Home alone 02/06/2012
 
Yesterday my wife flew to London to take care of my daughter who is expected to give birth later this month.  My wife was telling me earlier that in Malaysia a person can check into hospital and received medical attention as soon as the water bag burst.  But in UK one cannot do so as the hospital will not admit the person until later stage of labour.  Now it is winter and nobody can tell how the weather will be like later this month.  So how do a person judge when to go to hospital with snow and ice covering the road making it dangerous for a last minute rush.  Another point is there is no prolong stay in hospital in UK.  One has to go home one day after birth. 

Anyway, my wife will be in UK for almost 6 months.  Looks like a long time, but then time flies nowadays.  A friend in Canada commented that she would not dare to leave her spouse alone for such a long time as there are many widows looking for men.  OMG.


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Actually it should be butterflies in my garden.  Other than birds, which I love their singing but hate their droppings, butterflies too are enjoying my garden.  Well I enjoy chasing after them with my camera. 

At first I just photograph them as a subject.  I did not take much interest in them.  Later when I have more photos that I decided to check out the type and species and found out the great variety and beauty of the butterfly world.
Anyone interested in individual photos can request from me.


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January 23, 2012 01/22/2012
 
Today is the Chinese New Year.  We have been away from home many Chinese new years and it does feel different this time celebrating at home.  Last night, on the eve, was so noisy with the neighbours letting of fire crackers and fire works non-stop.  Could not sleep at all.

I remember during my childhood days we, the children, must not sleep until after midnight and after praying to receive  the new year.  This was for our parents longevity - that's what we were told.  Or maybe to keep us awake to help in our parents' preparation to receive the new year.  My parents belong to the Baba Nonya era.  There were many customs and traditions to follow.

I do not follow any now and as time goes on all customs and beliefs will be forgotten eventually.


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Chinese New Year 01/16/2012
 
The Chinese new year is around the corner - January 23, 2012.  This time the mood is subdue because of the very high cost of foodstuff and other necessary items required by the Chinese for this important celebration.  Many people will have to forego the traditional "must have" this time.  We are not stocking up on anything  although this year we are staying home to celebrate the Chinese new year. 

My wife will be leaving for London on February 6, 2012.  My daughter, who is working in London, is expecting to give birth later in February.  In view of limited time we decided not to go to Jakarta now but later this year.

Gong Xi Fa Chai.


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Happy New Year 12/27/2011
 
 
New year new resolution.  There is nothing much I can think of. Life just goes on as usual, growing older every year while my grandchildren grow up.  As I always believe health is wealth, so keep staying healthy.


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I'm so lazy 12/20/2011
 
After my sixty third birthday two months ago I seem to be moving at a slower pace.  I am also getting to be more lazy.  My social networking has become almost non existence as I'm lazy to write and reply my contacts.

To update my blogs needs great effort.  To keep myself healthy I have to force myself to do my routine exercises and no excuses to do it the next day.  Sometimes I give up half way.  Nobody has ever heard of being to lazy to eat, but that's how I feel sometimes.  I told my wife a number of times not to cook dinner as I'm too lazy to eat - just bread and butter will do. 

I'm always full of energy but nowadays I like to sit and read and do nothing.  Maybe I'm losing interest in all the routine work I'm doing and I need a break.  Yes, a break will be good for me.




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Greetings 12/17/2011
 
Merry Christmas to all.
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Reading 12/01/2011
 
The more you read the more knowledge you gain.

This is my believe.  I love to read.  Not only books, there are operating manual/handbook, maintenance instructions, travel news and guide, etc.  I am self-taught in photography, reading and learning from the experts' published works - books and the net. 

There are people who are lazy or just do not want to read.  Maybe they think they are too smart.  Maybe they are too confident.  Or maybe they have a good Uni education  and do not see any need to improve further.  There is no end to learning especially when technology, etc. are developing  and progressing in leaps and bounds.  What you know today might not be good enough in weeks or months time.

My brother-in-law has a good habit of checking out the places we intent to visit.  He will read everything he can get hold of so that he can plan our visit to the various places of interest. 

Read and be more knowledgeable.


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OMG it has been raining day and night for more than 2 weeks and there seems to be no end to it.  Sometimes the thunder storm can be very frightenning.  Nothing much can be done - no washing as no where to hang clothes to dry, no gardening as it rains the whole morning.  Well at least we have a house to keep us dry, but not the birds.  I've seen them in the rain.
These birds are trying to get shelter from this palm leaf.  Even the house fly has to sit in the rain.
Picture
No where to hide.  This bird is just waiting for the rain to stop.
Nothing here in Penang can compare to what the people of Thailand is going through now.  Some of them really have no where to go.


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This trip to Chiang Mai really gives us a lot of worries.  Booking for this trip was done many months ago.  Earlier we do not think much of Thailand's weather as we in Malaysia are used to the hot and wet condition.  After August and then September when Thailand seem to be hit by storm /typhoon with no end to the rain and flood, we wanted to cancel our trip. 

Anyway we decided to go ahead with it after we got assurance from the guest house operator in Chiang Mai not to worry as Chiang Mai is alright.  We knew we made the right decision when we touch down on Chiang Mai's airport.  The bright sunny day is a big welcome to us.  The only regret is that we packed the wrong type of clothing - more on warm clothes as we read from the internet weather report that it can be cold due to the rain.  We carry along our raincoat as well.

We had a great time in Chiang Mai.  The weather is lovely, the food is good and the scenery is great.  Overall it is a clean place although we had a tough time finding garbage/rubbish bin.  We followed the people by leaving our used drinking cups, food boxes, etc. by the road side around the lamp posts.  The good point is there are no stray dogs or cats to rummage the rubbish.  But still it is inconvenient to carry your rubbish as you walk along

I would like to mention that the thai people make it a point to learn some survival english.  They cannot speak the language but can get their ideas across with simple basic words.  There are many European settling down in Chiang Mai and english speaking tourists and there are no communication problem.


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