Happy Merdeka Raya :)

Let me be honest here - the reason I love Raya so much is definitely the food. The must have that my mom always prepare is the lontong or some would call it Lodeh.. Nasi kapit (himpit or pressed rice).. Mixed together with Sayur Masak Lemak (veggie with coconut) - put extraa suhoon please and sambal bilis (anchovies sambal).. And I am in heaven.. It is my mom's signature dish on Hari Raya and in Terengganu, where Nasi Dagang is the usual Raya dish, it stand out on its own. We managed to teach some of my brothers' friends to eat them.. And now for Hari Raya, they would come in droves to savour it hahaha :)

Another one is the Rendang Daging - for the past few years I would be the one sponsering the purchase of meat.. But let me tell you, the way my mom cooks it - again, heaven on earth. It is nice to be eaten with lemang (glutanious rice cooked in bamboo with coconut milk).. But, sometimes when lemang would be out of stock (we purchase lemang - never tried to cook it).. Nasi kapit is suffice and even add to the lontong, it would be stupendeous.

Hmmm.. I love Hari Raya :)

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Saw Tapirs Yesterday :)

Pic. www.tapir.org ...

Yesterday we were late returning from hubby's kampung or village yesterday. We use the newly opened portion of LPT (Lebuhraya Pantai Timur from Bukit Besi to Ajil) which shorted our journey considerably (the distance is similar but the two lanes allow us to speed).

Then we used a short cut using the Felda Ketengah Jaya to avoid the longer Dungun road. I was apprehensive but hubby felt he was to tired to use the longer road.

It was nearly midnight then. Thruthfully I was more apprehensive in seeing "paranormals" hahaha so I kept my eyes peeled and chatter away to keep hubby awake.

Around middle of our journey, we saw two black shape.. We thought it was a hog.. But its bigger.. A buffolo?? But its body two rounded! So.. When we slow to a stop, imagine our delights in seeing a black and while body (like a panda).. But smooth body.. Longish trunk like an elephant.. Wow! We saw a panda couple. Looking at them looking back at us.. I bet they are as confused as us.. They are slow peaceful animal as we observed them.. Turning round and climbing the road fence to go to the other side of the road :)

Thruthfully, this is the first time ever I saw tapirs. Same as hubby. I think I usually saw them on stamps. I thought they are small creatures like a mousedeer or small goat. I never thought at then being bigger.. About maybe a teen rhino.. And such a rounded body haha..

Love this! I was so stunned and my hp was in my bag so haven't got time to snap some pics but have a look of the pic from www.tapir.org there.. The tapirs look similar like those.

Continuing on our journey.. I pray that those tapir couple be safe. Would be very sad if they become roadkill victims.. But with developments and highways, their home is getting smaller. Bet these are just a few that still roam free.. Wish them safe journeys.
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Planting my 2nd Frangipangi ;)

I had put an earlier entry about planting my mini frangipangi few weeks earlier.. And it is doing great.. Lotsa new leaves.. Just no flower yet.. I am curious on its colour actually cz there wasn't any when I bought it - just the word of the nursery that it would be a lovely shade of yellow..

Anyway.. Seeing its happy grenary, I am finally planting my taller frangipangi.. It has been with me since 5 months ago and not so healthy.. Might be cz I let it be in its plastic bag.. On a cement.. And it had been big and needed room to grow..

Last weekend I finally had time and strength to dig a hole for it.. Haha.. Hubby just watch and help lift it in the final stages to the whole.. Yep, freeing it from its plastic bag, I can see lots of tiny new roots sprouting.. It was in dire need of more soil.

Pictured here is my eldest son, Kimi.. Happily helping to pile earth on the frangipangi. Looks like he enjoyed it a lot. Maybe I am grooming my sons to the love the outdoor better after this.

Hmmm.. So, next to do - searching and planting a mini coconut tree.. Maybe in 5 years, my family & I would be able to quench our thirst from the fruit of our garden :)


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Farewell of a Beloved CEO

Yesterday, I went back to my HQ office for a brief meeting with my immediate boss. At 1130, there was an urgent assembly in which our beloved CEO would give his last farewell before being transfered to a sister agency. It was a sad occasion. He said he planned to retire here as it has been like a second home for him since 1994. All the staffs are like family to him.

However, he said in a positive note, being transferred means that people recognised our efforts and brands and they trust that our agency culture would assimilate to the other agency as well.

We all rushed to say farewell to him after the speech. Maybe he saw many red eyes and sad plus sombre expression in our faces, that he exclaim "you all nih".. And turn around for awhile to composed himself before turning to us again. Really felt sad till now still, can still see in my mind his glassy eyes and sadness. Don't worry Dato', we will always remember you and your kind of leadership we will try to emulate.

Anyway, the new CEO is good as well though her demands would ensure me to turn around and hide when she appeared hahahaha :P

Had the opportunity to congrates her on the Buka Puasa Night. She said that she wanted to see us again and discuss new KPIs for us. Yikes!!!! Hahahahaha.. Don't get me wrong.. I like her work ethic and quality of output she churns out.. But I have to admit I am not as hardworking as her... Hehehehe :P

Anyway.. To my two beloved CEOs.. Good Luck and Best of Luck! I know you would do your best and also bring the best to those around you!





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Citrus Hotel KL

Hmmm.. Its the time of the year again when I need to go for a refresher meeting in KL. They dictated us what hotel to stay in KL. I was hoping for Quality Hotel as its nearer to Sogo (and I can do some shopping for Hari Raya) but.. Apparently they just hiked the room rate so back to the trusty Citrus Hotel for me.

Citrus Hotel is actually not bad. Just it's location a bit hidden at Jalan Tiong Nam. But it is basically at the back of Wisma Sime Darby, so if you like to walk, LRT.. Chow Kit.. Maju Junction is just a few minutes walk away..

I have seen refurbishment in Citrus sinvce it start open around 2005. So, about 6 years I've been frequenting this hotel. For a 3 star hotel, it earns two thumbs up. During peak seasons, it would be fully booked by tourists from India, China, Indonesian and some west countries one.

Hmmm.. My meeting is 30 mins away, and I am killing my time here, tucked at the many comfy sofa sets at the seminar rooms in my HQ. Hahaha.. Wouldn't want to be to eager to be at the meeting room haha.. Besides I know I'll be one at the first few rows :)

Coming back to HQ reminded me on how much I am losing. Some friends had accepted posts overseas and can't denied I'm a bit jealous.. Not really jealous but resigned and a bit regretful that I am not able to go as well. Going for post means better job promotion, better money.. Better recognition, status, experiance.. Lots of better things..

But.. When the other side is your family (from mom and dad to spouse and kids).. The scale (though barely).. Would still slide towards family and life.. Huhuhu.. What to do lah..


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My Lovely Hearth @ Kerteh, Terengganu

I love this picture of the three guys in my life.. Staring out the sea at my lovely hometown Kerteh Terengganu.

I was born in Kelantan but my family moved here since 23 years ago. There aren't much in Kerteh then, and it stayed that way for a long while until these few years that some development caught on. I consider myself a Terengganian now.

Kerteh derives its name from Kera Teh.. It was foretold long ago that Kerteh was a fisherman village with only a few huts standing. Kera or monkeys were prevelant then, and many would sneak up the huts to search for food. So, one day, the monkeys ambushed a house and the husband panicking.. shouted for his wife, named Teh, to help shoo them of.. Kera Teh! Kera Teh! (Monkeys Teh! Monkeys Teh!).. Hehe quaint story :)

I wasn't at Kerteh very long during my schooling years as I spend my teens (from 13 years old) onwards at MRSM (a boarding school) and then off to Australia for university.

Oh.. Forgotten to mention, Kerteh is the home of the oil and gas industry in Malaysia.. So, after I graduated I came back to work there. There were lots of OnG development then on the 90s that I get to work with Aussies (McConnell Dowell Malaysia) and then with the UK (Foster Wheeler Malaysia Sdn Bhd).. Love working with these expatriates guy and I am still in touch with my boss Bob Walters! Hiya Bob! :)

At the site also, I had met my hubby now. Anyway.. Times has flown, hubby still worked at the OnG sector but I had left the excitement of the project life to the reliable government job (which thank god.. I still love)..

Overall, I do love Kerteh.. It is my hometown now and I am blessed to be able to built my home here.. The unhurried life (no jam).. Lovely environment (not to developed.. Not too laidback).. The lovely riverstream and the beaches.. Must say that life is good.. Alhamdulillah (praise to god)! :)



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Tour to the Afterlife? All set for one helluva tour!

Wow! Malaysia boleh. Came across this article today that I found to good to not feature in my blog. In conjuction with the Hungry Ghost Festival, a trip will be organised to connect the living and those who passed on. Wow! I really respect those who would like to go. Please share the experiance.. I am extra curious on this!



By CHRISTOPHER TAN
christan@thestar.com.my
The Star Malaysia

All set for one helluva tour!

GEORGE TOWN: The first ever outdoor ‘Netherworld Tour’ (a trip to hell) in Malaysia would be held here in conjunction with the ongoing Phor Thor (Hungry Ghost Festival).

For believers of the spiritual world, this tour is organised for them to ‘interact’ with their loved ones and friends who have passed on.

It is jointly organised by the Penang Teong Guan Association and the state government.

Tze Bei Guan Yin Centre leader Master Kek Eng Seng, who would lead the tour, said participants would experience different scenarios in ‘hell’.

“Some of them would be able to meet their loved ones who have passed on; some might be able to tour the streets of hell while some would be able to witness how torture is conducted in hell.

“We cannot guarantee though, that all participants are able to experience the tour successfully. Deterrent factors include their suffering from anxiety attack or failure to travel into the netherworld altogether,” he told a press conference on Carnarvon Street yesterday.

To prepare for the tour, the participants will be asked to close their eyes and listen to Master Kek’s instructions.

“They must listen attentively and heed every instruction issued, as it is crucial to avoid antagonising the wandering spirits,” he said.

He said this would be his first effort to attempt an outdoor ‘tour’.

Previously, he only conducted such ‘trips’ within the confines of a temple.

The ‘tour’ will be held at Padang Brown on Jalan Datuk Keramat from 8.30pm to 10.30pm on Aug 27.

It will be conducted by Master Kek with help from more than 10 of his assistants.

He has 28 years of experience in dealing with spiritual matters and had studied Taoism and Tibetan Buddhism as well as fortune tell-ing.

State Tourism Development and Culture Committee chairman Danny Law Heng Kiang said the event had the potential to attract tourists .

He said: “We would like to thank the organisers of the Phor Thor for continuously organising this religious festival for over 100 years. The Netherworld Tour was famous in Taiwan but this would be the first in Malaysia.”

For now, Master Kek has fielded more than 200 participants but only about 100 can join the tour.

“We would screen the participants to see if they are fit to join the tour,” he said.

For details and registration, call Master Kek at 016-4148068 or Penang Teong Guan Association chairman Hung Siat Hee at 016-4432777.

Visiting a Talapia Fish Farm

Well, have to say I do love my job. It is tedious sometimes when I travelled so much leaving my family, but sometimes the places I visit almost make it worthwhile.

One of the places I truly enjoyed visiting is the Talapia farm, on Sungai Como near the Kenyir Lake of Terengganu. It is around 1 hour from Kuala Terengganu, where I am based.

After the refreshing and fresh air of sprawling palm oil plantation and virgin tropical jungle, we would arrived at the small jetty. Using a small boat in another 10 minutes, we arrived at the talapia farm.

You can see the pink talapia swimming round the net there. It is soothing watching fishes swimming right?






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