Ahem. 
I'm Didi. Housewife and Mom of 3. Desperate sometimes. Most times blessed. 
Monday Morning Scene
Kindergarten Children on the way to school in a school bus.
My Kids have not been blessed by such joy.
But then again I’m a Mama Bear when it comes to my Kids’ goings and comings. They plead and cry and huff and puff to try to get me to let them ride in a school bus, and I calmly tell them they’re riding with me. End of story.
And off they go!
Can you tell it’s a cloudy and about to rain 7:30am? We should be sleeping in.
Posted in Snapshots, Sights & Scenes.
– Mon, 6 Jul 2009
Superhero GRANma
This here is my maternal grandmother.
She is currently recuperating in the hospital from a bout of severe diarrhea that saw her physically weakened to worrying levels and had to be rehydrated intravenously. Thankfully, doctors expect her to recover fully and will be allowed home in a matter of 24 hours from today.
Ever met a superhero Granma before? I have one. Live and kicking. She’s the homestead’s equivalent of kick-ass power woman executive of corporate Malaysia. Even after having kids she continued to work the fields and brought in her own income. Never depending on my Grandfather.
When she moved to the city, everybody knew her as the very able cleaning lady who went up and down buses getting to her work place, fearless and formidable. God help the person trying to trick her into parting with her schoolboy backpack filled with her possessions. She’ll give you a good whack with her umbrella.
Long after everybody else’s Granmas were having kopitiam (coffeshop) breakfasts with other Granmas and playing mahjong, she continued to work until she was physically not able to. Quite the career lady my Granma.
I am glad she is going home from the hospital soon. I knew she would.
Posted in Family Life.
– Fri, 3 Jul 2009
Food. Friends. Fun
Food + Friends = Fun.
This certainly was the outcome at my second daughter’s seven year old birthday party recently.
The day started with some Sand Art.
Then came Games.
Oooh… Pressure mounts as the seats keep getting removed…
I’m not sure what this game was, but see those mini fans some of the Kids are holding? I got those as prizes for winners of the games. Super cute no?
Here’s Jacob. Goofing.
Then came the food. But not before a photo with the friends who made the birthday memorable.
Ok, don’t laugh. But I made this.
I heard you laughing. Obviously, I need to work on my cake decorating skills. Now stop laughing.
Finger food galore.
That was the program proper.
Afterwards, it was ‘free-style’ for the Kids and we heard comments like “Ok. I’m the King and you can be the Guards ok?” Spunky declared, “I’m the Princess!!” There was even a small fight that fortunately ended with a hug and “I forgive you.” Aww.
No, this was not the hug and ‘I forgive you’. I just wanted to show these cuties off. I just ADORE them!
And the adults who came?
They enjoyed 2 kilos of Buffalo Wings which I had them down with Shandy and finish with a Chocolate Sheet Cake. Yup. I made them all too. And the conversation went from everything on education to why the folks in the big city of West Malaysia find it hard to give maids a day off when over here, we ASK maids to take a day off so we could have the family all to ourselves. Dang the company was good.
Food for Adults + Friends = Super Fun too!
Posted in Family Life, Kids.
– Wed, 1 Jul 2009
Badged
She came home with a badge this past week.
‘Assistant Class Monitor’.
She was mighty proud.
Posted in Family Life, Kids.
– Tue, 30 Jun 2009
So Where Were We?
Oh that’s right. We were at the entrance of the Sabah Agriculture Park in Tenom.
Now normally I’d be taking a picture of everything I could, even around the lobby area. However, at this point, Hubsters nudged me to get on along with paying for our entrance fees.
So, we were three adults and four kids. The lady at the counter then asked for a breakdown of the ages of our little entourage. Okay. So that’s three adults, two school-going children and two pre-schoolers. Then the lady asked whether we had a senior citizen in the group. One of us was.
We got the Family Package, priced at RM28.
And Hubsters didn’t take any photos around the lobby.
“What? YOU had the camera!” said he.
Men.
Here’s where I’d like to tell everyone that please believe the information brochures and leaflets when they tell you to try and arrive at the Park in the morning, when the flowers and plants are fresh and dewy. With such a vast expanse of flora and vegetation, it was scorching hot when we arrived there at 1:30pm!
But the smell of Jasmine lightly scented the air. It was lovely!
We were told that we could catch the 2:30pm train ride to tour the Orchid Garden. Here’s our would-be ride.
But since it wasn’t time yet for our little tour, we walked around the place a bit, and my Mother-in-law and I kept telling each other about the loveliness of the scent of Jasmine in the air. Sigh.
And this caught my attention.
It’s the stretch that leads to Persiaran Perdana.
Beautiful stretch isn’t it?
And suddenly, out of nowhere, I saw this.
Aik?! Di sini pun ada tempat main bola?! (Football field?!)
Hey, have you ever seen PINK pineapples?
I haven’t! It was such a treat.
And sorry for the photo orientation. I was trying to keep a steady stance between holding my camera and an umbrella.
If you’re wondering where the Kids are at this point, they’re there. Running around wild and free. Glad to have such an extensive play area. Screaming “Daddy, I’m hottt. Where’s MY umbrella???”
We then moved on to this corner.
But first…
Well okay then.
And I’m falling a little behind here.
But I really wanted to read these first.
“Mommy! Are you coming?? You could get lost in here!”
It wasn’t from any of my Kids.
“Coming!” And I quickened my steps, catching this scene along the way.
I ran to catch up with my troop. Whenceforth I chanced upon my weary Husband.
In typical chinaman fashion of stating the obvious I called out, “Hot huh Darling?”
*no response*
These Chipmunks didn’t look weary…
Or maybe Spunky was.
This sent shudders down the Children’s backs, especially when my Darling Hubby explained to them that Carnivorous Plant meant the giant flower ate meat. “Wow, one of you could fit in there.” he said. And they ran far, far away.
I’m glad there are these amenities available in this woodland.
Oh hey, guess what. I think it’s about time we get on the train ride for our Orchid Garden tour.
But first, one more shot.
And look Mr Train Driver tells us we’re ready to go.
All aboard?
Let’s go!
Posted in Snapshots, Sights & Scenes.
– Sat, 27 Jun 2009
Can We Have A Commercial Break err.. Please?
Did I say we were going to go into the Sabah Agriculture Park & Gardens TOMORROW/ TODAY?
I’m sorry.
You see, it’s Middle Sis’ birthday this weekend, so I’ll be away again. At my Mom’s house. For Middle Sis’ little BFF party. Where there’s no internet. Again.
I will leave you with a glimpse of what we found at the Park though.
Here.
Stay tuned!
Posted in Family Memories.
– Fri, 19 Jun 2009
Breaking News
We’re taking a break from all photos of sights and scenes to mourn the loss of our one month and 10 days old, dearly loved, carpet-chinchilla pet rabbit, Bengy.
*sniff*
I was going through my to-do list for Middle Sis’ birthday party when I heard a rustling commotion at our backyard. ‘Oh, those pesky cats.’ I thought. ‘Fighting in my backyard again!’
This time though the commotion was louder than usual and there was even some banging and things dropping. Then I heard cat hissing. ‘Oh come on!’ thought I. Then I heard a squeak. And a few more squeaks. And the Mama Cat that regularly hangs out at our place was hissing more fiercely.
*sniff, sniff*
So I looked at the direction she was intensely glaring at. And I saw the Male Cat that often was the instigator of cat brawl in my backyard, biting something by the neck firmly in his mouth. It was my poor Bengy!
I screamed at the cat and scuttled to find the keys to my backyard door grill, stepping the Mama Cat in the process. And I heard another squeak. ‘Poor bunny, poor bunny!’ I thought. ‘And he even looked at me with those beautiful round eyes!’
*sniff, sniff, sniff*
By the time I shot through the door however, the evil cat took off, our precious pet still hanging in his mouth by the neck. The freakin’ feline ran off like a bullet, leaving little ol’ me standing there, aghast.
I was silent for a while, trying to find my bearings. I finally got back into the house and called Hubs. And I recounted the scene to him between shocked pauses and breathless sobs.
*sniff, sniff, sniff, sniff*
Hubby said the next time he sees that cat, there won’t even be fur left behind.
The worst part was telling the Girls. I didn’t know how to do it. Hubs said it had to be done because they will come home from school to take Bengy out to play.
After picking them up from school, we parked and I gathered myself together to tell them. Just then, my phone rang and it was Hubby. He offered to tell them instead, so I put him on speaker phone. He began with “I’m sorry Children. Mommy and I have some bad news…”
The Older Two cried all the way home, Middle Sis falling asleep on the way, in tears. Spunky kept quiet right through. Upon reaching home, as if to find some closure, Big Sis went straight to Bengy’s cage, saw it empty and door ajar, and cried harder.
*sniff, sniff, sniff, sniff, sniff*
Hubby and I are still trying to figure how the killer cat was able to get the door of the cage to open and pounce on our pet.
Rest in peace Bengy. Or Benji. Or Ben-G. Whichever you prefer.
*BAWL*
Posted in Family Life.
– Fri, 19 Jun 2009
The Long Road To The Garden Of Eden
To get to Taman Pertanian Sabah (Sabah Agriculture Park and Gardens) in Tenom, you’ll need to drive down the long and straight Keningau stretch. Unlike getting to Tambunan, where you’ll feel refreshing cold mountain air and see luscious hills and serene valleys, the Keningau stretch is flat.
And long.
And straight.
Flat. Long. Straight.
See for yourself.
Flat.
Long.
Straight.
No monsters mountain in here. (Channel Sully of Monsters Inc.)
My Chief Executive Chauffeur that is my Husband couldn’t keep his eyes open on such a flat, long, straight, hot and humid drive. So we made a stop by the Keningau township and I found this adorable little package.
She just begs to be the object of my camera’s affection. She’s a Native and I could be wrong, but I’m guessing she’s Murut. Isn’t she just adorable?!
Ok. Now that we’ve had cold drinks and some Nescafe, time to move along people. It’s a long drive to smell Jasmine in the air.
Cross the Pegalan River.
Somewhere along the way this connects with the famous Padas. But I don’t know where. Hey, I’m doing this simultaneously with doing the laundry!
At this point, I will spare you the details of the long, but this time, winding road. At least what monotony we felt on the way here quickly disappeared as we neared the Station.
First there’s lots and lots of cultivation.
And what have you.
And look, we’re here!
Almost…
There it is!
Let’s go in.
Tomorrow.
Posted in Snapshots, Sights & Scenes.
– Thu, 18 Jun 2009
By The Way
One cannot help but stop by this high point (geographically speaking) on a trip down to Tambunan.
Translated: Gold Mountain Highlands Resort. I don’t know why it’s called ‘Gold Mountain’.
I have to say though this used to be a highlight for me way back when, (during my single, foot-loose and fancy-free, travel to anywhere days) especially for its cold, cold mountain air and beautiful flora and fauna.
BUT I’m almost ashamed to see the state of this place now. Did something of catastrophic measure happen here? Someone should rectify it. Quick.
And I suppose all of us humanfolk are to be blamed for the thinning ozone layer which may be why this place is no longer THAT cold.
Sigh.
Then My Hubs said, “Let’s check out them ‘friends’ and see if they’re still here.”
And they were.
Hello old Friends!
Wassup?
Umm.. Watchu guys doing?
OOkaay… I see you missed a spot there huh?
Yeaaa.. You’re enjoying this aren’t you?
Here’s some of the family. The rest are jumping and scurrying around over at back eating ticks or something.
“Mommeee…! Looo…k!” Just a minute Baby, lemme take a picture of you and Nenek Po Po first.
Baby Bulou: “Hey Mama. Look at all these people. It’s like they haven’t seen a Bulou in their life or something!”
Mama Bulou: “They haven’t Hon.”
Kids! They just can’t keep still now can they? They HAVE to join the fun.
Bulou: “Got it! Woohoo!” (look closely at the guy furthest away to your right – that skinny little hand reaching for a piece of corn cob the kids just threw at him. he got it alright!)
Okay Baby, time to go.
“Waiii…t! I wanna take a thousand rocks down to Tambunan!”
Aiyaiyaiyaiyai….
Yes, and she came as well.
Where would we be without her in our lives?
Next – the long, long Keningau stretch. Stay tuned!
Posted in Snapshots, Sights & Scenes.
– Wed, 17 Jun 2009
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