Exploring with dear friends from the USA

On the 26th of Dec, some very close family friends arrived from Michigan. We spent 2 weeks with them exploring our country and city. Needless to say, it was wonderful reunion time and we do miss them very much now!

Just some highlights in simple photos now. (I've been spending very lil  time on the computer and plan to keep it that way. So not much photo editing.)

 Pulau Ketam

It was a rainy day when we got there.

A friend on the island showing us how dried shrimp is made.

Mini Road Trip to Melaka and Port Dickson

Nothing melts the stress away like a few days by the beach. Here's my sandman.

At play while the sunsets.

Melaka Unesco site.

Of course we all had to ride on the beca (pronounced bay-cha). Only now they come with LOUD booming music!!

Spent a whole day shopping at Jonker Street, and all the girls bought lovely patchwork skirts which we wore together.

At the famous A'Famosa Fort.

To cool the day off, we boarded the boat for a river cruise. Enjoyed the lovely graffiti here.

Visit to Royal Press Melaka.

Our very knowledgeable tour guide

First thing that captivated me were the old beautiful air wells and windows.

The longest serving worker there, showing us how printing was  done long time ago. She told us that to print a page of paper could take as long as 2 days to prepare.

Batu Caves

yup we managed to climb the steps, all 272 of it.

Saw this couple carrying her baby up in a yellow cloth, tied to sugar cane. They say this is to give thanks for answered prayers for a child.

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Till we meet again dear friends.

@poundthegarlic.blogspot.com 2013

Christmas 2013

Christmas 2013 was eventful. After spending 3 weeks in December taking turns falling sick with a horrid flue virus and high fever, we eventually recovered on time  for Christmas. We had some lovely friends and family over for a simple dinner.


On the menu was Cheese and Crackers, recipe gotten from an American friend whom we visited during Christmas as well. Well, their cheese looked like a snowman. I attempted doing one as well, and I don't know why mine turned out looking like a bird!
Anyway...what I put in it.....
   ~ 2 packs of Cream cheese
   ~Cajun seasoning
  ~ chopped Pecans
  ~ bacon (stirfried and chopped up)
  ~Garlic powder
  ~Dill
 ~Walnuts

Kids decorated the house before guests arrived and made this sign.

After a wonderful time catching up, I decided to bring out some gingerbread cookies for the children to decorate. It was well....interesting watching the difference between how a 2 year old and an 18 year old decorate. I'm sure you can tell which age decorated the cookie below. I kinda call it "The death of the ginger bread man." hehe....

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Nel and Jo were both involved in the performing arts for Christmas.
Proud to say that Nel danced well, despite the nervousness she felt. After the third performance she even smiled while dancing, which is a great achivement for the introvert that she is.
 And Jo enjoyed being part of the choir so much.
@poundthegarlic.blogspot.com 2014

What matters most..

After a long day with my kids
I sat alone and pondered
About how the day had gone.
So much accomplished,
that my heart is still palpitating from stress..
I feel quite burnt out, and so do my kids..
But yeah, I'm proud of all things achieved today...
Or so I think.. coz my heart feels differently.

Off the top of my head today
We got to ballet at 9am sharp,
Phew, we're getting better at getting up on  time.
I  managed to get my child to understand
what 15 out of 1,555 means in terms of percentage.
I got her to understand, the difference between
a clause and a phrase, the different types of adverbs.
I got the kids to unpack and repack their entire messy drawers.
We worked on geography and history
I got them to focus and insisted that no matter what
Today's work is today's, so no matter what,
 It HAD to be done....Discipline.
I stood my ground and said,
"Work not finished, no going out."
So true to my word, at 6pm when all the kids were out
I made my kids sit down to continue with work
coz they daydreamed and played parts of the day.

Finally by nightfall, my kids finished it all,
I gave them a pat on the back and said "Well done!"
So much accomplised today, wonderful.
I gave myself a pat too.
I thought, surely, I know what's best for my kid
I'll push them in everything, coz they have potential!
A weak parent is a weak child!
Discipline is important. Never give in, push push PUSH!
One day they'll achieve great things because of me!
But again, my heart thought differently.


After all,
How had I managed to help them
achieve all these "great" things?
I used praise, bribes, rewards, stickers.
I used nagging, sometimes even shouting.
I prodded them out of daydreams,
Scolded them for slow work, pushed them because
I knew, If they could be pushed to excel
always academically, in arts and in sports;
They would surely conquer the world.
But again, my heart thought differently.

Why my heart? Why do you not agree with my thoughts?

To listen to my heart
I knew, I had to listen to my children.
So I asked them...
"What do you think will help you achieve great things?
What helps you feel like you can do anything you set your heart to?
And achieve and conquer it all?"
Their answers confirmed what I felt in my heart
and Not in my head.


My kids replied,
"I feel on  top of the world, like I can achieve ALL things...
Because
I have a mummy who loves me the way I am.
I have the greatest daddy in the world who tells me stories.
I feel loved because you cooked my favourite spaghetti, the best in the whole world!
You gave me a hug today.
I feel important when you take time to sit with me on a sofa, snuggled, reading a favourite book.

I love it, when we get to go out for walks and look at interesting plants and bugs.
I feel loved when you play pretend with me, pirates, mermaids and all the things we could be!
I feel important, because you're here for me.
I enjoy learning because you take time to explain things I just cannot understand
and you make it fun too.
I feel loved now because you stopped to ask me how I feel,
You understand my feelings more than anyone does.
And because of all this, I feel I am important,
I feel positively happy, on  top of the world
and  I know I can accomplish ALL things because of you Mum."

Tears welled up in my eyes..
Because of your honesty child,
Because of the way you overlook all my faults
and even the way I've been grumpy.
You forgive so easily.
Surely the way I've nagged and pushed have done little
to help you feel great. In fact, I think, often it's pulled you down.
I'm thankful that despite all my faults and failures
You still love me, and think I'm the best mum in the world.
Your graciousness and forgiveness inspires me
Inspires me to improve and to be a better person.

And now I know, that to help you face that wide world one day
is not by pushing you academically/in sports or arts at the expense of US...You and I,
But instead to spend time with you, child,
in conversation
in hugs
in quality time
in understanding
in doing things together
in kind words
in kind deeds....

And all this will create a complete YOU
Who'll feel like you can achieve ALL things
and even the moon
because you feel Loved,
you feel Important.

A beautiful song: In my Daughter's Eyes.


@poundthegarlic.blogspot.com 2013
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Zoo Enrichment Studies

Nel signed up for several classes at the Zoo Negara, where she worked with a team of people to create an Enrichment program for an animal of choice. They chose to work on an enrichment program for an Orang Utan.

During the wonderful sessions in Zoo Negara under the guidance of Edwina,
- they learnt the basics of Research
-They learnt to observe animals and take important notes
- they got involved in animal husbandry (what an exciting thing to do, chopping food for animals and cleaning out cages!!)
- they designed enrichment program for the orang utan
-they had the opportunity to present their proposal before APE Malaysia
- They worked hands on in creating their enrichment - freezing fruits in ice blocks and sewing fruits into burlap sacks.
-They got to watch the orang utan's reaction to their enrichment program, which was positive! the orang utans loved the challenge of unwrapping food from the tightly sewn sacks.

All in all, an excellent program!!

Children presenting proposal to APE Malaysia

Nel came back to volunteer on a weekend at a booth to teach public about orang utans.

@poundthegarlic.blogspot.com 2013

Some random updates, nothing important.

Things have been so busy, that updating the blog is the last thing on my mind.
Just some random updates:

25th Oct  Jo went for a voice over audition at Canang Studio. She was very confident and did well. Apparently when the guy asked her if she spoke any other languages, she replied Latin and Spanish. Tickled they asked if she could translate the text into Spanish, to which she just giggled and said loudy, "Sorry, No, because I only knew about 20 words!"
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14th Oct-
Kids and I had been busy looking after these kittens after their mum, Zora, our favourite stray, disappeared. Girls went round alleys looking for her but found nothing. So we bottle fed them kitty formula, helped them pee/poo which we found out was the role of mum. Eventually Zora came back, but looking extremely weak and sickly.
We put the kitties back to suckle...not knowing the mum had severe worm infection which could spread through milk. Sadly, 2 of the kittens passed away..and we only found out why after they began vomiting worms. It's been a tough week. We have now one kitty fighting for her life after being given deworming med, and now hope Zora will survive. My girls are learning what's it like to be a vet/animal rescuer....tough.

(update...dewormed the mother cat and the remaining kitty. Both healthy again. Dewormed the children and myself too!)

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13th Oct-
 One thing I really love doing with my children is taking evening walks, sometimes at dusk, like we did today. We walked an hour, at times in silence, sometimes in conversation. "Look at the moon mama..and the only star shining in the sky! Wow!"..."Why are birds called birds and not "flutter", why is the sky called Sky and not Kly?" asked my lil one.

"Mum, I had a great time at my girl's camp..we trekked and stayed at a lovely place and I made friends with 4 other girls," my older one told me as the lil one kept her dad company. A cool breeze blew in our faces as we walked, every stress and lethargy melted off.

Even in yester years when my Jo was just a babe in a sling, and Nel just 3, I used to walk, sometimes to soothe my crying baby, sometimes to ease my tiredness, and often to spend time with my gals, "us" time. I'd show them the sparrows hopping freely on the grass, the branches of trees dancing in the wind, wild flowers creeping along slopes, glimpses of the setting sun bursting through huge trees, a lizard scampering away.
And till today, it's become a way of life for us, spending time walking in the evenings, just us. [Below..a quick watercolour sketch done just after today's walk at dusk."

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9th OCt -

here's a story id like to share. Kids n I were browsing through a book sales today..books going for Rm5. As my girl showed me her huge loot, I had a mini discussion with her about why we couldn't take all the books she'd picked, because of limited cash and space.
As our discussion continued, an elderly man butted in. He said: "why are you stopping your daughter? Kids nowadays rarely read, always with some gadget. It's a great thing if she wants to. Let her take them all. Reading is like having vitamins, you learn something from every book, no matter what book, and this acquired knowledge will be stored for future use. I'm a visiting professor, and some of the students have not read more than five books in their lives. How terrible. Exams are almost worthless, but reading expands the mind." And on and on he went.
In the end he took out rm50 and shoved it into my child's hand. I refused the money and returned it to him. But he continued on a lengthy discussion about reading...and in the end, he refused to take his money back, so my child ended up 10 books richer, and I, a 130rm poorer.

(some comments I received from friends:)


 "Perhaps the visiting prof is right. Cultivating reading in children is hard work and when you have one, it is worth every cent to pay for the good books that they would read. I'd say your girl is 10 books richer and so are you! Well done!"

• "Wow talk about random kindness and senseless acts of beauty! Wise and true words!"
• -Agree - reading expands the mind. You are RM50 richer & I know a very very happy girl on the way

  "I totally agree with that man. Bless his heart. Thank God for wise old souls around."
• "Reading is the best gift you give your children! Fantastic."

  
  

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  6th Oct

  A card written by Nel to her daddy recently..
  
  "Dear daddy, I have loved you, and love you more each day. I shall still love you, young or old, as you have been very bold. Through all our years you've been protecting me, you're a great father..." etc. ( goes on an entire page and ends with Happy birthday. )
    I believe, and have read, that a father plays a very important role in the lives of daughters. A "present" father creates the feeling of security and assurance in the child that will last a life time, impacting decisions that they will make in their later life.

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   My child's lament upon being told to bathe before heading to church:
  "Why must I? Why must I? I've been bathing for years and years and have never stopped. Soon I'll be smelling like a flower patch!"

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  1st Oct

  
  "Armed" with her new turtle sarong from Turtle Conservation Center, this was how math class went with Jo. True story. Teaching an 8 year old, never a dull moment.
  
  

  

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  Sept 30th - 
  Performed at the JB Arts Festival with Jumping Jelly Beans.

  

  Photo by Natalie K.

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  Sept 11- 
   Kids took part in Sports Day events, and together with some friends, they ran a food stall, that managed to raise RM300 for a water filter project for the poor.

  
  

  

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  Apart from these our coop is into 4th session on Forensic Science now, and the kids are loving it. Nel is also involved in an animal project at the zoo. Unfortunately we've been given strict instructions not to share anything. So I won't. But she's enjoying it, particularly the first session!

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  (Please pardon any grammar/spelling errors.)

  
  

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Terrapin Release Sept 2013

I guess, we kinda fell in love with turtles when a friend brought us to Bentong Farm Sanctuary some years ago.

This year, my kids and I decided to adopt several terrapin nests to support conservation, and thus decided to attend the Terrapin release event. We went with two other families, and though we were just a small group, we were still treated to a very informative talk about turtles by Prof Chan Eng Heng. What a privilege. :)

Thanks Prof Chan for sharing about turtles and answering all our questions about turtles.

Pelf measuring terrapins and collecting weight data before the release. The kids initially wanted to help with this, but alas, became very distracted by the baby chicks in the backyard.

It was then time to transport the Terrapins to the river, and our children helped move terrapins into 2 large containers.

This top terrapin (with the dented shell) was adopted by one of our little friends. He named it Sweetheart, and he still misses it till today and cried buckets and buckets after releasing Sweetheart into the river.

Lifting the terrapins onto the lorry before proceeding to the river nearby.

Nel and the terrapin she adopted. It is a real tough and strong one! While all terrapins became still when turned upside down, this lil guy refused to lay still, but would struggle with all its might to turn back. See its little flipper touching Nel's finger.

Chen Pelf Nyok, the person heading the Terrapin Conservation effort in Kemaman giving a short speech, and  thanking her terrapin team for all the effort.  It's great to know that efforts have paid off, and the number of terrapins are increasing. Great job Gang Tuntung!

After the short speech ceremony, terrapins were  carried nearer to the river for release.

Jo and her little terrapin. They were reluctant to part with each other I think.

On your mark...ready....get set......Go!

Terrapins excitedly heading towards the river for their first taste of Freedom! We learnt that baby terrapins are carnivorous when young, but will turn full vegetarians when older. (hope I got that info right.)

Jo and Jo refusing to let their terrapins go. I stood near them and heard them saying lengthy prayers aloud for  their terrapins. Something about letting them survive, finding food, to be protected, long lives etc. I'm sure God heard their prayers. :)

After the release, everyone was treated to a feast of Malay food. Some of the adults went hunting for fresh paku (which we later had for dinner). The children kept thinking of the terrapins they'd released, happy for them, yet missing them.

Well, if you're keen on releasing terrapins, watch out for their announcement  on their facebook page, and sign up to receive their newsletters.

To Help in conservation, you can adopt a terrapin/nest, purchase Batik and other merchandise, become a member of TCS or simply donate to them. More information  can be found on 
Turtle Conservation Society of Malaysia- Facebook
and  http://www.turtleconservationsociety.org.my/


My other posts on turtles:
Watching Turtles in the wild and tagging terrapins 20/6/11),
 Kuala Terengganu (Turtle Alley),
and Releasing Terrapins 21/May/2012.

@poundthegarlic.blogspot.com 2013

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Johor Arts Festival

The kids with their team, Jumping Jellybeans performed again, this time at the Johor Arts Festival.
What a memorable trip it was, travelling with all their friends in a big bus, singing and playing games all the way.
In between rehearsals and performances, the children went on a walking tour, visiting old bakeries, small sundry shops and playing. An unforgettable trip!

 

 @poundthegarlic.blogspot.com 2013

Sg. Lembing, Rainbow Falls

 We love the outdoors. Sg. Lembing, (to us), is really a piece of paradise on earth.  So before I begin, bear in mind, that beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder. (Just saying coz, I once told a friend about the beauty of certain place..and this friend went and later said "There was nothing to see at all."

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So our journey began at 5:45am. Our tour guide was Ah Tak, who is a fantastic, fabulous tour guide! (highly recommended.) (His phone number - 019-9446167)

Since we don't own a 4WD, we hired him to take us in. His truck can take about 12-16 people. The journey in  at a moderate speed, with multiple stops along the way (to take in the breathtaking view), took more than an hour. Ah Tak, our guide, knew just where to stop for photography.

This was followed by an hour plus of trekking. (I know, this duration might be insulting to fast trekkers...but alas, we are not speed trekkers, but rather trekkers who stop to enjoy the beauty along the way.) So here,  a short  (may be long winded) photo post about Sg. Lembing.

Journey In

 As we drove across the dirt road, we saw the beautiful Sg. Lembing meandering peacefully, calmly, way below us. Such serenity.  Most campers along the way were already up, watching the sunrise, for indeed the sunrise there is an awesome sight to behold. Beautiful, and glorious.

The water is so crystal clear, that despite the distance between us and the river, we could see right down to the river bed. Slowly as we journeyed, the sun began rising and the forest came to life.

Trekking

Finally after a rather long bumpy journey, we arrived at trekking point. The trek in is not difficult, with some  slopes, river crossing and clambering over rocks. Just be watchful of roots, and slippery rocks (there are ropes along to way to hang on to.) But then, if you're not a regular hiker, then it's good to stay with the guide.

Several river crossings along the way, so wear suitable sandals, with good grip. Our guide Ah Tak, ensuring  that the children cross safely.

As usual, the children were way faster, and several times, we had to yell for them to come back, as it can get dangerous.

Minor hurdles along the way

Finding the path across rocks just before Rainbow Falls

Arriving at the falls

After passing several smaller, beautiful waterfalls along way, we finally came to a small pool, and beyond it was the Rainbow falls. What attracted me first wasn't the rainbow, but the strikingly green, beautiful moss that grows on rocky walls beside the falls.

The sight before me transported me to a fantasy world. I imagined pterodactyls  flying across the cascading falls, and possibly brachiosaurus and all gentle dinosaurs feeding on the green green trees that grow there.

Behold part of the amazing falls. Unfortunately, my lack of photography skills doesn't portray the beauty of this place enough. (Note* I read elsewhere, the falls is not spectacular in dry season, and only lovely after heavy rainfall. It is a tall fall, and under normal conditions the water comes down as a spray. It is this spray which results in the famous rainbow, but only when the sun is still low.)

We were fortunate that we had the falls to ourselves (usually it can get very very crowded up there, said the guide,) and thus were able to fully soak in and enjoy the beauty of the place. (I can't describe the beauty enough,....but I feel it in my heart. )

The rainbow at the falls comes and goes, depending on the clouds. But to catch it you have to be there before 10am. While watching for the rainbow, at slightly before 10am, the sun hit the falls at a certain angle creating this beautiful rainbow!!! Oooohhhhh!!! went all of us!!! My lil one began imagining mermaids...she dived in and out trying to catch the rainbow.

An interesting thing about this falls is that, if you approach the rainbow, and sit down on a rock beneath the pool right below the falls, you'll actually see the rainbow on the surface of the water, coming all the way towards you, creating a full circular rainbow. So Spectacular!! An amazing experience. I don't own a water camera thus I wasn't able to capture this phenomenon, but it's forever etched in my memory.

After 10am, the rainbow did not occur anymore and we picniked there a little longer, taking dips in the cold refreshing water. Then slowly we trekked back, taking longer this time as our guide showed us the amazing variety of fauna found along the trail.

Below- just a few pictures of insects/fauna we found along the trail. Too bad, my batteries ran out half way through the trail.

** Just outside the forest reserve boundary, we saw extensive logging going on. Sad :( :( 
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Underground Tin Mining

There are other places worth visiting at Sg. Lembing but this trip we only managed the falls, a tin mining museum, and a tunnel at the old mining site. The tunnel has been opened to tourists since January. It usually costs RM30 per adult and RM15 per child. We, however, got in at a very very good discount. Don't ask me how, but we did. (photos taken with good old handphone.)

Entrance to the mining tunnel

They called this a mouse hole...tunnels made to seek out more tin.

Lots of interesting info along the tunnel

Trying out the handcar/pump trolley

ok...this post is getting "photo heavy." So will end the post here. So Sg. Lembing, we will definitely be back! As for the town of Sg. Lembing, it is a really sleepy, small town. I love it. Feels like going back several decades in time.  :)

[for my own records about my stupidity: Back to Rainbow falls, as I approached the falls after a long trek, I was so struck by the beauty of the falls before me, that I totally missed the path towards the falls. Just before the falls, there is a pool of water. To get to the falls, one must trek AROUND the pool. I, however, stupidly trekked right into the pool, all the while, gaping at the stunning beauty before me. At certain point, the water actually went up to chest level, and that wet my pouch and part of my backpack. Thus I had to hold everything (including my camera) up above my shoulders and continued wading through, until I noticed a few tourists who were leaving, laughing at me. I wondered how everyone seemed starked dry, and then it dawned on me, that they had all trekked around the pool, while I, dumb tourist had waded through the pool, bags and camera above my shoulder.)

@poundthegarlic.blogspot.com 2013

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