Little Happenings

 The Lunar New Year break was a time of rest; though it never seemed enough.

Family members are many and preferences are aplenty too.

So many activities took place and I recorded some of them for a small sharing.

 Doesn't the town look quaint? When my sister sent me the shot, I did not associate it with the town; instead I thought it was a Chinese overseas town. But yes, it's Muar ; all bright and pretty.

 Yes, here's a strange practice. In this covered parking lot , the owner of the car on the right has purposely placed a stone and a pail between the cars with the warning that it be not removed. Reason? That the owner of the car on the left may open the door and slam onto his side... to teach irresponsible residents to behave well. I think he needs help; too much of himself.

Great that he has the time to plot like this.

 This is truly nostalgic. Why you may ask.

Yes, that's the place where my siblings and I grew up in.

Today the place is under the good hands of others but I dropped by the lane just for a peep.

It's difficult to associate the place with our growing up years.

Everything has changed and seemed strange; except for the bougainvillea trees.

They were the trees planted by my dear mother and the hot weather is instrumental in the splendid flowering of the plant. Bougainvilleas bloom best under such heat. when I showed the photo to my mum; she instanly recognised the trees and lamented on the lack of care for the place.

Not to boast but surely true; if mum were still staying at this place it would have been neat and clean; a perfect place for me to meet my boyfriends as what it was like in those days.

The stone table set is missing !

 They say nothing can beat Penang cendol. But you must give a try at this local concoction.Manned by a mamak vendor, this cendol drink is popular amongst the locals and I could not stop myself for giving it a try again. It's very palatable. I remembered drinking it at a very age and the vendor told me he is the grandson of the original vendor ! Talk about generational careers.

 So, when you have a mother for a teacher...what happens?

 Muar is old; as old as these trees at the least. They have been labelled as heritage pieces. The photos were taken when dad made his morning walks around the town and trace every possible landmark and history.

Dad said these are sand barges. They sail across the straits to the neighbouring country; Singapore and  possibly for the construction industry. See, when you are neighbours you cannot change the destiny.You depend on one another for survival. Generations come and go but the spatial relationship is eternal.

So it's better to remain friends.

 This landmark is strategic. It show the center of the town. 

Dad got everyone guessing at its location int he town.

Trust him to go searching and noticing such spots.

 But the sun rise and sun set scenes calm the soul and allow deep reflections of life.

What is right? What is wrong? Sometimes it's difficult to decide.

This year is especially strange at my parents' condo. The draft that surrounds it is loud and strong. There were few moments of stillness.The chilly wind makes it difficult for windows and doors to be ajar. The old folks had to virtually close them; all the time. So it's not strange that my mother  had so many rounds of coughs and colds.This time it is really appropriate to say; blame the weather.

Look at the branch. It has a permanent bent; bending to the direction of the draft. Even when the draft has disappeared for some moments, the defect is permanent. A strange phenomenon.

I hope you have enjoyed the recordings.