Saturday, February 27, 2010

Community new year dinner 社团新年团拜


To go not to go?!

Parish Chinese New Year pot-luck gathering in our church OR Chinese New Year Fellowship subscription dinner at a restaurant organised by the Chinese associations of Kajang? Both were on tonight at 7:00 pm.

I bought a table for the community dinner about a month and a half ago . The parish new year gathering was announced two weeks before the new year.....

I decided to go for the community dinner .... and I did't expect to see my fellow church members there.

It was a 112-tables grand dinner that saw almost full participation from clan associations, communal organisations and business establishments in Kajang area.

The highlights of the night were performances from world champion Yu Hwa Harmonica team, Malaysia top soprano pair Chen Rong and Zhuo Ru Yen.

Alice had for the first time, partook in "Lo Shang" .... no such thing in Sibu, Sarawak.


要去呢,还是不要去?

堂区华人农历新年聚餐,或者是加影华团新春团拜宴会?都是在今晚七时正举行。

我决定出席加影华团新春团拜。我不期望能够看到自己本堂的教友会出席。

我早在一个半月前就购买了团拜晚宴餐劵;而堂区新春聚餐则在新年前两个星期才宣布。所以选择是相当容易决定的。

这团拜是加影每年春节的许多盛会之一。今晚的宴会共有一百一十二桌,几乎加影地区的所有华团,社团及团体组织都有参加。

宴会的高潮是加影育华中学世界冠军口琴队的表演,及马来西亚著名男女高音歌唱家陈容及卓如燕的精彩独唱及合唱演出。

Alice 艾丽丝有缘这个周末到来我家,一同参加了这个宴会,第一次尝试到了东马没有的,西马独有的“捞生”。

Family and friends 家庭及朋友 (2)

Nostalgic.... Pahang and Kelantan 1991!
回首往事。。。彭亨及吉兰丹 1991!
Cherating, Pahang

Pantai Cinta perahi, Kota Baru?!

Me and my Peugeot 505 in Tumpat, Kelantan

Friday, February 26, 2010

Date: 2/9/1989
Place: Mantin, Negeri Sembilan
Event: To celebrate Mantin Taichi group 2nd anniversary.
Item: Holy Family TaiChi group presented a sketch.

日期: 2/9/1989
地点:森美兰州文丁市
活动:庆祝文丁太极气功班成立二周年
节目:加影太极班呈现一个话剧

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Taichi annual dinner 太极班新年宴会


Abstinence during Chinese New Year is hard to do.

I try to forgo lunch if possible (it is easier to do ). But like today, a customer-friend called up and said apologetically:" No time to meet you during Chinese New Year, let's have lunch together...." What to do ?!?!

More so I should eat less after last night's sumptuous dinner.

Last night our Taichi group held our 23rd annual Chinese New Year "Lo Sang" dinner at a restaurant.

9 members (seated on chairs at pic above) aged 70 and above (two are over 80) received special Ang Pow as token of our appreciation of their perseverance and best wishes from members of good health and best of spirit.
























在农历新年期间,守斋是件非常困难的事。

我尝试尽量放弃午餐(这是较易做的事)。但就如今天般,一位顾客兼朋友来个电话,语带歉意的说:“新年期间没时间和你见面,今天我特抽空我们一起吃午餐。。”。你叫我怎么办 ?!?!

我更应该减吃,因为昨晚刚吃了一顿丰富的晚餐。

我们的太极班,昨晚在一间酒家举办了第二十三年度的农历新年“捞生”晚宴。

宴会中,我们派发红包给九位(最上图坐椅者)年龄超过七十岁的团员(两位超过80岁),代表我们对他们坚韧毅力的赞赏,及我们给他们的祝福,祝福他们身体健康,常常精神奕奕。

Monday, February 22, 2010

三十九步

【爱之光】二月份



三十九步



1915年,一位名叫约翰布占的苏格兰作家,正在写作一部特务惊险小说。当时他患上了胃病,到一间海边疗养院修养。疗养院有一个梯级,可以通到海滩。

作家有一位六岁的可爱女儿,刚学会计算。她花了好多功夫,才把这通道梯级数清楚,很高兴的宣布,总共有三十九级!

当作家完成了这部小说后,他就以【三十九级】作为书名。后来,这间疗养院被拆除了,但这梯级,完整的拆卸,送给了这位作家。

这部小说被拍成了好几部电影,包括有『紧张大师』之称的名导演希阁治的1935年作品。

除了电影之外,【三十九级】也进入了圣母军手册!你知道在哪里可以找到吗?(手册译成三十九步)。

圣母军的创始人杜辉兄弟,他除了恭敬圣母,信德虔诚之外,他的做事方式也非常的激进但同时也非常的实用。他曾经抱怨过,爱尔兰人信德是非常美满的,美满到他们都认为不需要做任何东西了。他称这种信德为“静默”的信德。

他的“激进”概念是基督徒不只要在生活中为主作证,还要去宣讲福音。十九世纪,圣母军刚诞生,当时的爱尔兰,信徒们认为把信仰传给“邻里”,是不恰当的。杜辉兄弟勇敢的,大刀阔斧的要把这个所谓的“朽木”(障碍)给去掉。后来梵二大公会议证明了他正确的立场(平信徒积极传福音)。

另一方面,他是位实用主义者,勇于尝试。他相信当遇到困难时,应实际的采用小说中的三十九级方法,他也的确使用了小说中的情节。他说:“有时,当你跟随某些路线或道路行走,来到了一幅墙,那你就该绕过这墙继续前进。但假如没有绕道的选择,那你就必须到回头,再从新开始。” 他从来不会害怕走错路。

他认为只要准备功夫做得够,就绝对有胆量尝试那些认为是不可能的事。再说,这可以给天主及圣母玛利亚一个机会,对他绝对依靠信心的一个回应。所以,圣母军『不抱怨事情的不可能,因为他深信一切事情都可以做,也做得到。』(圣母军的精神)

“圣母军要求团员们不拘在什么环境中,不拘要付出什么代价,都要努力工作,努力是圣母军的第一原则。无论在超性或本性界,摒去不可能的观念,就是可能的开始。只有抱著这个态度,才能解决问题。。。”(手册317页-象征的行动)

“『把没一件不可能的事分成三十九步,每一步就都变成可能了』这是圣母军的标语。”(手册318面)

假如你继续的把这段手册读下去,你就会更清楚的了解圣母军工作的态度,圣母军工作的精神及圣母军成功的因素。

“一连串走了好多 步以后,或许还没有到三十九步,如标语所说的:你将发现自己已经迈过了不可能的们,进入了成功的境界”

我们就以『三十九步』来互相共勉,在成圣的路上,百尺竿头,更进一步!

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Aiya family dinner 哎呀家庭聚餐


Jonathan left for Kota Kinabalu this evening after a week's Lunar New Year holidays. He and Adeline will resume work tomorrow. Thus brought to close our family New Year celebrations.

As for our Aiya family - god-daughters Anna Ailing, Rose and Aiya son in law George, Aiya grand daughter Olivia coming together to have a dinner at our house this evening for our fist New Year gathering. Amen Fr. Anthony Heng was our invited guest!

George brought along a Lo duck (mother in law's secret recipe) he made in Penang for the dinner! It was yam yam.

Bobby our obedient small dog manged to win the heart of Olivia who initially was reluctant to touch him.

It was a warm and enjoyable evening.

Sincerely wishing all our children a prosperous and fruitful new year in their career, living happily, peacefully and healthily always, God bless us all, Aiya and Amen.



儿子今天傍晚趁机飞回了亚庇。他和大女儿在明天也开工了,这就结束了我们家庭新年的共聚欢庆了。

而我们的哎呀家庭 - 哎呀乾女儿瑷伶和彩燕,乾女婿耀光,乾孙女馨之(Olivia),则也在今天傍晚,在我家举行了第一次的农历新年聚餐。受邀的座上客是泰山稳重的安当神父。

耀光还特地带来了一只亲手烹制,岳母家传秘方配料的潮州滷鸭,一级棒!

我家的小狗Bobby, 则赢得哎呀乾孙Olivia 馨之的欢心。本来怕狗的她,最终抱起它来,成为好朋友!

这是个温馨及轻松的傍晚。

我衷心的祝福我们所有的孩子们,开工大吉,新的一年里,事业顺心顺意,健康快乐,平安,主佑我们,哎呀及阿门!














Cheers!God bless us all!
乾杯,主佑我们大家

The singing sisters 姐妹歌唱


My wife eldest sister Mary, son Kelvin, his wife Cynthia and three children visited us this afternoon.

Two cute sisters, Karolyn and Kelly Ann sportingly sang for us ... for entertainment!

太太的大姐 Mary 及儿子,媳妇及三位可爱的孙子今天下午到访我家/

可爱的姐妹花还唱歌娱乐我们。

Saturday, February 20, 2010

New year gathering 新年聚餐

Today is Ren Ri (人日 human's birthday)。It was believed that Lady Goddess made human being on the seventh day...so today being the seventh day of the Lunar New Year, it is our common birthday. No any particular type of celebration but just be happy one more reason to celebrate...by greeting each other "happy birthday".

Tonight we went for Auntie Pat's family open house new year celebration.

As usual, food aplenty...plus a roasted pig!

We were happy to be there with Auntie Pat (right pic, middle), her sisters and lovable jovial nephew and nieces.

Auntie Pat currently undergoing chemotherapy for her lung cancer. She remains her usual optimistic and cheerful self.


Me and my adorable "girl friend" Lynn.
我的可爱“女朋友” Lynn









Me and my Godson Shaun

我及代子Shaun










We are The Cross gang

我们是十字党





今天是“人日”。没有什么特别的庆祝,只有一些朋友见面时,会说声:生日快乐!

今晚我们到 Auntie Pat 家的新年聚餐。一如往年般,大把食物,再加上一条烧猪!

我们非常高兴的能够和 Auntie Pat (最上图中红衣) 及家人一起,特别是她的姐妹,加上她那快活,调皮的外甥及外甥女。

Auntie Pat 目前正在接受化学治疗,医治她的肺癌,但仍然保持着一贯的乐观及喜悦的态度。

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Activities during new year 新年活动

It is a challenging time for Catholic Chinese during the Lunar New Year + Season of Lent.

Today we have a small reunion/new year dinner with our cousin Aileen and her family. Happily we also welcomed our God-daughter Irene from Johor Baru (JB) and her boy friend who celebrated new year in Kerling, and on the way home to JB.

作为一名华人天主教徒,在农历新年期间,又逢上四旬期,是非常挑战的一段时间。

今天傍晚,我们和表妹及家人共同聚餐,同时也很高兴的欢迎新山乾女儿爱玲及男朋友飞龙的到访,就也一同分享晚餐。































Surprisingly, Fr. Lawrence, Raymond, wife Theresa and daughter and a friend from USA dropped by at about 10:00pm. During Chinese New Year, anytime is good time to visit friends and relatives.

在晚上十时左右,大华神父,秀明及太太秀梅,女儿及一位美国同事,从淡边回八打灵途中,也到我家拜访。新年期间,任何时候,都是拜访的时候。朋友难得新年期间叙旧,可遇不可求。

Lent 四旬期

We have to restrained our Chinese New Year feasting on the fourth day of the new year.

It was Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, and forty days (excluding Sundays) to Easter.

"HAVE MERCY ON US O LORD, FOR WE HAVE SINNED"

"Lord, bless the sinner who asks for your forgiveness and bless all those who receive these ashes. May they keep this lenten season in preparation for the joy of Easter".

“Remember, man, you are dust and to dust you will return."

We attended the 7:00 am Mass and received ashes on the forehead to mark the beginning of the season of Lent - a season of prayer, fasting and alms giving in preparation for the Passion of Christ and triumphant resurrection on Easter.


During the homily, Fr. William urged the faithful to focus on thing(things) that we wanted to focus on during the season of Lent. Although Lent is about prayer, fasting (penance) and alms giving, but one only need focus on "I" - what can I do?

He has chosen fasting as the main focus for this Lent.

As for me, fasting is always the most challenging act and I too decided this will be my main focus in Lent.

Wishing all friends a blessed and fulfilling season of Lent.


农历新年的欢庆,在年初四,暂时收敛。

星期三(初四)是圣灰礼仪日,是四旬期的第一天,四十天后(不包括星期日),就是耶稣复活日!

“天主,求你垂怜我们,因为我们犯了罪”。

“天主,求你宽恕及降福那些向你认罪悔过的人;也求你对所有将领受圣灰的信众,慨然倾注你降福的恩宠;祝福他们以圣洁的心神,领受耶稣复活的喜乐”。

“人啊,你要记住你原来是土,后来仍要归于土”。

我们参加了早上七时的弥撒,在额头上领受了圣灰,四旬期就正式开始了。四旬期是天主教徒四十天的祈祷,守斋(悔改)及做善工,准备耶稣的苦难活复

威廉神父在证道的时候,呼吁信徒们在这四旬期里,更专注在一些自己能够做到的事情里,所以重点是个人的“我” - 我能够做什么?

他选择了守斋为今年四旬期的专注重点。

守斋一路来对我来说,非常挑战的事,所以我还是选回守斋为我今年的重点。

祝愿大家有个充满主恩及成功的一个四旬期。

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

A bountiful new year 满盈的新年

A bountiful year ! To Johor Baru
满盈的一年!南下新山A boot-ful 满箱满厢



丰收
Rich harvest








年年有余
Fish










潮州滷肉,蛋,豆腐
Teow Chew Lo delicacies






Kedah laksa
吉打辣沙




Twins 孪生代女

My youngest twin god-daughters!
我最年轻的孪生干女儿!(代女)


14-2-2010 (top 上), 16-2-2008 (below 下)

A new year 新的一年


14-2-2010, fist day of the lunar New Year.

My lunar new year starts not at 12:01 after midnight but only when I attended the Thanksgiving Mass.

New year is not a new year until I have offered thanks and received blessing from God - the creator of universe, heaven and earth, sun and moon, all creatures and plants – The Father. Thanks giving Mass is the source of all blessings and beginnings.

After many years of attending Chinese New Year Masses in Johor Baru, we decided to attend Mass at our home parish in Kajang this year.

Fr. George Harrison, the Mandarin speaking priest, led the people of God in giving thanks to God the almighty for the past year and pray for continue blessings in the coming new year of Tiger.

After Mass, Fr. George led the people in honoring our ancestor at an altar set up by the side of the main altar. To my own understanding, it was not only my ancestor, not only Chinese ancestor, but also Indian, Jews or Gentiles, OUR common ancestor.

Following Chinese custom, the following were offered:

-- Flowers and wine --> symbolized our love and utmost respect to our ancestor,
-- Candles --> reminding us that our ancestor’s good example, hard work and sacrifices are the light that show us the way for us to follow,
-- Joss sticks (smoke) --> were used to mark our longing to God to hear our prayer. (same meaning of incensing during Mass)

The ceremony contained no element of worship but was an act of utmost respect and honour steeped with Chinese tradition and custom. Pope Pius XXII in 1939 had approved the ancestral veneration during Mass and found Chinese culture of veneration in the church not superstition. (Catholics honour their ancestor in every Mass)

Fr. George later gave out blessed oranges and Ang Pow to the parishioners.

A new year began …..









"Ancestor of all generation & origin"
"列祖列宗“牌位




14-2-2010 农历新年初一。

我的农历新年不是从子夜十二时零一分开始,但却是在参加感恩弥撒过后。

新年不新,直到我对天主献上我的感恩,及领受了他给我的祝福之后,才算是一个新年!因为天主是宇宙万物,穷处大地,太阳月亮,一切受造物及植物的创作者,也我们的父亲- 阿爸。感恩弥撒是一切祝福及开始的出泉源。

好多年在新山参加农历新年弥撒后,我们决定今年留在加影,参加自己堂区的感恩弥撒。

操着流利华语的赫佐治神父带领天主的子民,在弥撒中,向天主过去一年里的照顾,献上感恩,并祈求他在新的一年里,继续的降福及保佑我们。

弥撒后,赫神父在祭台旁设立的列祖列宗牌前,向先人(祖先)致敬及悼念。据我本身的了解,这里所指的祖先,不只是华人或印度人,犹太人或非犹太人,而是也是我们共同的祖先。

遵照我们华人的习俗,采用了鲜花,酒,蜡烛及香芝来向先人致躬及敬礼。

-- 鲜花及酒,代表我们至高的尊敬及怀缅。
-- 蜡烛代表先人所立的榜样,他们的牺牲及刻苦耐劳,是我们引路明灯,我们追随
的光标。
-- 香枝的袅袅馨烟,是我们渴望天主垂听我们的祈祷。(弥撒中的献香意义也是如此)

这仪式绝不含任何朝拜的因素,而纯是致敬及怀缅先人的虔诚敬礼。教宗碧岳十二世在1939年,批准向先人敬礼,而华人的敬礼仪式,毫无迷信成份,获教会批准。(天主教徒在每台弥撒中,都有敬缅祖先)

赫神父过后也分发了祝福过的吉柑和红包给所有的教友信众。

新的一年开始了。。。。

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Reunion 除夕团圆


We have our reunion dinner at second sister-in-law house at my home village Labu. With the opening of LEKAS highway, it took 45 minutes from Kajang to my village (previously one and half hour by federal road through many small towns). We received 10 % discount on road toll charges for this festive season.

Chinese New Year in our kampong (village) is always colourful (red), warm (weather) and plentiful (food).




我们今天在新村家乡二嫂家吃除夕团圆饭。新的公路,从加影到新村,只需四十五分钟。假如使用联邦公路,需要大约一个半小时。(经过许多小镇)。路费还有10% 折扣。

春节在新村,气息浓,每家每舍,张灯结彩,道路也挂上灯笼,到处红艳艳,很多游子也回乡,与家人团聚,所以特别热闹,天气也特别热。新年的团圆饭,更是菜肴丰富。

这就是新春一定要会家乡的原因。

Friday, February 12, 2010

Happy New Year 新年快乐


恭祝大家回乡旅途平安,新年快乐,喜气洋洋,事事顺利
Wishing you a pleasant safe journey home,
and A Happy and Prosperous New Year

Yam Sing!




Wednesday, February 10, 2010

No surprise 毫不惊讶

It is no surprise.

God does not intervene. Allah does not intervene neither despite a prayer session at the ground of Palace of Justice by the supporters of Nizar, the ousted Perak Mentri Besar.

The decision of Federal Court to rule that Zambry is the legal Mentri Besar of Perak because the Sultan of Perak has the right to remove Mentri Besar elected by people and appoint a new one.

Our judiciary system is sliding backwards. Election is a sham... people's wishes is not respected.

Is it the spirit of the Constitution or the manipulated evil spirit of a few?

I strongly believe that the good spirit will triumph over the evil spirit.

Fight on Nizar .... perhaps you can change to a Proton Saga to remind yourself that "A new Saga begins..."

Be strong and be brave! Loosing a battle is a preparation for the war - General Election is around the corner.

And, judging the judges, the outcome of Anwar's sodomy case is almost a foregone conclusion.



没什么惊讶。

天主没有插上一手。阿拉也没有插上一手,虽然霹雳前州务大臣尼查的支持者,在布城的联邦法院的操场集体祷告。

联邦法院判决,赞比里是合法的州务大臣,因为霹雳苏丹有权开除民选州务大臣,而另外他人接替。

我们的司法系统在倒退。大选是闹剧,人民的意愿不受尊敬。

这判决符合宪法的精神吗?还是一小部分人操纵的罪恶颓神?

我坚决的相信,正义一定会战胜邪恶。

所以,尼查老兄,继续的战斗下去。你现在可以驾一辆笨蛋傻瓜,可以提醒你振作及警惕,因为这是一个新斗争(saga)的开始!(犹如卧薪尝胆)

一定要坚强下去,输了一场战斗,是给往后的战争 - 即将来临的大选,做好准备。

照此案类推,安华鸡奸案的结果,似乎也十不离九了!

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Happy Birthday 生日快乐


Happy 86th Birthday to Fr. Henriot.

About 65 parishioners of the Church of the Holy Family organised a small dinner for Fr. Henriot at a Kajang restaurant tonight.

He is well-liked and respected by all and retired to the Little Sister of the Poor home in Cheras.

祝福夏理和神父86岁生日快乐。

大约六十五位加影的教友们,今晚在一家餐馆举行一个小型的生日晚宴庆祝会。

夏神父是一位受人爱戴及尊敬的神父,目前在教会的安贫老人院居住。


He is a jolly good fellow....