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.

2009 it will be..........

Sigh... Sigh..... The holidays are finally over. I had a week break for an overseas trip and attended a wedding reception in Sarikei. It's tiring no doubt, but it's a good break from the routine of work. Now, it's back to work for me and school for Ruth (next week). Ruth is also feeling the same "blues" as she had to brace herself for another year of assignments, projects and exams. She will be sitting for her PMR examinations in October 2009. But, the hardest part, will be, to be able to wake up at 5.30am from Monday to Friday for school. She had been attending afternoon classes for the past two years, snoozing late, so it will take some time to adjust to the new routine.

We had a low keyed Christmas celebration this year, as we were all tired after our trip, so it was just a rest day at home. It will be another rest day on New Year holiday except for some shopping for Ruth's school stuff. In a matter of hours, we will be bidding adieus to 2008 and ushering in 2009. Sounds exciting isn't it? We'll see.

What about new year resolutions? I must admit that I gave up making them years ago. At least, no guilt feelings if I don't make it huh! Instead, just live each day at a time and learn to count my blessings. But, er, a sneak preview into how's 2009 is going to be like will be kinda fun, too.

Another milestone....

Ruth had an early birthday celebration yesterday. Her actual fourteenth birthday falls on 15.12.2008 but we celebrated it earlier as hubby's home. We really had a low keyed one this year with family only. I ordered some side dishes from the restaurant and a cake. With tough times ahead, we felt the need to exercise prudence and not indulge in unneccessary extravangance. Our only guest was Ruth's cousin, who happened to visit Bintulu on his way for a conference at Universiti Malaysia Sabah.


Ruth is trying real hard to complete all the assignments handed down by her teacher before school starts in January 2009. Heard her complaining day in and out on the "tons" of homework. During my lower secondary years, there were very few assessment or workbooks available in the market, so we just had to complete all the assignments handed down by our teachers. We do not even had the opportunity to practise more exercises even if we wanted to. What a difference!

Christmas celebrations is just around the corner. Been hearing snatches of christmas carols and songs in the supermarket and shopping malls. Our church is organising some carolling and home visitations. Look forward to share this joyous occasion with family and friends.

Time capsule....

Time really flies. In less than a months' time, we will be bidding adieus to 2008 and ushering in 2009. A time for recollection and reminiscence. A roller coaster of emotions, filled with personal and defining moments. That's life. Yesterday's events becomes today's history.

Ruth is really busy with her blogging. I must admit that she's more computer savvy than me. She loves to explore, download and use the softwares to improve the quality of her blogsite. So much so, that I had to remind her daily to complete her assignment and homework before school starts next year. Ah teenagers!

We attended my bridesmaid wedding banquet in Sibu last Saturday evening. It was a long wait, some 16 years, before she tied the knot. The happy couple invited around 200 guests, relatives and friends. It was like a walk down memory lane for me and hubby. Looks like we will be attending another 2 more wedding banquets before the end of the year.

As for holiday plans, hubby is still looking into it. Ruth had been pestering her dad for a break and hopefully, he will surprise us with something exciting! Let's see.

Tough times ahead....

Hard times are upon us. For the past months, I had been in regular contact with my cousin in Australia. She had been residing there for about 20 years and holds a job with the New South Wales government. With the current economic turmoil and financial crisis grappling almost all the countries in the world, Australia is not spared. She lamented that she lived in fear of losing her job and means of income. The NSW government is slashing jobs and downsizing left and right. Since the onset of the crisis, staff recruitment were put on hold and she had to handle double the job. She's so loaded that each morning when she saw the piles of work on her tray, she's already tired even before starting the day. It sound really depressing.

Back home, the harsh reality is sinking in fast. Even though the government reduced fuel prices several times during the last few months, the prices of most consumerables and essential items remains on the uptrend. Almost everyday, I hears sighs left and right that times are worsening. Hence, it is not surprising that we are sinking into the economic crisis, then the financial crisis and finally the employment crisis. There seems to be more doom and gloom along the way. Sigh...sigh.....