When they get older

I get some comfort and motivation from these cartoons. Credit to http://en.fishki.net

 

An unexpected visit

Last week I received an unexpected visit from an old boss, Mr. S. Veloo, known famously as the Public Services Department's Director of Salaries Division who was in a class of his own in matters relating to the Malaysian civil service salaries and conditions of service. He was also once the DG of Local Government during which time I worked under him for a brief period.

Mr. S.Veloo (centre), accompanied by my former colleague, Mr Tew

"The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.” Mahatma Gandhi

Life's greatest value

After a bout of illness which lasted almost 4 days, Father went back to his "normal" self. But today he is slow again. I hope to give him the best care possible so that he will leave my house at the end of his stay a little bit stronger. I pray and hope I could achieve that, although sometimes it gets very frustrating.

The chickuteh for Father

His porridge with blended cabbage

His paraphernalia

During his illness, my washing machine had to work overtime! 

Several days ago he came out to watch TV for the first time.  I wish he would do so more often  

Clitoria ternatea, common names butterfly-pea, blue-pea, and cordofan-pea or Bunga Telang which gives the natural blue colouring for pulut tekan, outside my backyard

Plants growing well in my backyard

Sister after a hard day's "work" at my house waiting for her husband to take her home.  Thank God for my sister, without whom I would definitely not be able to cope.
Bless her for her care for our Father and also for me!

One person caring about another represents life's
greatest value
Jim Rohn

Quiet moment with the family

Family picture taken on Hari Raya 2012 on 19 August 2012
L-R standing: Daughter Fedelia, elder son Feris, second son Farouk, daughter-in-law Azni
L-R seated: Zahari (Azni's Father), Sharma (Azni's Mother) and yours truly.

The family is a haven in a heartless world. ~Attributed to Christopher Lasch

It gets harder and harder for him everyday

My 101 year old father having his breakfast after his normal stressful and restless night.  A record of his last 2 nights went as follows:

13 August:  Woke up (to ease himself) at 9.30pm, 10.30pm, 12.00am, 1.30am, 2.30am, 4.15am, 4.50am, 5.25am, 6.00am
14 August:  Woke up at (to ease himself) at 10.05pm, 10.30pm, 12.00am, 1am, 1.55am, 2.10am, 4.10am, 5.15am, 6.00am

Even though I was in attendance he almost fell down several times. It is so sad to see him taking like ages to get from point A to point B within  the same room, most of the time stubbornly refusing to be supported.  As it gets harder and harder for him everyday we feel more and more helpless and distressed.  

It breaks my heart to see him just a shadow of his former self

After taking care of my centeranian Father for only one day, I realize it is a full time job. Although he is not incontinent, he can only sleep continuously for about an hour to an hour and a half at night.  When he wakes up he needs help to sit up, he needs help to walk the short distance to the toilet and he needs to be helped to lie down on the bed again.  When he is alseep I cannot sleep soundly as I keep on worrying whether he had awakened and needs my help.

If the maid does not return from her 5- week holiday in September I may have to locate night nursing care.  Much as I am happy to take care of him as he is my Father, this task may be difficult for only one person.

It breaks my heart to see him just a shadow of his former self, to see him having to struggle to walk, even to sit down, to stand up or to eat and drink.   

I hate those chirpy sayings about aging - that age is just a state of the mind, that “60 is the new 40″, that  “80 the new 60″, etc, etc.  What would they say next, "100 is the new middle age" ?   The hard reality is, old age is a time of loss and decline and we as children (who are also growing old ourselves), with elderly parents, can only do our best to care for them while not neglecting our own health too.

Some years ago (24)

Date of entry: 23 September 1948

From page 4 of the Malayan Tribune Sept 23, 1948

Woon/Joon Sang Chew

Some years ago (23)

Date of entry; 8.8.1948

Yesterday was Hari Raya.  The Malays were in colourful dresses and walking around happily. The neighbour opposite gave me a tin of biscuits.  It is their tradition.

I have 2 days holiday.  I just stay at home and play with the children.  There are a few things I have to buy.  I have to buy a writing table, also a radio.  Would I be able to buy the things in the near future? These are the things I need to buy: Radio; Writing Table; Sewing Machine; Electric Iron; Seating set; Single bedstands, Trunks or Bags    

Family

Other things may change us, but we start and end with the family. ~Anthony Brandt

自由自在

Now I understand why I like the dolphine.

自由自在
This idiom can be broken down easily into two words that are in very common use – 自由（zìyóu） which is “freedom” and 自在（zìzài） which is to be “comfortable” and “unrestrained”.

Source: http://chinesehacks.com/idioms/leisurely-and-carefree-no-nonsense-chinese-idioms/

215 million children work!

Today, throughout the world, around 215 million children work, many full-time. They do not go to school and have little or no time to play. Many do not receive proper nutrition or care. They are denied the chance to be children. More than half of them are exposed to the worst forms of child labour such as work in hazardous environments, slavery, or other forms of forced labour, illicit activities including drug trafficking and prostitution, as well as involvement in armed conflict.

- International Labour Organization (ILO)

A haunting image of Giles Edmund Newsom, pictured aged 11, became a poster boy for child labour in the U.S.  Giles Edmund Newsom was working at Sanders Cotton Manufacturing Co. in Bessemer City when Lewis Hine photographed him in 1912 as part of an expose of the working conditions of children.  The 11-year-old had just injured his right hand at the textile factory, and it is shown in the image wrapped in a bandage. But what happened to the boy after the haunting  photograph was a mystery, until Joe Manning, a Massachusetts historian scoured records for Giles' death certificate, and found that he died of Spanish Flu in 1918, at around 18 years of age.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2174661/Historian-uncovers-tragic-fate-child-labour-poster-boy-Giles-Newsome-captured-haunting-1912-photograph.

A good life

Three things are needed for a good life, good friends, good food, and good songs. Jason Zebehazy

With my Form 2-Form 5 classmates - Norhayati in blue scarf , Kum Sim in the foreground and Siah Luang our school captain.  Norhayati was also my classmate in Form 6 and we were also together in  University Malaya, although we pursued different courses. Always so happy to meet them. 

The "merisik"

The "merisik" is the first formal visit from a potential groom's family to the potential bride's family that marks the seriousness of a relationship. It is a formal visit from the potential groom's family with the intention of discussing engagement/ marriage.

The "merisik" for my niece Fatim was a simple occasion held in a relaxed atmosphere. The potential groom's side brought along a gift and a ring as a token of their seriousness in bringing the relationship to the next level. 

A charming relationship

Harry Zain & his bride

There is no more lovely, friendly and charming relationship, communion or company
than a good marriage.
~ Martin Luther

Little cutie Gibran

Gibran's equally cute mum Nina

Shazwan and Feris