WE ARE IN ORLANDO AGAIN!

We left from home to Orlando on Thursday evening. In the car, we have Mom who is visiting us from Indiana and our Buddy! ! Why Buddy ??? hmmmm because he has been acting very aggressive and liked to climb on top of the cage to distrub the birds. If we left him unattended, it is unfair to our birds.

This was the first time that Buddy travel with us. He was good on 2 hours journey; though he made some noise in the cage ; it wasn't a nuisance.

Soon after we reached the Vocation House in Kissimmee, that has 4 bedrooms, Jason, Marc, Brooke and Roberta also arrived from New Jersey by flight..... so this is like a small reunion for us.

Buddy took sometime to browse and smell every inche of the house; he even went upstairs to see what are there ! After feeling safe and comfortable with this new place, he started to play with Marc & Brooke.

Grandpa Ah Don bought 4 days tickets to Disney World for Marc and Brooke. This is one of the X'mas Gifts to them.

We did not see Marc & Brooke for only 7 months since last Family Reunion in 4th July 2009. They are so tall now !!!!! Brooke has her front teeth !!! And she is wearing the sneakers of my Size !!! So now you know what I meant !!!

They went to Magic Kingdom yesterday. Mom and me stayed at home. Since I am still in recovering stage and still having some chest congestion and dizziness in the morning, I might have to take extra precaution to excerpt my body and rest more. Certainly, I missed and enjoyed those rides but not this time.

This morning , they left for Epcot. It's good to visit Disney during this period as the parks are less crowded and the lines to each ride and game are shorted. waiting on a long line has been a pain during summer time under the hot sun. The weather during this time is most ideal for visiting Disney World. There might be some good offer too.

Oh .... Buddy is such a good company here....... Soon, we are planing to adopt a Schnoodle. I hope the lady I dealt with would keep her dog "Teddy" for our adoption . If the adoption go through, we will have Buddy and Teddy ...... their names seem to get along fine !!

Think about my disappointment for being rejected to keep pet in our last place in Village Walk on my 62 Birthday, I am really thrilled to be able to see our pets running or flying in our home.

I AM SICK TODAY !!!

Yes!! I am sick and resting at home today.

I was not feeling comfortable for last few days. This is the first time that I have to take a sick leave to stay at home. I tell myself , this is the time that I should forget about the work and let my body have its time to do some internal adjustment or balnacing work to my body; I know, I have been defeated by virus or any other abnormal factors.

There are few reasons that my body shows sign for a good rest !

>I have been too stressful over a last couple of weeks. Have bad habit and persistantly overworked my matured bodyin the past. I have turned to a night bird which is definately is bad for my body.

>There has been a big change of weather from super hot to super cold; and there is high tendency that I could have had a chill and unnoticed!

>I have the new glasses that may cause some impact or effect on my headache.

>My daughter sent me a Garuda Dzi bracelet which is showing signs of my future sickness. My body is aching since I put it on ! Dzi is telling me that I should look after my health more seriously by now! Dzi has been known for its power to tell the wearer of what future sickness.

>Lastly...... it might be a mild warning that medical attention is needed. Since living here for close to 5 years ( by coming May) I have not seen any physicians for treatment except for a body check-up early last year.

I am definitely a tough person who likes to fight against sickness with natural healing process and home remedies.

I feel very much different to be at home on working day! I can't make myself rest completely; that's why I am sitting right in front of my pc........But I like to have this extra hours to play with my birds and cat. They are my good company.

"Forever" likes to kiss me.. she thinks I have something in my mouth to share. oh! and that naughty "Buddy" have been jumping up and down the bed this morning wanting to wake me up !!!!.

♠♠♠ WHAT HAPPENED TO OUR PLANTS?????

This is the first time that I experienced cold weather in Florida. Over the last two weeks the weather was so cold that it dropped to 30 F. It was mainly due to the cold front that push its way from the Arctic. When I asked Ah Don how could it be so cold this year? He told me it was cold too last year; but I was lucky to be back in Malaysia for the Chinese New year during this period!!!!

It's not difficult to deal with cold weather here as I had gone through below freezing point while living in New Jersey for over 2 years. I have plenty of jackets and thick sweaters that I can wear to keep warm. ( since moving to this new place, they have been packed and stored; I thought they are no longer required!)

While we can keep ourselves warm, we were not aware that we have to cover our plants to prevent them from the frost that could freeze them. As reported, local farmers have bad hit of losses due to such cold weather!

This morning when we have a little big of warm sunshine we could walk out to the yard. We were sad to see that most of our plants have been damaged. I don't know how long it take to see their new leaves again ? They are the fruits of our hard labor; At one point we were so happy to see them growing successfully after being transferred from their respective pots to the yard.... now they look bad !

My Pencil Cactus turning pink

This plant were struggling hard with the new place but now......

No longer our green green grass of home !

Look like they have been cooked in bundle !!

When would I see the Green leaves agin ?

Poor Aloe !!!

All needles are dropping off !

Yeah! It's colorful, but I love them green !!!!

We were happy to see the bright color but the have faded !!!!

All leaves fall-off overnight !

It's sad to see our plants in this condition. I pray and believe they will be fully green in spring.

House Warming & BYL Birthday

I'm not going to write as much as BYL.  I think my fingers would fall off. Ha Ha Ha

Below is a little video I put together on the day of the house warming and BD party.  Just gives you a different view of the house.  Obviously we like and enjoy our home.

DO I HAVE QUESTIONS IN MY LIFE ????

Officially, I turned 64 today!

When I was a little girl, living in a small town, I liked to be around my mother listening to her conversation with visiting lady friends. More often I heard them saying, " Aiyo ! we can not already lah ! It's too old to wear this and that after 40!" So in my little mind , I learned that "Women over 40 plus is TOO OLD for anything !" "Young ladies over 20 remained single are overage and hard to find a guy to marry". Then I thought I might have to look for a boy friend before I finished High School. But, that never happened to me ! I wasn't interested in any boys in our class at all !! During my teen, I was hoping to be able to live in a bigger town.


When I reached 40, it was wonderful that I did not feel that I was old!! Then I thought I might experience that Old feeling in another 10 years. When I turned 50, I did not feel that I was old either. In fact, I remarried at senior age of 59 ( Now, people are talking about retirement age at 55 !!!) So, there is only one reason for me not to feel old .......because I DO NOT AND DON'T WANT TO FEEL OLD IN MYSELF... " When you feel old, you are old!" That's it!! Okay !

Then a year after this , I reached this significant NUMBER 60, another round figure in my life! This time around, I did have some strange feeling then made me admit that age is catching up on ME !!! .... Since then, I hated to use or hear the word "OLD" to describe ME! I prefer to use and hear the word "MATURED" instead. In common sense, "Old" means outdated, useless, ineffective, nonproductive or even a burden to younger generation if you are disable whereby " matured" is just like fine wine .... the oldest is the best and right time for appreciation !!!

When I cut my birthday cake 2 days ago, I told our guests that I only have 3 more years to cut the cake ! They asked " What do you mean?" Well, this was a prediction from one Psyche who told me I would live up 67 years old; if I could skip this , I would live up to 87 . If I were to follow Chinese way of calculation ..... I really do not have much time to enjoy my life !!!! How sad !

Right now, I am going to enjoy what are there to enjoy. I am happy to be able to celebrate my 64th Birthday with Ah Don and friends. I am thankful to be able to wake up every morning to see this world, to walk around and run about freely. I can eat as much as I like to. I am both mentally and physically fit to work. May be my memory may fail me sometime but that's not a big deal. I have to use different way to register the memory !! I believe, I am doing good and fine!

Yeah, I can squad up and down without leaning for support. I can lift my leg high up ...... I can hear, I can see, I can jump, I can sing etc, ...... Do I have white hair ? Sure, I do! There are some patches by the side of my forehead. They are like permanent highlight . So what ? I am proud to have these patches.... because there are signs of "Wisdom". Some wise ladies quoted this before and I simply agree with them now that I have them on my head !

Looking back, I have been through various phases and aspects of my life.

When I was little...... I was really little in size and age in my class. I was the youngest and the shortest in the class from my primary years to High School. I had no chance to be appointed as class monitor throughout my whole schooling years... So far, this is my only regret for being too young and too small in the class. This image took away my hidden quality of leadership. ( This is my excuse of failure to be one) . I called myself a "Late Comer" because I was able to explore the quality of leadership at late 50 after I joined and involved in various political and non-political association and movements !! Certainly, I took the greatest pride in my life to see my little daughter being selected to be the class monitor on her first day to school. She was so capable to make her classmates in order while teacher were not around. She fulfilled what I had lost during those schooling years!!

When I was in the college in Singapore, I became the oldest student in the class. I was 24 when the rest of students were in there 17 to 18. WHY ???? Because there was a lapse of more than 6 years before I could walk into the college to continue my education. I am always grateful to my deceased mother and eldest brother who supported me financially and allowed me to accomplish my dream for better education. It was through this education, I was able to set my career path in commercial world. They transformed me to a better person who gradually accumulate confidence and ambition to do great.

I first married at the age of 30.... In 70's this was considered "Late Marriage for ladies"; However, none of our neighbors made any bad comment to my mother of such Overage Marriage merely because I was a career lady ! Haahahaha.....it was so interesting!! They could not believe that my Ex-husband is 7 years younger than me too!! !! Looking back, I was really blessed with a most wonderful and supportive mother in my life. She is my forever mentor and mental supporter. When I faced the fate of divorce, (again, this was predicted by same Psyche ) she gave me adequate encouragement and loving care. I could share with her my joy and sadness. On the other hand, I am also blessed with having one and only daughter Su-Yee who is so special in my life too. I am grateful that she accompanied me and made my life meaningful from 30 plus onwards. She sent me a loving gift and called me in the early morning to wish me "Happy Birthday!" Thank you "Bei" !

During my time as a single parent, I learn to be very independent and strong. That was the period for me to polish my life. I have to give this credit to my ex-husband for giving me the opportunity to grow stronger and be a sole responsible Mom. I worked hard to build my career; I gained the confidence and trust from my boss. I worked 25 year with the company till the company was sold. I quit my position as Assistant General Manger when I could not stand to be treated like "junk" in the eyes of those new management. Regardless of this, there are people in this new management that I like to express my thankfulness to them ! Why again ? Because without their " bad treatment and double standard altitude", I would not have made up my mind to quit and marry with Ah Don. All I know, they helped me to make the right decision in my late 50!!!

Hahahaaha... some people would want to know how and where did I meet this Matsalleh ?

Well, we get to know each other through Internet. When my daughter Su-yee has her circle of friends and seldom be around with me like before, so, I spent some of the time on Internet when I was not involved with any other activities. This is how I got to know Ah Don in 2002.

Do I have to question why I have been treated like this in my life ? No, not really, I am happy with what I had gone through before. The past strengthens my mind set towards my future. And I am happy with what I have now....... I have indeed been treated very fairly and blessed with all good thing in most of life. I have my family members who love and support me all the time especially my youngest brother Alan who cares and close to me. We have similarities in many ways. He is the youngest son and I am the youngest daughter; we both like to see that all our Gan family members are happy together. He has visited me twice since I came to US in 2005.

Below are what I my Birthday Gifts from Ah Don beside a warm kiss this morning!!

My New Glasses ( Price ? hmmm = to my few days pay loh )

The Hard Floor Cleaner for our Home

(I believe he will use this to keep our house clean ......

The supply of tool should come with labor, hahhahaha)

Lastly, a Diamond Pendant & Card

Thank You Ah Don for making my life complete! Thanks to Su-Yee for coming to my life!
I also received a nice Birthday card from Mom-in-law with $10.00 note !!! How sweet & nice of her. She remember all of our big days !!!

House Warming & My Birthday

Yesterday, 01/10/2010 was a happy day for me and Ah Don. It's was a Double Happiness!

After 3 months, we thought it's about time to have our friends coming over to warm our new place. Since I am 2 days shy to my birthday, I thought it might be meaningful for me to prepare dinner for our guests.

I started planning, organizing, arranging and timing for food to be prepared, cooked and ready to serve as soon as I woke p from bed. Initially, I have chicken steak in my mind as the main dish but Ah Don thought roasted ham would be more acceptable. Since I do not have any prior experience in roasting ham hence, I have to go online to look for the most simple way to roast ham. I followed exactly the procedure to glaze and bast the ham .... I am glad that the ham turned out to be delicious, tender and juicy inside. Yummy yummy...it tasted good too !!

Have to set the table First

Roasted Ham in process & Pie

Stuff prepared and to be cooked after arrival of our guests
By the way, those knives by the side are X'mas gifts from Ah Don
They are really nice, now I don't use my old knives anymore!

My first experience in roast ham

Pics show pieces being cut by Ah Don & ready to serve our guests

Then followed by these dishes

Round the house : Our Office

Guest Room ready for Kids : a boy & a girl

This is mainly for Mom's visit during Winter Season

This is our Bedroom

We have some new items fixed on the wall

SMALL CELEBRATION OF MY BIRTHDAY

My Boss carried in the Birthday Cake.

This is a Surprise for me !

Ah Don was taking pic for me and wanted me to lower my chin

This is how I look !

They wanted me to make a wish..... but I have to

think which is my primary wish ! Money, health, love ????

Blow the candles to mark my matured age of

8 X 8
It was a cold night but our home was filled with warmth & laughter

New Year New ME♠♠♠♠

♠Got my new glasses yesterday. It has been a long delay to shop for this pair of new glasses.

I was supposed to have a new pair back in Malaysia after visiting the eye specialist. However, the lens would not be ready for me before I returning to US.

Now. I have this pair to begin with the new year ..... I told Ah Don, this is my expected Birthday gift.

♠

BYE BYE 2009, WELCOME 2010

An opening present from "Forever" !!

3 eggs while we move to new year 2010It was such a Mother Nature that she turns to be so motherly overnight!

******************************************

It's around this time or at the beginning of December that most of us would pull out the list of resolutions set in January to review what are outstanding or what have been achieved before setting the next resolutions for the new year!

Practically, I do not own a set resolutions to navigate or monitor my life; I move with the pace and follow the direction that I am suppose to go. With the matured age and the wisdom and experience that I have gone through, I think I can behave and handle without any firm resolutions set as checklist. However, I did want and hope for something to happen, overcome and accomplish in the past year of 2009. Do I have to tell myself how to behave and discipline ? No! I just want to be myself. After all life is short. I like to do what I feel right and happy of doing it. That's it ! simple.

To keep fit and healthy is always my primarily hope for each year; To continue and maintain good relationship with Ah Don, my family and his family members is the next and a steady job to keep me occupied with extra money in the pocket. Other than this, I am still hoping to involve in social activity in America.

In fact, 2009 has been a significant year for me and Ah Don, With the bad economic and unemployment rate escalating, we are blessed with steady employment. When there are so many people in Florida have to put their properties in the market due to default in mortgage payments, we consider ourselves lucky to be able to own a house in 2009. We have "Forever" and "Buddy" to play with while "putera & puteri " are making whole lot of noises in their cage! Life is beautiful when we are happy with what we have and not to overstrech ourselves!

Of course ! amongest all, it is such a thrilling experience to see our "Forever" laid her first egg on 30th December 2009. All this while, we are not sure of her sexulity . Now we know "Forever" is a female ! On new year eve, I witnessed her laying the 2nd egg. Now she is hatching on 3 eggs, and I am not sure if there will be anymore to come !! Poor baby... she becomes a "Mommy" instantly and is now so protective of her eggs. Look like we will be blessed again in year 2010 with such a good sign !! ( I will let her hatch the eggs for a while before removing them !)

But , no all good thing happened in 2009. I lost my eldest sister due to prolong illness on the day we confirm buying this house. This is the most heart breaking experience for not seeing her last face before she left for her lord.

Anyway...... life goes on...... we have to learn to face the reality. Everyone will be gone one day. we just have to treasure every minute as though it's our last minute!

The good thing with me is that..... I could be very sad over one thing however, I have learn to "let go" so that the sad feeling will not prevent me from pursuing any other thing; life have to move on ! We don't want time to stop at one point!

So, we went downtown on New year eve, to join the big crowd, to see the dropping of pineapple. This is the 3rd year we being to this event. The weather was not too cold to walk around and stop at 3 performing stages to listen and dance with the music. This is one thing that I like about American culture. People can do what they like regardless of ages. I saw some senior ladies dancing and drinking as though nobody is watching them. I believe this is why most of the Americans can live longer lives than Asian. Ah Don & I have a good time to count down to year 2010 and with champagne popping in the crowd ! Hahaha, it's fun to begins with 2010!!

One of the bands was performing rock music

For our last look before moving to 2010 !

We were here waiting for the pineapple to drop from the sky

Pineapple was high was dropping with the count down 1, 2, 3!

The pipeapple was hooked up by this crane

It's landing!

CHEER & HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERY ONE !!!