Another wedding dinner! Woh I will be putting on weight soon !
But it was an interesting night. First of all sat next to Tan Chai Ho. Well he is just as human (pity it wasn't Prince William then my blog will be most different!)M and me were placed at the VIP table cuz the father in law insist M was a low peng yew (old friend). He has always had great respect and love for M . M met him when he first walk the street 30 years ago. Old man strike well with M and one visit to him and M's budget for the month was done!Well He sounds like a Godfather to me. Suddenly strike me to check next time if he has a daughter for M those days? :)
The interesting part is that, his every conversation with M sounds more like a chicken and duck talk. He speaks mandarin and because he is the president of this and this and that(all involving the Chinese community) even his Cantonese is so high flow. M on the other hand is a typical yellow banana and so far I had only see his smiling face as response! That just prove that listening is more important than talking and elderly people only needs a respectful young guy to pay genuine attention to them and you get their heart! Maybe I should pass this trick down to the two sons when they visit their prospective father-in-law. :)
On the serious side, once again it is wonderful to see M receiving such great respect from others.For a 80+ old man to feel that this 50+ young guy need to be put as a VIP and receives his personal attention. Wow that is something.Mind you, this 50+ year old is no politician nor influential in any sense.
By the way this old man karoake well, speaks well and is definitely on top of things. If I ever live up to his age, I do hope I could be just as 'young'
He too had a tai kam cheh (an old lady to oversees the entire wedding to follow all traditions). Seeing her operate makes me wonder how many more of them are still surviving in this trade.They are definitely a dying breed . No young couple will take to them at their wedding nowadays but it was refreshing and interesting to see them perform their duties.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Monday, September 17, 2007
my faith
As I sat in the same hotel room as I did last year at my darkest time, I ponder about myself. I realised that my faith has slowly eroded.
A year ago I was so worried that I will lose my faith cuz I knew we as emotional human's need a faith especially as we go along in life at our lowest.We too need to be grateful o Him for His blessings everyday.
Today I realised I went through my darkest days praying for His presence. To tell the truth I wasn't sure He was there. But then we don't question and I don't intend to.
All I know is that as I go along, every time I think of the events of the last year, the faith fade off a little bit. Unfortunately, so many things continuously return or happen to remind me. His doing or what?
A year ago I was so worried that I will lose my faith cuz I knew we as emotional human's need a faith especially as we go along in life at our lowest.We too need to be grateful o Him for His blessings everyday.
Today I realised I went through my darkest days praying for His presence. To tell the truth I wasn't sure He was there. But then we don't question and I don't intend to.
All I know is that as I go along, every time I think of the events of the last year, the faith fade off a little bit. Unfortunately, so many things continuously return or happen to remind me. His doing or what?
dedicated to my husband
It is funny how I always get into the mood to write when I am driving or away from the computer busy with my hands like ironing. Whenever I get to the computer I can't get away from reading the news both mainstream and otherwise, check my mails and read the blogs, Normally that will bring me to the time to go off the computer to be a mother or wife.!Conclusion, I write more on my mind than on my blog. But today's thoughts were on my mind since Saturday night.
Last Saturday was M's colleague, friend, ex-subordinate and present sub ordinate's daughter's wedding. OK I will explain. HP was with M in his ex company. He was to have retired but M with the agreement of M's boss extended his services. When M had his farewell do in Penang last year he was still with the old company. One year down the line, he was retired off and had since joined M in his present company. HP is a good friend because he has always been our perfect host when we went up to Penang for our holidays. He was also at hand to help when A went up to Penang to work.
So together with the fact that M wanted a break from work and KL, we (me and him) drove up last Saturday for the wedding. As usual, like the perfect host, he got us a room and upgraded us to a suite in the same hotel as the wedding. Side line is, the lot of former colleagues (don't forget also HP's too) were at the same hotel for their meeting. And obviously invited to the wedding too. Another note is that it was in the same hotel that M had his last meeting with them and thus his farewell 14 months ago
Come that night, I witnessed something of my husband that i have only so far heard off only.
He was waited upon and missed thoroughly by his colleagues.Each and everyone of them crowded round him and one can see how much respect, love and care they have for him. At many instances, I was embarrassed as it look as if he was the centre of attention instead of the groom or the father.
They crowded round him the minute he was there. HP bought him a whiskey especially for which of cause was shared by all. His 2 Malay secretaries/ assistant crowded round him till they were pulled away by their own boss. Anew girl insisted on meeting him after hearing so much about him. His boys were drinking with him and hugging him all night long. They teased him, jokes with him, and just enjoyed the night with him. I too got teased quite a lot cuz they know I was totally neglected by him that night and they wanted to know how I will be going home alone. They told me I have to share him with everyone! He was definitely missed and they still accord to him the same respect that they had for him when he was their boss. A colleague commented that he was much missed by his boss and the team. She told me tears were shed again and again last year when he left and by both the girls and guys.
Looking at him that night, a fleeting thought cross my mind. Did I do the right thing by not stopping him when he was deciding to leave? But knowing both of us, we have always agreed to NEVER ponder over past decisions but to look forward . Never to ponder if the past decisions were right but to improve from now on . With that I think we are never unhappy but we treasure every immediate moment that we have in front of us.
Husband dear, I salute you for the person you are and has been with all those that you meet and all that came in your path.
Last Saturday was M's colleague, friend, ex-subordinate and present sub ordinate's daughter's wedding. OK I will explain. HP was with M in his ex company. He was to have retired but M with the agreement of M's boss extended his services. When M had his farewell do in Penang last year he was still with the old company. One year down the line, he was retired off and had since joined M in his present company. HP is a good friend because he has always been our perfect host when we went up to Penang for our holidays. He was also at hand to help when A went up to Penang to work.
So together with the fact that M wanted a break from work and KL, we (me and him) drove up last Saturday for the wedding. As usual, like the perfect host, he got us a room and upgraded us to a suite in the same hotel as the wedding. Side line is, the lot of former colleagues (don't forget also HP's too) were at the same hotel for their meeting. And obviously invited to the wedding too. Another note is that it was in the same hotel that M had his last meeting with them and thus his farewell 14 months ago
Come that night, I witnessed something of my husband that i have only so far heard off only.
He was waited upon and missed thoroughly by his colleagues.Each and everyone of them crowded round him and one can see how much respect, love and care they have for him. At many instances, I was embarrassed as it look as if he was the centre of attention instead of the groom or the father.
They crowded round him the minute he was there. HP bought him a whiskey especially for which of cause was shared by all. His 2 Malay secretaries/ assistant crowded round him till they were pulled away by their own boss. Anew girl insisted on meeting him after hearing so much about him. His boys were drinking with him and hugging him all night long. They teased him, jokes with him, and just enjoyed the night with him. I too got teased quite a lot cuz they know I was totally neglected by him that night and they wanted to know how I will be going home alone. They told me I have to share him with everyone! He was definitely missed and they still accord to him the same respect that they had for him when he was their boss. A colleague commented that he was much missed by his boss and the team. She told me tears were shed again and again last year when he left and by both the girls and guys.
Looking at him that night, a fleeting thought cross my mind. Did I do the right thing by not stopping him when he was deciding to leave? But knowing both of us, we have always agreed to NEVER ponder over past decisions but to look forward . Never to ponder if the past decisions were right but to improve from now on . With that I think we are never unhappy but we treasure every immediate moment that we have in front of us.
Husband dear, I salute you for the person you are and has been with all those that you meet and all that came in your path.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
I ponder
23 years ago as I gave birth to A, I nearly lost my life. My doctor sent my husband home to prepare for my funeral while I lay in coma .As I woke up from my come of 4 hours, I wanted to say thanks to the Lord and from then on I knew I was a christian. While I was in coma, hubby prayed (he accepted Christ way before that but has never preach to me) and dedicated his wife and son to the Lord.That was the simple way I came to the Lord. Time and again I dedicated A to Him.
Way before that, I believe I was meant to returned to the Lord because of 2 incidents that I could remember. One was when I applied to UM. I knew deep down that the only uni I could go to was University Malaya and the only course I wanted was the B Sc with ed. hopefully super fresh. Reason being, I have no one to depend on financially or otherwise. I figure UM is the nearest Uni to home so I could travel everyday and save on hostel( I could never afford it anyway) So it is the only uni. Next teaching because I like it. Super fresh so that my finance will be reduced by 1 year.I was self supporting with my tuition. Sister in law came in later with the fees and other siblings were off and on at their timing nothing committed, nothing steady. All in all my only steady income was my tuition.I did not know what was the Lord and the role of Jesus Christ but I just prayed. He answered my prayer and I give thanks every time for that.
Next, as a young girl, my friend and me went to see a medium before. Supposedly very accurate. anyway we went out of curiosity. She said something(I can't remember what it was ) and I said thanks to her. At that instance, she said to remember her even when I leave the faith and join the Christian faith. So I felt I was to be His in all ways.
Since accepting Christ then, I had not been attending church because of commitments to mother-in-law but I always believe my faith is with Him alone. I give my thanks and my praise and I believe He has been with me all the way through my mothers' illness and death, and as I move along in life.
Today as I stand before my own image and self, I am a very sad Christian.I see a lot of acts commit ed by so called Christians and elders that I felt so let down. At my hours of greatest need of comfort, I felt betrayed. At a time when I feel I want to devote more time to the church (as my children grows up and as I approaches retirement). I lost my total trust in people who speaks in the name of the Lord. I had been played out, lied to, cheated and destroyed financially, and phychologically by so called Christian, senior Christians and elders of church.
I see myself as His stepchild that He has to put aside while He takes care of His own children. I feel towards Him as a stepchild feels towards a step parent. I still love Him and trust Him irregardless of what He does. I do not question Him on his actions and I still hang on to the belief that He has his own reasons for doing what He did. And I still hopes that one day He could brings me in as His very own.
There is a very fine line between having blind faith and leaving it to fate. I wonder which category I falls to. When one trust that there is a reason for every action and when one has give up trying to see a reason, one's reaction is the same. Again I wonder which am I.
Way before that, I believe I was meant to returned to the Lord because of 2 incidents that I could remember. One was when I applied to UM. I knew deep down that the only uni I could go to was University Malaya and the only course I wanted was the B Sc with ed. hopefully super fresh. Reason being, I have no one to depend on financially or otherwise. I figure UM is the nearest Uni to home so I could travel everyday and save on hostel( I could never afford it anyway) So it is the only uni. Next teaching because I like it. Super fresh so that my finance will be reduced by 1 year.I was self supporting with my tuition. Sister in law came in later with the fees and other siblings were off and on at their timing nothing committed, nothing steady. All in all my only steady income was my tuition.I did not know what was the Lord and the role of Jesus Christ but I just prayed. He answered my prayer and I give thanks every time for that.
Next, as a young girl, my friend and me went to see a medium before. Supposedly very accurate. anyway we went out of curiosity. She said something(I can't remember what it was ) and I said thanks to her. At that instance, she said to remember her even when I leave the faith and join the Christian faith. So I felt I was to be His in all ways.
Since accepting Christ then, I had not been attending church because of commitments to mother-in-law but I always believe my faith is with Him alone. I give my thanks and my praise and I believe He has been with me all the way through my mothers' illness and death, and as I move along in life.
Today as I stand before my own image and self, I am a very sad Christian.I see a lot of acts commit ed by so called Christians and elders that I felt so let down. At my hours of greatest need of comfort, I felt betrayed. At a time when I feel I want to devote more time to the church (as my children grows up and as I approaches retirement). I lost my total trust in people who speaks in the name of the Lord. I had been played out, lied to, cheated and destroyed financially, and phychologically by so called Christian, senior Christians and elders of church.
I see myself as His stepchild that He has to put aside while He takes care of His own children. I feel towards Him as a stepchild feels towards a step parent. I still love Him and trust Him irregardless of what He does. I do not question Him on his actions and I still hang on to the belief that He has his own reasons for doing what He did. And I still hopes that one day He could brings me in as His very own.
There is a very fine line between having blind faith and leaving it to fate. I wonder which category I falls to. When one trust that there is a reason for every action and when one has give up trying to see a reason, one's reaction is the same. Again I wonder which am I.
like that also can?
The housing department is definitely efficient and also not efficient.
Efficient because;-
Within a day, the officer in charge of my account got back to me, First call to confirm my number and my enquiry. Half an hour later again to give me the explanation
Inefficient because:-
She explained that in 1988, they made a wrong calculation and charge me RM2 less from then on. That is why from now on I have to pay RM14 more every month till 2013. When asked to give me the calculation, she said that they are not banks and so cannot send me the calculation!
!!!???!!!
Is this acceptable? I wonder if one can sue them!
Efficient because;-
Within a day, the officer in charge of my account got back to me, First call to confirm my number and my enquiry. Half an hour later again to give me the explanation
Inefficient because:-
She explained that in 1988, they made a wrong calculation and charge me RM2 less from then on. That is why from now on I have to pay RM14 more every month till 2013. When asked to give me the calculation, she said that they are not banks and so cannot send me the calculation!
!!!???!!!
Is this acceptable? I wonder if one can sue them!
Monday, September 3, 2007
latest update
well well well . Thank you to the nice lady at 1st floor, epf building Jalan Gasing. EPF money is in hand. So is the gratuity and golden handshake.
What next? 1st of all the pension is not adjusted to the new amount so I can't close the case yet. I wrote in to pension department to remind them. Will give them 3 weeks and hope for the best.
Next, they didn't deduct my housing loan from the gratuity for the first 2 months. So what's the problem since they didn't take away my money? Problem is the amount that they are to deduct from my subsequent pension is more than the usual amount. So I will also need to write to the housing department to ask them why and since I am at that, I should pay up the 2 months' instalments.
Lastly, I need to look into the various ways to invest the money at hand so that it can overcome the inflation rate and last me till my end of time!
By the way number one son went on a holiday cum mission trip to Chiangmai and Chiangrai. Thank God came back safely. Surprise surprise he did a sizable amount of shopping. for a guy who gets made every time you want to buy something for him, that was good. A straw pillow for grandma, a nice shirt( a little bit small though) for daddy, comforter and Indonesia(!) sarong for me, a nice elephant silk tie for E and a scarf and jade necklace for the little girl.
What next? 1st of all the pension is not adjusted to the new amount so I can't close the case yet. I wrote in to pension department to remind them. Will give them 3 weeks and hope for the best.
Next, they didn't deduct my housing loan from the gratuity for the first 2 months. So what's the problem since they didn't take away my money? Problem is the amount that they are to deduct from my subsequent pension is more than the usual amount. So I will also need to write to the housing department to ask them why and since I am at that, I should pay up the 2 months' instalments.
Lastly, I need to look into the various ways to invest the money at hand so that it can overcome the inflation rate and last me till my end of time!
By the way number one son went on a holiday cum mission trip to Chiangmai and Chiangrai. Thank God came back safely. Surprise surprise he did a sizable amount of shopping. for a guy who gets made every time you want to buy something for him, that was good. A straw pillow for grandma, a nice shirt( a little bit small though) for daddy, comforter and Indonesia(!) sarong for me, a nice elephant silk tie for E and a scarf and jade necklace for the little girl.
working again???
2 weeks since the last post. Quite a bit has happened.
Went for an interview with a private school set up by a good and caring friend who is also a soon to be retiring headmistress.The ups- School is nice , small and cosy. Population is very very small and form 4 population next year is expected to be single figure at the beginning as they are just starting upper secondary next year. Headmaster in the secondary section is a nice man, ex-headmaster.Non aggressive, slow and steady guy.I had a long chat with him and he not only interview me, he also has some advice as to how to settle my pension problems with the department. Surprisingly, he also mentioned that he too heard of my case with her and the subsequent transfer to La Salle. Spoke of Raj but doesn't seem to recall her name! Well the world ain't so big.
next spoke to the primary Headmistress cum management of the school, a Singaporean. Very approachable and nice lady. Had a half an hour conversation with her ending with an offer to teach(but not a very attractive salary and told her so) and subsequently to take over the science department.
Unfortunately apart from the salary, the hours are terribly long too. 7.30 to 4 everyday. When I discussed with the family, none were happy about it. Well, the kids were never for me working again in the first place. As for hubby, he felt strongly after the conversation that it is not a good idea.
SO that means the end of that story. I could see the school's point of view. To be teaching only 7 to 8 students, nobody could pay a salary higher than what they offered. Not forgetting they are a profit making organization. But to me it is still a total effort irregardless of the class size and the hours spend is still the same.
Conclusion- it was a good experience but that's it.
Went for an interview with a private school set up by a good and caring friend who is also a soon to be retiring headmistress.The ups- School is nice , small and cosy. Population is very very small and form 4 population next year is expected to be single figure at the beginning as they are just starting upper secondary next year. Headmaster in the secondary section is a nice man, ex-headmaster.Non aggressive, slow and steady guy.I had a long chat with him and he not only interview me, he also has some advice as to how to settle my pension problems with the department. Surprisingly, he also mentioned that he too heard of my case with her and the subsequent transfer to La Salle. Spoke of Raj but doesn't seem to recall her name! Well the world ain't so big.
next spoke to the primary Headmistress cum management of the school, a Singaporean. Very approachable and nice lady. Had a half an hour conversation with her ending with an offer to teach(but not a very attractive salary and told her so) and subsequently to take over the science department.
Unfortunately apart from the salary, the hours are terribly long too. 7.30 to 4 everyday. When I discussed with the family, none were happy about it. Well, the kids were never for me working again in the first place. As for hubby, he felt strongly after the conversation that it is not a good idea.
SO that means the end of that story. I could see the school's point of view. To be teaching only 7 to 8 students, nobody could pay a salary higher than what they offered. Not forgetting they are a profit making organization. But to me it is still a total effort irregardless of the class size and the hours spend is still the same.
Conclusion- it was a good experience but that's it.
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