Cerebrovascular Accident

In other words, it's called stroke. This was the cause of death as stated in papa's death certificate. It happened so sudden without any warning two weeks ago, on papa's 57th birthday. I got a call very early on Wednesday morning, asking me to come home quick, papa is unconscious and he might have passed away. At that very moment, I would have cursed at anyone who is playing this cruel joke on me. It was his birthday, how possibly could this be? Immediately I called Raymond, my eldest brother. Pick up the phone, pick the damn phone now! After like the third or fourth try, he answered, groggy and pissed that I woke him up so early. I related to him the call that I just received. Raymond told me to calm down, I sat on my bed frozen. I told Raymond to drive back immediately. I quickly packed my stuffs and headed home. Once I reached Taiping, I was told to go to the mortuary. I still could not believe it. I was praying that it is not real. I could not describe the feeling when I saw with my own eyes my father's body, motionless, lifeless. Tears started flowing.

Before I realise it, I was in a casket shop, choosing a coffin for papa. Suddenly there are so many important decisions to make as Raymond and Ivan has yet to arrive from Singapore. It was awfully painful to make calls to relatives to break the news. I was all alone, only Sunshine was by my side, helping me to decide, and some uncles and close friends to help me prepare to bring papa's body home. That day seemed to pass so fast, yet it felt like the longest day in my life. I still could hardly accept that this is happening to me.

Papa was cremated and buried on top of mummy's grave. He actually wanted us to throw the ashes into the sea.

Papa, we will fondly remember you in our hearts. Rest in peace.

MS-06S-ZAKUII

Finally completed. Painstakingly, this model took a very long time to build. You might think that it is easy, judging from it's external look. But, the inner part is very detailed. I got most help from Sunshine. This model is a birthday present from boss. I like fixing Gundams. I enjoy the satisfaction of completely seeing the end result of the robot. This model stands majestically approximately 8 inches tall.

Lovely


Nothing to blog today, but these two cutie pies are more than words can say itself! The boy is Bryan, my big bro's son, the pretty girl is Kelly, Sunshine's niece. Picture taken during CNY recently.

Pantai Remis

I did something different last Sunday. Sunshine wanted to go to Pantai Remis to visit one of his old time classmates. I kinda dreaded the trip, I didn't want to go. From what I gathered, Pantai Remis isn't a very interesting place to go, there is only one main road to that small town. Furthermore, it's CNY, most shops or restaurants will be closed as well. So, what on earth am I going to do there? How am I going to kill time while Sunshine catches up with his old pal? I went to the extend of telling Sunshine I didn't want to go, told him that it was going to be boring with seriously nothing to do. But, he insisted.
I gave in, since I didn't have anything in particular to do besides sleeping on that hot Sunday afternoon. So we drove down, reluctantly. The drive was about half an hour out of Taiping. It wasn't that bad, only thing is that the road is kinda winding. Sunshine's friend lives in one of the shop houses on the main road. With one glance, I think I've seen the whole of Pantai Remis.
Oh, I was so wrong. And the fun begins. Just approximately 7km off Pantai Remis' main road, there was a turtle hatchery, near Segari. We went. There were huge turtles there. So many of them. It reminded me of Finding Nemo. I had some fun looking at the few species of turtles there. I’m not sure if that place was a tourist spot or what, but I don’t think many people know about it. After that, we went to the fishing village just behind the main road. Sunshine wanted to buy some mantis prawns and fresh fish. The place stinks. The fishes are really fresh as the boats just came back with their catches. After marketing for the seafood, we had to go back immediately, or else the car is going to smell like a wet market.
The kitchen is really not my place. But since we bought the seafood, we had no choice but to clean them before we stuff it into the freezer. First, we had to clean the fish. I had totally no idea how to get it done. Sunshine did a better job than me. There was this funny fish (I’m not sure what species it was), it had spikes and had to be de-skined. De-skin, as in peel off the outer layer of the skin, not as in removing the scales only. The both of us, having no experience what so ever on this fish, had to get assistance from Sunshine’s mom. She came to the rescue. Second part was with the mantis prawns. Sunshine was busy cutting the sides and head of the prawns while I rinse it with water and try to peel them. Of the 3 kilos that we bought, at the end of the cleaning session, I think we are left with only 1 kilo.
By that time, it was almost 7.30pm. We were hungry. What can I cook? Instant noodles, microwaved. But no, Sunshine wanted mee suah. And he had to ask me to cook mee suah in front of his mom! It was pretty embarrassing for me. Second time I was embarassed in half an hour for my lack of kitchen experience. I turned back to him and whispered, “I don’t know how to cook mee suah!” I think his mom would have guessed it. She offered to cook for us. I was served.
There you go, one fine Sunday afternoon well spent.

Develop an attitude of gratitude

Give thanks in all circumstances.

If you tend to gravitate toward what is negative in life rather than what is positive, begin praying:

Even though I clutch my blanket and growl when the alarm goes off, thank You Lord that I can hear; there are many who are deaf.

Even though I close my eyes as long as possible against the morning light, thank You Lord that I can see; there are many who are blind.

Even though I put off the effort to rise, thank You Lord that I have the strength to get up; there are many who are bedridden.

Even though the first hour of my day is hectic when socks are lost, toast is burned and tempers are short, thank You Lord for my family; there are many who are all alone.

Even though our breakfast table never looks like the pictures in the magazines and the menu at times is unbalanced, thank You Lord for the food we have; there are many who are hungry.

Even though my job is sometimes monotonous, thank You for the opportunity to work; there are many who are unemployed.

Even though I complain from time to time and wish my circumstances were different, thank You for the gift of life; there are people in the graveyard who would gladly change places with me.

Even though I make mistakes, stumble and fall, thank You for the grace to get up again; there are many who didn’t make it.

Thank You Lord for all these blessings – and 101 others that I’ve taken for granted. Amen.

CNY

Happy Chinese New Year people!

I've gotten many many ang pows. Mostly from Sunshine's family and relatives. He's got a really huge family, almost half of Taiping. I had quite a good time during CNY. My nephew, Bryan, came back. He is the cutest thing alive! He's learn to speak, so he can say a few words. When he wishes you Gongxi Gongxi, he will put out his hand for an ang pow after that and with his cute baby voice say 'lai'.

I already started work yesterday. Was in a holiday mood though. But then, it is pretty boring with nothing to do if I took leave. The first day was so hot. The sun is burning your skin if you go outside. There was nothing to eat as well. The Chinese restaurants are all closed in Taiping, so we ended up in mamak stalls most of the time.