Merry Blessed Christmas 2006!!!

Shinny, Bright... O'Christmas Tree...

Christmas is finally here and I'm sooooo glad that I'm back home.

For me, Christmas is a time to remember to welcome Christ into our hearts. This is the time of year when we begin our journey with Him, from the time of His birth to His death and rising again at Easter.

Christmas for me is about spending precious moments with family and friends. It is a time to cherish each other. Many people travel from near and far to be with their loved ones.

When I was a kid, it was all about the presents, but as I get older, the presents are now the time spent with my close friends and family.

I found a very meaningful verse:

"The Word became a human being and lived among us. We saw his glory, full of grace and truth. This was the glory which he received as the Father's only Son." - John 1:14

We must be reminded that Christmas is not just about presents, food and parties, it is also a time to show love and care to one another. For, God so loved the world that He gave us His only son. God gave His son to restore the connection which was broken between the world and Him.

So, what are you doing for Christmas?

Merdeka 2006 & Festivities

It's Malaysia's 49th Independence Day. I'm tempted to say Malaysia's b'day but then, that would be absolutely inaccurate. Malaysia was born 16th September 1963 but we obtained our independence from the British on 31st August 1957. I believe not many of you know that brief little factiod... (^__^)

Anyway, I didn't do much this Merdeka. Usually, my Dad is absolutely addicted to the National Day parade and every year, he'll watch the parade on the local channels. I'd guess since he was a pre-Merdeka baby, this day would be very special for him. I used to watch it with anticipation to watch out for my school's brass band. (^__^)

Today, our family went down to Seremban to visit my eldest uncle, who has just shifted house. Getting to Seremban wasn't a problem but getting to his house was a different matter all together. THERE WERE NO ROAD SIGNS LEADING TO THE HOUSING ESTATE WHERE MY UNCLE LIVED!!!!

You can imagine the nightmare of us getting to the place. *sweat*

My cousin-in-law (my cousin's husband) asked us to call him whenever we reached a major landmark so that he could lead us to the house. (-___-)|||

Anyway, we got there safe and sound, and Snoopy was very relieved to reach the destination. My other uncle soon arrived and we had a ball of a time. Here is just a sample of our day...

NOTE: My family's PRIMARY activity is EATING.... (It's a proud Malaysian tradition)

My dad & eldest uncle dissecting the durian fruit.. Notice the cleaver... ^_^|||

If you're wondering what or how a durian looks like, have a look at the following pics... **slurp**

Yummy...

Note that the chinese words I've decided to use is actually durian in cantonese, i.e. "lau lin"... (^__^)

The fruit in all its spiky splendour

I was very tempted to take a photo of my relatives in action, digging into the fruit but then, that would scare my blog readers away... Kekekee... So, I'd better spare you from the horror... LOL!!!

My eldest aunt also prepared some yummy non-durian based food as well. She had some "yong tau foo", glutinous rice and yam cakes made for us as well. A few more pics... (^__^)

White tofu stuffed with minced pork, Glutinous rice

Fried Tofu stuffed with Minced Pork & Stuffed Fried Tofu Skin

Meatball stuffed with Dried Mussel

Boy.. It was a BIG meal for us. We even had other fruits besides durian as my mom found a fruit stall just after the highway toll as we came into Seremban.

I took a few more pics of my relatives, including my mom.. Kekeke...

My 4th uncle, Dad & eldest uncle

As you might guess, I'm Hokkien. Frankly, I'm mixed, because I'm part 1/4 Hokkien, 1/4 TeoChew, 1/4 Cantonese and 1/4 Nyonya + Others... So, if this phrase is wrong, then please forgive me. LOL!!!

My 4th uncle currently resides in Melbourne, Australia, a place which I call my 2nd home. I do intend to go back there someday but not now. Not until I become more experienced in the IT industry and so, could command a higher position and salary when I make the big leap over the sea and ocean. (^__^)

My other uncle, the youngest one, wasn't in any of the pictures I took as he was feeling unwell with his sinusitis. Our family seems to be rife with this and it is a gene which I inherit as well. :(

Anyway, here is another pic of my uncle and mom.. LOL...

Uncle Hock: Smile!
Mom: **Exit: Stage Left**

All in all, it was a busy day. My sis' boyfriend did the driving to and fro KL-Seremban, so he's really exhausted. He had little sleep as they had a party up until 2am this morning.

My youngest aunt failed to turn up for the festivities as she had to work. Anyway, we will catch up with them the next time around. Once in a while, its good to keep in touch with relatives even though, we're busy. I do wish that I could catch up with my uncle since his trip was so short this time around. Seems that he might come back next year in August/September so that he can catch the durian season again.

Anyway, before I forget, I'd better say, Selamat Hari Merdeka!!!!

I'm Officially Old

Yes.. I've finally turned the corner and hit another decade... I feel older but am I wiser, don't think so. (^__^) Anyway, you youngsters out there think that life comes to an end when you're done with your twenties, but I think its just a beginning. Right now, I feel I'm a bit more secure in my financial standing, my career is starting to take off and I should be quite satisfied with myself. I should be thinking more about what I can give back to society and not what I am still able to take instead.

So, what am I looking forward to my next decade? Well, not much. I'm looking forward to what I can still learn and teach... Saving up more $$$ for my old age and taking care of my health so that I can be active like my parents who are in their 60's at the moment.

So, anyone else out there who's also born on 29th July, Happy Birthday!!! I know at least two other people who share the same b'day with me, so, Happy Birthday Joshua and Alice, wherever you are... (^_____^)

I leave you guys with a parting shot from last year's b'day celebration...


Looks kind of disgusting, right?? (@_@)... We had too much pancake last year and this was one of the "b'day desserts" we had... Kekeke...

French Fries Are Yummy!!

So, France is going to meet Italy for WC2006 final. Again... I did not manage to wake up in time to catch the match. (=__=)

Anyway, when I woke up this morning, I turned on my TV and got into the "Results" section of the Astro special menu to find out who won the match... It was... France!!! FRENCH FRIES FOR EVERYONE!!!! Zidane delivered a very nice penalty to beat Alexandre Ricardo. England, take notes! (-___-)"""

Kekeke.. I checked the stats, wow, only 2 yellow cards, one for each side. Anyway, I'll check the repeat later today after work. I'm sure both side has their fair share of dramatics, i.e. diving, play-acting --> (touch a bit, fall down, roll around in pain... think Patrick Vieira... kekeke)

Anyway, we shall see now who will win in the finals, would we have frogs legs or pizza... (^__^)

Oh yea! For the 3rd place match, we'll see if we'll have sausages or Nando's chicken again. Kekekeke..

Another Heartbreak...

My last couple of posts were a little bit serious and very geeky. ^_^

Anyway, I was working on my post this morning when I think the network blocked access to Blogger. o___0

I did not get a chance to watch the 1st semi-final between Germany vs Italy as I clearly forgot about it... *____* but also, since England and Brazil bowed out at the quarter-finals, I lost some interest in the WC. Oh well, rest assured, I WILL watch the finals whoever it will be. (PLEASE.... PLEASE.. PLEASEEEE... Let it be France lifting the cup!!)

For those of you who STILL have no news of the score, Germany lost to France at extra time (unbelievable). The scorers were,

119th minute - Fabio Grosso
120th minute - Alessandro Del Piero

I got a shock when I saw that Del Piero had scored. I was reading through the match report and found out that he had subsituted at the 104th minute. I'd guess Italy was banking on him to be included in the list for the penalty-shootout after extra-time. Anyway, if you do know your football (I know a little.. *blush*), you notice that this is Del Piero's 1st goal of the tournament. He's not known to be a goal scorer but he's been around with the Italy team for a while now.

My heart goes out to Germany and all zee Germans out there. I have to concur with a lot of people that Jens Lehmann did a phenonmenal job as the #1 goalkeeper for the German national squad. If ever someone were to fill Oliver Kahn's HUGE shoes, he would be the prime candidate.

Anyway, I wait for my 3am appointment with France and Portugal. I'm waiting to see the two giants of football clash, Zidane and Figo, both players who will retire at the end of WC2006. If Portgual goes through, they are VERY VERY VERY VERY lucky. Cristiano Ronaldo had better wear full-armour plating should he return to Old Trafford for training... (>__<)

Late Heartbreaks...

I can't believe it! Two big heartbreaks in a span of a few hours. O___o

It really does baffles the mind. England went down to penalties despite being a great team of 10 men, holding a scoreless draw against Portugal after Wayne Rooney's send-off. It baffles me that Gerrard and Lampard missed the penalties. I wonder if they had practised their penalties as so late in this stage, it would not be surprsing that a penalty-shootout would entail after a grueling 120-minute match. England played good. My usual commentary of England's defence being poor is revised as I saw the likes of Ashley Cole, John Terry and Rio Ferdinand did some fantastic work in defending against the Portugese.

Then, there was Brazil. It was World Cup 1998 all over again. That time, Brazil had a fantastic performance through the round of 32, 16 all the way up to the finals until that fateful night in 1998. Ronaldo had been sick some minutes before the match (found out through Internet news) and when he played, he wasn't his usual self. France took advantage of that and beat them. This time, it was different. Brazil did not shine throughout the tournament and I had a very strange feeling that they underestimated their opponents this time around. Anyway, it was a fantastic goal from Henry... Just utterly classic, it was Brazil's mistake for not marking him when the free-kick was taken. -_-"

So, now, we're looking at an all European affair for the semi's and finals. I'll be looking forward to the Portugal vs France match as two giants, Zidane ("Zizou") and Figo play out what will be their last international match before their retirements.

World Cup 2006

Needless to say, support work has been redirected towards other more important channels. (^_^)

Gambateh England!!! May you reach beyond Quarter-Finals this year....

P/S: Its a joke. I don't have any application which will do this. ^___^