May The Best Be With You

Another Step Forward

I saw quite a number of students and parents last week asking for verification of economic and health status for student entry into the various local public universities for the July intake. It was with much nostalgia as I recalled the days of old when I too went to my Alma mater to ask for verifications from a Mr. Michael Perry, the then principal of Muar High School.

The parents I saw were humble and I could see they were hard workers and I was very glad for them as their children do them proud by gaining a place into the local institutions for whatever one may say, education is the key to a vicious cycle of inequality of any nature. I was glad the children who went through STPM and made it were also students who seemed matured and had withstood the true discipline of hard work. They will be the next platform for another generation of hopefully, good citizens.

I was especially touched when I see the parents putting down their signature in front of me and I told myself...here Ms/Mr...you are now the proud mother/father of a son/daughter who has done you proud and made all your days of work a pleasure...and the smiles on their faces, I could not forget. I felt for them as I feel for my own children...and I am sure as my parents felt for me when I went into the university. Back then, what do my parents know about matters of education and English? All they knew though was they must remind us to study hard and go to university for better days ahead. They were absolutely right. Thank God for parents.

I remembered Kong Kong cheekily telling me he was so proud of me that I could go to the university and during those days who would dare think of going overseas? You either get into the local university or Tunku Abdul Rahman College...but now students are more fortunate. There is this new avenue called private higher institutions of education which are helping many who are not able to attain a place or a course of choice to achieve their wants.

By the way, for your information, back in the 70s and early 80s education in Australia and New Zealand was free and in the UK it cost only a fraction of what it is today. It was the Common Wealth Countries camaraderie pact that aimed at helping one another...making education free for the countries involved. However to send one's child there would mean seeing to lodgings and food and that too would be too costly for many. But today, nothing is free. Everything costs a bomb.

So, for those who are going for the local stints , make use of the best of the opportunity given and do your best.

Remember, it is not how well you begin, it is how well you end.

For old times' sake, a photo to remember my pals until today, I learnt much from them as varsity mates...Choon Kim, Ai Hoon, Me and Son Boy

No Hand Phones

No hand phones in school please.

All schools have received the directive not to allow students to use hand phones in school be it during class time or outside the classroom ; not even during activity time.
Many have lamented on the directive but let's look at the wisdom behind such a move.

The presence of hand phones could lead to the following :

• theft
• cheating during examinations
• contacting people for wrong reasons during school hours
• loss of concentration in class
• ordering food against regulation
• taking insidious pictures
• recording wrong information
• root of quarrels and misunderstandings

All other reasons for the advantages of the hand phone cannot undo the harm it brings. Don't you agree?

On Father's Day

This year Father's Day was merrier than previous ones as my sister and her family came down and Grace was back from Singapore.


My father at 90 at his favourite past time... in connection with the world... do you know about the maid who was abused? It seems that all maids must be let a day off. You know, por and I have been cheated by the agency...they kept sending help that is below par and cries every other day. We have to make sure she has food and sleep but she doesn't even take care of us ! How is it so difficult to find a help ? Poor people...the story of a harrassed boss!

Kong Kong never lets a day off without the papers. Talk about world politics and affairs. I cringed when I am made ill-informed with his informative and inquisitive spirit. I would go ...ya..ya...ya and pretended I understood all he spoke on. Sigh.

A picture of fathers ; 3 generations in God's grace and mercy.

Generation 1 with Kong Kong as the leader of the pack...by the way this is only a fraction of his ownership.

Generation 2 with Mr. Kan senior as the mentor ... another son missing though in Perth

Again generation 2 with daddy as the doting dad always siding the girls and on their side...will you leave them alone?...he chides me all the time.

The undeniable generation 3 with Mr. Kan junior holding generation 4 Kan junior...hope you are not confused.

Never mind about the noise, mess, space,heat...it was good to have at least a fraction of the extended family together to remember one another ...how come it must take a day like this for us to remember? Even Grace took off to be home to remember dad on this day and especially so when it coincided with dad's birthday !

He is a dad who has read God's instruction...doesn't exasperate his children...and leaves all the nasty part to the dear wife to do a good job. Now you know why he's the favourite of the home.

In church this morning, when children showed their expression of love , Grace held dad in this manner...she must be missing dear dad ; being away in Singapore.

The girls held daddy's hand in prayer for him. He sure is a lucky man!

In appreciation of their long and many sacrifices for us, I thought it was appropriate that we brought Kong Kong and Por Por for a show at the Arena of Stars in Genting Highlands.

It was a concert in rememberance of the legendary Teresa Teng by a Ms Chai , a very gentle and petite lady but with powerful vocals. Her renditions of the evergreen hits brought us down memory land of a great artiste who passed away some 14 years ago . However she never died where I am concerned as her cds are at home, in the car and my handphone...oh that you will be aware of the wild flowers along the journey...and ones that you should avoid... some reminders to her lover translated from a hit.
Kong Kong cheekily reminded me that as a child I was crazy about Chinese movies and of the times that together with Por he would bring me to the Rex Cinema for midnight movies ! Those were moments that I still cherish and the excitement is as real as when you are wanting to go to the Piramid to catch a movie! Strangely the thoughts were haunting me at the time he reminded me. He does have a good memory for his age.
I noticed the way Por climbed up and down flights of steps...holding the side rails to find her balance and I asked myself if I were also going to face the same fate one day...Grace kept reminding her not to fall because she has seen enough pathetic cases in TTSH in Singapore and how old ones suffer tremendously due to falls. Por kept ranting that Grace has lost tons of weight and that life must be tough . I told her that it was not true and that she just wanted to look good.

It was a sweet season for part of the family to gather together and make time for one another... as time is a precious commodity disappearing fast in this super speed world. Time waits for no man.

The reminder in Church this morning was appropriately planted into our hearts and spirits... Honour your father and mother, as the Lord your God commanded you. Then you will live a long, full life...Deuteronomy 5:16

A Happy Father's day to all who are fathers.

Yi-Jay

In church today, the song went like this...what is your purpose in life?...God has plans for you...God was smiling at your birth...do you know the purpose in life?

My grand nephew ...God was smiling at your birth...

The most beautiful posture in life, sleeping in oblivion and with no cares in the world. Why does one need to grow up so fast?

Esther under severe punishment for late nights, lack of sleep and ill discipline... not to have the chance to hold baby Yi - Jay the way it should be done. Serve you right.

Baby Yi-Jay stole the thunder...each time he is in town.

Recyclables...

Recyclables...!

Yes ! Calling all present and ex-Seafieldians ... do your alma mater a favour. If you have anything recyclable sitting in your home waiting to be disposed why not do a good deed?
Donate to the school in conjunction with a fund-raising effort for the forthcoming PIBG Carnival Day 2009 ! So donate whilse cleansing your home and be a part of the communal effort to help the school.

The recyclables that are wanted :

Flattened boxes (including carton boxes)

Old magazines

Old newspapers



Crushed aluminium tins




Old batteries

Appointment Dates : 22 June to 26 June

Venue : In front of the Kemahiran Hidup Block

Time : 7.30 am - 9.00 am

The lady in-charge is none other than the charming Puan Suhaili, mother to Nizar...she will be here every morning on the stipulated dates assisted by Madam Michelle.

So be generous and donate your old recyclables for a good cause. Of course you gals and guys out there who are already working and reaping big fat bucks...perhaps out of gratitude and for old times' sake, you are cordially invited to donate gifts like cameras, new bicycles, ipods and other gifts for winners of the carnival. Parents are most welcome to lend your helping hand and make the carnival another success story for the school and your children.

So come and be a part of us ...once again.

Cikgu

They call me cikgu...

On evenings when I walk around the vicinity of USJ5, I will usually come across a playing court where a group of students will gather to play futsal, football, volleyball and so on. They are a bunch of physical kids full of vigour ready to sweat and vent out their energy... healthy activities.



The USJ5 playground will be a haunt where the boys ; surprisingly I see no girls - make and strengthen friendship and establish camaraderie that will be kept for memories .




Though I must confess I know not all of them except for Afiq, Faisal, Nabil, - they are a loving lot because they will unashamedly shout across the grounds and call me "cikgu".
I receive their sincere calling with much nostalgia and appreciation as it warms my heart. I like the way they acknowlege me (I must be getting really old; always wanting to be remembered) as it means they have understood respect for the teacher. They want to be associated with the school and be a part of the organisation be it within or outside the gates of the four walls. I simply love this attitude. But most of all, their call - cikgu - makes all the getting up in the wee hours of the morning for the last 29 years worthy and every sacrifice meaningful for cikgu.
Cikgu hopes the boys will grow into fine young men, well-mannered and always ready to be of use to the community around them and lead lives worth emulated by others.

Fine young boys...katanya cikgu.

The Mint Flavoured One

The craze is back again...this time...the mint flavoured one.

Sara : Mama, I want to make mint flavoured ice cream.

Ma : Ok. Teach me. I want to see how you do it.

Garrett : Wa, auntie you also believe in it adi ah?

Ma : Yup. I would like to learn too.

I am totally game for it. My baby teaching me how to make ice cream. I never knew that the youngest of the family is the one to spur me into ice cream-making.

So, this is how it goes.



First, she gathered the necessary ingredients for the concoction. This time it's mint essence ( I believe freshly squeezed mint will be better), sugar, chocolate shavings, full cream milk, whipped cream and colouring...no egg yolks though.
Adding to the concoction is an important secret ingredient ... vodka. I don't know what it does to the concoction but it must have contributed to the cooling taste effect in the finished product.

Flicking some of daddy's collection for her ice cream

The mixture is then poured into the maker for the churning process for a good 35 - 40 minutes.



Meanwhile, prepare some chocolate shavings and keep it in the freezer till required.
When mixture has reached a certain consistency which you will notice through experience, add the chocolate shavings .

Then, with a spatula, fold the shavings well into the mixture of sugar, cream milk, whipped cream and mint essence.

After a good folding, pour the mixture into a container ready to be frozen.

Cover mixture and freeze it for 4 - 5 hours before serving.

When properly frozen, the ice cream is now ready to be served. Scoop it into a cup or bowl and add nuts as prefered.

There...doesn't it look yummy? Dad doesn't like the mint flavour...but I love it...and I grade it no lower than the strawberry flavoured one. In fact, I feel relieved that I am not consuming so much egg and though the consistency is not as rich as the previous one, it is nevertheless just as fabulous! I love it very much.

Ma : Girl. when you become a mother one day, you can actually prepare ice cream in the nights and freeze it overnight ready to be served the next day. It's a handy skill. Keep it well. Very imaginative.

Another useful tip. She keeps the maker in the freezer when not in use so that it is always in freezing condition ready for use anytime. The churning process has to be done under freezing conditions.

Ice Cream Mania. Next better flavour please; soon I believe.

Last Ditch B4 Term Starts

The Sale is perpectually on.

Malaysia is a shopping paradise for many. As I observed the number of shoppers and the various items on sale, I wonder why the need to shop anywhere in the world?
But yet, taste is not something you can buy...it is inherent in one and so one man's meat is indeed another man's poison.
Walked around the Golden Triangle of Kuala Lumpur with Sara from Sungai Wang to Lot 10 to Time Square to Bukit Bintang and yet...not many items caught our eyes.

But this caught my attention and brought back memories.

Snow White with her basket of apples promoting a new radio station ... DNE ?

How about this? This shot was done some 10 years ago while on a maiden trip to Disney World in Orlando with my parents . Look I was already on slim jeans! It took 10 years later for the fashion world to catch up...hahahaha.



Sara took a closer shot of desperate Snow White selling the new station !

Ma. She's a man?

It was a day to mark the end of the holidays. There will no more Saturdays free to shop in town and school will churn the utmost out of us teachers...fees, carnival, exams, results, meetings...

Oh I hope to have a good night's rest.

But I had good rest ready to face the new semester.

Super Ice Cream

Yes, it's ice cream!

She has a way of coaxing daddy into her plans and fantasies.

No.3 : Pa, how about a compromise ?

Dad : What now?

No.3 : The ice cream maker is only RM260.00. I foot half the bill and the other half you pay. I promise to make good ice cream.

Ma : It's only a fad. You'll get tired of it soon. And with RM260.00 do you know how many scoops of Baskin Robbins ice cream you can get? Just buy la. No need to make.

No.3 : But it's my dream to make my own ice cream. Pa, please, pa.

Pa : Ok la, ok la, ok la.

So dear dad accompanied her to Jusco after church last Sunday morning for that maker.

Her Kenwood ice cream maker

So, her first attempt...a chocolate gelato.

Ma : You call that ice cream? Told you...just buy la!

Poor N0. 3...her gelato did not turn out as planned. Sometimes hard ; at others soft. The forlorn one tasting and wondering what went wrong. The laughing mama took a snap of her in her devastated state.

No.3 : Don't challenge me too far, ma. You know I can get it when I really want. It's just that...something must be wrong with the concoction and proportions of ingredients.

The next day,

No.3 : Ma, can you get the strawberries from the fruit store in SS15 after picking Lyn?
Ma : What for?
No. 3 : I wanna make ice cream again.

Again? No choice. You can't just dampen her spirit further by being uncooperative. So, I dutifully bought them.

For the whole of today she was frolicking in the kitchen taking the ice cream maker in and out of the fridge ( I believe) while mum and dad made another day trip up north.

Mum and dad came home to a great surprise...look at the sequences below :

No. 3 : Ma, this is the conventional ice cream or the old fashioned ice cream. It's much richer than the gelato I made. It has 4 egg yolks, cream, milk and sugar so that's why it doesn't harden like the gelato when in the freezer as it has fats. Ma, taste it, ma.

What do the pictures tell you?

Dad : Sara, this old fashioned ice cream ...I grade it...same standard as Baskin Robbins! Super ice cream!

Within a short span of a few days, she learnt some tricks of ice cream making and remarked that there are 4 types: - the gelato, the conventional one, the sherbet and the sorbet. They differ in taste and consistency as the ingredients used differ in proportions. Also, it's preference and personal to the taste. You can add mango, mint, banana accordingly to get the prefered taste.

But, I must really confess, the ice cream was really superb...not kidding when I also grade it the same way dad did. It was really, really good.

Looks like I have to challenge her more in life...some people need the positive push , others prefer the antagonistic challenge...whatever it is...Grace come home and taste it.

So, we should expect some ice cream surprises in conjunction with dad's day?

Super Sara with her Super Ice Cream !