REMINISCENCE

The Australian Experience

2012-12-17T16:20:00.001-08:00

Apocalypse 21.12.2012

2012-11-15T02:18:00.001-08:00

The Doomsday prediction has not gone viral and raked in 83 million hits of Psy's Gangnam style fame. But it certainly is on everybody's lips and millions of minds today.

People are scared with great foreboding as to what may transpire, come 21.12.2012.
The people of the world today are preoccupied with this one single thought instilled in their mind as they try to go about their daily lives.
7 billion people in the world today... living in fear that would be 'no tomorrow' after 25th Dec 2012.

The chain of causation started with the archaelogical dig at the Mayan site years ago.
An ancient Maya text from the jungles of Guatemala confirmed the 'end date' as Dec 21.2012.Carved on stone the inscription was found at the ruins of La Corona in the dense rainforest by a team of archaelogist led by Canuto and Tomas Barrientos of the Universidead del Valle de Guatemala in 1912. The Mayan civilisation began around B.C.2000.

The Empire rose and fell to the Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century. They could not foretell their own collapse and control their own destiny and yet could turn in their grave to tell us the world is going to end? 4000 years after they have been swallowed by the dense jungle? To suddenly rise up and become the prophets of Doom to the modern man?

But the people in Guatemala, the epic centre, debunks this apocalyptic prophecy as hocus pocus and say the doomsayers prediction as myth and far fetched imagination.Why...the resorts and and hotels are even fully booked ahead of the fateful date.

The prophecy has inspired authors and film makers who capitalise on this frenzy and created blockbusters like 2012..
In reality the stone inscriptions merely recounts and marks the end of a cycle. So be rest assured it is just the end of the Maya Calender and not the end of the world as we see it.So no need for super Arks, Rockets or even time machines?

That's the Mayan Story. Now what about the prediction of the Rocket Scientists of NASA? They say there will be total darkness from 23-35 Dec 2012 during the alignment of the universe. It means the Sun and the Earth will align for the first time in thousands of years.
The earth will shift from the current 3rd dimension to zero dimension, then shift to the forth dimension. What does this mean?
During this transition, the entire universe will face a big change, and we will see an entire brand new world ie if we survive the carnage and devastation. And emerge as Brave new people in a Brand new world.

During these 3 days of blackout and darkness, stay calm, hug each other, sleep,be spiritual, pray and pray.Some may die of fear and panic.

So be prepared.Be happy and ask God for providence everyday.Avoid travelling during December ...until the 'storm' blows over.
Satellites will fail to transmit signals from space, telecommunication of all sorts will breakdown, electricity will fail, hospitals and medic aid will come to a standstill. There will be complete silence.

However many are skeptical and dismiss them as nonsense and a figment of the imagination.While some do not want to talk about it for fear of creating pandemonium.

We do not know what will happen on D-Day but certainly it is wise and worthwhile listening to USA's NASA warning to the world.

There are others too who debunk the NASA Theory as 'pseudo-scientific' nonsense, who asserted that the 'alignment' is probably the passing of the Sun as seen from E across tyhe approximate center of our Galaxy on Dec 21.2012 ie the Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. The galactic center is some 28,000 light years away(165,000 trillion miles) away. So its a non-cosmic event and much ado over nothing! So there you are....hypothesis, suppositions and 'unfounded fears'. Hmmm..

Penang's own little star

2012-11-09T00:31:00.001-08:00

She was born on a starlit night some years ago. In a tropical Island up North. The British Empire called it 'The pearl of the Orient.' Today it is 'Penang'.

An idyllic isle of beautiful scenic surroundings, swaying palm trees, golden beaches and steeped in history. The British called it home for 181 years.The founder lies serenely in the midst of the city that he so loved, lived and died...Sir Francis Light.

A sanctuary for blossoming romance and heartbreaks too.Many stories abound about tragic love affairs.Oh well that's another story to be told.

Her young days were full of bliss and happiness surrounded by doting parents and love by all those who knew her. 4th in the family of 6 siblings. The family was happy with doting parents. Father was a successful merchant. Mother was a beauty who resembled the tragic actress Lin Dai. who killed herself in sorrow.
But alas as fate would have it father was snatched away by the jaws of death when he was diagnosed with prostrate cancer. The family was devastated and fell into despair and despondency. But with great fortitude and determination mother bounced back to normality....came to terms with his death and moved on. She had to because there were so many mouths to feed. Children at the time ranging from 12 to 3 years old. She was just 32. A widow at so tender an age had to find ways and means to put food on the table. She went about it with great determination. She sold Laksa and Goreng Pisang with her children in tow.
She was only 5. when her father died.
She grew up pretty and became the darling of the neighbourhood......envied by the SYTs of her era and desired by men of all ages. An unspoilt beauty on the island tropical paradise. The island was a tourist attraction as well. (To be continued)

enforced hiatus

2012-11-05T02:38:00.001-08:00

I have been on self enforced hiatus for almost a year now.I wanted to write but word failed me. Many issues intervened and came in the way I guess. Like Family,daily living, health among others.But these are normal events of life and at my age it should not be any excuse at all.So write I must and I will.
I will not write on politics although I am inclined to do so because every man on the street is affected by what is going on.To plead innocence and ignorance of what is happening is to tell a blatant lie. To be nonchalant and apolitical about it all is the greatest sin of all.

kalamunda W.Australia

2012-10-16T22:23:00.000-07:00

Touring the Kalamunda History Village was like taking a step into history. The village started in the 1860s when the white settlers were brought in by the Timber Industry.Ex-soldiers of the Great War 1914-1918 were repatriated to boost the population.Between the wars Kalamunda was famed as a resort area and guest houses were built. Many of the dwelling houses, school, offices and shops have since stopped operating. Now it is a museum for visitors to see, admire and ponder how life existed in the years gone by. It's worth a visit, I tell you. Things were left as it was years ago. Being there was like being whisked into a time machine, back to the past, to 1900.

Taman Botany Kepong

2012-10-14T19:11:00.004-07:00

Signboards

2012-10-12T17:30:00.001-07:00

Signboards. They lead or mislead. Some are funny, cheeky and scândalous.While others are downright disgusting. Many confuse and confound too.
But I do get pissed off by confusing road signs if you know what I am saying. Especially when one is in a moving car, a split second decision is vital, right or wrong.You know what I am saying?
Road accidents are frequently attributed to ambiguous road signs. As opposed to the common belief of mechanical fault of the vehicle, foul weather and badly designed roads.
But hey they do make the world go round. Don't they? LOL

Perth Journey

2012-10-11T19:02:00.005-07:00

Photo from YShan's album

Tai Chi at the break of dawn.

perthj 27.9.2012

2012-10-11T09:16:00.001-07:00

jandakot

2012-10-11T05:36:00.004-07:00

Jandakot W.Australia

2012-10-09T22:07:00.000-07:00

King's Park.Perth War Memorial erected in 1929

2012-10-08T07:48:00.001-07:00

"To whom the bell tolls".....

As part of the British Empire, they fought and died in many conflicts spanning 220 years.The campaigns and names of honour are enshrined in gold in cenotaphs for posterity.

It was a sentimental visit. Made even more meaningful and poignant when listening to an elderly war veteran who has been through it all.

2012-10-08T03:35:00.001-07:00

ACS Primary Teluk Anson

2012-09-26T05:54:00.001-07:00

The school where I grew up.Playing 'police and thieves' and 'catch me if you can'. During class recess.Then later panting, sweating and dripping wet in class. Got the Teacher raving mad.He went ballistic. Pulled us by the ear, knuckled us on the head, stinging whack on our palms, whipped us on the buttocks. Back home later to a sequel or repeat of the same by mother. For news travelled fast especially when it comes to kids who misbehaved in school.
Parents was always in cohort with teachers to keep us in check. 'Spare the rod and spoil the child' was the byword of both mother and teacher.The teachers were given a full reign over us.But hey we have them to thank for making us the way we are today.
No. not by any means, wealthy or famous.
But it has certainly fortified us in body and in mind in the challenges from adolescence to adulthood.

Post war government house

2012-09-26T05:53:00.001-07:00

A typical government officer house during BMA(British military Administration) from1945. A bungalow for a clerk, dispenser, nurse, and other administrative officers.
In those days not many studied in English schools and it was tough.Those who had about 7 years of schooling were already considered qualified for job opportunities. They were quickly snapped up government offices, estates and private companys like Sime Darby, Boustead, Harrisons and Crossfield,Paterson and simons etc. I remember all them were attired in white and full suits for higher ranking officers.
The doctors and matrons stayed in even bigger bungalows with a compound, gated all well maintained.Reason being that in those days Matrons, doctors were mostly if not all British. The Planters had even bigger bungalows, all fenced up with sentrys as well.Many are still around and well maintained. Go to any Oil Palm plantation and you will find these buildings. They were formerly rubber estates and since the last twenty years have been replanted with oil palm because of its luycrative commercial value.
I stayed in one (see picture) for 2 years with my Uncle who was a dispenser in the Teluk Anson hospital.
My brother was an Estate manager and single handedly replanted rubber with oil palm.His bungalow was immense complete with own generator for electricity, water tank, victorian bathtubs, servants, sentry, a Range rover, a compound of fruit trees and flowers.How about that huh?

Shogun Restaurant 1Utama

2012-09-25T22:16:00.003-07:00

Those were the days........

2012-09-24T05:32:00.002-07:00

Prewar buildings in Perak

2012-09-22T06:26:00.000-07:00

We are coming home to Teluk Anson (Teluk Intan) the land of our birth and childhood escapades for a reunion with classmates of old. Yes Siree that old...1960-1963 of Anglo Chinese School. We, Kua Eng Siong and Edwin Chong are in Poon Juay Cheow's limo. Taking the coastal old dirt road because we wanted to enjoy the countryside and maybe stop for a bite or two at one of the old restaurants en route.

The perak river at high tide.

Taman Botany kepong

2012-09-21T18:17:00.001-07:00

FGA Selayang 2012- Bible Overview III

2012-09-21T07:32:00.001-07:00

Three quarters of the year 2012 has come and gone. Deadline for completion of Bible overview III is Nov. Are we ahead, behind, or right on schedule?
Syllabus includes memorisation of verses on topics like 6 verses to a topic, covering the new testament, project papers and oral presentation of 20 minutes per person.
For memorisation We have for done faith,1)theWord,
2)Salvation 3)Prayer 4)Repentence 5)Fear of God 6)Forgiveness
7)Health 8)Protection 9)Fellowship 10)Worship by 21.10.2012

The next 3 titles of 11)Temptation, 12)Warfare 13)Giving will be completed by end of November.
Then begins the memorisation of 100 verses for those who are ready and desire to do it.
I will see if I can do it when the time comes. I have the passion for it and will not be challenging myself."If you abide in me and my words abide in you, you shall ask what you will and it shall be given unto you."John15:7
Meanwhile all were supposed to present a paper of 20 minutes from the New testament or relevant topics.
A written paper also has to be submitted by November as well.So Bible overview III will be over and done with before Christmas.I have done Hosea.
Will be updating this as we go along.

Generation Y

2012-09-18T08:41:00.001-07:00

A quick check with Google reveals they were those born after the 80s. Also called the millennials, the global or the net generation.To simplify matters I call them the now generation.
Born in an era of unprecedented technological advancement, where even brain activity and heart beat can be dictated by advanced and State of the Art electronics. It is therefore pertinent to say that their mindset, temperament and daily living is subject and influenced by these factors.
It is a generation of intelligent and 'spoilt-brats' really.Sans malice, it is a word of endearment. They have so many good things going for them.Virtually the whole world at their feet, at their beck and call. A rapidly growing workforce with great ambition, high expectations, ideals and demands.Would never take No for an answer.
Their voice, needs, aspirations cannot be simply ignored or denied.They demand to be heard unconditionally and often immediately.They set their terms.
They are computer savvy, achievement oriented, multitaskers, risk takers and committed to any cause they set out to do.
The world is a small place and the sky is the limit to them.Everything thrown to them is a challenge and achievable. They are impatient, undaunted and do not settle for second best.Life for them is on the Formula 1 lane. Give no quarter and accept none.Always spearing ahead of the pack and no looking back.
I tried to engage my son in a conversation one day. You know what?? Before I could complete my first sentence, He interrupted."I know. I know what you are going to say or to trying to say, Pa. Period" See what I mean? That fast their brains tick. That's the Generation Y for you, dude. *smile*
Despite all these intimidating traits they still have the caring attitude after all. If not they would be come humanoids or androids tomorrow. You know what I am saying?
The older generation, mine ie the babyboomer and silent generation have been shoved aside unceremoniously like a huge tidal wave by these yuppies. So what is left for us to do.Oldies?
But to sit, stare and ponder what's next on their minds and hope we live long enough to witness how they are going to move and shake the world? *Hmm *

John LIm Yoke Fooi

2012-09-17T07:19:00.002-07:00

Lim Yoke Fooi was born in a shanty part of Kuala Lumpur 3 score and 17 years ago. But he insisted, "Although chronologically I am 77 years old I consider myself 78. You see, biologically I was almost already a year old as I was conceived in my mother's womb for 9 months."
A 3 month old foetus is considered a human because it has brain activity and a heartbeat.I couldn't agree with him more.

" My formative years from a child to a teenager were spent in a Chinese temple near home. I came from a large poverty stricken family.Those were wretched years when my parents had to work to the bone to put food on the table for us.

I hand many siblings. My parents had to 'give' me away. Not that they love me less. But at least they knew that I would never go hungry. Although in their hearts they cried in anguish at the thought of me being ill treated.

But I did not grow up hating them.They had no choice and had to do what they did. Against all odds and contrary to their fear I was treated very well.
The priests spoilt me. I grew up in a place surrounded by statues of dietys and demons. Shrouded in thick smoke and the acrid smell of josstick and incense. The daily incessant deafening ring of small bells. The monotonous chanting mantras of many monks.
But I have gotten so used to it that it became my lullabye. A young mischevious life spent playing 'catch me if you can' running around the concrete dragon pillars and slipping, falling on the mosaic floor. Bruised but none the worst for it. Only sore thing was the cane on my back administered by the temple keeper.

They didn't spare the cane, to keep me out of mischief and out of harm's way. I loved them as they have bathed, fed and cared for me all those intervening years. Playing and praying as they recited the mantra every day. I would be tapping and keeping time by knocking a small stick on a polished red colored kernal of a nut. Like a small boy selling the Tock Tock mee ahead of his master.

Yes I was in touch with my biological parents occassionally but soon it became apparent there was a barrier between us. You see. I spoke cantonese and they hokkien. The long stay in the sanctuary has taken its toll and I had inadvertently lost my clanish tongue!"

Soon he went back to live with his parents to obey and rekindle a family relationship. To start school. To start life anew. He went to school in St. John. An intelligent. smart Alec was he but a little rascal borne out of many naughty escapades.

So being naughty and playful from the temple days he did not concentrate and his studies faltered. St.John was a Christian no nonsense School ran by the La Salle brothers who were strict disciplinirians.
All pupils had to learn the bible,sing hyms. recite prayers in the chapel and do all things Godly. All done and obeyed if not the pain of punishment was detention class and the stinging cane!
So like it or not all must be seen to be studious,,,,,, or else. So when he got so many red marks, he was seething mad and blamed God for his failure.
For he was as diligent as could be. Like keeping a bible. picture of Christ, a Rosary.reciting the lord's prayer and answering the Rev Father's beck and call without fail.
"But my anger was forgotten soon after.I was offered to teach tuition to a neighbor's 2 children for RM15.00 a month.Yipee! that was a princely sum for a teenage student at that point in time.

I was so happy as I had enough to supplement my other fees and other goodies that I normally could not afford. My parents could hardly afford my school fees at $2.50 a month on their meager income.
So it really was a God send for me in those days.

Life was quiet, mundane and slow moving, almost at a crawl. No entertainment like what we have today. No TV,radio, mobile phones. No money for cinemas, for the jukebox either, no telephone booth even at that time.
Communication was limited to letters, word of mouth and person to person.Slow, awkward and cumbersome to get anything done at all.
Socially, I did mix with the Convent school girls of my age across the road as they were our sister school. But the relationship was cordial, formal,polite, somewhat aloof and distant.
World of difference of how things are today. When things happen like lightning speed. It hits you even before you know it.

I had no love for the Christian religion then although it was a Catholic school." But it did not really matter because it made no difference to me, Godly or not.
Maybe too young and naive to understand and feel the impact of God. It did not make any difference,God or no God."

War came(1941-1945) Malaya, my country fell to the Japanese. They ruled with an iron fist for 3 + 1/2 years.They slaughtered and committed untold atrocities on the Chinese people and devastated the land. Their reign of terror ravaged the country and people.

"We survived on topioca and sweet potatoes during those horrific years of the occupation.The Chinese suffered the most.We were persecuted and slaughtered as a sequel to the Nanking Massacre of 1937. The atrocities committed by them have made us the survivors hate them.Even up to this day we cry out for their blood
For I tell you, there is not a single Chinese family who dare come forward and say he/she has not got a family or relative slain by the Japanese. The Japanese hated the Chinese that much.I still shake my head and cannot figure out why,

A debt in blood still has not been paid. I do not remember they even said sorry for what they have done 70 years ago!(to be continued)

Durians

2012-09-13T23:35:00.000-07:00

To Asians, The Durian is the King of Fruits. To the West it is the dreaded.Most of them if not all are scared of it like the plague and keep their distance like their plaque.
When Prince William and Catherine were given to taste them I wondered how they managed with a straight face.Durians smell awful but tastes heavenly, so sayeth all asians.Like the Hongky Chou Tau foo.
19th century journalist American Bayard Taylor wrote,"To eat it seems to be the sacrifice of self respect."Rightly so because one even today can see many squatting by the road side,young and old, tearing with bare hands and gobbling, licking ravenously and throwing eating etiquette to the wind.
French Naturalist Henri Mouhot said,"On first tasting it I thought it like the flesh of some animal in a state of putrefaction."
Somerset Maughm said it was like savouring Rasberry while squatting on a bucket lavatory.Stamford Raffles hated durians.He said the fruit was nauseating it gave him a headache.

Longevity

2012-09-13T16:24:00.001-07:00

In the Bible 3000 years BC. There is a story of longevity...of people who lived for hundreds of years. Book of Genesis says that Methuselah lived 969 years,Jared 962,Noah 950,Adam 930,Seth 912,Kenan 910, Enosh 905,Mahahalel 895 and Lamech at 777.
Later on Abraham 175, Isaac 180, Jacob 130,Joseph at 110 and Moses at 120.
The good book says they were perfect people but because of their subsequent imperfection, God shortened the lifespan to 120 years.
Then He lowered it further to our current of 70 to 80 years because of the increasing wickedness of mankind.

(Genesis 6:3) The Lord said,"My spirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal; his days will be120 years."
(Psalm 90:10)"The length of our days is 70 years or 80, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow,for they quickly pass, and we fly away."

In China, according to legend Li Qing Yun lived from 1677-1933(265 years) through 9 Emperors in the Qing Dynasty.he kept a strict diet and maintained a healthy lifestyle. Spiritually pious as well.His formula for longevity was" keep a quiet heart, sit like a tortoise, walk sprightly like a pigeon and sleep like a dog."
Currently there are also cases around the world that people have lived above a 100.
Our Malaysian freedom fighter Mohd Kilau died at aged 150. Recently Malaysia's oldest man Pak Man died at 117. He had healthy habits, ate fresh food and never smoked.
Others who have passed the 100 mark were Russian Magomed Labazanov at 122 (Sept 2012) George Burns and others. I will update as I get more information about these centenarians.
Dan Buettner researched the science of longevity and examined the lifestyles and habits of certain groups of people who lived long lives.
He found out that the Okinawans,Sardinians, Costa Ricans and Californian Adventists lived long rich, happy and healthy lives of well over 100 years.
They eat a vegetable based diet. plenty of legumes and greens as mentioned in the Bible.(Daniel)
Apart from all these disciplines, one also must live a healthy life with family, friends. A sense of belonging and encouraging, helping each other in our daily lives.

Teluk Anson kacang putih seller

2012-09-13T04:41:00.001-07:00

They don't sell it like they did in the good ole days! 'Sigh' Do you know that they fried the nuts in sizzling hot fine sand.Yes you heard me right!
There was a vendor outside the old Capitol Cinema theatre along Immigrant road. It was 10 cents a packet about a handful. In a paper cup. Hot, crunchy as you pop them in and munch them.Along with abit of the fine sand too.
My house was walking distance away by 5 minutes so I hang around with friends on weekends. Usually stood near the doorway to the cinema with the pitiful look for someone to take us in for a free show. Usually it worked. But the ushers saw through our ruse and many a time stopped us from going near. We did not bother what was screening so long we got in.
Oh yeah, my Aunty's house also rented out space for bicycles for movies goers.At 10 cents per evening the space could accommodate about 30 bicycles.So my evenings were busy looking after and tagging them for the owners. Business was brisk.
Back then bicycles was the most popular form of transport for almost anybody. Owning a motorbike was a luxury that few could afford and usually would be the talk of the town if seen about town in one. Cars were even fewer. So cycling and walking was the norm.
Infact those with bicycles would prefer to push them along and chit chat with friends or family all the way home after the show.
While some would still be hanging around as the night was still young to catch up with the latest gossip or about a new girl in town.