Goodbye 2008

Another year has fleetingly come and gone, as I'm sure most of you would agree with me. 2008 has been a difficult year filled with uncertainties for many in many ways. The political, financial, social and economic arenas were bombarded with much change as the world faced overcrowding, greed, overuse and abuse of its resources, and the likes. Some survived the onslaught of these "events" while some didn't.

As I look back over 2008, I have mixed feelings...For one, I am thankful and grateful for God's protection and gracious blessings, for his abundant providence despite the turmoil. We were able to maintain a comfortable lifestyle and even go for holidays. We have our health, our family, our friends and the blessing to enjoy them. On the other hand, the fleetingness of time has left my life somewhat hollow and shallow, particularly this year. Apart from my age and the higher awareness of muscle aches and creaking bones, I do not feel that my life has grown any richer or given more meaning or joy to others around me. Each day had gone by pretty much like the day before that, and that is scary.

This was wonderfully illustrated by a church friend who shared a similar experience during Christmas. Our lives are so filled with busy schedules and urgent datelines that there are no more "stories" to be told. We have been brainwashed to maintain that our lives are measured by the amount of time we spend at work, the money we earn and the possessions we acquire. What about our kids' character built throught quality time spent with them, or the time spent with those in need, or the number of people who know Christ through our personal sharing and testimony of the One who makes our very existence meaningful and purposeful? We have all lost our way and life's meaning as God had intended.

So how would 2009 be any different for me? For you?

Trip - Genting Highland Day 3

Date : 30th December 2008

Pack-Up...We Are Going Home

It's always good to take your time to smell the flowers. In this case...take some of the pictures. The flowers will not last but they are beautifully decorated by GOD for us to enjoy.

Matt 6:28-29 "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labour or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these." (NIV)

Stop By For (Attempted) Lunch

We went to GohTong Jaya for our lunch but we decided otherwise when we realised that the menu prices would be "slaughtering". So we move on to Kampung Bukit Tinggi again.

The kids tried to be adventurous...thanks to their two cousins.

Trip - Genting Highland Day 2

Date : 29th December 2008

The Preparation

We woke up to another blustery day, though not as bad as the day before. Personally, I was happy to just snuggle up in bed with a good book but the kids were all geared up to go and I didn't relish the thought of having them pent up in the apartment with nothing to do but squabble. So, we had a simple breakfast of bread, eggs and canned curry chicken as we waited for the weather to ease up a little. We got suited and bundled up to face the unrelentless wind. As you can see, our little "map reader" was all prepared to navigate the lot of us through the labyrinth of rides and attractions the theme parks had to offer.

The Weather

The weather was still bone-chilling cold but at least it wasn't raining and we could see a few more feet as compared to the day before.

"Beam Me Up Scotty"

2-Ma-Ma made arrangements to join us on the 2nd day. It was like one moment we heard that she was taking a shower at home in Kuala Lumpur and the next moment she was standing there next to the escalator waiting for us in Genting. The taxi she took was real fast. But we are glad she managed to join us. The kids just adore her. She has her natural charm with the kids, like a natural Pied Piper.

The picture paints a thousand words.

Our Lunch

We had to fuel up before we moved on. So headed to First World where choices were aplenty but truth betold the crowd was a tad bit overwhelming. So we just headed to the nearest restaurant before us and patronised Siu Loong Pao.

Hmmmm...Now where is my food.

The Durian Pudding. Anyone up for the challenge?

The food bill came up to about RM150 for some regular noodles, fried rice and drinks.

Outdoor Theme Park : Games Time

Entrance tickets into the Outdoor Theme Park costs us RM275 for four adults and two kids.

Out Door Entertainment...a group of young gymnasts doing their thing and a lady demonstrating how the bees are really rather harmless...what came to my mind was only "don't you people feel cold???"

The Pirates Ride...It was so dark that at one point, Ivan even asked 2-Ma-Ma what he was supposed to be looking at...(shrug)...just to get our adrenaline pumping and maybe give our body some warmth, we just screamed throughout the whole ride just for the fun of it. No wonder the people queuing outside were giving us a mixture of curious (those who now think that the ride's too scary for their kids), incredulous (did we just enter the 3rd world???), irritable (for being rowdy and shattering the peaceful atmosphere and haven they thought they were in) and sympathetic (we have obviously just been released from the asylum or the kampung) looks.

The "Kids' Rodeo Ride"...Yee Ha!!!...Several years ago, Ian was a bit wary and "intimidated" about going for this ride. Today, being around his 2 burly cousins, he now considers this ride "so lame" and uncool. Sorry kiddo, to have messed up your "rep"...

As you can see, the weather was kinder today...proven by the kids' ice cream feast.

Space Shot (or was it Corkscrew)...definitely not for the faint-hearted.

Kids' Bumper Car...the kids enjoyed this one tremendously.

Can't remember the name of this stopover but it was rather boring. One of the boys commented "It wasted 10 minutes of my youth."

The Spinner

"Tea" Breaks...at one stop, we had the usual drinks and a nasi lemak and at another stop, we had the very delicious steamed sweet potato...great for cold, blustery days like this.

Had the kids hands immortalised...so to speak. Had to pay RM60 for the two replicas of our kids' hands.

The Walk Back

It was fun and it was great. The view was breath-taking and the wind was really strong.