Speaking of children’s books, I’ve missed a very outstanding one. It's “Winnie-The-Pooh”! I have to admit, I was ignorant to this lovable yellow bear all these years and only just recently discovered that Winnie-The-Pooh is a “He” ! Yikes…. !
Hmmn, I wonder what other children’s books have I missed out?
talking corners
Saturday, June 21, 2008
"Boy" & "Going Solo"
I found an interesting “treasure” during my last trip to Gold Coast. It’s not something shiny nor pretty, but something that brings back good childhood memories. Ta da! I found 3 of Roald Dahl’s book in a market! Yeah, sis! What a find! I found “Boy”, “Going Solo” and “Matilda” !! Hooray!! What’s the fuss about these books, you’ll ask? Well, a sure treat to some fans like me (and my sis), but an utter nonsense to those who are living in oblivion to who this great man was.
Roald Dahl was a wonderful writer. Born in Wales to Norwegian parents, he tells of his colourful life. In “Boy” we’ll catch glimpses of his childhood and in “Going Solo”, an eighteen year old Roald had his bizarre adventures in Africa while attached to Shell for assignments and later on in the army. His other much better known books are “ Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and “James and the Giant Peach”. But “Boy” and “Going Solo” remain as my all time favourite.
I enjoyed Roald Dahl’s adventures when he was young as described in “BOY”. He has the most out-of-the-world experiences! Mischievous and brave, he was kind of an alter ego that I wished I could be. He invented goat tobacco, put dead rats in candy jars, almost had his nose cut off in a car accident, had his gallant yet defiant years in a boarding school and of course, his infamous encounters with discipline. You’ll love his vivid description of the caning emitted by his headmaster - you can literally feel yourself getting caned too! :)
Some well-meaning souls have asked if I was going through my second childhood by reading these books? Heck, if there are evergreen songs, then these are evergreen books! I simply loved reading them. Besides, it’s a great way to de-stress. Hmmn…who knows? Maybe after this, I’ll search for these gems for a re-read…..Anne of Green Gables, the entire collection of The Adventures of Tin Tin.........
Roald Dahl was a wonderful writer. Born in Wales to Norwegian parents, he tells of his colourful life. In “Boy” we’ll catch glimpses of his childhood and in “Going Solo”, an eighteen year old Roald had his bizarre adventures in Africa while attached to Shell for assignments and later on in the army. His other much better known books are “ Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and “James and the Giant Peach”. But “Boy” and “Going Solo” remain as my all time favourite.
I enjoyed Roald Dahl’s adventures when he was young as described in “BOY”. He has the most out-of-the-world experiences! Mischievous and brave, he was kind of an alter ego that I wished I could be. He invented goat tobacco, put dead rats in candy jars, almost had his nose cut off in a car accident, had his gallant yet defiant years in a boarding school and of course, his infamous encounters with discipline. You’ll love his vivid description of the caning emitted by his headmaster - you can literally feel yourself getting caned too! :)
Some well-meaning souls have asked if I was going through my second childhood by reading these books? Heck, if there are evergreen songs, then these are evergreen books! I simply loved reading them. Besides, it’s a great way to de-stress. Hmmn…who knows? Maybe after this, I’ll search for these gems for a re-read…..Anne of Green Gables, the entire collection of The Adventures of Tin Tin.........
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Pricey! Pricey! Pricey!
Ah, the cost of living has skyrocketed! Now, with my humble 1.3 Iswara, a full tank cost about RM100+ instead of the usual RM70+. A monthly petrol expenses now will go up to RM400-500 easily! Not only fuel prices has gone up, food, electricity will be following suit, too…. adding on to our very burdened world already….
Ironically, the govt is trying to be nice to us in all these. They’re off to set excellent examples. Ministers have been warned to cut costs for their entertainment expenses, some state MPs got their allowances reduced, etc. Well, for us, the citizens, after the fuel price increase, there came along a quick succession of rebate claims for Road Tax. Then, promises of reviewing the toll rates…. where is the logic in all these? A 5 year old kid will tell you it is a superficial gesture and a futile attempt to comfort us.
Maybe most of the apologetic citizens here will think that “Hey, not bad, the govt is trying their best to ease the increase.” “Giving the rebates is a wonderful gesture by the govt!” Oh, dear! Lest you know how the govt got us (faithful tax payers) into this mess in the first place, may be, we will be less obligated to thank the govt.
Yes, fuel price is increasing everywhere around the world. Yes, it’ll be increasing again, probably even in the next 2 months. The Govt has reduced its fuel subsidies and passed the buck back to us – which results in a 41% increase of OUR expenses! Now, ever wondered how the govt “spent our precious money without so much of an economical justification?
Silly but true (“Pelik tapi benar”) instances will be the RM500 mio Sports Complex in UK ! Another RM17 mio for the right to host a World Youth soccer tournament, and a RM50 mio to send a tourist into space. It’ll break our hearts to go on further…..
Truth is, govt could have, in it’s wise and prudent manner, spend necessarily and on productive projects only and save that amount to subsidize us on our essentials.
The poor will enjoy a relief with the rebates, the rich hardly feels the pinch, and the working class for people like me? Well, all I can say is, these are vicious times… as Sam Hui, very acutely wrote, act and sang a song about the working class ..… “ngo tei ee pang ta kong jai...”.
Ironically, the govt is trying to be nice to us in all these. They’re off to set excellent examples. Ministers have been warned to cut costs for their entertainment expenses, some state MPs got their allowances reduced, etc. Well, for us, the citizens, after the fuel price increase, there came along a quick succession of rebate claims for Road Tax. Then, promises of reviewing the toll rates…. where is the logic in all these? A 5 year old kid will tell you it is a superficial gesture and a futile attempt to comfort us.
Maybe most of the apologetic citizens here will think that “Hey, not bad, the govt is trying their best to ease the increase.” “Giving the rebates is a wonderful gesture by the govt!” Oh, dear! Lest you know how the govt got us (faithful tax payers) into this mess in the first place, may be, we will be less obligated to thank the govt.
Yes, fuel price is increasing everywhere around the world. Yes, it’ll be increasing again, probably even in the next 2 months. The Govt has reduced its fuel subsidies and passed the buck back to us – which results in a 41% increase of OUR expenses! Now, ever wondered how the govt “spent our precious money without so much of an economical justification?
Silly but true (“Pelik tapi benar”) instances will be the RM500 mio Sports Complex in UK ! Another RM17 mio for the right to host a World Youth soccer tournament, and a RM50 mio to send a tourist into space. It’ll break our hearts to go on further…..
Truth is, govt could have, in it’s wise and prudent manner, spend necessarily and on productive projects only and save that amount to subsidize us on our essentials.
The poor will enjoy a relief with the rebates, the rich hardly feels the pinch, and the working class for people like me? Well, all I can say is, these are vicious times… as Sam Hui, very acutely wrote, act and sang a song about the working class ..… “ngo tei ee pang ta kong jai...”
Monday, June 2, 2008
The Big Mouth Group
“Super fun time!”
That’s how I’ll describe the Talent Time night last Sunday.
All the church campers had a rolling good time with our group’s lively performance.
Our husbands danced sportingly on the stage. Hey, they deserved every praise here, for sacrificing their ego to expose their not-so-in-shape bellies! When the music ended, they took down their “hats” and were greeted by a wildly cheering crowd! How satisfying it was, to know that the crowd enjoyed the show tremendously! Yeah, man! We’ve brought the house down!!
We all put in a lot of effort and hard work in the preparation of the costume. We searched for carton boxes, bought coloured papers for decoration purposes, bought mops to make hairs, and all the nitty-gritty stuffs. The wives helped with lots of cutting, gluing, preparing the wind breakers, gloves, makeup… so much work to do in such little time, but we were all doing it with such a spirit of unity, that the preparation went smoothly and speedily. Even, practice took place just the night before our camp! So, it was truly, the good understanding that we have for each other, that made it as good as it was.
From the wives of these courageous belly-exposing men, “We Love You!!! You are our Heroes!!!”
And, Oh, by the way, we won the first prize for the Talent Time Competition!! Hip hip hooray!!!
That’s how I’ll describe the Talent Time night last Sunday.
All the church campers had a rolling good time with our group’s lively performance.
Our husbands danced sportingly on the stage. Hey, they deserved every praise here, for sacrificing their ego to expose their not-so-in-shape bellies! When the music ended, they took down their “hats” and were greeted by a wildly cheering crowd! How satisfying it was, to know that the crowd enjoyed the show tremendously! Yeah, man! We’ve brought the house down!!
We all put in a lot of effort and hard work in the preparation of the costume. We searched for carton boxes, bought coloured papers for decoration purposes, bought mops to make hairs, and all the nitty-gritty stuffs. The wives helped with lots of cutting, gluing, preparing the wind breakers, gloves, makeup… so much work to do in such little time, but we were all doing it with such a spirit of unity, that the preparation went smoothly and speedily. Even, practice took place just the night before our camp! So, it was truly, the good understanding that we have for each other, that made it as good as it was.
From the wives of these courageous belly-exposing men, “We Love You!!! You are our Heroes!!!”
And, Oh, by the way, we won the first prize for the Talent Time Competition!! Hip hip hooray!!!
Ill over the weekend
It was most unfortunate that I was ill the entire camp weekend. As a camp committee, I was so anxious, upset and worried that I may not be able to carry out my responsibilities well when I am ill, especially for the big night – the Talent Time night on Sunday.
I caught a fever on Friday, which, after much coconut water, “yong sum so” drink and panadols, managed to strengthen my body for the traveling to PD on Sat morning. But my body still felt feverish, my throat was burning, my voice was breaking, and the blocked nose made it harder to breathe easily. Though I was actively walking around, helping with the checking in, I was still feverish and come night time, I was totally knocked out!
What touches me most is the concern of the church campers on my health. My pastor asked me how I was every time she saw me. Many of them showed concern and offered Strepsils, Lozenges, Vitamin Cs and most importantly prayers for me! This bit of tender loving care coupled with prayers strengthened my body. By Sunday, miraculously, the fever subsided. I felt better and physically stronger to look into the running of the Talent Time. However, I had to contend with the throat problem. My voice grew shaky during the night and by the end of our Talent Time, I lost my voice completely!
All the way back home, my body was wrecked with fever again. I had to stay home ill from work on Monday.
At least, the camp ran fine. O, how good it is to know that when I need the strength, God will provide it for me. And, God will also send helpers when He knows I need help. Marge stood in for me for the announcements when I lost my voice. Serene took care of the emceeing part , especially with last minute changes in announcements, without grumbling. Vincent O, LiPeng, Daryl & Ivan readily stood by to help distribute the gifts during Question & Answer session. Vincent L and Ricky were always nearby ready to help.
And, my poor hubby who lovingly stood by me and care for me when I was cranky and impatient. Thank God for him.
I am glad for this experience. It taught me just how far I can go with my own strength and how much more farther I can go, stretched by God’s grace. What an awesome God I serve!
I caught a fever on Friday, which, after much coconut water, “yong sum so” drink and panadols, managed to strengthen my body for the traveling to PD on Sat morning. But my body still felt feverish, my throat was burning, my voice was breaking, and the blocked nose made it harder to breathe easily. Though I was actively walking around, helping with the checking in, I was still feverish and come night time, I was totally knocked out!
What touches me most is the concern of the church campers on my health. My pastor asked me how I was every time she saw me. Many of them showed concern and offered Strepsils, Lozenges, Vitamin Cs and most importantly prayers for me! This bit of tender loving care coupled with prayers strengthened my body. By Sunday, miraculously, the fever subsided. I felt better and physically stronger to look into the running of the Talent Time. However, I had to contend with the throat problem. My voice grew shaky during the night and by the end of our Talent Time, I lost my voice completely!
All the way back home, my body was wrecked with fever again. I had to stay home ill from work on Monday.
At least, the camp ran fine. O, how good it is to know that when I need the strength, God will provide it for me. And, God will also send helpers when He knows I need help. Marge stood in for me for the announcements when I lost my voice. Serene took care of the emceeing part , especially with last minute changes in announcements, without grumbling. Vincent O, LiPeng, Daryl & Ivan readily stood by to help distribute the gifts during Question & Answer session. Vincent L and Ricky were always nearby ready to help.
And, my poor hubby who lovingly stood by me and care for me when I was cranky and impatient. Thank God for him.
I am glad for this experience. It taught me just how far I can go with my own strength and how much more farther I can go, stretched by God’s grace. What an awesome God I serve!
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