The Break

Every break taken has to be with the family.

This has to be as moments together are like stolen time; everyone is busy and putting plans on the calendar is also a major effort. The trip to Singapore and Batam was not easily concorded as much rantings and quarrellings were created before everyone could agree. At one juncture, I was doubtful if the trip could happen.

This reminded me of the good old days when the children were young and planning was done by adults alone and it did not involve headaches and heartaches. We only had to inform them of our plans and they would obediently and joyfully tag along.

She must be the reason for us to be patient with one another and the attraction was so strong that we finally agreed with one another's plans. Emily brings joy to the people around her.

 Emily with aunt Lyn showing off their shades.

Emily gives no rest to grandpa and demands all his attention.

As public transport was a chore during festive seasons and flights were unreasonably priced, we went to the extent of borrowing a 7-seater vehicle just to accommodate one another. So you see, it was a huge effort to be together.

Singapore and Batam were just excuses. 

We wanted to be together and picked a nearby place to while away our time.

In Singapore, we took time off to visit the zoo; the ultimate place to entertain the old and young.

At the Safari, we were taken around to see nature and the main theme was on the life found along major rivers of the world; Congo, Amazon, Mississippi,

Ganges, the Nile, Mekong and Yangtze.

Yes, truly educational and I would recommend on a school visit.

The explanations included types of sea life, activities associated and how the population thrive along them.

 The Mississippi runs across 10 states and the life and activities are many and beneficial. Many cities rose from its existence and wealth created along side it. The livelihood has been established for centuries right from the migration of the English. There is much history if you read about it.

 I love this American style wooden house typical of the first days along the river. Cowboys and stories related to the rich forests. Observe the logs used for the building.

River Nile is the Africa's longest river and its history goes way back to the biblical days. Man is here but gone tomorrow but God's creation lasts forever or until the end of days.

The hippo and crocodiles are found along the Nile but their existence are probably threatened with increase in human population. 

Ganges to the Indians is sacred. It brings forth livelihood; is used for religious celebrations and the mother of life to the Indian community. 

This information is reason why we must appreciate the mangrove swamps around us especially along the river mouth of my hometown; Muar. The mangrove swamps are where we get prawns, crabs, oysters and fish and shellfish.

How we enjoy those source of seafood.

So, how much we must preserve them.

The mud skipper is another creature found in mangrove swamps.

 A creature like the crab ; on land and sea.

So familiar to South East Asian lands is the Mekong River; often known as the mother of all rivers. 

The mother of all rivers is a familiar life saver for the South East Asians. Flowing from the mountains of China it flows across Myamar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. For each of the countries, it serves as a transportation hub, provides fertile soil in the deltas of the tributaries that join its course and sometimes is a tourist attraction with its multiple business transactions done along it. A main source of water for drinking, agriculture and washing, the Mekong is truly incomparable in its tribute to the nations it flows through and befits the calling; mother of all rivers.

The aquarium is the home to many species of sea fishes and creatures and is a great learning experience to all who see it. Adults and children alike were mesmerized by the many varieties and species of sea life just like the one in Sea World of Gold Coast of Queensland. But the latter had dolphins and many wonder shows; it being a theme park. 

 

Can you spot the world's largest amphibian?

The zoo is also home to Jia Jia and Kai Kai; the loves of many.

The pandas of China are well taken as they are 'borrowed' and there is an accountability attached to the loan.

There was a concerted effort to make the dwelling place extra cold; a temperature that match its homeland and also to overcome heat that the pandas may feel with its thick fur.

They seemed pampered.

 A walkway connects the different parts of the zoo and in celebration of the rooster year, greetings of good sayings in a typically Chinese Singapore adorned it.

While little Emily was under the care of aunt Lyn, the rest of us took the ride through forests.

Monkeys, the deer, colourful parrots and the beautiful storks were some of the forest animals witnessed. Emily was not allowed the ride because she is under aged.

Have you seen a manatee? What is it exactly?

Yes, that's it. First time for me. Big and friendly.

That was the last slot and soon we exited.

A well spent day.

Skills

A Chance For Everyone

Children are really smart:

... some in number

... some in language

... some in picture

... some in music and...

...some in body !

Sometimes after a day's hard work, a child's interpretation of the rooster year uplifts my spirit and truly affirms the saying that everyone has a chance in life. Some have soft skills whereas others are capable of harder matters. Whatever the skills, everyone has a place.
Ask me if I can trim my hair, if I can make a bridal gown, if I can draw ; I cannot.
I may be able to read and count but I cannot construct a picture.
The picture above is drawn by a 10 year old child and what is the story behind it? You will be surprised at the interpretation.
It also has confirmed that we need to look into the bright side of everyone and work on their strengths. It adds energy and positivism to life. So, every child has a strength. Look for it.

On a more serious effort, the older ones created a board of good sayings and greetings for the impending Lunar New Year around the corner. The girls, rather gather together for ideas and in a wink, the decorations were up. This definitely adds colour and mood to the place. Soon they will also be ready to put up a short performance to usher in the year of the rooster.
The rooster is depicted as the one who is up early and prepare everyone for the day through their morning calls.
I read that the rooster has the following qualities:

• flamboyance
• pride
• honesty
• courage
• vigilance
• arrogance
• watchfulness

If you ponder carefully, the rooster does display those qualities.

With its colourful feathers it can be flamboyant; the way it struts around shows its pride and arrogance. Vigilance and watchfulness are observed in its wake up calls. Maybe the fact it runs its duty in the wee hours of the morning tells one that it is courageous. Yes, I can be interpretative too.

Yes, looking forward to the rooster year.

The Local Tourist

Me.

Saturdays are days of rest and reflections. 

But yesterday I decided that I want to visit the golden triangle of Malaysia via the LRT. It is always the case . You learn best out of necessity and out of the comfort zone. With the availability of a car and a set of lazy bones, there is hardly anything else you need to do except driving to designated destinations.

In London, Seoul and even Taipei, dad and I used to commute via these links but back home when I asked if he could accompany on the ride, he shook his head and asked "what for"?

Shopping la. What else.

The decision was final. 

I would go on the transit alone with the help of maps and people. 

The map that was so helpful.

 The ride started from the USJ 7 station and lady luck was with me as I met a lovely university student who told me that she was going to Bukit Bintang but there was a need to hit KL Sentral for another mode; this time to catch the monorail which will connect us to the heart of the city. With someone guiding you, the mission is never impossible.

Believe it or not but truly this was my maiden visit to the hub. I was very impressed by the hustle and bustle and Malaysia does not look as though she was in any form of financial crisis as the transactions and the throng was huge. How did the Ringgit slide against the US dollar? When you are at KL Sentral, Malaysia is likened to a developed nation just as when you are at TBS.

Alighting from Bukit Bintang, I found myself at Sungei Wang Plaza.

We all know the LUnar Year Celebration is just around the corner.

Every mall has different themes to highlight the event.

Sungei Wang like previous years was moderate and the centre stage is again adorned with lanterns, coloured papers and sayings of luck, prosperity and health. Shopping at the place was not attractive enough for me as there was a clash in taste.

I witnessed a display of ornaments; rings, necklaces, pendants which had the image of the rooster as 2017 is the year of the rooster.

 The ornaments are of different status; some are genuine while others are fake.

Can you tell the difference or does the person who wear them make the difference? Silver and gold which signify wealth but all will have no meaning at the end of life. So, fake ones will do the trick too.

When I became bored with the place, it was my aim to visit the next spot.

I walked and walked; but no big deal.

Berjaya Times Square was around the corner.

I believe the goods would be similar to those at Sungai Wang but I just wanted to feel the mood there.

Berjaya has a more elaborate outlook for the rooster year.

 Spring. a new beginning and luck attached to the wall of the building.

The Chinese has this belief that the Red colour will denote good things and drives out evil.

Now you know why Air Asia has all in the colour. Clever boss.

 The sedan is for the atas and privileged ones. The wooden carriage is used during weddings, when the boss goes to town and when the judge transits from one point to another. For the peasants, a ride on it is the ultimate experience.

 In the kitchen, it must be full to the brim with rice, wine and ducks are a common bird during the festival. I must also remember to go to the local mall to get rice and other essentials to start the year good as all believe. They are just symbols; real blessings are from the grace of God. The cultural practice add fun and a good mood to the impending festival.

The Chinese character attached to the sack is "full". Rice pots and sacks must be full so that the year will promise a pocket full of money.

Did I buy anything here? Nothing.

So, to Lot 10 and Isetan; but was in for some surprises.

The golden arrows invite you down to a food court called Hutong.

 The food court boasts of some of the best local cuisines ranging from teochew porridge to char koey teow and hokkien noodles. Apparently the recipes have been passed down from generation to generation.

 It has been quite a while but I can feel the difference in price for the goods.

Nothing seems to be below RM10.50. It is surely pricey.

No major reason for a revisit; unless to show foreign friends.

But the cultural outlook is thick and nostalgic.

 Perhaps the best surprise was to find the boss taking a concerted effort to spread the Word through prints. The booklets are left on counters and to be taken home by anyone. He remembers his Abba in Heaven and is grateful for the abundance in his life. I love this gesture of his.

"I will give you praise, for I am strangely and delicately formed; your works are great wonders and of this my soul is fully conscious." Psalms 139 :14.

That is gratitude.

After a bowl of fish ball soup, I went up for Isetan shopping.

But it was a rude shock.

 It is now known as the Japan Store; no more Isetan. No more clothes to buy.

I asked what had happened. The sales personnel told me there was a change in concept and that the old Isetan can now be found in a few places like KLCC.

At Lot 10, there was not much of my taste after Isetan is gone.

H & M is for the young and trendy.

So, I left the building to discover Pavillion Elite which is  a covered walkway which will lead me to Pavillion; a new discovery for me. No need for umbrellas as it was cool and comfortable; excellent.

The golden rooster says it all.

Pavillion is always so elaborate and purposeful in all seasons.

Throngs of visitors and locals buying like nobody's business.

At Parkson, there were many choices but you need to look for clothes that can agree with the inches of your body. So, the difficult me found nothing except a 'flower blossom' top. Well, at least the hours of shopping ended with a top.

 The lantern and the Chinese character again depicts luck.

Of course the beautiful red golden cheongsam is lovely; but who wants to look like a bride?

It was 4.55pm. Sara told me to use another long walkway to go to KLCC via Pavillion.

This covered stretch reminded me of Bangkok when we used such walkways connecting major malls there. I like it. It makes me feel KL is in with the world.

There is so much potential here.

 Very soon I reached the entrance to KLCC and I walked again to Suria KLCC.
All along there were reminders of thinking big and be in sync with development.

At KLCC the main theme was the family. Everyone meets during the eve of the season. Here, I recall my own plight. When you are blessed with daughters, the downside is that they are not with you during the eve. 

Who created this idea?

The Chinese and their cultural practices.

So what if it is a daughter? Do you not provide them as much? Do you not give them the education that they need? Do you not look after them well?

Why do Chinese families need to make it a point that daughters in law must leave their maternal homes for paternal ones?

How about taking turns?

It is a practice that needs a revisit.

After KLCC and a good time of buying; I had to leave reluctantly.

I took the LRT slapped in the middle of the mall for home.

I told dad I did something different and I will now go on it anytime I want.

You may find me at KLCC after work !

Thanks to the LRT. I am proud of the new line.

It has made life easier for so many.

Dad concluded that I need to be out of the comfort zone, out of school and books and discover the beauty of KL via LRT anytime.

Yes, I will.

I reached the Taipan station sharp at 730 in time for dinner.

It was a 7 hour trip for the day but I covered almost the major malls of KL.

Good feeling.