Sunday, November 30, 2014

Weddingreception 婚宴

Ah Hui, standing with wine glass 阿辉,手拿酒杯者

This weekend, my wife and I attended 2 wedding reception, a Chinese and a Malay.

Ah Hui and Ah Lian, our long time friends, invited us to her 3rd daughter Sandy's wedding dinner on Saturday, Nov 29.

It was a grand Chinese dinner lasted about more than 4 hours.

Today, we attended a Malay neighbour Hj. Shafaruddin's daughter wedding lunch.

It was a buffet lunch open from 12 noon to 4 pm. We arrived at about 1 pm and left at 2 pm.

It was a vast different in style of Chinese and Malay wedding reception.

(More pictures in Facebook)

这个周末,我与太太参加了两个婚宴,一个华人,另一个是马拉人。

戴朝辉(阿辉)与太太阿莲是我们的老朋友,邀请了我们参加他们第三女儿在星期六举行的婚宴。

这是一个隆重的中餐晚宴,全程需要超过四个小时。

今天是星期天,我们参加了一位马来邻居嫁女儿的流水自助午餐宴。

午餐时间在中午十二时到四时正,我们在下午一点左右抵达,在两点中离开。

华人与马拉人的婚宴方式的确是大有不同!

(更多照片 Facebook)

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Rivers of life 生命之河流

From left : Elaine and husband John with Archbishop Julian Leow
Elaine Theresa Lim, a parishioner of Holy Family's Church, kajang, is holding a solo exhibition at KLPAC (Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Center) in Sentul, Kuala Lumpur from Nov 25 to Dec 8.

More than 30 pieces of her works are exhibited with the theme: Rivers of Life. She is using a unique  medium called "net fabric on board" for her pieces.

She was diagnosed with cancer in January 2012 and treatment followed.

"I have not only survived but I am beginning to live!"

"By a strange twist, the disease that could have ripped me apart, has instead, waken me up from my sleep and lent me wings. She shared in her introductory booklet.

She attributed the Awakening to "wonderful Grace", thus the art works.

Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur, Most Rev. Julian Leow were present at the opening of the exhibition and blessed  the art works.

This is her third solo exhibition. Prior to this, she held two solo exhibitions before: His Hideous (Dec 2012 at Church of the Holy Family) and Songs of Deserts (March 2013 at KLPAC)

Exhibition opens daily from 10:30 am to 9:00 pm. All are welcome.

(More pictures in Facebook)


林莲叶(Elaine Theresa Lim),加影圣家堂教友,在吉隆坡表演艺术中心展开一个个人艺术展。

这次的展览会主题为“生命的河流”,共有超过30副作品展出。她是以一种非常独特的丝网作为创作的媒介。

林女士在2012年,被发现患上癌症,跟着就是治疗。

“我不只熬了过来,现还开始生活了!”

“很奇特的事发生。那可能把我肉体撕裂的病魔,却使我醒觉过来,还给我一双:这给了我一双翅膀”。她在推介小册子中这样说到。

她称这些为天赐的恩宠。

吉隆坡廖炳坚总主教今早也出席了这个展览会,并祝圣了展出作品。

这是林女士第三次个人作品展。在这之前,她曾在2012年假加影第一次个展,主题为“隐秘的祂“;第二次则是在2013年,于这次同一个地方展出,主题为”沙漠之歌“。

展览会从今天(25日)到十二月八日为止,展出时间是每天早上十点半到晚上九时正。

欢迎大家出席。

(更多照片 Facebook)


Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Sunday visitors 星期天访客

Raymond Hooi is a Malaysian working in Singapore. He has just returned from a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and making a stopover in Kajang to attend a friend's wedding. 

He is a seasoned backpacker with footsteps covering many countries and cities.

Doreen is from Penang who came with husband to attend 2 wedding functions in KL and Kajang respectively. 

来自山打根的许俊文,目前在星加坡工作。他刚从耶路撒冷朝圣回来,在加影停留两天,以参加一位朋友的婚礼。

他是一位背包客,足迹遍布世界好多地区。

Doreen 则来自槟城,与丈夫一同下来吉隆坡和加影,参加两位朋友的婚宴。


  

Pauline met her Johor Baru secondary classmate Florence first time in 43 years after graduation. 

Florence is staying in same Sg Jelok neighbourhood for more than twenty years. 

They are going down to Johor Baru this weekend for a reunion ... first time in 43 years too!

太太今天见到了阔别43年的中学同学Florence。

Florence 就住在我们家附近。

她们将在这个周末,回到新山参加同学聚会。。。43年后的第一次!

Friday, November 14, 2014

Visitors from Bintulu 民都鲁访客


On 13/10/2014, Thursday, Dennis from Bintulu Sarawak, took a KTM commuter train to Kajang with his wife Jane and son Paul for a visit.

Dennis is an oil and gas service contractor in Bintulu. He visits KL frequently on business but has never set foot on Kajang and Putrajaya.

I brought them for a tour of Putrajaya and later to a Satey lunch in Kajang.

(Few more pictures in Facebook)


十月十三日星期四,来自砂劳越民都鲁的Dennis 陈祖男兄弟,与太太及儿子,乘搭电动火车,从吉隆坡来到加影。

Dennis 常常来吉隆坡公干,但从未踏足加影与布城。

我带他们到布城一游,然后到加影吃沙爹午餐。

(更多照片Facebook )

Monday, November 10, 2014

A visit to Temerloh 淡马鲁之行

 

十一月八日,星期天, 我与太太,还有李太(陈少芳)及凌太(吴秀梅)到彭亨州的淡马鲁,参加在小刘(Lau)家举行的集会。


我们都是2012年,云南摄影之旅 的队员。我们在结束那趟旅游之后,许多队员以脸书及集会保持联络,因此成为了朋友。(可以观看我们的旅程)

八位队员去年在加影就集会了一次 (观看我们又见面了)

前往淡马鲁途中,我们在文冬停留,拜访了林志强。志强刚刚在今天的星报新闻中,被公布为亚太摄影比赛中,获得第一名。

我们为此而高兴,与他一起到武吉公满新村吃午餐,作为庆祝。

午餐后,我们续程前往淡马鲁。

淡马鲁是彭亨州第二大的城市,坐落在两条河交汇处,并以盛产河鱼出名。它的另一个称号是“巴丁鱼城市,因为这里出产美味的巴丁鱼 (Patin) 而出名。

小刘与太太Jessy 热情的欢迎我们,并一同到一家咖啡店喝茶。他们特别介绍道地的Kiam-Si茶(茶加炼奶及鲜奶)

这次能够出席的队员除了我们之外,还有来自吉隆坡的Yi Von,Eagle Leong, Chong 和Elayne夫妇。

往后的24小时里,我们就是吃、喝及游玩。小刘夫妇介绍了我们许多道地的美食佳肴,其中一道非常特别的是淡马鲁马来式Tempoyak Ikan Patin ,一道以发酵榴莲作配料的巴丁鱼。

我们也逛了星期天的露天市集。这里沿着整公里的道路,有着上百档位,售卖着本地的特产、水果、鲜鱼、食物及家庭用品,非常的热闹。

我们在星期天下午约三点左右,离开淡马鲁,尽兴而归。

谢谢小刘夫妇的热情及慷慨的接待。

明年再见!

(Facebook 照片)


Nov 8, Saturday, my wife and I, together with Mrs Lee and Mrs Ling, we headed to Temerloh for a gathering at Lau Chee Hak 's house.

We were members of a photography group to Yunnan on October 2012. Our friendship developed and keeping in touch regularly through Facebook and gathering. (See also Our Journey)

Eight of us met last year in Kajang.(See We meet again)

We made a stop at Bentong, congratulating Lim Chee Keong on bagging APEC photography competition recently. Almost a page of him and the winning picture appeared in Star newspaper (Oct 8).

We had a celebration lunch at Bukit Koman New Village with specialty - Boiled duck and roast pork.


After lunch our continued our joureny to Temeloh.

Temerloh is the second largest town in the state of Pahang and situated at the confluence of Pahang River and Semantan River. Temerloh is also knowed as " Bandar Patin" (Patin city) as it is the home of Patin fish.

We arrived at about 3:30 pm. Our host Lau (Chee Hak) and wife Jessy welcomed us warmly to their home and later a coffee shop for tea.

Yi Von, Eagle Leong, Chong and wife Elayne were group members who were able to attend this gathering.

For the next 24 hours, we were treated to many delicious Temeloh food and delicacies including a very special dish called Tempoyak Patin fish, a Malay dish of patin fish cooked with fermented durian. 

We also visited the Pekan Sehari (one day market), a Sunday street market where hundreds of stalls selling different types of produce, food and clothing.

We left Temerloh for home at about 3:00pm on Sunday.

A big Thank you to Lau and Jessy for their warm hospitality and generosity.

We shall meet again next year!

(Pictures in Facebook)





Thursday, November 6, 2014

Church by the river 河畔的教堂




From Kanowit, the next destination is Church By The River, Dalat.

I had visited Datlat 17 years ago. Fr. Masang, a Redemptorist, was then the Parish Priest . He was posted there to serve the Melanau community.

He produced his first album titled “Church by the river” to raise fund for development projects of St. Bernard Church.

With 2 more albums followed, he managed to raise more than RM1.5 million and in the process, through concert and promotion tours, making famous St. Bernard Church as The Church By The River.

It was an arduous five to six hours by the bumpy and potholes-filled un-tarred road from Sibu to Dalat in 1997.

On Friday 24/10/2014,  Philip Kong, Hee Tong and I boarded a speed boat in Sibu for the 2 hours tiring ride to Dalat.

Hee Tong is a Legionary assigned to teach Catechism to Dalat Chinese-speaking children on weekly basis. A team of six rotates to go there two by two.

It was a small boat supposed to seat 12 passengers but was always over-crowded. There were about 15 of us on board that day, and along the way, more were picked up. Passengers had to sit upright throughout the journey with no stretching room.

I admired the legionaries who made frequent trips to Dalat.

After more than 2 hours tiring ride, we finally arrived at the Church at about 4:40 pm.

Fr. Simon Lau, a young priest ordained 3 years ago, is the Parish Priest and welcomed us to stay at the parochial house.

The church changed not much from 16 years ago but with more beautiful landscaping of matured trees and plants. However, the cafe by the river bank (Relax Corner) has been improved tremendously.

In the evening, we had Mass and a fellowship gathering with the small Mandarin-speaking community in Dalat.

The next day, Hii Tong and Philip conducted classes for children from standard one to six at a Chinese school nearby.

They are mostly Iban children with a few of mixed parentage of Iban and Chinese.

We bid farewell to Fr. Simon after classes. He too has to go to outstation Iban longhouses for Mass. 

Hii Tong was driving on the return leg from Dalat to Sibu. (Car belongs to Fr. Simon's parent) 

En route, we traveled an hour to  Mukah to visit an enterprising young man who runs an IT center, a café and a capsule-room hotel which is believed to be first in East Malaysia.

From Mukah, we made another stopover at St. Charles Church in Selangau to visit Fr. Mathews. We met Bishop Joseph Hi who was there to administer Sacrament of Confirmation to more than 100  youngster during the morning Mass earlier on. 

Fr. Mathews from Kenya is also a Mill Hill Missionary priest serving in Sarawak. We met Fr. Rex, a missionary priest from The Philippines who arrived here 3 months ago. 

In Sarawak, the state government allowed foreign missionary priests to serve in the state on special permit. 

Fr. Mathews treated us to a light meal at a nearby coffee shop with dishes of …… wild boar, zzzz and xxxx ( not to be disclosed).

From Selangau, it took another hour and half to reach Sibu, thus concluded a wonderful journey to Dalat and the Church By The River.
从加拿逸,我的下一个目的地于达剌的『河畔的教堂』(圣伯纳德教堂)。

我在16年前到过达剌,当时赎主会玛尙神父是该堂的主任神父。他被修会调派到该地为当地的玛兰瑙土著社群服务(当地的主要族群)。

玛尙神父有着音乐天赋,有着优美的歌声。他曾创作了数张歌唱专集,第一张名为“河畔的教堂”最为著名。随着他努力的促销及演唱,他筹到了超过一百五十万令吉,作为堂区建设费用,也因此使到“河畔的教堂”远近驰名。

十七年前,我们是从陆路来到达剌。当时的马路状况非常的差,凹凸不平,许多段都是没有铺上萡油的粗石路,单程也需要六七个小时完成。那时水路还是不很方便。

24/10/2014 星期五,昌春、希通和我三人,在下午两点 ,乘搭了快艇,前往达剌。

希通是一位圣母军,他被指派到达剌教导华文主日学。他们的团队共有六人,每个星期二人一组的到该地教导一年级到六年级的华小学生要理。

我们乘搭的所谓快艇,是一艘装载12人的小艇,但通常都是超载。当天从诗巫就有约15个乘客,沿途还接载一些沿河小站乘客。我们都得坐的挺直的,因为没有空间,脚也得缩起,因为中间就放着行李与货物。

我敬佩那些每个星期都需要乘搭这快艇来回两点的圣母军军友。

经过了两个多小时后,我们终于抵达了达剌,在教堂前面的码头上岸。 堂区主任刘成武神父欢迎我们,进住在神父楼。

教堂没有重大的改变,不过整个范围的树木及园艺设计非常的美丽舒适。河边的食堂则是改善了很多。

傍晚,我们参加了弥撒,过后与当地的小华文教友团体集会及交流。

隔天早上,希通与昌春到邻近的华小教室,教导华语儿童要理。参加者是华小一年级到六年级的学生,他们大部分都是伊班籍,但有数位是华人、伊班人通婚的孩子。

完成了要理班,我们也向刘神父告别,要回诗巫了。刘神父当时也忙着要出去,到伊班长屋庆祭弥撒。

我们的回程是使用汽车,有希通驾驶。

一个小时后,我们抵达沐胶,去探望一位年轻但非常有干劲及活力的教友。他在沐胶开了电脑店、咖啡座及一个相信是东马唯一的太空舱酒店。

离开沐胶,也是大有一个半小时后,我们来到了Selangau 雪兰奥小镇。

我们来到圣查尔斯教堂,探访主任玛窦斯神父。玛窦斯神父来自肯亚,是位米尔山传教会士。我们也会见了他的助理来自菲律宾的李斯神父,他刚来这三个月而已。

在砂劳越,州政府准许外国传教士进入,但必须申请特别准证。到目前为止,州政府仍然持着开放到态度,发出每年都需更新的特别签证。

我们也遇见了诗巫许主教。他是到来主祭早上的坚振弥撒。超过一百位青年领受了坚振圣事。

玛窦斯神父带我们到一家咖啡店,叫了几道当地著名的野味招待我们。山猪肉是其中一项,其他还有zzzz、xxxx (不便透露)。

告别了玛窦斯与李斯神父,我们取道回诗巫。雪兰奥到诗巫,大约是一个半小时车程。

随着这段旅程的结束,愉快的河畔的教堂之旅也告圆满的完成。阿肋路亚。

(更多照片Facebook)

(录影  Youtube) 

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

A day with the Nature 与大自然共度一天


We brought our parents (in law) to visit Fr. Naden at Simpang Pertang, Negri Sembilan. Our last visit was almost 4 months ago.

As always, Fr. Naden was happy to welcome us. Rakie and Gani, the Orang Asli brother and sister pair were there also.

Rakie prepared a delicious home-cooked lunch for us.

Her Sambal poached duck eggs and Lidah Kerbau (Buffalo's tongue) were my favourite.

It was a wonderful day back with the nature.

(See pictures in Facebook)



今天,我们带了岳父母,到新邦葫芦顶探望纳登神父。我们上一次的拜访,将近四个月前的事了。

纳登神父很高兴的迎接我们。原住民姐弟拉琪与甘尼也在那儿做活。

拉琪有着很好的厨艺,她特地为我们烹煮了一顿简单但美味的午餐。其中水煮鸭蛋及“水牛之舌”是我的最爱。

与大自然度过了美好的一天。

(更多照片Facebook )



Saturday, November 1, 2014

Jalan Jalan Sarawak (4) 砂劳越走透透



23-10-2014.  Kanowit.

I put up a night in Bintulu, meeting up over dinner with Fr. Michael Sia and a few of his parishioners.

Dennis Ting chauffeured us (me and Philip Kong) from Miri to Bintulu and taking good care of us until we left for Sibu on 23-10-2014 morning.

We took an express bus from Bintulu at 8:30 am for a 4-hour journey arriving at about 12:30pm.

I was met by Jackie and Hee Tong at the bus station ... and lunch followed.

More dining at night ... dinner with Linda and children. Linda and husband Peter are warm and generous, and always give us (me and my wife) best treatment whenever we are in Sibu.


The next morning, after breakfast, I went Fr. Fabian Kong to his parish at Kanowit which is an hour from Sibu.

Kanowit is a small time at the bank of Kanowit river, a tributary of the main Rajang River.

Fr. Fabian is the Parish Priest of the Church of St. Francis Xavier assisted by Fr. Philip Obaso (Kenyan) and Fr. Onesimus (Ugandan). Both are Mill Hill Missionary priests.

There are 10 outstations villages under the parish. The priests take turn to visit all of them, many can be reached by boats only. 

I was taken by Fr. Philip to a boat ride crossing the Kanowit river to a small chapel at a village called Majau. It serves the Iban longhouses in the area.

Later, we visited a long house which is called Rumah Panjang Benjamin with 53 "pintu" (doors or households). It is Iban custom to name the house after the current head of the longhouse.

Benjamin is a jovial and friendly head. He and his wife welcomed us into their beautiful long house. It has 3 rooms for Home Stay guests.

We were treated to home brewed Tuak , a popular alcoholic drink during festivals particularly The Gawai (Havest Festival) which is celebrated at the end of May each year.

In the evening, I attended the Mass in the church attended also by many school children from nearby boarding school.

After the evening Mass, we went to a Chinese family for Rosary prayer.

The host, Joseph and wife Tracy, treated all of us to a delicious home-cooked dinner.

My Kanowit one-day visit was a great experience covering boat ride, outstation small chapel, Iban Longhouse, Tuak drinking, family prayer and the interesting bumpy car rides.

Hearth felt thanks to Rev. Fathers for their hospitality and kindness.

It was an unforgettable journey.

(More pictures in Facebook)

(Video in Youtube)

Eating BBQ Bishop's nose


23-10-2014。加拿逸。

我在民都鲁住了一夜,与当地的谢必康神父和数位教友共进晚餐。

Dennis 陈兄弟从美里载送我们(我与昌春)来到民都鲁,并接待我们交通及膳食,直到我们在23/10 离开为止。真的万分感谢他与太太、儿子的热情与慷慨。

我们从民都鲁乘搭早上八时半的长途巴士,来到诗巫。这段路程需要大约四个小时,司机驾驶安全,也相当的舒适。

我们在中午十二点半抵达诗巫车站,见到了希通与冉颖在场迎接我们,并且接待我们午餐。

晚上,Linda (秀凤)宴请我们与他家人共进晚餐。Linda 与丈夫Peter 都是非常的热情与慷慨,每次到诗巫,都会受到他们盛情的招待。

第二天的早餐后,江宗欢神父驾车载送了来到了他的堂区 - 加拿逸圣方济沙勿烈教堂,小住一晚。

江神父是这堂区的主任神父,有两位米尔山修会的修士目前在在此协助 - 来自肯亚的菲力神父及来自乌干达的乌尼斯莫尔神父。

这个堂区有十个小区,大部分都是伊班长屋。他们轮流拜访这十个地区,有些只有乘船才能够到达。

抵步后不久,菲力神父带我乘搭小船,度过加拿逸河,去参观在一个名为Majau 的伊班长屋区的小教堂。

过后,我们前往一个离教堂不是很远的长屋,拜访了长屋的屋长本雅明兄弟。本雅明非常的友善及幽默,他与太太热情的欢迎我们来到他的屋子,并以当地酿制的Tuak 米酒接待我们。

这间长屋还有民宿设备,接待从世界各地前来的游客。本雅明本身的屋长就要三家房间,供游客住宿。

傍晚,我们参加了教堂的平日傍晚弥撒。附近一间住宿小学有好多学生,也前来参加弥撒。

弥撒后,我们前往一间华人教友的家诵念玫瑰经。

主人林家义、江美花夫妇,准备了好多自家煮的美味佳肴招待我们。

我们加拿逸一日之旅,收获丰富,多姿多彩。我体验了坐小船过江,参观了偏远郊区教堂,参观了长屋,喝了香醇的Tuak,还有那颠簸道路的车程。

感谢神父们的热情接待。

这些都令我难忘!

(更多照片 Facebook)

(录像 Youtube Video)