Goodbye 2008!

Reflections

• To the 40 students of 3 Cekap SMK Seafield 2008 thank you for doing well in PMR and especially in English. Thank you for the 37 As and 3 Bs. May you continue to do well in 2009.
• To my colleagues and friends in school, thank you for another fruitful year with you and if I have been too loud, you have to forgive me. It was without any malice and my anxious moments caused me to lose my cool.
• To my children thank you for passing your exams and making daddy and mummy's hard work meaningful. To you children I know this stands true...'you say it best when you say nothing at all' ...only at certain times. At others I am afraid I am going to say much more...
• To Daddy, thank you for your patience and making Ephesians 5 : 25-33 a reality. Thank you for labouring for the family in such a selfless manner.
• To my parents and mother-in-law, without you all I will have nothing today and thank you for always being there whenever I call for help.
• To my God ...Proverbs 3:5,6 has been a promise that carried the family through -

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight".

Thank you dear Jesus for 2008; in gratitude, always.

The Tuition Syndrome

Ha...ha...ha...it has arrived at the shores of Melbourne!

Had some interesting encounters with parents and their children who are studying in Melbourne recently...

Case 1:

Father : My son is just not scoring the way I'd like him to.
Me : Hmm...which subject?
Father : English. I must get an English tutor to coach him.
Me : Do you need to do that? It's just getting into the right amount of reading and writing...you mean there are teachers doing that in Melbourne too ?
Father : Yup...many students are getting help that way too.
Me : So you are bringing that culture to Melbourne too? I thought assessment in Australia is more school-based and a greater emphasis in class participation?
Father : No...I need to make sure he gets a chance to get into the right university.
Me : And who gives tuition there? Asian teachers?
Father : I have to find out more...

Case 2:

Me : So how's the going in class, Jo? You're still topping in class?
Jo : Not in this new school. In my previous state school yes. But no more here in this new
'control' school.
Me : How come? You have always been on the top.
Jo : Aunty Ik Poh, in my class there are 1/3 Indian Nationality students, 1/3 Asian (yellow skin) students and the rest are local Auzzies. I can't fight with the 2/3s in the class. They are just plain kiasu and boy... they are out to score that 99.9 TER tingee!Stress! In Sydney there has been a case of 100 TER!
Jo's ma : Yup. Next year I must get him a tuition teacher.
Me : Which subject?
Jo's ma : Mathematics.
Me : Do you need to do that?
Jo's ma : Eh, must. The kiasu syndrome is very strong la!
Me : Looks like everyone is bringing the Malaysian way of studying to the new place!

During breakfast yesterday, while talking about this issue,

No.3 : You see mama...if I were an Auzzie, I will be so angry...suddenly they are surrounded by all the kiasus in town and there goes their original plan of education...leisure and pleasure. Now it's torture!
Me : Well, the parents did not send the children there for nothing. It's a lot of money and sacrifice but really, the Malaysians...they don't change, do they? ( me included!)

Interestingly, I read the papers yesterday and was informed that Taylor's Malaysia is world No.1 in the SAM program and even has a student with a score of 99.95! Hei, why not try here?

Somehow students here have a way the foreigners don't have...an ethos not found anywhere in this world!

Kudos Malaysia!

Merry Christmas Everyone !

Merry Christmas, everyone !

Oops I am still on time!...Things have been moving so fast that I have not been able to find the time to write.
Good news is the children are back with me. Oh what a wonderful feeling to have them all with me again but I do not know for how long.
Better still all of them were with us in church this morning...with 'special friends' ! Had a quiet but meaningful christmas eve family get-together and I must say this has been one of the best christmas I ever had because we were surrounded by our loved ones and it was fulfilling.
Have been trying to catch some meaningful time with God to reflect upon His goodness and faithfulness to the family throughout 2008.
Thank you dear Jesus for your work of redemption through your birth and Happy Birthday dear Jesus!

Merry Christmas everyone and may the new year bring you loads of goodies and blessings.

This Is The Day

The Convocation

Yes. It's Esther's turn.

Wilson Hall Of the University of Melbourne is dominated by a striking mural designed by Douglas Annand in collaboration with sculptor Tom Bass . Entitled 'A Search for Truth' the mural depicts a struggle out of primitive ignorance toward knowledge, symbolised by the sun.

The Procession led by the Deputy Chancellor, Ms Rosa Storelli.

This year the Honorary Doctorate Degree was conferred to our very own local boy - Hijjas Bin Kasturi - for his outstanding contribution to architecture in Malaysia . His popular designs include the Securities Commisssion HQ Building, Tabung Haji, KL, Menara Apera-ULG, KL, Menara Maybank, KL and Menara Telekom. Both an entrepreneur and an educationist, being instrumental in establishing MARA's architecture degree programme, he is to be emulated by the aspiring younger generation of architects.

Esther waiting amongst her contemporaries

Soon her turn. In front of her is Zen, whom I think I owe a dinner treat, for his care and tremendous support to Esther in times of need. It's vital to a have a pal who is available for mutual encouragement when away from home.

Esther receiving the certificate - Bachelor of Architectural Studies. It's only the beginning.

There. Congratulations , girl.

The 3 sisters happy for one another.

Michelle came in the nick of time to congratulate her. She was wavering between acknowledging me as 'Aunty' or 'Puan Chong'. Apa pun boleh. Well, tomorrow it's her turn in the University of Monash. Congrats, Michelle.

Esther with her die-hard friends.

The trip was made partly for this. A family photo for the new graduate.

This is indeed the day that the Lord has made.

Final Destination

To Melbourne

Grevillea Lodge gave us perfect rest. After bidding good bye to Merrill and Nicky, the Siberian Husky, we continued our travel to Melbourne. We thought it would be a 5 hour drive but Merrill gently told us it would take 7 hours non-stop.

But as usual, dad could not allow a chance to see Canberra go by just like that. So, we took a tour of the federal capital.




Canberra is akin to our very own Putrajaya, at least that's what we think. It's prim and proper with a no nonsense type ethos. Clean and quiet, it's a perfect place to send your children for further studies. In fact, Canberra houses 2 very distinguished universities ; The University of Canberra and Australian National University apart from many other smaller ones. Malaysia sends many of her JPA scholars here.
After the mamak sessions of Subang Jaya, it will be quite an effort to fit into Canberra, so I believe. That's why Hazel, Esther's former classmate is always on the run...she finally graduated this year. Congrats, Hazel.
We finished seeing the the capital in half an hour. So we continued our pursuit of the final destination.


All the way to Melbourne along the Pacific Highway, landscapes that depict fairy tale like descriptions in story books came alive again. Grace recounted her Enid Blyton days and admitted that she used to dream of waking up to a landscape and weather as witnessed along the journey.



In NSW we could not escape this sight - merino sheep grazing on the grassland.They are an inquisitive lot and herd instinct is strong. Why are you looking at us? We have never seen so many sheep in our lifetime.

Despite our tight schedule, the man of the house finally voted that we had to make a slight detour again. We must not miss Jeir Creek as it is on the map of the 'must sees'. So we must see.


Jeir Creek is renowned for her wine and vineyards. The lady boss told us that they bought the 40 acres back in 1984, 2 months before her 3rd daughter was born. There was an immediate affiliation when she saw us with our 3 girls. But her girls are all grown up and are busy in their careers in bigger towns. Together with her husband and some part time help, they managed the enterprise on their own. They breathe in clean, unpolluted air each day and I can see they will have long lives. The weather here is very cool and dry so perfect for the grapes and of course beautiful blooms.


We saw the male boss pruning the vines and he said his hands tell tales - calloused.But I can see that he is enjoying himself and doesn't take it as a chore. Dad fitted into the atmosphere quite naturally. He even said he would love to do the pruning too cos it's therapeutic and good for the soul.

Succulent and fresh grapes ready for harvest in some months. The lady boss also related that they are not keen on comprising quality for quantity. At times when deem fit, they will cut away the fruits just to make sure the quality of the grapes is preserved. She even said that there is no one formula for the production of wine. A lot depends on the grapes which are different seasonally. But she likes the variation cos every season of production is unique.


We got to another wine tasting session and bought a couple of bottles for celebration later.

I love the blooms. So I must take a shot.

Another family photo for memories.

On the way down from the winery, Esther insisted that Grace stop for this. Post boxes for everyone. It's one kind of its own.
Away from Jeir Creek, we again made the long trip down south.



We took a short break to relax our tight muscles at Holbrook known for its submarines. A cowboy town, many travellers stop here to have a cup of coffee and even prayers. We witnessed a Muslim family offering their prayers in a simple manner...a mat laid out in the middle of a field and the family on their knees. Told the girls it's important to have a quiet and still time before God each day for divine instruction. They kept quiet.

We finally arrived at our final destination - Melbourne - our last stop before we fly out to Malaysia.

We were very grateful to my brother and his family for waiting patiently for our arrival. Dinner could only be served at 8 that evening. My SIL prepared a sushi dinner and we had a sumptuous meal.

My SIL has lost a lot of weight. She says she has been working hard. I could see that. Running between a business and the home is no easy matter. They have a lovely house in Wheeler's Hill and it's no wonder every time Esther comes here she doesn't want to go back to the apartment.
Home is where the heart is. Wherever one may be, as long as you are with your immediate family and children, the battle is won. It's only when the family is apart that makes life tough.



Look at the picture. Another generation. This time I could not refuse this shot cos they are all ex-seafieldians. With the exception of Grace and Jeremy, the rest were once under the tutelage of SMK Seafield. From the right, Esther, Jason, Mei Chee, John and Sara. I feel good to see them growing up well.


We ended the evening with an outdoor activity...watching fireworks in an early celebration in the backyard of Wheeler's Hill. It was cold...like when we were in Las Vegas.

Melbourne...the place where we want to be.

To Canberra

To Canberra

After a restful evening at River View Garden, the lady of the house gave us a hearty breakfast to prepare us for another long journey. It was great as we again came together to remember God's goodness and abundant love. We gave thanks and asked for God's protection for the day.
Before leaving Stockton and Newcastle, we took a little tour of the place and found it to be quiet and clean , very serene.

The Ferry ride from Stockton to Newcastle City is only 5 minutes.

A shot of Newcastle taken from Stockton across the ferry. Grace added that some of her IMU friends continued their overseas programme in the University of Newcastle. A perfect location for studies but a little dull for the adventurous.

Graffiti which says...
Great place !
Great Lifetime?
Great Future?

On the way out of Newcastle, dad explained to the girls that the machinery shown is to upload grains into ships for export. Australia is well known for exporting wheat and corn and it's no wonder that gadgets are aplenty for the purpose.

We had another joyful ride for 2 odd hours before touching Sydney. Sydney is lively and busy. The first signs of Sydney came as we went across Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Took a short break at the Fish Market before trudging to the bridge

We were advised by a friend to go straight to the Fish Market and park there before proceeding to Darling Harbour and the Opera House. It was almost 12pm when we reached Sydney and we wanted to catch as much of Sydney as possible... a real ambitious feat in 4 hours.
It was expensive to park at the Fish Market cos the parking ticket came up to A27.00!


Sydney is very cosmopolitan as commented and observed by Sara. While waiting for dad to finish his inspection of the bridge both Sara and I saw more Asians than Whites on the bridge. As usual...in my travels I am bound to meet a Seafieldian. This time it was Megan of the SPM 2007 batch.

The girls of the home ...Grace said I was from China.

A quick look around Sydney could only mean taking the Cruise around the city. So we decided that we should be on it to see as much of the place as possible.

On the cruise...dad and the 2 older girls love it. Sara and I sat in the boat, afraid of the sun.

Esther and dad. She gets dark on her arms but her face is white...calls herself a 'pak cham kai'.

We were told that the yellow buildings in the background was the site of the first landing of the convicts of England .

The Sydney Opera House which took many years to build...one of the 7 wonders of the world.

Yachting is contagious here. The houses encircling the lake is no less than A12 million on the average...for the rich and famous. One of it belongs to the state government and Mr. Rudd stays there when in Sydney.

These 2 girls love to be under the sun. The effect came later in the evening when they were red all over.

At the ferry, people gathered for an early Christmas celebration

A final shot in Sydney before leaving for Canberra. We finally got out out Sydney's jam at 5 pm ...a bit too late. Grace was really good at the wheels as she did not seem tired and kept her spirit bright and strong, a real help to dad.
On the way to Canberra, strong drafts which I have never experienced before in my travels caught us unexpectedly. The strong, howling wind seemed obvious with swaying trees along the journey. Sara, noticeably disturbed, kept praying and asking dad if the winds had gone away.

We reached our destination at almost 8 pm.In Canberra, we stayed at a farm house, another B & B feature...Grevillea Lodge, 13 km NW of the city. It was a cosy apartment and had a small kitchenette for our needs.



The stay at Grevillea Lodge was made more memorable with the presence of a friendly Siberian Husky tagging along the girls.

We called it a day after having a Chinese take away dinner from an outlet near the lodge.
Chinese food seemed to taste the best that evening.
It was indeed another good day. Tomorrow we go to Melbourne...7 hours away.