REFLECTION ON 2011

As this year draws to a close I just keep thinking wow...that went by quick...seems like these years go by faster and faster! Yikes!

We have had so many things happen this year...some good, some bad,

and some that still make me sad when I think about them...but through it all I have  survived. God still loves me evenif he doesn't see me in church for a long time now.
HE is no doubt still with me. I am so grateful for all the prayers he had answered .I found myself wondering a few times but as our faith teaches us... HE will never abandon HIS children if we care enough to turn to HIM. 

**I thank Him for my good health and everyone in the family . Most mportantly during
the times when the 'angel of death' was near...we got through that with the love, care and prayers of special individuals that had made permanent marks in my heart.

**I  once again was blessed to be able to take  overseas vacations this year. Infact I took three in all excluding the bonus holiday in Kuching for Tisha's college admittance.

*I took a trip to Hanoi ,Vietnam with my good friend Jo in April after getting a good bargain on the airfares months ahead.

*Prior to sending Tisha to UCSI in Kuching, Sarawak in August, we took a trip to Universal studio in Singapore.

*I was off again with Andrew and Yona for China ( yes...again ) in the middle of September for a ten days first class holiday .

*I got to spent some memoriable times with the girls on a 'trip of a lifetime- for some", climbing Mt Kinabalu

*I am blessed to be with the 'clan'  and the people I love most in my life on our yearly trip around Sabah.

*I have been blessed in love in ways that others have not been ...sometimes I think I take things like that for granted but let it be know that I am truly grateful.
.

*I am very thankful to still have my parents even if we don't see eye to eye on most subjects nowdays.  My love and respect still holds as they are the people responsible for my being here.

So this year eve's instead of the usual things I always put on my {new years resolution} "to do list" {which I rarely ever get done but still do as it's a yearly must thingy} .
......I pray that in the coming year...I will try my best to be a better role model to others...i.e, a better mother, daughter, sister, and friend...and to also try to be so much more thankful for all the blessings I recieve on a daily basis!

Like someone told me before... I have more than most people do.

Indeed I do have that......and Im dearly thankful.

Have a Blessed and Very Happy New Year Everyone!

AMONGS US

One can only really appreciate grace, and kindness from a helping hand when we are at our most desperate.
How many of us would change the course of their lives, or even just their schedule for today to make a better life for others?

Yet there's some people out there who does nothing but wagged their tounge or SMSs with anonymity with nothing but 'bad' vibes.
Talk about evil...where do you stand?.. tepuk dada tanya selera

THIS AND THAT....makes it 'whole' again

You know what they say about broken pieces can never make it 'whole'....well that saying is not totally 'right' but it is neither 'wrong'. I managed to glue back this broken pot plus my one and only 'moo moo' magnet that I bought in Kuching. Despite the careful packing, these two items were in pieces when it reached home.

 

These were food I had at 1Nation at Prima square.

DOMOKUN COOKIES

Browsing through the shelves of one book store  at KIm Fung while waiting for some part of my car to be upgraded ,I found this  'interesting' book of cookies. I  knew Yona would love it....especially with adorable figurine cookies that she's so fond  and familiar with. She wanted to bake everyone of them ....

Domo was chosen as our first cookie after I have said we were only doing one at a time

The dough....part brown and part red

As always, shaping and giving them the 'details' took most of the time

Finally out of the oven ...the giving them some 'bad' teeth

Finally....served

Closer look at them.....indeed they are not as cute as the picture in the book BUT they are deliciously crunchy. I didn't say that based on my own testing. The girls took them to school for their friends to comment on the next morning

SEVEN WONDERS OF THE WORLD

This came to be amongs my emails today.
Glancing at the tittle made me think for a while.... yea ..of the seven wonders of the world.
I know I have them at the back of my mind .....and I really do so believe that I know them until I read the whole content of the mail.

Yeap.... just like most people, these are the 'wonders' that won't crossed our mind instantly although they are the ones  that made us 'whole'.
Moral of the story..... be thankful that we're not handicap in all 'angles'..physically and mentally!

Ribbons!!!

I have always known that I could do it ...if I want to.
The 'problem' has always been  making  time to do it... plus the big mood factor :).
The 'push' was probablly when I aquired a gift in the form of a book full of beautiful ribbon patterns from a good friend of mine .
...so pushed crochet ( for now)...welcome ribbons!

My 'theme'?.... what else but my favourite flower amongs flowers....SUNFLOWERS!!!!!

My first flower....

then there were three....

Adding the leaves......

Closer look...

Final product awaiting for framing.... freelance pattern that came out 'nicely'

I must say...I am well pleased with my effort :)

Miss Universe 2011: the final review

I could scream just to think of how 'things' could have been different with Debbie's placing.

My eyes were fixed on the tv while my heart was pounding so hard as the number of semi finalist called gets less and lesser.

When the final one was called out and it wasn't her..my jaw literally dropped.
I could say it wasn't just me who was so shocked  for that moment. Everyone who were rooting for her I felt  just couldn't think of what to make of the whole situation then.

Shocked turned to anger as this was a 'live' show and there was nothing we could do to change anything .Aarrrr......so dissapointed to be so helpless..

As dissapointed as I was, I couldn't imagine how she must have felt....and yet to still have to continue on with the show? Poor girl.

Unlike all the years before, this Miss Malaysia is 'the one' that got the whole nation rooting for her . She was afterall 'the favourite' and 'the one' to 'beat' in the competition.

She has got so many fans all over the world. The media was all about her ever since the first day they arrived  in Brazil.

Everyone was expecting her to be bring home the crown. Sad to say she wasn't even picked for the top sixteen.

What went wrong?....
Everyone seems to be asking the same question without getting any 'real' answers.

Miss Universe 2011....that didn't happen

The Final review of Miss Universe 2011 AS REPORTED BY GLOBAL BEAUTIES.COM

Miss Angola’s victory in Miss Universe 2011 has been approved by most people around the planet, which is a good thing. Always among the favorites to be one of the finalists, Leila Lopes of Angola, was not a “front-runner”, perhaps because of her reserved personality, which was reflected in an elegant, although never much enthusiastic stage projection. But Leila shinned when she had to shine, and completely deserved to win the crown. It’s fantastic to see someone naturally beautiful, real, and BLACK, being crowned Miss Universe. Leila is Africa’s 4th Miss Universe. She’s Angola’s 1st, and the 3rd Portuguese speaking woman to walk away with the Miss U sash and crown. Well done.

GB pre-pageant comment on Miss Angola: “Angola is stunning, but lacks energy on stage” – group: strong candidates.

Going over GB’s pre-pageant final review, our website was very accurate in its predictions: out of the 16 semi-finalists, 5 came from “The ones to beat” group; 8 came from the “strong candidates” group; and 3 came from the “fair possibilities” group. 100% right.

The big let down of the night, was the early exclusion of Misses Greece, and mostly Malaysia. Deborah Henry was one of the favorites in EVERY SINGLE PAGEANT-RELATED website or blog. The woman has done everything right, and certainly deserved to be up there.

But what happened? Some possible explanations:

- Even if the preliminary judges did not pick Miss Malaysia, why didn’t the MUO? The answer could be a declared war against Miss World. Deborah participated in Miss World 2007 and was a semi-finalist, when many believed she deserved better. Another Miss World contestants who was a favorite in São Paulo, and will go back home empty-handed, is Miss Trinidad & Tobago, Gabrielle Walcott. She was Miss World’s 2nd runner-up in Miss World 2008.

- Politics. Islam is the state religion, and unfortunately, the few predominantly Muslim countries that participate in Miss Universe have been historically discriminated against, especially in recent history. Lebanon’s victory in 1971 was an exception. Look at the poor performance of Egypt, even Lebanon, Malaysia and Turkey. They all do much better in Miss World and other pageants. In addition, the government of Malaysia has been making some nasty remarks about the U.S.. It could explain it, although if the case, it would be very sad nowadays…

- Backstage Trouble. We never know what goes on on the pageant’s backstage, unless we are there! Maybe Miss Malaysia did something that pissed the MU organizers, which might have cost her spot among the finalists. Deborah doesn’t look like the type of girl who would cause trouble, but we never know.

Other than that, what could explain the elimination of a beautiful and classy woman who has done everything correctly since the beginning? How will the Malaysia license holder fell motivated to continue on with his work after this?

Others highly missed in the Top 15 were Misses Nicaragua, Spain, and Aruba.

The top 16

As we predicted, Miss USA did not pass the swimsuit competition. Unfortunately she is indeed way too thin, and did not stand out as she did in Miss USA. Miss Venezuela had the body, but as we also mentioned, her face looked old, her hair did not look natural at all, and the woman never truly smiled. Lack of confidence or arrogance? We don’t know, but she was not up to the high standard we are used to get from Venezuela. Misses Puerto Rico and Kosovo looked great and could have advanced, instead of Panama and Brazil. Miss Colombia once again showed lots of va-va-voom on stage, but reached as far as she could. Miss Netherlands has a beautiful face and put her country back among Miss U semi-finalists after 19 years, but also went as far as she could (her legs were too thin).

The Top 10

Miss Portugal was a delightful surprise. Finally, after 59 years, it had a Miss Universe semi-finalist. As a matter of fact, all Portuguese speaking competing nations landed in the top 10, a first in Miss Universe’s history. Misses Australia and France looked radiant and magnificent all night long. Both could have been finalists if Brazil had not been competing at home. Costa Rica also stopped for the reason we predicted: a very bad gown choice. Panama was the big “surprise” of the night. although she had been gaining ground during the last few days. Fans scored her bellow 3 points, which shows that she was not expected to reach that far. But as we had previously said: Miss Universe will be held in Panama in just a couple of years.

The Top 5

Miss Ukraine was compared to a young Brook Shields and looked absolutely amazing, deserving her 2nd place. Miss Philippines was also perfect all night long, and her answer was possibly the best. Should have been at least 2nd runner-up, and could have won the title. Miss China‘s chances were ruined by her interpreter, who did a very poor job translating for her. By the way, what was that question, Isabeli??

Miss Brazil as the only woman from the Americas placing in the top 5 was a clear stretch. The woman is beautiful and has clear qualities, but France, Australia, Costa Rica, or Malaysia, should have taken her place. More to the point of arguing about her merits as a contestants and hometown girl, one question remains for the MUO: will it then accept women who have posed naked or semi-naked from here one? Perhaps it should make it clear, otherwise it shows to the world the Miss Universe clearly breaks its own rules when it comes to its highest interests (the millions of dollars invested by Band in this production).

The winner, as we’ve mentioned above, totally deserved her victory. No questions about that.

**special thanks to owner of all photos which I randomly picked online

The real Miss Universe 2011

Miss Universe 2011 Special GB’s final review-It's MALAYSIA!!!!!!!!

DEBORAH HENRY- MISS MALAYSIA WORLD 2007/ MISS MALAYSIA /UNIVERSE 2011
When she won the Miss Malaysia World 2007, I didn't take much notice of her. As usual I wasn't really 'gaga' over our local beauty peagent as I am with  'world rank' peagents. Most I would do was to 'snip' and file reports over the local newspaper.... with the help of my mom most of the time.
She made it to the semis  that time which inturn made me 'dig' a little deeper.
Looking back at her interview recordings and shows she hosted, I'm just  amazed at how well she carried herself . 

To go back and try to win Miss Malaysia for the second time is something I think not many women would try. Having won the 'ultimate' crow would have satisfied most women.
Another 'shot' for the title would mean she was really confident of herself to take home the crown.
Most women I would say would  be afraid simply for the fact that she might not win again thus be branded as 'kalah'....not so beautiful after all...etc etc...( she was already judged as one of the most beautiful women in the world having gone to the semis at Miss World peagent afterall.)
(So far she is the second woman to have won both titles .Trincy Low, who won the Miss World title in 1995, also went on to win the Miss Universe title in 1997.)

BUT putting aside that... she did it ! . Four years later and still came out a winner.
Yeah...I'm glad simply for the fact that  she definately has it all....beauty plus brains.
She carried herself so well that by just looking at her makes you feel proud that you're Malaysian. So so much different  from the previous Malaysian queens I have seen.
Four years apart might have 'prepared' her for her yet ultimate 'goal'...Miss Universe 2011.
The 'ball' is round...it could be anyone's game ...BUT I'm rooting for her.
Go Debbie go!!!!!!!!!!!


Global Beauties – Miss Universe 2011 Special » Miss Universe 2011: GB’s final review
First time for Malaysia to win the Global Beauty title

She won the crown twice.

Aaaarrr.....I'm excited for her.

REFRESHING On Crochet

I actually have 'tons' of need to do 'things' awaiting for me at every 'corner' of my home.
Aarrrr......
still ...I can say I'm not complaining much as in between them task, I am still able to spare time for my passion in my crafting...namely for now, crocheting.

Oh yes..I love to crochet.  Over the years I have had produced lots and lots of ..... 'stuffs' :)
With the right mood, I can easily crochet a blouse or the girl's dress within a week BUT unfortunately once the mood changes before it is done, rest assured that whatever it is I was doing, will stay unfinish for a long....long time.
i.e. until the next mood attack.
Going through my basket of wolly threads, I found no unfinish 'bussiness' ...phew!

Anyhow, the 'mood' came after I saw this sunflower granny afgan pattern on Youtube taught by a man ( aha...a real man),  which was SOooo simple  yet very 'catchy'.
It was sooooooooo simply that I basically did 'my project' through memory.

One line for each colour

'Ground' colour attach all of them....

...into a bigger piece.

Adding more piece to get the required size

Adding colours to the borders..

I hand sewed the lining and zippers ... (..purely lazy to set up the sewing machine)

Wala......and there you have it

The pattern was actually for a blanket... ( a throw?) but I felt for me , it would be more practical to use it as cushion covers.  I only made a pair though....for now.

The 'wind' has changed my mood into ribbons...........

WHAT MATTERS

 

 

"It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end."

~ Ursula K. Le Guin

 

'RIGHT' AND 'WRONG'

Is there such a thing as Loving the right person at the wrong time while having the wrong person when the time is right?

Then again as with everything else, is there even such a thing as a 'right' and a 'wrong' person?.

Do we use our head ....or heart to come to the conclusion of who is the'right' and who is the'wrong' person? 

The heart is the center of the body.........
But it beats on the left...... 

Are you telling me that it is that reason why the heart is not always right?

MY FINAL CLIMB!!!

Mount Kinabalu (Malay: Gunung Kinabalu) is a prominent mountain on the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia. It is located in the east Malaysian state of Sabah and is protected as Kinabalu National Park, a World Heritage Site. Kinabalu is the tallest peak in Borneo's Crocker Range and is the fourth tallest mountain in the Malay Archipelago after Papua's Puncak Jaya, Puncak Trikora and Puncak Mandala. Mount Kinabalu is also the 20th tallest mountain in the world by topographic prominence.

In 1997, a re-survey using satellite technology established its summit (known as Low’s Peak) height at 4,095 metres (13,435 ft) above sea level, which is some 6 metres (20 ft) less than the previously thought and hitherto published figure of 4,101 metres (13,455 ft).

Gosh....I didn't realised that ...20th in the world and I conquered it three times!

I should have given myself a pat in the back for making it up the second time.... but the third?
Ha... but I'm soooooo relief and satisfied that I made it all the way up and all the way down.

( I'm not comparing with Jo's feat of nine times....yeap... believe it.  No wonder she wasn't at all keen to come along when I told her about the trip)

This last climb will be my final climb....period!

I'm done with  mountain climbing. This one in particular.
It's not really at all about the climb, it was more of the coming down part that's hard to bear. .

I'm still aching all over while writing this. Walking is really a task....then again to be exact, any movement is such a task.
I just feel like laying down and not move anything. ....which infact makes it more unbearable once I try to move later.
aaaarrrrrrrrrrr....I really dislike this feeling of 'helpless'  and with the 'mess' around the house....eeeeeee
The worse thing the maid could do now was not turning up today ... and that exactly what she did.
double aaarrrrrrrrrrrr.... I had to do all the priorities with my 'babies'

Blinky 'stink' and so does Chalaga ( baby pup) from being 'caged' during the days that I was away.
But no way was I am able to give them their badly needed bath today.
I was told the ache will be over within four days....but so far I feel that it's aching more by the day.
Hopefully that saying is true .

Overall, beside the aching.. the trip was really a wonderful 'get together' time for me and the girls.
It was fun doing it with them. That is actually why I agreed to the idea in the first place.

THE CLIMB
We started out journey on thursday. Took the 2pm bus from Sandakan to Kundasang. By the time we made it to the motel that I have made booking days earlier, it was already almost eight pm. Weather was really cold and misty. To my suprise, Andrew was there waiting for us with some warm clothings ( our winter clothing that was kept in KK) and some medication for high altitude sickness .
I kind of guess he was worried I couldn't take care of his girls :)
He didn't stay long thou, he left just as we finish our dinner.

Posing in their warm clothings :)

Dinner....wan tan kui tiaw

 We stayed a night here before the day of climb, Friday 22nd July. We walked about 300m to the National Park headquaters for our permit to climb.

 The six ladies ( plus the photographer)  who went on this quest.

Right at the starting point with Eliz

 This is a must photograph....the first waterfall you'll see. That one 'thing' that will always remember along the trail

Along the steps to 'heaven'?

Getting steeper and steeper....the fact that it rained the whole way up didn't make it easier.

Once you get wet it gets colder
Trees getting shorter as we move upwards

The much waited dinner at Laban Rata. Now managed by Sutera Sanctuary Lodges, it was all 'hotel food' buffet style. This was my dinner....after 6km of climbing..it was like the best food ever.

The long lone walk upwards...as breathing gets more difficult

Yona hiding in the 'kick ass' mask just passing the South Peak

At 8Km..it's only 700m to the top
so near...yet so far.

 I made it.....so did the girls and the gloves in my jacket.
Yona dropped them  while climbing the ropes. My pouch was full so I just slipped it in my jacket.

Pictures taken during descending

I made myself take this shot . Initially I wanted it taken on the top....I have forgotten since it was so darn cold and crowded there. We only stayed a few minutes as we have to leave by the given time . 

 I found out later, none of the girls also took any pictures while on top :(

  By 11 am....Starting the long walk down

Again.... the fact that it rain heavily halfway down didn't help the situation. The normal three to four hour walk down turned out to be almost six hours for me.

As with the previous climbs, its always comes back to my 'bad' knee.

I said goodbye to the many steps I stepped and passed by....for I know this was to be my final encounter with them.  Compared to yesterday upwards climb of 6Km, today I had walked a total of 11.4Km.....2.7Km up to the summit plus the 8.7km down to the starting gate. All I can say was Pheewwww!!!!!!  DONE!

As agreed earlier, Andrew was there waiting to take us home. The three other girls

caught the 8.30pm bus from KK back to Sandakan.

Unlike us three, only one of them came back with a 'full' cert.

Which we were unable to collect that day as the office were already close.

We stopped over at Mountain View Lodge cafe for dinner before making the journey home at around 9pm.

The hot( two kind of hot) food that awaits us...

 Dinner was steam boat before continuing our journey home

We made it safely to Sandakan at almost one in the morning. 
Took the much needed bath and went to bed.....aching all over.
What a wonderful weekend it was. Tiring yet fulfilling.
-
TWO DAYS LATER........

Tadaaaaaaaaaa........!!!!!!!!!