Another goodbye 再次的说再见

Goodbye means seeing you again next time.

This morning at about 7:30am,  we bid farewell to Gerd and friends at the airport. It seemed like yesterday when we welcomed them at the same airport more than 3 weeks ago.

Dorit, Claudia and Pauline were trying hard to hold back their tears.

After the sending off, Uli the season traveler followed us home. She is embarking yet another journey to Cambodia with another German friend in a week's time. (See Uli's Travel Pictorial Blog)

Meanwhile, she is enjoying a the few days break at our home ....

Uli: My god, am I supposed to eat with the heads(fried fishes)?
老天呀，难道我的把鱼头一起吃？（西方人不会吃鱼头的）

Uli followed us to pay respect to my departed parents for "Qing Ming" festival
Uli 跟随我们到父母的骨灰塔作清明

再见就是准备下次的再见面。

今早大约七点半，我们到机场送别德国朋友。三个星期很快就过去了，恍惚是昨天般的我们在同一个机场欢迎他们的到来。

大家都尽量的忍着眼泪，特别是太太与Dorit及她的女儿Claudia。

送别过后，来自德国自己行的Uli, 则跟随我们回家。她将在一个星期后，回合另一位德国朋友，到柬埔寨游玩。(可观看Uli 旅游照片部落格)

在这空档时间，她就在我的家休闲几天啦。。

Acies 检阅典礼

The Legion of Mary under the wings of Kuala Lumpur Regia (highest council in Peninsular Malaysia), held its Acies this afternoon at St. John's Cathedral.

More than 1000 legionaries from Kuala Lumpur, Petaling Jaya, Kepong, Klang, Seremban, Mantin, Kajang and Batang Berjuntai attended this annual event which started from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm.

Acies ( in Latin means an army sets in battle formation) is a consecration of legionaries and as a body assemble to renew their fidelity to Mary, Queen of Legion，and from her to receive strength and blessing for yet another year's battle with the forces of evil.

Members would come to the front in pair, right hand touching the Legion Vexillum, renewing their pledge:"I am all yours, my Queen, my Mother, and all that I have is yours."

Archbishop Emeritus Murphy Pakiam, Regia Spiritual Director Fr. Raymond Pereira, Petaling Jaya Chinese-Speaking Curia Spiritual Director Fr. Andrew Wong and Sr. Theresa Chew, who is the spiritual Director of Kepong Curia, attended the function and led the legionaries in the collective consecration.

(More pictures in Facebook) 

吉隆坡区域团在三月二十三日（星期天），假吉隆坡圣若望总主教座堂举办了2014年检阅典礼。

区域团是西马半岛圣母军最高部门，直接隶属于爱尔兰总部。它属下管理的地区是吉隆坡总教区、甲柔教区及槟城教区。

超过1000位团员参加了这项常年活动。他们是来自巴生河谷流域、芙蓉、加影、文丁等堂区的英文、华文、印度文及菲律宾语的圣母军团员。

检阅典礼（拉丁文Acies）就好像军队的排阵，向圣母军的首领圣母玛利亚，表达对她的忠贞 、奉献及孝爱，也从她那里领受力量及祝福，面对新的一年的挑战和恶势力的斗争。

在检阅典礼中，每个团员都会作个人的奉献。团员把一只手按在军旗上，口中念出奉献词：“我的母皇，我的母亲，我属于你，我所有的一切都属于你。

当天出席典礼的有巴吉安荣休总主教、区域团指导神师睿明神父、八打灵区团指导神师黄聪颖神父和甲洞区团神师周莉娜修女。

槟城教区及甲柔教区的圣母军，也于同一个日期或前后，在个别的教区内，主办了检阅典礼。

(更多照片Facebook）

We have voted 我们已投票了

Today is THE big day !

We have voted at about 9:00am this morning in our Kajang by-election at polling center in Kajang High School. 

The respectable candidate Kak Wan (Wan Azizah) was visiting the polling center too.

No so many voters turned up yet as the polling started from 8:00 am till 5:00 pm.

A new indelible ink is used. True to its name this time, it cannot be removed or washed, and it is pandan-flavoured!

(See more pictures in Facebook)

今天就是那个重大日子了。

我和太太在早上九点左右，就去附近的学校投票站投了我们的神圣一票。

刚好遇到了来巡查的候选人，可敬的Kak Wan （万姐）。

当时的选民人数不多。投票站从早上8时开始，到下午5点结束。

这次是使用新的不褪色墨汁，的确的洗不掉的，而且还有班兰香味呢！

(更多照片Facebook)

A good Friday 有意义的星期五

 It was Friday, good weather with cooler temperature after few days of heady downpours.

My wife and I went for Friday's Way of the Cross service in the church. The service commemorate the arrest, suffering and death of Jesus Christ more than 2000 years ago.

He suffered and died for our sins.

The service took a non-tradition style - instead of altar boys taking the cross going around the 14 stations, parishioners are invited to participate in the "carrying", to walk in his shoes the journey
Jesus took and the sufferings he has undergone.

After the service which lasted more than 45 minutes, I went alone to the Kajang Stadium to attend a civic gathering.

It was organised by Party Keadilan to protest against government's misuse and abuse of the judiciary system.

Anwar Ibrahim, the Oppositions leader and de facto leader of Party keadilan, were found guilty two weeks ago of sodomsing his assistant 16 years ago. He was sentenced to 5 years jail. He was released pending his appeal.

Many Malaysians believed it is Barisan Natioanl government abusing the judiciary to "finish off" Anwar's political career.

Anwar was charged with the same offence 16 years ago by then prime minister Mahathir.

Veteran opposition politician Karpal Singh was found guilty of sedition and fined RM4,000. The fine will disqualify him as a Member of Parliament of Gelugur, Penang. He was charged merely by saying " the sultan of Perak can be question in the court " during the constitutional crisis of Perak in 2009.

May opposition leaders and politicians were charged and jailed under this draconian law, and many more are awaiting court hearing on various offenses.

As in Anwar's case, one offence, charged twice under 2 UMNO prime ministers .... It has caused public uproar and anger.

The gathering attracted more than 12,000 people coming from Kajang and nearby areas, mostly dressed in black.

A) Way of the cross pictures in Facebook

B) Civic gathering at Stadium Kajang pictures

C) Short video 

昨天是星期五，天气良好，因着数天的豪雨，气温也降低了。

我和太太到教堂参加晚上8点开始的拜苦路。这是纪念耶稣2000年前的审判、受苦难及被钉在十字架上的事迹。

耶稣因为我们的罪，也为了清洗我们人类的罪，而甘愿舍身被钉在十字架而死。

这次的苦路与传统的不同。传统上，辅祭拿着十字架，沿着14个苦处步行，昨晚的苦路则是由信徒亲自参与，感同身受当时耶稣苦难的路途，承受的苦难。

苦路过后，我自己一个人步行到加影体育馆，参加一项民权集会。

这是一项由公正党举办的抗议集会，抗议国阵政府滥用司法，以压迫及“消灭”反对党人士。

安华是反对党领袖及公正党实权领袖。 他在两个星期前，被法庭判决16年前，鸡奸他的助手，罪名成立，入狱五年。目前他是保释在外，等候上诉的听审。

大部分马来西亚人都知道这是政府滥用司法，以莫须有的罪名，消灭反对党人士，特别是安华。

十六年前，当时的马哈迪首相也是用同样的罪名来提控安华。当时安华是他的副手，与他意见不合，民意支持安华有利。

同样罪名，两个首相都用来对付敌人，而且是同一个人。此举引起了民愤。

资深反对党领袖卡巴星，也被法庭判决诽谤罪名成立，罚款马币4000元。这已经足够构成他失去国会议员的资格。

还有许多反对党人士也正面对着各种的提控。

诽谤法令也是政府常用来对付反对党人士的简易方法之一。许多反对党人士曾在这法令下，被送进监牢，槟城现任首席部长林冠英就是其中的一位受害者。

昨晚的机会吸引了超过12.000人的出席及支持。大部分都穿上黑衣，标志着国家及司法的黑暗。

A) 拜苦路照片Facebook

B) 体育馆公民集会照片 Facebook

Back to KL 再回到吉隆坡

Gerd and Dorit was back to Kuala Lumpur again.

After a week of sun and sea at Casa del Mar resort in Pulau Langkawi, his group of friends are taking a two-day break in KL for more shopping and sightseeing before continuing their last leg of the tour-Melaka and Pulau Tioman tomorrow.
 
We met up today with then in KL for lunch.

In the evening, while relaxing at home, Barisan Nasional (BN) election campaigner consisting of a Datuk from the state of Trengganu came visiting. They brought a bag of gift for me too. They  asked me for the support in the coming by-election with polling day on Marh 23.

I welcomed them and thanked them for the gift. (bottom picture)



我们的德国朋友Gerd 和Dorit 有回到了吉隆坡。

他们在浮罗郎加屿的Casa del Mar 酒店享受了近一个星期的太阳与海滩后，回到吉隆坡暂休两天，以作更多的购物及观光活动。他们将在明天继续行程的最后一个环节 - 到马六甲和刁门岛。

我们今天下午到吉隆坡，与他们共进午餐。

傍晚时分，当我在家里正闲休的时候，国阵竞选工队，其中一位成员是来自丁加奴州的一位拿督，到我家拜票，还带来了一些见面礼。他们要求我在补选投票时，支持国阵。

我欢迎他们，也谢谢他们的礼物。

Beautiful flowers 美丽的花

This afternoon, on the way home from Seremban by using Semenyih-Saujana Impian bypass, my wife and I saw 2 beautiful flowering trees at a car park of apartment blocks.

I returned with a camera and took some pictures of the plants.

The trees are named Trumpet Trees because of their trumpet-like flowers. They can be found along town streets and parks. They usually flower after a hot and dry spell.

(See pictures in Facebook)

今天下午，当我与太太从芙蓉回到加影时，望见远处的组屋停车场有两棵树开满了花。

回家拿了相机，到回原处拍了些照片。

这种树的名字为"喇叭树，因它的花像喇叭而取名。在许多市镇的道路旁都可以见到，通常他们在干旱的季节后，就会开花。

(观赏照片 Facebook)

Beautiful journey, touching stories 美丽的历程，感人的故事

吉隆坡总教区华文教务促进会，于三月十五及十六日，假波德申金沙滩浸信会活动中心（浸会园）举办了2014年侯洗者灵修避静。

总教区属下各堂区120位华文慕道班侯洗者， 联同超过30位的陪团员及慕道班工作人员参与了这个活动。

这是慕道过程的重要环节。这避静让侯洗者回顾个人的慕道过程，被召叫的经历，在团体及祈祷的氛围中，体验基督透过教会，对每个人的慈爱及恩赐。它也给予侯洗者充分的准备，以领受在堂区里随着而来的各种礼仪，包括圣周及复活前夕的入门圣事。

导师王保禄神父在这两天一夜的避静中，以祈祷、默想、歌唱来引领侯洗者回顾自己的人生旅途经历，各种喜乐、悲伤、甜酸苦辣，来体验造物主的伟大和慈爱。

神父也阐述了天主教礼仪的美及生活性。耶稣基督透过圣事及礼仪，临在于祂的子民之中。

许多侯洗者，分享了他（她）们美丽动人的皈依故事。在欢笑、泪水中，道出了平凡的人生中，不平凡的故事。每人都以寻找到基督，而有了信仰，开始一个充满希望、喜乐、仁爱及平安的新生命而感到高兴与安慰。

祝愿这群侯洗者，在主内常常喜乐，以祈祷及赞颂，迎接他们将在复活前夕领受的入门圣事，成为天主的儿女、天主教会的兄弟姐妹成员。

(  更多照片Facebook)

Kuala Lumpur Archdiocesan Chinese Language Apostolate Commission (KL-ACLAC) had organised a Retreat for the Elect (Persons to be baptised) on 15-16/3 at the Golden Sands Baptists Center in Port Dickson.

About 120 elects and 30 RCIA team members and facilitators attended this event usually held  in the season of Lent.

The retreat was to enable the elects substantial time to themselves, to reflect on their lives and journey of meeting Christ, helping them to make the conversion complete in preparation of the coming Easter's eve Baptism.

Retreat master Rev. Fr. Paul Wong animated the retreat with prayer, meditation and songs. He also enlightened the participants of the beauty and meaning of Catholic liturgy and rites.

Towards the end of the retreat, many elects shared touching stories of their lives and the search for Christ.

May the elects be blessed with happiness and peace, in their preparation for the coming Easter's eve Baptism, a new life as children of God and members of the Catholic faith.

( More pictures in Facebook)

Crossing the Time Tunnel 跨越时光隧道

This morning, I traveled to Genting Highlands to meet up with an ex-Singaporean colleague whom I have not seen for the past 40 years.

Chua Li Huang, a 20ish girl with pinky cheeks then, is now a grandmother looking well and fit. With her is good friend Daisy Lim.

I count it as a blessing being able to meet a friend again after 40 years !

今天早上，我驾车到云顶高原，与一位隔别了四十年的新加坡旧同事见面。

蔡丽芳那时是一位粉红双颊的姑娘（我们称她“红脸”），今天已经是一位祖母了，但还保持着健康的体态。同行的还有一位好朋友Daisy。

老朋友四十年后，还能够见面，我称之是上天的祝福。

Uli's pictures 照片分享

Uli is a seasoned traveler and photography enthusiast.

She has taken many photographs during her few days stay in Kuala Lumpur.

She has given me permission to share these photographs to share with others. Please see all pictures in Facebook. 

 

Uli 是位经验丰富的旅行者，也是摄影爱好者。

在吉隆坡的几天里，她拍了很多照片。她允许我把这些照片上网与他人分享。

请在Facebook欣赏所以的照片。

German friends (2) 德国朋友

After a 3 days' stay in Kuala Lumpur, Gerd and his gang were heading north for their 2nd leg of the journey - Cameron Highlands, Penang and Pulau Langkawi.

Claudia and her best friend Uli parted with them to go for Pulau Perhentian. Before their trip, they stayed days with us and we were delighted to show them around, including Putrajaya and Kajang Satey.   
Uli left Germany four months ago to embark on a solo tour to Australia, Myamar and Thailand.
She came to Kuala Lumpur meeting up with Claudia for a special "Best friend together" exploration of the region. Pulau Perhentian is their first leg, and would continue to other destination whichever their hearts take them to ...

I admired their passion to travel, spirit of adventure, independence and courage. Perhaps they are the role model of our young people ... Go and see the world!

I am sharing pictures of last few days in Facebook. (Facebook Pictures)  

在吉隆坡住了几天后，Gerd 及他的队友开始他们的第二段路程，北上金马伦高原、槟城及浮罗郎加屿。

Gerd 的女儿Claudia 则与她的好朋友Uli，脱队往东海岸的Pulau Perhentian 前进。在前往海岛之前，我们接待了他们两天，带他们在加影附近逛逛，包括Putrajaya （布城）及品尝加影沙爹。

Uli 在还没有到吉隆坡前，已经个人单独出游，到过了澳洲、泰国、缅甸。她是专程飞来吉隆坡，与好朋友Claudia 会合，两人共游两个星期，然后再继续自己的个人旅行。

我对她们的旅游热忱，独立及寻幽探秘的精神，非常的敬佩。年轻人可以向她们学习 。。走出去吧，看看世界！

这几天的行程照片，登载与大家分享。(Facebook 照片)

German friends 德国朋友到访

After saying goodbye 18 months ago in Berlin, Gerd and Dorit said Hello to us again in Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) yesterday, March 7.

With them were daughter Claudia and 10 more German friends who were visiting Malaysia for the first time.

Gerd and Dorit are indeed the Goodwill Ambassador. They loved Malaysia, and are frequent visitors to this country. They are happy to share their good experiences with their compatriots by inviting them to visit this country. 

Not only bringing goodwill to Malaysia, Gerd and Dorit brought to us many German foodstuff that we liked - Cheese, Sausages, Salomi, Leberwurst, freshly baked bread ....

Other visitors also brought gifts for us - Chocolates, bread and many more (see pictures). Thank you all very much.

They will stay a few days in KL, then to Cameron Hightland, Penang, Langkawi Island, Tioman Island... and leave home after 3 weeks of stay.

Have a good time friends, and enjoy the good food, good weather and Malaysian hospitality.

From other German visitors

From Gerd and Dorit

My breakfast 我的早餐 （Pic added on 9/3/14)

十八个月前的柏林，我们依依不舍的告别。

昨天（7/3）， 德国老朋友Gerd及Dorit 夫妇，来到了吉隆坡国际机场，与我们热情的说“Hello”。

同行的除了女儿Claudia外，还有另外十位他们的德国朋友。

Gerd 与Dorit确实是马来西亚的德国亲善大使。他们不止喜欢马来西亚，常常来马来西亚，他们还愿意与自己的同胞分享在这里的喜乐经验，邀请他们过来体验一番。

他们不止带来了德国的友谊，还特地带来了我们喜欢的德国食品 - 芝士，德国香肠，鹅肝酱，新鲜的德国面包等。

其他的德国朋友也送给我们礼物 - 巧格力，面包等。谢谢你们。

他们将在吉隆坡逗留几天，然后前往金马伦高原，槟城，浮罗郎加屿，刁门岛。他们将在三个星期后回国。

四旬期 Lent

今天，天主教会庆祝『圣灰礼仪』

神父或平信徒服务员在信众的额头，

以灰画上一个十字呼号，口说：

“悔改吧！信从福音” 或者

“人啊，你冲泥土来，回归泥土去”

这也标志着四旬期的到来。

四旬期
是四十天时期
作个人及团体反省，默想
守斋、禁食、祈祷、自我弃绝及善功

这是准备迎接圣周的到来，

纪念耶稣的受难

为人类的罪及救赎

死在十字架上（耶稣受难）

三天后，复活了（复活节）

Today, the Catholic church celebrates Ash Wednesday

The priest or a lay minister will apply ashes

 in the form of a cross on the forehead 

of each Church member while saying, 

“Repent and believe in the Gospel,” or, 

“Remember that you are dust and unto dust you shall return.”
It also signifies the beginning of Lent
A period of 40 days
of fasting, abstinence, prayer, self-denial and charity works
in preparation of the coming of Holy Week
remembering the suffering and passion of Christ
for the sin of us and our salvation
He died on the Cross
and rose again on the 3rd day (Easter)

It is all about Class 这只关乎贵雅

Prime Minister's wife Rosmah Mansor today lamented that she devotes all her time to the rakyat that she even has to forgo her hobby - playing badminton.

“I like fashion, it's not that I don't like fashion, otherwise it would be very boring. (But) the rakyat have taken everything from me...

“Everything has been taken away from me, including my time, including my hobbies. I don't get to play badminton now because I am very busy doing things for the rakyat.

she said in her speech when officiating the National Crafts Day 2014 at the Kuala Lumpur Craft Complex. (Malaysiakini)

Her words made many "geram" (exasperated).

Such behavior is unbecoming the wife of a Prime Minister.

You called cutting ribbons, giving out drinking waters, jetting around and shopping "for the people"?

Given the VIP treatment and conveniences, financial and human resources, perks and Berkin bags, jets and cheques ... my wife, or any wife, can do hundred times better and more.

She has over-rated herself.

Be humble: Be careful not to parade your uprightness in public to attract attention; otherwise you will lose all reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give alms, do not have it trumpeted before you .....when you give alms, your left hand must not know what your right is doing (Matthew 6)

Be respectful and　good attitude, it sets apart "class" and "no class".

If Michell Obama, Mrs Xi Jin Ping or Kristiani Herawati, wife of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said such thing, it will cause an uproar.... but not in Malaysia, because Rosmah is a very very "important" person.

It is all about CLASS.

“第一夫人”显然不好当，令担任首相夫人近5年的罗斯玛委屈申诉，本身已将一切献给人民，连热爱的羽球也被迫放弃，若有人觉得她仍做得不对，她只能无言以对。

罗斯玛今日为全国工艺日活动主持开幕礼时表示，她现在忙得没有时间打羽球，因而被迫舍弃其嗜好。

“一切东西都从我身上夺走，包括我的时间与爱好。我现在不再打羽球了，因为我正为人民而忙碌。”

罗斯玛在为国家手艺日2014主持开幕礼时，说了这番话。（今日大马）

她的话让许多人咬牙切齿。

她的行为与一位首相夫人的身份不称。

剪彩、送水给人民喝、飞来飞去、购物等，都是“为了人民”吗？

 依据她所受的的接待及方便，人力及财力资源的供给，补贴、私人专机的使用，我的太太，或者任何一位太太都可以做到比她好上百倍的好及多。

她太过高估自己了。

做人应该谦卑： “你们应当心，不要在人前行你们的仁义，为叫他们看见； 若是这样，你们在天父之前，就没有赏报了。所以，当你们施舍时，不可在你们前面吹号，如同假善人在会堂及街市上所行的一样，为受人们称赞。。。当你施舍时，不要叫你左手知道你右手所行的。。”（玛窦福音6）

要有正确的态度及尊重他人，这就是“贵雅”与“不贵雅”之分。（Class） 
假如这番话是来自奥巴马夫人，或者习近平夫人，再或者印尼总统夫人，那一定会令人民哗然。
在马来西亚，却没有这样的情形发生，因为罗斯玛是一位非常重要的人物。
然而，这仅关乎于贵雅（尊贵、典雅）而已。

A day in Klang 巴生一日记

农历新年期间，因为各种原因，不能抽空去探访巴生的朋友。

今天，我和太太特地约定了Moi Cheng（梅清），到她家探访，及享用肉骨茶。

肉骨茶是巴生的传统美食，巴生人每个星期都会吃肉骨茶二、三次，有些老巴生人，更是每天必吃。这是我们三年来的第一次享用巴生肉骨茶。

我们也趁空到巴生著名的Aeon 购物中心逛逛，避开炎热的天气，悠闲的消磨时光，也叙叙旧。

傍晚回到加影，欣逢一场大雨的到来，久旱逢甘霖，心情也痛快。

（更多照片 Facebook）

Today we went to Klang to visit our old friend Moi Cheng and family, and have Bak Kut Teh ( Pork meat & bone soup).

Bak Kut Teh is a traditional local delicay in Klang. Klangites eat Bak Kut Teh at least 2-3 times a week, some older folks have it everyday. It was our first Klang Bak Kut Teh in 3 years.

After lunch, we went to the biggest shopping complex in Klang - Aeon shopping center.

In the evening when returned to Kajang, we were welcomed by a heavy downpour. What a sigh of relief after a long dry spell !

( Pictures in Facebook)