2nd Anniversary

18th of March is the 2nd anniversary of the passing of Gramma. Time passed, but my last memory of my Gramma is still like yesterday. Two years and one month ago, I was walking with her in the garden of my uncle's house, I remember she enjoyed the fragrance of the flowers and the peaceful evening at 4pm, Sunday.

Gramma was an extraordinary woman. She told me she got three mothers, not because her father was wealthy, but it was by chance and social requirement. First died at young age. I remember she told me that she was born from the 2nd mother, who died at young age as well. Contrary to normal expectation, her third mother was a very nice and faithful mother, raise and took good care of her and her brothers and sisters in the family.

My Grandmother migrated to Singapore at the age of 40 plus with my uncle, possibly at the age of 7 or 8 with his cousin brother, Choo Eng Koon. She came by ship, and stayed in a place for few weeks for quarantine where she described a horrible place she rather went back to China. I can imagine how tough it was as she has to took care of the two kids and cook in a small place waiting for quarantine confinement period, despite three of them were healthy with no symptom of sickness and diseases.

After the quarantine was over, they stayed in Singapore for few months before my Dad had requested my Gramma and my uncle to move over to Sabah. I guess Sabah must have a better prospect financially and economically even though Singapore seems to be an ideal place to settle down due to local dialect and the Hokkian community network. More interestingly, Grandpa, who settled down in Singapore much earlier but had decided to stay back to work rather than joining the family in Sabah.

I was not even borned yet when Grandma first landed in Sabah. By then, her three kids all had settled in Sabah. My late uncle, first married to my aunt, and had settled in Tuaran. My Dad, originally settled in Kota Kinabalu after he arrived few years earlier than my Grandma and my uncle, had started a bookshop after few years of hard work for his consin brother.

Grandma continued to play an very important role in the family as far as my childhood is concerned. She was a very determined lady, highly intelligent person despite she had no formal education. She had a strong sense of direction in educating her children and grand children. She guided me life, inspired me to pursue my dream, console me when I was down, and disciplined me when I was wrong. She gave me a balance of life, made me what I am today. Without her (and my Dad's) love, education, and guidance, I have not had the better side of me, perhaps not even close to anything from career to education. She is more than a grandmother to me, she is a mother, a friend, and a guru to me.

Dr,Barry Elsey, Dr.lawrence and Dr.Cannye at Adelaide, April 2005

One of the most interesting topics in neurology science is the study of consciousness. Francis Crick and Cristof Koch focused on Claustrum, a sheet of brain tissue located right below celebral cortex, a site where it mediates the unity of feeling, motor, sensing and emotion. According to Crick and Koch, as it bind togther many senses of organs including amydala, it coordinates the various brain regions that it neccessary for unity of experience, feelings, and a sense of conciousness (Eric Kandel, 2006).

The picture was taken in April, 2005. One day before the doctorate graduation ceremony at University of South Australia (Unisa). Barry Elsey, a brilliant professor from Unisa, an extraordinary and charming character, with an exceptional profound style of skills both in writing and public speaking. Dr.Barry by far is one of the most knowlegable and intellectually interesting professor I have ever met in adult learning.

5th March 2007, A Day After Chinese New Year

The Chinese celebrate the first 15 days of new year. Yesterday was the last day of new year. Blessed by the family reunion, we have two table booked in city garden restaurant, a 9 course delicious dinner with all the family members except one brother happened to be overseas and another brother and sister who may have another program to occupy them.

We have a nice time over the dinner that lasts until 9:30pm, i then picked up a disc from Alvid and Florence house , back home at 10pm. i then watch the disc until 1am. A trrific movie!

I truly under estimated the back pain, and I have paid a high price as I couldn't stand, sleep, stand even cough and sneeze. The pain sent the signal right to my end of the spinal cord. I couldn't resolve it but to see my friend dr.choong today at 11:30am. dr.choong told me it is a slip disc problem, and need a week therapy to heal. I cannot sit or carry things at all. It means that i have to cancell my trip in this 10 of march to europe. Iam yet to get the clinical name or symptom from dr.choong. i will grill him with more tomorrow at 10:30am.

My Gramma 4th March 2007

(My aunt and my late Gramma in Patrick's wedding in 2005)

I always wanted to write a story about my late Gramma (The lady in red) as my memory of her is always strong in my mind. Two years have passed, and I have not written a single word about her. It is time for me to recollect my thoughts about her, and about my first half of my life with her.

My late Gramma was always like a mother to me. My childhood memory started with my Gramma. I remember vividly that I spent most of my time with her and my older brother. As a kid, I remember few key impressions about my Gramma. First was the day we shifted to a new house at the age of five. I remember we stayed in less than a year before shifting to another new house near the kindergarden and primary school. I still remember that I asked for a cup of drink in the middle of night, and Gramma had to struggle to get up just to get me the drink. I further remember that I insisted for an orange drink instead of plain water. She walked tumbling with her small tiny feet, and slowly handed me the drink that I wanted. I was spoiled by her kindness, dedicated care, and unselfish love. I thought i never have these qualities in me, at least to my children.

I can't imagine how great can love be for a Gramma to a grandson. She was firm, very intelligent, steady, kind, care, gentle, considerate, thoughtful, careful, patient, passionate, generous, cheerful sometimes, positive, but too considerate I would think. My Dad has inherited her characters but in a different ways. (I will talk about my Dad in later part). My Gramma was one in a billion, and no one in my mind is able to compare with her.

The Last day of Chinese New Year 2007

1am in the morning, just entered the last day of Chinese New Year 2007. Many things happened in 2007. First, I have got another Tuition teacher Miss Lim for the two kids. Now we split the two tuition teachers' specialization, Miss Lim handles English and Malay plus computer while Miss Lee handles Chinese based subject. Miss Lim started in Feb 2007, and it has been a month plus 4 days.

I was worried about Charmaine when her Chinese paper was back one week ago. She got 58, but her English got almost full mark. Even though I was relieved by her English, her Chinese comprehension needed to be strengthened.

I just registered the skype for the future trip, hope to save some monies there. i will ask Nelson to configure the sms and skype feature in my Nokia phone.