StellaClaire's Blog

Another Beautiful Soul

noreply@blogger.com (StellaClaire-Richard) — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 10:53:00 +0000

Another beautiful soul has gone forever.

She was very warm, sweet, generous and super multitalented woman. I have known her through blogging too. I still remember she generously sent me vegetable seeds and flower seeds via mail because we shared the same interest in gardening. She lived somewhere in KL, while I am here in KK. Although I have never meet her in person, her generosity touched my heart. And her multitalents in baking, painting, sewing, gardening and blogging always inspired me.

Now I have lost two fellow blogger friends (if you have read my previous post, you'll noticed). It was really a sad situation, but we all know, God loves them more. I am sure they are in a good place now.

Dear Cath, you must be in a good hand now. I know you must be resting in God's house. Thank you for the good memories. I will always remember your generosity and how talented you are. You were one of friend that I always searching for inspiration. You are the definition of strong woman and never give up. You'll be missed forever. Rest in peace.

I am Vaccinated

noreply@blogger.com (StellaClaire-Richard) — Mon, 30 Aug 2021 08:20:00 +0000

I have completed Covid-19 vaccination.

The 1st dose was on 30 July 2021. To be honest, during the process of injection, I didn't feel anything. It was a fast process. And thank God, there was no side effect. I can feel my arm a bit sore at the part of where the injection took place (only for 1 day), other than that overall was ok.

The vaccination took place at KDCA, Penampang. I must say I was lucky because the process was very smooth. Only few people queuing up during the vaccination process. Even though the vaccination includes up with those who were also taking the 2nd dose. My only concern was, if there were too many people queuing up, chances of the Covid-19 virus to spread out might be high. Praise to God , everything was fine.

While the 2nd dose was taken on 20 August 2021. I have been experiencing a side effect from the 2nd dose though. I felt painful on my joints and the whole body felt tired. I have to lie on the bed the whole day. Thanks to my husband willing to take care of the kids. The side effect lasted for a day only. Thank God. The next day I able to do daily activities as usual.

Towards herd immunity. I have done my part. Have you done yours?

Beautiful Soul

noreply@blogger.com (StellaClaire-Richard) — Fri, 27 Aug 2021 08:23:00 +0000

Did I mentioned in my last post that I have lost friends and relatives this year?..

It was devastating a friend that've I known for years has gone forever. She was our fellow blogger too. During the years when we all, the circle of blogger friends actively updating our blogs. I still remember that this friend was so close. She was a cheerful person. We met in person few times, regularly chit-chats through FBs and Whatsapp. You can't tell she's sick. When in fact actually she was battling with cancer.

She never tell anyone that she is sick or even her sickness become worse. She always happy and cheerfully type of person. She was strong like that and always stay positive. It was very very sad that she leaves us without saying good bye. It was really fast. I cried. Really really heartbreaking. In addition, this pandemic season, you cannot simply come and visit to pay last respect. What a sad situation.

Beautiful soul. That's how I remember her.

Dear Just,

I know you are resting well now up there. Thank you for the beautiful memories. I am glad that we had become friends and to know you is a blessing. A beautiful soul, strongest and positive women I've ever known.

The Year 2021

noreply@blogger.com (StellaClaire-Richard) — Thu, 26 Aug 2021 06:07:00 +0000

It has been 3 years. I haven't up any entries in this blog. There were so much things happened throughout these 3 years.

This year itself, I received so much devastated news. Lost few friends and relatives. The year where we were fighting with the pandemic Covid-19. In fact, the pandemic started last year somewhere in January to February (in Malaysia) and the government have to enforced lockdown to the whole nation in March 2020. Many of the citizens lost their jobs. The small business also affected, some of the businesses were closed down. School also closed down. Many of us have to work from home. Kids learn through online class.

Many also lost their life because of the Covid-19. Just two days ago, I received news from my sister in-law that our aunty who lives in Kepayan has died from Covid-19. She suffered from kidney failure and runs dialysis regularly. Getting worse after infected with Covid. And passed away at quarantine centre.

Life is so fragile. When i see the numbers of those who loss due Covid-19. In a blink of eyes. Today you are here with friends and family, tomorrow gone without saying good bye. It is depressing just the thought of this.

Therefore please treasure the relationship you have with your family. Spend more time with them. Especially during this pandemic era, please follow the SOPs strictly. Take care of yourself and your family, always practice hygiene and stay at home if there is no urgent things to do outside. And most importantly, please get vaccinated. It's free. One of our effort to fight the deathly illness. If you are not doing it for yourself, do it for your loved ones. They deserve it.

Kiki The Cat

noreply@blogger.com (StellaClaire-Richard) — Mon, 09 Jul 2018 09:21:00 +0000

We adopted a cat on May 2018. And my son gave a name, Kiki. I have been thinking to adopt a cat for my son as a pet since last year. But we cannot do that as we were living in an apartment and pet is not allowed. I posted a status on my facebook about adopting a cat. A yoga class friend approached me with her kittens by sending me photos of her kittens and i was really interested with Kiki's color. So i decided to bought Kiki from her. Sylvia said she will send to me this kitten when he reached 2 months old, because by this age he would wean from her mother. He was well trained to pee and poo in a litter box so it was easy for me. Because this is my first time adopting a cat. And i know nothing about a cat. So every now and then i will update Kiki's condition with her and will ask things like food, grooming, vaccination etc.

My son was the one who is really excited and always play with Kiki whenever he is at home especially when he came back from school.

Now that it is almost 2 months Kiki staying with us, the home feels alive with the existence of this cat in our house. Kiki is only a kitten but because of his breed was a mixed of Maine Coon and Persian, his size is quite big for his age.

Kiki is very active and playful. He got big eyes and soft orange color fur. His behavior is like a hunter because every things that are moving, he will slowly make a move to catch that moving thing. It was funny and all these characteristic seems new for me. And now i am thinking to adopt another cat haha..

Moved to a new house

noreply@blogger.com (StellaClaire-Richard) — Fri, 25 May 2018 02:27:00 +0000

Most importantly, a very good news to us. We have been living in an apartment for almost 10 years. And I'm dying to move to a landed house. Living in an apartment on the highest floor without elevator. I am sick of climbing up those stairs every day. And of course especially to our special boy. He gets bored and likes to move around. So when he came back from school every day he would cry and will seek for attention. It is better for him to move freely and play outside like cycling or something like that to channel out his energy because he is one active boy. Now that we are already moved to a new house, I am so grateful. New place, new environment, and our son is much happier now.

Well, i have to end this post here now. Will continue later. I have to cook for lunch before picking up my boy.. See ya!

Welcome 2018

noreply@blogger.com (StellaClaire-Richard) — Wed, 23 May 2018 03:42:00 +0000

oh wow...

I just browsed my blog again and i noticed that i have not posted any entries since year 2016. And now we are moving to the midst of 2018. Two years plus, that was a long period of time i have been hibernating from blogging.

Lately, i have been thinking of blogging again and today is the day i open this blog. Honestly, i am really missing the day when i blog actively. See if i can continue this journey of blogging again. I think i got a lot of stories to share. A lot of stories playing in my mind right now.

But i must end this entry here right now. Going to fetch up my boy at school. See ya! catch up with you later.

Kokol Farmstay

noreply@blogger.com (StellaClaire-Richard) — Fri, 17 Jun 2016 02:24:00 +0000

On the 5th June 2016 which is Sunday, we, the three of us (hubby, Gabriel and I) went for a short trip to Kampung Kokol. We've been there before but this year would be our first time to visit there.

The place is just like Kundasang with the cool breeze weather. Because the location is up at hills which is at a higher ground, you can see the outstanding view from up there. The Kota Kinabalu city view and the sea as well really amazing and so peaceful. Added with cool breeze, it makes you calm and peace at heart, far from the crowd and congestion in the city. I'll always amazed with this creation of God when I reached here. As if i want to be here every weekend, just sit quietly facing the view with my book and maybe updating my blog.

Few years ago, we had been to Kokol Haven Resort and Kasih Sayang Resort at Kampung Kokol. This time around, we tried out the Kokol Farmstay also located at Kampung Kokol. These three accomodations are situated not far from each other, thus you'll not loss or misguided to somewhere.

The Kokol Farmstay rate is around RM120-Rm180 per night. It's a 2 storey homestay with cafe and bbq facilities and meeting room as well. We've never been staying here, perhaps someday not just a day trip. Could bring other family members as well to stay here.

So, let photos do the talking.

That is all for now. Thank you for stopping by here. See you again in my next post. Till then have a great weekend. Oh ya, to those who haven't been to this place, perhaps this weekend would be nice for a day trip.

God bless!

Autism Awareness - Part 2

noreply@blogger.com (StellaClaire-Richard) — Thu, 16 Jun 2016 01:18:00 +0000

As i mentioned in previous post, this entry would be the part where we joined the 7km Autism Fun Run which was organized by Hospital Mesra Bukit Padang and Rojak Runners. The fun run took place at Hospital Mesra Bukit Padang on 24th April 2016.

The run started at 6.30pm. We were very excited for the run. We got finisher medals, each of us including our beloved boy who is only 4 years old.

It was really a memorable run as it was the first medal for our son Gabriel and for me too. Daddy is a runner and a swimmer since he was in primary school. I hope Gabriel will follow daddy's footstep.

We had fun and of course will join another fun run in the future.

Here are some of our photo collections:-

Gabriel and daddy..

Gabriel is very excited to run along in the crowd..

All blue.. Support Autism Run!

At KM1. We managed to stop by for a picture.

Meet few friends in the run..So happy!

Another friend.. :)

At the finishing line.Yeay! We made it!

Thank you for stopping by here in my post.
See you again in my next post.
Till then have a great day!

Autism Awareness Month - Part 1

noreply@blogger.com (StellaClaire-Richard) — Thu, 19 May 2016 02:14:00 +0000

Last month which is April 2016, was the month of Autism Awareness. Hubby and I decided to join some event that related to this Autism thingy to show our support.

We joined the Walk for Autism on 2nd April 2016 and 7km Autism Fun Run on 24th April 2016.

The Walk for Autism was held at Perdana Park Tanjung Aru. This was our first time event. We haven't join any event like this before. So we brought Gabriel together in this event, our one and only son. I was amazed that he had fun while walking together with the crowd. No tantrum or cranky. Just being himself, a happy-go-lucky boy. We're so blessed to have a son like him, because he is so special to us.

The route was from Perdana Park and up to Plaza Tanjung Aru, to the Balai Polis Tanjung Aru, up to SM La salle School and SM Stella Maris Tanjung Aru, Dewan La Salle and walk again all the way until we reach at Perdana Park again.

We are so proud with our lil boy. He could walk all the way until the finishing line without asking for a carry to his daddy. He even ran towards the finishing line. The walk took about 1 hour long and it was about 3km route (i wasn't really sure how long the route cause they didn't mention it while we registered ).

So here are some of the photos captured during the event.

Gabriel is so excited ! :)

I stumbled upon a long lost friend, Adelene. She was my ex-classmate during primary school somewhere in 1988-1993.

Just right before the walk, wefie together! :)

Our Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Hj Aman launching the event.

Like Daddy Like Son.. :)

Just right after the walk. So thirsty.. :)

Gabriel meet his teacher here. Teacher Billy..

All blue.. The blue spirit.. Thumbs up to all the participants.

A memorable photo at the finishing line.. All wet with sweat.. :)

Thank you for reading this post. I'll continue with the Part 2 post soon. The part where we joined the 7km Autism Fun Run at Bukit Padang.

Till then, have a great week ahead. GOD BLESS!

Banana Oat Cookies

noreply@blogger.com (StellaClaire-Richard) — Fri, 05 Feb 2016 02:59:00 +0000

Hi all,

Yesterday i felt like want to bake something. Yes, my baking mood is here again. So i come across this super easy recipe. Super easy and yet a healthy snack. You only need 2 ingredients to make this. No flour, no sugar and no butter.

Banana Oat Cookies Recipe:-

2 Banana

1 Medium Bowl of Oatmeal

Direction:

Mix the bananas with oatmeal until fully combined. Spoon to a tray with a small round shape (the shape depends on you, i like round shape cause it easy to make).

Bake at 180 degree celcius for 15 - 20 minutes.

Super easy, right? And taste good too.

So, give a try. :)

I Once Fall But Rise Up Again (Part 2)

noreply@blogger.com (StellaClaire-Richard) — Fri, 05 Feb 2016 02:31:00 +0000

Hi how are you all today?.. It's Friday and the Chinese New Year celebration is just around the corner. Wishing all to the Chinese celebrating Chinese New Year, Gong Xi Fa Cai. I'm sure most of you are in holiday mood especially those who celebrating will do some shopping for the festive season. Shopping for new Cheongsams, Mandarin Oranges, CNY decos and so on, am i right?.. :)

We are so lucky here in Malaysia with the diversity of races, there are a lot of public holiday and festivals to be celebrated in a year. I love Christmas Day not only because it's an obligation as a Christian, but because of the surroundings and family gatherings, Hari Raya Aidilfitri i love the food especially at Bazaar Ramadan, Chinese New Year with its Angpows, Mandarin Oranges and its traditional cakes. We are so blessed in Malaysia, right? :)

Well, to continue my story from the previous post. Most of friends were asking me, what happened actually?.. What's the cause?..

So, to clarify those questions. It was actually, i mean I can say that it's all in God's hand. God controls everything. I have come to the fact that, maybe this is a plan that God has granted us to remind us about something in life. To teach me and my husband about something in life that we haven't discover before. This was our 1st experience although i have experienced miscarriage in my 8 weeks of pregnancy in 2008. It was my first pregnancy. Which we named the baby, Andrea.

Baby Gloria, which we named our beautiful princess was born sleeping last year. It was at my 25 weeks of pregnancy.

We were just arrived in Ranau on Monday, 25 May 2015, after spending the weekend in KK. We had been doing a lot of travelling from Ranau to KK this time around because most of our things to settled are in KK. I was very tired with the travelling but I let my mouth shut. Because hubby was too busy with his work and at the same time he was too busy too to find a gas cylinder at that time. There was no shop selling gas cylinders unless you want to change with another empty one. To the fact that we just moved to Ranau, we have to get a new one. It was a hard time for us to find a gas cylinder, so we decided to find in KK instead.

And on Wednesday, 27 May 2015, as i woke up early in the morning, I felt empty. I did not feel the baby is moving. She just like stagnant there. I told hubby and he said maybe she's sleeping. But deep inside my heart, there is something wrong because i felt so empty as if i don't connected with this baby. I don't feel the bond anymore. Feels like i am not pregnant anymore.

On the next day, i still did not feel the baby kicking and i decided to go to clinic for an ultrasound scan. Unfortunately, hubby was not in nearby town, he went outstation far from our rental house. So, we went for ultrasound on the next day.

The doctor broke the sad news, there's no heartbeat. He repeated, there's no heartbeat anymore. I don't believe it at first. The doctor said, placenta is still intact and the baby looks find in the ultrasound scan but the heartbeat just stopped. I was like, my world has turn dark. Feels like my heart stop beating. I burst to tears the moment i went out from the doctor's room and i still remember hubby gave his shoulder to me to lean on, to cry on like a little girl.

As we back to our rental house, hubby packed things right away as he said let me stay in the car with Gabriel, and he'll do the packing. We decided to drive back to KK right away to meet my gynae, Dr Ramesh at JMC. I went out from the car and entered the house cause hubby is taking too long for packing, and for the first time ever i saw hubby stand still there and shed tears, i hugged him from behind and we cry together. :(

I delivered safely on 4th June 2015. She was so beautiful and cute. Gloria Isabel R. Makulim, so precious and yet God loves her more. You will be always remembered my dear baby Gloria. Mummy and Daddy will always remember you, love you and praying for you and your big sister, Andrea. Don't forget to pray for Mummy, Daddy and your brother Gabriel too okay. Please tell Lord Jesus to take care of us and may one fine day we will meet again. :)

I Once Fall But Rise Up Again (Part 1)

noreply@blogger.com (StellaClaire-Richard) — Wed, 03 Feb 2016 02:21:00 +0000

Hi all,

This would my first post in 2016. So many things happened lately that i haven’t update here for so long since October last year. I went silent to keep myself some space and to reflect all the things that happened in my life. I am grateful that God has granted me strength to face that difficult moments. And to my husband who always been there through my dark time, and to my little boy, Gabriel. He is the pillar of my life.

I was deep in sorrow. We have lost a baby girl in June 4th 2015. My life has been upside down since then. I questioned God over and over again, the universe, the surrounding, why this had to happened to me? Why me?.. The questions remain unanswered until the very end of the year 2015 in which i climbed up again after i fell down to the lowest point of my life. I shut all things including social medias, I refused to communicate with anyone, i shed tears for 3 days, weeks and months. Until at some point, postpartum depression attacked me.

In the meantime, we were so busy to move to Ranau. My husband has been sent to work station in Ranau, so Gabriel and I followed him. So, there in Ranau I remain silent, trying to calm myself, praying everyday so that God granted me huge strength to face the coming days.

The year 2015 was the toughest year for us. We've been through couple of sadness moments and a little out of track in our financial.

However, above all that, Prayer is the most powerful thing to do. I can see that God is working in my life, in our life. That God never leaves me, He walks with me and teaches me about the strength that once hidden in me. It reveals like never before and to remind me there are 2 Angels up there watching over me, my husband and Gabriel.

Gabriel 2nd day at school

noreply@blogger.com (StellaClaire-Richard) — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 14:28:00 +0000

Gabriel second day at school was a way better. I gave him a bottle of milk and his daddy bring him to pee at school's toilet before sending him to class. The fact that he was very excited to enter the class, makes me very happy. I bet every parent will feel the same.

Thank God he was finally slowly getting use to go to school. He was excited with a lot of friends and of course there are toys in the class too. I was standing next to the door and when he arrived at his class, he straightly went into the class and played the toys.

Gabriel with red neck shirt was really focus playing with the toy

He was really focus with the toys. He didn't care with mummy anymore

I am definitely happy with the progress and hoping he'll learn more exciting things in class everyday. Prayer for my little boy may God bless him abundantly.

Gabriel 1st Day at School

noreply@blogger.com (StellaClaire-Richard) — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 02:31:00 +0000

On last Monday, 1st September 2015 was the 1st day our Gabriel went to kindergarten at Tadika Kasih Bonda St Benedict, Ranau. He was afraid at first, trying to find us while we sneak on him from the school's office. He was crying but not for so long.

I was crying, my heart was breaking to see he's crying but i was firm to let he learn about it. I know he is a strong boy. Sooner or later he will learn to be independent and growing up to a brave boy. Gabriel is a very special boy for us. Though he is delay in his speech but i have faith in God that one day he will become a very talkative boy and i know for sure that God had His own plan to our beloved boy.

The Sister trying to comforts Gabriel during breakfast time. He doesn't want to eat. Maybe because this is his first time and not used to it. After few attempts, Gabriel managed to calm down and ate his breakfast. Good job Sister! :)

I stayed at the school's canteen the whole day to see his progress at school. The thing that worrying me the most is that how would he tell the teachers when he wants to pee. I had potty train him for 4 weeks now and he is doing very find. Because i am his mother and staying with him at home for 24 hours, i know how and when exactly he wants to pee or poo. He would stand in front of me or pull my hand trying to let me know something and that is his way to tell me that he wants to pee.

And this is very new to him when at class. But i hope teacher will cope with this and Gabriel too. I prayed for the best and may Gabriel learns a new thing everyday.

Silky Smooth Hair

noreply@blogger.com (StellaClaire-Richard) — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 02:59:00 +0000

I need to use conditioner when i wash my hair. The fact that my hair was once colored many months ago, conditioner is a must otherwise my hair will gone frizzy and hard to comb.

So, i asked hubby to buy for me a conditioner. He bought me this Pantene Silky Smooth Conditioner and i was eager to try it.

Pantene Silky Smooth Conditioner 500ml at RM11.70 bought from Watson. Thanks hubby for buying me this. :)

Yes, i could feel my hair smooth and silky, and really like it. I am satisfied with the outcome.

I have read in an article that hair treatment is a must too. Because i am bound with taking care of my son and very seldom to go out for saloon, a hair conditioner will do for now. :)

So what's your hair care routine?.. Please share, i like to know. :)

A Fruitful Habit

noreply@blogger.com (StellaClaire-Richard) — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 03:13:00 +0000

Because hubby got this habit which is, he's not into using coins and prefer to use notes when buying things.

He'll keep the coins inside his trouser's pocket and later he'll put the coins in an old used can after he arrived home.

Until last Friday we decided to count all those coins.

And as we count it the total is RM505. Minus the old coins.

We got plenty of old coins and we decided to keep them. Who knows in the future the old coins could be worth thousands of RM, LOL.

A Rare Act Of Kindness

noreply@blogger.com (StellaClaire-Richard) — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 09:28:00 +0000

At a time when some refuse to take care of their own parents, one man took care of a stranger of a different race in his own home for 10 years.Office boy R. Rajagopal, 52, bumped into Low Saw Piow, 67, in Jalan Pudu in 2004. Rajagopal recognized the frail old man who used to work for a building contractor doing a project near the bank where he worked.

“I used to see him laying telephone cables near my office, but we only said “hello” to each other and nothing more. When I saw him in Jalan Pudu, he told me he had not eaten a good meal for days and was living off cucumbers disposed of in the market. He told me that he was retired and lost all his Employees Provident Fund contributions to a conman while trying to buy a house. He had no money and the landlord had thrown him out, so he was living on the streets. I bought him lunch and brought him home,” he said.

Rajagopal lives with his wife and daughter in a three bedroom apartment in Cheras. He let Low stay in one of the bedrooms. Rajagopal has seen his own share of hardship. He lost sight in his right eye after an accident in 1997. But Rajagopal remains positive and says life must go on.

“All Low needed was a place to live and food to eat. If I do not cook, there is a restaurant nearby where I have arranged for him to eat whenever he wants. I settle the bill on a monthly basis. There are also many generous people who know his story and offer to pay for his food and give him money when they see him. Every Chinese New Year, there is also one man who will buy new clothes and give Low an ang pow. Low gets very happy when people give him money, even if it is just RM10, because to him it is a big amount. He uses the money to buy food and occasionally go for a movie, but lately he spends most of his time at home ,” Rajagopal says.

Low’s application for welfare aid was finally approved by the Federal Territory Kuala Lumpur State Social Welfare Department in 2012 and he started receiving RM300 every month. However, it was slashed to RM80 in March without notice.

"When I called the Welfare Department to enquire, the officer who declined to be named told me to tell Low to take it or leave it,” Rajagopal said. When Low fell ill late last month, Rajagopal and a friend rushed him to the hospital.

“The hospital staff were all puzzled seeing an Indian bring in a Chinese man and asked a lot of questions. I told them that I was his guardian and they proceeded with the treatment. He was diagnosed with dengue and passed away on June 29. The hospital refused to release his body to me and I had to contact his sister who lives in Klang to claim it. His sister and younger brother arrived and handed his remains to us. I was told by his family members that he was rebellious and left home at a very young age. He was traced by his sister some years ago to settle the matter of a house that was willed to the siblings. The case was still in court and the sister gave him money from time to time."

Rajagopal and his friends arranged for a funeral service and cremated Low the next day.

“I messaged the people who had helped Low to inform them about his passing and some came forward to contribute for the funeral expenses. We attracted a lot of attention at the crematorium because it isn’t usual to see four Hindus and a Punjabi cremating a Chinese man, assisted by a Buddhist monk. Many people asked me why I did this and I just tell them that he needed a home. But it was easy as he was also going senile. I am not rich but I realise that there are many generous people among us. Every time Low needed something, there were always people who would volunteer to chip in,” he said.

While clearing Low’s room, Rajagopal stumbled upon diaries he kept about the sorrows in his life. “I learnt that he had a hard life. He died in his sleep and I take it as a good death. But I still think he was gone too soon. However, I am glad that I did the best I could for the last 10 years of his life,” he said.

Source: thestar.com.my

Stella says:

A true story that really touches my heart.

Bazaar Ramadhan at Pekan Ranau

noreply@blogger.com (StellaClaire-Richard) — Sat, 11 Jul 2015 00:59:00 +0000

Hari Raya Aidilfitri is just around the corner. I guess many of you have planning for 'balik kampung' and even bought new apparel for the celebration, right?

So i would like to take this opportunity to wish Selamat Hari Raya to all Muslims around the world. Please be safe on your journey back to your hometown and eat in moderation, ok.. :)

Well, we were at Bazaar Ramadhan yesterday. Hunting food for dinner as the fasting season will ends in couple of days. I seldom going to the Bazaar stalls along this fasting season and yesterday i thought this was a great opportunity to walk around the stall before the fasting season is ended.

I always love to go for food hunting at Bazaar Ramadhan stalls because apart from a plenty of food, you can see a lot people here with varieties of background and races too. Malaysia is really well known by its' multiracial communities.

So, let us look at these photos i took yesterday:-

The surrounding of Bazaar Ramadhan at Pekan Ranau

This is my hubby's favorite part. Because it's the one and only stall selling Murtabak. Every year hubby will hunt for Murtabak.

And luckily this one and only Murtabak stall selling good Murtabak. People are queuing to buy Murtabak as early as 5pm because the Murtabaks are selling very fast.

Hubby is buying green bean porridge which is my favorite dessert. :)

This BBQ honey chicken wings are selling very fast too

Murtabak, Honey Chicken Wings, Fried Noodles and Green Bean Porridge from The Bazaar Ramadhan. Enough for dinner of the day. :)

The Green Bean Porridge was added with sweet potatoes (purple yam). I haven't encountered such recipe before, and the taste wasn't bad. I'm going to try make this on my own in the future.

At last, I found you

noreply@blogger.com (StellaClaire-Richard) — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 02:44:00 +0000

Yes, at last i found my fav raya cookies, the ulat bulu.

If you happened to read my previous post, you would know it.

I found this at Bazaar Ramadhan in Pekan Ranau on last Saturday and it is RM30 per jar.

And without me knowing, hubby actually ordered these from his colleague and just received them yesterday.

I asked him why don't just say it during last Saturday. If i knew it earlier about he actually already ordered the ulat bulu from his colleague, i won't buy the ulat bulu from Bazaar Ramadhan. And he answered," biarlah bah.. " with a smile.

So sweet of you hubby. Maybe he wants to throw a surprise to me. I do appreciate this little thing he did for me. Love you so much hubby, the best thing ever i had in my life.

Oh Raya Cookies!

noreply@blogger.com (StellaClaire-Richard) — Fri, 03 Jul 2015 08:14:00 +0000

I've been buying few type of raya cookies lately. Especially the ever famous Makmur cookies. Since these days are the Ramadan month which is the fasting season for the Muslims in preparation for Hari Raya, cookies and bazaar Ramadan are everywhere now.

To be honest i really like to shop and walking around at bazaar Ramadhan because of the various of food that have been selling there. It is favorite season ever eventhough i'm not a Muslim, but the fact that Malaysia is a multiracial country, we are blessed given such experience to getting to know each other races and religion.

And for this year, i didn't go to bazaar Ramadan that often. I am more to cookies hunting. My favorite cookies are the Makmur and Ulat Bulu. Unfortunately, i did not found Ulat Bulu cookies here in Ranau. Actually i found one small shop that was selling it but i think it was too pricey so i didn't buy it. I hope i could find another reasonable price when we're back to KK next week.

So, let's have a look the cookies that i've bought so far. :)

Almond Chocolate Chip. One of my fav but the chocolates not up to my tastebud.. But overall it was ok.

Makmur Daun. My first time having this cookies. It was really nice and i like this cookies except the sugar that supposed to coat the cookies are very few.

Makmur. This one quite dry but we ( hubby and I) managed to finished all of them though. :p

Makmur. From another baker. My favorite so far. So delicious and i can't stop munching this. Can you believe i bought 5 containers of this? LOL

Can't get enough of this. I think i have gained weight now.

Kurma Gulung cookies. The taste is ok and nice but i was disappointed with the amount of Kurma filling. The Kurma is so small and some of it I can't even taste it.

A Makmur cookie with peanuts filling. This one also is one of my favorite. The peanut is crunchy and i love it!

Now you must've been noticed that we (hubby and i) had bought several type of Makmur. Because we share the same favorite cookies and hubby like to try new type of Makmur. End up we finished eating all of them, all by ourselves. :p

Oh my! I think we consumed a lot of calories nowadays from all those cookies. But it's ok because what matters the most are, we're happy and get to spend quality time together while eating our fav cookies. ;)

Flashback Friday : Natural History Museum London

noreply@blogger.com (StellaClaire-Richard) — Fri, 26 Jun 2015 08:07:00 +0000

Today, i just have a feeling to bring back those memories while we ( hubby and my son ) were in London last year. It was exactly a year ago in the month of June.

It really brings back the fond memories while browsing those photos. There are few attraction places in London that we had been to.

One of them is the Natural History Museum in London. I was excited with this museum because you can see a lot of dinosaurs exhibition here, the fossils and re-modelling skeletons and the stories about this ancient creature as well.

It was my very first time ever to witness the fossils and skeletons before my eyes of various type of dinosaurs from around the world which are kept safely in this museum. I don't think we have this in Malaysia. I have always watch dinosaurs in movies and on tv, and this experience was really priceless and speechless.

Because when you look at those skeletons before your very own eyes, then you'll know how enormous these creatures are. And it was an amazing experience to learn about dinosaurs and how awesome is that when human could discover such ancient thing with all those details that you can't never think of.

Now let's see some photos:-

A complete Pliosaur skeletons believed to lived around 187-178 million years ago discovered by Mary Anning from Yorkshire.

A giant sloth skeletons.

Albertosaurus which its locality from Canada believed to lived around 74-75 million years ago.

A T-rex's head. Look how huge it is and that's only the head alone.

Various type of dinosaur skeletons are kept here complete with their details.

Upon you enter the main entrance there's a huge and long skeletons of a dinosaur located at the center of the ground floor. I forgot which type of dinosaur though. As i walked into the building, i was amazed to see that skeleton. It was really exciting.

The museum was really huge too and we can't even managed to walk around the whole building in a day cause we had to catch another nearest attraction place.

I hope we'll get another chance to visit here again someday.

Won't Be the Same Anymore

noreply@blogger.com (StellaClaire-Richard) — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 03:47:00 +0000

On our way home from Ranau to Kota Kinabalu last week, we get to see the latest view of our one and only the Majestic Mount Kinabalu.

I was saddened by the current view of our Mount Kinabalu which we used to be proud of. Ever since the 5th June earthquake incident followed by the aftershock tremors, the mountain appearance now has changed.

These were the pics i took on last Thursday on our way to KK. To be frank, i was really sad to see these. Our Mount Kinabalu now won't be the same anymore after the 5th June incident.

Most of the side of the mountain now bare without trees that used to cover it. They were pulled off by the landslide after the heavy rain and affected by the tremors as well. Boulders that fell from the top of the mountain playing their roles as well to contribute such view. I hope our Mount Kinabalu would recover soon but with the tremors that are still on going now, it is difficult to say.

And good news to the climber enthusias, new trails would be created soon. In fact, all the mountain guides now starting to do their part to create new trails because the previous trails has been damaged by the boulders.

But we must aware unless it is officially safe for the climbers then it may be opened for the public. I think it would be risky now cause we can't predict the tremors, right? All in the hands of God. Amen.

So closed yet so far. It looks huge from this part of road. Eventhough with such effect of landslides, it is still amazing. Honestly, i'm still amaze with this God creation. I'm so proud and grateful to be born in Sabah.

You still could see the landslide marks from this far. Not really a nice view anymore but it reminds us of what a natural disaster could do to the surroundings and this would always be in the mind of people in Sabah. Indeed it was a tragic event that took 18 lives without warnings and any hints.

Please pray for the safety of people in Sabah. God bless Sabah. God bless Malaysia.

4.3 Scale of Tremor

noreply@blogger.com (StellaClaire-Richard) — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 10:00:00 +0000

It was 5.33pm yesterday when i was lying on the bed to have a rest and suddenly i saw the ceiling moving and later i felt the whole house was moving too.

I thought i was dizzy and tired. But hubby suddenly stressed out " gempa bumi, gempa bumi..! " oh my, it was scary moment because i thought the tremors would last long. It was like 3-5 seconds, i can't recalled but it was quite that long.

And later i found out that the tremor was in 4.3 scale. Posted in Meteorology page on Facebook that it was 4.3 scale of tremor. Most of friends in KK, Tanjung Aru and Putatan also felt the tremors.

This was the 2nd tremor i have experienced after the first one in 5th June 2015. I didn't encountered any of those aftershock tremors though it was stated nearly 90 aftershocks ever since the first one.

Let us pray for the safety of our people in Sabah. Pray for Sabah, Pray for Ranau.

Inspiration of the Day

noreply@blogger.com (StellaClaire-Richard) — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 08:04:00 +0000