Weekend getaway, March 2012 – Lost World of Tambun, Ipoh

Tuesday evening few minutes before midnight received text message from one of my holiday buddies:

“Hai.. I bought Groupon voucher for a night stay in Ipoh, and my hubby last minute had to entertain clients to F1 this weekend. But I still want to go..J I know this is last minute, but if you are free and interested to join, let me know. Leaving on Saturday.”

Without hesitate I said, “Ok, let’s go!” J

Then I said, “Hey, we can take ETS!”. Being one of my holiday buddies, who also enjoys train ride, she had that in mind also. Next day when I called to book, was told booking only available for a departure date not less than 3 days from booking date. Otherwise, ticket must be bought at the counter. Thus, I went to KL Sentral and bought us the tickets:

Saturday, ETS Gold KL-Ipoh  _ ETD 1045 hr, ETA  1230 hr, RM35 per adult

Sunday, ETS Silver Ipoh-KL  _ ETD 1400 hr, ETA  1635 hr, RM25 per adult

Saturday, 24.03.2012

Arrived at KL Sentral @ 10am. Had breakfast at a kopitiam there. Our ETS tickets stated ‘please be at the platform 30min before departure time’. It’s only upstairs, no hurry. We went up 15min before departure time. As I suspected, the crowd was still at the waiting area. We are not late at all! J

ETS Gold stops at some stations, which I couldn’t remember. The train ride was pleasant. Arrived at Ipoh KTM station on schedule.

We lingered awhile at the station deciding whether to take bus or taxi to Lost World of Tambun. In the meantime, I happily snapped pictures of the train station, one of the beautiful colonial structured building built in 1917 but completed only 18 years later. Apart from the train station, the building also housed a once known Majestic Hotel of Ipoh, which looked not in service any more (after we came back to KL my friend emailed me news on its closure in March 2011).

Still, I was awed by the building structure. Apparently, the two of us also share same interest, thus we sat awhile looking at the building talking about a fantasy of running it ourselves! A sweet day dreaming indeed..hehe

We have two options to go to Lost World:

Bus – take from somewhere near the Post Office next to the train station. Look for bus to Sunway. Fare not sure, but surely minimal for a 15min journey.

Taxi – available from the station. No meter, thus fare is unknown.

Our check in time is 3pm, thus we decided to have our lunch first. I can think of only one place which I went with my boyfriend and his parents before, Mi Rebus Ramli. We asked one Polis Bantuan at the station how best to go to Mi Rebus Ramli and then to Lost World of Tambun. He told us the eatery was not too far, but not advisable to walk under  hot sun with bags (didn’t fancy to do that either).

He was so nice to help stopped the next taxi passed by infront of us and told the driver where to take us for lunch, then later to Lost World. Only when we were in the taxi it hit us to ask the driver how much the taxi fares were. He said RM30 for us both, then later RM20 each. But we negotiated for RM30 per taxi.

It is expensive yes, but since he waited for us and that was my friend first visit to the eatery, we concluded that it was reasonable. I had the normal mi rebus whilst my friend had mi rebus special (with chicken). The shop also serves nasi ayam, which the taxi driver recommended. But we decided to order what the shop is famous for, that is mi rebus. I would say it’s a must for first timer or for those looking for famous local food. Otherwise, it’s average.

The driver was chatty. He gave us his call card if we needed taxi to go to train station tomorrow. Of course we didn’t plan to, but out of courtesy I took and thanked him.

At the reception, we asked if the hotel has shuttle service from hotel to/from town. We were told YES there is shuttle service, fee is RM5 per pax one way. HOWEVER, the shuttle only available for 5 pax or more. Such a not-customer-oriented service offer by a hotel which is part of the Sunway Lagoon hotel network:-P

Since I know there is a bus that passes by the area, and such is confirmed by the staff, we decided to try the bus tomorrow.

We were given Exotic Room, but trust me, nothing is exotic at all. Not even the paint, deco or view. Our room is facing the residential area next to the resort, obviously nothing exotic about that. The one thing that did satisfy me is the bathroom.

Besides breakfast the room charge included entrance to the Hot Spring Spa. After short nap (since there’s nothing else to do), we went to the hot spring. The Hot Spring Spa opens 6pm to 10pm whilst the water theme park and others including Animal-Petting Zoo and boat ride at Tasik Cermin opens 10am to 6pm (ticket is around RM40 per adult). Strategic planning indeed.

Nothing special about the Hot Spring Spa, it is as how you can expect a hot spring is. The only different is at certain time you will get to see a glacier. To make the visit worth, we spent a good one hour trying all available hot spring spots.

For dinner, my good old high school friend brought us out. He currently stays in Ipoh with his wife and 2 lovely daughters. We went to Nasi Lemak Ayam Kampung. Lots of varieties, but I chose what the place is named after. Tasty, while price is reasonable for a busy city.

After dinner we went to Gerbang Malam, a daily night market. It was at a juncture of two roads. Several Chinese eateries are seen around the area. And the unique thing is almost all of the eateries have similarity in its name – ayam (chicken)!  

I found a shop selling local snacks, tid-bits and others. The interesting part about this shop is it sells snacks that brought back many memories during my childhood. Snacks that are not easily found nowadays (wish I took pictures). If we came to Ipoh by car, definitely I grabbed many!

Sunday, 25.03.2012

The next day my friend offered to fetch us and sent to the train station. He came with his eldest daughter and her best friend. We had lunch at a café there. The food spread not interesting and tasty at all, and teh tarik was lousy. The cashier’s sarcastic comment to me that outside drink is not allowed into the café after seeing the girls had can drinks spoilt the atmosphere more (we didn’t do it purposely of course. The free drink was distributed outside the entrance of the station, and the promoter opened it as she distributed to us thus left us with no choice but to bring inside the café. We also didn’t see the notice. After all, we bought food and drinks from the café, thus the drinks should be exempted). Definitely won’t recommend to anyone :-P

Minus our experience at the café, the weekend getaway was good J  

Go Shopping - the lazy way to burn calories

Love this article.. now I have more reason to do it daily, yay!! - Like I ever need any all this while.. hehe

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Go Shopping -- The Lazy Way To Burn Calories


Why window shopping counts as exercise!
http://malaysia.shoppinglifestyle.com/diet/go-shopping-lazy-way-burn-calories/2025/1/
 
Good news for shopaholics! You'd be happy to know that all those shopping sprees are counting toward the 30 minutes of physical activity you're supposed to have each day to ward off weight gain and heart disease. If you're a gym-hater, window shopping is a lazy way to squeeze in some exercise and burn calories. So, instead of having tea dates with your BFFs, schedule an afternoon of retail therapy together.
 
 

Here's how shopping -- and browsing -- helps you burn more calories:

1You're walking

Mall walking, even when you stop every now and then to browse, adds up to a surprisingly solid exercise session. You'll burn 100 calories per half hour.


2You're trying on a dozen outfits

Changing in the fitting room literally gives your body a workout! You're doing leg lifts and arm stretches and walking in place -- zapping about 100 calories per half hour.


3You're climbing stairs

If you use the stairs at the mall and at the multi-storey carpark, instead of taking the elevator, you'll slash even more calories. Stair climbing blasts more calories than walking does -- up to 100 calories in 15 minutes.

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How can I not agree with this article?

After all shopping never fails to make me happy !!! .. :)

Pembantu rumah Oh Pembantu rumah

Once it was reported in a local newspaper that Cambodia closes maid centres.. Before that there's issue with Indonesia.. We have many poor family from our own citizens that need stable income.. Can't we train our own people? Can't Malaysians consider working as maids/helpers? Last time helpers were Malaysians and it worked well.. It's not a  job, but it's a decent job.. Why must depend on others when our own people many in desperate need of job?


A friend told me that Felda did propose this last year, even to operate a college. But many educated by any way opposed to such proposal. Why?


Common reply I'll get to that (and even I agree to it) is Malaysians almost if not 99.999% rather work in factory or other kind of jobs that more 'decent' than be 'orang gaji'. Is it true?

To my eyes, it is a noble job.

Some says because the pay is low. With the sama salary, Malaysian would rather work as operator pengeluaran. Although shift but at least 8 working hours a day. If work more hour got OT/bonus. After working can go shopping or watch movie to relieve stress. If bos harasses can complain to union/higher authority. Maid works 5am-12am, non-stop. Especially homes with many kids. Nobody to talk to except anak tuan rumah. No annual leave. No sosial life what so ever. Some cases tuan rumah tak bagi maid keluar rumah pun. With no friends, do they feel depressed? Who do they turn to complain? Most just ran away.

But I disagree. As far as I know the salary for that job is higher nowadays. It's even better than most job of same category because salary received is nett pay. No deduction for rental, utilities, groceries, tax etc. Sure, salary can be higher since no requirement for work permit unlike those from other countries. My own relative ada yg keje as helper for years, and now in her late 40s/or 50s still working. Wherever the employers goes they bring her along. During Hari Raya same as other working people she gets to come back to hometown. Another relative pula,his helper also a local and been staying with the family for years, only recent years balik kampung for good due to old age. Ada pula yg datang for few hours daily or certain days in a week to help with houseworks. 


It's not glamorous but a decent and noble job, plus salary paid is nett. It's how individual and employer perceive the job, that's all.

Nothing to wear..

So true, that is why I can't stop shopping !!!

A little moment of joy..

A lovely touching story I received via email. A good story I wish to keep.

**********************************************************************

I arrived at the address where someone had requested a taxi. I honked
but no one came out. I honked again, nothing. So I walked to the door
and knocked. 'Just a minute', answered a frail, elderly voice. I could
hear something being dragged across the floor.

After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 90's stood
before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil
pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940s movie.

By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no
one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with
sheets..

There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the
counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and
glassware.

'Would you carry my bag out to the car?' she said. I took the suitcase
to the cab, and then returned to assist the woman. She took my arm and
we walked slowly toward the curb.

She kept thanking me for my kindness. 'It's nothing', I told her. 'I
just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother be
treated'.. 'Oh, you're such a good boy', she said. When we got in the
cab, she gave me an address, and then asked, 'Could you drive through
downtown?'

'It's not the shortest way,' I answered quickly.
'Oh, I don't mind,'she said. 'I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice'. I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening.
'I don't have any family left,' she continued. 'The doctor says I don't have very long.' I quietly reached over and shut off the meter.
'What route would you like me to take?' I asked. For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator.

We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived
when they were newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of a furniture
warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as
a girl.

Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing. As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, 'I'm tired. Let's go now.'

We drove in silence to the address she had given me.. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico.

Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were
solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been
expecting her.

I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman
was already seated in a wheelchair.

'How much do I owe you?' she asked, reaching into her purse.
'Nothing,' I said.

'You have to make a living,' she answered.

'There are other passengers,' I responded.

Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me
tightly. 'You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,' she said.
'Thank you.'

I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life. I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away? On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life.

We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments. But great moments often catch us unaware-beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one

PEOPLE MAY NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT YOU DID, OR WHAT YOU SAID, BUT THEY WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL.

Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might
as well dance.

How Much Sleep Do You Really Need?

Because there is no 'normal' sleep need, you could have a sleep disorder and not even know it By Gail Belsky, Health.com

The term sleep disorder may suggest someone tossing and turning all night, but lying awake for hours with insomnia is just one example of many conditions that affect how you sleep and function during the day. In fact, you can have a sleep disorder and not even know it.


How many hours should you sleep?

There's no normal number of hours that quantifies a good sleep, just like there's no normal shoe size. Most adults need seven to nine hours a night; others manage just fine with six. It's even possible to get too much sleep, since spending excess time in bed can be a sign of another health problem, such as depression or chronic fatigue syndrome.

A 2007 British study found that people who slept the same amount of time (seven hours) each night lived longer, on average, than people who adjusted their schedules to either add or subtract hours from their nightly slumber. Finding your own ideal sleep/wake cycle—and staying consistent—is key to healthy sleep, agrees Carol Ash, D.O., medical director of the Sleep for Life center in Hillsborough, N.J.

Don't sell yourself short

That doesn't mean you can shave off hours of much needed rest without consequence: In a different study, the same British scientists also found that people who are consistently sleep deprived (defined as sleeping five hours or less a night) are at greater risk for high blood pressure and cardiovascular problems—especially women.

Insufficient sleep also raises your risk for obesity, diabetes, depression, alcoholism, and automobile accidents. Plus, a 2007 University of California-Berkeley study confirmed the obvious: Sleep deprivation directly affects areas of the brain that deal with mood and concentration, leaving tired people grumpy, overly emotional, and unable to focus.



Consider quality and quantity

For all these reasons, doctors need to look at both the quantity and the quality of sleep to detect a problem. And when it comes to sleep quality, problems aren't always obvious to patients themselves: An insomniac who lies awake at night can easily tell that something is wrong, for example, but someone with sleep apnea who repeatedly stops breathing in his sleep might have no idea there's a problem.

The most telling sign of a disorder is how you feel during the day. If you generally wake up alert and refreshed, you're a healthy sleeper. If you chronically wake up sleepy, irritable, and unfocused—and stay that way throughout the day—you may have a sleep disorder, no matter how much time you spend in bed.

Money..

I had created this blog for.. hmmm let me see.. believe coming to 3 years already. The encouragement came from a dear friend of mine, and to my question of what to write etc in the blog, she simply said anything that I feel like writing. A good example she gave me was to write about my holidays.

And here I am still clueless of what to post in my blog. Though just for my viewing and others selectively, I still am clueless. I even had a draft (but empty till now) since 2009.. And since last week, I've drafted 2 but still unfinished.

For the sake to have one posting for this year, I am writing this now and will make sure I post it today. No specific topic, just something I feel like writing.



Today while having lunch with a friend, she told me of a very frustrating news she received last Friday. She told me that she had been waiting since 2009 for bonus, but to her disappointment, due to the company instability no bonus was paid.



This year her lucky star came her way. She got a job offer! Though on contract basis, but the perks & pay is better off than the current one. This is her last week with the current employer. While enjoying her last few days, the MD called all staff for quick meeting last Friday and announced that the company will pay 2 months bonus for 2010. Gosh! Pity her, totally. Of all the years of waiting the MD chosed to announce it towards her last few days with the company.



Her comment was, "With that money I can go Europe for holiday!".. I know how she felt, really I do as I experienced the same more than once throughout my career life. It's a no bonus year for me as well be it from previous employer which I left 2 months before the company's year end or current employer which I joined 5 months before its year end.

Yeah, people say that is standard practice. Impossible for a company to pay to an employee despite the employee served the company full one year, or the company's profit made solely from his/her clients. Whatever the HR policies etc etc, I still believe we the employee deserve to get whatever belongs to us based on what we contributed to our employer(s).

A good employer is one that compensate employees and always encourage for career development be it with the same company or others. Because in reality we are all fully aware that there is no such thing as a true and fair opportunity based on the individual as a person with no other side factors when it comes to career development. If there's such, very rare.



There is nothing wrong with sharing the profit, the wealth same as the knowledge. Those are what we can enjoy on this earth while we still have the opportunity. Sharing such means putting a smile and happiness to someone's life. Why such is so a burden to employer/boss to do so?

I know one bumiputra company which the Chairman or MD treats employee as and when the company feels necessary. The CEO/MD does not wait until year end, bonus pay time to compensate the staff. Profit is shared half yearly if not quarterly. Staff even sometimes given perks such as blackberry, new laptop as and when the CEO/MD feels like the staff requires new one. On top of the adhoc profit, the staff also enjoys year end bonus. Of course, at same time staff is required/pressured to meet target. But well, isn't all companies require such from their employees? As far as I know, this particular company is making profit year after year, and business seems getting better. Is giving and sharing with employees make the company losing profit? Obviously not. So why other company not able practice if not exactly the same, but at least some of it?



As many said, money is not everything. But to me, money is the one that make things in life possible. As how love is important in our lives, money also a main factor to a happy comfortable life. How much each of us need it, it all depends on individual.

Of course once money enter our life, it is a struggle to limit our 'enough' level. Difficult to hear people say, "No thank you, I have enough already. I do not need increment, bonus etc. I am happy with whatever I have now."


There is so much in life for us to see, venture, enjoy, learn etc which at the end leads to satisfaction and happiness.


As for me, I love spending on myself, treat my mum, buying gifts for my siblings, outing with my loved one, movie session with nieces and nephews, coffee-cake session with friends, shoppings all year round, going holidays and many more! ... So, is money still not important?

Malays = Memalukan = Musnah

Today as most or perhaps all of us aware there’s chaotic situation in KL city centre following a demonstration by people who strongly believe that they are fighting for people’s right or whatever their beliefs are.

But to me, there’s only one thing they are representing i.e. kemusnahan.

Today I was among those victims caught in your stupid act. Today you made me paid nearly double the taxi fare I used to pay to go to city centre just because of the unexpected bad traffic jam. Today you made me took Putra LRT from Ampang Park to Dang Wangi and then walked from Dang Wangi to Sime Darby just to take the Star LRT to meet my brother at Chan Sow Lin as both Putra and Star LRT did not stop at two stations – Masjid Jamek and Bandaraya. Today you made me passed families with kids/babies and strollers walking for unnecessary distance just to avoid the chaostic, just to take the train from those unaffected stations. Today you made me watched old folks looking exhausted which I believed due to the chaostic you have caused. Today you made watched students discussion best way to go home as their normal routes could not be used. Today you made me cursed you because all the unnecessary trouble you have caused to many innocent people like myself.

Don’t blame the police for doing what they did to you as I would do the same. After all, people whose hands are dirty with ‘people’s blood’ and heart black with hatred are deserve to be treated like that. PErhaps not ISA for you, but Alcatraz.

I may not understand what you are fighting for as politics is not my turf, but one thing I know I am a registered voter, played my role as a voter, thus a true Malaysian. And because of that, I have the right to say this: I pray one day Malaysia will be ruled by a non-Malay because on that day I can cheer as loud as I can to you to say this:

“Padan muka kamu semua!! Inilah hasil dan bukti kebodohan dan kedaifan kamu semua. Bergaduh sesama sendiri hanya kerana merebut kuasa yang tidak boleh dibawa ke dalam kubur. Konon demi rakyat, tapi sebenarnya kerana kuasa. Dengan bertopengkan kata-kata yang kononnya begitu berkaliber, begitu berjiwa rakyat, begitu mahukan keadilan, kamu berjaya memporak-perandakan Negara sendiri dan meruntuhkan moral kaum sendiri. Dengan sumpah, maki-hamun orang ramai yang menjadi mangsa sifat dengki, pentingkan diri dan singkat pemikiran kamu itu, sesungguhnya perjuangan kamu hanya akan memakan diri dan memalukan bangsa sendiri. Sebagai Melayu, aku sudah lama tidak berbangga dengan orang yang mendabik dada mengatakan berjuang demi agama, bangsa dan Negara kerana sehingga kini tidak seorang pun dari kamu berjaya membuatkan aku memandang tinggi terhadap kamu sebagaimana rasa kagum dan hormat yang aku rasakan pada bangsa Melayu yang berjuang memerdekakan Negara. Melayu sekarang hanya tahu melaungkan suara, menuding jari, menghasut sana-sini tapi sedikit pun tidak membangunkan diri. Musnahlah kamu Melayu, musnahlah secepat mungkin kerana aku, seorang Melayu yang sudah muak melihat Melayu seperti kamu di muka bumi Malaysia ini.”

Rise of the 3S women By Cao Xiaofan
The STAR, Sunday 14 December 2008

- an good article I've been wanting to share with single ladies out there. Not sure about you, but indeed it suit nearly perfect to my current life affair.

BEIJING: Guo Xiao, a 34-year-old single woman working as a mid-level manager in a Beijing branch of a foreign bank, is philosophical about turning down dates.

Having passed the “best marriageable age” for city women, conventionally recognised as between 25 and 30 years old, Guo refuses to rush into marriage. “Marrying ‘Mr Wrong’ is even worse than being single,” she says.

Unwed women such as Guo are labelled in China today as “3S women”– single, 70s, and stuck. They were generally born in the 1970s, are well educated and have decent jobs.

In her early 20s, Guo was an accountant in a bank in Jiangsu province, focusing her whole time and energy on her career. “I barely stopped to see a movie, let alone get involved in a relationship,” says Guo.

Many women put relationships on the backburner while they develop their careers.

Sociologist Xu Anqi, of the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, notices that against the backdrop of China’s progressing urbanisation, the growing single population is the result of more time spent on education and career.

Guo was a workaholic before one day, when she was 26, she fell head over heels in love with a middle-aged photographer.

“Talented, smart and wild – he had everything I admired,” Guo recalls.

The two-year romance ended in tears. “He couldn’t promise me marriage and had no intention of settling down,” says Guo. “I met the wrong person at the right time.”

To get over the heartbreak, Guo went to Australia to pursue her studies. When she earned her master’s degree on financial management from Sydney University in 2003, Guo returned to China and secured a position as a senior accountant in a British industrial designing company in Beijing.

Guo’s parents started to nag her about marriage and even resorted to matchmakers. But their efforts were in vain. “I wouldn’t compromise by marrying a guy I didn’t like,” she says.

The number of single women like Guo, who are well educated and in well-paid jobs, is on the rise. A nationwide survey conducted by Shanghai Municipal Statistics Bureau in 2007 suggested that more than 60% of the 500,000 single people aged 30 to 50 in Beijing are women. In Guangzhou, the proportion is 70%.

Many of Guo’s friends of her age are also unmarried career women.

“Stressful work, an increasing divorce rate – there are many reasons leading career women to live on their own,” she says.

On top of that, Chinese men are reluctant to marry more mature women.

A survey conducted by Beijing Normal Uni­versity in 2006 showed about 65% of male respondents believed 25-year-old women were desirable for marriage, while only 12.5% said they could accept women over the age of 35 as wives. As a result, a huge number of that age group – many are “S3 women” – remain single.



Recently, the degrading term of “sheng nu”, which literally means “leftover women”, has been created to refer to the “3S women” as though there were something morally wrong with them.

“We’re not that passive,” says Guo. “I admit being a single woman comes with its challenges, but it also offers an opportunity to develop personally and do things outside of the shackles of a relationship.”

Guo spends about three hours a week practising calligraphy. She also enjoys whole Sunday afternoons at a beauty salon.

“I am no different to everyone else, except that I don’t have to wash men’s dirty socks and baby diapers,” she says.

In the past, China had a saying for women: To marry is to live. However, better education and jobs are giving career women better financial status.

With a monthly salary of about 16,000 yuan and a 60 sq metre well-decorated downtown apartment, Guo’s financial circumstances are secure.

“Marriage is no longer a necessity for me compared with women of my parents’ generation, unless Mr Right appears,” says Guo.

“The influence of material factors on marriage is diminishing among today’s Chinese career women,” Xu Anqi says. “Society is more tolerant of independent women.” - CHINAdaily.com.cn

Babies in the 50s, 60s & early 70s

The article below was written by Patrick Teoh in his blog "Niamah!!".

To All those Born in the 50's , 60's & early '70s...
First, we survived with mothers who had no maids. They cooked /cleaned while taking care of us at the same time.
They took aspirin, candies floss ,fizzy drinks, shaved ice with syrups and diabetes were rare. Salt added to Pepsi or Coke was remedy for fever.
We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets and when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets.
As children, we would ride with our parents on bicycles/ motorcycles for 2 or 3. Richer ones in cars with no seat belts or air bags.
Riding in the back of a private taxi was a special treat.
We drank water from the tap and NOT from a bottle.
We would spend hours on the fields under bright sunlight flying our kites, without worrying about the UV ray which never seem to affect us.
We go to jungle to catch spiders without worries of Aedes mosquitoes.
With mere 5 pebbles (stones) would be an endless game. With a ball (tennis ball best) we boys would ran like crazy for hours.
We catch guppy in drains / canals and when it rain we swim there.
We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and NO ONE actually worry about being unhygienic.
We ate salty, very sweet & oily food, candies, bread and real butter and drank very sweet soft sweet coffee/ tea, ice kacang, but we weren't overweight because...... WE WERE ALWAYS OUTSIDE PLAYING!!
We would leave home in the morning and play all day, till streetlights came on.
No one was able to reach us all day. AND WE DONT HAVE HANDPHONES TO BUG US. And we were O.K. AND WE ARE SAFE.
We would spend hours repairing our old bicycles and wooden scooters out of scraps and then ride down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes. After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem.
We did not have Playstations, X-boxes, Nintendo's, multiple channels on cable TV, DVD movies, no surround sound, no phones, no personal computers, no Internet. WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them!
We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and we still continued the stunts.
We never had birthdays parties till we are 21.
We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and just yelled for them!
The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. They actually sided with the law!
Yet this generation has produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers and inventors ever!
The past 40 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas.
We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned HOW TO DEAL WITH IT ALL!

I, among babies born in those years, had joyful childhood. No fear of playing outside, running freely on the road in our neighbourhood playing games such as ‘rounders’ and ‘tuju selipar’. Played ‘konda-kondi” next to the house, play ‘Pondok-Pondok” pretending leaves and ‘fried’ ground as food and having some acted as family members such as father, mother or playing congkak which was either hols dug o nthe ground next to or under the house or made from wood (we had one last time) without parents worrying about us getting sick.

Me and friends also played games such as Teng-Teng, Batu Seremban, Galah Panjang, tudung botol, riding on pelepah pinang and few more games which I couldn’t recall the names (these traditional games can be found in Warisan Budaya Malaysia website http://malaysiana.pnm.my/03/0310konda_kondi.htm and http://www.maribelajar.blogspot.com/2008/09/konda-kondi.html )

Those days when I wanted to play dolls, I would make it from paper (even its clothes were from paper!). As for TV programs, only TV1 and TV2 were available, TV3 only first made available at our area when I was about 12 years old (if not mistaken). I first learnt to use computer when I was 13-years-old (end of 80s), reading books on the mango trees infront of the house were among my favourite moments, went up the roof by climbing rambutan trees were normal stuff for me – watching our neighbourhood or plucked rambutans that were not easily reachable (of course my mom scolded me whenever she discovered that I was on the roof as that's considered not a lady-like character), walking back from school which about 2km away from home (school located in town) but never diverted to somewhere else other than straight to home.

Riding bikes with friends, fell and bled my knee was something I had to endure myself and my mom didn’t even rushed me to clinic for further check up in case I broke a bone, but instead just asked me to put ointment on it. There were once I climbed a tree behind our old house before (when I was not yet 8 years old) and fell with my face up and my back hit something (can't remember whether it's a rock or a wood), but definitely something hard. Though it hurt so much, I quietly went into the house not telling my parents what had happened as firstly I surely will be scolded for climbing the tree before they checked if I had badly hurt myself. However, no doubt that's a lesson to me not to do it again (or be extra careful next time not to step on fragile branch - climbing trees was a norm to me). Guess an angel was there looking after me as I am fine till today, alhamdulillah.

Even parents nowadays have all the facilities they wish for to give to their children and do their best (sometimes to the extreme) to be good parents, I believe they are having much bigger challenge in raising their kids compared to parents those years.

Despite technology limitation and far from today's modern life, kids those days were blessed to know the real meaning of childhood – I know I am.

FloRenCe

Florence loved boxes. She would try her best to fit into a box, though smaller than her :)



Whenever I sat on the sofa watching tv, she would also sat next to me waited patiently until late night, and even she's sleepy she quickly opened her eyes when I turned to her.



Always tried her best to fit her body on the chair..




She liked to lie on the bed just like all of us, human.. Placing her head on the pillow..

I adopted her from an Australian family 14 years ago. She was 3 years old then. They put her up for adoption because they're going back to Australia. She's a local cat, short hair. I was staying with my sister, Andak and her family at that time. It took her a year to accept us as her new family. From the first day we brought her home, she moved in the house avoiding us as much as she can, sneaked here and there to ensure we were no where near her.

Tried to change her name - well 'Florence' is not a common cat's name for us in Malaysia. But, she had her own mind and only responded to Florence. And she won :)

When I first stayed on my own (rented a room in a house), I didn't bring her along as there were other tenants in the house. Never thought she would reacted badly to my decision. She 'ran away' long after I moved out from sister's house, and I went to look for her immediately after my sister couldn't find her. She came back one day, while I was at my sister's house looking ofr her, skinny and looked like someone had locked her up (there's mark around her neck). Since then, both of us never separated.

She was my best friend forever (BFF). Always there for me, waited for me. She would push my arm slowly with her head if I didn't wake up in the morning despite the alarm screaming. Once I was off from the bed, she would take my place there, placed head on the pillow and watched me getting ready.

I called her Lady-of-Leisure as she won't lie down on floor unless it's covered, didn't be friend to cat (we used to say that perhaps she didn't think that she's a cat), always clean and never fell sick.

On that fateful weekend, I left her at home as I was a volunteer for a motivation week organised for few orphanage homes by my friend. I left home on that Friday, 18 March 2007 and came home on Sunday, 20th. My nephew, Joe looked after her that weekend. Of all the time, she chosed to fall sick for first time that weekend, when I wasn't around. She looked weak and reserved when I came home. My nephew said she vomited few times that weekend and was not so responsive when he called for her.

Sent sent her to clinic next day and was diagnosed with fever. That night noticed that her skin was yellowish, rushed her to clinic again next day and she was then diagnosed with jaundice. She was dripped. We immediately bought goat milk for her from a Malay family in Ulu Langat (though the clinic said it's not really a cure for jaundice, but no harm trying). However, the milk was so 'cair' and no effect after nearly a week. Perhap the seller cheated us. She didn't urinate since she fell sick and that made us more worried. My sister then bought another goat milk from an elderly Chinese lady in Setapak whom she used to buy before. After she was fed with that goat milk, she kept urinate and each time a lot - thick yellow urine. But by then she's also getting weaker, not moving most of the time, didn't eat her biscuit (we had to manually fed her with wet food instead) and hardly drink. Her movement was extremely slow. She was under my sister care since the day she fell sick, as I was working. My daily routine was rushed to my sister house after office, went home only late night or before Subuh.

As her condition deteriorated (she urinate wherever she was, not at her 'toilet' - it's like she didn't realise that she urinate), I had no send to a nearby vet for further care - blood test, ultra-sound etc. Her medical report showed that her jaundice was improving, red blood cell also improving but there's stone in her kidney. Due to her weak condition, they couldn't operate her to take the stone out. We visited her daily.

On Friday, 6 April 2007 we received call that our grandfather was seriously ill and warded. We visited Florence at the vet before we left for kampung. That night we slept at kampung and came back to KL on Sunday, 8 April. Before we reached the vet, I saw a stall selling rattans and stopped to buy a 'baby-crib' for Florence. When we reached the vet, she greeted us - her voice so weak and we were so touched that she recognised us still. We were advised that yesterday not long after we left her, they lost her. She was found lying on her side, not moving and no heart beat. Thank God they managed to bring her back (or else I didn't know how I would have reacted). I was so angry because they didn't call us when it happened and discharged her immediately, despite the vet protest. I rather she's with me, her family, if that happened again. We placed her in the crib, brought her back to my sister's house, fed her and then she took a nap.

After 2 hours she woke up, time to feed her again before she took her medicine. And that was when she took her last breath. She was in her crib during her last 3 breaths - exactly like us, human (never in my life I witness such moment, not even when my father passed away in August 2006). That was the most heart-breaking moment for me. At that moment, I lost my best friend, my baby, my housemate. Felt like half of me gone, a big hole was left in my heart, my life felt so empty. My brother-in-law quietly went to the back of the block and made preparation for the burial. My sister followed suit, and I was left alone with her to say my goodbye. Not until I was ready to let her go, she was placed in her 'persemadian' forever before Maghrib. We planted a jackfruit tree on her grave, as her tombstone. She was 12 years old, and had been with me for 9 years. We used to say that she was little sister to my niece, Esha and big sister to Qis because when we adopted her - she was 3 years old whereas Esha was 4 and Qis was 2.

During the burial, my sister's neighbour came to bury their baby boy's 'uri', born that afternoon. There's a saying that every soul that left us, a new one is born. Perhaps it's true, even for Florence.

Until this very moment, I still shed tears whenever her memory cross my mind.

Florence, Tam love you so much and will always miss you.

P.S. My grandfather passed away on 28 April 2007, 3 weeks after we buried Florence.

Shoes @ 13 April 2009

My simple pump found at BATA in 2008 which supposed to be my walking shoes during office hours. But I'm used to wear high heels, thus at the end it became my 2nd 'slippers' at home and now it's my 'slippers' at my new office :)



My Bali slippers. Got it in Kuta, Bali for about RM6. Since then it travels with me almost every where.









Andak gave to me yesterday, 11/4/09 to wear in the house. She bought it for RM6. It brought old memories.





Viss, JJ Balakong, end 2008/Jan09, about RM25 (sweet, isn't it?). Thought I needed a proper covered shoes to wear with certain office clothes :)



New sport shoes for trekking at FRIM/exercise (RM40). Accompanied Maria to look for new sport shoes at Mines Shopping Mall on 29/3/09. Hmm I thought I needed a pair myself.. hehe.



Thought of having a casual snickers for me to wear with jeans. Viss, JJ Balakong, end of 2008, RM25.



My 1st Crocodile shoes, last pair, got it from Jaya Jusco, Balakong for RM49.90. Was looking for comfortable and not too high black shoes for my day-to-day use on working days (such a lame excuse, isn't it?). But indeed it is very comfortable.



Andak gave to me somewhere in 2008 after I started work again as she seldom wear it (I never wear it till today as never found suitable time/clothes for it).



My ballerina shoes found at Viss, Jaya Jusco Balakong in end 2008. Last pair, about RM17.



Marie Claire, BATA Ampang Point in June 2007 while window shopping with Nur & Maria after attending Ellysa's wedding at Kelab Darul Ehsan, Ampang Jaya.



Found it during my first trip to Jakarta/Bandung in July 2004. Stopped for lunch at a Sundanese Restaurant in Puncak on our way to Bandung (me, Zura, Nik, Nisa, Wati, Dollah, Agus and Wahyu). Went cuci mata at a souveneir shop next to it while waiting for the food and found this, about RM30. Zura & Wati each bought a pair, different design.



Me and Co'ot met Ija and Zila at Madam Kwan, KLCC for lunch in April 2008. A treat by Zila to Penganggur Terhormat (me & Co'ot). My shoes terputus after that, thus went to Isetan to get a simple shoes - Twins, RM29.



My Princess-D shoes from Bally factory outlet in Greenwich, GBP5.00, June/July 1997. Made the trip with Heng before came back to Malaysia (one that I still keep till today). Too bad as a student I had limited extras to spend, or else God knows how many I would have bought :)



Got this from Ravel in Kingston (1997) for GBP5.00. Still keep till today and sometimes wear it. Love the design and have sentimental value.



Viss, Jaya Jusco Balakong, between Oct 200 to Jan 2009. Thought I needed a nice presentable slips-on other than my 'good old' Bali slippers :)



Areen bought for me to match a tailor-made dress she prepared for me as her bridesmaid on her BIG day in May 2005.



Gift from Andak for my 35th birthday in Feb 2009.






Went around Midvalley with Doreen on 23/8/08, she's looking for shoes. Stopped at Primavera and somehow I decided that I also need shoes for my new job.. :) .. Paid total of RM87.20 for both.



My latest collection. Went to The Weld on 7/4/09 during lunch to heat up my body and this is what I got at Elle for RM29 during the rush hour. So adorable, so how can I say 'NO'... :)



My kasut raya 2008, RM19.50 after discount, from Marie Claire, BATA Mines Shopping Mall on 9/8/08. Bought it as it matched my baju raya !!



Met Doreen at Midvalley and this was what I got from Vincci by the end of our meeting, about RM25 after 50% discount.



Last pair at BATA, Alamanda (got it for about RM17). Went there with Maria on weekend.



My first Lewre shoes. Bought it (50% discount, RM65.70) while survey Isetan sale at Lot 10 during lunch time, 2008/09.



Grabbed it from Elle Midvalley while waiting for Maria (we met after work).



Got it from Metrojaya Midvalley in 1st quarter of 2009 while accompaned Maria buying track bottom.



My one and only shoes bought from Harrods, London in 1996/97 for not more than GBP20.00. A sentimental value for my memory with Harrods after I gaveaway my one and only MGM stretchable-jeans, which I also bought from there, to my sister after it 'stretched out' (that's what happened when you 'let' other people wear your stretchable clothes).



A Marie Claire shoes from BATA, Jaya Jusco Kelang (Aug 2008). Went to visit my friend there and we went window shopping. Bought it as a treat for my new job. I paid the most for it, RM132.30 after 30% discount. Unfortunately, the comfy it offers not worth the price.




Bought them at Parkson, Pavillion on 8Mar09 while accompanied Elly buying dinner clutch.



Found at Nose, Pavillion (2008/09) while accompanied Areen looking for shoes (she bought 2 pairs).







Shoes are one of my passions. Despite always in a tight budget, a pair of new shoes never fail to brighten my day. There was once in 2005 a colleague of mine asked me to count my handbags and shoes (never did that before), so I did. And to my surprise, I had 33 handbags and 33 shoes !! (of course each not meant for the other. Just a coincidence. And that excluded sport shoes & slippers). Gosh! If I had kept all, perhaps by now I have a room just for shoes - which always is my dream. After all, there's always reason to buy a new one.. And sometimes, no reason is needed at all :)