Saturday, December 29, 2012

YEAR 2012 REVISITED....




Christmas Day came and it went. Gosh, it won't be long before the year is over. In fact I feel like it is going by like a lightning speed. Perhaps it's time to reflect upon what one had accomplished during the year. I had some terrific times and some challenging ones. But who doesn't,  for how can one appreciate the good times if one did not experience the bad times, right.  Those are part and parcel of life. But how does one know if it was good or not. Sometimes we have the tendency to focus on the bad sides but forget to remember the positive or good times.  To reflect, I prefer to focus on those things that I am thankful for. It could be a small thing - perhaps meeting of an old friend or a snap with my camera of some lovely moments.

I have a lot to be thankful for really. I have my family, my extended families, I made many new terrific friends. Friends I feel I can count on. I've traveled to a few places. All these I attribute to blessings from God.

There are too many memories to remember but I would like to share some pictures in random order, some of the highlights that I went through this year.




 the first motel we stayed in New Zealand

  the first tea we had in a NZ restaurant,. This is enroute to Late Tekapo


                   Simple dinner that we cooked - Dunedin, NZ. Dunedin at night 
was brrrr...cold. Hence, the wine hahaha... 



A farm in Seddon NZ




shearing a sheep in Seddon NZ


 Taken on Valentine's Day Dinner with friends

 Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei

 a meeting with the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Brunei.
Left Melinda Louis (UNK 2012) and right Puan Joanna Kitingan


Yours Truly at the gate of Sultan of Brunei's Palace. .. the guards looked fierce haha


Christchurch

 damaged by earthquake..


and the beautiful part

 with a friend, Christchurch, NZ

 'Middle Earth Kingdom' 



rustic countryside, NZ

my nephews and niece, Family Day at UMS Beach, KK

 sharing laughter - Family Day

 Group photo to Gayana Resort courtesy of Digi



SYTs


some of the stuff I sold at the Hari Wanita Bazaar

a wedding dinner of a 'Kadazan Princess'
Mandy Nandu

 High Tea with Toh Puan

Group photo with Toh Puan


 with members of the KDCA supreme council 

 KDCA Delegate's Conference

 Yours Truly part of the Documentation Team during
the KDCA Delegate's Conference

Mt Kinabalu

 At a nephew's wedding

 my darling

 a very tame squirrel of Mt Kinabalu

 Dinner with my siblings

 meeting my former teacher (middle) after more than 30 years, now a US resident and
my lovely friend (right).

 Group photo of UNK Team to Miri


 sponsored by MasWings

 my daughter and her cousins ushering the new year 2012

 Visit to Gayana Resort

 Group photo trip to Teratak River Cruise


 Yours Truly planting a Duku Langsat at the family orchard

 Canterbury Plains, NZ


the kids participating in the planting of fruit trees at the famliy land

 Visit to  Chang Kai Shek Memorial, Taipei, Taiwan

National Pesta Kaamatan Keningau



releasing baby turtles to the sea, Sipadan Island



Wishing everyone
Happy New Year!!

Sharing some Irish Toasts
May your pockets be heavy and your heart be light, may good luck pursue you each morning and night.
May the roof above us never fall in, and may we friends gathered below never fall out.
As you slide down the banister of life, may the splinters never point in the wrong direction.
May you live as long as you want, and never want as long as you live.
May the Lord keep you in His hand and never close His fist too tight.
May your neighbors respect you, trouble neglect you, the angels protect you, and heaven accept you.
May the sound of happy music, and the lilt of Irish laughter, fill your heart with gladness, that stays forever after.
May the hinges of our friendship never grow rusty. And our ale never turn musty.

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Monday, December 10, 2012

CHRISTMAS MEMORIES...

I was out window shopping with a friend the other day and we got to talking about the numerous Christmas decor that are now displayed at all the shopping malls. "But I don't like Christmas" she said. I was like, hey did I hear you right? "What? Did you say you DON'T like Christmas?" I asked in disbelief.. hahaha... 'cos who doesn't like Christmas? Or even if they do not like it, they would not go around proclaiming they don't right? She repeated "Yup, I DON'T like Christmas."  

 "Scrooge!" I said laughing. We both laughed.  "Now don't get me wrong. I like what it stands for.. the Advent, the birth of Christ our Lord.  Just that Christmas season reminds me of a tragic incident that happened around this time years ago." She said.  "Oh..I am sorry, I get what you mean, I feel you." I said.   She did not elaborate and I did not push on. It must have been a real painful episode of her life.  For how many of us have experienced tragic circumstances during festive season. Whatever it is, everything happens for a reason and that the Lord works in mysterious ways.  If He put you to it, He will put you through it.   

I too have yet to feel the elusive Christmas spirit, but am in my own small way participating in the Gaya Street Christmas Carnival and will be selling my hand made Fashion Jewellery for charity from 10th to 13th December 2012 from 7.00pm onwards. I will be donating a portion of the proceeds to Sabah AIDS Support Association (KASIH)  More info on KASIH : 

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sabah-AIDS-Support-Services-Association-KASIH/117257678385784







So if you are in KK and looking for gift ideas for Christmas, do drop by.  Come and rejoice with the people of Kota Kinabalu as fun-filled events take place. Wouldn't it be fun to stroll under twinkling fairy lights and browsing through hawker stalls selling Christmas goodies? :)

Meanwhile, I love this meaningful  Christmas Song by Mariah Carey... 
"Miss You Most At Christmas Time" .   

Cheers. :)


The fire is burning 
The room's all aglow 
Outside the December wind blows 
Away in the distance the carolers sing in the snow 
Everybody's laughing 
The world is celebrating 
And everyone's so happy 
Except for me tonight 

Because I miss you 
Most at Christmas time 
And I can't get you 
Get you off my mind 
Every other season comes along 
And I'm all right 
But then I miss you, most at Christmas time 

I gaze out the window 
This cold winter's night 
At all of the twinkling lights 
Alone in the darkness 
Remembering when you were mine 
Everybody's smiling 
The whole world is rejoicing 
And everyone's embracing 
Except for you and I 

Baby I miss you 
Most at Christmas time 
And I can't get you 
Get you off my mind 
Every other season comes along 
And I'm all right 
But then I miss you, most at Christmas time 

In the springtime those memories start to fade 
With the April rain 
Through the summer days 
Till autumn's leaves are gone 
I get by without you 
Till the snow begins to fall 

And then I miss you 
Most at Christmas time 
And I can't get you 
Get you off my mind 
Every other season comes along 
And I'm all right... 
But then I miss you, most at Christmas time









HEALTH HEALTH, WHERE ARE YOU?

Oh for goodness sake, enough of that Siti Nurhaliza song already. Someone in the neighbourhood has been spinning SN's cd for the umptee...