The Pursuit of Happyness

Monday, 5 March 2007

One thing I like about Kuala Lumpur is watching movies on the big screen. I talked about watching movies on the big screen in another blog. I was in fact very tired from the weekend in Langkawi but couldn't resist the invitation to go to the cinema and watch movie tonight. We are going to watch "The Pursuit of Happyness" at the Petronas Twin Towers.

I like the story of the film because it teaches us about the power within each one of us - the power to realise your dream, the power to succeed through determination, perseverance, patience, faith in oneself. Last but not least, the power of love.

Look at the Storks

Tuesday, 20 February 2007 - 3rd Day of the Chinese New Year

Another symbol of a New Year and a new beginning - stork.

I learnt that the stork:

(1) announces the coming of Spring. After their winter migration, the storks return to nest.

(2) is the harbinger of happiness, joy and prosperity. The bird's feeding on snakes is being viewed as a positive force, helping to eradicate our evil instinct.

(3) is an emblem of parental care. It was noted in ancient history that a stock pair will be consumed with the nest in a fire, rather than fly and abandon it.

(4) is a symbol of the Annunciation in Christianity. The angel Gabriel announcement to Virgin Mary of her conception of Christ. Thus the stock is a symbol of childbirth in the western culture as seen in the popular picture of the stork carrying a baby! It also represents Mary's qualities of piety and chastity.

......... I think no. (2) would be the most appropriate symbol of the storks in this Kuala Lumpur Plaza, at this time of the year. What else would business people want?

Chinese New Year - 2007

Sunday, 18 February 2007

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR! WISHING YOU A HAPPY, PEACEFUL, HEALTHY AND BLESSED YEAR OF THE PIG.

Chinese New Year 4705 started today. The year of the pig! So if you are born in the year 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983 or 1995, then you were born under the Chinese zodiac sign of the pig. Pigs are labelled as lazy animals, but I don't believe that people born under this zodiac sign are lazy. Anyway, it is interesting to read about it and find out what sign you are born in, but don't get too carried away with what you read, especially the Feng Shui stuff.

While some people would be enjoying themselves at family gatherings, parties, resorts, parks, cinemas, restaurants, Lian and Bong enjoyed themselves playing the guitar.

It is amazingly how lovely the music turns out to be when played in duet, than alone.

The decorations at Mid Valley Megamall

Saturday, 17 February 2007

It was a week since I came back to Kuala Lumpur and it was Chinese New Year's Eve. We were out at Mid Valley Megamall again. Most of the shops had closed for the festive holiday, and there were not as many people there.

I liked the decorations on the ground floor. This was what it looked like last Christmas, on the 18 December 2o06. Christmas trees! Ginger house?



Now it is the Chinese New Year, and of course the beautiful Peach Blossoms, in stalks, in rings!



I don't know what is the significance of this flower to the celebration of the Chinese New Year. Why this particular flower? Does it only appear during this season in China?

I found these pictures when I surfed through the net on peach blossoms. I learnt that there are 2 kinds of peach blossoms, 1 where the fruit can be eaten while the other is soley admired as another miracle of the creation of God.




According to Wikipedia Encyclopedia, it is highly prized in Chinese culture. I know it is quite expensive! And guess what The Languages of Flower said about Peach Blossoms. It represents "Longevity, I am your captive". Very interesting finding.

Back to the decorations at Mid Valley Megamall. I saw something else that caught my eyes. It looked like umbrellas. At a closeer look they were indeed umbrellas that have been stripped off their original covers and replaced with what they are now being decorated with to come up with another creative Peach Blossoms!

Supermarket Crawl in Kuala Lumpur

Wednesday, 10 January 2007

What I like about shopping in Kuala Lumpur is I can get more with the same amount I pay in Miri, not only in quantity and quality but also I have more choices to make. Some free gifts are only applicable in West Malaysia! It is not fair - you pay more for the same item in East Malaysia and yet no free gifts.

One con is too many choices that you end up spending hours at the supermarket! And that was what happened at TESCO last night - almost 3 hours!

I usually go to HERO supermarket, which is the nearest but wanted to experience a different atmosphere. I have been to JUSCO. I have been to CARREFOUR. I have been to GIANT. And for a change TESCO.

HERO is from Indonesia, JUSCO is from Japan, CARREFOUR is from France, GIANT is from United States and TESCO is from United Kingdom. Very interesting grocery retail outlets, it is fortunate that we get the feel of these international supermarkets right here in the capital city of Malaysia. TESCO even have their own packaging, competitively priced, compared to other brands.

.............Anyway, I am happy with what I could get in Miri.......don't have to waste too much time choosing...............just buy what is needed only.

Noise Pollution

Tuesday, 9 January 2007

There is one thing I don't like about living in a city and that is noise!

Continual noise of vehicles passing day and night.


The distinctive noise of piling during the day.


More noise of ongoing development projects, on one side of the condominium.


and another side.........eeeeeeee

Toycity - Mid Valley Megamall

Wednesday, 3 January 2007

What a colourful place for the children, at the top floor of the Midvalley Megamall.

Dressed Chickens for 2.99 MRinggit/kg

Friday, 29 December 2006

It was quite noisy at the meat section of the Hero Supermarket, Cheras. There was a row of people queuing at the dressed chickens section, especially at the whole chickens corner. The 2 male shop attendants were busy weighing the chickens, putting them in plastics and passing them back to the customers.

It then occurred to me that today was Friday evening and coming Sunday, the Muslims were celebrating Hari Raya Haji, an Islamic festival in conjunction with the Haj pilgrimage.

Not only was that the reason why the many customers were buying the chickens. I saw the price tag hanging at that counter as 2.99/kg!!

I don't know whether you have come across such a cheap offer before. For me, I couldn't believe my eyes! It was not because there was a bird flu epidemic. I don't know whether the other supermarkets in the city were selling their dressed chickens at this special price as well. I think it was a charitable act of the management or whoever owns the place because Hari Raya Haji festival also commemorates Prophet Ibrahim (Koran) or Prophet Abraham (Bible) willingness to sacrifice his son Ismael to God.

But in order to enjoy this price, customers were entitled to only 1 whole dressed chicken for every 20 MRinggit purchase at the supermarket. I am not sure some of the customers realised this condition because I saw some baskets filled with 3-4 chickens with no other purchases. It was only at the cashier counter that the appropriate number of chickens were checked against the amount purchased of the other items in the supermarket.

Never have I bought a dressed chicken for less than 5 MRinggit!

PJ Branch - Talentime

Saturday, 30 December 2006

On this morning, Lian been called to stand in for someone - as a partner in a dance - or else we would not have been here.

The Elders from the PJ branch with their musical instrument talent.


Lian & Owen with their dancing talent and Nelson with his singing talent


The KL youth with their acting talent, in one of their scene "Sound of Music"


The talented Chong family from the KL branch


And not forgetting the Branch President from PJ1, PJ2, Klang and KL

Silent Night Holy Night

Saturday, 23 December 2006

We couldn't attend the Miri branch Christmas party.
We didn't attend the KL branch Christmas party.
We ended up helping the PJ branch with their Christmas show at a local mall, Friday and Saturday evening.

Friday, I sang duet with Lian "Silent Night" but come Saturday I decided to withdraw. The microphone could not project my 'soft' voice!

Lian did a good job. She strummed her guitar and sang solo "Silent Night" and she also sang "What Child is this? by herself again Saturday.

We enjoyed singing with the choir at the end of the show.

Man-Made Pitcher Plants

Friday, 22 December 2006

This caught my sight as we were driving through the city - giant man -made pitcher plants with water springing out from them.

Visiting Teaching Conference

Sunday, 10 December 2006

What a good idea! I am impressed! I am so thankful I am here this Sunday to be in this conference. There were 36 of us in the Relief Society room. The priesthood brothers helped to take care of the other classes so that all the Sisters could attend.

Each sister was given a blank pink heart-shaped card to write down what she could do for the Sisters she visit-teach. These cards are then sticked/filled up the original naked tree.



It is definitely concern and love for your fellow sister members. Every woman needs a girlfriend she could turn to and confide in.


Thanks to the Relief Society presidency and the rock buns that Sister Jenny baked!

Good Morning and Good Night Kuala Lumpur

Saturday, 9 December 2006

Economical AirAsia Flight AK5259 supposed to take off at 2140 Friday 8 December and arrive at 2350 Friday 8 December, but because of bad weather in Langkawi, it was delayed to 2240 and so arrived in LCCT (Low Cost Carrier Terminal) at 0050 Saturday 9 December.

Then wait for the Sky Bus to depart from the terminal at 0140, which arrived at KL Sentral Station at 0240.

My tummy was crying with hunger, so Yean and Bong brought me for a plate of fried noodles . By the time we finished eating it was 0330 am! Obeying the doctor's counsel not to sleep until 2 hrs after meal, I only went to sleep at 0530 am!

Yean is receiving his Diploma in Civil Engineering at 2 pm today! KLIUC is holding their 4th convocation!

See you again, Kuala Lumpur

Friday, 19 May 2006
Admiring the sky as Uncle Ni, Sister Monica and myself flew towards Miri.

KLCC from Cheras

Tuesday, 16 May 2006
I could see the KLCC from our condo, but most time it was hassy. Tonight the sky seemed to be clear. This was what I had caught on my digital camera.

Eating from a Banana Leaf

Tuesday, 16 May 2006
Try eating your food from a real banana leaf. It is fun! And that was exactly what we did at Petaling Jaya this night. It is normal to eat with your hands, so Lian and her aunty ate with their hands while Uncle Ni preferred to use the spoon. I used the spoon as well!

Zoo Negara

Friday, 12 May 2006
Senior Citizens (60 yrs and above) 5 MRinggit, Aduts 10 MRinggit. They should let Senior Citizens free entry!!

It has been a long time since I visited the National Zoo! I think, probably more than 10 years ago! I am glad I brought Uncle and Sister there today because I enjoyed the visit! I don't remember what I saw last time.

Shortest of these 3 giraffes, was born on the 30 December 2005 at 4:55 pm!

The birds on the lake!

My Uncle Ni and his bird friends!

It is looking at me! The Deers!

This lion family is not real.

The 4 MRinggit Bus Fare

Friday, 12 May 2006
We bought the RM4.00 1-day bus ticket (which was introduced on the 18 March 2006), with the intention of visiting as many places as possible. We were told that there is another better deal - RM7.00 1-day 'rapidKL" ticket, which was just introduced, and that allows you to travel on the LRTs as well - isn't that fantastic? Can't change the RM4 tickets that we have already purchased to RM7 tickets. Next time, I would definitely buy the RM7 tickets for my visitors to Kuala Lumpur.

First place of visit - KLCC. I have been there but not my Uncle nor my Sister. We boarded the first bus, whereby the driver said he would drop us to a bus stand, where we could catch another bus to the KLCC. We waited and waited, thinking that the 'rapidKL' buses that uses that route would automatically stop at our bus stand, but none stopped! We were still there when the first driver who was driving back to his station, stopped at the bus stand, opposite the road to us, and saw us! He beckoned us to board his bus. And so we returned to where we started! That is okay, we are not in the hurry and we don't have to pay!

As instructed, we boarded the '106' bus. It would take us to the KLCC bus stand. My sister was hungry and we thought we eat first somewhere cheaper before we go to KLCC (you got to pay more to eat there). A passenger helped to press the bell, to a bus stand, that will lead us to food! We found ourselves at a place called Masjid India. That was what I was told and I believe her because I see most of the people eating (there were plenty of food stalls there but unfortunately no Chinese food, nevertheless we ate) and shopping there are Indians.

Came out of the 'Masjid India' and boarded '106' bus again to KLCC. From there we decided to visit the National Zoo. We boarded 'T20' bus to hub "AU3 Jentayu" then boarded "303" to the National Zoo.

Glad to left the National Zoo before the rain started. It was raining heavily when we waited for "303" or "305" to take us to hub "Giant Permata" so that we could take the "T20" back to the hub "Titiwangsa" in the city. My Uncle stretched out his hand a couple of times but "303" and "305" wouldn't stop! Why? Why? Why?

I was told later by the driver that probably Uncle did not stretch out his hand early enough for the driver to see to stop! It was not easy to see the number of the bus from a distance because it is not big and furthermore it was raining! I wondered how long the 3 of us waited! Asked a family of 4 waiting and they didn't offer much help either. They don't know why the bus did not stop for us!! Obviously they were not waiting for bus and not experienced with bus! Thanks to the 4 young girls who joined us later. One of them stretched out her hand only once as soon as she saw the red coloured bus approaching! The bus stopped! We should have stretched out our hands as soon as we noticed the bright red bus because only "303" and "305" uses that route! We thought there were other numbers! How would we know?

It was still raining when we arrived at the "Titiwangsa". If it was not raining, we would have gone on some more bus rides! Since it was raining, we decided to call it a day and buy the train ticket from the 'Titiwangsa" LRT station, which is at the same location to "Salak Selatan" LRT station.

What a day of public transport!! I don't mind to try again! Batu Caves was one of the places I wanted to bring my Uncle and Sister today as well, but we could not make it! Another time! The RM4 ticket was worth it! Next time, I buy the RM7 ticket!

Genting Highlands

Tuesday, 9 May 2006
Where should I bring my uncle? He is from China and this is his first visit to Malaysia! We decided to visit Genting Highlands. A visit to the Genting theme park, is a must for tourists! A place, away from the bustling Kuala Lumpur city. One of the places where the city folks would escape to, during holidays and weekends. And the children would love the many rides in both the outdoor and the indoor theme parks. For us, it is just to 'see see' the place. I enjoyed the cable ride up to the Genting Highlands Resort.

My paternal uncle, my sister and me, before boarding the cable car.

Enjoying the sceneries!



View of the part of the outdoor theme park from the Genting Indoor Arcade.

Petaling Street

Monday, 8 May 2006
One of the places of interest in Kuala Lumpur. It is called Petaling Street and every evening/night it is packed with people (local as well as overseas tourists) either window shopping or hoping to find something cheap (either food, clothing, shoes, bags, etc.)

Normally I would go at night but today I got to visit the place around 4 pm, for the first time. The vendors were already at their respective stalls, doing their businesses.

The only difference was, the stalls were outside the shops (on both sides of the road) and they would only be moved to the middle of the road at 5 pm. Business would close around midnight. And start over again the next afternoon.

There were some cars going through the street at this time but come night, it is not accessible to cars.

My sister and me exploring the Petaling Street!