19/3/2021 WORLD OF PHALAENOPSIS

There are too many MCO1, MCO 2, EMCO, CMCO AND RMCO that I have actually lost count or remember them.  This trip was made during one of CMCO I think so.  After months of being couped up in the house, we decided to make this trip, still within the state of Selangor. 

We arrived after almost an hour car drive. There were plenty of parking space under shade, maybe we were early or lack of crowds due to the pandemic.

The entrance 

After all the sop we made our way inside. 

These beautiful orchids definitely lifted our moods immediately. 

The cafe 

We took our lunch at the cafe.  There were a good selection of cakes and local delicacies.  I ordered the Satay chicken chop and it was yummy.   The cafe is air-conditioned and you can look out the vast windows to see more blooms and the mini lake or is it a pond? 

lost for words at these amazing blooms. 

Besides the outdoor, there are 2 air-con showrooms (no photos allowed inside). 

We did not left empty handed.  There were small pots of orchids for sale and we bought some home.  The blooms lasted really for about a month. I have repotted them and hopefully they will show they magnificent blooms once again. 

FAREWELL TO OUR BELOVED GOH KUM SENG

24/5/2021 MONDAY

We bid farewell to a wonderful loving husband, a doting and caring father and grandfather, a humble and ever helpful brother-in-law, the most fun and best karaoke uncle and friend on 24/5/2021.

He had a relapse of his cancer condition early this year and left us peacefully on 24/5/2021.   Because of the pandemic, his son and my sisters weren't able to come back from Melbourne and they can follow the procedure virtually.

  

 his final journey 

He will always be remember by all of us. 

his best pal, Bill and my sister Vicky

the best dressed couple for my brother's 70th birthday party

The eulogy from my sister May sums it all:-

"Today is about embracing Seng kor's farewell. His earthly journey has concluded but the heavenly path is opened for him. 

A man of dignity and ever so proud of Yoke-ti. Wai Yee, Kit and Khuen and more importantly his love for cats and birds.  His love for our sister was solid and despite the highs and lows, Seng Kor never once complained in his last moments, he even asked Rose (the caregiver) to go and look after his wife instead of himself who was gravely ill.  

A prime example of his caring and humbleness.  Uncomplaining except for the freezing cold at Philip Island.   Loved his coffee and loved buying Tic Tac for his loving granddaughter Audrey who dearly calls him "yeh yeh" .

Farewell now and this is only a temporary goodbye.  

We miss you, Seng kor (and your curry laksa)".

May God bless his soul.

 1/5/2021

Win One,  Loss Two

The beginning of Spring in the Northern hemisphere and the coming winter down under. 

It has been a turbulent week and again I am reminded that life is not permanent.

Pickup this little kitten from the box outside Ecosave supermarket on my way to my yoga class.  Heard the  faint sounds of meowing and took a peek into the box and lo and behold she was staring up at me.

Checked with the staff at the supermarket and was informed that the box left outside by unknown person. So after my class took her home. 

Initially fed her with kitten milk but after 2 days she got into serious diarrhea and immediately we admitted her to the vet for 2 days.    

Now Miki (she)  is settling down well with us.

However my Mimi the queen has gotten so jealous that she refuses to come back into the house anymore! She still comes back for her food though and hopefully with time she will move inside again. 

We mourned the loss Zorro, the "masked" cat.  He is a stray cat and from the way he moved, I suspected leg injury.   He would hide under my washing machine and came out for food morning and evening.  Just when he was becoming more confident with me, an accident happened to him.

One night in the early hours of dawn, I heard the stray dogs barking and came down to check.   I could not see anything outside but can hear the dog running up and down the drain.  So finally I managed to chase them away.  In my heart, I was praying for the cats that they will be alright till daylight. 

In the daylight, we saw Zorro covered in mud and trying to come up.    Thank God, my daughter was around (she was going out for her exercise) and she managed to get down and picked him up.  She took almost an  hour to get him bathed and clean and dry. 

We sent him to the vet and he was admitted for dogs bites and trauma.   Unfortunately he could not make it and we lost him yesterday.  He is safe with God.

Besides the cats and dogs, it was sad news that I received from my niece that my brother in law's cancer has recurred and  it will be a matter of time.  As my daughters said, it is sad for he is someone whom they have close relationship with growing up.   

With the pandemic not relenting and the figures going up everyday, let's treasure those around us.  

Stay safe and take care everyone. 

 

 16/4/2021 

MAY'S WALKABOUT

This is my sister May and she works in the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.  She has been working with the Cardiac surgery at the Royal Children's Hospital for more than 30 years after her nursing training from Cornwall, United Kingdom.   Besides her regular work at the RCH, she also does humanitarian voluntary mission to Dominican Republic, Kenya, India, Vietnam, Cebu Philippines to the underprivileged children in these countries.    So how does she relax from her busy schedules?  Oh yes, I forget to mention that she has obtained her yoga teacher's certificate and yes, yoga helps her to unwind from a busy day. Besides that, she enjoys going for walks, not around your garden but long walks around the suburbs.

So just showing you all some of her walks these months. 

Me and Uoo Uoo Art Trail - celebrating 150 years of RCH.

On September 9, 1870 the Melbourne Free Hospital for Sick Children opened, small and humble.Today, the RCH is recognised globally as one of the world’s greatest paediatric hospitals and its 150th birthday. 

From the rch.org.au:- 

" UooUoo (pronounced you-you) has been created by award-winning Melbourne artist Alexander Knox, who also created the iconic sculpture ‘Creature’ that stands in the main foyer of the RCH.

UooUoo is an imaginary Australian creature whose shape is loosely drawn from the wombat and dugong. A mysterious being, UooUoo is highly empathetic, playful and brave, but can be mischievous at times.

 Each UooUoo sculpture measures 1350mm tall x 1580mm long x 980mm wide and weighs approximately 60kgs.

Join UooUoo on an adventure to help raise funds for the RCH and change the future of paediatric healthcare for generations to come!" 

These are a few of the UooUoo which she came across during her walks around the city.

You can view all the 100 sculptures from the website. 

Both of us loves these historical old buildings. 

The quadrangle @ Melbourne University

The Fairy Tree in Fitzroy Garden

The miniature Tudor houses and gardens

a day trip to Cranbourne native garden with her buddies.  

Australia native tree.... Why are the trees upside down?