm but I was late and reached the hotel at 1.30 pm because of having to work until 1.00 pm. When some of the classmates like Foong Ngo, Moong Har, Sam Moi came to shake hand with me, I really could not recognize them at all until they told me their names. Time flies, it has been almost 30 years since the last time some of us met.

Altogether there were 25 of us went for the gathering. Foong Ngo was so excited that she purposely bought a few photo albums to rearrange the old days’ photos to bring to the gathering. The photos brought our memories back to those sweet old days. See Tuck and Posh Keng started to sing the school song "Cheras Road School to thee we give, our love and loyalty. There’ll be a day that we can say Cherasians we will lead..................". Foong Ngo kept asking her children to take more photos for us. Sam Mui was busy sharing and teasing Soon Wah for eating "Nasi Lemak" in class while the teacher was teaching. Yoon Kuan, Fai Lin, Yoon Lian, Hock Eng, Chun Loy, Koon Hoong, Chee Lian, Chooi Tau and .............. were laughing at the other corner. With a small slice of cheese cake, we sang birthday song to Lai Ming, Swee Eng and one more (forgot who). We have such a great time together.

Moong Har was so good, he invited us to Malacca, where he stays now and promised to treat all of us on lunch and dinner. So, we have set a date on 25-11-2007 for a day trip to Malacca. This time we met at Dynasty Hotel, the next round will be at Malacca. Thank you Wai Ping, Chye Yoke, V Jin for organizing such a wonderful gathering and made the event successful.

Fun of sharing

21 July 2007 - 3rd week of July 2007

PSC 2nd annual gathering

We, the Main Branch of MCA Youth Public Speaking Club was having our 2nd annual gathering at Restaurant “Hee Loi Tang” at Puchong tonight. All together there were 12 tables that mean there were 120 former and present club members attended the function.

Beside having the costumes competition, karaoke and dancing session, we also went for drink with our own batch of classmates after the dinner.

The organizing committee shared the burden of making the event successful and off course; there were funs during the sharing.