Blessing of Food

This was what I posted in my Facebook:

Yesterday after the Rosary, we, all 6 of us....(yes, 3 more decided to join the initial 3) were served kuih, bee hoon and red beans dessert. We ate forgetting to bless the food and according to the host, she said she read in the internet that if we don't bless the food we eat, the molecules that formed the food and drinks will be bad molecules. And blah, blah , blah... She said that was tests done by a professor. 

I told her that we should not believe so much in the internet. And I am sure that what is importance is our heart. Every thing will turn good if we have a good heart with good intentions. Faith comes with wisdom. After all, I was confident that our Mother had blessed the food for us. Call me weird if you like.

This was a good 'sermon' I received from Fr. Andrew Kooi.

 Christians frequently pray before meals, giving thanks to God for the food we are about to eat. Pre-meal prayers can be a simple “thank-you” to God for the meal or lengthier prayers of thanksgiving for all of His provisions in our lives. In praying before meals, we are following the example of the Lord Jesus, whose prayers on several occasions are our model.

In the two instances where Jesus miraculously fed multitudes of people with a few loaves and fish, He “gave thanks” (Matthew 14:19-21; 15:34-36). In the first instance, He fed 5000 men, plus women and children, with five loaves of bread and two fish. In the second, He fed over 4000 with seven loaves and a few fish. At the Last Supper, Jesus again set the example of thanksgiving. When He passed the cup and the bread to His disciples, telling them to eat and drink these elements which were His body and blood, He gave thanks. When He appeared to the two men on the road to Emmaus after His resurrection, He stopped briefly to eat with them, and “took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them” (Luke 24:30).

The apostle Paul continued this example of praying before eating, as recorded in Acts 27. In this instance, Paul was on a ship with 276 other people when a hurricane battered the ship. After fourteen days of not eating, Paul exhorted the sailors and other passengers to eat something in order to survive. He “took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all” (Acts 27:35). Even in spite of the danger and terrible circumstances, Paul paused to give thanks to God before the meal.

When we thank God for providing our daily bread, we are acknowledging that all things come from Him (Ephesians 5:20; Romans 11:36). He is the source of everything we have, and praying before meals as a habit helps to remind us of that truth. Praying before we eat with a thankful heart brings glory to God and centers our minds on His great love for His children and the blessings He bestows on those who belong to Him.

Searching still

At times I feel so lonely even when family is with me. The emptiness that comes and never seems to leave. I search for inner peace without knowing the meaning of it. Running around asking with hope that I could find some one to help me with it. But I get no answer. I got the urge to join the Balinese on nyepi (a day that they observe spirituality whereby it is called a day of silence too). Will I get to know that inner peace I am searching for? Friends told me that I do not have to run so far spending so much money in search for peace. But why do I feel that I need to. The pull to go there to experience spiritual peace.

Wondering if God is putting me again in the desert which He had done on several occasions. It is not a pleasant state. I know friends and family are around yet I felt as if I am pushed to a corner....the dryness. Nothing I can do about it at all but to be patient and wait for the time He picks me up and puts me back where He thinks I belong. Now it is just a lump in my heart that I need to dissolve.

At this stage, I feel like nothing is right. Feeling rather restless. Hence finding small assignment to do. Strange but am begging for them. And fearing that I may not find this inner peace in time for life is short. Death comes without warning as many realized. No one likes talking about it.

I feel so strong yet so fragile. Was told to get a spiritual director to direct me. But who will want such an extra task and I don't even know what I would want to share. Have I confused my life?

WITCHY BITCHY ME

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Life's experiences with people I called friends


I have been on this earth for over 50 years. Friends come and go...some left this world, some left my life, some I am still journeying with and some still with me through thick and thin.

 When I have bad experiences with a few of them, I asked God why couldn't He give me the ones who are perfectly good. Now after pondering myself with this question umpteen times, He gave me an answer that my life experiences are all via friends may they be nice, bad or just passing-by friends. I agree that I have had got lots of happy and sad times with them. I only have to be discreet and to be able to discern.

 Some friends made use of us for their benefits then forget about us. Some true friends travel with us and supported us in our venture of life's difficult journey.

I used to get very upset with those who used me as an instrument to get what they favour. For example, they would ask me to ask a certain sensitive issue to another close friend. They would give bad feed backs about that person. They even suggested that I plan for some gathering but I was the one being left out at the end of the day. Funny was that you will find them having a good time with the person they had talked bad about behind his back. These built up my life and make me a stronger and wiser person. I learn how to forgive and be more vigilant.

Then there's some who will console us in bad times. They would be very concerned. I feel so blessed with such as they never push me off the edge. They are always there when I need them. I am thankful that I am provided such though very few.

I concluded that to have quality in friendship is better then to have quantity.

Reclining Buddha Temple at Burma Lane, Pulau Tikus, Penang

This morning we went to The Reclining Buddha Temple for my mom's second death anniversary prayer. My parents were staunch Buddhist so I have to carry out the rites due to filial piety. My husband went to invite the monks for the recitation. After that I gave them an ang pow each. They walked out without knowing that I was behind one of them. To my surprised he opened it and he didn't look happy about the content of RM5. He looked at me in a very unhappy manner. Then the man mending the temple with a cap who followed them quickly told me that I was supposed to put RM20 for each monk. I 'paid' the difference of RM30. I was wondering what had happened to Buddha's teaching? Are they not supposed to demand a certain amount. From what I know was that they should not even accept the ang pow if they are true in their Dhamma. Anyway, I paid as demanded but it is kamma that will follow them. This will be the last time I will engage the greedy monks.

Bali versus Batu Ferringhi

For these few months, my family and I have been staying at my Bayu Emas Apartment which is situated at the end of Batu Ferringhi. The beach is a stone's throw away so my husband and I walked to the beach nearly every evening. We had enjoyed swimming in the sea until recently. Recently was like since January. We were disappointed as it was a sea of muddy water. None of the tourists dared to go into the water. What a big shame it was as most of the tourists, whom I happened to mingle with, swear that this will be the last time they will come here but instead they will divert to beautiful Bali. I believe they will as I myself highly recommend Bali especially Kuta, Nusa Dua and Blue Point.

The stretch of beach at Kuta is never left to rot like Bat Ferringhi. It is well kept. Early in the morning we took a walk to the beach and it was only 6.30am but I saw uniformed sweepers cleaning the beach. Mind you not one but many. They were busy sweeping and scooping up the rubbish into plastic bags.

At Batu Ferringhi, what we see now are a stretch of black rotted dead leaves, plastic bottles, plastic bags, cans....and amazingly no one scoops them up. They were left to the waves to do the job. Talking about saving the environment, I wonder what the MPPP is doing? I see them until 7pm or even until 7.30pm everyday but they are only there to monitor the beach boys. Why can't they see the filth?

Pearl of the Orient????? Mud of the Orient to be precise. Aren't we suppose to help promote tourism here? Instead the tourist, foreign and local, are driven away. One tourist lamented that he came here NOT to be coop up in the hotel but wanted to enjoyed the sea.

Thanks the Penang government for letting the contractors to dump the mud excavated at the new link at Monkey Beach. Why can't a site where no tourist goes be picked? Penang is getting sick and dying.....cough, cough, cough

Beach Cleanup Batu Ferringhi, 2010

The Star publication ,a couple of weeks back, advertised for Penangites to participate in clean ups of three of our beaches. They are Gurney Drive, Tanjung Bungah and Batu Ferringhi. Three of us decided to register for the one at Batu Ferringhi as we are residing there. Registration was a big hassle but I did not give up. Finally a Mr Tan gave us reply via his mobile phone. Today I text him as I still have not got any reply from the Batu Ferringhi side. I was told that there are too many participants. I was wondering why they can't tell us earlier that they cannot accomodate too many people so that we can plan for other activities????? We are very disappointed. How inefficient the committee for the Bt. Ferringhi clean up is. No more such participation for us in future. Instead Mr Tan texted back to apologized. Basically this Mr Tan is the only one with full responsibility. He even texted back to apologized. WHAT ARE THOSE SUPPOSED TO MEND THE BATU FERRINGHI BEACH CLEAN UP DOING???? SLEEPING?????

We were looking forward to offer our help in installing a clean beach. Once bitten twice shy....I don't think we ever want to participate in anymore such projects. I have to do so much running around just to register.

The Royal Palace, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Here we are at the Royal Palace where the present king resides. Of course this is the area where we were allowed to browse. Where he stayed is off limit. It is a beautiful palace and very vast. This is only a tiny part of palace ground. This building is where the coronation takes place. In there we can see jewelleries being exhibited that were worn by earlier queens. They were authentic. Sorry photos were not allowed in the building itself.

Cambodian cuisine

This is Amok Fish. It comes in two version. The grilled or curried. This version it grilled Amok Fish. Amok Fish is one of the many delicious cuisine in Cambodia. It tasted like our Otak-otak but it has its unique ingredients added. I just can't get enough of it. YUMMMMYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

Siang and me at the National Museum, Cambodia

This museum is full of statues from the ruins. Photos are not allowed and so we cannot snap any. Behind us is a statue of a Garuda. We were allowed to take this one as it was at the enterance. In the museum, I found a few ladies collecting donation to upkeep the place by handling us a stick of jasmine to be place at one of the Buddha statues. The amount donated was up to individuals. At first, I was thinking that it was rather weird for people to pray to statues placed in museums. After Rith explained to us, I felt at ease.

Cambodia

Finally 13.1.2010 arrived after waiting for months. Siang and I left for Cambodia. We were supposed to accompany our maid, Phan Yen, back to her home land but she made a big fuss in wanting to leave sooner after our parents passed away. We were well prepared for the trip after many feedbacks from friends. Siang was told to look out for beggars as we stepped out of the airport building. To our amazement, we did not see any. Our guide, Rith, told us that their government forbidded beggars greeting tourist at such points.

One of my friend said to get ready to dig my nose every night before bedtime. She said Phnom Penh is very dusty. Before seeing the city, I regreted forgetting to bring some masks. Anyway, the masks would have taken up some precious space in by luggage as I did not see that much dust in the air. I did dug my nose as instructed but it wasn't dirty. The only place that was dusty was on the way to angkor Wat. But no problem for us as we travelled in a limousine. Of course it would be adisable to wear masks if you take the tut tut which is the national taxi.

Yet another told me to be prepared to experience some skin ailments due to the yellowish water from the tap. Oh, well, no yellowish water flowing from the taps and definitely I did not have any skin ailments. My skin came back as good as I left. Ahem, I did become a little darker....Ahhhhh, any Caucasian would be jealous of what I got. Anyway, the water there is very clean.

Fishing

Frankie at Batu Ferringhi beach. This is his first fishing trip. He had to get his brother to help him with the hooks. He was very eager in his new hobby. He got his second rod at a hardware shop at Batu ferringhi. It was expensive according to his brother. So bro took him so a shop at Irving Road where he got fishing gears at very cheap price.

Well, today he went and caught his very first fish. In fact he caught two small ones. He was happy with his catch. But we threw them back where they belong as we were not in favour to kill them for food. Hahahaha, we would need more if we were to have them for dinner. Anyway, the fishes may be very happy about our decision not to eat them.

We have been going to the beach very often. Sometimes there were more catch but sometimes NOTHING. But we had fun. I would jumped into the water while Frankie waited for his bite.

Bayu Emas, Batu Ferringhi, Penang

Yesterday I made an appointment to see two different units of apartment at Bayu Emas, Batu Ferringhi, Penang. My son, Dani, and his friends are now working for Hard Rock Hotel and they needed accommodation due to their second shift which started at 6pm until 2.30am. I am not comfortable with this shift at he will be driving home at such wee hours. It spooks me as he recently got involved in an accident on one rainy day at Tanjung Bungah opposite the Tsunami flats. So Frankie and I encouraged him to share a unit with his friends nearby the area.

One night he came home telling us about the rental which was RM1000 for a two roomed unit but the price has since increased to RM1100 according to the broker. I happened to ask Dani if there was any for sales. He said there were two and I asked him to call the broker, Nellie, for an appointment to see the units.

So yesterday was the day. We were shown the three roomed unit but we did not quite like the atmosphere there. It needed repainting and the ceiling was leaking as it was on the top most floor. Moreover the layout wasn't what I fancy.

We were ushered to the next block which consisted of two bedrooms. The moment I walked into the unit I was overwhelmed. You may say that I fell in love with the place at first sight. It was awesome. The paint is as good as new. It comes with furniture, fridge, 3 units of air conditioners, water heaters, hob and stove. I only need to repaint the grill at the kitchen as it was rusty.

The place was neat and clean. We were happy with the condition. The bathrooms are spacious. Out of excitement I forgot to take photos of the bathrooms. There are things left behind like vacuum cleaner, comforters, pots and pans, crockery and stand fans which I do not know if the seller will come back to collect them.

I decided to confirm buying this unit. Hopefully the seller has not changed his mind about selling. Rental now fetches RM1100 for a two roomed unit but I am giving my son and his gang a special rate out of compassion.

Botanical Garden, Penang 4.5.09

I was chasing butterflies and this small yellow butterfly was what I caught with my camera. Mind you...it wasn't an easy 'catch'. There were other species flying around as if they were dancing or teasing me. I managed to take a few shots of the yellow butterflies as they were easier to spot.

My brother and I decided to take a walk to the Botanical Garden on the 4th of May, 2009. We decided to take some pictures of an Indian temple before reaching the garden. It is a beautiful temple opposite the Chettiar Temple. It was just refurbished.

As we were shooting around, I heard rumbling noises. I turned towards the noise only to discover that the monkeys were running on the roof on the other side of the temple.

House Dana 3.5.09

Before my brother came back to visit my parents, I decided to have house dana. It just came to my mind that it would be good for my parents. But I was not sure how to go about it. My dad had once invited monks over to his house back in Perlis after he was struck with stroke back in the 70s.

Luckily, I have a friends who gave me valuable advice. They are Charles Ong whom I met online at PGHK and Sunny Khoo who is Charles' friend and I had Sunny in my Facebook. So I contacted both of them. I then proceeded to Heng Ghee's place to discuss with him and his wife since he is my dad's Godson. Poay Eng gave me some tips.

I decided to choose the monks at the Burmese Temple at Burmah Lane as it is nearer to my home. Frankie drove me to the temple on that very day. I was not sure where to make the appointment. Frankie led me to the hall and there he asked a couple of ladies minding a stall. They told us to see the lady in the temple at the counter. She asked us to see the monk who was sitted at the end of the hall. I went to him and after paying respect to him, I told him my intention.

I never know that it was so easy to invite monks home for house dana. Bhante was so pleasant and helpful.

The day came with much excitement. My cousins each brought food that they cooked. So we have plenty on that day. Bhante arrived and all of us lined up to pay respect to him. Then we were all sitted on the floor. Bhante explained to us about doing dana and he explained every parittas that he chanted. He did not want us to follow blindly.

My dad may not be able to think well now but he did tell me that he was very very happy for the dana. Well, I hope to hold more house dana in future as my parents are not able to go to the temple to offer dana now.

It is good too to transfer merits to the devas, petas and to our dead relatives who may have reborn as hungry ghosts. And also to practice metta. I felt a lot of metta being radiated. As my parents are staunch Buddhist, I will fulfill their aim for them as long as I am alive.

Taking a boat ride from Monkey Beach

YIPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE Emmelia and I got a boat ride back to the other side. Pak Atan, the boatman, was seated behind Emmelia. As you can well see, both of us were having a good time. We enjoyed the ride not doubt we were scrutinized for being softies. Oh well, as long as we were happy SO WHAT!!!!!!!!

The trail to Monkey Beach

Here are a few photos which I manage to take though I was out of energy. Shame that I was not in the mood to take one of those which we need to jumped down and climbed up on boulders. It was tough on me as I was carrying a heavy load (water, food, DSLR camera, lenses, batteries and flash. Every time I jumped, I felt like falling to the direction where my load swung to. For your information, I fell twice scraping my knees. I rather not have my camera and lenses knocked against any though rocks.

Black Creature

Can anyone of you tell me what this black creature is? It was caught by Wong at Monkey Beach. It is not slimy. Soft to the touch, moves and shapes itself. And it was not a blood sucker though it looked like a giant leech.

I was captivated by it and was playing with it for a while. Alas, I asked what Wong was going to do with it. He said he was taking it home to cook it. Though I begged him to let it back into the water, I was talking to a deaf ear. He murdered it and found it uneatable as it turned very hard after boiling.

Poor thing...It was killed. It would be good if the authority set a law that whatever is caught has to be put back where it belonged?

Monkey Beach, Teluk Bahang

Here we are at Monkey Beach after the Pantai Keracut hike. The trail is rough compared to the one to Pantai Keracut. The beach is not as clean too. I saw a bungalow or two which were dilapidated. The bathroom and toilet situated behind one of the bungalows are in bad condition but usable. I hiked there but was too frighten to face the rough path upon coming back. So my daughter and I took a ride back for a mere RM10. We shared the ride with a few other youngsters. If not for the sharing, we have to fork out RM50 for a one way ride back.

There were lots of 'siput' (small clams) and our friend, Wong, managed to scope them with a self made device. These were plenty but they were small.

There was a group of families who camped here. The proprietor charges RM10 for a tent per night. He was a very pleasant guy. I took his boat back to the other side. He told a group that they can always call him on his mobile if there is an emergency.
His name is Pak Atan tel. 012 4731299 If you ever need his service.

All in I still prefer Pantai Keracut even if there were jelly fish there.