Cultural Connected

Being a half native (Bidayuh) and brought up in a very Chinese environment, this is the first year I started to appreciate my mum's culture. I suspect it's the influence of engagement with communities in my work. I'm inspired of their spirits to keep their culture alive and trying to manage their daily activities in a sustainable manner to conserve their 'home'. Looking out for their own people and being buyers when it comes to their own tribes. It's not a bad thing at all because it's just human nature to prioritize our own family.

For the past 29 years, I do not know anyone from my mum's village besides my uncles, aunties & first cousins. I met 2 strong members of the JKKK-Duyoh who are working on eco-tourism in Bau area in one of the workshop i attended for work. It hit me hard on why am I not doing anything for my mum's village and the people because we're all connected in a way or another. I'm glad to be somewhat part of it contributing whenever I can before it's not too late. I feel blessed and appreciate the journey of my life that brings bright lights from time to time.

Anyway, when I was stranded in KL over Harvest Festival because there were no seats for the flights, I suggested for  a little BBQ party at my brother's house in Puchong. Surprisingly everyone was excited and we threw a great siblings gathering with some friends from KL. 

.:Brenda & Chris BBQing:.

.:Yummy in progress:.

.:Chris's crazy poodle:.

.:The ethnic popular food!:.

.:Bacon:.

.:Giant Crab.. probably result from unsustainable fishing:.

.:Batik Cake chocolate coror.. lol:.

.:Brenda & The dog Ronnie:.

.:Chris in actual.. Martial Art Massage:.

.:Bamboo Chicken Recipe:.

.:Elissa with her lips:.

.:Empty Bottle Rice Wine from Borneo:.

.:Me enjoy talking throughout the dinner:.

.:Chris and his game... silly brother dancing like a girl:.

Everyone was happy and the food was good! :D

Mama's 60th Birthday @ Ling Loong Seafood

.:Group Photo Taken by Ping:.

We got her the most expensive gift we have ever bought for our parents which is a 916 gold necklace & pendant. I remember I used to have a transparent plastic cookie case that I cellotape, made a small hole as piggy bank mother's day, father's day, mama's birthday and  papa's birthday gift FUND. To recall it back, I was a brilliant! coz I also had a Milo Tin with a hole with a handwritten message 'Please Donate to Moi-Moi Foundation' of course that was a joke to make my family members to talk about it. I'm a natural comedian at home sometimes, part of it was the influence from Movies I watched, part of it was because I love to see people laughing happily.

Anyway, we had dinner at the latest seafood restaurant just 1km from my house on 17 May 2012. Ing flew back from KL just for that occasion. It was a nice occasion. :)

.:Putting on Mama's Gift:.

.:The Seafood Centre:.

.:The Common Food:.

.:Occasional Food:.

.:Mama's birthday Noodle:.

.:Baby Kailan with Garlic:.

.:Oyster Omelette:.

.:Ginger Venison:.

.:Butterred Prawn:.

.:Butter and salted egg Flower Crab:.

.:Wine Prawn:.

.:Steamed Fish:.

The food was OK coz they have just opened not long ago. Ling Loong is a popular seafood place started in TopSpot (Halal Outlet) and they also have another branch at King Centre which has the best seafood suits to our taste bud. For the new outlet, the first floor is still under renovation. I'll give it 7/10 and I'm sure they will improve after 3 months.. Pre-opening Hiccups!

29th Birthday

Naturally, I love parties but i have stop binge drinking and often visit to the clubs. The most I do perhaps is visit to Karaoke Lounge once in a while where I can chat with some friends on personal or business stuff. It's still a good time to spend if you have some good close friends.

My birthday falls on the 3rd day of Chinese New Year so I have decided to throw a small party at my place with close friends and relatives. It's really a small apartment but on usual days, it's enough for 1 to 2 persons to stay in. So far, I haven't have the feeling to move in the apartment but I visit it quite often now since it's just 2 minutes drive away from where I'm staying now.

Here's some of the photos during the party. :)

.:The earliest guest even before I change!:.

.:Had Yee Sang since it's chinese new year:.

.:My aunt, Jennifer, Cynthia & I:.

.:Lil sis's friend which she never introduced:.

.:Irene & I:.

.:The chips & playing card:.

.:I won a lot leh:.

There wasn't much photos taken coz I was too busy entertaining everyone at 1 time.. hehehe. For those who made it to the party, I love all of you! :D

A Memorable Family Photo

Recently, there seems to be a lot of new editions to the family members since 2008 with weddings and babies. Therefore I feel family photo is an important evident to keep the family history alive for the younger generation when all of us are either too old to remember or even gone... Anyway, this is the family photos for 2012 on the first day of chinese new year. Jeremy, Jaslyn, Brenda & Genevieve are not in the photo coz they can't make it back this year.

.:A classic Family Photo:.

.:A Chinese New Year Family Photo :):.

Chinese New Year Mood

As for the last 2 years we were not in Kuching celebrating Chinese New Year, This year I'm in a good mood to do major painting for my parents house and also patching up my own apartment. At my parents house, mostly are painting works and as for my own place, more to fixing the broken pipe, lightings, making more power sockets and decorating it for the birthday party I'm throwing on the 3rd day of Chinese New Year. 

Papa's place...

.:Painting the living room:.

.:Painting the garage:.

.:The gate also painted:.

At my own place...

.:Decoration's up:.

.:redesigning the lanterns:.

.:Lantern done:.

.:Bought a new stainless steel tree:.

I'm still continuing to do painting work, decorating & purchasing of Chinese New Year goodies before the exact day... just less than a week to go before Chinese New Year and I'm so looking forward to it. :)

Party from 2011 - 2012

Having to spend my year end in Bario although my bestie can't make it coz her leave was not approved by her evil boss, I had to go since my ticket was bought. It was not a bad idea as I made 2 new friends who are nice... yes, when I say nice, it means Great. The entire idea of having my holiday in Bario was to have a good break out of Kuching's party madness. Well honestly, it was quite mad also in Bario.

Let the photo tells you the story of a party that started in 2011 and ended in 2012...

.:Courtesy of John:.

.:Enjoying BBQ:.

.:The group:.

.:Eat and eat and eat:.

.:Feast at the Church Hall:.

.:Nice Lamp:.

.:30 minutes before midnight:.

.:After Midnight:.