Chinese New Year

Tomorrow is Chinese New Year, marking the first day of the new year in the Chinese calendar. Every Chinese is busy preparing for this auspicious day. Tonight everyone in the family will be home to celebrate the reunion dinner together. No matter where a person is, he or she will make it a point to be home for this dinner. When I was younger, it was always mum and dad and we, the children. We never celebrated this day with our grandparents. I would say it was quite a lonely affair if I compare it to now. Ever since my parents became grandparents, the reunion dinner has become a very noisy affair. All my siblings and my nephews and nieces will be home. Then, there will be lots of eating, drinking and merrymaking. Of course, prior to the dinner, we have a lot to do. Running around getting everything that's needed. It is very tiring but in the end, looking at all the happy faces, it is worth it. I remember, when I was younger, my siblings and I would always look forward to getting ang pows and we would be counting the number of ang pows that we would get. But now that we are adults, it is our turn to give out these ang pows. It's still the tradition that those who are not married do not give ang pows but I would give ang pows to my nephews and nieces, just so that they can have an extra collection of them. This year we are having barbecue again. We have added something new, that's steamboat. Everything's prepared and we are waiting for everyone to be here to start the merrymaking. Finally, a very Happy and Prosperous Chinese New Year to one and all! May the year of the ox bring us good health.

jennyiyan's recollections...

That's life...

It's Sunday again. Tomorrow the madness will begin, again. The first week at work was really hectic. The moment I stepped foot into my workplace, everything started to zoom and at the end of the day, I was practically drained out. Sigh. What a way to begin 2009! All these happen because we have a new head. With a head who is very ambitious, someone who wants changes to be done instantly, all we who are working with her are pushed to the limit. We had to attend meeting after meeting and all these meetings would last a few hours! And there are still meetings for the coming week! Complaints can be heard everywhere. Of course, no matter how unlikeable a head is, there will definitely be people on her side, though very few. People who love to be seen with the head and these are also the people who would get away with things. If they are unhappy with a certain task given to them, they just have to go to her and come up with some nonsensical excuses and they get away with it. They are also the ones who will carry tales. I anticipate a very difficult year ahead because she has laid out all her guidelines and her expectation is very high. However, I have made up my mind to continue to work as I have always done, to do my best in everything and if she is still not satisfied, so be it. One thing that I'm looking forward to at this moment is the Chinese New Year which will be celebrated in two weeks' time. It will not only be a time to be with my beloved Iyan, Ilynne and family but a time where I can really forget about work and just enjoy the holiday. I think it's still not too late to wish everyone a Happy New Year 2009 and for those who celebrate the Chinese New Year, a very Happy Chinese New Year and may you all be blessed abubdantly with all the good things in life.

jennyiyan's recollections...

Happy New Year 2009

Only less than five hours till the countdown. Yes, another year is about to end and a new year waiting to begin. Everyone has a different perception of the meaning of new year. Many of us are waiting impatiently for the countdown and I heard that many roads in the cities where the celebration will be held are closed. I can imagine the number of people who will throng these places. I went to one such celebration few years back when Iyan was just a one-year old toddler. We had a very nice time there. We had dinner and danced and swayed to 'the ketchup song' which was a hit at that time. When the countdown came, Iyan slept through all the noise and fireworks display. To many, the new year is just another year but to others, it means a year full of promises, especially to those who have experienced a bad or not so good year. It's something new to look forward to. Those who are involved in business hope that their business will continue to flourish. Many are hoping that they will continue to be blessed with the health and wealth that they are enjoying. Yet there are those who are waiting in anticipation of what the new year will hold for them. For students who will be sitting for their major exams, they hope that they will be able to pass them with flying colours. Well, practically everyone is waiting. Some will make resolutions for the new year. I used to follow the trend. Tried to make resolutions only to find that I could not keep up with them. Then, there was a time when I wanted to keep a diary to record everything that I did but that lasted only three days. Not even a week! Now I just take one day at a time. I've seen too many things, been involved in too many incidents and met so many people with all kinds of attitudes that the new year is just another year in my life. I just thank God for the good health that I enjoy. Of course, I love to watch the countdown. The atmosphere there is different from just watching it on tv. But I can't take all the jostling and pushing and the heat at these places anymore. Well, I guess I've really aged and mellowed. No matter what, I wish everyone A Very Happy New Year 2009! May all of us be blessed abundantly this coming year.

jennyiyan's recollections...

Iyan and Ilynne 2...

Iyan at four...

See how loving they are...

Its Deepavali...

Its halloween. Ilynne is not in pix coz she's afraid of ghosties...

Princess Ilynne...

Iyan's 7th birthday...

Iyan and Ilynne...

jennyiyan's recollections...

Iyan and Ilynne...

Iyan with baby Ilynne

I have always been very proud of my nephews and nieces and Iyan and Ilynne are the closest to me. Here are some photographs to show how adorable they are.

The ever loyal fans of Mr Bean

Iyan at his yamaha graduation

jennyiyan's recollections...

Joy to the world ...

Today is boxing day. Boy, am I tired! Had a wonderful day yesterday. I have always loved Christmas. In fact, I love it more than Chinese New Year which I also celebrate as a Chinese. Maybe it's because of all the preparation before the day. All the shopping for gifts and also, all the malls are so beautifully decorated. It's like a competition out there. Everyone wants to outdo the other. I just love to go to all the malls and check out their Christmas decoration. Besides, I also love the look on the children's faces when they open their presents. Each Christmas eve, Iyan will tell me he wants to wait up for Santa and I will have to tell him that 'if you don't go to bed Santa won't come'. A few days before Christmas, he'd tell me, 'I wonder what Santa will be giving me this year' or 'I can't wait for Christmas to come'. Children! So innocent! Ilynne is still too young to understand all these but she is always happy when she gets presents. We had barbecue again this year. Well, it has been an annual affair for years now. Ever since all of us are grown up and can help around. We will also have it for Chinese New Year. So, it's a twice a year affair! I find that this is a healthier way of eating. Less fat in the food. I love it when everyone can come together and have a nice time, especially on Chinese New Year eve. Lots of noise and merrymaking. All the sharing, laughter and joy. Whatever misunderstanding is forgotten. Family ties! Bind us stronger than the strongest glue can ever do. Finally, A Blessed Christmas to all.

jennyiyan's recollection...

It's Christmas again...

It's the time of the year again. Halloween, then Thanksgiving and finally Christmas! I love Christmas. It's the time for sharing and giving. Of course, it doesn't mean that I only give once a year. It's only that giving at Christmas means a totally different thing altogether. I just love to see the happy faces of the children and loved ones when they open their gifts. It's so special and so very different from birthdays, anniversaries or any other occasions. It's also interesting when you go shopping for Christmas gifts. The malls are all decorated and you see Christmas trees all over the place. It's like the malls have suddenly come alive and the seas of people shopping for Christmas gifts add to the lively atmosphere. Then we also hear Christmas carols which add to the nostalgia. All these set the mood for me to shop. Previously, I had to crack my head thinking of what to get for Iyan. Now that he is older, he'll list his 'orders' for santa. So, there's no problem for me in this area. But for Ilynne, I really don't know what to get her. She just wants anything Barbie and she has lots of them. At times I just worry that I would get her something that she already has. Sometimes, I would rather take her along so she can choose what she wants. But then, there wouldn't be any surprise anymore. Now, when I take her shopping, she will ask me, 'Taiyee, do you have money?' Iyan used to ask me the same question when he was younger. If I said I did not have money, he would say, 'Let's go to the ATM to get more money'. Sometimes he would want something, and after buying what he wanted, he would tell me, 'Oh no, Taiyee. I've spent a lot of money, let's go get more money'. Children are so innocent and it's such a joy being them! To all who celebrate Christmas, happy shopping and a blessed Christmas!

jennyiyan's recollections...

Malaysian Drivers 3

I was using the highway again two days ago. As usual, you will find irritating drivers who think they are the only ones who are entitled to use the highway. You see, as I was overtaking a lorry at 110km/h, out of nowhere came a motorist flashing madly at me demanding me to move over. Come on, I was overtaking another vehicle, ok! There are also lorries and tankers going above the mandatory speed limit as if they are rushing for something. Then there are also buses plying the highway at above the speed limit allowed. The Malaysian Highway Authority has fixed 90km/h for heavy vehicles on the highway but the way the buses are going, the drivers are either oblivious to the rules or are just plain dumb. They have forgotten that there are about 40 lives entrusted in their hands and they act as if they are taking part in an F1 race. Can you imagine how fast a bus is travelling if it overtakes you who are going at 110km/h and disappears from sight within minutes of overtaking you? Where are the authorities, you would ask. At times when accidents do happen, many innocent lives are lost. The best thing is when investigations have been carried out, we find that the drivers actually had many unsettled summonses for numerous traffic offenses. Something is not right here. How can a driver with so many unsettled traffic summonses be allowed to drive a public transport vehicle? Why aren't the necessary actions taken against them? Why do transport companies still employ them? We hear of warrants of arrest being issued against traffic offenders who have yet to settle their summonses but why aren't these errant bus drivers remanded? If you are knocking on people's doors to serve them their warrants of arrest, how come these people manage to get away with it? Another thing is, if we make a survey, we'll find that the buses involved in accidents are from the same companies. Why are they still allowed to operate? Why aren't their licenses revoked? I am indeed mesmerized!

jennyiyan's recollections...

Social issues

Melamine in food. It's frightening, isn't it? I thought it was only found in foodstuff produced in China. Now, I know Malaysia is not exempted. For the past few days we have been reading about food tainted with melamine made in Malaysia. Not only are they sold in Malaysia, they are also being sold in other countries. All these made me think. Are these food producers so unethical that they are willing to poison others just so they can make some easy money? If we look at all the food that go into our bodies, we will see that nothing we consume is safe anymore. Vegetables are being sprayed with pesticides which are poisonous for us, foods are being preserved so that they can be kept for a longer time and artificial colouring and flavour are used in place of natural ingredients. Fresh food like noodles, for example contains high levels of boric acid which is detrimental to our health. Of course, all these do not take effect immediately. They accumulate in our bodies and the effects will only be seen or felt later on. By then, can you imagine how much toxins there are in our bodies? Coming back to melamine, my colleagues and I were just talking about it a few days back. We all couldn't imagine how much melamine there are in our bodies as we have been consuming the 'white rabbit' sweets for so long, besides other types of tainted food. Everybody agreed that the sweets are very good, especially the wrappers which dissolve in our mouths. One of my colleagues even joked that when we fall sick and if the doctor removes the melamine from our bodies, they can produce a melamine plate with it. On a more serious note, I feel that such people should not be allowed to produce any more food and their license be revoked. Only people who are genuinely interested in producing good healthy food for consumption and not looking for instant profits be allowed to do so. Also, the authorities should play a more prominent role in ensuring these people abide by the rules set and also be more selective in awarding licenses to them. They should be honest and firm when dealing with such people. Only then can we be assured that we will be able to lead a healthy life. Only then can we be assured that we would not die of kidney or liver failure.

jennyiyan's recollections...

Aging gracefully 2

Some people can be very nasty, regardless of their age. They become worse as they age. Is it because they are miserable so they want others to be miserable too? The older ones especially like to find fault with people who are younger than them. Are they jealous of them because they are more youthful and healthier than them? We all know the older one gets, the more sickly he or she will be. So minor things can irritate them easily and they will lash out at the innocent ones. Sometimes for no apparent reasons. An old woman who's already in her eighties, whom I know does that very often. She's plagued with diabetes and an itch all over her body that wouldn't go away. At times she would scratch her hands until they bleed when she sleeps. She takes lots of pills for these. Sometimes, for no reason, she would be nasty to people who are nice to her. I think she is so unhappy that she needs to see others unhappy too. But, what about the younger ones? Could they be having marital problems? Or are they being bullied at home by their spouses? I know of someone who bossess over others at the workplace but is the total opposite at home. At work, she can't see others free or not doing anything, she will make them feel guilty for doing nothing though they deserve the break because she is being treated the same way at home. I hope that I do not do the same to others. I want to grow old gracefully, be consistent in everything that I do and be fair to everyone.

jennyiyan's recollections...