Last day of 1st month...

Sun 31 Jan 2010

Yup, it's the last day of this first month of this new year, 1020! Fast flying month, huh? To me, looking back, time really flew...64 years flew! Just like in the blink of an eye! So what is one more month?

Me...a pessimist? Many have called me that. However, I've been trying & learning to look more onto the positive aspect of things in Life. Slowly but steadily...that day will come...

And yup, 1 day that me am looking forward to is Feb 5th. Why? That's the day our "Kay Pa" will be giving us our "angpow" for this CNY! Yup, our pension payment for Feb will be in advance. Many many days in advance! Good? Right. But for the pessimist in me, it means a long, long month before the next payment in March...the 19th. The optimist in me would say that that is still 2 days earlier than the usual date! And yup, pensions are normally paid on the 21st of the month! See? It's a matter of perspective. Ha ha!

Anyway, a more positive view would be the fact that the time that has passed would be bringing us closer to Feb 14th...CNY! Which also means that we would be meeting friends & relatives that we had not seen for at least a year...maybe even more! Lots to share then. Happy times.

An update here on my good friend & former colleague, Mr L...if me not wrong, he should have been discharged from hospital after completing the first course of the chemo prescribed by his haematologist. He would be having 3 weeks of rest before the next course. We sincerely wish him all the very best, good rest & a speedy recovery!

Finally, yesterday was another COD (Chef's Off Day) and so as not to bore you, it was the usual meals out kinda thing. Except that this time for dinner, our "boss" suggested a new location. A new coffee shop. Well, food was reasonably good. Tasty. However, most of the ppl serving in the shop were not of the friendly kind. Pity.

Cine Nite was the movie "The Treasure Hunter". Lots of special effects. Not so good colour. Ok kind of entertainment. We had to have a few intermissions, though. Kind of breaking the monotony at times during the show.

Well, Sunday today would be another day...another bonus day! Life for these 2 ole inmates of Lot 10 has been peaceful & tranquil. And we have God to thank for that...

UPDATE @2:45pm :

A very noisy start to our Sunday...supposedly a day of rest?

Our RHS neighbour's house alarm has been sounding practically non-stop since our (late) breakfast time! Less than 1 min break between abt 10 mins alarm siren! 11 times at last count. 12 now!!! Phew!

There should be a way to complain to local authorities about such matters (eg disturbing the peace? ) cos house alarms are so commonly installed these days. Moreover, there are so many "chapalang" makes in the market...many unreliable ones!

Finally...

Wed 27 Jan 2010

Yup, finally....we got to eat our fav braised duck with porridge....c/w a few other selected pre-cooked dishes!

And yup, we've tried at least 3 times to do so but each time we were thoroughly disappointed as the shop where the stall was situated, was in total darkness! However, this evening was a different story altogether...that place...somewhere along the ole Sg Korok Road...was brightly lit up and there were cars, cars & cars parked even by the kerb!

Luckily for us, some kind soul left just as we were about to enter the special parking space next to the shop. RM16.60. Yup, that's what that meal amounted to...with extra duck meat...definitely worth every sen of it! Besides the braised duck, we had fried eggs with large onions, braised squids & some vege.

Now stomachs are full and heads are kinda drowsy...hehe....

But felt that this successful evening should go down recorded in my Blog...for posterity? Yup, such evenings don't come by every day...Agreed? Just picture 2 very satisfied & happy inmates of Lot 10! Yup, happiness in our lives these days is no stranger to these 2 ole inmates and we thank God for His blessings & the happiness that we have come to receive...

And... believe it or not, me also got so many "tit-bits" to keep me busy!

There are, among others...

1. prawn crackers from Kamunting, Taiping (which even Taiping ppl not know about! Ha ha!) which me bought for RM3.50 a pkt;
2. "Ngaku" (Arrowhead) chips personally prepared & deep-fried by my other half yesterday (she spent 1 whole hour frying them! Phew!);
3. packets of groundnuts that my daughter had bought for us for CNY;
4. and even the Semi-Sweet Van Houten Almond chocs which came in small packets (which me had bought earlier) and more similar ones in a box (also one of the items my daughter bought for CNY...my personal choice when she asked what me would like to have. Biscuits? No! Me want chocs! My...was she surprised! Haha!) TQ, EL!

Well, certainly hope me won't put on too much weight with all those goodies to munch...must stagger my munching schedule. As is, me already taking enough medication...

Now which should I munch munch first? Join me?

As promised...

Tue 26 Jan 2010

Yup, as promised...a new slideshow of KL in 2010 is up & running (entitled "The 2010 KL") on the right side of this Blog! More pics will be added in time as KL continues to travel down the road in her "Journey of Life". Enjoy...

Well, those pics were taken during our special visit to KL & family to celebrate her 4th birthday. Our bday girl was all smiles & happy happy throughout her special day & even the day after! She enjoyed all the kiddy rides & even the repeated escalator trips @ Taiping Sentral! And, of course, her fav shopping mall...Tesco!

And yup, last Sat's COD was replaced on Sun 240110 and ended with Cine Nite...the DVD movie, "Surrogates". Not a dull moment, though. Sincerely hope the world would not have to go through such an episode & ppl would remain ppl...humans.

I'm taking this opportunity also to wish my good friend & former colleague, Mr L, the very best in his first Chemotherapy session today at a private hospital in KL! There would be a total of 6 courses in the treatment for his problem. Being the strong & optimistic guy that he has been & still is, we feel that he would get through this as well as anyone else can.

Our sincere apologies for being unable to be there personally to give our support but we are, nonetheless, spiritually there for him & he will always be in our thoughts for a speedy successful recovery.

It's quality & value time for both inmates now back @ Lot 10...enjoying what we enjoy doing...

Yup, we may not be able to enjoy what we can enjoy today tomorrow...that's Life As Is...

Sincerely hope it's the same for all of you...have a great week ahead!

UPDATE (Wed 270110 @ 10:30am.) :

A thousand apologies...my friend & former colleague, Mr L, was only admitted to the private hospital yesterday ie Tue 26 Jan & not having his 1st chemo on Tue 26th as I had written above. My bad.

If all preparations go smoothly & well, he should be having his 1st chemo today (Wed 27th Jan.).

Once again, we wish him all the very best in following this course of treatment! Be strong, Mr L!! We're all with you all the way...Stay strong!

KL is 4 yrs old!

Fri 220110

Hi...just a short entry...

Our fav grandaughter, KL, is exactly 4 years old today!!

And both Lot 10 grandparents are in Taiping now to be with KL and her parents... to share her special day! Presents were bought soon after arrival, given to KL & a specially-ordered Bday (by KL's own loving mum) cake was brought out and 4 small candles were blown out by the birthday girl. Her bday wish? Sorry but only KL herself knows...haha! Pic of KL's Bday cake sitting pretty with 4 little candles...

More pics would be posted in a new slideshow for 2010... to be set up when me am back in Lot 10. Sincerely hope yu guys who do drop by this Blog, can wait patiently for this ole man to get down to it then...hehe....

Until then, this would have to do...Have a great weekend, ok?

The so-called "Stupid Bread"...

Tue 190110

Yup, to some cynical (maybe even arrogant) ppl, a specially baked, unique, wholesome & nutritious kind of bread can be nicknamed as the "Stupid Bread"! Believe me, that is not a made-up nickname but one I would never ever forget...

And yup, I was told that once upon a time when that "S" was still part & parcel of this family. I was told (to be fair it was not by that "S"...) that was what they called this kind of bread...the 3-seeded bread loaf by Adventist Bakery in Penang. And me was telling them how I loved that kind of bread...its texture, its taste & its goodliness. Some ppl can be a true "spoilsport" or did I use that term wrongly?

Thank God that view was only by that person & that person alone! And definitely not by most ppl, if not all, that I've mentioned that bread to. And it made me especially happy & proud that our family doctor shared my views, besides enjoying the same bread!

I had once even requested that "S" to buy a loaf of that bread for me since he was at the bakery branch in Farlim and he was going to come to A/Star. But alas, he could not even do that for his own father. His response to my request at that time? "I don't know which kind of bread you're talking about..." And when I stated that it was the "3-seeded" type with a red-coloured wrapper, he further complained, " There are so many types there. I don't know which one is that."

Phew! Can you ever believe those were responses from a son to his own father's request for help to get him a loaf of the bread that his father loved & enjoyed taking? And it wasn't a repetitive request from me...not like I asked for it each & every time! Just a simple affordable & do-able request. Only God knows why...

Fyi I got another loaf this morning. One of many that I've been so lucky & blessed to receive before this day. Thanks a meg, doc!

Frankly, doc, you are, at any time, zillion times better than my so-called "S"!! I do sincerely appreciate your thoughts of me each time you see the availability of that bread. I thank you from the bottom of my heart...your kind gesture had been so often that I've lost count of the number of times you've bought & brought the bread all the way back from Penang...for lil ole me! ( NB. ...which my own "S" could not do even once...for his own father! Sad but true... )

As you can feel (in this entry), Lot 10 inmates had ridden over the "ripples" that passed through Lot 10 last Sunday. The clouds have cleared & Lot 10 is once again basking in the glorious sunshine & its warmth. Once more the love between 2 ppl was tested & it was a grand graduation with flying colours! 41+ years of relationship just could not and would not crumble under, what I call now, the "Divide & Rule" strategy. We will be stronger because of the failed attempts. Maybe me should even say "TQ"?

Finally, it's just a day more to go before the monthly allowance from our "Kay Pa" reaches us. Feathers are sprouting and pretty soon wings would have grown. Ha ha! And yup, it's true that "No petrol how to move..."

And with CNY this year coming on 14th Feb, pensioners would be getting their dues next month on Feb 5th! However, the following month is gonna be a long long month...of waiting...

Sincerely hope your week started well & would end just as well, too!

Ripples...

Mon 180110

Yup, last night a few ripples followed in the wake of the "aftershock" of Sat 160110. Thank God it didn't last for long & the waters were calm once again very early that same night or, to be exact, early the following morning...

It is my sincere hope that, as time passes, those ripples would never form and Life As Is in Lot 10 and for its 2 ole inmates would be peaceful & tranquil, with attached happiness along the way. There now appears to be a glimmer of light at the end of this long, long dark tunnel...hopefully we would reach it soon.

And yup, it's a better day today because me had received word that our friend & former colleague, Mr L, was already discharged from Sunway Medical Centre in KL. However, he would have to return there for a follow-up & change of dressing this coming Thursday. We sincerely wish him & family all the very best and more good tidings...

To add a bit re yesterday, it was also lucky for Lot 10 inmates that the ripples formed only after the postponed but rescheduled Cine Nite, normally held on Saturdays which were CODs (Chef Off Days). And yup, we did manage to enjoy the DVD movie, Monsters and Aliens, to its ending. A nice movie.

Well, it's 2 more days before our "Kay Pa" gives us our monthly "pocket money". And the day after would be our fav grandaughter's 4th birthday. Nice timing this month, right? Or else it would have been a "No petrol how to move..." scenario! Ha ha! Furthermore, me am hoping that Lot 10 inmates would have completely recovered from those ripples to be able to go to Taiping & enjoy some value time with KL. Wish us luck...

Oh! Before I forget, me just got a call from one of my former students (Year 1985?) that they would be having a reunion/getogether on the 2nd day of CNY and lil ole me was invited. Unfortunately, me had to turn down the kind gesture as me would be in Penang doing our rounds at our relatives' homes as usually had been our practice each CNY. Tks a meg for the invite and especially so for remembering lil ole me!! Gong Xi Fa Cai to all of you!!

That's it for this entry. Have a good new week!

An "aftershock"...

Sat 160110

Yup, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit Haiti just a few days ago. Somehow, an "aftershock" ripped through Lot 10 after lunch today!

And yup, the cause was...you guessed it! That "S"'s situation again!

Lot 10 & it's inmates had been enjoying peace & tranquility for some time already. However, it was too good to be true. Too good to last. Now feels like an illusion. Maybe a dream? Me was hoping it would last & that my other half had a better grasp of the issues at hand. Especially after that day of "Closure". ( Pls check out earlier entries re "Closure". TQ.)

As is, the issue about the preparation & distribution of angpows for the coming "Tiger" year came up and once again, that "S"'s family was brought into the limelight.

I had thought that, with the seemingly improved relationship of past weeks, my other half would be receptive of a mutually agreeable handling of the problem at hand. It appeared like just a simple question of "Since that "S" had not, did not & still does not respect nor accept me as his natural father, it simply boils down to a simple fact that I no longer qualify to be the grandfather of his kids"! No father...no grandfather...Doesn't that go hand-in-hand? Simple conclusion. Correct?

And in this family, since Day #1 of our lives together, both me & my other half do not have any "in-betweens" of things we do. Whatever is done, is done by both. A very simple philosophy that had worked well all these 41 years!

But today, she insisted that she wanted to continue with the practice of giving out the angpows...not personally as we no longer have any physical meeting with that "S"'s family but through a 3rd party. Last year there was the same insistence but then it was already just a few days away from CNY. And me didn't want to create any scene, thereby spoiling the CNY & thus agreed (under protest, though) to her intention.

But now, it was brought up a month before CNY...and guess what was her response? A straight query...

" Can he come back? "

That did it! It was back to "Square One"...so to say. I had to explain all over again that "that "S" had 360 days to come back...but did he?" And so the "merry-go-round" continued. Same ole "lack" of understanding of the seriousness of the issues. Or should I say "denial" & "refusal" to face the reality of the situation.

(NB. For those who have not been following this Blog, pls refer to past entries starting from March 2008. Too long a story to repeat here. TQ.)

Well, I'm so tired of having to repeat & repeat.

To me, nothing matters more now than how my other half sees me. Who am I to her? And of course, what's in her heart.

I always ended up being the guy who had done wrong...that I should close my eyes to the way how this "S" had disrespected me, not forgetting the accusations that "S" had hurled at me! And even that I was the one who had stopped him from coming back....blah, blah, blah...

I am so tired....I've used all ways that I knew to make it clear that that "S" could have come back on any of the 360 days in a year (only 5 days are excluded...for the simple reason that I wish for peace & my sanity on those 5 days. And I've repeated that umteen times.)

It's been almost 2 years now. I have asked her time & time again, a simple question... "Can you give me one good reason why he had not made that extra effort to come back...." NO answer.

So why must you ask, "Can he come back?" NO answer.

A follow-up question... "Am I the one stopping him from coming back?" NO answer.

YOU be the judge. TQ.

ps. Sincerely hope this "aftershock" is truly the very last one. But me am not keeping my hopes high, though. Each & every time me hoped, my hopes had been dashed to smithereens...sad but true.

Day of sadness...

Thur 140110

Yup, Wed 130110 was to be remembered with sadness. Remember my entries earlier about my friend & ex-colleague, Mr L?

And yup, for a few days, there was a general feeling of hope with the fast flow of procedures to investigate the possibility, location & seriousness of the unwelcomed "growth" in his brain. All his friends & former collleagues contributed in providing whatever moral support & encouragement for a good prognosis.

Mr L went for consultation with a neurosurgeon on Tues 120110 and decision to operate the very next morning to remove the "growth" was made. To everyone, that was good progress as the neurosurgeon was confident of what he could do.

The removal of the "growth" was successful. However, simultaneous investigation of the "growth" confirmed that it was malignant and a localised chemo was applied.

That was the sad news that nobody wished for...nor even wanted to think about...although there was that inescapable possibility, namely the 50-50 possibility that any growth might be malignant.

On behalf of all his friends & former colleagues, I sincerely wish him a speedy recovery from the open brain surgery (he's in ICU now) and that all future treatments, as prescribed, would be effective in eradicating the malignant cells that might be left behind or at least in controlling their growth & spread.

And I could not agree more with what his daughter had written in an email to me...

"whatever the prognosis, I am determined to help my father have the best quality of life in whatever time he has with us. I trust you agree too and will not be too focussed on the length but on the quality, which is a lot more meaningful."

Yup, CW, that really touched my heart...where it really matters...

And yup, I do believe strongly in that view & especially more so now. Honestly I've even told my other half that I would not want to spend all the unnecessary time in hospitals should I become such a patient. I would prefer to spend whatever time I might have left with her, doing the things I enjoy most, etc., etc., with her by my side. Simply put...quality & value time...happy time! Not to end my life worrying about the inevitable...true?

As one of my friends & former colleague wrote me in an sms.... "That is Life..."

And, believe it or not, that is the answer to a question that I've repeatedly asked my other half from time to time... "What is Life?"

Anyway, pls do not let the sombre thoughts & words above spoil your day...just an ole man's rantings...

If you're young, feel young...be young! If you're old, enjoy the moment...there is only ONE life!

Have a good weekend, everyone! Life is short...Oops, sorry about that...haha!


UPDATE ... 18 Jan pic :

Here's pic of staples at location of surgery carried out on our friend...taken just b4 discharge from hospital :

Very well done, huh?


Our hopes & prayers go out to Mr L & family for his speedy recovery!

Bits & more bits...

Sun 100110

Yup, it's a weekend full of bits & more bits... So here goes...

Bit #1 : COD (Chef's Off Day) passed smoothly & with nice feelings. Meals were out as usual. The evening ended with Cine Nite. Movie was GI Joe. What can I say...non-stop action with not a dull moment! Unbelievable weaponry & futuristic action...

Bit #2 : Yesterday morning, both inmates re-visited our friend & ex-colleague, Mr L, at his residence. Our friend was in high spirits & with a great positive attitude towards his condition. (Pls refer to earlier posts re his condition. TQ.)

Mr L would be going to KL tomorrow to consult neurologists as to the next step to take. We wish him all the very best! We will certainly keep in touch with his progress.

Have a safe pleasant trip to KL tomorrow, Mr L & family!!

Bit #3 : So far 3 of our 5 emergency lamps in Lot 10 have had their rechargeable batteries replaced. The replacements had become a "need" rather than a "want" now because we've had 3 power failures this new year itself! Each battery cost only RM18. Sold as "Sunkyo". The usual branded (Yokohama) ones were no longer available and getting this substitute was the only way out.

I tried to get a replacement for the smaller battery for the E-lamp in our dining area but none were available. So me had to improvise to use the standard-sized 6V one. The important part was that it worked! Might even last longer running on the larger-sized battery, too! Just that one can see the extra 2 wires running from the lamp to the external battery. Ha ha! (Pls see pic.)

Now we just need to replace one more battery...for the E-lamp in our Master Bedroom. Not urgent at the moment because the battery appeared to be working fine on testing...

Bit #4 : Our niece, YL, would be going for a follow-up X-ray/Scan today. (Pls see earlier posts for the background of her condition. TQ) We wish her all the very best & sincerely hope that results would be positive and thus negate the need for further ops. Chin up, YL!!

Well, that's it for now. Nothing much really. What can I say...that's the Life As Is of these 2 ole pensioners. Too much excitement would not be good for their ole hearts, right?

We thank God for another bonus week...

Hope your weekend was good, too. TC always...

Good news!

Fri 080110

Yup, Good News! For a change!

And yup, it's about my friend & former colleague, Mr L. For one, he was discharged yesterday evening. And more as good news because the battery of investigations eg X-rays, scans & scopes done to try to detect any other locations of possible tumours came out negative!

As such, the "growth" in his brain is most probably a primary tumour which can then be treated accordingly. As is, the family would be taking him to Kuala Lumpur to be in the capable hands of an experienced neurologist.

On behalf of all his friends & former colleagues, I sincerely wish Mr L all the very best in his bid to rid himself of this unwelcomed "growth". We will be hoping & praying for success in all efforts all the way.

Well, weekend is here in Kedah. And tomorrow is another Saturday. Another COD, too!

We once again thank God for another bonus week for these 2 ole inmates of Lot 10!

Have a great weekend yourselves, ok?

What Life can be...

Wed 060110

Yup, what Life can be...

And yup, Life can be happy, enjoyable, rewarding & lots of other good things. However, Life can be also the opposite...sadness, sorrow, pain, suffering & lots of other unpleasantries...

And frankly, this new year hasn't started with much good news...at least for me...

Just recently, I've mentioned re 1 of our nieces who had to go for an exploratory ops. The good part is that she came out of it fine. The biopsy results came back negative...which was great news! The not-so-good part is that she would be going in for further examination, scheduled for 10th Jan, for the outcome of the effects of the "growths" around her ureter & kidney.

We are all hoping & praying for her that what she fears most would not happen and that she would be able to continue life as is. Best wishes & best of luck in your forthcoming scan, YL! Pls do keep us informed, ok? Thanks!

Another unwelcomed piece of news was that of my friend & former colleague who apparently appeared to have suffered a minor stroke. However, on carrying out a further MRI scan, it was confirmed that the "stroke" was a symptom caused by a sizeable "growth" in his brain. It was a devastatingly worrying outcome to be borne by both him & his other half! And of course, their kids. We feel for them. What had happened came as a surprise & a shock to all of us.

As is, we can only be there for them should they need any form of assistance. I have offered mine. In the meantime, we can only hope & pray that all efforts to investigate & treat the "growth" would be encouraging & positively rewarding. All the very best, L! Be strong, Mrs L! All your friends are & will be with you...never fear!

Well, Life, as some had put it, is borrowed time on this Earth. We all have to leave it sooner or later. Only the manner in which we leave is unknown till the time comes. We can only hope it would be a peaceful one then. With God's blessings...

Now a bit of good news...to brighten up the start of this new year.

Our fav grandaughter, KL, would be 4 years old on Jan 22nd...soon. How time flies! And if all goes well, we should be seeing her & spending some time with her then. Happy times.

With that, it is hoped that this Blog would have more good things to share soon...

41 years on...

Sun 030110

Yup, it's been 41 years...plus a day, to be exact! And yup, me & my other half have been married for 41 years. No minor feat huh?

To be honest, I wouldn't say it has been a bed of roses throughout all those years. Do tell me whose marriage IS a bed of roses. That couple must either be robots or ppl with no feelings nor emotions whatsoever. Agreed?

What is most important is the understanding, the relationship & the bond that has been tested through time...again & again. And in spite of everything, the couple IS still a couple...still together!

And especially for these 2 ole inmates of Lot 10 now, there is nothing more important than to spend the years that we would be bestowed with, our bonus years, as happy & as peacefully as we possibly can.

Like my other half told me the other day ( and even before that... ) :

"We do not know when we came into this world and we would not know when we leave it..."

How true. Me am now her confirmed disciple. Many of her "teachings" have worked wonders in shaping my outlook of Life As Is. You should have come across a number of such quotes as you followed this Blog.

So how did we spend this 41st wedding anniversary? Simple. Yup, it fell on the same Saturday as our usual COD. And yup, what is most important is not where or what, but how we feel on such a day. No fancy dinners. No fancy restaurants. Just being together & spending time together. Happily together. True?

And we both felt so much closer & happier than in the past 22+ months. Yup, when the road ahead is clear to both, then the journey for both is much much more pleasant & enjoyable.

Thanks a meg from the bottom of my heart, my dearest B...mostly for sticking with this ole, kinda intolerable & sometimes frustratingly non-understandable man you call your partner! Sometimes I just could not help but wonder if any other girl would have stuck with me (like you have done) through all that we'd gone through together all these years. No simple easy task lo...

And yup, like one line I've often heard (a reference here : http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/405750.html )...

"What God has joined together, let no man put asunder!"

Finally, we sincerely & humbly thank God ever so much for His generosity & blessings...

Sad start to New Year of 2010...

Fri 01 Jan 2010

Yup, it's indeed a sad start to this new year of 2010.

And yup, it marked the passing of a former colleague, former room-mate & good friend, Raymond Seaton. On 30th December 2009.

I only learnt of his passing when me came to the final pages of The Star this morning while doing my "thing" in yu-know-where. And there it was...a full page Obituary notice inserted by his family.

Raymond had been fighting a long battle against the Big C...in his brain. Me & my other half were fortunate to have met him roughly more than a year ago when he was in Penang. At the time, results of tests had been positive & encouraging.

However, his condition took a turn for the worse recently with metatasis to his lungs. He was undergoing further chemotherapy and we were hopeful & continued to pray for success.

So this morning's obituary page came as a shock to both of Lot 10 inmates. Both Raymond & his wife were former colleagues & friends of ours during our stint in Temerloh, Pahang, and his wife still was my other half's colleague in Alor Star before her retirement.

Our sincere & heartfelt condolences to Molly & family over their deep irreplaceable loss. May God bless them and see them through this difficult time.

Raymond, we will always remember you as a great colleague & good friend. May you Rest in Peace...in God's loving arms...