Surprises Everyday

Everyone love pleasant surprises, but nothing beat the surprises that Baby Justin gave to mama and papa. At only nine months old, he surprised mama by climbing up the staircase even before he know how to stand up straight. A week later, he started to clap hands, thanks to the educational video that he watch every now and then. And a few days later, of all the words that we taught him, he chose 'mum mum' to be his first words while we gave him his favourite biscuit.

The Raya holiday gave me chance to snap more picture of his 'daily life'. He gave me more surprises. While still struggling to walk and constantly demanding to be 'freed', he would roam around the house by himself, refuses anyone to carry him. He's constantly active. Then papa took him to the garden, and let him sit on the grass. To my surprises, he started to examine every little details of the grasses, leaves, and small creatures that came along his way. 

Justin love gardens. I think he loves greenery like his papa. Everytime when he refuses to eat at the dining table, we would take him out to the garden and he would finish up the bowl of porridge in no time, grinning. 

Today, he decided to scrawl under the dining table and chairs. I let him. Then I grabbed my camera, ready to get some shots of him crawling. Suddenly, he grabbed the grill of the window, stood up and started making sound..'oooo, oooooo..... ooooooo.....' Apparently there was a cat out side. 

Suddenly, he grabbed the grill firmly, lift his right leg, wanting to climb up the window. Ooooooo NO, no time for photo snapping. I quickly got behind him and said 'Becareful Justin'. He grinned, stepped down and hugged me. That's another surprise. His feet are not strong enough to stand up by himself just yet. 

Well, the holiday is spent entirely at home. But it's definitely a well spent one. 

:-D

Half Naked at Icy Cold Waterfall!

Well, I reckon the title would attract some attention. hahahaha....

One activity that was so memorable to me during my last visit to Kota Kinabalu recently was the day trip to Mahua Waterfall. The fact is, I haven't been to any waterfall nor mandi-manda at streams for ages. The last time was probably twenty years ago, during my varsity days. Thanks to Dr. Shah and Abg Yazid, my sweet memories of splashing and swimming at streams was rekindled.

The journey to this waterfall from KK took us approximately one and a half hours. But the one and a half hours drive was not boring at all, as we passed by many scenic views of the mountains and valleys, like this one.

Together with our blogger friend Wahaza Extra, and Dr. Shah's friend Iskandar, the drive was filled with laughters.

One was required to hike for about 30 minutes from the entrance (RM3 was charged per person per entry) of the area to this magnificent waterfall. No, the hike was not tiring at all, as the park was filled with wonders of God's creation. Huge trees, shady path, interestingly unique ferns, serene view.... ahh.... I would love to spend hours there again if i got the chance.

The fall was approximately 20m in height, and the water was ICY COLD! It's like taking a dip in a pool of water that had just retrieved from the fridge! I would say it's around 10 degree Celcius or lower. The roar of the waterfall was hypnotizing. I love the view.

Then we took off our shirts (err.... only two of us), and I put on my sexy and tiny triangular-shaped swimming trunk before dipping into the cold water. Ooooooo.......it was cold! We spent roughly 10 minutes in the pool before some starts to shiver.

The trip was memorable. Thanks to Dr. Shah's water-proof camera, we took tons of sexy photos. hahahahaha....

Justin and Compact Camera

Since papa love photography, baby Justin might got interested too. So papa decided to put baby Justin into a simple test by giving him a compact camera. 

Oh well, Justin seems to get more interested with the camera instead. His instinct tells him to put it into his mouth and taste it. Maybe it's too early. Shall test him again when he turned one. Hehehe....

Kasih Sayang

I'd heard about this resort many times, and had seen the magnificent view of this place from Dr. Shah and Beruang Madu's blog. Didn't expect to set foot on this place during my visit to KK last week. To my delight, Dr. Shah and Beruang Madu decided to bring me there :-D

We were lucky, Mount Kinabalu was clearly visible from the entrance of the resort. Yeaayyy!

As expected, the view from the resort was breathtaking. The resort itself had so many thing to offer. Comfortable dining area with great view, cozy rooms to spend a night or two, spa facilities and sauna were also provided. Wow.

There's only one thought in my mind after I'd checked out all their facilities: A nice place for honeymoon!

Since it's late evening, we had our dinner there. It's necessary to highlight here that the meal portion is HUGE and sufficient to feed two stomach for a single order. 

The sunset was beautiful and hypnotizing. The lights illuminate Kota Kinabalu city beautifully. Another WOW...

This resort is definite a good choice for relaxation and romantic stuff :-D

Fascinating Kota Kinabalu

I went to Kota Kinabalu (KK) last year and spent three days there. Since KK got so much to offer, three days was not enough. This year, I extended it to four days. I stayed in Tang Dynasty Hotel for the first two days, working on day time, and stroll along KK waterfront at night (Awesome!) and two days at my dear friends Dr. Shah and Beruang Madu's place.

I spent two hours at the Water Front on the first evening and found it fascinating, and went there again on the next evening.

The view from the Water Front was breathtaking, and very relaxing. I could sit there for hours, meditating while breath in the ocean air. Observing the locals was fun. Naive children picking up 'treasures' on the beach. Cheerful boy sitting at the tip end of the boat while the father maneuver the boat.  A stocky father embracing his sweet daughter while she touches her father's face. We just can't find those moments if we walk by hurriedly.

Strolling in the wet market behind the Philippine Market had made me realised that there're tons of new things yet to be registered in my mind. The seafood was excitingly cheap here. 

"Dua ringgit! Dua ringgit! Dua ringgit!" the sellers chanted, informing the buyers that the fishes were only two ringgit per kilogram. Gossh.... if only they can offer such price in KL. 

The fishes were all very fresh. The they were still in their vibrant colours. We can't get those in KL. 

O, wait, this was something new to me. The spanner crab as the locals called them, were like the alien found in the movie. I was told their flesh's texture and taste were somewhat between that of the prawn and crab. But beware, the price could burst the veins of your heart. 

Barbecued or grilled seafood were plentiful. Be reminded to ask for the price before you take them. Barbecued chicken wings were tasty! I had four as appetizer before I went for my sumptuous dinner :-P

Goshhh!!! They got wild durians!! The flesh were vibrant red or striking orange. I used to have them when i was very, very, very young. Hard to find them now a days. The red flesh one tasted bitter, while the orange one tasted rather sweet. Both with pungent smell.

Best of all, i met my long-time-ago's lab mate Miss Evenni. We last met in 1996. We had dinner at one of the famous tourist-infested restaurant while mesmerizing the good old days when we were, errr, young :-P

Yah, KK is fascinating. 

Coming up, exciting activities at the outskirts of KK and nearby. 

Angry Again >:-(

After the short trip to KB, i flew across the South China Sea to my next destination, Kota Kinabalu.

I strolled along the KK waterfront one evening, and was excited to find a local night market bursting with activities. Lots of interesting stuff on display. My excitement dampened when i saw these shells on display for sale.


To my relieve, there're only two stalls selling these shells. It's the appetite of human for destruction that hurts me deeply. Removing these shells from their natural habitat means that other creatures heavily depend on these shells will be unable to survive. This will disturb the ecosystem in the long run. As more people harvest these shells to meet the appetite of those buying these as their home decor, the destruction to the ecosystem continues.

Even small broken shells from the beach should not be removed from their natural habitat as they're a part of the ecosystem that enable the habitat to remain stable and sustainable.

Yes, i was angry seeing these shells for sale. Thought it's beautiful and may look good in my living room, I detest those proudly display them in their home without the sense of guilt (hehehe... a bit over).

So, stop buying these shell, and stop collecting shells from the beach. That's the least you can do to save our earth. Are you with me?

Update: I was told that there're plenty of such stalls in Gaya Street & Philippine market. Aiyooooo............

Angry >:(

My trip to Kota Bahru last weekend was fun, until I saw these when I strolled inside Pasar Siti Khadijah to buy some souvenirs.


It just got into my nerve to see this people happily selling of the eggs of near-extinct turtles. Reports by our locally known expert Prof. Chan can be found here "Extinction Threat" The WWF Malaysia also reported such threat here "Turtles" My observation shows that there were as many as 6 stalls selling turtle eggs, each with a basin full, or two. Gosshhh.....

I can tolerate many things, but this was just too much for me to bear. As a conservationist and a nature lover, I want my son Justin to enjoy the nature as much as I do now. Unfortunately, with such inhumane practice, and the disgusting appetite of those who want to purchase and consume these eggs, I'm afraid baby Justin will not be able to enjoy such pleasure when he grow up.

Arrrgggghhhhh!!!!! YES, I AM STILL ANGRY!

Poor Blue-blue :-P

Last week was a devastating week for papa and mama. Justin fall sick for the first time. As if coughing was not severe enough, Justin was also down with severe flu and high fever.

The most heart-breaking moment came when I was about to go to work at 6.45am, and there he was, crying his lung out in mama's arm, with mucus flowing from his nostrils and interrupted with phlegmy coughs. Haiyooo..... I cried.

But with lots of prayer from friends and tender loving care from mama and Auntie Yolly (maid), he got better in a few days. The paediatrician had to prescribe him with antibiotics due to throat infection. The fever had only lasted for two days. Thank God.

Now that he's recovering (still with cough and flu), he's getting active again. We put him in his walker, and he played with his Blue-blue.



*Poor Blue-blue kena campak dua kali. :-P

Note: Thousand thanks to those who cared and prayed for Justin's speedy recovery. You know who you are.

New Office.... Hmm.....

Finally, our office had shifted to a new location, far from home. The new office may look nicer, but frankly, it does not make me happier.

Somehow, things had changed. Even the attitude of some of my colleagues had changed. Some had turned to be overly selfish while some took the advantage to sneak away during office hour. This very project of shifting the office had successfully pushed certain people to manifest their true ugly colours. The unity of the staff was compromised.

With such stresses at work, and the long-hour driving, the exhaustion at the end of each working day was immense. Luckily, there's something so special that would cheer me up when I reach home. The gesture of excitements and the angelic smile that baby Justin gave me as i reach home were the best anti-stress and anti-exhaustion treatments.

At seven months old, Justin is constantly active and everything excites him. He'd started to roll over when he turned six months old. Within two weeks, he started to crawl. And now, he spent hours exploring the house by himself, with close supervision from mama of course.

Spending hours talking to him and playing with him is what i enjoyed most. However, he sleeps at 9.30pm. That would have left me one hour to spend with him daily. That's not enough for me, and not fare for him.

I'm currently looking for job else where. Though i had a few offers, they're not to my liking. Yes, I do know that my students will be in despair and that's the only thing that had been holding me from leaving my current job. However, i had made up my decision. I'll leave this place as soon as I get a better offer.

Serenity in Kimchiland

Some must be wondering why i didn't update my blog as frequent as before. The fact is, I was pretty down and stressed out for the past month. The pressures and the stresses at my work place hiked up unnoticed. Lets put it this way, you're forced to shift to a new house without your consent, and the new house is far from completion with incomplete facilities. To add salt to the wound, your opinion, concerns and expertise were never taken into consideration. You were treated like a bunch of factory operators even though you've got a PhD degree and generating new knowledges for the next generation. That's how we felt. Sucks.

I had this plan months ago, to go visit the Kimchiland ~ Korea with my church members. It so happen that this trip comes in during the height of my stress. I guess God is listening to my prayers :-D

In Kimchiland, we had been served with kimchi in every meal we had. On top of that, the food were yummy!

Two of my favourites are the hotpot, and barbecue beef.


But the main purpose of going there was not to jalan-jalan cari makan but to experience the evangelism explosion in Korea and to witness how the Korean hold to their faith in times of difficulty. We stayed in Bupyeong Methodist Church with 5 star accomodation.


It was during the stay here that i found serenity in life. We woke up at 4.30am and attended their morning prayer meeting, accompanied by hundreds of other local christians. Our days was filled with various lectures, sharing, testimonies, fellowship and visits to other churches. The best moment came when we visited this well-known Prayer Mountain in Seoul. We got ourselves a small room, and i spent hours of quiet moment in that tiny enclosure.

Now, back to 'reality', I'm ready to heed the challenges ahead. Cause I'm energized now :-D