Well, it's Monday and again I woke up late at 8:40am. Missed the sunrise again, drat!
As usual made hot nescafe, browse through my IPAD. Sis said I should stay home to help mum support dad when he wants to move from bedroom to the hall, and vice versa. Hot day. Watch a bit of TV and dozed off. Lunch at 12:30 after mum gave dad some bread and stuff. Initially we were worried cos he didn't want to eat since yesterday. I was glad to see he finished his lunch. Soon after mum and I helped dad into the bedroom for his nap.
After lunch I was toying with the idea of going over to Dongongon town instead of being cooped up at home all day. My brother, who dropped in for lunch, said I could use the Kancil. So when I was about to go out at 1:45pm we couldn't find e key so my mum said to walk there. So into the hot blazing sun I walked for 15 mins. It's really not that far.
The Immersion
The shopping mall was my first stop. Had to cool myself. It was recently built, so far around 70% occupancy, 3 floors, with Giant as the anchor tenant. Nice place with retail lots catering to simple people like us. It is built just adjacent to the shop lots so it seems a little bit odd that when I stepped out of the mall I find myself appearing in the old town instantly.
I just walked and walked among the shop lots and after buying some kuihs stopped by at a mamak restaurant for a drink, and just immersed myself in the environment. Just needed to feel I'm back in my homeland.
The Gimmick
After 2 glasses of "teh peng" and half an hour just sitting there, I decided it's time to go. As I went back into the mall I was fleeced by some sales people who were introducing some new brand and said I was entitled to a free gift. I was directed to a seat in front of a computer where they explained that I was entitled to 3 clicks which could win me some more gifts. They reiterated that I was not compelled to make any purchase as they claimed that they just want to promote the brand. One gift was already in hand for me, a gel pack for the eyes.
As I began to click on a random boxes on the screen I was instantly rewarded with 2 out of 3 mystery gifts. The second one entitled me to another round of random picking which, after complying ton their instruction, sort of hit the jackpot - a Home Theatre set worth RM4K, plus 3 other stuff worth RM300 to RM1000. They were very surprised and asked me thrice if I had clicked on the icon twice, and I said no, only once. They mentioned that it was very unlikely that 3 gifts appeared on screen, usually only one item would be displayed. So they called their 'boss' on their mobile, and the boss spoke to me, which I handed over to the sales person for I could not really understand why the boss was ranting. It turned out that I had to fulfill 3 criteria in order for me to grab all 4 gifts for free.
The Criteria
1. I have to promote their products and brand. Just use these at home and tell friends about it. No problem there.
2. Take photo with the sales people. I guess they want photos of winning customers to convince new blood. No problem - no harm there.
3. Use up the RM300 voucher. I just knew it. They would introduce me to high price products and knock off the voucher's worth.
Mistake! They didn't know who they were dealing with. I was almost duped once in KL right and my wife and another friend had to coaxed me out of it. So I smiled and said Thank You but I have to decline their 'generous offer'. They were surprised (another drama there) and said even if I buy their products with the voucher, and go for instalment payments, it was still worth it, as the 4 free items were worth more than RM5,000. I stood my ground politely and it didn't take them long to admit defeat. Once that realization dawned upon them the sales girl playfully asked me to belanja them drink so I obliged. They're nice people anyway, not overly persuasive and I felt pity that so much of their energy and effort didn't go in their favor. Anyway, I got my free gift of the gel pack for the eyes.
By 4:30 I left for home on foot in the slight drizzle. I was extremely tired and sleepy but when I lay down to nap I couldn't sleep so I just went for a bath. Simple dinner and the rest - no further happenings. Goodnite all...
Monday, February 28, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Journal - Home to Sabah : Day 2
Some time during my sleep I could hear the rain sputtering, couldn't lift up my eyelids but was sure it was in the wee hours of the morning. When I awoke it was already 1 half hour past 6am, my targeted waking time. Anyway, don't matter much as Mass was due 10am.
Went over to Juliana's house (sister) for the first time since they built it on their own last year. It's wonderful that their house is on the same land as my dad's so they could easily look after my parents.
Off to St Michael's church in Penampang, just a kilometer away with Jacintha (sis in law) and the girls. The church looks the same as the last time I'd seen it, but nevertheless beautiful and homely. But what really amazes me is the singing. the Mass was in Bahasa Malaysia and the choir was in full force, mostly young boys and girls in their teens, guided by a female choir master. The singing was absolutely superb! With seconds and perfect timing they sang with passion and discipline. it's true then, that Sabahans have the talent for singing. Yup, no doubt about it.
After Mass we adjourned to Bundusan for Chinese breakfast where David (brother) joined in. the noodles was really fantastic. it seems the restaurant owner made the noodles themselves and the dish is called Beaufort mee. It's one of the well known dish in Sabah.
As we almost finished our meal we got a call from my sis Juliana that dad fell and got his fingers cut and she was on the way to bring him to the 1Malaysia clinic near where we were having our breakfast. When they arrived we were told that the clinic did not have the antibiotic so we proceeded to Queen Elizabeth hospital in KK. Alas, the trip there met with a long queue of traffic caused by unintelligible traffic light system.
When we reached the emergency ward we had to register my dad for a Ringgit and it took about 15 minutes before he was whisked in a wheel chair into the ward where the doctor, or a nurse i think, gave him 6 stitches. That procedure took aver an hour. We reached home at 2:25. He's okay but the main concern is that he is unable to walk, since about a week ago, due to the weakening of his legs. We had to support him at both sides.
later at 3:45pm my younger sister, Judith, came over and took me out to paint the town red before stopping for a drink at Damai, Luyang. Chit chat about Tone Excel programme and forex. before dinner we stopped by a supermarket and bought adult pampas for my dad and 2 packs of Essence of Chicken. Dinner was at a chinese restaurant in Bundusan.
Home at 9:05pm. Spent some time with my dad on his bed. His speech is a little bit slurred and his hearing is not very good. Sitting by his side I felt very sad that he is no longer able bodied as before and needs someone to support him physically. He must be feeling lonely too and frustrated that he is not as mobile as he wishes to be. I really don't like to think about it so much because it breaks my heart knowing this.
After my shower and a hot mug of nescafe I began to type my 2nd day in Sabah journal so I would not forget my exploits here. Tomorrow is a working day and I do hope my office will not call my mobile. Let's hope tomorrow will be a really great day! Of course, for you, too!
Went over to Juliana's house (sister) for the first time since they built it on their own last year. It's wonderful that their house is on the same land as my dad's so they could easily look after my parents.
Off to St Michael's church in Penampang, just a kilometer away with Jacintha (sis in law) and the girls. The church looks the same as the last time I'd seen it, but nevertheless beautiful and homely. But what really amazes me is the singing. the Mass was in Bahasa Malaysia and the choir was in full force, mostly young boys and girls in their teens, guided by a female choir master. The singing was absolutely superb! With seconds and perfect timing they sang with passion and discipline. it's true then, that Sabahans have the talent for singing. Yup, no doubt about it.
After Mass we adjourned to Bundusan for Chinese breakfast where David (brother) joined in. the noodles was really fantastic. it seems the restaurant owner made the noodles themselves and the dish is called Beaufort mee. It's one of the well known dish in Sabah.
As we almost finished our meal we got a call from my sis Juliana that dad fell and got his fingers cut and she was on the way to bring him to the 1Malaysia clinic near where we were having our breakfast. When they arrived we were told that the clinic did not have the antibiotic so we proceeded to Queen Elizabeth hospital in KK. Alas, the trip there met with a long queue of traffic caused by unintelligible traffic light system.
When we reached the emergency ward we had to register my dad for a Ringgit and it took about 15 minutes before he was whisked in a wheel chair into the ward where the doctor, or a nurse i think, gave him 6 stitches. That procedure took aver an hour. We reached home at 2:25. He's okay but the main concern is that he is unable to walk, since about a week ago, due to the weakening of his legs. We had to support him at both sides.
later at 3:45pm my younger sister, Judith, came over and took me out to paint the town red before stopping for a drink at Damai, Luyang. Chit chat about Tone Excel programme and forex. before dinner we stopped by a supermarket and bought adult pampas for my dad and 2 packs of Essence of Chicken. Dinner was at a chinese restaurant in Bundusan.
Home at 9:05pm. Spent some time with my dad on his bed. His speech is a little bit slurred and his hearing is not very good. Sitting by his side I felt very sad that he is no longer able bodied as before and needs someone to support him physically. He must be feeling lonely too and frustrated that he is not as mobile as he wishes to be. I really don't like to think about it so much because it breaks my heart knowing this.
After my shower and a hot mug of nescafe I began to type my 2nd day in Sabah journal so I would not forget my exploits here. Tomorrow is a working day and I do hope my office will not call my mobile. Let's hope tomorrow will be a really great day! Of course, for you, too!
Journal - Home to Sabah : Day 1 - after the nap
Day 1 after my siesta:
Woke up to a cool evening at 6.20, splashed myself in cool water - no shower facility. Made me a hot mug of nescafe and spent time in the hall with my parents and outside the house enjoying the evening whether. Nothing much going on. Mum said dinner would be about 7:30ish waiting for my brother to pack food after work.
Finally he came at 8pm and 10 mins later we had our dinner - Chinese takeaway. After dinner I took a stroll outside the house and was enjoying the starry view on a clear sky. Later on I performed a remote connect to my good friend in KL to instal another version of Forex Demo and spoke about forex for a good half hour.
Other than that nothing eventful took place and I embraced a good night's sleep about 12:30pm.
Woke up to a cool evening at 6.20, splashed myself in cool water - no shower facility. Made me a hot mug of nescafe and spent time in the hall with my parents and outside the house enjoying the evening whether. Nothing much going on. Mum said dinner would be about 7:30ish waiting for my brother to pack food after work.
Finally he came at 8pm and 10 mins later we had our dinner - Chinese takeaway. After dinner I took a stroll outside the house and was enjoying the starry view on a clear sky. Later on I performed a remote connect to my good friend in KL to instal another version of Forex Demo and spoke about forex for a good half hour.
Other than that nothing eventful took place and I embraced a good night's sleep about 12:30pm.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Journal - Home to Sabah : Day 1
It,s really great to be home. Last time I checked it was in year 2008 December. Thanks to Irene I managed to grab a very cheap price - RM136 for a return trip. In fact, she persuaded me to go home and spend some time with my parents.
But the week preceding my trip was a very terrible one. Work tension, resulting in terrible pain at the back of my neck the whole week. just couldn't get my backlog cleared as there were too many office issues that kept demanding my attention. Even till the yesterday, I only left my office at 9pm!
Slept at 1am, got up by 4:20am - left home 5:15am to Sentral Station. Sky bus began journey to airport at 6 and I was worried if I would miss the flight at 8am. When we reached at 7:15 I rushed to check in and still had time for nasi lemak with coffee before going through the boarding gate.
Flight took off on time at 8. Travelled at 35,000ft in the clear weather. I was worried of the pressure pain on my neck which I usually suffer in the past, but this time I was lucky. Tried to get some sleep but the angle of the seat was not very accomodating.
The plane touched down at 10:30 and I only waited about 15-20 mins for my baggage to arrive. my sister, Juliana, came half an hour later to pick me up, together with Junior and Aci. I was hungry and needed to spend some time in KK town before going home to my parent's place. I needed to breath the air there, to immerse myself in the heart of KK town. So we had something to eat in town. Since Juliana had to pick up Junaidi from La Salle school in KK we dropped by an eatery near the beach at Tg Aru. Junaidi had some outdoor activity in Lok Kawi and was on the was back to the school.
By the time we reached my parent's home it was 1:40pm. Hugged my mum. After she woke my dad up I went to hug him too. He has grown a beard and has started to use the walking stick. I feel so sad to see him like this, especially after more than 2 years. Anyway, the weather's hot here. It's 3pm now after typing my journal and I'm off to take a short nap..
But the week preceding my trip was a very terrible one. Work tension, resulting in terrible pain at the back of my neck the whole week. just couldn't get my backlog cleared as there were too many office issues that kept demanding my attention. Even till the yesterday, I only left my office at 9pm!
Slept at 1am, got up by 4:20am - left home 5:15am to Sentral Station. Sky bus began journey to airport at 6 and I was worried if I would miss the flight at 8am. When we reached at 7:15 I rushed to check in and still had time for nasi lemak with coffee before going through the boarding gate.
Flight took off on time at 8. Travelled at 35,000ft in the clear weather. I was worried of the pressure pain on my neck which I usually suffer in the past, but this time I was lucky. Tried to get some sleep but the angle of the seat was not very accomodating.
The plane touched down at 10:30 and I only waited about 15-20 mins for my baggage to arrive. my sister, Juliana, came half an hour later to pick me up, together with Junior and Aci. I was hungry and needed to spend some time in KK town before going home to my parent's place. I needed to breath the air there, to immerse myself in the heart of KK town. So we had something to eat in town. Since Juliana had to pick up Junaidi from La Salle school in KK we dropped by an eatery near the beach at Tg Aru. Junaidi had some outdoor activity in Lok Kawi and was on the was back to the school.
By the time we reached my parent's home it was 1:40pm. Hugged my mum. After she woke my dad up I went to hug him too. He has grown a beard and has started to use the walking stick. I feel so sad to see him like this, especially after more than 2 years. Anyway, the weather's hot here. It's 3pm now after typing my journal and I'm off to take a short nap..
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)