Whats happening to the world?

 

Its war everywhere. More weird viruses found and untreatable. People getting cancer due to unknown reason. The gold price is diving. The cost of living getting higher and higher. The total amount in my grocery bill is getting more numbers, despite the same regular items being stuffed into the trolley. The price of houses are getting unaffordable, so are the price of cars. Still, there are people who are buying. More babies are being produced, despite the high statistic of divorcees, and despite the high numbers of dumped newborn babies, killed by their own mother. More schools and educational centers are blooming like mushrooms. Despite the high cost, they are full of students.

I’ve been wondering…………

Am I the only one who is complaining? Am I the only one who could not afford? Am I among those who never get enough? or Am I just being a wonderer by nature?

While wondering for the unanswered matters, I picked up a book, titled ‘Stop wasting time and start living’.  The book explain the effect of procrastination and the loss it made, as the cause. I read and re-read each explanation, trying to understand the philosophical statements or perhaps I was in a state of denial , not wanting to understand the level of my procrastination. Somehow I realize that I am a procrastinator, but what the heck.. so are everyone else.

Somehow, what I read in the book seems to relate perfectly to what is happening to the world.

I will stop wasting my time wondering, and I’ll just live-on..!! Bobby McFerrin said “Don't worry, be happy”. (I am now listening )

At last GE-13

 

PHEW..!!! the date of the long awaited, The Malaysia 13th General Election is announced. 5th April 2013.

AYYAYYYAYYY…!!!!! I will miss it, as I’ve set my plan to go on vacation on that date

WHY ON THAT DATE..!!!!!!!!????? :-( I will miss the fun.

Meeting old friends

Kim Jack is my schoolmate from high school, Sabah College. This was was out first meeting after about 30 years. We bumped unto each other at Kota Kinabalu International Airport on the 2Mar 2013. With the help of Facebook, we recognized each other.

 

 

These are my seniors and super seniors. We went to the same Indiana State University, Terre Haute, Indiana, USA. We set our lunch meeting recently, within a short 2 days notice, via Whatsapp tele-communication.

 

 

These are my clients in Brunei State Mufti Library, a.k.a Islamic Library of Brunei Darussalam. Such an interesting collection they’re having in the library. My business partner and I made the arrangement to make a courtesy visit to them on the 2nd March, Saturday. Saturday is not a holiday in this peaceful country. Friday is their off day.

 

Again, meeting my seniors at a hotel cafe, about a couple of months ago. We chat and recalling our nostalgic moments while in the university, although some of us do not know each other, then, that doesn't deter us from getting to know each other now.

Meeting old friends is a good way to start the year. It wasnt too long ago when we wished each other “Happy New Year..!!!”. And now….we are moving toward the 2nd quarter of the year. Time flies………..

The now popular Lahad Datu

 

“You’re from where??”

“I'm from Lahad Datu “ (I often had to repeat the name)

“Where is that ?”

Those where the days when not many have heard about the place, my beloved home town. Then, I had to every time, explain

“ its located at the mouth of the dog”. That helps to reckon.

Since  March 2013, the dialog would go like this.

“I’m from Lahad Datu”

“you are ?? How is the situation over there? Is it safe ? Are your family okay ?…… the questions go on and on.

March 2013 was the turning point. I wouldn't want to elaborate more about the situation as it hurts me to even think about it. And you , my dear readers, will be able to find more information about what happened in Lahad Datu in March 2013 via internet. Try search for ‘ Lahad Datu standoff, march 2013’ or so.

I feel heart sick each time when I thought of those fallen heroes, that I chose to keep it as part of Lahad Datu dark history. As of the date I'm working on this journal, the situation is under control and thank God, there is no more casualties.

I was there on the 14-16th March 2013,10days after the ‘Bombing day’. The unexpected war happened about 130km away from the town, that the town itself wasn't affected. The standoff caused Lahad Datu town much quieter than the last time I came.

Hearing the news through the media was alarming. I bought my air ticket, anyway. Many friends and relatives sent short messages, worried, while I, was excited to be back home. In fact,I felt more secured knowing that Malaysian arm forces are surrounding the area well, although I didnt see them in town. That was far from my imagination of a war zone would be.

As I touched down at the airport, I only found 3 personnel who happened to be there. I took a chance to stand next to those friendly warriors.

I also was a small aircraft owned by police force parked at the airport. That was it. “This is not war'”, I thought to myself.

 

As usual, war or not war I visited my favorite place, the wet market….

  I even went for breakfast with my aging parents at one busy restaurant, downtown. No war.

At home, I spent as much time as I could, with my nephews and nieces…

appreciating my Mom’s garden………

   

and those pets….

  (find the hidden tortoise)

TARRA..!!!

The two days visit to my parents and siblings was good enough to convince me that they are all allright.

I left Lahad Datu with a peaceful mind. Alhamdulillah the war is over.

Bukit Tinggi- Lets see

 

The name just popped up out of my mind. BUKIT TINGGI (boo-keet Ting-ghee). It was Saturday and Malaysia was having a long weekend, collaborating with the Chinese New Year holiday.

By 5pm, while many were perhaps on the way back to their home town, we were resting at home, without any plan in hand. Nadia as usual , in her room, probably on Skype, Adri hooked on his iPod, connecting with the outside world, my hubby busy reading news paper, and I….. hmmm….putting my thinking cap on.

“Let’s go to Bukit Tinggi..! “ Out of no where, I said it out loud and clear. In fact I didn't know what was there, but I’ve heard the name before and I’ve just came across the sign board on the way to Temerloh, Pahang, on the week before.. and that was it.

“You’re joking…? At this time?” My hubby gave me a curious look.

“Get ready everyone..!! Lets go..!”

That wasnt the 1st time I made a shocking plan. oh..not..again….Reluctantly my hubby called the hotel and what a great coincident, there was only 1 room available for only 1 night.

Within half an hour and despite the unusual congested traffic, off we went…YEEEHAAAHHH…! 

Goodbye my ‘whatsapp’ friends…goodbye KL. Half an hour later……

  “ err.…did I make a wrong decision.? “ I thought, when our car was cruising the traffic-free, small road up the hill. It was dimmed and quiet. ops….! are we on a right track?

At Last…….!!!!

we started to see buildings. They were not just regular buildings.

WOW..!!!  wow..! wow..!  The 1hr journey and the short notice worth the effort.

 

       

My Oh My…….what a beautiful place that I’ve never thought of. The French-themed resort standing 2,700 feet above sea level and modelled after the actual Colmar Village in Alsace, France.

The closer we get to the entrance, the stranger feeling it brought us.Are we still in Malaysia..? ? ?

The heart pounding sound of music, the lightings, the laughter, the toddler's screaming , all-in-one adding life to the merry night.

 

 

Colmar Tropicale ( Hotel) experiences us being in a French village. its beautiful architecture and furnishings put you back to the times of your romantic era. The cooling breeze was just perfect for us. So good to see my kids enjoying this trip.

The room was clean, quite spacey and expectedly pricy to us, the local Malaysian. With an extra bed, RM560 went to the hotel counter.

 

The night scenery from our hotel room was superb.

After checking in to the room, we made a night tour down the walkway. We found many entertainment for all levels of age.

    

Peeweett….!

 

Well..well..well… look who is here…

We bumped onto a relative of my husband. Dr. Ismail Merican kept himself well and looking good with his friendly and sweet smile.

The morning was as busy as the night.

After breakfast we spent our time appreciating the view from the tallest tower within the hotel area. Elevator is available for people like me.

  Nice.!!

 

Everyone wanted a snap at the sight.

     

 

Back to the ground, we spent another hour at the entertainment stores.

“Move over, kids…let mama show you how to shoot”

TARRAAaa…!!!!!!! 

and pool…..

 

As we walked towards the exit points, we heard a loud music. The dance performance was on. wowweee….

 

 Friendly man in his mascot greeting me.

OK..OK… Time to go and check out whatelse out there.

Goodbye Colmar… Au Revoir..Bonjour… however you say it…

   

I love the landscape of this hotel too.

    On the way down to the parking area, we noticed many visitors were also leaving. We all were heading towards the same place. The Japanese Botanical Garden.

 

Climbing up the staircase wasn't an easy task for me and him, but, for the kid’s sake… lets get it over with. My Hubby and I determined.

Com’on papa..mama..you need this exercise.

move on..!! 

huh..??? how far is this..??? I was gasping for air.

 

Ahah..A stall…!! an ice-cream..!! Yes..I need ice-cream.

Having Ice-cream in a cooling weather earned us a short rest by the roadside. I thought we have reached the peak, until I saw the signboard with arrow pointing further up the hill…more climbing to do….

Despite the ahs..and the uhs… up we went.        We reached the ‘Koi’ Fish pond and spent a few minutes feeding those beautiful creatures.

More staircase to climb…lets go..!

      It was a nice little botanical garden.

Japanese Tea House….. what a good idea…….

 

Look..there is another Tea House down there…

 

After a minute stop, we continued our walk deeper into the garden. Each tree is labeled with it’s scientific name. Read them, kids. “This is where I brought my tourists once” My hubby pointed at a nice and simple resort located in the middle of the botanical garden.     A small resort with SPA. Perfect for honeymooners.

 

It was over. Time to go down the staircase.. that promises beautiful sight… Going down the hill was done and over in just a short time.

On the way down, we came across an 8 inches long Centipede…probably saying “Sayonara..”

There were more to visit within the hilly area, but we just needed a rest and get home quick. An hour from the time we walked down the botanical garden, we reached home tired, but satisfied.