Normal Night

Tonight was another normal summer night here is Florida. The video below is of a thunder storm that was raging behind our house. In front of the house the sky was clear and the moon was bright. We never did get any rain from the storm. It stayed to the south of us.

FOREVER PICTURE

This is the group photo of me with my 2 sisters and 4 younger brothers

( My 2nd elder Brothers was not around while this Pic was taken)

This photo is now even more valuable than before since my eldest sister

has gone to join my father, mother and eldest brother

This photo was taken at Eng Kui's house in Johor Bahru , Malaysia in 1997

Once, I asked my mother, " What is the thing that you are most proud of ?" She was then around her 60 something; she passed away at 83.

Her answer: " The only thing that make me happy and satisfied in nonetheless for having 9 children who are normal kids!"

How humble and true is her answer. This is why I respect my mother more than anybody in this world. She has so many good things for me to learn from.

I used be No 5 in between 2 elder brothers & sisters and 4 younger brothers. Now..... I am not !!

FRUIT OF TENDER CARE

I love looking at this plant every morning before going to work and in the evening after work.

I bought this plant with the rusty stand from a Garage Sale about 3 months ago. It was from an estate sale. It was placed by the side of the entrance to the house and no one bothered to look at it. ... I believe the plant could have been special to the owner who passed away and left unattended for a long period without watering . It was a pot of dying plant. I bought it because it looked funny but special to me.

When I took it home, I told myself, " Well, I'm going to try to save this plant; even if I fail, I would have the pot stand that could be used for other plant".

In life, we do like to take chances in this manner. We like to bet! After all ,our lives are full of risk taking.

Same principle also applied in situation in handling negotiation. I always believe there is nothing wrong to bargain. there is nothing to lose. Says, if I offered a price that I am willing to pay and that the seller is comfortable to sell. We are both happy, If the seller is unwilling to accept my price, I walk away.

I watered the plant every morning. I looked & touched it every morning....... Slowly and gradually, the leaves were turning from white to purple then to green........ Then one day, a small bub appeared. In next few days........ it bloomed into a lovely flower!!!

In this case, I am not talking about bargaining with price I paid for the plant,.... I am paying the price to take the challenge to save the plant........ and I made it happens ..my effort is rewarding.

When I look at the plant these days, I am very satisfied. I can sense that the plant is sending me this warm message " You can turn a deadly plant to green with tender care and patience"

See! these lovely flowers .......... She bears flowers every 2 weeks.

The leaves were dry and white in color once...... very unhealthy and unsightly!!!!

NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN.......

When we broke or damaged something that is valuable to us, we would try our best to get a replacement. If this happen it's easy to deal with the temporary loss. If the item has its sentimental value and that there is no way that we will not blame ourselves for being careless.

I have this mixed feeling over the loss lately..........

Case 1 : I broke one of the Avon Canny Bowls which we bought from a garage sale. This is a collectible item that is no longer in production. The seller was a young lady who was lucky to inherit the house with contents from her uncle who passed away without decedent. We bought these 2 Candy bowls with other items that come in set. We used these 2 bowls for ice cream after dinner. Now, I am using a different bowl and hope that I will be find one from garage sale; or else, I have to buy from ebay !

This is the only one now left for use by Don

These are shattered pieces after I hit the edge of the sink accidentally. It went to trash!!! I am yet to find one from the garage sale...... I may have to bid from ebay

For this Case 1, I am sure to find a replacement i a matter of time. But not for the following case..... I will never get one ; it will NEVER BE THE SAME .......

Case 2 : The following are 3 knitted sweaters as gifts from my eldest sister. She spent her leisure hours to knit these sweaters for me; they are great gift that are full of love from her. It shows how much she loved me and cared for me despite her poor health. She wanted me to keep warm with these sweater in USA . She knitted these sweaters piece by piece while she was watching Cantonese drama or while she was in the car or waiting at the clinic or hospital for consultation.

This was the 1st Sweater she gave me the day before I left for USA in May 2005. She said, " It's cold in American , you must keep yourself warm!" This is a sweet sweater and I used to put it on at work

This is the 2nd sweater she knitted for me when I came home for Chinese New Year in Feb 2006. During that time she was still in good health except having some aging problem. She told me since I was not available for measurement hence the sleeves are a bit longer...........It's fine with me !

The is the 3rd I received from her this past Chinese New Year. She rushed to complete this sweater for me even she was not fully recovered from her operation. She even felt sorry for not fitting the white buttons ; She told me she could not walk for long and did not go shopping for the buttons!! She still care for me like her little sister; she forgot that I am a senior citizen !

This white sweater is the last sweater I received from my Tai Ka Che. I would not receive another sweater from her . She is no longer there to knit for me when I return home again. I won't see her face in person, I can't chat and joke with her ; There is no way that I can taste her good cooking again....... She is gone to her Lord.... What she left with me is the memories......

These are sweaters that are real treasures that can be bought by money. They meant so much to me...... Each of them keeps me warm from her heart.

These gifts are non-replaceable . They are full of sentimental value ........... Unlike the Avon Candy Bowls....... I will find one again.............

These sweaters were knitted with warm love from my Ta Ka che.......No one else does the same!!

I love you and miss you so much Tai Ka Che!!!

CONDOLENCE MESSAGE TO MY ELDEST SISTER

~~~~~~~~This is the only wayto express my feeling in writing to Tai Ka che
and that someone from home will read to her at funeral service ~~~~~~~~~

Dearest Tai Ka Che,

First of all, I would like to apologize and beg for forgiveness for being unable to share the last moment of your life as well as to pay my last respect at this service.

Next, I would like to express my deepest sympathy and condolence to Fong family for the loss of a good loving wife, mother, mother-in-law and grandma.

This is a very difficult time for all of us. Please look beyond the sorrow and think about all the sweet memories that she has given and left with us.

My Tai Ka Che, Ai Chin or “Tin Na”, which we used to call her while we were young at home, made history in our small kampong in those olden days. As far as I can remember, she was the first girl being sent to Singapore to study. She was the first girl who managed to overcome all hardship and difficulties to marry with Mr Fong. We lived in a small “kampong” where there were many traditional ladies who were strongly against daughters marrying men of any dialect other than HOKKIAN Lang! It was through the affectionate and truthful love that Mr. Fong obtained my parents’ approval despite the objections of the kampong folks.

After her marriage and despite her tight schedule, being a teacher and mother to four kids, she was like a Santa to us. She would sew beautiful clothes and dresses for all of us. She sent them by post from her home in Kuala Pilah. Tai Ka Che ensured that we had new dresses to put on for each day that we were off from school for the festival day. It was beyond words to describe how kind and how much she loved us as her siblings.

Tai Ka Che’s kindness was unbounded and was rewarded and blessed with a good husband who loved her dearly, shared all ups and downs with her. They have 4 great and successful children of whom they are very proud. Tai Ka Che was very humble about this, but I took every opportunity to remind her of this great success that she achieved in life in addition to being a great sister.

Now that she is gone, but never forgotten, I will always remember her beautiful smile, the good dishes she cooked and the open invitation she extended to me and my daughter to share with her family for all festivals. I am so grateful to be able to share the joy of being in a big family

Tai Ka Che, once again, though you are gone….. We will miss you forever. Please let your magic charm and sweet memories stay with Mr. Fong to strengthen him and allow him to have a healthy life for many more years…..

From: San Chio Che – Ah Ngo Yee or Louyee

Florida, August 31, 2009

OBITUARY- FAREWELL TO MY BELOVED TAI KA CHE

~~~~~~~~OBITUARY~~~~~~~~

GAN AI CHIN

AT AGE 73 YEARS

WENT HOME TO BE WITH THE LORD

ON 30th AUGUST 2009

Half page in Sin Chew Jit Poh inserted by Gan Family

Wake Service on Monday 31st August 2009 at 8:00 pm at Nirvara memorial Center, KL

Funeral Service on Tuesday 1st September 2009 at 10:30 am at First Baptish Church, PJ
FBC web site : http://www.fbc.com.my/

Thereafter cortege leaves for burial in Christian memorial Garden, Semenyih, Malaysia

In Star paper inserted by Fong family.

THERE GONE MY BELOVED ELDEST SISTER AI CHIN - TAI KA CHE

This is definitely not a good Sunday....

Su Yee brought me the bad news in the morning that my beloved eldest sister has passed away peacefully in the afternoon in one of the private hospitals in Malaysia. ( our time is 08/30/2009 2:00 AM).....

My Eldest sister is Ai Chin, I like to call her as "Tai Ka Che". she has been suffering from terminal illness and has her pancreas removed last September. Since then, she had been fighting strongly with this "devilish illness" until this July where her body was getting too weak to continue the fight! This could be the time she felt she has completed her missions for the family and in this world that she marched gradually towards the end of her journey

This news came at time while I was chatting and sending prayer to her ....... not what I anticipated to receive but it came TOO SOON.....

This is a hardest thing and most emotional experience to accept. I was very upset and sad for being unable to join the rest of my family to mourn for the loss of our beloved sister ; Also, I felt so bad that I was unable to offer my condolence and comfort to Fong family for the loss , the grief and the bereavement. I beg for the forgiveness!!!

From here, I could only hope and continue to pray that everyone is able to see beyond the sorrow and may the love and care given to my sister be shared and helped through the days ahead.

To my brother -in -law, Mr Fong, I thank you for all the care and love that you have shared and given to my beloved sister for over 50 years. You are a wonderful husband to my Tai Ka che. May all the past sweet memories you had with her remain to give you the strength to get over the loss soon. Remember, you have your lovely children and grand kids who love and care for you just as much as they loved my Tai Ka Che. I sincerely hope that you will adjust your life and move on. Your grand kids are there to give you joy and happiness. They all love you!! So, please accept my deepest sympathy for the loss of your beloved wife!

To all my nieces, Yee Mei , Molly, Suo Mein and husbands Bryan, Jo and John plus kids and my nephew Jason's family, I am beyond word to express how I appreciate your dedication of love and care for your mother during her life time. It is through your love, care that your mother has the desire and the will power to fight for survival till her last effort failed. Thanks to you all!

I strongly believe that my eldest sister is now in good hand; Soon, she will be in good company with our deceased parents and eldest brother in the other world and they will look at us moment to moment with smile.

These are precious collection of photos of happy moment in our memories

My dearest Tai Ka Che,

You are the best sister in this world......

You loved and cared for all your siblings unconditionally tille the last minute of your life.....

Now ... you may be gone and no longer around in sight.....

We may not hear your voice or perhaps listen your complaint that came with advice.......

But, we know you are still watching us from above and still wanting us to be safe and better...

You will always remian in our hearts......

We love you just as much as we love our father, mother and eldest brother whom you are going to be with......

We were so lucky to have a Tai Ka Che like you...a warm and beautiful woman

Tai Ka che, I love you forever!!

Lastly, I like to dedicate this song to my Tak Ka Che.......... "GONE TOO SOON".........

Yes..... Why didn't she wait for my next trip home ? I missed holding her hands before she's gone !!
Please ignore the opening message from MJ.... just listen to the lyric of the song ........ "Gone Too Soon"!!!

HOME ALONE AND THINKING

Ah Don is away from home again. He left for New Jersey on Thursday morning. He is on official trip this time to fix up our company's computer and servers to be co-located at Jason's house. I am sure apart from the work, he can spend sometime over the weekend with kids and grand kids. I did not go with him as I wanted him to be with them without me.

So, when he is not around, I am able to take care and amuse myself. Once a while , it is nice to be able to have the time to unwind myself and do what I like ! First of all, I played my Chinese CD to top volume and sing along !

Oh, I really missed those Chinese oldies ! When I played those line dancing music it made me feel bad for forgetting all the dance steps!!!! . The music brought me back to those Thursdays nights where a group of us were having fun & sweat practising the line dance. After the class, I would go to the "Pasar Malam" and buy my favourable "rojak"home to eat. What a sweet memory and melody~~~ "Chili Cha Cha"~~~~ "It's so easy to fall in love" ~~~~ "Macarena"

While flashing back to those old good time .......all of sudden my brain alerts me to the hospital in Malaysia where my eldest sister Ai Chin is dying with dips, struggling and fighting hard with terminal illness. My tears starts to wet my eyes..... I can visualize how difficult she is suffering right now with pain attacking her all over the body. I was told that she looks calm and sleepy but the agony look on her face while at rest does not hide the fact she is suffering the pain even with the drug. Her body is too weak.

On the other side of the bed, I can see that my brother-in-law Mr Fong is looking at her, praying earnestly to reduce her pain and suffering......Every moment is so precious and a blessing to him. Over the phone, he told me... My sister is a wonderful wife to him. They had never parted with each other except for once when my eldest sister was away in overseas with my niece. He is uncertain if he could adjust his life without my sister around should my sister no longer live. Frankly enough, they are such a great and loving couple. They shared their lives through ups & downs for over 50 years. It's sad to hear this ........ but life has to go out no matter what happens. I hope Mr Fong would be strong enough. All my nieces and nephew would be around him to give all kind of support.

Next to the side of Mr Fong, I can see all members of my nieces' families and nephew's are there around the clock to look after my eldest sister. One of my nieces, Molly is back there from Vancouver for over a month now. She told me this is the most precious moment in her life to be able to take care and hold her mother's hand as well as to close to the father. At the mean time she has an important task to prepare food for siblings and kids who are in the hospital to take care of my sister. They bonding of love is so great that I believe my sister would smile even it may be the end of her journey.......I pray and hope she will live with the strength she receives.

Love and care is flooding the room where my respectable and beloved sister is hospitalized. I am always proud of my sister and Mr Fong. They brought up 4 brilliant and successful children ( 3 daughters & 1 son) and grand kids. They are the living role model to happy marriage.

I am sorry for being unable to visit my sister at this time. My heart is with her always. My daily prayer is there to reduce her suffering. She is a kind person, she should not suffer like this !

Dearest sis " Tai Kak Jie", I love you and I never forget all the good things that you have given me. I hope you will fogive me for not going home to see you. To all Fong family, I understand the hardship that you are going through. I am thankful and grateful for everthing that you have done and given to my sister. She deserves to live longer. She should!!!

Me, my 2nd Sis & 1st Sis

JIGSAW FUN

Let's Play!

TOGA! TOGA! TOGA!

Went to a Toga party Saturday night. Watch the video and you will see BYL in the congo line. Had a good time. Danced our legs off

TIME & LIFE CHANGING

It has been a while since I last wrote about those exciting items that I bought from the Garage sales. Since then, I have some other interesting clocks added to my collection..

By now I have more than 40 clocks in my collection. All clocks are working and displayed to remind me that time will keep moving no matter what. If I want to make thing happen, I should make it happens today. Yes, there is always "Tomorrow" for us to catch up. We fail to realize that once "today" is gone it falls into "Yesterday" ans we are not able to gain back the day to our lives any more. It is not possible for us to duplicate, rewind or change whatever we have done or happened yesterday. There is no way that we can re-date today to be 5th August 2009 this lifetime

However, once a while, I like to remain myself in the past. Perhaps there are things that I like to keep, situation that I hope to change; Some not quite good action that I hope to recall or even to hold back some bad decisions or some sweet moment that I hope will stay.

This is why I love to take and collect my own photos .............Each photo tells me how my image change with the passing of days,months and years that will never return to my life any more.

Our image will never be the same with the clicking of time .......every clock tells me I have to treasure every second that I have .......

The following 2 photos are definitely not my favourable collection. However, they are here to remind me that I look terrible and uncomfortable with long hair. Perhaps this should be my attempt to allow my hair to cover my ears ! :):):)

Now, I feel so much better with short hair.

When the age number is "+", my hair is "-" (:(:(:

I love my silver hair at both side..... Not need to highlight !! :):):):)

IT'S MY LUCKY SATURDAY!!!

It's one of those days that we hope thing will move as planned, scheduled, and happened the way we wanted it to be . Yesterday was my normal routine for Saturday......Go Garage Sale. Nothing much could I expect during summer day. There is less garage sale to shop around.

But, it turned out to be even more interesting and exciting than I could have anticipated!

So, I got these pots that I can use when some of my plants need a bigger pots!!!

Asking price $10 ... my price $1.00

Asking Price $15....... My price $7.00 Come with dried flowers !

$2.00 for this original Painting ( No bargain. owner sold me cheap)

Then at our last stop, I spotted this wild peacock resting at one of the cars parked at the visitors parking lots. I went as close as possible so that I could snap the photos

As proud as Peacock ????

Say "Hello" to me ... " Do you have any food for me ? "

"Sorry, You are unexpected Friend, I don;t have anything for you!"

See How friendly is this proud peacock. I was touching its bead

I could have caught it home if I wasn't that aggressive & anxious to touch it !! :(:(

hmmmmm. if I ever have the chance to meet it again .. it will be mine....... for sure.

Meanwhile, I am happy with my 3 birds at home.... We love to look at them, play with them .. they are our darlings !! They give us joys & fun!! Ah Don tends to pamper "Forever" and I want to discipline her !! We have different approach to handle pets!! :(:(:(

See how beautiful is my "Forever "!!! She is growing Fast & "FAT" ha ha ha ha..

I love this picture. 2 parakeets are like penguins standing behind the " Forever "

"We are happy together at the patio. We like sharing food, fly a bit and back to get some foods but we do not like the idea of living in the same cage ! "

WHAT'S HAPPENED ???

This is how we celebrated 4th July 2009 and the Strasburger Family Reunion in Indiana!

There was a lot of fun........!!! Particularly when I have the chance to "Abused" the following people in the Pictures ! ha hahahahahah.. Just love it !!

We have a eventful and fun night together. I am thankful to everyone for being supportive and sporting in participating all games that I organised for the night.

The significant event was the decade celebration for members who are going to be 50, 60 , 70 & soon to be 90!!!!

We have jigsaw competition, newspaper dressing design contest, face painting . The most exciting one is the American Idol !!! You got to see how our judges worked their way to be real !!!

We casted th vote for the best & the Worst American Idol!! Gramma is the winner!!!

Ah Don will capture and edit into DVD.

Hmmmm... There will be more fun to view the video with sound effect !

DEADLY CACTUS TURN GREAT WITH FLOWER!

About 5 weeks ago, I bought this pot of cactus from an estate sale. It was completely neglected for months without watering. It was dry and part of the branches were turning from green to red and white.

I thought I might be able to save the plant with more care. The asking price was $10 and I bargianed to $3.00 ; it came with a rusty stand that required some touching up.

As soon as we took it home, I topped some soil and watered the plant every morning. I watched how the stems graudually turn from white to red then to green.......

Then one morning, I noticed a small bud coming out from one of the stems !! Gradually,it grows bigger and bigger. . When we left for Family Reunion in Indiana on 2nd July, I was disappointed and thought we might miss the chance to see it blooms into flower since we would be away for 5 days....... but, to our surprise... the bud waited for us as though it wanted us to witness the fruit of my effort.

The following photo was taken this morning before we left for work. It looks like the bud I is big enoughand should open or burst by today. The bud is very hard and solid.....we were anxious to see what are inside !! this is the first time I planted this kind of cactus. Certainly I couls not wait to see its tranformation!! It's strange to have such a big bud with unhealthy stems!!!

This evening, when we reached home, the first thing I did was to rush to the patio to see what happened to this bud ......I was so excited to see the flower wide opened ! It is so sweet and unique !!!! I love it.........

There are still some white stems that require more time to be good !
One small bulb is blooming soon !


I am so glad that all my plants are doing well.

I hope to have a place where I can have more plants in the garden rather than at the patio ! :):):)

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While we were away, our boss helped to take care of our Cockatiel " Forever". The 2 parakeets were doing fine at home. They were all excited to see us home. We are thinkingof getting another cockatiel for her company. "Forever" is definately our sweet heart right now. Our boss likes her very much too. She is growing fast. She is getting pampered by us only in the evening. She knows when she can get out from the cage and jump on our shoulders!