Earth Hour

VOTE EARTH

Switch off your lights for one hour,
and join the world for Earth Hour.

Saturday, March 28
8:30 - 9:30 p.m.

Read the news, that we need

28 Million Scouts to Mobilise for Earth Hour

Sze Jun's Wedding

SJ is getting married this Saturday, but there was a reception dinner on Thursday for all her friends and family back home.

I had the honour of being invited to her wedding dinner that night, and the hen's night the night before.

SJ had been a part of my troop when I was leading it at that time. It still amazes me to see them all grown up with careers and families of their own. I guess I would always consider them like I did so many years ago. :)

Congratulations!!! SJ!!!

May your days of married life be a loving and eternal one.

Johnny's Going-Away Dinner

L to R: Ai Fern, Nick K., Wesley, Teresa, Johnny, Edward, Ah Nong, Edward's wife, Lucas, C. S., Valerie, Henry, Kim Leng

28 August 2008, Thursday

Johnny has finally graduated from Swinburne University of Technology from his engineering course.

In celebration of his graduation, and for his time with us in Kuching, the gang met up in Koreana for a joyful dinner.

It was a fun night, and Mrs. Kim, the owner of the restaurant, joined us for a chat too. She is a very wise woman, with deep insight with regards to the current Malaysian society and government. The young ones left the place that night with renewed respect for the lady.

But, at the end of the night, Johnny was still the main character. :) Therefore, Johnny, we wish you a great journey ahead, and don't forget to come pay us a visit anytime soon. ;)

Adios, amigo!!! Best wishes for all!!!

Happy Birthday, ML!!!

It is ML's birthday, and divers all around celebrated it with her on her birthday's eve.

Happy Birthday, ML!!!

The Gang, Bunch of Crazy Divers

The Master and the Protege, same dark skin...

Have a good one this year!!!

Derailment at Padas River, Borneo

There was an incident of train derailment in Sabah, Borneo. Two people were killed and 39 injured after the locomotive came off the tracks and plunged into the Padas river.

Photos by the New Straits Times Press

It happened at 3.15p.m. today, and for three hours, rescue divers from the fire department tried to salvage the wreckage for any survivors.

The train operates daily, taking villagers and produces down from the inland of Padas River to the town of Beaufort, and sends white-water-rafters up to their entry point in the upstream.

Outlook of the derailed locomotive in Sabah, Borneo.

A section of the locomotive

The Padas River

The railway runs alongside the river bank.

The train at the end of the railway, near the upstream of the Padas river

Another view of the railway and the river

To think that I was rafting down that very river, and taking the very train more than a year ago.

You can read more about the news here.

Pictures are grabbed from the following sites:

1. Borneo Trekker
2. Matt Wegener

Stanley Getting Married

6 March 2008, Thursday

The day that Stanley got married. In the typical Chinese way.

I woke up late at four in the morning. Stanley said that he would be leaving for the bride's place at five.

I was still groggy and sleepy when I reached his place, which was packed with his family and friends. Even at the wee hour of the morning, the house was bustling with people getting ready to welcome the bride.

I had some breakfast at Stan's place before departing. Stan's mother gave some milo, and I added Nescafe powder to it. That would keep me up for a few more hours later. ;P

There were five cars forming the bride-receiving procession. We rode in a line, and it was quite a scene on the quiet morning road.

We finally reached the bride's place, and the whole lot of us packed the door to the bride's family flat.

Stan looking extremely please and happy on his big day :)

The day had not broken when we were at the bride's door.
Stan had to wait until the family of the bride allowed him to enter the house for the bride.

The "Brothers"

The band of "Brothers" was supposed to be there to support the groom in winning his bride over from the bride's family.

Stan, and his bride, after going through the "Sister's" obstacle

Stan got through the door without much difficulty.
The only thing was that his brothers would have to suffer on his behalf in order to get him into the door. ;P

Stan escorting his bride from her place

When the bride was ready, Stan took Ling's hand and walked her out of her house. Ling bowed to her parents before leaving the house, a sign of respect and gratitute from the child to the parents for all the years and effort in raising her up and caring for her.

Finally, at Stan's place

Stan had brought his bride home.

Stan wrote this calligraphy.
It meant, "Chi Ling and Phoenix reside here"
Chi Ling is a Chinese lucky mascot that represented the male or husband, and Phoenix was the lucky mascot that represented the female or wife.

The new room

The Wedding Lamps

Two red wedding lamps that represented the well wishing of "Forever One Heart".
The lamp was supposed to be light the whole day, or for a couple of days, depending on which culture.

Stan and Ling, Husband and Wife.

Congratulations, Stan. :)

Yau Yau's Wedding Dinner

Yau Yau and her husband
28 March 2008

Yau Yau came back to organized a wedding dinner for her family and friends at home. She had done one previously in Kuala Lumpur, where she was residing, before coming back here to celebrate it with her family and friends.

I was honored to be invited to her occasion, and had the grace to help her in inviting many others.

The wedding was at the BDC Grand Hall, on the PTPL College. The whole occasion took up the whole school hall, and I was wondering if there might be nearly 600 people to attend her dinner.

Yau Yau talking casually with her friends after the dinner.

It must have been hectic for her, having to entertain the people from both places. But then again, you would want to share it with all your good friends and family, won't you?

Congratulations, YY!!! I just can't believe that you are finally getting married. It feels like yesterday since we last spent our school days together in one class.

Best wishes to you, my friend, and may your days with laced with the grace of God. :)

Disclaimer

Please be notified that the Blood Donation Drive organized by the Borneo Scuba Diving and Adventure Centre in Kuching on 23 March 2008, Sunday is not an entity of the "Drive for Live" event.

First of all, the Blood Donation organizer had not approved the inclusion of the "Drive for Live" as part of the Blood Drive event, nor had it been agreed to be included as part of the "Drive for Live" event.

Second of all, the Blood Donation Drive organizer had not approved the use of the name "Drive for Live" to represent them.

Thirdly, the sponsors of the Blood Donation Drive had only agreed to the sponsorship of the Blood Donation Drive.

Kindly be informed.

Thank you.

Blood Donation Drive, 23 March 2008 (Sunday)

To all Kuchingites and those who will be in Kuching on 23 March 2008 (Sunday),

There will be a Blood Donation Drive, which was organized by the Borneo Scuba Diving and Adventure Centre, in conjunction with its second anniversary on the 23rd of March, 2008 (Sunday).

Please come and bring along your family members or friends to join in the act of giving blood to those whose life depended on it.

Time and Venue will be as follow:

Date : 23 March 2008, Sunday

Time : 10.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m.

Venue : Borneo Scuba Diving and Adventure Centre (Behind Pen View Inn, Jalan Tun Razak)

Kindly grace this occasion with your kind donations.

Thank you.

Happy Birthday!!! Shun!!!

It is the birthday of a friend, Shun, and I am writing this post to honour this day in which he was born 25 years ago.

He likes to photograph himself. Not a bad hobby, eh?

This is the Shun with the "executive look"

He can be cute at times...

His "specky-look"...

His "poster-look"...

And, His, erm..., "Greek-God look"....

:D HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Shun!!!
May your days be as bright as the sun shines!!! :-)

Teresa's 150th Dive Celebration

Last night one lot of us gathered in Edward's dive shop to celebrate Teresa having done 150 dives!!! That was just incredible!!!

Congratulations, Teresa!! Hope you keep up that good work, and keep on diving.

Diving is living, living is diving!!! (That's her tagline...) :)

Oh, and she operates the smallest hostel in town...the BORNEO SEAHARE HOSTEL. Only online reservation is entertained. No walk-ins.

Class of '97: Tenth Year Reunion

Sometimes, without realizing it, time most certainly flies. Everyone has their own lifes to live on. But once in a while, some of us would slow down and start to think: How far have we all come?

Ladies and Gentlemen!!!! This is the night of the Tenth Year Reunion for the Class of '97, from the ever famous KHS!!!

It started one night when one of us had a little drink, and started to think about old friends and old school mates. It was then when he decided to have an occasion when everyone of us would gather together and have a wonderful time.

It only took him less than a minute to make that decision, a night to find four others to help him with this project, and less then three months to get eveything ready and everyone invited.

So the date was set on the third night of Chinese New Year, and the invitations sent out. By word of mouth this piece of news spread far and fast. Before Chinese New Year, we all received the news.

It was an anticipated occasion. Who would have thought, we had all graduated high school for ten years.

It was a wonderful night. We have a wonderful crowd, and a wonderful moment. Each and everyone of us is a jewel on its own accord. The night shone because of each and everyone of us.

This was a night of renewed friendship, a night when we said thank you to our teachers who were now older and wiser. A night where we see old faces with a new heart. A night where people are just glad that we were all there.

Blue-green was the colour of the night

Long-found Friend: Janet, you looked fabolous!!!

My pal, someone who took me in like a brother.

And a friend who cares a lot... I thank you... :)

The bunch of sweeties

And the bunch of naughties...

I guess no one would believe that one of us was a teacher retired just a few years ago...

And this, dear all, is the lovely son of the Kho's!!!

Don't we just look good with each other??? Ha ha!!!

December Babies!!!

We had a simple celebration of December birthdays for both Chris and Kevin at Pizza Hut, Jalan Song, the night before.

We bought a cake for the two of them, and ordered four pizzas for nine persons. And because we were celebrating birthdays, Pizza Hut actually gave us an addition of two pizzas, for free!!!

Pizza Hut actually closed off the first floor, reserving it for the purpose of birthday celebration. We were one of two tables of customers allowed upstairs, and it was pretty quiet compared to the full house down below. I guess it was for better control and monitoring of such celebrations. Consider it a courtesy to Pizza Hut's customers. For birthdays, you get privacy for eating pizzas...

Chris and Kevin's birthday cake.

It was wholely made of chocolate, by Taka.

The elongated spikes makes me think of sea urchins.

Chris and Kevin

Kevin and Karen

Cindy and Chris

EL and Karen

CK and XXX

(I'm sorry but I've forgotten your name, again.)

Tony's Wedding Dinner

Tony had his wedding dinner on this night, and I had the honour to be invited to this occasion.

The dinner was at Tian Soon Restaurant in BDC, and a rough number of 300+ people were invited.

The food was slow to be served, and the taste was just alright, albeit slightly salty for some.

Tony N. and his wife

They have been together for so long that people has trouble remembering when was it that they first started dating. :)

Linda and Adelyn
Linda and Adelyn are best friends since high school.

They are friends of Tony from the scouting days.

This was supposed to be a night of celebration, but something really bad happened that night too.

When Tony's family got home after dinner, they found out that their house was broken into, and some money stolen. Luckily, they did not leave any of their gold and jewelry in the house.

Tony made a police report immediately afterwards, but the whole atmosphere was destroyed. It was supposed to be a happy occasion.

I'm sorry, Tony. I hope things will get better for you and your family.

Bad Taste

I was sitting around idly with some friends of mine in a coffee shop the other day, when a fight broke out just two tables away from me!!!

It was a bright afternoon, and that was not a very crowded place. Occupancy of the shop was roughly about 40%. Karen sat in front of me. I was talking to her half-heartedly, while my mind wondered to my work.

At one point, I jerked my head up to a shadow behind me. I do not usually do this, and I do not usually take note of the people around me. But for some reasons, I jumped a little when this man walked up behind me, and I took a good look at him.

That was an ordinary man. Thin, fair and medium height. He had curly hair, which was rather unusual for a chinese, and he wore glasses, those old-fashioned type of glasses. He was in a rather plain, white-washed, yet clean shirt. He had on his face, a rather stern and grumpy look. I did not think of him as aggressive then. But thinking back, he did look a little dark in his expression, like he was quite unhappy with something.

It was a hot afternoon, and Karen was talking about buying chocolate from the airport.

No, you don't need to buy it from the airport. It's much cheaper here in a supermarket.

Oh, yeah?

Yeah... Go to DPS, it's right across the road. The chocolates there are much cheaper.

OK.

Karen and her sister left a short while later, while I continued to sit idly listening to the others talk. Oh, it was a hot and lazy afternoon.

*Pang!!!!*

For one moment, every eyes were trained at the source of the sound. It was the unhappy man. He was with a bunch of people, having his lunch, and there was another older man sitting right beside him. Unhappy man was staring at this older man with intense eyes and tightly-sealed lips.

Then another man in black sitting across those two stood up and came over to this side of the table. He mumbled something in his mouth, pulled the chairs and table away, and started punching the older man in his ears.

The older man did not make a sound.

The only sould that I could hear was the sound of flesh hitting flesh.

We sat stock still at the sight of that. Inside me, there were two voices. One told me to duck and leave then, as quietly as possible. The other part of me was actually aroused with all the excitement from the fight. I was not too sure what to do then.

At least I knew that I was still a safe distance away.

The man in black then lifted his knee and brought the older man's head down to it. It was then that the older man gave out a sort of sobbing sound. He was still sitting in his chair.

Another man took a chair and threw it at the older man.

A waiter came up to our side and motioned for us to leave, quietly.

So, we left.

But whatever I saw back there, left a very bad taste in my mind after.

Even to this day, which was about a week later, I still could feel that air of hostily and danger whenever I thought back to that incident. The intensity of it weighs down on my heart wherever I go, and whenever I am alone.

This cannot be good. Fighting can never be good.

Edward's Birthday: Stage III

November 9, 2006. Thursday. 12.45 a.m.

The night had finally started.

The KING of the day!!!

It started with just the singing.

The Boogie-Man boogie-ing his boogie-bum.

The three tenors...

One couldn't get any happier...

This pic was dedicated to our beloved friend and sister in the faraway land of the United States.

Angel wanted this for you, Fish. :)

There are some things that we will always share.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ED!!!