Atok and Opah came a-visiting for the school holidays, and one of the places Irfan wanted to go with them was the Kuala Lumpur Bird Park. It was quite huge and housed many species of birds, most of which are free to fly about under the park’s netting enclosure. Sure, there were a number of cages which housed lots of the wilder birds, but the amount of birds walking, flying, perching and eating among the visitors were just astounding. Because it rained earlier in the morning, Irfan wore his Atok’s hat just in case it rained again. The hat stood by constantly in Atok’s car for emergency usage. Irfan later became a perch for a couple of colourful birds. He was happy the birds didn’t poop on him. Ain tried to fend off a bloodthirsty pack of crowned pigeons. Will the fence hold if the ostrich attacks? Irfan thought nervously. […]
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Allie’s 22 Month Birthday
So Allie turned 22 months old on the 22nd (yesterday)! Since it fell on a Saturday and I didn’t have to work, Vin and I had a fun day planned out for the girl. And I apologize way in advance for the sheer number of pictures in this entry. [[image:allie626a.jpg:Hey look, I’m in my entertainment center!:center:0]] (Allie wanted to try her old entertainment center again – she was much too tall for it but she had fun pretending to be half her age!) * Mouse over the pictures for captions So in the past month, Allie seems to have gone through a bit of a growth spurt. She’s outgrown her shoes and a bunch of her clothes so Vin and I have outfitted her for the summer with 24-month clothes. She definitely is very chatty and says a lot of things (none of them actual words), and her animal noise […]
Continue readingIrfan Meets a Cat
It’s not a stray because it seems to be well-fed, not unkempt and has a collar. It’s prowling the corridors outside the tenth floor. Naturally, Irfan tries his best to have fun with it, throwing ball and running around the corridors. It sometimes succeeds in bypassing the blockade and zips into the house, causing Irfan to gleefully try to corner it and chase it outside. [[image:cat-2010-mar-01.jpg:It’s a lion! Get in the car!!:center:0]] At the end of the day, Ain lets Irfan feed it some milk which it lapped up quickly. [[image:cat-2010-mar-02.jpg:Starring Sean Penn:center:0]] If no one claims it, i.e., it doesn’t belong to anyone on the tenth floor, then I should stick a notice downstairs. [[image:cat-2010-mar-03.jpg:oh hai wats goin on in dis post? kthxbai:center:0]]
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Irfan’s Fighting Fish
Our recent foray back to Kelantan during Aidilfitri rewarded Irfan with a new responsibility. A Siamese fighting fish, given to him by his Tok Cik Mi. I told him don’t, because the car is not really equipped to physically hold a live fish travelling eight hours at night, rocking and rolling over the mountain road. Irfan would be (and was) asleep for most of the trip because of our nocturnal journey. Despite all that, the fish survived all the way to Kuala Lumpur. The following week, it survived a two-way journey between Kuala Lumpur and Sitiawan, which was nothing compared to its previous adventure. Today, Irfan and I went to an aquarium shop and bought some stuff to beautify the fish’s otherwise spartan living environment. What else does a fish need in its aquarium? A phone extension? Hair curlers? Drapes?
Continue readingShudde M’ell Loves You
As Ain and I was walking on the beach on Lumut, we spotted this little creature on the sand. It had been deposited at the high tide mark, and it was presently low tide. Since the sun was about to climb into its maximum scorching position, I balanced the little dude on a driftwood twig and dropped it into a stream that flowed out to the sea. Any ideas as to what this worm is? [[image:annelid01.jpg::center:0]] [[image:annelid02.jpg::center:0]] Wherever it came from, I hope it didn’t leave its kettle on when it left home.
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Yellow Avian Mascot at Work
When we first found the new office after some scouting last December, there was a bird hanging about, chirping its song at the rear window of the place. It was mostly yellow with black markings. Its eyes were red with black pupils. More often than not, it’s been there each morning or afternoon whenever I’m at work. Any idea what species this critter is?
Continue readingMusings on The Chicken
It’s been months now since we last saw the chicken. I wonder whatever happened to it? Aside from having made it into the blog, and becoming one of the entry header pictures, did it also end up being somebody’s lovely free range roasted chicken dinner? Did it get repatriated to the countryside, and sent to a chicken-friendly environment? Did it get auctioned off to the highest bidder? Did it wander back home (wherever that might be) to be reunited with its family? Is it hobnobbing with Mel Gibson and the Chicken Run gang? Is it lolling in some warm climate (not the oven), getting a sun tan? Anyway, we have not seen the chicken for a loooong time. I sort of miss it. No more random yelling, no more worries about it pooping everywhere and eating the birdseed that Vin puts out for the birds and squirrels. Perhaps the chicken […]
Continue readingWTF???
And I say it again…WTF?? This creature has been wandering the backyards of our neighborhood in the last few weeks. Where did it come from? Why is it here? Why hasn’t it been caught and made into dinner????? It’s pooping on our driveway, big old tahi ayam crap! Whose up for a good chase? Grrrrrr… [[image:chicken1.jpg:Chicken in the backyard:center:0]] [[image:chicken2.jpg:Close Up of said chicken:center:0]] As a consequence, we had to stop putting out birdseed for the birds and squirrels since this chicken was taking advantage of it. Grrrrrr
Continue readingFirst a Book Review, Then a Painful Yelp
Here is a blog entry in two parts. The first is a review of a book. The second relates a tale that happens the day after the book had been finished. But first, I will complain that my car’s transmission, when engaged, will squeal like a dog but only for a second. Now on with the blog entry. A Collection of Four Tales, Each Attributed to a Season of a Year [[image:seasons01.jpg:Different Seasons by Stephen King:left:0]]Stephen King might write what critics consider the fast food of literature, as documented in the opening paragraph of this essay by Marylaine Block. Why settle for a Big Mac when you can savour cuisine? But Stephen King undeniably serves a very tasty Big Mac. I have experienced two tales told in Different Seasons before, but as movies instead of the written word. I have seen the adaptation of Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption […]
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ACS Kids at Aidilfitri
At Aidilfitri Irfan met and played with a whole bunch of kids of his generation whose parent(s) were former students of ACS Sitiawan. Here are some pics of Irfan and friends. Too bad we didn’t get photos of children of Lan, Dila and Gnana. Here’s Chris C’s (the other Chris C) daughter Aleyxia whom Irfan invited to play with the hamsters brought back from Kuala Lumpur by Irfan’s Opah Ngah. The small dark on is called Ciki and the big orange one is called Oren. Irfan loved to go upstairs and feed the little guys seeds and carrots, loudly and spiritedly commently on everything they do. Then, Irfan tries to escape the camera, to no avail Awi and Hanim came with young Aisyah. She found Tok Irfan’s fish pond and Irfan’s plastic toy car very intriguing. She was also very friendly with Ain, trying to get Ain to help her […]
Continue readingPacific Northwest: Part III (Hurricane Ridge)
The next day dawned rainy (as evil Mr Weatherman had forecasted). We drove back east towards Seattle, and decided to try Hurricane Ridge to see if the rain would hold off. On the way up the Ridge, this is what we saw: [[image:pacnw47.jpg:Bambi? Is that you?:center:0]] Bambi! And his family, too: [[image:pacnw45.jpg:Bambi’s Aunty?:center:0]] [[image:pacnw46.jpg:Bambi’s Mommy?:center:0]] I couldn’t see any big antlers, so I presume these are female adults. Although what do I know about deer in North America? Nothing, really. In the meantime, what about another video distraction? Say “Hi, Bambi!!” [[image:pacnwbambi.jpg:Where’s Thumper and Flower?:center:0]] But this early on in the drive up, it looked promising (weather, I mean). We might be able to see some stuff. Right? Wrong! By the time we got to the top, to the lookout point, the temperature had dropped to below freezing, the wind was whipping us around, and freezing rain attacked us. 🙁 […]
Continue readingHawaii Day 10 – Last Day and Home to Lily
I know, it’s been two months since the trip and I’m finally getting around to putting up the final installment of the Hawaii pictures. But, in my defense, I am slow. Just a few days ago I finally emptied my suitcase of stuff from the trip. Yes, just my stuff since Vin unpacked his suitcase almost immediately while I stalled and stalled. That’s me. Procrastinator all the way. 🙂 So to remind you, in Day 9, remember we met with some interesting cats wishing us goodnight at the Volcano Inn? [[image:hi153.jpg:Scary Guard kitties?:center:0]] They apparently patrol the inn and keep out the riff raff :). In case you’re lazy to click on the link to the previous day’s blog entry, here’s a reminder of what they look like: [[image:hi144.jpg:Kitties!!:center:0]] Here’s what the outside of our room looked like in the light of day: [[image:hi151.jpg:The door to our room and the […]
Continue readingHawaii Day 9 – Finishing our trip around the Big Island
Another beautiful morning in Hawaii. We woke up to this gorgeous view: [[image:hi126.jpg:View from the Marriott lanai:center:0]] But it was our final morning on the sunny side of the Big Island. We were driving back to Hilo via the Volcano this afternoon. Before we left, we decided to enjoy the pool: [[image:hi127.jpg:Swim in the Infinity Pool:center:0]] [[image:hi133.jpg:Pool with slide and waterfall:center:0]] And go back to Anaehoomalu Beach: [[image:hi128.jpg:Vin by the signboard:center:0]] [[image:hi129.jpg:The beach:center:0]] [[image:hi130.jpg:Catamaran:center:0]] [[image:hi131.jpg:Vin reading under the coconut trees:center:0]] [[image:hi132.jpg:Memories of home, lambaian pokok nyiur:center:0]] After a morning spent swimming in the pool and in the sea (for me) and reading and enjoying the sun (for Vin), we packed up and said goodbye to the Kona side. For the first time ever, we were going to drive 360 degrees around the Big Island, and go back to Hilo. We passed through a lot of lava vistas: [[image:hi134.jpg:Lava rocks and […]
Continue readingHawaii Day 7 – Lazy Day at the hotel
Day 7 dawned beautiful and sunny. We decided to have ourselves a lazy day. I believe there was some post-breakfast napping, some reading on the lanai (balcony). We can see this statue from the lanai: [[image:hi85.jpg:Meditating Buddha:center:0]] In the afternoon, we decided to veg out by the pool with our books. It was a little bit cloudy so the water seemed a little too cold so we didn’t do too much swimming. Here’s what some of the grounds of the hotel looked like: [[image:hi86.jpg:Lagoon:center:0]] [[image:hi87.jpg:Bridge over the lagoon:center:0]] [[image:hi88.jpg:Hammock by a coconut tree:center:0]] [[image:hi89.jpg:Sea turtles sign!:center:0]] [[image:hi90.jpg:The Ocean Tower from the other side of the lagoon:center:0]] The sea turtles sign – we’ll talk more about sea turtles in the next entry on Hawaii (Day 8). Here’s some of the view of the ocean: [[image:hi91.jpg:See? It’s cloudy:center:0]] [[image:hi92.jpg:But still quite beautiful:center:0]] We walked by the Dolphin Quest while they were doing […]
Continue readingHawaii Day 3 – Hanauma Bay and an Old Friend
The morning of our third day in Hawaii was bright and sunny. We enjoyed yet another marvelous buffet breakfast at the Rainbow Lanai, then we packed our stuff and headed out. We wanted to make sure that we would be able to park the car and spend some time snorkeling and swimming at Hanauma Bay! We got there around 9 AM, and this was what was waiting for us: [[image:hi23.jpg:Hanauma Bay:center:0]] It was a gorgeous day – and the parking lot was pretty empty when we got there. Plenty of space for us! And just look at it! We could look down at it from the parking lot, and what a view. We both had to get our pictures taken: [[image:hi24.jpg:Vin with the Bay in the background:center:0]] [[image:hi25.jpg:Don’t pay attention to the girl marring the view:center:0]] We paid our entrance fee (free to Hawaiian residents) and watched a 10 minute […]
Continue readingHawaii Day 2 – Lazy Day in Waikiki
After a refreshing night’s sleep, we both woke up early local time (around 12:00 noon Eastern time) and went to have a big buffet breakfast (we LOVE the buffet at the Hilton Hawaiian Village!). It was nice and relaxing, sitting at the Rainbow Lanai. The day promised to be beautiful and sunny. Already, we were feeling holiday-ey and summery, and laaaazy! Check out this hibiscus (bunga raya), the state flower of Hawaii (of course, the hibiscus is also the Malaysian National flower!) [[image:hi22.jpg:Yellow Bunga Raya:center:0]] After breakfast, we walked around the hotel and saw a bunch of different animals right in the hotel area. There’s a lot of open air areas, ponds, and vegetation all around: [[image:hi06.jpg:Shy flamingo:center:0]] [[image:hi07.jpg:Blue Macaw:center:0]] [[image:hi08.jpg:Red and Blue Macaw:center:0]] [[image:hi09.jpg:Green Macaw:center:0]] [[image:hi10.jpg:Penguins and Turtles:center:0]] [[image:hi11.jpg:Molting Penguin:center:0]] [[image:hi12.jpg:Big turtle and little turtles:center:0]] [[image:hi13.jpg:Green lichen turtle:center:0]] [[image:hi14.jpg:Cicak with funky red sac that inflated – or maybe funky […]
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