Pinched Nerve in the neck 颈部神经线挤捏

Yesterday I was a dragon, today I am a sick cat !

Yesterday when I got up, I felt a terrible throbbing pain in my left arm.  It is a kind of pain mixing with numbing sensation (sourness), drilling through my arm bones... extremely unbearable.

Luckily, my regular Orthopedic was available on Saturday. It was diagnosed as Pinched Nerve in the neck, a condition causing great pain in my left arm.

He prescribed some medications : Neurontin, Orphenadrine, medicines that cause drowsiness. I was knocked out after taking the first dose of them.

I need to do some neck exercise to reduce the pain too.  

（This is an informative posting. Pinched Nerve is a common condition affecting many people on neck, hand and back)

昨天我是一条龙，今天我是一条虫！

昨天我彻夜难眠，左手痛的非常难忍受。起床后，情形更糟糕。那种疼痛，参杂了酸及麻痹，真的有点痛不欲生的感觉。

幸好星期六，我的常去骨科专科医生诊所有开，马上定了时间去诊看。

医生诊断是患上了“颈脊神经挤捏”。那是颈部椎骨神经线受挤压，阻碍神经线的操作，而影响到手部，产生疼痛。

他给了我一些止痛药，治愈神经线的药物。这些药物服后会令人醉睡。我第一次服后，就醉睡了好多个小时！

我需要做一些颈部运动，减少疼痛及神经复原。

（这帖子的上载，是要给大家提供一个讯息。每个人都有机会得到“神经线挤捏”，可能颈部，手部，背部等）

A blessed day 蒙福的一天

I do not usually celebrate my birthday, and my family respect that.

Everyday is a good day, and my birthday is just one of the good days.

However, I found myself being congratulated by many in Facebook on my birthday this year.

On top of that, my wife specially ordered Chinese "birthday buns" to top up the atmosphere.

So more than 170 Facebook friends clicked LIKE , about 70 left comments and congratulatory notes in my FB webpage.

What a "big" birthday... and thank you to all !

我不会刻意去庆祝我的生日，通常都是静悄悄的过去了。我的家人也尊重我的意愿。

天天都是好天，每一天都是喜庆天，我的生日就是其中的一个好天而已。

不过，今年的生日，我见到脸书上，好像很多人知道了。。

还有，太太特地定了寿桃，把我的生日做大了！

脸书上，超过170朋友给予“赞”，大约70位留言恭贺。

真是大庆祝！ 谢谢朋友们。

Merry Christmas 圣诞快乐

Baumkuchen 德国树蛋糕

德国蛋糕，配上本地蕃薯，加咖啡 Baumkuchen + sweet potato + coffee

One of our god-daughters sent us a Baumkuchen (Tree cake).

Basically it is same as the Indonesian layered cake albeit in circular shape. It tastes the same as the Indonesian one but minus spices.

我们的一位乾女儿送来了一个德国“树蛋糕” （Baumkuchen）。

基本上，它就好像印尼的千层蛋糕，不过是圆形而已（如树桐）。它的味道也相似，只是没有香料味而已。

Surprised gift from my computer class six learners ...(below, represented by two of them)
电脑班六位学生的惊喜礼篮。。（下图- 两位代表）

Holiday @ Langkawi 浮罗交怡假期 （完结）

Pantai Cenang of Langkawi is crowded with hotels, stalls, restaurants and people.

It is a mini Bali.

We had dinner at a famous seafood restaurant on the last night in Langkawi. The location and ambiance of the restaurant is just like Bali.

Pantai Cenang 海滩，有着许多的酒店，摊档，餐馆及人潮。

它犹如一个小巴里岛。

在浮罗交怡的最后一个晚上，我们到那里的一间著名海鲜餐馆用晚餐。餐馆的地点、布置及气氛，令我犹如置身在巴里岛。

（照片Facebook pictures）

（选集录影Youtube video of selected pictures）

Holiday @ Langkawi 浮罗交怡假期（2）

We have been to Langkawi many times, so island hopping was not in our itinery.

On the second and third day, we decided to scout around Langkawi Island, including few up-market hotels and food outlets.

Our German friends Gerd and Dorit, liked to stay in Casa Del Ma resort at Pantai Cenang. They have been coming back every two or three years to enjoy the sunshine of Langkawi and the hospitable and beautiful resort. 

We checked it out and found this villa resort was really comfortable and beautiful.

Gerd and Dorit are coming back to this resort again in 2014, and bringing along 10 friends this time around!

Another resort we went was Four Season Resort. It is situated at Pantai Rhu and also an upmarket resort catered mostly for foreign tourists.

My wife and I also took this opportunity to visit my Facebook friend Theresa Lai who has been living on this island for 21years. 

Our holiday ended on 18/12 and bringing home varieties of imported chocolates.

It was a relaxing and wonderful holiday.

(More pictures in Facebook)

我们已经来过浮罗交怡好多次了，所以不打算去小岛观光。

假期的第二及第三天，我们决定四处逛逛，特别是一些著名的高档休闲酒店及饮食店。

我们的德国朋友Gerd 及太太Dorit, 非常喜欢坐落在Cenang 海滩的Casa Del Ma 酒店。他们大约三两年就回来一次，通常都是两个星期，好好享受这里的阳光及这美丽酒店的优美环境及友善的服务。

我们进去看看，里面的确是非常的美丽及舒适。

他们在2014年的三月，将再次的到来这里，不过这次是多带了十位朋友同来！

另一个著名的酒店的Four Season Resort。这是受到国外游客喜爱的一家高档酒店，一间房一天需要将近马币三千元。

我们的假期在18/12 结束，带回了多种的入口巧格力。

这是一个心情放松， 有趣的假期。

(更多照片 Facebook)

Holiday @ Langkawi 浮罗交怡假期 (1)

My wife and I went to Langkawi via Penang by flight more than 10 years ago. We parked our car at our God-daughter Agnes's house in Batu Maung.
Agnes was in secondary school then. She has 3 children now - the eldest already in kindergarten, and youngest is 2 months old.

We rented a Honda City at the airport car-rental office @ RM 120.00 per day (Peak season rate).

(See pictures in Facebook)

我和太太最后一次到浮罗交怡，大约是在十年前。那时我们是从槟城乘搭飞机前往的。

我们把车放在乾女儿Agnes （钧钡）的家。当时她还是个中学生，现在已经是三个孩子的妈妈了 ！（最大的已经上幼儿园，最小的两个月大）

我们在机场租了一辆Honda City 小轿车，每天租金是马币120.00元（旅游季节价钱）

（更多照片Facebook）

Langkawi holiday 浮罗交怡假期

We went for a family holiday at Pulau Langkawi （Langkawi Island) from 15/12 to 18/12.

A wonderful time together as a family.

我们一家，15/12 到18/12， 到浮罗交怡岛旅行。

这是数年一次难得的旅行。

Scottish bird 苏格兰的倦鸟

The Scottish bird is back in Malaysia for a short holiday.

My youngest daughter  who is working in Aberdeen, Scotland, arrived yesterday afternoon for a three weeks holiday.

She has a difficulty adjusting to our local humid weather.

My wife has prepared her favourite dishes for dinner - Steamed Tilapia with bean sauce, lotus root soup ... and durian.

Too much for fist day home!

我的小女儿昨天下午，回来马来西亚度假。

他目前是在苏格兰的阿伯丁工作，回来度假三个星期。

从低温的秋天，回到这里的热带家乡，真的有点难调整。

我的太太准备了她最喜欢的菜肴作为晚餐 - 酱蒸非洲鱼，莲藕汤 。。。还有榴莲。

回家的第一天，足够有余了！

Old but gold 老字号

今天到吉隆坡玫瑰堂参加黄姑的葬礼，过后顺便到光顾了数十年的一间小摊，购买些卷蛋糕(Swiss Rolls）及咖吖郭（Kaya Puff)。

这小摊就在叶亚来路的一个小巷口，已经有好几十年的历史了（太太已经光顾超过三十年了）。

摊子虽然破旧，但卖的糕饼，美味可口。

这是吉隆坡的古早味，美食的历史。

** 这里的 咖吖郭（Kaya Puff ） 比怡保所谓出名，需排队的咖吖郭，美味的多呢！
  
（更多照片 Facebook）

We were in Kuala Lumpur this morning to attend a funeral Mass at the Holy Rosary Church, Jln Brickfields.

After the service, we made a stop at an old stall to buy some Swiss Rolls and Kaya Puff.

My wife has been patronizing this stall for more than 30 years. It was situated at Jln Yap Ah Loy near Petaling Street.

The Kaya Puffs and Swiss Rolls are great - the old Kuala Lumpur taste and part of its history.

** The Kaya Puff is many times better than the so called famous Kaya Puff in Ipoh.

(See more pictures in Facebook)

Concluded 完结

Our computer class concluded successfully today.

Six ladies completed this six-session basic computer classes equipping themselves with better knowledge and skill in social media and computer operation.

Ladies are more humble and up front than men ... most men know nuts but pride preventing them joining my class. 

New class will start next year depending on demand.

我们的电脑班今天成功的完结了。

六位女士完成了这项六个星期的电脑基本操作学习，让他们装备更好，更多的电脑操作、社交传媒的知识及技巧。

我发觉女士们比男士更谦卑、坦诚向学，而男士则没料、无知，但自尊心阻止他们来到这个“低微”的电脑班学习。

新的电脑班将在明年开始，但须看反应如何而定。

Beautiful Malaysian country side 马来西亚美丽的郊外景色

Beautiful Malay house 美丽的马来屋子

Monsoon brings rain almost everyday.

On Nov 6, Friday, me and my wife took a drive to Simpang Pertang farm, meeting up with Stephen and Anna, and Fr. Naden, our respected priest who rears ducks and chicken, generating income for Orang Asli ( Aborigines) mission works.

We took a slow drive, and video our journey "just for fun".

Along the way, we stopped by to take some pictures of beautiful Malay houses. A house owner invited me to enter her compound to pluck some Rambutans... it was Malaysian hospitality and generosity!

We also visited a young couple who have a handicapped son. We were helping them with physiotherapy at Hospital UKM in Kuala Lumpur.

We stayed overnight, and left for home on Saturday with Durians, coconuts and other fruits.

(More pictures in Facebook)

(Video in Youtube)

季候风季节，带来了好多的雨。

十二月六日星期五，我与太太驱车到新邦葫芦顶一游，去探望金彪及年娇夫妇，还有那为受人尊重的纳登神父。他是在新邦葫芦顶的园庄里，养鸡鸭谋生及赚取利润，用在他毕生的工作 - 照顾原住民的牧灵工作。

我们远途放慢车速，观赏马来西亚美丽的乡村景色，特别是马来村庄（甘榜）。

途中，我们停在一间非常别致的古老马来屋前拍照，主人家阿嫲热情的叫我进入，还给了一把剪刀，叫我自己剪些红毛丹拿回去。。这是马来西亚的热情！

我们在葫芦顶，也探访了一对年轻的夫妇，他们有一位残障儿，大约两岁半。我们与金彪夫妇尽力的为他们的安排到吉隆坡HUKM（国民大学医院）去作物理治疗。

我们在那里过了一夜，然后满载榴莲，香椰等水果，在中午离开。

(更多照片Facebook)

(录影Youtube）

台湾访客 Taiwan visitor

今年的四月头，在彰化静山灵修中心遇见了耶稣会会士甘国栋神父，当时他说年为尾到马来西亚带领一个“圣依纳爵神操”避静。

今早，老总谢家强来了个电话，甘国栋神父已经到了马来西亚，避静也结束了，明天就要回台湾，今晚趁他有空档，大家一起来吃个晚餐，作个叙旧。

老总与甘神父是多年的老朋友，更且老总诚邀，我绝“不敢”推辞，虽然今晚有慕道班的进行，请个假，到八打灵一家餐馆赴约。

出席的还有芥子心（芥子福音传播中心）的多位前总干事夫妻及现任总干事及副总干事。

甘神父是新上任的『光启文化事业』（出版机构）执行长。

听闻甘神父明年来马来西亚主持避静的日期，已经敲定。温馨提醒，他的灵修避静，名额有限，“一票难求”，先知先觉者才有机会。。。。

 (更多照片Facebook）

I met Fr. Moses Kam, a Jesuit, at “Silent Hill Spirituality Center” in Taichung sometime in April this year. He told us that he would be coming to Malaysia at the end of the year to conduct a retreat (Igniatius Spirituality).

This morning, David Chia (Lao Zong) called me to inform that Fr. Kam was available tonight for a dinner fellowship. The retreat at Maranatha Retreat House in Bukit Tinggi, Pahang was over by yesterday.

David and Fr. Kam are old friends of many decades.

Present tonight were 3 other former Chairpersons of Mustard Seed Evangelise Center.

Fr. Kam is currently the new Director of GuangQi Cultural Group, a Jesuit publishing house in Taipei.

He had been booked for next year's retreats in Malaysia. 

(more pictures in Facebook)

Legion's AGR 圣母军的常年联欢大会

我们的童年Our childhood

十二月一日，将临期的第一个主日，吉隆坡圣母军主办了常年联欢大会。

这是圣母军组织的四大常年活动之一，其目的是召集同个地区的团员们，聚集在一起，举行联谊及余兴活动，借此机会促进各地及各语言组的军友们的感情，共同交流及娱乐。

大会除了圣母军的经文必须诵念之外，就没有其他的繁文缛节或长篇的讲演。大会没有报告，只有余兴节目。所有的节目都是由团员呈现。

今天的常年大会，与往年有点不一样。

首先，大会地点选择在巴生港口的圣妇亚纳堂活动中心举行，是一个创新的改变。对巴生地区的军友来说，他们不需如往年般的到数十公里外的吉隆坡或八打灵去参加此活动；第二他们成为了主办单位，有机会投入筹备的工作，并一尽地主之情，接待外地军友的到来。

对我来说，最大的不一样，是今年我们加影的支团要上台呈献余兴节目！

好久没上台表演了。

经过一番商量后，加影两个支团联合呈现一个动作歌曲节目，那就是先选了一首歌，然后依据歌词，以服装及动作配合演绎。

我们选了“童年”。 这是每个人都喜爱的歌曲，也是每个人响往的年代。

七十多岁、六十多岁、五十多岁以上的团员，装扮成儿童学生，效果一定“震撼”。扎辫子，穿短裙、短裤，还有两位身材好的，穿上校服，一上台，嘻哈调皮，跳绳，抛石子，所有的观众团员哗然，大声拍手叫好。

我们也很高兴，达到了娱乐的效果。

当天超过500位来自吉隆坡、八打灵、甲洞及巴生的军友们出席了这项常年联欢大会。

许多区团也呈现了多项精彩的节目，如歌唱、舞蹈、话剧等，使到参加者都尽兴而归。

(更多照片Facebook )

(录影Youtube）

The Legion of Mary Kuala Lumpur Regia held its Annual General Reunion (AGR) yesterday, December 1. It was the first day of Advent.

AGR is an annual reunion of legionaries of a district. It is a social evening with minimum formality. It is light-hearted event to foster interaction and affection of members. All programmes are contributions from members.

Except Legion's prayer must be said, no reports and long speeches are necessary.

This year, St. Anne's Church hall in Port Klang was chosen as the venue for the event. This gave the Klang legionaries an advantage of  avoiding the hussles of traveling tens of kilometers to KL or PJ for the event as the previous years.

The two Chinese language praesidium were assigned to present an item for the event. 

Our item of "Childhood action song" attracted loud applause from the audience.

Many curia also presented wonderful and exciting items to liven up the evening.

More than 500 legionaries from Klang Valley attended the event.

(More pictures in Facebook)

(Video in Youtube)

RCIA Rite of Acceptance 成人慕道收录礼

Today, the Church of the Holy Family held its Rite of Acceptance, welcoming RCIA enquirers into the church and parish community.

In the 11:00 am Chinese language Mass, the community welcomed 14 enquirers who had completed 5 months of RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) process, equipped with some basic knowledge of the Catholic Faith.

RCIA is a 10-month faith journey for those who are who are interested, or wanted to know the Catholic Faith, or wish to be a member of the Catholic parish community.

(See more pictures Facebook)

今天，加影圣家教堂（如同全世界的天主教堂般）举行了一个收录礼，欢迎“成人慕道班”的询道者进入教堂及教会团体。

在早上11点的华文弥撒中，信友团体欢迎了14位完成了近五个月慕道课程者。他们基本上已经对天主教信仰有了初步的认识及接受。

成人慕道旅程（RCIA）通常为期大约九个月。凡对天主教信仰有兴趣，或想知道天主教会及生活方式，或想成为天主教会团体成员的成年者，都可以参加这个信仰的旅程。

(更多照片 Facebook)