Dinner at The Muzeum Restaurant, Penang

Last night, I had a family dinner at the Muzeum Restaurant. Earlier, I have checked the location from the internet but I do not know whether it is located near Esplanade side or towards the town side of King street. Well, when I reach King Street, I choose the direction towrads Esplanade and I was right. Ow, what a relief.


The restaurant was tastefully decorated and a fusion between Western and oriental mixture and a sense of nostalgia. The building is full of history as it was the former residence of Yap Chor Ee. Part of the restaurant housed the historical belongs of hte Yap family and it is only open for viewing during the official working hours.


At the dinning area, we can also judge the rich history of the building with plants hanging in the air well and the old chinese paintings on the wall. The setting was very peaceful and I would like to congratulate the designer for doing such a good job.


The music on the night was songs by Serene Jones and it was a beautiful oombination of the place and the music. Very romantic indeed. Then comes the food. It was excellent.


We ordered Salmon, spehgetti, Chicken and beef and end with Tiramitsu and ice cream. It was a great combiation and the porton was just right for me. Such a wonderful time and so joyful.


 How we define a good time ? It is the people, the food , the place and the music and with the right combination, it gives you an enormous joy and it swell form the inside of us. We just fell it. Even if there is no conversation but just by getting together these elements, it is so joyful.


 It is s place I would like to remmend to my readers and friends. Give it a try and enjoy the experience. A small warning, it is quiet pricey but it was worth it.

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Obession

The other day, I read in the newspaper that a man died from exhaustion after a four days marathon playing video games. He was sent to a hospital after he fainted and after dicharged from the Hospital, he continued to play despite advise from his parent. I have read so many cases of people dying while playing video games or either their children die of hunger when both their parents are obsessed with video games.


I have also know a few friends who is so obssessed with video games or the internet. Anther obession is physical obsession with another human beings which lead people commiting suicide because of lost love and depression. What is this waorld getting to ?


Such kind of obession is like smoking or drugs where the person believe that they can live without it? It is nonsense isn/t it ? We ca n die of hunger or thirst but die because of physcial exhaustion playing internet.


I think these people must have found that they are more useful in this virtual world. We can be anybody. Superman, Bruce Lee, Spiderman and it is like a dream come true. We are a complete change over. We don't need to work hard and we can get all the things we want just by switching on our computer.


How come we don/t die of dreaming ? We have to snap out of our fantacy world and learn to face the real world. TO live in an internet world , it is like running away from reality and avoiding all the hard facts of life.


Ther are many ways to break from this obession. Get a job, mix around and enjoy your hobby or other pleasures in life. It maybe hard at the beginning but if we stay at it, our good sense will return and we will know what is good for us. It is no easy deal but just wake up and out around or outside. All of us are working for a living and it is time you learn to do it.


Namaste.

M's FB messages

M is my daugther.  Today, she sent me a request to be my friend. I accepted it and I got to read her FB's message.  I also saw a notification from my favorite niece, J wishing me a happy birthday.  BTW, this reminds me of my daugther's message in the FB.

Here it goes .... 

" If you respect me, then  I will respect you ,
If you forget me, then I will forget you,
It is that simple"

I would like to say " bravo".  You have grown up and you don't owe anything to anybody especially those people who cannot remember you.  It is like a tit for tat. You are brave enough to say it , then I feel you will be brave enough to do it.

It is nonsense for just one side to give and give and give while the receiver do not reciprocate.  It is not only not fair to ourself but a waste of our time.  We can offer this time and passion to someone who can appreciate. There are many such people around and we have only to reach out and find them.  It is so useless to stay together for the sake of staying together.  These people become a parasite on your body, sucking the energy and youth from you. Chase them away and have another good beginning.

I saw another set of wise words from SB from M's FB.  It says .....

Live simply
love generously
Care deeply
Speak kindly.

In these words, there are so much compassions and loving kindness. It will be a challenge for us to carry out these four paths. But, we should try to adhere to these wise words.

Another interesting message from M on her FB , goes like this....

" My life, my choices, my mistakes , my lessons and it is non of your business."

I could not agreed more .. it is your life and nobody can judge you unless they want others to judge them. Live well, my love and just be yourself.

Namaste.

Today is my brithday.

So what ? What does it mean ? No, significance only a number.  a measurement. If you want it to be eventful, it is your choice. Yes, I agreed with this life philosopy. Why make people difficult by asking them to celebrate with you. Maybe, you are passionate but itt does not mean that they are as passionate as you.

Actually, I felt no difference.  To celebrate or not celebrate is not importance.  But , it feel great to be remembered.

Some of my staff sent me greetings and most unexpected is an old friend , who can still remember me after so many years. She is married and have one daughter.

In the afternoon, I called up two friends and they have a good lunch with me.  It was a hectic day as there was a long meeting in the afternoon.  Well, the lunch was simple but the compnay was good.  They have become my frequent lunch partners.

After work, on my way home, my daugther and her BF sent a text to greet me and I thanked them for it. On reaching my sister's home, I saw her and her BF  and I make a casual complain that she did not buy me a cake. She replied that I will get you one tomrrow and I told it is meaningless to have a cake tomorrow. Actually, I feel nothing but just make a fuss. Just for the sake of it .

Today, it was my normal yoga day, I was ready to attend the session but because of the heavy traffic jam, I missed the session.  It was nothing. Not angry but just feel nothing.  Flat.

The dinner was simple food.  Again, I make a fuss to my sister and asked her why there is nothing special.  I have become a bit witty and act as if  I mind that she did not make something special. But, I was just acting to make some fun.  I am abit " Kwai Khoo".

I also complain to my wife , who have been taken me for granted.  Nothing great lah, just let it pass. Money is more important now. Yeah, this is the feeling after so many years.  Again, I don't feel hurt . Just another day.  Nothing special. 

Well, we feel great to be remembered but if nothing body remember us, it makes no difference. Over time and space , we will be forgotten anyway.  Why make a fuss out of it?  Life goes on.....

Namaste.

The Chinese people....

Ancient historical experience  can  run in the gene and  blood of the Chinese people. The time of the warring states and how fragmented China was during the era of the three Kingdoms.  These experience have made the Chinese to be the most disunited people on Earth like a handful of loose sands.

During the Chinese Dynasty, the Emperor will used his generals to fight in wars  and subsequently, reward them for their merits.  So , when they are young, they are able and strong and one person can fight 10 persons.  They also risk their life for their Emperor.

When they get old, they cannot fight 10 enemies anymore but maybe can fight one or two opponents at one time.  Their efficiency and productivity drop as they grow old.  Then , the Emperor  send them to the frontier  or send them to fight losing battles.  They became dispensable. This is the reality  and this sense is understandable by the Chinese.

Through this link for thousands of years,  this behavior passed on  and this link became a hidden and fundamental characteristics of the Chinese people.  These basic characteristics turn the Chinese people against their own race and also keep them apart.  Incidents of back stabbing, divide and rule,  selfishness  and unruly behavior became rampant among the race.

It is a sad story but certain traits remained hidden under the surface  and it will automatically surface as part  of  the person’s re-action, decision making or in their personal profile.  The sense of  mistrust  among the Chinese is very high.  However, it various from person to person.

For those people related to the warring states , such fundamental characteristics is very strong.  But, for those staying in the country side, their linkage would not be so strong. There is an existing theory that Americans  have a “ hunter’s character” while the Asians have a “ farmer’s mentality “.

Irrespective , these links cannot be broken and we can only be aware of this connections and managed  such re-actions constantly and to moderate it to a manageable  level.  The show must go on and everyone is dispensable in the process.

Namaste.

Planning a trip to lake Kenyir

Come this Raya holidays and I will be going to Lake Kenyir.  I have passed through that lake once when I drove across East West Highway many, many years ago.  When East-West highway was open about 30 years ago, the highway was infested with communist.  Before we can drive through East-West highway, we have to register with the army at the check point and when we came out of the highway, we also have to report to the check point. 

When I drove through the highway, it was full of virgin forest  with sights of animals. On top of hill locks, there were army camps and this is to guard certain section of hte highway.  The scenery along the highway was beautiful and peaceful. So, much greeneries and so much nature.  It was a bliss driving through the highway.

In the middle of the highway, we will need to psss thorugh Lake Kenyir.  It is actually a big man make lake to preserve nature and the river source. At the time of my travel, there was no hotels or resorts and perhaps , some woodern huts offering rest places. I remembered I stand on the bank of the lake and admire the beauty of nature.

After 30 years, I am now planning to go there again and this time to stay at the Lake Kenyir Hotel for four days three nights during the Raya holidays.  Why did I consider Lake Kenyir for a holiday?

It was a co-incident.  On one of my trip to KL,  I met my former staff and we had dinner together. We talk of old time and he brought up to me about his career path.  He was offered  a job as a Financial Controller at Lake Kenyir and he asked me about my opnion.  I told him to give it a try and get back into the accounting career. He has deviated from a accounting career to planning.  He was eager to get back into his right career path as he was a qualified accountant.

So, he joined Lake Kenyir and I promised to visit one day and this was the occasion to meet him again at his place of work.  He still called me " boss" when I see him once awhile.  I believe we had good times together when he was my staff. A strong bond have been created.

Another reason for me to consider Lake Kenyir was I have casually mentioned to my BIL , ES and he was keen to go there. Since, I have a commitment to go there, I better keep my promise and so, this is to fulfill my promise to him.

My wife helped me to check the condition of the Hotel at Lake Kenyir and there were several comments. Some good and some bad and I called my former staff at the Hotel to make sure that he booked me the best chalet at the Hotel Resort.

During the Raya holidays, there will be massive traffic jam as Muslims will need to go back to their home town and most of the eateries will be closed. It will be a challenge to look for food and hopefully, the food at the Hotel is good enough to make our stay pleasant.

Well, good or bad , it will be an experience and I promised all of you, readers that I will share my experience with all of you  honestly.

Happy hunting.

Namaste.

Life after retirement.

I have thought about  my life after retirement upteen times.  I have came to a conclusion is that I have to remain useful.  That is useful to myself , to my love ones and to society as much as possible.

For myself , I have take good care of my health and share my experience with  everyone who is willing to listen and to participate in meaningful work especically in charity.  What I have receive, I should give back to  Society.

To my love ones, I will try to have minimum burden on them and provide and care for them as much as possible and to make myself available for any of them who will need my help and assistance.  I want to have a wonderful time with them.

As for the Society, there are so much opportunity to guide the youngsters .  Through my writing  and my active involvement in charity work and youthful activities.  I could  use my knowledge in Tai  Chi and Yoga to spread the awareness of wellness among the young and the old.  I have a secret ambition to be a teacher to spread the greatness of Tai Chi and Yoga.

I shall try to keep this blog alive  and to share my thoughts and experience with whoever is interested to read or to be heard.  Through my insights, there could be a lot wise and good lessons to know and be guided by it.

There is a saying " it is much faster to learn from as many masters as possible to be a wise man than to seek wisdom by yourself".  This is the "tao" or the way of wisdom and enlightenment.  To seek the wisdom will take you upteen years by yourself and be seek the truth from people who have gone through it  is the best way .

For all those people , who read my articles . You are welcome to response, so that we can share our experience, thoughts and insights.

Namaste.