Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all..I think it has been more than a month since I last blogged. Here are some updates from me. We did gift exchange in the office this year. I was the organiser. Haha... : ) It was a fun event which allows everyone to instil a sense of belonging in the office, at least this was what I felt. If I remember correctly, there were a total of 10 presents exchanged. I got 2 boxes of Old Town white coffee. Unfortunately, I seldom drink coffee as it makes me shiver and have wet palms. Guess I cannot tolerate caffeine in my system.

Here are some pictures of the gifts:

A couple of weeks before this, my church cell group went carolling at my house and another friend's place. We had a short practice just a day before but according to feedbacks from my parents, we did great! They liked the harmony and songs sung that night. Towards the end of our carolling, we had the rare opportunity to munch up 4 huge durians. When I say huge, I really mean it. It is the size of an average man's fist and the seed is petite. This simply means value for money. I took in around 3 pieces before surrendering. It taste good and the aroma is simply appetising. Here is what I meant.

Here is a petite size christmas tree I treated myself with. Bought this from Jusco for around 10 bucks. Value for money considering its ample decoration. I placed it on my office table to lighten up the festive feeling of Christmas.

This has certainly been a great year of Christmas back in Malaysia. My sister was baptised this year on Christmas day. It makes me feel so happy to see someone coming into the family of Christ. This feeling intensifies when it happens to someone so close to me. Will keep praying for her future as she walks along with Christ following His righteous ways. May the Lord bless and keep her.

Serene lifestyle of Ipoh

12 Sept 09 - Life in Ipoh is certainly a blessing. If you ever notice my photos, my tummy is starting to fill up. Hahaha :-) I have been enjoying great food and nice outdoor activities lately. Ipoh is not as bad as some people may have dubbed it. In fact, it is filled with excitement, if you take your time to explore the possibilities.

Just last week, I went for a dip with my family in Tambun Hot Spring which is next to The Lost World Leisure park in Tambun. Only RM 5 per entry and, yupp!!! You are free to enjoy it as long as you want. (or till your skins start peeling off like boiled potato, =) )

Then later that night, I went out to celebrate my mate's birthday (Derek Ho). We had the best chocolate cake ever from Gold Vision. It was celebrated in Kopitiam Junction at Ipoh Parade.

Ohh..some updates on my dog - Ah Bee. He has a new home now. It was a crate imported all the way from UK (United Kingdom and not Ulu Kelang). At least he has a shelter now. Keeps us peaceful when it rains cats and dogs, as he usually howls as he gets showered with rain.

A little update about my work. Someone left us last week after working for about 9 years. I must say it is a little upset to see someone go. We had a farewell dinner in Moven Peak. She was my senior before I join the company about 6 years back. So, now when I join the company again after leaving it for 3 years, she is leaving us for a greener pasture. I wish her every success in her future endeavour. This dinner is one of a kind. Never had we ever gather up so many colleagues from Dept 1 for dinner before. So unfortunate that is has to happen when someone leaves.

My scooby doo - Ah Bee

I am just about to finish reading Marley & Me. This is certainly a good read and I recommend it to avid dog lovers. I am a dog lover myself. My lovely dog is called Ah Bee as he whines a lot, making funny whistle noises when he needs food, a walk, company and etc. Even so, he is lovable and energetic. If I ever leave the house for a walk without him on leash beside me, he will be barking on top of his lungs for my attention. Everytime I come back home, there he will be sitting attentively with his tail in full swing as if he has seen a huge bone. Dogs are faithful animals which loves to have fun. I am glad to have his company.

Unfortunately, he is partially blind, meaning he can only see with one eye. Monoscopic vision. This happened a few years back when he was beaten by an old man. The man would whack his head using a stick till he bleeds. He was tortured while he was still a pup. One fine day, he came to us looking for food and shelter. This is when our relationship started.

Dogs are clever animals. They learn to adapt to domestic living and provides faithful company to humans. It gives me great relieve after a long day work when I see Ah Bee wagging his tail tirelessly as a gesture of welcoming me home. Something I can never understand. Why would he be so happy to see me? I occasional play with him, pat on his head and take him for a stroll. That is about it, nothing more but he sees me more than just a companion, in fact he sees me as his best mate. He teaches me what it is meant to be faithful. As I hold the blue leash which I use when taking him for a walk, he will be jumping like a kangaroo (sometimes as high as my shoulder) while barking as if he is trying to talk to me of how glad he was. He taught me what it meant to be enjoying moments of life no matter how simple it might appear.

On a separate note, he can be a pain sometimes, especially when he barks at the wrong moments. Occasionally, he will bark at suspicious people who walk pass our house, sometimes a cat or some unidentified moving object can also trigger him, creating the same effect. My dad will then shout to warn him, but if he persists any further, two or three strokes of rotan will be the price to pay. At times, he will also get the rotan for picking the wrong place to pee. Car tyres are his best spots, including the front bumper of our Kancil. However so, he is doing well now, we learnt that he needs to be reminded endlessly. We will talk to him with a stern voice everytime we park the car, shouting "Don't you dare to pee here, ok? If not you will makan this", while pointing the forbidden spot followed by the rotan to him. It works!!

Here are a few pictures of him: