Saturday, November 16, 2024

The Tale of the Vibrant Primary Forest

 


A Memorable Eco-Tourism Experience at Borneo Rainforest Lodge, Danum Valley

Once upon a chance, Bel accompanied her mother on a work trip to Lahad Datu, where they took the opportunity to experience the wonders of eco-tourism with a one-night stay at the Borneo Rainforest Lodge. This brief yet magical trip reinforced the realization that the untouched jungles of Sabah are thriving with life and vitality.

Arrival in Lahad Datu

Our journey began with a flight via MasWings, capturing breathtaking views of Sabah's vast greenery from the airplane window as we landed on 15 November 2024.

The Danum Valley Conservation Area, nestled within the Ulu Segama Forest Reserve, is a haven of biodiversity. The Borneo Rainforest Lodge is renowned for its long-standing collaboration with Japanese researchers studying the orangutans inhabiting this area. These researchers have documented around 75 orangutans within the vicinity, meticulously recording their behavior and movements almost around the clock.

A New Life in the Jungle

A highlight of our trip was the privilege of witnessing a moment of new life. On 14 November 2024, an orangutan named Sumi gave birth to a baby. The next morning, during a trail walk, we were fortunate to catch a glimpse of the mother and her newborn—a heartwarming and unforgettable sight. This experience was a testament to the jungle's vitality and renewal. The baby's name was suggested to be either Donny or Donna, and we’re eagerly awaiting updates on this.

The Japanese researcher who observed Sumi’s birth, Mr. Eddy, guided us to their location. He shared fascinating insights about orangutan behavior, noting that these primates construct fresh nests twice daily. After sleeping and conducting their activities, they abandon the previous nest and build a new one, a habit that ensures their hygiene and safety.

Night Safari Adventures

As night fell, we embarked on an exhilarating Night Safari, encountering at least four types of animals unique to this thriving ecosystem. One standout moment was spotting a rare and elusive bird species, native only to Sabah. While we still need to identify the name of this bird, its appearance added a touch of wonder to our adventure.

Another remarkable encounter was with the Wallace’s Flying Frog, a unique amphibian known for its ability to glide between trees. These sightings underscored the biodiversity that makes Danum Valley so extraordinary.

A Jungle Thriving with Life

The Danum Valley experience left us in awe of the vibrant ecosystem that continues to flourish despite modern encroachments. Every moment in the rainforest, from the serene trail walks to the adventurous night safaris, was a reminder of nature's resilience and beauty.


Final Thoughts

Our short trip to the Borneo Rainforest Lodge was nothing short of magical. It was a chance to witness firsthand the thriving ecosystem and to learn about the intricate lives of its inhabitants. The jungle, alive and full of stories, left an indelible mark on our hearts. Truly, Danum Valley is a sanctuary where life thrives in harmony.

We hope to return someday and perhaps hear about the adventures of little Donny or Donna, the newest addition to this remarkable rainforest.

Once upon a chance, Bel came away to Lahad Datu to follow her mum to work and to experience eco-tourism for one night. It was a short trip but yet it proves to us that the virgin jungle is thriving. 


Lahad Datu, from the airplane on 15 Nov 2024 

The Danum Valley is located in the Ulu Segama Forest Reserve


The Borneo Rainforest Lodge has a long research with Japan group 
on the Orang Hutan living in the area.




On 14 November 2024, Sumi, gave birth to a new baby and we saw them on 15 November morning at the end of our trail. It is quite an experience to know a new life has been born and the jungle is thriving with new life. What would be the name of the new Orang Hutan, well, it was suggested to be called as Donny or Donna. We will follow up on this. 



The Japanese researcher who saw the birth process and was there to show us where the mother and baby was Mr Eddy. He told us he would be there early in the morning like 5am and then only leave after the Orang Hutan has built its nest to rest for the evening. 




Night Safari 



There is this special bird that we saw during the night safari, it very rare and only found in Sabah.


Need to find the name of this bird out.




Wallace the Flying Frog

The jungle is thriving and very much alive ! 








Great Experience at the Borneo Rainforest Lodge, Danum Valley ! 

Saturday, November 9, 2024

Malaysian Young Diva in Golf - Ashley Lau

 




When your children's acquaintance played in Olympic, it is an awesome feelings. In Malay language, we call this "tumpang gembira" which means we ride on the joy felt by the family. 

Ashley Lau is the niece of  my dear friend, Annie Lau, she holds so much resemblance of the Lau family. Her Olympic news was reported in Malaysian media.  



Wednesday, July 26, 2023

怎樣減少病痛,過得健康愉快?

 

Copied from Social Media, an inspirational testimony from a retired principal, he retired at 55 and after 40 years, he was celebrating his 94 birthday. This was his sharing on how to have healthy and happy life. 

輔大校長楊敦和所寫的這篇好文,值得珍藏及一讀再讀文20230710


《怎樣減少病痛,過得健康愉快?》

我從55歲退休到今年94歲,已快40年了。這些年來我身體一直很好。是怎樣做到的呢?

1、知識就是健康最好的保障,醫生就是自己。

人的健康由三個方面的因素形成:

第一遺傳佔三分之一,

第二是鍛鍊和養生,

第三是生活習慣。

例如:抽煙喝酒熬夜都會損害健康。

人到70歲以後,才正是老年。老人一定要注意學習吸收醫學保健知識。

此外,要全面瞭解自己身體狀況!綜合分析自己的問題是什麼?摸索其中的規律。思考解決問題的辦法與措施。

有些老人沒有自己的健康主張,動不動就看醫生,亂吃藥。其實醫生也是聽你陳述、下藥。再說,各科醫生也只能(頭痛醫頭腳痛醫腳)無法對症下藥、掌握你的全面情況。所以要靠自己,而不要盲目依靠醫生。

俗話說:「久病成良醫」,我的體會是,身體是自己的,最好的保健醫生其實是自己。冷暖痛癢自己最清楚,運動健身只有靠自己堅持,心理健康也靠自己調整。


1、任何企圖依靠他人養老的夢想都會落空!再好的醫生、再負責任的保姆或再孝順的子女,都靠不得。

2、要有毅力,做自己應該做的,而不是只做自己喜歡做的。

我堅持生活自理,至今自己買菜、做飯、洗碗、散步、自己洗貼身衣物。

當然也累,也不方便,其實我可以讓保姆做。但只要一開始不做,以後就再也做不了!我非到萬不得已就不開這個頭。這樣一直堅持至今依然如此。

3、精神上要有境界,文化生活要豐富。

現代老年人太寂寞,盼望兒女回家看望。國家都有「常回家看看」的法律規定,但我不需要。

我關心時事,對文學、哲學、天文地理、戲劇體育都有興趣。我建立了自己的學習計劃和生活規律,每天都很忙碌,但心裡平靜充實。

你喜歡做什麼?就去做!盡量把自己時間安排緊一點,每天都有事做,有做不完的工作。這樣就不會感到寂寞了!此外我還有個辦法!就是家裡不要太寂靜。要經常開著電視或收音機,好像有人與你說話、對你唱歌,就不會感到孤獨。

我有三個孩子每週都回來看我。我兒子離我挺遠,我不要他每週都來,就對我女兒說:跟你哥說一下!不用每週回來,打個電話就行了!他後來兩週回來一次。我平時過得很充實、愉快,不希望別人來干擾我。老年人要熱愛生活,關心時事,心胸開闊,心情舒暢。遇到疾病就能頂住了!

個人的目標在爭取在人生的最後階段「走得快一點」,既減少自己的痛苦,也盡量避免給他人造成的負擔。人人都希望晚年走得快一些,但死生有命、可以事在人為嗎?

我認為,要想「走的快一點」首先要做好「走」的思想準備,該走的時候乾脆、無牽掛、無遺憾。告訴你我的體會:

1、不怕死

我前年尿血,在醫院檢查發現左腎上有個腫瘤,疑似癌症,醫生和家屬都主張手術切除。我不同意。我說:我已92歲了!將來走、不一定是因這個腫瘤。

即便是這個原因,動手術後 又出現其他病。那何必呢?兩年來沒有任何感覺。

現在我乾脆就不去檢查了!不管它變大或小了!該怎樣就怎樣。已經兩年了我一直與癌症「和平共處」。

現在既沒有什麼感覺,也沒有精神負擔,每天生活得很充實,很有質量。

任何事情只要想得開,就會戰勝它。當然 如果將來真是癌症發作的話,後期會很疼,我就留一筆錢打止痛針。

我對女兒說:將來我昏迷了就不用打了!沒有知覺了還打它幹嘛」走人 就完了嘛!

人的壽數到了,就要順其自然,犯了病還搶救他幹嘛?身體功能衰竭了!無疾而終,順其自然,這是福氣呀!你說不是嗎?

老來不怕死,就活得輕鬆,生活質量就高。我就是懷著這種心態一天一天活過來的。

事實證明越是不怕死,就越是死不了!我現在已經94歲了!中國人的平均壽命才72歲,台灣人的平均壽命是82歲。哈哈,我都超過了!感覺自己已經賺的太多了!


2、不愛錢

許多老人越是到了晚年,越是錙銖必較,把錢摳的緊緊的。他們真是沒想明白呀!我現在每個月只花幾千元,退休金根本花不完!所以孩子們來看我、我都自掏腰包請他們吃飯。兒女過六十歲生日,我每人送上一萬元。

自己也就這幾十萬元的存款,等我死了兒女們繼承,他們認為是理所當然的,也不會感激我。

不如現在就拿出來給大家共享!皆大歡喜,何樂而不為呢?哈哈!


3、放下自我

現在很多老人想問題只從自己出發,總覺得別人對不住自己。或是政府對不起自己!或同事或兒女對自己照顧不周,特別是兒媳婦又如何虧欠了自己。

內心總是不愉快,何必呢?要想得開,就一定要放下自我,換位思維。

不要認為把兒女撫養大,兒女就應該回報你!兒女有兒女的事情,哪有那麼多時間陪著你?回想一下!自己的父母在世時,你曾去陪伴了多久?照顧了多少?我從不要求兒女來陪我。

我生活很有規律,說真的,他們來了、我還嫌打亂了生活計劃。所以一個人的生活常態,兒女來看你、是驚喜!如此才不會心懷不滿,而感到落寞了!

至於孫子輩、哈哈,不用說,早就想也不想了!這是人類新陳代謝的自然規律嘛!

總之只有放下自我,才能戰勝死亡,充分享受餘生期。至於身後之事,兒孫自有兒孫福,不是我們應該費心去想的。

Saturday, July 22, 2023

Flavouring Kombucha

The Complete Guide to Flavoring and Carbonating Kombucha



I decided to the following flavouring 

1) Ginger, pineapple, brown sugar, candied ginger with orange Juice
2) Grape Juice, Brown Sugar

Saturday, June 3, 2023

Death

 


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qn7CPeVVSDE



Thursday, October 6, 2022

What the Modern Woman Wants... By Amanda Chong Wei-Zhen

 

Singapore school girl wins Commonwealth essay prize!

You will be amazed at the maturity of this 15-year old girl.

It's worthwhile taking 5 mins to read this essay.


A 15-YEAR-OLD Singaporean, competing against 16-> 18-year-olds, has won the top prize in a writing contest that drew 5,300 entries from 52 countries...

In the annual Commonwealth Essay Competition, Amanda Chong of Raffles Girls' School (Secondary) chose to compete in the older category and won with a piece on the restlessness of modern life.

Her short story, titled What The Modern Woman Wants, focused on the conflict in values between an old lady and her independent-minded daughter.

'Through my story, I attempted to convey the unique East-vs-West struggles and generation gaps that I felt were characteristic of young people in my country,' said Amanda, who likes drama, history and literature and wants to become a lawyer and a politician.

Chief examiner Charles Kemp called her piece a 'powerfully moving and ironical critique of modern restlessness and its potentially cruel consequences'.

The writing is fluent and assured, with excellent use of dialogue.

Amanda gets (S$1,590). A Singaporean last won the top prize in 2000, said Britain 's Royal Commonwealth Society, which has been organising the competition since 1883. Singaporeans also came in second in the 14 to 15-year-old category, and fourth in the under-12s. Other winners included students from Australia , Canada and South Africa.


What the Modern Woman Wants... By Amanda Chong Wei-Zhen

The old woman sat in the backseat of the magenta convertible as it careened down the highway, clutching tightly to the plastic bag on her lap, afraid it may be kidnapped by the wind. She was not used to such speed, with trembling hands she pulled the seat belt tighter but was careful not to touch the patent leather seats with her callused fingers, her daughter had warned her not to dirty it, 'Fingerprints show very clearly on white, Ma.'

Her daughter, Bee Choo, was driving and talking on her sleek silver mobile phone using big words the old woman could barely understand.

'Finance', 'Liquidation', 'Assets', 'Investments'... Her voice was crisp and important and had an unfamiliar lilt to it.

Her Bee Choo sounded like one of those foreign girls on television.

She was speaking in an American accent. The old lady clucked her tongue in disapproval...... 

'I absolutely cannot have this. We have to sell!' Her daughter exclaimed agitatedly as she stepped on the accelerator; her perfectly manicured fingernails gripping onto the steering wheel in irritation.

'I can't DEAL with this anymore!' she yelled as she clicked the phone shut and hurled it angrily toward the backseat.. The mobile phone hit the old woman on the forehead and nestled soundlessly into her lap. She calmly picked it up and handed it to her daughter..

'Sorry, Ma,' she said, losing the American pretence and switching to Mandarin. 'I have a big client in America . There have been a lot of problems.'

The old lady nodded knowingly. Her daughter was big and important.

Bee Choo stared at her mother from the rear view window, wondering what she was thinking. Her mother's wrinkled countenance always carried the same cryptic look. The phone began to ring again, an artificially cheerful digital tune, which broke the awkward silence.

'Hello, Beatrice! Yes, this is Elaine.' Elaine. The old woman cringed. I didn't name her Elaine. She remembered her daughter telling her, how an English name was very important for 'networking', Chinese ones being easily forgotten.

'Oh no, I can't see you for lunch today. I have to take the ancient relic to the temple for her weird daily prayer ritual.' Ancient Relic. The old woman understood perfectly it was referring to her. Her daughter always assumed that her mother's silence meant she did not comprehend.

'Yes, I know! My car seats will be reeking of joss sticks!' The old woman pursed her lips tightly, her hands gripping her plastic bag in defence.

The car curved smoothly into the temple courtyard. It looked almost garish next to the dull sheen of the ageing temple's roof. The old woman got out of the back seat, and made her unhurried way to the main hall.

Her daughter stepped out of the car in her business suit and stilettos and reapplied her lipstick as she made her brisk way to her mother's side.

'Ma, I'll wait outside.. I have an important phone call to make,' she said, not bothering to hide her disgust at the pungent fumes of incense.

The old lady hobbled into the temple hall and lit a joss stick, she knelt down solemnly and whispered her now familiar daily prayer to the Gods.

Thank you God of the Sky, you have given my daughter luck all these years. Everything I prayed for, you have given her. She has everything a young woman in this world could possibly want. She has a big house with a swimming pool, a maid to help her, as she is too clumsy to sew or cook. Her love life has been blessed; she is engaged to a rich and handsome angmoh man. Her company is now the top financial firm and even men listen to what she says... She lives the perfect life. You have given her everything except happiness. I ask that the gods be merciful to her even if she has lost her roots while reaping the harvest of success.

What you see is not true, she is a filial daughter to me. She gives me a room in her big house and provides well for me. She is rude to me only because I affect her happiness.. A young woman does not want to be hindered by her old mother. It is my fault.

The old lady prayed so hard that tears welled up in her eyes. Finally, with her head bowed in reverence she planted the half-burnt joss stick into an urn of smoldering ashes.

She bowed once more. The old woman had been praying for her daughter for thirty-two years. When her stomach was round like a melon, she came to the temple and prayed that it was a son. Then the time was ripe and the baby slipped out of her womb, bawling and adorable with fat thighs and pink cheeks, but unmistakably, a girl. Her husband had ticked and punched her for producing a useless baby who could not work or carry the family name.

Still, the woman returned to the temple with her new-born girl tied to her waist in a sarong and prayed that her daughter would grow up and have everything she ever wanted.

Her husband left her and she prayed that her daughter would never have to depend on a man. She prayed every day that her daughter would be a great woman, the woman that she, meek and uneducated, could never become. A woman with nengkan; the ability to do anything she set her mind to. A woman who commanded respect in the hearts of men. When she opened her mouth to speak, precious pearls would fall out and men would listen. She will not be like me, the woman prayed as she watched her daughter grow up and drift away from her, speaking a language she scarcely understood.

She watched her daughter transform from a quiet girl to one who openly defied her, calling her laotu, old fashioned.... She wanted her mother to be 'modern', a word so new there was no Chinese word for it.

Now her daughter was too clever for her and the old woman wondered why she had prayed like that. The Gods had been faithful to her persistent prayer, but the wealth and success that poured forth so richly had buried the girl's roots and now she stood faceless with no identity, bound to the soil of her ancestors by only a string of origami banknotes.

Her daughter had forgotten her mother's value. Her wants were so ephemeral, that of a modern woman. Power, wealth, access to the best fashion boutiques and yet her daughter had not found true happiness.

The old woman knew that you could find happiness with much less.

When her daughter left the earth, everything she had would count for nothing. People would look to her legacy and say that she was a great woman but she would be forgotten once the wind blows over, like the ashes of burnt paper convertibles and mansions.

The old woman wished she could go back and erase all her big hopes and prayers for her daughter now that she had looked out of the temple gates.

She saw her daughter speaking on the phone, her brow furrowed with anger and worry. Being at the top is not good, the woman thought, there is only one way to go from there – down.

The old woman carefully unfolded the plastic bag and spread out a packet of beehoon in front of the altar. Her daughter often mocked her for worshipping porcelain Gods. How could she pray to them so faithfully and expect pieces of ceramic to fly to her aid? But her daughter had her own gods too, idols of wealth, success and power that she enslaved to and worshipped every day of her life.

Every day was a quest for the idols, and the idols she worshipped counted for nothing in eternity. All the wants her daughter had would slowly suck the life out of her and leave her, an empty souless shell at the altar.

The old woman watched the joss stick. The dull heat had left a teetering grey stem that was on the danger of collapsing.

Modern women nowadays, the old lady sighed in resignation, as she bowed to the east one final time to end her ritual. Modern women nowadays want so much that they lose their souls and wonder why they cannot find it.

Her joss stick disintegrated into a soft grey powder. She met her daughter outside the temple, the same look of worry and frustration was etched on her daughter's face.

An empty expression, as if she was ploughing through the soil of her wants looking for the one thing that would sown the seeds of happiness.

They climbed into the convertible in silence and her daughter drove along the highway, this time not to fast as she had done before.

‘Ma,’ Bee Choo finally said. "I don't know how to put this.

Mark and I have been talking about it and we plan to move out of the big house. The property market is good now, and we managed to get a buyer willing to pay us seven million for it. We decided we'd prefer a cosier penthouse apartment instead. We found a perfect one in Orchard Road .. Once we move into our apartment, we plan to get rid of the maid, so we can have more space to ourselves....."

The old woman nodded knowingly. Bee Choo swallowed hard. We'd get someone to come in to do the housework and we can eat out – but once the maid is gone, there won't be anyone to look after you. You will be awfully lonely at home and, besides that the apartment is rather small. There won't be space. We thought about it for a long time, and we decided the best thing for you is if you moved to a Home. There's one near Hougang – it's a Christian home and a very nice one."

The old woman did not raise an eyebrow. I"ve been there, the matron is willing to take you in. It's beautiful with gardens and lots of old people to keep you company! Hardly have time for you, you'd be happier there." "You'd be happier there, really." her daughter repeated as if to affirm herself.

This time the old woman had no plastic bag of food offering to cling tightly to, she bit her lip and fastened her seat belt, as if it would protect her from a daughter who did not want her anymore. She sunk deep into the leather seat, letting her shoulders sag and her fingers trace the white seat.

Ma, her daughter asked, searching the rear view window for her mother. "Is everything okay?

What had to be done, had to be done. "Yes" she said firmly, louder than she intended, 'if it will make you happy,' she added more quietly.

‘It's for you, Ma! You will be happier there. You can move there tomorrow, I already got the maid to pack your things.' Elaine said triumphantly, mentally ticking yet another item off her agenda.

'I knew everything would be fine.' Elaine smiled widely; she felt liberated. Perhaps getting rid of her mother would make her happier... She had thought about it. It seemed the only hindrance in her pursuit of happiness. She was happy now. She had everything a modern woman ever wanted; money, status, career, love, power and now freedom without her mother and her old-fashioned ways to weigh her down......

Yes she was free. Her phone butted urgently, she picked it up and read the message, still beaming from ear to ear. "Stock 10% increase." Yes, things were definitely beginning to look up for her and while searching for the meaning of life in the luminance of her hand phone screen, the old woman in the backseat became invisible and she did not see her in tears.

《紅樓夢》好了歌

 朋友為了小孩的事情很生氣,我勸她不要為孩子設想太週到,慈母多敗兒,古有明訓啊!


想起《紅樓夢》中的一首歌叫做「好了歌」。


自己也順便複習一下,原詞如下:

世人都曉神仙好,惟有功名忘不了。

古今將相在何方?荒冢一堆草沒了。

世人都曉神仙好,只有金銀忘不了。

終朝只恨聚無多,及到多時眼閉了。

世人都曉神仙好,只有嬌妻忘不了。

君生日日說恩情,君死又隨人去了。

世人都曉神仙好,只有兒孫忘不了。

癡心父母古來多,孝順子孫誰見了?


曹雪芹借瘋道人之口闡釋「好」「了」二字。


他說:「可知世上萬般

『好』便是『了』

『了』便是『好』

若不了,便不好,

若要好,便要了」

您「了」嗎?


PS此文「了」音「瞭」。


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Amazing Facts about who are the sons of Noah

I love this video clips. It makes a lot of sense to me.