Happy New Year 2014

Another year passes by and as we usher and welcome the New Year, it is time again for reflections and resolutions.   

What had happened to all my resolutions? No prizes for correct answers here. It is so easy to just gloss over them and like the sand in the hour glass let them slip through your hands.

For me, it would not be a New Year without making resolutions. Offhand I know what they are and will be, with a few additional ones to help me steer onto the right path. (ha! ha! ha!). Why bother making them when no effort is made to fulfill them? One new resolution would be a quarterly review of things or challenges that I should be undertaking.

Fear not, there’s always a new year round the corner for a repeat of those resolutions.

It is not only that, ‘Forget Not.’ …..what you resolve to do!

Happy New Year!

My Blog ... Sad progress

Is my blog experiencing a sad and slow demise? 

I started my blog about 2 years ago, with just the objective of putting down, some of the things that came to me as I go through my daily routines. I had hoped that it will keep me active and alert.

I know very well that I would not be writing much about my personal experiences, knowing full well that there would, not be much to tell. On top of that being a Malaysian of Chinese ethnic, some sentiments are usually kept private. Besides not being well exposed, and not well experienced and  knowledgeable enough of all worldly things is a drawback too. That is why my blog is not specific on its genre, more of a potpourri of all things.

So is that an excuse for its lethargy and early hibernation? I guess not. I hope not. I just have to strive to do better, otherwise it will inevitably be on the path to its slow and uneventful retirement.

Happy Chinese New Year Everyone

What’s in for this Chinese New Year? Honestly, it is a low key celebration this year,planned not to have too many things, partly getting lazier and partly because of my other commitments, therefore less time to indulge.

Having said that, the New Year greeting is late too.

Downloaded a special Chinese New Year app to my iPad mini, I am able to choose some of the  decorative icons/pictures to design my own card.

Happy New Year 2013

Happy New Year

Bye-bye 2012 and welcome 2013. How do I feel? A little sad, as with all goodbyes, saying goodbye to year 2012, makes one feel nostalgic too. Happy to welcome another year. Another year of opportunities to do and be better in all that I do and love to do and that I do not love but have to do. Ha! Ha! Ha! Happy New Year!

CHARLIE.... my new...b....f....

I first met Charlie on 20^th February 2012. I have to admit that I was a little apprehensive about meeting him for real.

How was my first meeting with him? Charlie is charming; however my past experiences did not really prepare me for our first meeting.

He scurried around me and gave me nibbles lovingly. All that I can do was scream or shout his name and try to grab someone for assistance.

I could not help feeling uncomfortable as chills ran down my spine. I feel ashamed that I could fear him so much when all he wanted to do was show his affection.

The next two days provided me an opportunity to get to know Charlie better.

We started our mornings together not dissimilar to that of young babies, for feeding and cleaning times. Charlie always woke up afresh with bundles of energy for playtime.

Alas it was not always to be, as our routines had to be accommodated and Charlie had to settle in to some restrain before we are able to enjoy our time together.

A Happy Lunar New Year

Preparations normally started early, with the cleaning and tidying up the house, and of course the shopping and marketing. I had thought that being retired; I would definitely have more time to do all I want for the Lunar New Year.

I did have more time, and I did take it easier (my husband too), and I did include a few more things that I did not do in previous years, namely baking some cookies and using home prepared ‘rempah’ ingredients for my curries during this festive season.

Another, novelty albeit unfortunate one is I picked up a flu virus and was sick for the Lunar New Year.

So it ended up, a ‘slower,’ toned down New Year. 

My beautiful friend

 

I feel obliged to write about my friend here, who has been with me for a few years now. I did not realize that it was turning into such a beautiful shape till a few days before Chinese New Year. Not wanting to miss out such an opportune timing, I could not help but dress it up a bit. It may not be the most beautiful dragon around this Chinese New Year, but it is definitely good enough for me.

Sorry, my friend for my below average art skills.

I fee

Happy New Year 2012

HAPPY NEW YEAR

 

As we usher in to the new year, it is also a time for reflection on the past year. 

It has been an eventful year 2011 for me, a year of transition, so many happenings. My retirement, starting my blog, being a unit trust consultant and of course the hand-in-hand changes to my everyday routines and lifestyle. The great times I had with friends and people I care about.

I feel blessed and I hope Y2012 is as eventful, fulfilling and enriching.

What do I want for Y2012, doing what I have been doing the past year, and doing it better, and a few new things that I hope will materialize and being more disciplined and hardworking.

Best wishes to everyone for ‘A Very Happy, Healthy and Wonderful Year 2012.’

……and dream on…….

My Supporters and My Blog Blunders

Before ranting about my blunders, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to my friends  and families who have supported and  shared their photos with me.

I have tried to protect personal privacy except for some group photos.
Recently, while working on my Beris Lake Vineyard post, I re-labelled 2 earlier blog posts.

 1. Koh Samui Here We Come
2. A Family Outing to Pulau Aman

My re-labelling these two blogs, inadvertently erased my earlier postings and replaced with my newest post, post title intact though.

Different labels are separated with commas, but I had used this label “Sights, Sounds and Smiles.”

I finally managed to retrieve the ‘cache’ file of the original posting and re-upload the images. The funny and colorful font and format of some words are as taken from the cache file. I do not intend to change them, but keep them as a painful but colourful reminder of my blunder :-D

Still have truck loads to learn…..



Special thanks to Peter whose advice on his blog helped me tremendously.
http://www.bloggertipsandtricks.com/2010/04/recover-accidentally-deleted-post-part.html

Be thankful for the gifts you received

The gifts that I received were beautiful and of course useful for most people, and for me too.

The sad thing about it is that the money spent on it was collected from a group of friends, although the amount of contribution may not be much for some, it is more substantial for others.

I have given some of them to relatives; otherwise I would have to find some easily accessible space to keep them. Easy access would mean that you could make better use of them. I would be lazy to use them if I have to dig and rummage for them through my cabinets.

Could not help reflecting on why someone did not send me a set when I got married,……

ha ha ha…….but then they would not have kept up their aesthetic looks for so very many years………....mind you, would they have looked so good today? :-):-):-)

more special gifts from special friends  for me

In some ways it is like the government spending our taxes on something that does not really benefit……do not get me wrong, I said in some ways only, hope I do not ruffle the wrong feathers.

Having said that, isn’t it the thought that counts.
You know the happiest person, is the person receiving them.

Thank You My Dear Friends.

Roses represent the lovely thoughts from my dear friends. Orange roses, indicate enthusiasm, desire and fascination

How to Protect Yourself when at the Beach or Out Doors

Many women and some men too, cringe when they think of being outdoors under our Malaysian sun.

What can you do to protect yourself if you are for example going to an island for that idyllic seaside holiday?

Ultraviolet (UV)

There are 3 ranges of UV rays, UVA, UVB and UVC.

UVA rays are long-wave, and can penetrate deep into our skin.

UVB rays are medium-wave, and only penetrate the superficial epidermal cells. UVB is the one responsible for delayed tanning and burning.

Short-wavelength UVC is the most damaging type of UV radiation. However, it is completely filtered by the atmosphere and does not reach the earth's surface.

Doctors and experts usually recommend that an SFP30 or higher to get sufficient protection. Full-spectrum/broad-spectrum will do the job for both UVA and UVB.

Check ingredients for : avobenzone, cinoxate, ecamsule, menthylanthranilate,octyl methoxycinnamate, octyl salicylate, oxybenzone, sulisobenzone, or zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.

Use adequate amounts, and apply 30 minutes before going under the sun. Re-apply again at least after 2 hours or less if you are in the water.

Avoid exposing yourself between 10 am and 4 pm. Do not forget the benefits of sunlight, the only natural source of vitamin D, for strong bones and teeth, and for better absorption of calcium.