2013 is nearing it's exit. Most would regard this last day of the Gregorian calendar to ruminate (oh sounds so dairy-like), to reflect, to examine, to consider the happenings of the year and perhaps reaffirm a vow to achieve what was not achieved.

Sure, it's easier to come up with new to-do lists at the start of each year, so as to give the self a chance to actually do something, and be able to put a mark at any successful endeavor.  No need laa... everyday's a new day. Taking life one day at a time.

It has been a year of acquisition for me I think, which, the biggest of all, was acquiring a brand new 4x4 ride. An Isuzu Dmax four wheel drive. I like the feel of almost invincibility it gives when I'm behind the wheel. No more pressing down on the brakes and easing on the speed when I'm going over a bump or potholes on the road. Not so much anyway, I ran over most slight bumps and potholes with my sedan. No more feeling vulnerable when it's raining cats and dogs outside with the wind bending down weeds. Driving has taken a new chapter!

Still fluttering, still unsure.. what is this life all about?

Read somewhere that life isn't about finding yourself, it's about creating yourself. So, I guess, being creative in living should be tops in my list of purpose in life.

Sabah Dragon Boat (2nd day)

All pictures courtesy of Freddie A.J (Fred'sAngles)

Radio Communication on board (Race starting point)

Mr. Bonnie

Readyyyy???...Look at the inconsistent rowing... heheh novice paddlers..

Mona, me, Art

Sabah Dragon Boat

Pictures courtesy of Fred'sAngles(Freddie A.J)

Kayak race (organized by Sabah Canoe Association)

Ox, Bull, Cow...

As usual, the yearly visit to Aunt Agnes' residence for the Chinese New Year...
This year, the New Year was done in a much smaller scale. Only family ka... and close friends. Hung Pao?...got la some. hahah.. c gontua ni..

Youngest cousin (so far)... baby Hannah

Ah soon with Maybel (aka Molondoi)

Unc. Denis, flanked by Douglas and Melissa (liang cai and liang moi...)

kongsi kongsi..angpau..

Alwyn.. pasang fireworks..

wuuu... wa.....

place your bets!!

4M Challenge

It was said that the number of participants for this particular event (which should've happened last month. Ergo making it K4MC 2008) was not as many as expected. Even though this event was included in the Sabah Calender for activities, I guess that's all where the advertisement was made. Publicity not that wide. Oh there were the buntings tied here and there...

Mer and I met up early morning at Tamparuli township for breakfast. She left her car there and became my passenger for the drive up to Malangang. After yet another briefing by T95 (for the benefit of those who didn't turn up yesterday), we proceeded to our designated checkpoints.

Our checkpoint was at the Kiulu town riverbank. It was the checkpoint where the participants for Categories Women Open, Men Open, Mixed Doubles, Corporate and Government Agencies, and the Media were to go and get on their Bangkar (bamboo raft).

Around 9.45am the first category was flagged off. By 1.30pm or so, it was over.
Verdict... I'd have much enjoyed being a spectator than being on duty...

The 'bangkar' ..arranged on the riverbank. (actually they weren't tied up properly, that's one of the challenges for the participants. They have to tie the bamboo as fast and servicable as possible before they could go into the water)

Mer..posing on the picnic mat...

grab a b.a. and go!

Gini ka ikat?

Ko pandai ka tu? Nanti karam di sungai kita yang kalah..

Capat!!

Gini pula ni aa..

Kalau sia tinggi gini kan bagus...

Elephant ride..

Kalau ya pun...janganla duduk di singki...

Pre-K4MC

Went for a short briefing at Kg. Pulou Kelapa @ Malangang just now. K4MC stands for Kiulu 4 M Challenge. Manangkus (running), Mamangkar (rafting with bamboo), Manampatau (swimming atop bamboo), Mararampanau (walking on stilts). The briefing is for the radio amateur handlers going on duty tomorrow.
So, it's going to be a whole day affair. Hope I won't be bogged down with migraine. I seem to get it so easily these days..

Auld Lang Syne..

To hear the actual Auld Lang Syne sung in its original rendition and dialect is trully awe-inspiring ...to me at least. Sung nowadays during the last few tick-tocks of the year..ushering in the new year.

Happy New Year to all.

May the new year bring more wisdom, prosperity, health to you..(this being the boring greetings..) May the new year make you more conscious of your mortality and strive to live closer to the edge of sanity and death and still manage to hang to life by a mere thread and live vicariously!!!!!!!!!!!

Introducing...

Yesterday was another important event in my Sis' calendar. She is now officially taken... :) engaged to Mr. Chua Ling Biau or more known as Ahleong... There's a story as to why the name came about..
Congratulations are due Sis dearie. May the happiness that surrounds both of you like a crazy halo never dissipate but continue to flourish.

my grandma..proudly wearing the baju i sewed for her

Birthday Wish

I could kick my self on the head for not posting this earlier! But...better a bit late than waaay late...

To my dearest, dearest Sis, Sandra... Happy Birthday.

I don't always tell you this my dear

but having a sis like you

Has been wonderfully full of cheer

With lots of fun too

May the years ahead

Be filled with fulfilled wishes

And enrich you in all imaginable ways

And this I wish for you always.

So, once again, Happy Birthday!!

Introducing...

Introducing the new couple... Mr. and Mrs Sulaiman...

Congrats to the new couple... They already had the akad nikah in Tawau last month (the bride's residence) but for the kawan-kawan here, another reception was held at Kg. Brunei, Kimanis, which a few of us had the pleasure of attending.

All the best to both of you!

Kayak Star 2

The Kayak Star 2 course was held from the 3rd to the 6th especially for the trainers

of the Sabah Co-curricullumCentre . The venue for the course was the Lagoon Park, Karambunai . The Kayak trainers were Mr. Mohd Fadhil

and Mr. Agku Azanul aka Aweng.

By the end of the 4 days training, all of us 16 Star 2 and 8 Star 1 participants had

sore muscles and faces like burnt shrimps or udangs.

The Lagoon Park was a good venue for the course, in my opinion. The sea/water current wasn't that strong, which made it quite an ideal place to learn and practice the various sweeps and strokes, half rolls and full rolls... and there was plenty space on land for putting up tents/camps.

Some of the tents..

View of the Mount Kinabalu during sunrise.

Romyeo : Signal for 'stop'.

Warming up

Mr. Fadhil

Aweng( kiyuutt!) ...

Mona

Me...Panat oo

Alfred...(pssst...dulu dia anak dugong ni..)

Dugong wannabe..

Doing the 'X' rescue...

Revision before test...bergelimpangan atas lantai kepenatan...

macam-macam gaya(during test)

Alfred : betul ka ni aa?

Tn Aji : Maaaana suda bot ni aa?

mona : kanda...jangan la merajuk...

tn. aji : huh...tu la dinda..sepa suru lambat bawak eskrim..

julietpapagolf : projek makan kerang fresh...

sedap ooo...

sempat naik banana boat...

peserta Kayak Star 1 and Star 2


Congratulations to all the participants of Star 1 who passed with wonderful guidance from Mr. Fadhil. To the Star 2 participants who didn't make it, don't worry... There will be other chances...