PUTERI HANG LI POH

It's been almost a year that I've been hibernating and lost interest in writing this post. The truth is when I was informed of the sudden demise of a dear cyber friend who frequented this post, I didn't have the mood to continue because that person would not be around to read and comment me. and to continously motivate me to write. Thus I stopped. However, I did open a new post, this time in Malay. Now I'm myself again. So here I am!

The SILVER CAVE, a magnificient limestone cave, formed millions of years ago, It runs through 12 mountains and the roundabout tour (entrance ticket RM 65) covers approx. 2 km. Ohhh my sore feet!

Just returned from attending a short course in KL organized by the Women's Institution on how to make this craft. Looks like rattan baskets, don't they? Actually, strips of newspaper were rolled into very thin cylindrical "sticks" and then woven as you would in basketry. As you go along, you join the paper "sticks" (sorry I don't know what to call it!) until you get the shape you wanted. I had problem joining the paper sticks. The next step is to touch-up the pieces with lacquer or paint. Once they are lacquered, the papers become stiff. The two baskets on the left in the picture are in their natural state - newspaper. And the dark coloured ones are painted. Now, the next big problem is I have to master the technique so that I can in turn pass this craft to the members in my locality, in preparation for a competition. It's not merely teeny weeny baskets, mind you. Oh no! A 10 inches diameter sewing basket PLUS (mind you PLUS) COVER! Will I be able to it? So that's my BIG challenge for now. I'll keep you posted of my progress . . . . wish me luck, folks!

Here's wishing you a Very Happy Start to a Brand New Year! May 2011 brings you happiness, good health and good fortune.

I celebrated the coming of the new year in the bus returning home from LANGKAWI, a beautiful island right up north of the Peninsula.

I went with a group of senior citizens - all ladies - whose main purpose was to shop at the many Duty Free Shops, naturally! I, on the other hand, took the opportunity to spend the last few days of my holidays enjoying the camaraderie with my friends and to enjoy the scenery of this beautiful island.

LANGKAWI consisted of a group of 99 islands (so said the tourist guide). I love the high hills dipping into the clear, blue seas. Also I liked the colours of the many boats bringing tourists by the loads from island to island. We went to one or two tourist spots and "island hopping" but due to the short stay (also time taken with shopping!), I didn't get to see much of the island. Hope to return to explore more of the island some other time.

Greetings! I just returned home from my pilgrimage to Mecca. Was away for 45 days. Here's wishing you all "A Happy and Prosperous 2011".

The day I've been looking forward to finally arrived. "Don't forget, Naz," said Alice, "lunch at The Renaissance Friday, 15th October." Alice reminded me. I looked through my box of old photos and found several class photos taken years and years ago when we were at good old CHIJ. I smiled thinking of the happy times we shared. So I thought it would be a good idea to make several copies of the old photos and distribute them to my former classmates at the reunion. I also prepared little gifts for each one of them.

While sorting out the mass of books in the box just now, I found this faded, yellowish 4" x 6 1/2" little book - The Post Office Savings Banks book. It has about 30 pages and interesting to note, on the front cover the notification was written in 4 languages - English, Malay. Chinese and Tamil. I smiled - it was my savings account book with the Post Office - No. 27679. Upon opening it, I realized that my first deposit of $10.00 was dated 23/12/52 (oh, that was the year I ended my Kindergarten education at the Sacred Heart Convent, Malacca - 6 years old!)


So you see, I started saving from a very young age. I must thank the Kindergarten teacher then and also the Malacca Post Office for initiating this savings program. Every morning, each child would buy a 10 cents stamp and affix it to a special Post Office card. When the stamps amounted to $10.00, we would go to the Post Office, hand the card over and have the amount stamped in our Savings Book. I remember as children, we were very enthusiastic and liked the idea of pasting stamps on our card and return it to the Post Office and at the same time, having our very own Savings Account book.

That was how it all started. Since that moment in 1952, I never stopped saving (and withdrawing :-) too). But it was a good habit initiated from young, don't you think so?

Hari ini hari terakhir bulan Ramadhan bagi tahun ini. Esok 1 Syawal, kita Raya. Semoga segala amalan kita diterima dan diberkati. Semoga kita ditemukan lagi dengan Ramadhan tahun hadapan, إن شاء الله