Feast day ordeal 主保日的考验

Left house at about 8:10 am for Nilai St. Theresa Church Feast-day celebrations.

At 6.8 km Lekas Highway, we heard some loud noise from the engine compartment ....te la tak tak cha cha .....

I slowed down ... the car was still moving smoothly ...

Then I noticed the water temperature has shot up to the maximum .... and quickly stopped to check.

Fan belt has broken, water pump and alternater were not moving. Serious problem.

Using emergency phone located along the highway. It was working and Lekas Highway staff answered.

 " I need help, a tow truck to tow my car home..."

"Sorry, we do not have tow truck service... if want we can contact outside truck for you.."

I thought the fastest service should have come from highway operator .....%$#^$#%&&&** what (*&*) service it provides!

I called my insurance "Auto Assist" service. Promptly it despatched a tow truck from the nearest panel workshop.

45 minutes later, the truck arrived ,and another 45 minutes later, my van was safely home ... free of charge!. All in the saga lasted 2 1/2 hours.

St. Theresa of Lisieux is my favourite saint. She is also known as The Little Flower of Jesus. Moreover, this was the first time I attend the feast day of St. Theresa Church in Nilai.

We should not be deterred by this ordeal.
 
Immediately, we used another car to go to Nilai and arrived 15 minutes before the Mass ended.
 
I was so happy to meet Fr. Alvin Ho, a Jesuit Priest who has been away in US to study for many years. I knew him in St. John Cathedral Kuala Lumpur years before he entered the seminary.

More than 500 attended the feast day celebrations, many of them are foreign workers from many countries.

 (Facebook pictures)

Fr. Alvin Ho (second from right)

St Theresa of Lisieux 里修圣女小特肋莎

今早八点十分左右，开车去参加汝来圣特肋莎堂主保庆典。

车抵达Lekas 高速公路6.8公里处，突然听到来自引擎厢哒哒嚓哒声响。我马上放慢速度，车行的还很顺畅，没有什么异样，所以还想继续行驶。

这时我见到汽车的热度表达到最高点，我马上停了下来，立刻开引擎盖检查。

我见到拉水泵及发电机的皮带已经断裂，这是个大问题。

步行了大约半公里，使用大道公司提供的紧急电话，联络大道公司办事处。

“我的车不能行驶了，可否派拖拉吊车来把车子拉回我家。。”

“对不起，我们没有吊车，但如果需要，我们可以代为联络外面的到来。。”

我以为最快的服务应该是来自大道公司 。。。$#%@^^^%%**$ 真×&×的王八，什么叫做服务。

接下来，我联络保险公司的紧急服务部门，告诉了状况，地点及需要，四十五分钟后，拖拉吊车抵达，再过四十五分钟后，我的车安全的拖到了我的家门。完全免费！整个事件，共花了两个半小时。

圣女小特肋莎（也称小德兰）是我最喜欢的圣人，我们也是第一次要参加汝来圣特肋莎堂的主保日。

我们不会给这考验难倒，到家后，马上的换了另一辆车，在弥撒结束前十五分钟抵达教堂。

很高兴的遇见弥撒的主祭何艾文神父。他是属于耶稣会的神父，在美国进修几年后，刚回来，目前在芙蓉圣母望见堂服务。我在他还未进修院前的好几年，就已在吉隆坡圣若望主教座堂认识他了。

今天的庆典大约有超过五百人参加，其中许多是来自多个国家在此工作或读书的信徒。

 (Facebook 一些照片)

Day 6 in Sibu 诗巫第6天

 

It was a wonderful trip for all of us.

We have to thank many generous friends who took care of our accommodation and transport, brotherly and sisterly love showered upon us and food and food and food and food and more food throughout our stay.

Thank you is not enough to express our gratitude especially to Peter and Linda for their generosity and kindness.

Jackie whom I knew since 1990 as a young green horn, and now a father of 3 children, took few days of leave to accompany us and chauffeured us throughout our stay in Sibu.

Thank You to Alice and parents, Fr. Tham, Paul and his wife Xiu Xiang ... all of them had shown us the true meaning of love and making our holiday more fulfilling.

Thanks to William Ngu, Philip Kong and Linda Su. They have taken time out to be with us whenever they can.

Not forgetting my Sibu brother Joseph Wong and wife Rose,  who arranged and planned my tour.  

One of the high points of our visit was the trip to Kapit ... our heart felt thanks to Fr. Fabian and his parishioners for the warm welcome extended to us. I am sure all of us, including little Marcus, would not forget this wonderful journey and warm stay in Kapit.

Mrs Lee (Chan Siew Fong), daughter-in-law and grandson Marcus thoroughly enjoyed the trip very much. They are not Christian but went along with our itinerary including visiting churches and prayer rites.

On the morning before going to airport, Joseph and William Ngu brought us out for breakfast and a little sightseeing.

I was heart-broken seeing the reclamation at the bank of Igan river. The river has been narrowed in order to gain valuable commercial land.

Generations to come would suffer because of the greed of this generation.

Goodbye Sibu, goodbye Rajang river, goodbye Igan river ....

I heard you crying ... for greedy mankind ....

(More pics in Facebook)

 这是一个难忘的假期。

感谢好多的朋友，照顾了我们的住宿及交通，兄弟姐妹的亲切照顾，整个假期的吃，吃，吃，吃。。。。吃不完的美食。

一声谢谢是不足够对Peter 及Linda 夫妇给我们的一切慷慨及温馨的接待。

在1990年认识时还是个羞涩青年的冉颖（Jackie），现在已是三个孩子的“孝顺”爸爸，特地请假接待及全陪我们。

谭神父，爱丽丝Alice 及父母的热情接待，仁忠夫妇的欢迎，都使到我们的假期倍增难忘。

祖厚及昌春也抽空到来相见，让我们的假期更充实。

更不用说我的诗巫“布拉打” （兄弟） 黄禄声及太太丽馨，他们安排及照顾了我们的整个行程。

这趟诗巫之旅的高潮之一，是到加帛一游。衷心的感谢加帛圣母污染原罪副本堂，宗欢神父及该地的教友们，他们热情的欢迎我们进入他们的团体，让我们参与及体验当地华语教友团体的活动及团体的活力。这是个难忘的旅程。

与我们同行的李太太(Auntie Lee)，媳妇慧仪及孙子翊铭(Marcus)，都有个美丽的快乐时光。他们不是基督徒，而且还有小孩同行，但都尽量配合我们的行程，包括教会地点。他们也很高兴的领受住宿在加帛神父楼的体验。

在离开诗巫的那天早上，乘着还有时间，我们参观了刘钦候医院博物馆及拉让与依干两江的汇合口。

我见到了大自然的破坏，感到心痛及悲伤。

政府以填土方式，在依干江畔“制造”更多商业土地，也因而缩小了江河的宽度。这种破坏大自然的贪婪行动，将贻害后代，确实可悲！

再见我喜欢的诗巫，再见拉让河，再见依干江。。。。。

我听到你们的哭泣，那是为了我们的贪婪。。。

(更多照片 Facebook)

Day 5 in Sibu 诗巫的第五天

星期二，25-9-2012，是我们在诗巫的第五天，也是最忙的一天。

 1995年，那就是十七年前，一位十七岁的诗巫少年，来到西马参加一个美髮课程。

这是他第一次离开家乡，离开家人，第一次乘搭飞机。他的哥哥冉颖送他到机场时，嘱咐他不必担心，一定会平安抵达目的地 - 位于加影的一间髮型学院。

不知那里登机，该做些什么，他记起了哥哥的叮咛：“。。。只要是跟着人群就行了。。”

这位战战兢兢及害怕的初次出门小羊，在迷失的时候，记起了哥哥的叮咛，就马上跟着人群走着路线步行。。。

走到最后的时候，他才发觉人群要去的地方是 - 厕所！！！

我们最后的一次在加影见面，已经是十五年前飞逝而过的往事，今天我和太太终于再次与他见面了。这是他告诉我过去十多年挣扎及奋斗的许多故事之一。

 今早，带着一点紧张的心情，我们与Abel Ting 及太太Ah Wei 小薇在一间点心馆子共进早餐。他们都是髮型师，共同管理自己开创的髮型屋。

他在课程毕业后，工作了整十年，决定开创自己的美髮屋。

那位十七年前瘦削的少年，今天已是一位勤劳，关爱，快乐及自信的创业人，拥有自己的事业。（虽然现在仍然是有些瘦挑）

我们都以他而高兴，自豪！

早餐后，禄声与我去拜访了几位老相识及朋友。

在下午，我们来到Abel 的美髮廊。一步入，我们就被Abel 绑架，他的员工把我们“绑”在椅子上，给我们洗头及美髮！

我要求那位为我服务的髮型师，依照他的髮型，也给我的头发依样造型 。。。阿啦。。熟巧的髮型师，也有极限！

这是我们一个非常好的体验，我们都说： 赞！

傍晚，我跟随禄声到教堂参加圣母军周会。当晚，在圣心主教座堂，共有六个支团同时在开会，确实是很壮观。

过后，Peter 及Linda 邀请了我们夜宵，因为明天，我们将回家了。

(更多照片Facebook)

Tuesday, 25-9-2012， was the fifth day in Sibu and the busiest day for me (us).

In 1995, that was 17 years ago, a young boy of 17 years old from Sibu came to Peninsular Malaysia to take up a hair-styling course.

It was his first time leaving home, first time taking a plane. His older brother Jackie sent him to airport, assuring him not to be afraid and he would be safe to reach the destination - a hair academy in Kajang.

Not knowing where to board the plane, what to do along the way .... he remembered his older brother's advice： " Just follow the people ...."

The anxious and frightened little lamb did as his brother said and followed the crowd at the first instant when he was alone and lost.

Followed ... walked ... followed the path most people took  ......

He found out at the end of the walk .... it is the toilet people are going!!!!

This was one of the stories he told us when we met up finally, after more than 15 years since the last time my wife and I saw him in Kajang.
 
This morning, a little nervous, we met Abel Ting and his wife Ah Wei (They married 6 years ago) for breakfast at a Sibu Tim Sum restaurant. Both are hair stylists running their own hair-dressing salon.

After completion of his course, Abel worked for 10 years before decided to open his own salon.

The skinny 17-year old boy has grown up to be a fine young hard working, caring, happy and confident entrepreneur. (he is still skinny ... ooops.. is slim now)

We are so happy and proud of him.

After breakfast, Joseph and I visited a few old friends and acquaintances.

We went to Abel's Saloon in the afternoon. Immediately after stepping into the saloon,  we were "kidnapped" by him and "tied" to the chairs by his staff for shampooing and hair styling.

I requested the young stylist to style my hair as his .... alaaah... even good stylist also has his limitation.

It was a great experience for all of us... and WE LIKED IT !!! (see Facebook pictures)

In the evening, I joined Joseph for Legion meeting. I took this opportunity to visit some of the praesidia (groups) having meeting at the same time.

Linda and Peter hosted us to a simple supper to bid us goodbye ... we are leaving for home the next day.

(More pictures in Facebook)

Sibu 4 诗巫

Food and friends characterized our trip to Kapit.

We went for breakfast at about 8:30 am today at a coffee shop owned by a parishioner Mr. Sng.

He generously "belanja"(treat) us a free breakfast - food and drink .... and specialty of Kapit - wild boar meat !

With grateful heart, we said goodbye to Fr. Fabian, Bro. George, a Mill Hill seminarian from Kenya who is doing a 2-yr pastoral training in Kapit.

Bro David and John (Ah Siang)  2 local parishioners,  brought us walk around the town, which is rather small and the center of activities - the market.
At 9:30 am, we boarded an express boat for Sibu.

Upon arrival, we went straight to a restaurant for lunch hosted by Alice parents Theresa and Simon,  and Fr. Tham.

We were happy to meet Fr. David Ho, the Parish Priest of Mary Immaculate Conception Kapit, who came to Sibu on Friday.

At night, we attended the Rajang area combined Christian choirs fellowship concert. It featured 12 groups from various churches in Sibu including the Catholic church which was represented by the choir from The Sacred Hearth Cathedral. (See video of their presentation on Youtube)

(See more pictures in Facebook)

食物与朋友是我们这趟加帛行的特点。

早上八点半，我们到教友孙兄弟的咖啡店用早餐 。。。慷慨的店主孙兄弟请客。除了咖啡茶及面食之外，还特地请我们尝尝当地的山猪肉！

怀着感恩及感谢之心，我们向江神父及佐治修士告别。佐治修士来自非洲的肯亚，属于英国Mill Hill 修会，到这里做两年的牧灵实习。

大卫及阿祥，加帛的两位教友兄弟，带来我们逛逛加帛市区及居民的活动中心 -菜市场。

九点半，我们就乘搭快艇，离开加帛，回去诗巫。

抵达诗巫的码头，我们就直接到一间餐馆吃午餐。这次是有爱丽丝的父母，特肋撒和西满，及谭神父请客。

很高兴的见到了加帛教堂的主任何神父( Fr. David Ho )。他是在上个星期回到诗巫，他的家乡。

晚上，我们参加了拉让区基督教唱诗班观摩晚会，总共有十二对来自诗巫各基督教会的歌咏团（唱诗班），包括天主教会，参加这个观摩会，互相交流及联谊。(观看圣心堂歌咏堂的表演Youtube)

( 更多照片 Facebook)

Sibu day 3 诗巫第三天

We attended 9:15am Mass at the St Theresa at Sg Merah celebrated by Fr. Tham.

Fr. Tham will be celebrating his 90th birthday next year. He is still healthy and active in discharging his priestly duties.

After Mass, we went to Alice Ho's house to have breakfast.

Alice's mother Theresa, prepared Heng Hua mee hoon and mee soup for us.

After breakfast, we left for Sibu jetty to take a 3 hours passenger boat ride to Kapit, a small riverine town on the upstream of Rajang river.

Fr. Fabian Kong, ordained about one and a half year ago,  and the assistant parish priest of Mary Immaculate Conception Church Kapit welcomed us to his parish and gracefully invite us to stay at the parochial house. 

Later in the evening, he drove us to a visit a modern long house about 45 minutes drive from the church.

Edward, one of the occupants, received us warmly into his house.

At night, the Chinese speaking community invited us to their weekly prayer gathering and fellowship which normally held at their home, but changed the venue to the parochial house for our convenience.

We enjoyed their company and the food prepared by them too.

Thanks and appreciation to Fr. Fabian and his community for hospitality extended to us.

(More pictures Facebook )

Add caption

我们参加了新珠山圣德肋撒堂早上9：15分，由谭神父主祭的弥撒。

谭神父将在明年欢庆90岁生日。他老当益壮，身体还很健康及活跃，仍然胜任一位司铎的任务及工作。

弥撒过后，我们到Alice 的家吃早餐。

她的妈妈特肋莎准备了道地的兴化人炒米粉及面粉糕，及许多种美味的茶粿。

早餐过后，我们就到诗巫码头，乘搭中午一点的快艇，到离开诗巫大约三个小时旅程，拉让江上游的加帛小镇。

加帛圣母污染原罪堂副本堂江宗欢神父，热情的欢迎我们，并邀请我们在神父楼住宿。

傍晚五时，江神父亲自驾车载我们一行人，拜访了离开加帛市区大约四十五分钟路程的一间长屋。

好客友善的屋主Edward 热情的欢迎我们到他的家参观，并准备了茶水招待我们。

这是一件现代化的依班族长屋，住了四十户人家。

晚上七时，江神父及华文教友团体, 邀请我们参加当晚的团体祈祷集会及集餐。他们每个星期都在教友家举行这项集会，但为了方便我们，特地改在神父楼举行。

感谢神父及团体的热情及慷慨的接待，我们非常高兴及荣幸的能够参加他们的这个团体活动，及每个家庭带来的美味食物。

加帛华文教友人数不多，但他们的信德及爱德，使我非常的感动，这是一个难忘的集会及体验。

(更多照片Facebook)

Sibu day 2 诗巫第二天

 On second day in Sibu, we have Golo mee, Hochchiew Mee Sua and herbal soup for breakfast.

 

Today we went to Bintangor, a town in Sarikei Province and Sarikei (population 60,000) the capital town of Sarikei Province.

On the way we visited a few families of old acquaintances. 

At night, Jackie brought us to a 160-table grand wedding dinner of his friend's daughter.  

(More pics in Facebook)

在诗巫的第二天，我们的早餐是道地的乾盘面，福州面线，福州药材汤等。

今天我们到民丹莪及泗里街走走。民丹莪是泗里街省的一个小小镇，泗里街是个省份，泗里街镇是它的省首府，人口大约六万人。

途中，我们探望了几个相熟的家庭。

晚上，冉颖带我们去参加了他朋友女儿的结婚宴会，宴开160桌。

(更多照片Facebook)

Sibu Day 1 诗巫第一天

Then (2003) and now 以前（2003） 与现在

 Sibu is one of my favourite towns.

Sibu is the first East Malaysian town I have visited …way back in 1990. Since then, I have visited Sibu 3 or 4 more times. The last time was in 2005 for the Legion fellowship.

I missed Sibu friends, their hospitality, Sibu foods and its laid back lifestyle.

Finally, after 7 years, here I am! ( My wife and I visited Sibu in 2003, Mrs Lee and others are first timer)

Today, the plane landed on Sibu new airport at about 2:30 pm, we – my wife and I, Mrs Lee, her daughter-in-law Wai Yee and grandson Marcus, were warmly welcomed at the arrival hall by old friends Joseph Wong and wife Rose, and Jackie Ting.

I was surprised to see the Phun clan association members were at the airport to welcome delegates from across the country for their official opening of their new clan building. I was invited to take a group picture with them. I am not in the invited list!!

As it was well past lunch time, Joseph and Jackie brought us immediately to the coffee shop to enjoy the famous Sibu local food:  “Ding Bian Hu” literally means “paste in a big vessel”

After checking into hotel, we went for a walk along the Rajang River to the evening market of local produces.

At night, Linda and Peter Teng fretted us and few others a sumptuous dinner with some local special dishes … very delicious.

This is day one in Sibu… looking forward to more exiting (and eating) days ahead!

(See more pictures in Facebook)

诗巫是我最喜欢的市镇之一。

它是我第一个踏足的东马市镇。。那是一九九零年的事了。过后，我也来过三，四次。最后一次是在2005年，到来参加圣母军交流会。

可能是初恋之情吧，但我确实是喜欢诗巫，因为那里有着许多热情的朋友，诗巫的道地美食及悠闲的生活方式，深深的吸引着我。

七年了，今天，我终于再次的来到了诗巫。（我与太太曾在2003年到过诗巫，李太等则是第一次到访）

今天，飞机在下午两点半左右降落在诗巫新装修过，于九月十六日由首相纳吉主持正式开幕的机场。我和太太，联通朋友陈少芳（李太）及媳妇慧仪及孙子Marcus，在机场出境处，受到老友禄声和丽馨夫妇及冉颖的热情欢迎，及送上鲜花及礼物（给Marcus）。

我也很惊讶的见到诗巫潘氏公亲会拉着布条欢迎来自各地的宗亲们的到来，参加他们潘氏公会新大厦开幕典礼。我半推，半遥的与他们一同拍了张全体照。

以为是过了午餐时间，我们都肚子饿了，禄声等及马上载我们到街上的咖啡店享用诗巫著名，别处还没见到的“鐤边糊”。

进住了酒店，我们沿着拉让河畔，漫步到市中心的傍晚土产摆卖中心，见到了道地人家，特别是土著们售卖的土产，如蔬菜，榴槤等好多的土生果实。

晚上，热情的Peter 及 Linda夫妇招待我们一行人享用了一顿丰富的晚餐，品尝了道地的菜肴，美味极了。

 这是在诗巫的第一天。。我们期待更丰富，也更多吃得往后几天的到来！

(观看更多照片 Facebook)

Oh Sibu 噢诗巫

After 7 years, I am back today at the bank of Rajang River, Sibu, Sarawak !
过了七年，今天，我回到久违的砂劳越，诗巫拉让江畔！

David's Juice outlet 老总的果菜汁店

Fresh Code - More than Juice 不仅是果汁

David Chia, whom we fondly called "Lao Zong" (Dear chief) has open a new fresh fruit and vegetable juice outlet at Petaling Jaya, Selangor. It is JV with Taiwan franchise establishment.

Today was a soft opening to the invited guests and friends.

All juices are imported from Taiwan refrigerated at below 18 °C. The juices are extracted through high pressure, non heat treatment process, a Swiss technology thus ensuring all theirs natural freshness, nutrition and goodness.

The outlet is situated at 23, Jalan SS21/37, Damansara Utama, Petaling Jaya. It is the first such outlet in Malaysia and it welcomes franchising and licensing enquiry.

Wishing Lao Zong and Freshcode a profitable and prosperous business endevour. 

(Other pics in Facebook)

谢家强，我们尊敬的“老总”，与台资合作开了一间鲜果菜汁专卖连锁店。

今天特别开放给邀请嘉宾及朋友到来共庆及品尝。

这间店售卖的果菜汁，由台湾进口，冷冻在摄氏零下18度。这些果汁，在台湾经高水压，冷冻杀菌过程提制，保持果实的全部自然营养及鲜度。

老总说，这果汁令你喝得安心，开心，健康快乐。

果菜汁店坐落在23，Jalan SS21/37, Damansara Utama, (Uptown) Petaling Jaya. 他们也欢迎连锁经营及执照特许的生意咨询。

祝愿老总开张大吉，生意兴隆。 

(更多照片Facebook)

Lantern Festival 2012 中秋晚会

 
Last night we attended the 2012 Lantern Festival (a.k.a Mooncake Festival or Mid-Autumn Festival)  of our church organised by the Chinese Language Apostolate Committee.

We saw the high standard, creative performance presented by the youth group.

The Egytian Museum drama kept the audience in stitches, and their Luminous Glove dance brought the evening to a climax closing.

My utmost admiration and appreciation to the hard work and time consuming preparation put in by the organising committee and performers to make the festival celebrations yet another milestone for the Chinese speaking parish community.

I hoped in future, more people would attend and see such a great celebration offers yearly by the Chinese speaking community.

see pics and performance @ Youtube

昨晚我们出席了堂区华文教务促进会主办的 2012 中秋晚会.

我们观赏到由堂区青年呈现的高水准，高创意的表演。

埃及博物馆为主题的戏剧，令全场的观众捧腹不已，而精彩的荧光手套舞，则把晚会带到高潮的结束。

对这付出许多努力，时间及排练的表演者，筹委会，我谨至上万二分的感谢及敬意，晚会给大家留下了一个美好的回忆，也创立了另一个新高点。

我期望以后会有更多人前来参加及观赏这每年一次，由堂区华文团体呈现的高素质节目。

观看照片及表演@ Youtube

Agnes' outing 依妮丝游记

Agnes is our housemaid who has been with us for past 2.5 year. She is hardworking and trustworthy ... the most important factor that allows us to travel freely. 

All work and no play makes Agnes a dull helper.

So we took her for an outing yesterday (12-9-2012) to Genting and Bentong. It was an adventure to Agnes and us too.

My wife has not been to Genting for... about 15 years!!

It was misty in Genting.

We visited the casinos and were surprised by the 'free and easy" entry into them.

"Baccarat", "Tai Sai", "3 card poker", "French Doule", "Mini Dice", "Roulette".... were alien to us ... tried to figure out how they were played.

I saw mostly women gamblers... middle and old aged.

The so called "City of entertainment" was a "city of noise, distortion and hell" to us.

We spent about 3 hours walking around and left after lunch for Bentong at about 2:00 pm, to visit our friend Lim Chee Keong.

We have a "positive mental correction" upon arrival of Bentong.

Bentong is slow and easy, fresh and natural ... and the afternoon tea is great.

By chance, we followed Lim Chee Keong for an photography assignment at a Chinese new village about 10 kms from Bentong.

Kg Baru Sungai Penjuring ( New Village) was accorded the winner of 【Prosperous Village - Chinese New Village Category】 contest organised by Ministry of Rural and Territory Development in conjunction with 55th Independence Day celebrations. The prize  - RM 1,002,500.00 (Ringgit One Million and Twenty Five Thousand)  -  RM 25.000 cash and RM one million worth of projects.

Health Minister and also Member of Parliament of the area, Liow Tiong Lai, was there to handover the mock cheque to the village committee.

According to information I collected, the contest winners were picked based on criteria such as Merdeka celebration programmes, flying the national flag, existence of landmark, billboards, posters, independence monument as well as features of an excellent village including leadership strength, the economy, education and cleanliness ....

At the village, I did not see much of the criteria above for the village being picked as the champion ....
Anyway, congratulations to Kg. Baru Sungai Penjuring for winning the million-ringgit "Prosperous Village" Contest. I bet not many of you are aware of such award and the winner.

Who cares ?!?! It is one of the many ways the government channel monetary rewards to The Selected People.

What we cared most were to fill up our stomach. The late arrival of VIP made us very hungry.

Chee Keong brought us to an old restaurant for dinner. We were feted with authentic local Guangxi 3 treasure dishes - Steamed chicken, Braised pork with yam (Kao yok) and Yong Taofu .... and more !

What a great day and adventure !!!

(more pics in Facebook)

Guangxi 3 treasure dishes 广西三宝

依妮丝是我们的家佣，来自菲律宾，已经工作了两年半。她非常勤劳及可靠，这是我们能够很自由的除外游玩的重要因素。

只工作，没有休闲，是很沉默的。

所以，我们在昨天(12-9-2012)，带她到云顶及文冬一游。对爱妮丝来说，她没到过这些地方，所以是一项寻幽探秘之旅，该是非常大新奇。

对太太来说，也是如此，因为她已整十五年没到过云顶高原了。

当天早上，云顶被浓雾笼罩着。

我们进入赌场参观。我非常惊讶的见到，那么容易及自由的进入赌场，不像以前般的要讲究穿着，现在短袖，长袖，无袖都可以进出自如。

“百家乐”，“大小”，“三张牌扑克”，“轮盘”，“迷你骰子”。。。等，我们停下来，观察了整半天，看不出是怎样玩的！

这里赌博的人，大部分是中，老年的妇人。

云顶自称为 “娱乐城”，对我来说，这是喧闹，假象，地狱之城。

我们逗留了大约三个小时后，用了午餐，前往文冬去拜访林志强。

到了文冬，我的心神马上来个积极的调整。

文冬的步伐慢而轻松，空气清新自然。。。玻璃口新村咖啡店的下午茶，喝了齿颊留香。

机缘巧合，林志强接下了到一个到新村拍照任务，我们就跟着去凑热闹。

宋溪本祖令新村，离开文冬大约十公里，获得由乡村及地方发展部主办的『繁荣和谐新村』全国冠军荣誉，得到现金马币二十五万，及价值马币一百万元的工程项目。这项比赛，是为迎接国庆五十五周年而举办的。

 卫生部长兼劳勿区国会议员廖中莱，特地到来主持支票移交仪式。

根据我搜寻到的资料，这个比赛的遴选条件有好多方面，如国庆日庆祝项目，悬挂国旗，新村的地标，告示牌，招贴，独立纪念碑，新村的特出素质，包括领袖才能，经济，教育，清洁卫生。。。

我在这个新村看了看，从这个冠军村，看不到以上大部分的素质及优点。。。

无论如何，我恭喜这个新村获得这百万奖金的『和谐繁荣新村』荣衔。我很肯定，你们许多人不晓得有这个比赛，及这个新村的所在。

谁会去理会呢。。这是国阵政府发放金钱及奖励给那些“被挑选”的途径之一。

我们当时要理的是该填饱我们的辘辘饥肠。大人物的迟到，已经拖延了我们的晚餐。

志强带我们到玻璃口新村的一间老招牌餐馆，享用了当地的『广西三宝』 -  味念滑香鸡，广西酿豆腐，广西扣肉，还有道地空心菜，美味非洲鱼。。。。

真是美好的一天！

( 更多照片Facebook)

Annual Retreat 年度避静

Slow down 减速慢行

Slow down ... for a check-up.

Yes, it is time for me to slow down for a SPIRITUAL check-up.

My wife and I attended a stay-in  retreat held at Villa Dominic, Genting Highlands on September 8 & 9, organised by Immaculate Heart of Mary Curia, Kepong.

Fr. Philip Tan, CDD is the spiritual animater of this Legion Annual Retreat which was attended by 107 Legionaries from Kepong and Rawang area.

（See Youtube for pictures collection)

慢行 。。。。 是时候作个检查了。

我和太太在八号及九号，参加了甲洞圣母无玷圣心区团，假云顶高原举行的年度避静。

主徒会马来西亚省会长陈聪敏神父，主持了这些避静，共有107位团员出席。

（参看Youtube 照片集)

My parents-in-law 我的岳父母

They eat everything, cold & hot 他们冷或热，什么都吃（4/9/2012 JB）

At Simpang Pertang Sanctuary (29/8/2012)

 Few days after returning from our Europe holidays, my mother-in-law came to stay with us.

She was coughing badly thus needed medical treatment. My father-in-law came up from Johor Baru to be with us two weeks later.

After medication, the infection was cleared and her cough stopped.

This was the longest period my parents-in-law have been staying with us, and it was quite an enjoyable time we have.

On Monday, September 3, my wife and I drove to send them back to their Johor Baru home.

My mother-in-law is back to herself after coughing for months --- inquisitive and chatty ! (see old post Celebrations)

However, age catches up on her. She is no longer that energetic, memory is receding ... signs of old age has become more obvious ... but thank God, she is healthy, no hypertension, no diabetes, hearth is good, and most important of all, very good appetite!

My father-in-law is a man not very good with words.

Considering being 85 year-old man, he is in great shape. No medical condition, can read newspaper  without the aid of reading glass (a little squinting of eyes at times). He will not hesitate to climb a 10 feet ladder up to his roof-level storeroom, hesitating only when our warning to him not to climb flashes across his mind.

He is well-loved by all his children and grandchild. He is very accomodating when in the company of his children and grandchildren.

He asks not many questions, making little demands. He is very sporting .. going along with others even though some activities or places are not his liking .... These good quality is endearing his children and grandchildren.

My parents in law are two different character. My mother-in-law is outgoing, socialable; my father-in-law is introvert and has no many friends.

They clash and argue. However, God said they are meant for each other and has been since stuck with each other for the past 61 years!

When an argument is settled by the children, both of them will say in unison:
" OK lah, I will listen to what your all said lah"
" .... I will say less lah"
" .... I will not interfere lah"
".... I will do as your all said lah"F

But when we are not around, history repeats itself ...

This is life man !  A blessed and blissful life of two simple people who brought up good children and grandchildren, what more you want to ask for?!!

I keep my mouth shut 我闭上嘴巴

I don't want to see 吾不欲观之

You don't believe, take picture as proof lah ！你不相信？拍照为证啦！

I better eat my dao-sua (green pea soup) 我还是吃我的绿豆线

我们从欧洲假期回来后几天，岳母就到来与我们同住。

她咳嗽的很厉害，原来是受到细菌感染，所以需要医药的护理。岳父则在两个星期后，从新山来到我家。

经过了几个星期的吃药及护理，岳母的咳嗽已经完全好了。

这是他们与我们同住最久的一次，看来也相当的愉快。

在星期三，九月三日，我及太太驾车送他们回到新山的家。

我的岳母在咳嗽了好几个月后，现在痊愈了，当然就会的老样子 - 好谈及好奇（说多多，问多多）。（ 看旧帖子『欢庆』 )

不过，岁月追上岳母了。她的精力比几年前差的多了，记忆力也有点衰退，老态也显露。。不过，感谢天主，她的健康还算很好，没有高血压，没糖尿，最重要的，她的胃口可非常的好！

我的岳父是一个不善辞令的人。

以一位高龄85的人来说，他的状况是非常良好。他没有任何的健康问题，看报告不必戴老花眼镜（偶而会眼睛眯一眯）。他会毫不犹豫的爬上十尺楼梯到天花板高的储藏室，只有脑子里，闪过我们给他「不可爬」的警告，才会稍微犹豫片刻。

他受到孩子及孙子们的爱戴。他非常的将就大家，不会问很多问题，也不会做出不合理的要求。他除了能够将就大家，也非常的随性。。。他会跟着大家的意愿，包括去一些不是很喜欢去的地方，或一些不是喜欢的活动 。。。这是他受到孩子及孙子亲近的原因。

我的岳父母两人其实是有着相对的性格。岳母是好动，外向，而岳父则是内向及不善交往的人，所以会有争执，火星撞地球的事，也时有发生。但天主说: "你们是天作之合"。就这样，他们俩就相依相偎了六十一年了！！

当他们的争执在孩子们的调解下，平息后，他们俩都会同声说：
“好啦，好啦，我就听你们的话啦。。”，
“ 我就说少一些吧。。”
“ 我不再干涉了。。”
“ 我就照你们所说的去做吧。。”

但当我们不在的时候，历史又会重演了。

这就是生活了！一个受天主祝福，也算是喜乐的两人生活，他们护养了几个孝顺的孩子，好多的子孙等。。。人生夫复何求呢？！