The One Week That Was...

One of the things which I really enjoyed doing during my one week break is to have conversations with 2 kids across the Pacific Ocean. I am still awed by the technology that has enabled it. Every generation witnesses some form of dramatic technological advancement...from the wind-powered sail ships to steam ships, horse-carriages to motorcars, the Pony Express to telegraph and later the electric telephone, the roll film camera to digital camera....the list goes on. For me, I'd rate the giddying advancement in communications as one that stands out.

So back to the two kids...we could have talked but somehow we stuck on to typing out our conversations. The elder boy is inquisitive...it's good to see that quality in him. The second one does not want to be left out...he wanted his chance at the keyboard too...so though his standard conversation consists of this 'hfjdhjkdhdkl;fj', I know he has only good things to say.

"If I had influence with the good fairy who is supposed to preside over the christening of all children, I should ask that her gift to each child in the world be a sense of wonder so indestructible that it would last throughout life."

You know, I always feel it's a pleasure and honour when children want to talk to you. Children are uncomplicated. If they want it, they really want it. If they don't like it, they also make no pretenses about it. So when a kid waits to talk to me, I consider it a great honour....because it comes from their hearts, plain and simple.

And it's another one week of going back to the kindy for my little girl....she went back for 3 whole days .... each day was again very fun according to her! But it was a difficult decision to make - to allow her to go cos her exams are looming. Decided to let her go in the end cos, who knows, next year she might not feel so enthusiastic about going. Then the get-togethers...it was a busy week but one that was quite meaningful.

The one week break came to a sad end yesterday evening... 8(

...this was a shot we took in Kuala Kedah at dusk....the last glorious rays of the sun before it set. It was beautiful right to the end.

The coming days will be dedicated for revisions....basically hair pulling sessions! 8(

The Other Puppy

The girls say I must also write about Poppy since I have already written about her bro. So they brought both of them to my house this afternoon for them to have a photo shoot session! And now I am putting Poppy into Blogosphere for posterity... 8)

This is Poppy. She is also a cute fler. All puppies are. According to old people, if a puppy is all black...as in there is not a single spot on it, then it will bring good luck. Poppy is one such puppy. She is temporarily under their care until all the necessary jabs are completed. My lil gal likes her more than her bro. But it's hard to get a good photo of an all black puppy..don't know which angle is the best one. So just hentam only-la.

Here they are; bro and sis having a go at the ball under my car. They are cute, aren't they? Chiko is the more aggressive of the two. He is always darting around chasing everything that moves. Poppy is more subdued. She is more regal and ladylike. You can put her on her back and stroke her and she'll fall asleep......There're almost as many dogs as people in the girls' house now. Add that to a tortoise, 2 hamsters and a whole load of fish...they've a menagerie of animals.....can almost run a mini zoo ade! 8)

Pumpkin Pin Cushion

Pumpkins anyone? Well, we had a lesson today on how to make pumpkins! ... the cloth type-lah.

Trying to get the best out of whatever Raya break that is left, All Things Beautiful organized another get-together for the ladies at her place. This one is to make pumpkins pin cushion and it came complete with tea. Free lesson with free tea some more, in a new tea set.

Finished and unfinished pumpkin pin cushions on the floor. After cutting the cloth we stuffed the poly fibre into it to fill it up...just like stuffing turkey someone said. Anyway, it looked like a two-coloured burger to me after I was done stuffing mine. That was far as I went. Moreover, as I was stitching the hole, my thread got entangled and I had to unpick it. Left it for the teacher to salvage. And it was salvaged...and the beautiful piece of work...ta...daaa!

There were a few experts and newbies in the group...and two very young ladies, one of which might have been a little surprised at how the usually sombre and sober aunties all became so siao! We told her to watch us real good cos she's looking into her future. Dunno whether that scared her more!

Hopefully this craft group thingy will continue. It will be good since us, ladies can come together and do something meaningful while indulging in our favourite pastimes...yak and eat! Bonding time also! 8)

The New Puppy...

No..this is not our puppy. He's just a puppy who dropped in for a visit. But since he is so cute, we photographed him....The latest addition to a family made up of a Papa, Mama , 3 kids and 1 Brownie.

He's cheeky, playful and likes to chase my little girl. He's also full of bark..only has baby teeth now, so the bark is definitely louder than the bite. 8)

Seems quite intelligent and is able to sit when instructed. I told the girls I'll send the photo over but since he's so cute, his photos will stay here... 8)

Raya BBQ

The whole country is in a festive mood... we thought we'd also join in the fun and celebrate together. What about??? The things that we take for granted sometimes... just being able to get-together, families and friends together, sharing good food and company, working together. Those are blessings too!

Got there early to get the fire going and as soon as it was ready, the only 2 kids there started their own bbq-ing

Some of the food. This was just a fraction of what was available. There were over 50 of us and each family prepared something. So, there was plenty to go around.

Into the night..the merry making continued.

But it wasn't just all bbqed food...we had roast too. Ah Ho had churned out a juicy piece...however the pic is all I have of it. Never got a chance at it cos it was all gone in double quick time!

As the night wore on...

Once the stomachs were filled...it's play time for the younger ones. My little one had a good time too. The marshmallows were hers and she was being chased for them. She gets possessive over the marshmallows as it is always a treat for them (big bro included). I'd keep them out of their sights at home and take them out for special treats. 8)

And show time for some of the adults.....well these ladies know what they can do should they decide to take up a second job...some call it patchwork, others quilts. They do it because it is therapeutic, keeps their hands busy when they suffer from bouts of insomnia or just saja syok-syok... But they are works of art for sure! And new converts are being won..... Already one has already suggested a business plan! LOL!

Some people are so camera shy that you have to chase them for a pic. But GOTCHA!!! 8)

A picture speaks a thousand words....ROFL!

People talk about latest hairdos...this conversation??? Latest fashion? 8)

All in all it was a good night out. New faces joined us. It was a time to get out of the normal routine and work together for something different, be bored, to yak, share a bit of our lives, the kids to hang out, let loose (adults too) ...etc, etc.

Rubbish, Rubbish Everywhere..

This is the aftermath of the last day of the Ramadan bazaar right in the town centre, opposite the Pekan Rabu, where Che Det used to ply his trade as a kid. This is a common sight after every pasar malam, event or just about any gathering of people where stalls are set up.

Traders feel that after paying a fee to the Majlis Bandaraya for operating the stalls, they have every right to leave anything they don't want behind.

Same goes for the people who throng these market places. Many feel that since there will be a cleaning crew to clean up after them....aiya...throw-lah....

When people go to those places the following morning, such will be the sights that greet them - feels like we are living in the midst of rubbish piles....

Then the workers come and clear everything. Most of the time, they are foreigners since locals these days shun such kind of jobs. I supposed if we are more civic conscious, there is perhaps a high possibility that we will not need to hire so many cleaning crew, which might also translate into a reduction of foreign workers....which might mean less outflow of our currency, also less crime..blah and blah and blah.... the list can go on. But most people will probably be thinking.....what's the big deal...they're cheap...so can continue to hire to clear up after us 'rubbishy' folks.

But the rubbish mentality is not just confined to the bazaars and temporary market places. People throw rubbish just about everywhere. The one above...that's at the fountain area, right across Masjid Zahir. It's actually a very nice place, with the Balai Besar just right beside it and so many other attractions. But the people just couldn't really be bothered. One thing though, I did not see any rubbish bin there. I supposed rubbish bins also get carted away by unscrupulous people or maybe the people at the Majlis Bandaraya didn't think it was necessary...

Even the lamp post can be a rubbish hanging place...how more creative one can get??

So do you think we need an overhaul in our mentality or not???

Random Shots with the new baby...

These are among the first few shots taken with other half's new toy......hopefully in the coming weeks, the quality of the photos would get better.. 8)

The dam at Ampang Jajar in the evening. The full pic is found here.

The idyllic village setting, unfortunately marred by the rubbish in the river.

And the new toy ..... which he has been eyeing for a long, long time. Last Saturday we got lucky. Decided to stop by the shop and ask...and one unit just came in. We went back again later in the afternoon to get it... So now he has the toy of his dream, sort of....and we didn't have to go to Penang to get it. Today's The Star has a review on it. Still do not know how to maximize it's potential yet.....