Sister's New Hairdo

Saturday, 11 August 2007

How do you like my new hairdo? I love Sister's sense of humour! She can be very funny at times and she is fun to be with.

Parents-in-Law

Saturday, 21 July 2007

Finally, I met my parents-in-law!

I am a Child of God

Friday, 25 May 2007

It has been a long time since I have a 6 year old girl under my care for 24 hours!

Sheridan has never seen me nor I of her, yet expressed her love for me like she had known me on the very first day she arrived to stay with Michael and me.

She has shown me to me what the scriptures said about a child ...... submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love .......

She wanted me to teach her how to use chopsticks to eat today. I didn't have to show her much. She already knew how, taking the chopsticks in her right fingers and picking up the noodles from the plate.

We are Family

Monday, 14 May 2007

Meeting my step children for the very first time. They lived in different cities from where Michael and me lived.

Initially we were shy with each other but towards the end of the evening, we were talking, joking and laughing away.

Lovely children - Merri, John, Barb and her husband, Courtney. They reminded me of my own children, Lian and Yean.

We are Yoked

Wednesday, 2 May 2007

The secret is out! I am married today. Michael and me met on the internet in September 2005 on the ldsmingle.com and 20 months of writing to each other, talking on the telephones, webcams, praying and reading the scriptures together online.

My friends said they would never dare to do as I did - to fly half way around the globe and get married. I know where I got my courage from - love! This is the most daring thing I have ever done and the furthest I have ever travelled!

Love At Home

Sunday, 25 February 2007

It is never too old to learn..............................read these 3 wonderful counsels that were posted on the Relief Society Message board this morning. I would like to share them with you.


President Gordon B. Hinckley (the 15th & the current President) :

"True love is not so much a matter of romance as it is a matter of anxious concern for the well-being of one's companion"

President Howard W. Hunter (the 14th President) :

A husband "should always speak to his wife lovingly and kindly, treating her with the utmost respect" for "marriage is like a tender flower ......................
And must be nourished constantly with expression of love and affection"

Wives, too, must do the same to their husbands.


President Gordon B. Hinckley:

I believe in the family (1) where there is a husband who regards his companion as his greatest asset and treats her accordingly (2) where there is a wife who looks upon her husband as her anchor and strength, her comfort and security (3) where there are children who look to mother and father with respect and gratitude.

Chinese New Year - 2007

Sunday - 18 February 2007

Mum didn't know it was Chinese New Year. I phoned home. She is in her own world. She is still in the same condition. I can't do anything except pray for her. For the first time, I am spending the festive in Kuala Lumpur with Lian and Yean.

Piggy Banks

Monday, 5 February 2007

When Lian and Yean were little, they were encouraged to save.

To make them enjoy the practice, different kinds of *banks* were given to them.

The coins have since been retrieved and deposited into their respective bank accounts - real bank accounts this time.

Some of their *banks* have gone to their younger cousins.

Here are 3 remaining *banks* that have been kept for them - maybe they want to pass to their children. We have a 'green frog', a yellow chicken and a brown pig!

Diploma in Medical Science Laboratory Technology

Sunday, 4 February 2007

I have posted Yean's convocation in this family blog in December 2006, but I haven't got Lian's. During the time of her convocation (1992), we didn't have any digital camera to take pictures. The pictures that we have are those that are developed by the photo studio. A few days ago, I decided I use my digital camera and take picture of the picture that we had framed and it turned out okay - I am glad! I want Lian to know that I am equally proud of her achievement!

Friday, 5 April 2002 - The Convocation

After 2 and a half years of studying full time at Pusat Teknologi dan Pengurusan Lanjutan (PTPL, Shah Alam), commencing Monday 12 July 1999, Lian finally got her diploma. Dad couldn't attend the convocation due to work-operational reasons, so I represented both of us. I am glad I was there.

When she left to study in 1999 I felt that she was too young to leave home but the past 2 years' of experiences had moulded her into an independent and mature young lady. I am happy and proud of her and her achievement.

Serena's Wedding

Monday, 1 January 2007

A New Year! A New Beginning! Time waits for no man. I was thinking what I would have done in 2006 if I could turn back the clock.

My niece's wedding on Sunday 17 September 2006. I so wanted to be there and I miss it!

Mother, who had brainstem infarct (8 July 2006), is still lying in bed todate, believed to be oblivious of what is going on around here, would have wanted me to go (I think?). Serena set the record as the first of her 9 grandchildren to get married.

Mother is fully dependence, can't see or talk, responded only when stimulated. Thanks to my sisters-in-laws - they are doing an excellent job taking care of her. Nobody knows how long mum would remain in this state. September 17 was just over 2 months from the time of stroke attack and I was scare that God would take mum away while I was in Melbourne.

I have learnt that nobody can judge or predict the fate of a person, whatever situation he is and put a halt on the things we want to do. It is all in God's hand and will.

Does't Serena look beautiful?

The Documents

Friday, 15 December 2006

The folder Yean received last Saturday was real but the diploma certificate had to be collected and signed for, during the week. Here they are:

The Folder


The Diploma in English


The Diploma in Malay.

Diploma in Civil Engineering

Saturday, 9 December 2006

It was 2 and half years ago (Saturday, 20 March 2004) when Yean registered for the course at Kuala Lumpur Infrastructure University College, Kajang. Today, Yean received his Diploma in Civil Engineering! Congratulations! We are all proud of you!



Where is he? Can you spot him?


With some of his classmates




With mum and dad


Mummy is not taller. She just happened to be standing on top of a cement curb.


With a good friend, Bong.

A Sad day

Friday, 29 September 2006

It was not Friday the 13th, but it was definitely a sad day in the family. In my March posting, I wrote about mum's dogs and cat. It was a happy story. Today's posting is just the opposite. It is sad, very sad. Banjo, Ah O, Mei Tze and Miaw Miaw are gone. They all died of poisoning on this day.

As soon as the gate was opened in the morning, Banjo and her little Mei Tze ran out. This was not unusual and they always come back after they have enjoyed themselves outside for a while.

Banjo vomitted when she returned. Little Mei Tze ate her mother's vomit, salivated, convulsed and died. Ah O, her sibling of an earlier batch, also ate their mother's vomit and died later. Banjo was running like crazy outside the house and she too died. They all died within 3 hours.

We think that Banjo and little Mei Tze had eaten food that they found during their morning outing and the food was mixed with rat poison. I was told that there is an imported rat poison sold in town and it is deadly compared to the ones manufactured locally. The effect was immediate.

Miaw Miaw, the cat, was in the house the whole day. She went out early in the night and came in looking sick and running around the sitting room. She vomitted, diarrhoead. We found her twisting in pain underneath the staircase inside the storeroom. Carried her outside and less than half an hour she was dead as well. We do not know where the dogs have vomitted. All those visible vomits had been flushed. Miaw Miaw must have eaten one of the dogs' vomit on the grass.

Caroline said she was overwhelmed with the loss of the 3 dogs that morning and now the cat, that she can't cry. Stephenie's face was pale. Clinton cried.

I couldn't cried anymore because I have cried when I came to visit in the afternoon and learnt of the dogs' tragic death and imagine how they must have suffered. No wonder when I arrived at the gate, I felt it was unusual that none of the dogs were there to greet me. Whenever I sit down at the door, they would crowd around me. They know I love them. Banjo is the granddaughter of my dog, Lassie. Like her grandmother, Banjo would put both her front paws on my lap knowing that I would talk to her and stroke her head and neck. Ah O always just lie down on my side and let me pat her head and stroke her as well. Little Mei Tze, being more active, would be running here and there in front of me.

Mum would be very sad if she knows what has happened. We will not share with her. It would break her heart. Banjo is her favourite. Mum and Banjo loves each other. Banjo would follow Mum when she goes to the garden, at the back of house. Banjo would walk around the garden or sit there while mum works. Miaw Miaw was a baby kitten when it was presented to Mum and she has looked after her. Every morning she would wake her up with her miaws.

The house is so quiet since without the presence of Banjo, Ah O, Mei Tze and Miaw Miaw.

(5 October 2006):
What happened to the 2 remaining puppies that Banjo gave birth to (on the 20 June, see posting dated 25 June 2006)? One was taken away by a friend. The other suddenly dropped dead, after eating some food. It was not due to poisoning. We think that it might have eaten too fast and choked itself. And that is only about a month ago!

Miaw Miaw had also given birth to 3 kittens less than a month ago. 1 kitten died a few days after birth. Miaw Miaw was still breast-feeding when she died. To save the kittens from starvation, they were taken away to a friend's cat for breast-feeding. It is a blessing that this other cat's kittens have only been weaned 2 days' earlier, and given away. She accepted the new kittens right away and they are growing!

Same Mind

Wednesday, 4 October 2006

When I don't blog, they don't blog! We didn't do this intentionally! We just happened to have the same desire to blog on the same day (almost all three of us).

The last time Anthony blogged was the 2 September. The last time Lyanne blogged was the 20 September. And the last time I blogged was the 23 September in this blogspot (see earlier posting).

Today I noticed that Lyanne has created a new post yesterday - 3 October, same day as me. And Anthony today!

It is good to see them blogging again!

A Year has passed

Saturday, 23 September 2006

According to the Chinese calendar, today is the 2nd day of the 8th month. On this day, a year ago, Dad went beyond the veil. We miss you, Grandpa.

Banjo and her puppies

Tuesday, 20 June 2006
Banjo gave birth to 3 male puppies this morning. It was raining and Mother found her between pots of flowers near the fence! We have no idea why she chose that place when there were sheds and more comfortable places to go to! Why? Why? Why? She has given birth more than 4 times and never have she done this! Banjo has already given birth to 2 puppies when Mother found her. After settling her down in a dog shed, she gave birth to her last puppy.

Thursday, 22 June 2006
There were no names given to the puppies yet. Mother discovered the black one and the biggest of the 3, died! We feel so sorry for him. It must be the raining and cold condition that he was born in. Banjo didn't seem to be acting well herself! We feared for her and the other 2 puppies.

Friday, 23 June 2006
I went to the vet and purchased Banjo some special food to boost her appetite and energy. It worked!

A letter to My father

Sunday, 18 June 2006

Dear Beloved Father,

How are you? I am thinking of you. Funny, since you left us on the 5 September 2005, I have only dreamt of you once! No news is good news, ya? And that was only a week ago! You were talking to your youngest grandson, Clinton.

Dad, Uncle Ni was here in Miri for 2 weeks, and so was Sister Monica. Aunty Ni was sick, that is why Uncle couldn't come and see you before you passed away. She passed away a month before you did. Did you meet Aunty Ni?

We know you are in good hands and that you are with Joseph, who passed away on the 24 March 1999, and with all our departed loved ones.

Don't worry, Dad, we are all doing fine. We love you and we miss you! Happy Father's Day.

Love from your daughter, Irene

The Ni Family Connection

Thursday, 8 June 2006

Uncle Ni gave me a write-up of His family. I am so grateful for any information I could get as regards to my forefathers and relatives. Dad didn't manage to write for me before he passed away but this will do to get me started to know my ancestors and my relatives. I have copied here some part of it.

Uncle Ni wrote:.............................
My grandfather's name was Ni Chao Fan. Another of his names was Ni Ke Zhao. My grandfather had 3 younger brothers who went to Vietnam to earn their living when they were young I had never got their news. In 1968, an auntie (the daughter of one of my grandfather's brothers) from Vietnam traveled to China and came to see us for a few days.

My grandfather had 2 wives. His first wife, Lin, was born in Xichang area of Jieyang in Guangdong province. She passed away in her early life. She has one daughter, i.e. my eldest auntie, who married in our neighbouring village Shuorong. She was blind in her middle age. She and her 4 daughters and her adopted son were living a poor life. The second wife of my grandfather whose surname was Huang was born in Zaopu area of Jieyang. She has two sons and a daughter. Her first son was my father, Ni Qingai (Ni Ging Ai). Her second son was called Ni Qinggui and her daughter was called Ni Yuezhen.

My grandfather was living by farming. Besides, he earned some money by going to Jieyang city which was more than 20 miles away to puchase goods for the shops of Xinheng area. He didn't have much education but he was an honest and respected man in the village. One day in February 1944, when my grandfather was 62 years old, his boat was attacked by a strong wind on his way home from Jieyang and my grandfather was drowned. His dead body got dredged out of the water by fishing boats and we had a funeral for him in our hometown.

After that, my father took grandfather's place to do the purchasing twice every three days. I often went to the dock to help my father carry the goods since I was 15. In 1952, my father lost this job after the Chinese Liberation and did the farming in the hometown. People in the village would ask my father which day was the lucky day for them to have a wedding or a funeral My father knew much about it. The villagers would give him some food as presents to express their appreciation. My father was fond of Chaoshan opera and very good at playing the flute. In the spring of 1976, he had a bladder cancer and at the end of the year passed away in the hospital at the age of 71.

My father married my mother, Lai Mei Qing, who was born in Baishi village in Xinheng area. They have 3 sons and 2 daughters. My mother has never gone to school but she was honest and tender-hearted. She was a dutiful and loving mother.

Because they live a poor life in the hometown, my uncle Ni Qing Gui and his family moved to Cambodia to earn their living in 1947. In 1977, we got his letter from an overseas Chinese. He told us in the letter that he didn't live a very good life either in Camdodia, so he was not proud to establish contact with us. During the period of the social beheaval of Cambodia, Chinese are not allowed to live in it, so my uncle's sons and daughters went to to live in Germany and Australia.

My elder brother, Ni Tai Sen (that is my father!) was farming in his youth. He married Lin Liu Jin (that is my mother!) who was born in Xinxihe of Xinheng area. My brother went to South East Asia alone in 1946. He first entered Vietnam and gradually travelled to Thailand, West Malaysia, Singapore and finally Miri (East Malaysia).

I wondered about the "Ni" connections in Germany and Australia (besides my Sister Monica)!

See you, Uncle Ni and Sister Monica

Monday, 5 June 2006
I am gladful and grateful that Sister is here. If she isn't, I would need to accompany Uncle Ni to Kuala Lumpur and see him off on Wednesday, when he flys back to China.

Uncle Ni could not understand and speak English or Malay. Sister is accompanying Uncle Ni and will only leave for Australia on Saturday.

I am already missing them!

Farewell Dinner for Uncle Ni

Sunday, 4 June 2006
We are going to miss Uncle Ni. He is leaving Miri tomorrow and we don't know when he is coming back to visit again. I am glad both my brothers and their respective families were able to eat tonight's dinner with Uncle Ni. Dad, is no more around. Uncle Ni has been the father figure, during the past weeks.