Lost my brother Sunny a few months ago; quiet a traumatic period for everyone in family. Too painful to go through the thought again, just need to move forward and live a more meaningful life. I also found out a few more friends passed on, relatively young a few of them. I find myself turning to the obituary more often these days, sigh.

On another note this is my first mention of my new baby, Leia. She's already coming on to 19 months and what a ride it has been being a father all over again. We snapped thousands of photos of her and short video clips showing her in various pose and funny looks. The digital camera certainly was worth the money spent. She's the love of our lives and has brought joy to many. For one she has 2 god-parents.

Her grandma (wife's side, my mum is called granny) dotes on her and shops every week for her. The latest is Dora toys and books. This baby is EXPENSIVE, from birth and all the way through. Her diapers are bought by 20 bags each time and cost more than my golf clubs. Her milk powder and organic food is ridiculously expensive. But when we look at her, all 13kg of her, it was certainly well worth it. She has a healthy radiance thanks to mummy's meticulous attention to everything.

From the looks of it I will probably have to work past 60 to ensure she gets good quality education what with the current stupid government decision flip-flopping on education policies. Just as well because we had intentions of either private school or International schooling for Leia. The other option is to send her to Australia to be with her brother and be brought up there. That is something we need to plan NOW. Oh dear, what can I do in Australia?

Jon has finished his exams and is waiting for the final results. Barring any hiccup and based on his feedback, he should pass the final 2 papers and graduate in 2 month's time. He is already working in Melbourne and has decided to stay back, apply for PR and live there. I went through the plans with him and he intends to work through to afford his own house and pursue his Masters further down the road.

David has one more semester to finish his accounting foundation papers. If he follows through with his plans, he will enter into internship next year and study-work for at least 3 years for his chartered accounting qualifications. Hopefully he has the stamina and discipline to follow through.

The global economic meltdown has affected business and it is frustrating our growth plans. We grew very well the last few years and I am waiting for the share-ESOS to start. There is also plans for an MBO but it is taking forever to get shareholders/directors to start the ball rolling.

I seem to have lost a little bit of drive lately. Not that I have a lot of money stashed up but working for more money is not really inspiring me and not getting me to work everyday. My current escapism is golf and golf and golf. I now it will not last and will not fully satisfy me but I need to find new motivation to move forward. As it is I am just taking each day at a time and thankful for every new day.

I'll probably update my blog more often and hopefully in the process of "verbalizing" my thoughts find my way again.

Till next time, ciao.

It's Sunday and I had my "usual fix" today: Seremban infamous beef noodle and "rojak", yummy! I am easy to please as far as food is concerned. Why can't everyday be like Sunday?

I plan my out-of-town travel around food sometimes. When I need to head north to Penang from KL, a stop in Ipoh for "curry laksa" noodles breakfast is a must no matter how urgent the trip is. The "curry laksa" comes with lots and lots of delicious ingredients like prawns, chicken, roast pork, "char siew" but the curry beats everything. If it is a trip down south, then it's a stop in Seremban for beef noodle (breakfast) and the trip back to KL is a must-stop in Melaka for chicken rice.

It's not the overhyped chicken rice ball but rather another shop (no advertising) that sells chicken "spare parts" that has been deep fried. The intestine, liver and gizzard are extra delicious and I always have a few helpings of "spare parts". I also like the way they serve the chicken "de-boned".

Of course I can go on and on but suffice it to say that one of the major reason I am sticking on in this country is because of the food. We have brainless people running the country and they are running it down fast and furious. It is evident in the education system where we churn out graduates who are of no economic value, non-intellectual and socially inept young people. What a waste of resources! There is little good news greeting the citizens of this country and yet our politicians are treating us like naive and uninformed people through their utter denial of what is clearly a failing state of affairs.

Security is getting worse and there is little respite in the legal system which is now under scrutiny because of the lack of credibility. Sometimes it seems either the government does not seem to see what we are seeing or they are utterly powerless to act. Either way it is cause for great concern. We are seeing plane loads of foreign workers coming in everyday; who knows how many more ship loads and car loads through our porous borders; and whilst we do not entirely blame all foreigners for the crime rate, it is distressing to say the least that the authorities have not given the populace any reasons to feel they are in control of the situation.

"Celebrating" the country's 50th anniversary for independence have caused many to look back and compared where we have come and where we will be going. It does not look good. The key pillars of government have given way to devious political agendas and in the hand of incompetent and blatant greedy politicians, its a road downhill with no brakes strong enough to stop it. I dread the future of those who do not and cannot have any other choice other than this country.

I just need to let this out and "cry" for my beloved country, no matter what some will call me. This is where I was born and I have no other place to call home. But my kids and their kids will have a choice. They go where they are appreciated, where it makes sense to do the right thing and where they feel safe. I work for them to have that choice.

Lucky the Boxer

There are many sayings one hears and learns through life and we wonder how that came about. "Lucky" my boxer was my best friend; so I can claim that a dog is truly a man's best friend. Lucky was a gift to my parents when we shifted to our new home; 466, England Garden, Seremban in 1972. He came in a box and was the gift from the local fish monger whom my policeman dad helped many times.

He came to us less than a month old and was a handful, energetic puppy, black mask, brown hair with white chest and all. Since he was our first family pet, dad fed him with 7-seas cod liver oil, nestum cereal and eggs for breakfast. Boy, was he pampered during the early months. And as he grew, we fed him beef cutlets which proved too salty and he shed his hair. It was a funny sight!

I cannot remember who recommended this cure of coconut oil and sulphur mix that was dabbed on to his bald skin but the duty of this daily treatment fell to me. From then on, Lucky was my best friend. I remember many moments with Lucky and I hope to be able to pen as much as I can recall for the best friend who never judged me, the best friend who cried with me (I saw his tears), the best friend who came to me when I called and needed to be with, the best friend who though "silent" somehow made me feel he understood how I felt and was there for me.

Even now, more than 25 years since he went to dog's heaven, I laugh, cried, smiled and wonder when I think of him. Nostalgia does funny things to us, especially when there are more happy and memorable moments than sad ones. Never mind that he pulled all of mum's favorite orchid, sis-in-law's potted rose plants, overturned the garbage every other night, came back nose bloody after a fight with the neighbour's cat, got poisoned and stabbed in the belly by a Muslim neighbour who hates dog. I fondly remember Lucky as the fierce looking coward who shakes in genuine fear under the kitchen table at the clap of thunder and also the only dog that fainted when I got water into his nostrils. Hahaha, did not mean to do it but mum always insist that we wash our mouth after a meal and Lucky did not get exceptional treatment; it was my duty.

Lucky loved kids. I was worried when he was 1 year old and my youngest sister was born. We were concerned whether Lucky would harm her out of jealousy but he was faithful and protective of her.

Lucky was always kept within our compound but sometimes he would run out and it would be difficult to get him to come back. Even then, there were not many dogs where we lived and Lucky was a virgin, as far as I could tell. One fine day my brother had the bright idea of making some money by taking Lucky to have a "good time". I did not follow but when my brother related what happened, we nearly pee in our pants. It seems my virgin Lucky went for the village goat instead of you know who.

I miss you buddy. I still dream of you, nightmares sometimes because in my dreams I forgot to feed you for a long period of time and yet you remained my best friend. I am sorry that I was not there when the vet needled you to lessen your sufferings. I am sorry that I did not know you needed deworming. I was always proud that you had your own birth certificate proving your pedigree; not knowing that also meant you were not as robust physically compared to a mix breed.

If I ever get another chance at it, it would be another Lucky for me, and definitely a boxer. Lucky, I love you. You brought the tender part out of me and you will always be in my heart and mind, always!