Gong Xi Fatt Chai!

Gong Xi Fatt Chai! May the year of the earth ox usher in happiness, health and wealth to all.

This year we decided not to prepare and cook the reunion dinner. Instead, we catered some dishes from the nearby restaurant. In the previous years, we cooked a tad too many dishes and we could only finish them after two days. Plus, there was plenty of waste and even our cat, Angel was not interested in the leftovers. It was a right move. We managed to polish off most of the dishes and the leftovers were thoroughly enjoyed by Angel and the neighbour's cats.

With the current economic crises, we felt the need to tighten our belts and purchased only the neccessary. Hubby did not even get himself a new shirt but Ruth and I got a new outfit each. When I was shopping in the supermarket for some candies, savouries and soft drinks, I noticed that the varieties of goodies displayed were much less compared to the previous years and alot more expensive. Hard times are really upon us. There were job cuts in almost every sector in of the economy. Hopefully, the government could came up with more innovative ideas and actions to stimulate the economy.

Thus far......

Hai, I am back. The last two weeks had been busy ones, adjusting to Ruth's new school routine and scheduling her tuition classes. In the middle of it, I fell sick with flu, sore throat and a hacking cough. I have recovered from the flu and sore throat, but the nagging cough is still there. Hopefully, I will make a full recovery soon.

Ruth is busy with her studies, as she will be facing her PMR this year. I reminded her to start her revision early, so that she will be well prepared when the exams draws near.

In about a weeks' time, we will be ushering in the year of the "earth" ox. As usual, it's the spring cleaning, getting rid of unwanted clutter, buying some new outfits and ordering of cookies and cakes. It's also the last minute rush to get savouries, candies, soft drinks, etc. etc. Hubby will be back this coming Friday and mum will also be flying in from Sibu. John, sister-in-law and Jane will be spending their lunar new year in Bali. Sister-in-law wanted to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the celebrations and work, so they decided that the resort island is ideal for their vacation.

We will be spending our new year in Bintulu, relaxing, welcoming guests and visiting friends. Happy New Year!

Ups & downs

School started today. Ruth insists that we arrive early to secure a good seat in her new classroom. So, when the alarm sounded at 5.15am this morning, we were rubbing sleep from our eyes and staggering to the dining room for breakfast. After a changing into her uniform, we left home just before six. When we arrived at school, most of her classmates were already there and but she managed to secure a good seat under the ceiling fan. I heard that some of the students were in school before 5.30am!

It will take a while for her to adjust to the routine of morning school as she had been attending afternoon classes for the last two years. She will have to brace herself for another year of assignments, projects, tuitions and examinations. That's the "glamour" of student life, ha! ha!

Studies aside, I was reeling from shock to hear that a very close family friend just had a mastectomy. For the past week, she complained of pain and a lump in her breast. She had a check up at the specialist and after the biospy, it was diagnosed as a highly probable case of breast cancer. When her husband informed me of the news, I was stunned. It hit me real hard, reminding me that cancer does not pick and choose, neither does it limit itself to statistics. A grim reminder of how fragile life can be. I can only beseech the Almighty God to heal and have mercy upon her.