KAWANKU...... MY FRIEND

This is the exactly what happened...... sad & sickening!!

Wake up.... and do something for our community.

SOME ADDITIONAL ITEMS TO OUR PLACE

The Spring is here... we can see lots of flowers along the road.

This is one of the entrances to Village Walk where we live..

Likewise, we have more flowers in our house .

And I like flower arrangement!! This is placed in our office

Near the side entrance

Along the staircase

Another corner of the staircase

This is for the Guest room

This is at the stair platform

This is placed near the bath tub- Guest room

This is in the living room

Lately, we also hung up some additional wall pictures to our bedroom

(1)

(2)


This is at the Guest room

After all these additional items, there is no more room for any more stuff in the house.

Wrong! there is one more place that I can use...... The Garage !!

Fantastic

Got this from Su-Yee's Blog. Very very touching. Su-Yee has LOTS of good stuff on her blog. Take a look :) :) http://su-yee.blogspot.com/

THERE GOES ONE OF MY PROBLEMS

HAPPY EASTER TO ALL OF YOU WHO ARE CELEBRATING!

We were off for Good Friday ; hence we have a long weekend to do what we wanted to do.

And it turned up to be my lucky day!!!!!!

Ah Don received an early call on Friday morning from Ms Frances that my application for Health Insurance has been accepted by BlueCross BlueShield of Florida. This was certainly a Big Suprise and Great News to me.... Because, I do not expect to receive such an early approval . Fran told us that it may take about 3 weeks and that I may have to go for simple medical check before they consider my application. But ...... the approval came to me in less than 2 days !!

Thanks to my Gonhonzon for answering my prayer.

( Please visit www.sgi-usa.org if you wish to know my religion)

Honestly, I have been very concerned and worried about not having myself covered with health insurance in this country. ( And, thanks to my good health, I did not have to visit any physicians since I came here in May 2005 !!!) The medical fee here is skyrocket high! A simple medical treatment can rob you off thousands of $$$$ from your hard saving ! Come think about it, my concern come very naturally, right !

Back in Malaysia, I did not have to bother much about the medical cost if I needed any medical treatment either from the clinic or hospital !! Why ?? Because, I was then fully covered by the Company's Group Hospital Insurance; and all my visits to the company's appointed clinic was fully paid by the company (inclusive of prescriptions.) On top of that, I have my own health insurance and life insurance for extra protection too.

But, I am good now!! One of my problems is eliminated!!

What are the rest??? I shall keep them to myself.

As todate, I must agree that America is definately an advanced country for uptodate exploration but not a place when you do not have a good job and good income all the time.

Since moving to Florida, I can feel that people living around these areas are mainly people who were either retired from their good jobs and having good lives here or people who are multi rich to afford thier delux vacation homes here.

The cost of living is much higher than that in New Jersey. Ah Don and I used to joke about the difference of prices of groceries from Ewing and Sarasota. At Shoprite in Ewing, we could get branded ice cream at $1.99 but have to pay $3.99 in Sarasota( at sale price) !! So, we have cut down our consumption of Ice cream here >>>>> too bad !!

As spring is here.... I believe some of the snowbirds would be heading home.... what would it be like in Sarasota here in few months time? will keep you informed later....

ST PATRICK'S DAY

FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO CELEBRATE ST PATRICK'S DAY
ARE INVITED TO VISIT THE FOLLOWING SITE

HAVE A

MEANINGFUL AND JOYFUL

ST PATRICK'S DAY

http://www.history.com/minisites/stpatricksday/

WHAT'S THE LOSS

PLEAS VISIT THIS LINK


http://comedycourt.com.my/latesthits_06.html

THE LOSS

First of all, it's sad to hear that Uncle Al passed away last Thursday night ending his last journey of life.............I did not know much about him cause I only met him twice; but I can imagine that he could be a very joyous person by character..... eh.. someone also told me that he liked Girls.... that's interesting! I will remember him through the following picture because I made a sick person smile heartily to my camera

To the family of Uncle Al ......................Please accept our condolences

"Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.

We are sorry for your loss."

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

Thank You BYL

With all of my love I want to thank BYL for everything she has done while Mom has been here. XXXOOOXXXOOOXXX

I know that Mom appreciates everything BYL has done and Mom thinks that BYL is a WONDERFUL wife for Ah Don !!!

It has been difficult for BYL to think, cook, etc. American for Mom but she has worked and tried very hard to do just that. This is one of the many reasons that Ah Don loves BYL :) :) :)

Communication between BYL and Mom has been difficult and the main reason is that Mom is VERY HARD OF HEARING !!! Mom is scheduled to get hearing aids when she returns to Indiana.

Again, I want to say THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU to BYL. I LOVE YOU VERY MUCH AND YOU HAVE MADE MOM'S STAY A JOY. Thank you love. XXXX

OUR OUTING ON SATURDAY

It's Sunday !! I am all by myself again.! Mom & Ah Don has gone to St Thomos Catholic Church. After which they will visit Uncle Al and the family. Mom will be going back to Indiana on Monday. So this may be the last time that she can visit her sick brother.

As usual, I have a long list of "works to do" on Sunday. First of all, I would like to transfer some plants to the bigger pots that I've just bought yesterday from the gagage sale. Oh no ! before that I have to write something on our blog !

Here we go ...... mom went with us to some Garage sales yesterday. Unlike her very first time here struggled with shortness of breath after a little walk , she was able to walk through all the "stops of garage sale" that we frequented Yesterday! Definately, the pacemaker has done a wonderful job on her.

Look at the pic here! Shefound something she wanted in her hand......A new shower curtain!

Next , Look at her clothing !!!!! she dressed for winter ???You may also want to know what did I get , right ??

Needless to say, I got plenty of additional stuff for our kitchen at bargain price;

Will show you if you visit us!

After the good shopping, we went for a quick lunch before moving on to "Marie Selby Botanical Gardens" -It's known as a respected world center for tropical plant research, conservation and education; also famous for Orchid showplace. ( Honestly, I think Singapore's Botanical Garden has a larger varieties of orchids ; Don and I were there in year 2004) Don't miss out if you visit Singapore!

Selby is holding a 2-day Asian Cultural Festival. I was very impressed with the performance of "Taiko Drummers" from Japan, It was my first time to see such performance in person. Unlike the Chinese 24 -Drums which is full of energy and aggression, Japan's drummers' perforamance has its own characteristic. The group consists of 4 Japanese ( 2 young sweeties) and 1 American. They each did a very significant different beats on the drum that turned out to be very pleasant and shooting. Great applause to their performance

I like this performance!

Next, was the Chinese Performance of martial arts (Kung Fu), Qi Gong and Tai Chi.... these are my favorite sports. I learn and practised Huang Tai Chi since 1985 back in Malaysia. What I learn include Sword, Stick,walking stick etc. ( Since I have stopped practising for almost 3 years now, I am doubtful I can complete the complete set of Tai Chi ! :(:(:.. I may be able to do the 1st set of short series ) I need to see my Master Chua for revision at my next trip home to Malaysia) -> -> let take a look of what I have seen yesterday!

Hey hey hey .. this is my cutie Kung Fu Team !

I like this American kid!

Some slow movements of Tai Chi that are good for blood circulation

This is what the crowd enjoyed the most !! Ang Mo Lion dance. Interesting!!!
But wait till you see the performance from our World champion Lion Dance team from Muar !!

They are Orang Puteh, Not chinese !!!!!

I love the sword.. graceful movement but enough to kill!

Since we were in the Botanic garden... I have taken pics of some plants

that look funny to me but are the beauty of nature!

Look at the roots ! Tree from 1903

Eh ! Not this ... It's too common in Malaysian but rare here !!

A fish in the plant ??

Ha ha ha ha ... tiny coconuts in Florida!

(Unfortunately we were unable to be there for long as there was a shower after the above performance; On the other hand , it could be too hectic for mom to walk too much.)

To me Saturday is always a most dynamic day for me.....away from home for half a day to garage sale, go Chinese buffet, no need to cook..... but as soon as I got home, 3 loads of laundry were there waiting for me !!!:(:(:(:(

Lastly, a sweet pic of Mom & Ah Don

Hope Mom has a wonderful stay here in Sarasota with us. ( Mind you, mom has a super memory with her age ! She is 87; she can remember every single thing /happening . I believe she has a real good time with Ah Don.... She was talking with him about allthings that happened in the past .. she is super to recall and recaptured every single word that people related to her or she overheard !!!

( But I still havethe problem to communicate with her..... whenever I said something to her she would say" What did you say ? I do get frustrated sometime ! Why Americans don't speak or understand British English ?? Banyak Susah lah and ma fun leh!! )

WHERE IS THE UPDATE , AH DON ???

Ah Don & Mom left for Church early this morning. After the service, they will proceed to visit Uncle Al. I did not join them.... just want to let them have the time of one on one... Perhaps, mom may give some thumb-up complement or .... oh No! may be some complaints about me being unable to offer foods she likes on the table .... :(:(:(....

Since, I have the whole day to myself, I started to browse through some of my old collection in e mail folders.... there are some collection of Chat that I had with Ah Don during those old days; some pics taken in my old office Seloga, some activities and events with MCA and Chinese Assembly Hall and even Umno functions etc... They are all sweet memories that would never be played again in my life. Whenever these memories came to my mind, I always tell myself life can never be the same all the time....we have to move on and expect new things and new happenings.

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

Sometimes ago before we got married, Ah Don built a homepage for me.....(I like all the pics there.. because when I sent him my pics, I would pick the best to send to him. Surely, there are some pics that do not look good; Reason : those were taken with Ah Don's camera where I had no control !!! :(:(

http://mybyl.itgo.com/

He posted a message back in Feb 2004, which says ->" Come Back Often - I Will Be Continually Adding To This Collection"

Sound very welcoming , right ??? How come I did not see any update since then ??

Would someone offer the reason, please ?? Ha ha ha ha..........

Oh! that remind me of an email that I received not long ago ....

It goes like this ->

Before marriage....
He: Yes. At last, it was so hard to wait.
She: Do you want me to leave?
He: No! Don't even think about it.
She: Do you love me?
He: Of course! Over and over!
She: Have you ever cheated on me?
He: No! Why are you even asking?
She: Will you kiss me?
He: Every chance I get.
She: Will you hit me?
He: Are you crazy! I'm not that kind of person!
She: Can I trust you?
He: Yes.
She: Darling!

After marriage.... Simply read from bottom to top

WOW! MORE CARDS FOR MOM

Mom is receiving more cards today..................

VALENTINE'S DAY

Cards in display are from me, Ah Don, Sister Theresita, Taylor Anna,

Barb & Steve, Hannerose, and Davis

Mom gives us a nice "Purple Heart" card plus $20.00.

Hmmm... the money is good enough for the Garage Sale this Saturday.

I am sure she would love to come along with us too. She can walk about freely

No More Short of Breath and dizziness !!!

Her heart Rate is now up to 60 as compared to 25 before her operation.

FLOWERS FOR MOM

Many thanks to Sue, Adrienne & Kathleen

for sending these lovely daffodil

to mom yesterday

Message :

" Get Better As Fast As You Can and Happy Valentine's Day "

YEE SANG ON THE 5TH DAY OF CNY

This is the "Yee Sang in the box" that was sent to us by my daughter Su-Yee from Malaysia. Ah Don received the parcel a few days ago but hide it from me until Chinese New Year Eve. Since I had prepared steamboat for the eve, I decided to keep it for dinner on the 1st day of the CNY. Unfortunately, mom was short of breath and had to be admiited to ICU for close monitoring of her heart beat and preparation for a pacemaker to be installed. Everything is fine after her operation and she came home on Saturday afternoon. Yesterday, we took her together with Chris to St Armand Circle for lunch and Siesta Key to walk on the soft and fine sand beach! Today, she is so much better...... So, here we are! We have Yee Sang for dinner !! To Mom, this is the 1st time to see this kind of "food" ! To Ah Don, this is the 2nd time ! It's interesting to see "Orang Puteh" taking Yee Sang !! Mom said " It is spicy ! "

These are all packed in the box

Need some preparation work

Very colorful!

Ladies first - Mom & me

Next, Ah Don & Mom

OMG ! it's all gone !

All Yee Sang is gone !...... The winner is Ah Don........Because he ate the MOST !

CHRIS & MOM

It's Chris's Birthday !

We have an Ice Cream Cake !

Chris was supposed to arrive sometime afternoon,but he missed his connecting flight. He reached here about 8:00PM so it was a big surprise to Mom !!

These are the photos taken today (02/09/2008) before Mom was discharged from Doctors Hospital at Sarasota. She is doing fine and getting better. She still has some pain on her left chest when she got up from bed. Meanwhile, she is taking some pain killer to reduce the pain. As soon as she is fit to walk about, we have to take her out!!!!