What Now, Choc Cow?


I am so depressed I do not know how to feel. Theresa, as usual, has been the gem of a wife and tried to be a pillar of support. She tried to assure me God cares. All I could think of is, yeah right. For the past, what, 2 years now, I have done little except asking God to provide strength and purpose. I asked for little else. So much so that it took Sunday sermons for me to ask God for more. My mistake. Those speakers were donkeys. God cares? Maybe. He sure has a weird way of showing it though. 2 hours before Sharyl called, Alex Lim, a good friend who is still in Malaysia, called. He said he simply wanted to see how I was doing. We prayed over the phone. I felt good after that. For 2 hours. I still feel like it was a damned sick joke on God’s part. I am now in that part of hell I was in almost 2 years ago, when ANZ called. 2 valleys in 2 years. Troughs in between. Damned deep and filthy ones. God cares? I hate to see what happens when he stops caring.

“So, I commend the enjoyment of life.” (From the Bible – really. Eccl 8:15)

As Willie Would Say: To All The Friends I Loved Before


I used to have a group of friends and ex-colleagues who emailed me stuff. We basically exchange rubbish, with not much to say but exchanging emails for the sake of keeping in touch, mainly. In my case, I enjoyed it.

Recently however, these have stopped. Maybe I have written stuff in this blog which they have nothing to respond to. Maybe it was because they suggested some of the stuff I had written about was not so good for them or others like them, and I had not taken heed. Maybe I have just drifted away in terms of thought process and values. Maybe they have just been busy. Maybe it is just natural that after a while, the novelty wears off, or the efforts to stay in touch become too much. I know. I have been so guilty of it myself.

To all my mates who found themselves in the above category, I wish you all the best and you would remain in my life, but I need to find and assert my own spot in life.

“So, I commend the enjoyment of life.” (From the Bible – really. Eccl 8:15)

Strange Effects of Power


The man standing to the cleric’s right is Moshe Katsav. He is the Israeli equivalent of the Malaysian Agong. Well, sort of. He’s just been charged (in a way) for impropriety a la Clinton (Bill, not Hillary). The allegations of these (sexual) improprieties have begun a few months ago, and investigations had taken place, leading to the decision to charge him.

I guess there is something about power which tends to make people think they can get away with … er… anything.

Like the Malaysian Attorney General (Gani Patail), Menachem Mazuz is also relatively new to the job. He became Israel’s AG just a little over 3 years ago. He has decided to charge Moshe, saying there is enough evidence to do so.

The name Altantuya Shaariibuu doesnt roll off the tongue easily. Well, it didnt use to. Malaysian journalists however, will no doubt be used to the double a’s, i’s and u’s in her name by now. There is also the bad joke making the rounds in Kuala Lumpur, about C-4 explosives. Google either the poor lady’s name or “C4” and invariably, the response to one would include references to the other. A response would also mention the Special Action Squad of the Malaysian Police,

trained to escort and protect VIPs at home and abroad. They are also called upon to assist in anti-crime and anti-narcotics operations from time to time … will be called upon by the CID and Narcotics departments when hardcore, heavily armed criminals, are involved, thus raising the stakes in the case,” (see source)

A few days ago, a letter to Malaysiakini suggested that insinuations that the Malaysian Defence Minister (and Deputy Prime Minister – guy in suit shaking hand) was implicated in the murder, should stop. The writer, who normally makes me nod my head in agreement, is either being naive or attempting to simply provide a countervailing voice of some sort. Kiddo would have trouble joining the dots. That is because she is only 12, and has left Malaysia more than 2 years ago. Most other Malaysians would have no trouble doing so, especially seeing that the very likely raison d’etre of the crime wasnt passion of the flesh, it was good old fashion greed.

I am a Manchester United fan. Have been for donkey’s ears. Travelled the world to see them play. That is not the reason I dislike Chelsea (my apologies to a friend who now lives in the UK, not to be nearer Chelsea but like me, is tired of Malaysia and its ways). I dislike Chelski because of its links to Abramovic, whose quickly gotten wealth suggests irregular behaviour.

Chelski gives credence to the idea that money rules. That is vile. The “Altantuya Shaariibuu-C4-Special Action Force-Defence Contracts” link is in the same pot. Malaysians underestand that link too well. Gani Patail should do more to ensure the investigating arm does everything they can to ensure all parties involved are brought to trial. Only then would Malaysians’ minds be satisfied. Hence the call for further investigations. Ask Malaysians to forget that link and leave certain figures out, before satisfactory investigations are exhausted? It wouldnt happen in places like Israel. That of course, would please many Malaysians, would it?

“So, I commend the enjoyment of life.” (From the Bible – really. Eccl 8:15)

Adieu


Tomorrow, my in laws leave. Would I miss them? Absolutely, just like I miss everyone else in my family in Malaysia. What I wont miss however, are the infuriating traits like

  • Not saying what one wants, but yet expecting to be given what one wants. I need a course on mind reading.
  • Saying only the nice things and not the right things. So everyone remains nice to each other and totally confused about what next.
  • Incessant talk about money.
  • Imposing one’s will on another (I’ll take you where I think you should go, not where you really want to go/be).
  • Judgmental, dismissive way of talking (like “this dish is not good” – in a critical, derogatory manner – instead of “I dont like this dish”).
  • Not accepting what one says (I really do not want another piece of that freaking dim sim, and seeing that freaking piece of dim sim in your bowl the very next moment!).
  • Back seat drivers.
  • 10 persons speaking loudly at each other at the same time.
  • 10 persons speaking loudly at each other at the same time about the same thing for the 10th time.
  • 10 persons speaking loudly at each other at the same time about the same thing for the 10th time and feel insulted if you didnt respond.

But I would miss being with them. Honestly.

Meanwhile, the GPS company has decided to go for another candidate. Not really surprising. Like someone just said to me this morning (on the email), que sera sera.

“So, I commend the enjoyment of life.” (From the Bible – really. Eccl 8:15)

Teetotaler of a Father In Law


This morning, I dropped Theresa, her dad and kiddo off at the Mount Waverley station and they went to the city to catch a few attractions, including the river cruise. It’s a stinking hot day, with temperature expected to hit 37 degrees.

They skipped around various spots in the city, and I met them at Melbourne Central station around 3pm, after I finished my interview at Bourke St. Then we all came back together and I tried getting my father in law to tuck into a cold one but alas, I dont have a drinking companion in him. I had thought this a perfect setting to remove the pennies and usher him into the refreshing bliss of popping open a cold beer, having come in off a very hot day. If this wasnt going to do it, I think I have discharged my responsibilities the best I could. If he never ever tastes a cold one, I cant say I’ve not tried. Look at this wonderful man –– doesnt he look like he could use a drink? Apparently not…

Tomorrow, I have another interview with a firm – the one I met just before Christmas. A third partner called me earlier today, saying the rest of this 6-partner firm want to meet with me. I dont know, I’m starting to feel a little jaded.

“So, I commend the enjoyment of life.” (From the Bible – really. Eccl 8:15)

Birds of Air and Sea…


We waddled down to Phillip Island yesterday, and paid homage to the little penguins. We were there about 1.5 years ago with my mom, my sister Cheng Sim and her son, Stan de Man. It was winter then and the little buggers obliged us early. It’s summer now and they play hard to get, showing up only a little after 9pm. By the time we pushed off, it was past 10pm, and after dropping off my mother in law’s sister, we reached home almost 12am. Theresa and I went out again after dropping off her parents to retire for the day, to re-fuel the car. We had to leave home early this morning, to go pick some blue berries from Olinda.

By the time I crawled into bed, it was almost 1am and as usual, I have trouble sleeping at that hour so I read for about an hour or so. I am now tucked into Harry Lee’s “The Singapore Story”.

As we had to meet at Linda and Leng’s place by 8am today, I had to be up really early for everyone’s brekky to be ready. It was worth it, as I think my in laws had a good time picking the blue berries. They each had to pay $10 for every kilo of berries picked and later, when we stopped at a shop to pick up some honey, we saw these blueys sold for $18.00 a kg, so they’re happy.

We then drove around in the Yarra Valley area before returning to Glen Waverly for lunch. At the valley, we stopped at Grant’s Picnic Point to feed some birds. These cockatoos appear to like my father in law, much to kiddo’s amusement. The 3 packets of bird seeds which Theresa picked up for a buck each, were eaten up in no time.

We’re supposed to meet at Westies for dinner. I dread driving to Maribyrnong…

“So, I commend the enjoyment of life.” (From the Bible – really. Eccl 8:15)

Springvale surprise


We met up at U Seng’s house this morning at 10.30am, with the plan to take a drive to the Dandenong Ranges. We ended up spending 2 hours there finalising the plans for the 3 sisters – my mother in law, A Hooi, and A Wee Leng – to visit a cousin of theirs in Newcastle. At least that is now confirmed, with the plans having been on the back burner for a few days now. The leave on Monday morning and return on Wednesday night.

We finally left U Seng’s at 12.30pm, and headed for Springvale for lunch. The Yum Cha lunch was nice, and everyone was stuffed. After lunch we strolled around the area and as we did that, I got a call from the recruiter who interviewed me on Monday, saying his client would like to meet with me – that is now fixed for next Monday. I’d drop into the city again, after dropping them off at the airport. Deja Vu.

We left Springvale around 2.30pm, and finally headed for the Dandenong Ranges. Right through the drive, my father in law remained the most agreeable man – he kept nodding his head at everything I said. I felt strange, but later realised he was doing his swivelling act of shutting eye again. Looks like our family car has become a tour bus for Malaysian retirees, where one snoozes the moment it takes off.

While at the Dandenong Ranges, another person called and we chatted a little about another role I had applied for. The person sounded a little positive with my responses and hopefully, would revert with an interview time.

We got back around 6.30pm, after stopping for scones and coffee/tea. The scones were great. Back at U Seng’s, the elders started another brain teasing session of shuffling ceramic pieces around a square table, while we watched a movie. The Apocalypto was very entertaining, gripping from the beginning right to the end. Mel Gibson has done it again. I enjoyed Braveheart when I watched it, and Mel was a bit of a sugary film figure then. So when I told some people that I enjoyed Braveheart, they laughed. Guess Braveheart was a turning point of sorts for Mel, whose movies have become better since.

Gotta go now – have to go pick up the retiring mahjong players…

“So, I commend the enjoyment of life.” (From the Bible – really. Eccl 8:15)

In-Laws Are Here, Let The Rumble Begin…


Theresa and I left home at 8.15 am and headed west, to the airport. We arrived almost exactly at 9am, parked the car and went to wait at the arrival lounge. The board said the flight had landed, but had also been delayed for 15 mins. After about 30 mins, they emerged, we packed their luggages (bulk of it foodstuffs – why am I not surprised) into the trunk, and headed for the city, where I was to be dropped of at Collins Street for an interview.

Theresa took them home and by the time I finished my interview about an hour or so later, They had settled down to a heavy lunch at Imperial Kingdom restaurant on Waverley Road. U Marloney picked me up from Syndal station and I joined them. After lunch, we headed for A Hooi’s house and while they were chatting away, I kept signalling to Theresa that they ought to go home to wash, freshen up and catch some sleep – they looked tired.

They eventually peeled themselves from A Hooi’s, got to our place and catch some shut eye. That evening we headed back to A Hooi’s for dinner and watched a DVD after dinner. Again, I kept casting glances at my in laws, who were both having an almighty struggle to keep their eyes open, their heads swivelling in all directions. By the time we got home, it was close to 12 but they had so many needs by the time we attended to all of them, like I was saying to an ex-colleague, they were so zonked they would have slept in the garage had we put them up in there.

This morning, they slept in till almost 9am and when they woke, I made their drinks and made toasts for them. Then they decided to go to the market in Dandenong. Theresa had planned to take them to the city but in accordance with this family’s trait, everyone had a different idea and each had to be heard, so they ended up in Dandenong, decided to have lunch in Springvale but ended up in Glen Waverley but left U Seng in Springvale who wasnt told of the change of plans. Apparently he’s a little pissed off even as I write this…it’ll boil over.

They left about an hour ago, supposedly heading to U Jin’s cafe and Crown Casino after that but yet again, their plans changed. Theresa said they have now decided to go to U Jin’s house (both his present house and his new place in Point Cook) after visiting the cafe, and will only go to the casino later tonight. If I join them there, I am so going to pull them back early tonight, so that they can make the Great Ocean Road trip like we planned. I am so going to throw my weight around and insist on that.

Re that interview I had yesterday…the agent thought I am suited for the job, but wanted me to do up a skill matching doc for him. I thought that should have been his job but what the heck – it gives me the chance to make the most of it. I did it yesterday afternoon, emailed it to him and he responded this morning saying he liked it alot and would be recommending me to his client. I’m just going to leave it to God. He knows better than I, as always. The job sounds challenging anyway – the company deals with intelligent access program for the Australian road network – ensuring GPS services of commercial vehicles adhere to some standards.

Kiddo

Last Sunday she arranged for 2 mates to spend the day at our home today, watching DVDs. So at 11am, they got here, and once they settled down, I sneaked away to the gym, did my run and stretches, and picked up a pizza for them on the way home. Of course, purchase of a pizza without beer is incomplete, so I also picked up a slab of Carlton Draught. The kids are now almost finishing their 3rd DVD, polished off 2 packets of chips and about a bag of chocolates, on top of the pizza. I gave them each a bottle of water about 30 minutes ago, just to make sure they dont dry up on my couch. They look happy, so at least one of my 2 ladies is happy. I doubt Theresa is having a good time now – she’s probably worrying about the nightmares to come, associated with juggling her parents’ itinerary in tandem with the uncles and aunties’ ideas of what she ought to do. Aiyoh…

“So, I commend the enjoyment of life.” (From the Bible – really. Eccl 8:15)

In Laws, Work and Islam


Getting ready for In-Laws’ Visit

Theresa’s parents are due to arrive in Melbourne in 3 days’ time. This morning, some sites suggested that there is an impending storm in Malaysia in the next few days. I hope that doesnt affect flights out of Malaysia.

My in-laws are wonderful people. So, their 2 week stay would hopefully be a pleasant one, not just for them but also for us. Theresa already has a well planned itinerary, which includes Warnambool and Sydney.

I have just spent the entire day cleaning up the house, and rearranging the furniture in the living area to make it a little more spacious.

Resumption of Job Hunting

This is the first week back at work for most people. Next week, more people should be back, full on. Hopefully that means looking for work resumes. I got a call, about 2.5 hours ago, regarding a position as an in house lawyer with a transport company. I’m meeting the recruiter on Monday morning, after picking up my in laws. I wonder how this would work out.

I attended another interview just a few days before the Christmas break, and they said they would get back to me when they return to work. Again, hopefully they call me early next week.

I have also toyed with the idea of getting into the fitness industry, hopefully getting a franchise with a fitness centre. I have been to gyms for close to 10 years now, and continue to do so. I am still clocking 11-12km per hour, about 3-4 times a week, and make sure my pulse rate remain under 60. So, I like to think I am staying in touch with the fitness regime – why not make a living out of it, as I remain very interested and read up on issues affecting running, cardio vascular strength and other age related fitness matter. Also, I have maintained my supplement intake and continue to be in touch with issues surrounding this. My only issue with physical wellness is my continuing affinity with grog…

Malaysia, Oh Malaysia

I continue to be dismayed with the ills of my country of birth. Now, even simple courtesies escape our gateway keepers. Worse, the racial superiority of the Malays now extend to affect not just the Chinese but also the African Americans – if I want to be racist, I’d say the Malays have more reasons to feel inferior rather than the opposite. One thing worse than a racist is a bloody minded, ignorant and idiotic one.

Religious bigotry continues to fester, and even leader wannabes like Khairy Jamaluddin continues to make excuses. Khairy should realise the big difference between growing “religiosity” countries like the US and Australia and other, Muslim, countries. The “growing religiosity” of Christians does not result in exclusionism, marginalisation and condemnation of those outside the faith. Someone is yet to convince me there is nothing fundamentally wrong with the teachings of Islam, which I blame for many of the world’s present woes.

There are several other issues (and, I believe, endless more to come) like the toll agreements, plantation mergers, BN bloody mindedness but a lot of it comes down to the attitude of the UMNO buffoons. I think I’m going to re-read Harry LKY’s “Singapore Story”…

“So, I commend the enjoyment of life.” (From the Bible – really. Eccl 8:15)

Found Some Pics!


The missus found some pics from her Kodak Gallery site, and saved them on our PC. I now have a few…

The one on the left was taken in David’s (my brother) home, Christmas 03. He obviously enjoyed all of his grandchildren’s performance.

The one on the right was taken during the same occasion, when we were all singing a few carols.

The last one below was taken during Kiddo’s 9th birthday party dinner in Klang. To his left is David, enjoying a beer.

“So, I commend the enjoyment of life.” (From the Bible – really. Eccl 8:15)