WANTING - EVERYTHING IN THE WORLD and SUNSETS IN TANJUNG ARU

I just discovered this amazing song and singer, Wanting.. Many thanks to a good faraway friend for sharing..  The words are so meaningful and made me WANTING more.. 

Let's listen...

And it has been mentioned that Kota Kinabalu is one of the best place to see glorious sunsets.. here are some taken, some with just my handphone and digital camera..

.... “Sunsets, like childhood, are viewed with wonder not just because they are beautiful but because they are fleeting.” 

"At sunset, nature is painting for us ... a day after day... pictures of infinite beauty..."

A CELEBRATION, 3D PAINTINGS AND SUNSETS

It was a beautiful celebration.. the birthday and engagement of  my friend Jo's eldest daughter, Ava.

Too bad I did not bring my DSLR cam.. :(

Some photos taken with my digital camera.

The new in thing - 3D paintings.

This beautiful 3D painting was painted on a wall of Jo's beautiful house.

Jo's house is near a beach ... and so, she's got the best of both views, sunrise and the mountains on the east and on the west, the sea and beautiful sunsets... 

                                                                              ..taking his family for a ride..

..the airport is about 5km away, so a plane every few minutes...

WISHING ONE AND ALL A VERY HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR..

 Gong Xi Fa Cai, Xi Nian Kuai Le

from 

Pic above show us with our signed Declaration to pledge our full commitment towards the
Unduk Ngadau activities. This is a voluntary job and we not only organize the annual State Level Unduk  Ngadau pageant and promote  KadazanDusun culture but we also conduct fund raising for the less fortunate.
 This year the Charity Dinner "Sodop Unduk Ngadau" will be held on 29th May 2015 and we hope to raise enough funds to enable us to assist St Pius Children's Orphanage, Bundu Tuhan, Ranau in their day to day expenses and also the repairs of their dilapidated  building.

The unique thing about the native of Sabah is that many in one way other possess some Chinese blood. Most of my friends in the picture for example even though on official documents, they are Kadazans are infact not pure Kadazans due to parent's inter-marriages especially those in urban areas.

 My friend Mart, (standing 2nd from left) has a Chinese grandfather with a surname Lee, Lyn (standing 4th from left) with surname Wong, Teri seated extreme left,  maternal grandfather is a Chuan and Phil whose father is mixed Chinese, surnamed Chai.

 My hubby whose birth cert says he is Kadazan but actually come from the lineage of the Wong Loong Clan, his father side.  His maternal grandfather on the other hand is pure Chinese, a skilled carpenter who came from the mainland China with his parents when he was a young boy surnamed Chong. He married a local Kadazan lady and adopted most of the Kadazans way of life.  Hence, the reasons why most Kadazans are fair skinned with Chinese features and people can be forgiven for mistaking them for Chinese. All my children, 2 beautiful girls and my handsome son... hehehe....took after their father whose features are more Chinese, the classic fair skin and almond shaped eyes.

the eldest (right) and youngest on the left

Do we celebrate Chinese New Year? Oh yes in a way we do, but now only just a small new year eve dinner as my son is living abroad, my eldest daughter residing in KL which left my youngest.  Unlike those days when my parent in laws were still around,.....  I miss them.

Be safe this holidays folks.
..

ROSES HAVE THORNS...

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!

 "Even if sometimes love is full of thorns, embrace it for in between those thorns, there is a rose that's worth all the pain"

I went a little crazy a couple of weeks back and decided to chop off my tresses... 
my latest pics, taken last nite when we took a friend (in black tank top) for dinner. She is on a visit from Kiwi land. (sorry for poor quality of pics.. taken with a hand phone cam in a poorly lighted restaurant.)

MATURED LADIES ALL IN A ROW..AND SWEET YOUNG THINGS.

.. my buddies and I in our 'Corporate Uniform'.  No spring chickens but certainly passionate at what we do for our Culture and Association.  After months of 'rest', soon it will be the time again and these ladies will once again be as busy as a bee..(another 5 ladies not in pic).  Waay to go ladies.. looking forward to be working with you all again..

..in search of the most beautiful Kadazan maiden..

Reigning Unduk Ngadau Miss Cheryl Lynn (with crown),  UNK Chairperson (4th from right) and some of the finalists 2014  during a courtesy visit to the wife of Sabah Governor and at the Palace in July.

Cheryl Lynn (left) and Megan (1st runner up) at a dinner..

IT HAS BEEN A GREAT YEAR. THANKS FOR BEING A PART OF IT..

I guess it is still not too late to wish everyone a Very Happy New Year 2015.  

2014 has just ended. Was it a good year for me? Like every year, there are fair shares of good and bad. Some days are just great and things go as planned and then there are days when I do not feel motivated at all.  Days when even the brightest day seems to let my best laid plans go out of the window before the day has barely begun.  

I usually get by, when things go wrong, I try to find something or several things to feel grateful for and to always remember that things that happen not within our control always happens for a reason.  And always, even if things look tough today or for the next few months,  something always comes up to make me grateful for what had happened.  God is great all the time!  

Gratitude, that feeling of thankfulness depends on how one perceives each situation.  So I try to be grateful for every little things, the fundamental things in every day life, even the most mundane of things, from having good internet connection, smiles from friends, the not so great dessert of chocolate fudge that I made last night, to bright sunny days. I am even thankful for the weighing machine which showed I have gained some kgs.... no that's no good but I won't let than dampen my spirit. haha. I am glad I am in a pink of health and I can always burn those extra calories with a few rounds in the park.  

That and lots more to be thankful for and if I were to make a list, I would be here till Christmas!  

And what about new year's resolutions? Well, like every year, I've got some only to break them.  Will try harder this year.. one of which is to trim away unnecessary drama in my life.

My recent trip to the beautiful Puerto Princesa..

Bali

Have a great year everyone!

Quote of the Day:

Maturity...
“Maturity is the ability to think, speak and act your feelings within the bounds of dignity.”

― Samuel Ullman

A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR

So this is Christmas

And what have you done

Another year over

A new one just begun

And so this is Christmas

I hope you have fun

The near and the dear ones

The old and the young

A very merry Christmas

And a happy New Year

Let's hope it's a good one

Without any fear

And so this is Christmas

For weak and for strong

The rich and the poor ones

The war is so long

And so happy Christmas

For black and for white

For yellow and red ones

Let's stop all the fight