Hi there my 3Js and Aly , This is my first mail for 2011 and I must thank GOD that my vision is clear to enable me to spend my free time to write out something now and then. You will find me writing more on short articles; some on my views, frustrations and of course tales of happiness. Remember I told you that life is not always a bed of roses. It has its obstacles, its glory and its shortcomings. All these make up life and the important thing is how we weather them. For me the best refuge is to sit down and pour them out in writing and after that you’ll feel it’s easier to take another step forward. I am sure the LORD above will help us see through them! Remember he’s always there just behind us and is ready to lift us up when it’s needed. That’s why you don’t see his footsteps at times cause he’s always there behind you!

Another thing my dears, songs can also unwind old memories. Each time I hear a familiar oldie being played reminiscences of yesteryears will unfold. There are songs that remind me of those teen days when went dancing to its rhythm and of course the scenario of that time melts in our mind. Then there are those that remind me of my childhood days. Each time I hear you all sing the nursery rhymes I will be taken back to the time when Poh Chor will sing them to me each time I was sick in bed. Of course glimpses of our “nightingale” Sar Ee Poh Chor float in my mind.

Food too can remind you of the persons who have long gone. Each time I come across nyonya kuih and dishes I will embark on a journey back to my childhood days in Argyll Road. My grandmother and grandaunt were the two icon chefs of such delicacies. More than that it also reminds me of those days before the new year when we all will assemble to do our share of work in helping to make them. Granny will send me with a few empty bottles to buy “tuak” for her to make “huat koay” ( a must as it’s believed to bring good luck the whole year through). I can say confidently that my grandaunt array of dishes for the reunion feast was the best! A few friends of mine can bear testimony to it after a hearty meal at our house.

Each time I visit a place, be it a village or a city I will be reminded of who and who had stayed there and all the fond memories that are linked with them. Bruas reminds me of all those wonderful time I had. It was my first posting after graduating as a teacher. Horror above horror enraptured my mind when I was told that I was posted there. It’s the place where I met some nice people who till today remain good friends, be it colleagues or students. That was the place where I met my first love which turned sour after five years courtship. That’s fate ! Your Ah Ma was then a young girl still hopping around playing hide and seek in Kuala Kangsar. After that I was sent to Chemor then to Kampar and finally to Ipoh Yuk Choy when I retired in 1998. From all these place I inherited rich experiences.

Penang is my hometown and each time when I am back I’ll make it a point to savor all those yummy food that I miss. I still remember that ice kacang stall in Swatow Lane and the yong tau foo stalls in Dato Kramat Padang, not forgetting too the nasi kandar in Campbell Street and Buckingham Street. The list goes on as far as food is concerned in Penang.

My second home is Ipoh, a place I stayed in for more than 40 years, longer than in Penang. All those sweet- bitter memories there make this town closer to me than my birthplace, Penang.

Of course we tend to look backward as each year passes but suffice to say that we should not be too engrossed in thoughts of the past but to use them only as guidelines to steer forward into the future.

Do you know why a Car's WINDSHIELD is so large & the Rearview Mirror is so small? Because our PAST is not as important as our FUTURE. Look Ahead and Move on.