I Was Born Exactly 30 Years Ago..

It’s been eventful for the past couple of weeks. I spent many of the days with my family members and close relatives pending my grandma’s funeral. Somehow I felt it was something of an opportunity to refresh, or rather strengthen the bonding – and I got to get acquainted with relatives that I never knew were existed. I mean, I had no idea that my grandma actually had a younger brother that was still alive! Unbelievably true is the fact that after he got married, they’d never seen each other again, not until 22 years later! Wow. May be because back in those days, communication system was not as good as it is today and it took quite too much effort to arrange for a reunion. I could think of many reasons, but none of them can actually well-justify a good explanation as to why it took 22 long years for them to reunite again. I wonder how many uncles and aunties and cousins that I have yet to see.

Celebrating my 30th birthday tomorrow. While I’m acquiring myself a membership in the MO30 (Men Over Thirty) club, I had meant to celebrate it a little bit ‘bigger’ this time. I have come up with some exhilarating ideas – a BBQ with the family (optional to a fine dinner at a fine restaurant?), some karaoke session with the sisters, and probably some crazy night with my group of friends - But somehow, it falls exactly on the 7th day anniversary of my grandma’s death. Had to gather up my senses, and as an afterthought, I decided I still had the obligation to present myself at my grandma’s 7th day anniversary. Uhuks. May be I’ll just get a grab of probably a few bottles of wine and brought them over to my grandma’s 7th day anniversary. Will just make a good toast for me there then. Ahaks.

At least 12 days to go before I get to challenge my physical (and mental) resilience to the fullest by doing something I haven’t done for at least 12 years now – climbing the Mount Kinabalu! Jeez. Waking up tomorrow to be thirty, I’d still consider myself young and strong and energetic, but I’m much worried about my stamina level. Haven’t done much exercise for the past few months and I doubt myself of being in a good shape of reaching the top of what is considered the highest peak in South East Asia. But then, although I still set my goal to set foot on it, I don’t put aside the possibility of being overly-exhausted and if that happens, I’ll just walk back to the base and keep enjoying life. Ha ha.

Holiday Mood - Sweet HOme Alabama. Ahaksss!

I wake up this morning suddenly excited about going back to my hometown. It's like I miss everybody there. My family and friends. Can't wait to see them. I've been travelling almost constantly for the past few weeks. I went to some of the remotest places in Southern Borneo. I traversed along the murky river of Sugud and Paitan, took a long boat ride to a village called Tetabuan on the island part of Beluran, went on a long walk across a seemingly edgeless expanse of forest intersecting Ranau, Kota Merudu and Paitan (Jeez.. It even appeared to be a blank stretch on the map) - I had to 'suffer' thru hours of walking, not to mention the rain. I became immuned to the rough and shaky ride of gravel roads across the palm oil estates. I was too excited to so many new encounters that I finally realized that I was quite tired and needed some break.

Yesterday, I had my first glimpse of the well-known unique species of monkey - the Proboscis. One of the contractors that I had to deal with had brought me to a place called The Sugud Bay. It was a place that was set up in the middle of a dry swampy area. I didn't quite get a good view of them because I didn't bring my glasses with me. I intended to come back there again sometime soon.

So, my home is calling. Most of the neighbours have gone back to their kampungs. Even my housemate Ronnie took an early ride out to his kampung in Menggatal this morning. Somehow, I feel drained and empty. I was supposed to play golf with a friend this morning, but I just don't have the mood. I mean, I really am on a holiday mood. I'm supposed to be on my way (balik kampung) now but I got a phone call from my sister in Lahad Datu yesterday, saying that she might not be able to make it early due to some road-tax issue that she had to deal with first. So, I have to wait for her call. Then, later, if night catches us, we might have to stay overnight at our grandmother's place in Telupid. Well, that seems to be a good idea because I haven't seen her for quite sometime now. I have made a visit to her neighbourhood some two weeks ago and stopped at her house but she was nowhere to be found around. So, may be today is a good day to see her.

Ok larr. Gotta drive up into town to buy something from the fish-mongering market (my mom's). Until later.

Poverty - Reflection of The Past

This is my second weekend in Sandakan, a small city situated on the East coast of Sabah. I'm truely blessed with the opportunity to visit some of the innermost parts of the state. I have my first-hand encounters of the true scenarios of our very own people in the areas that are still untouched (well, almost) by the so-called mondernization. It is kind of saddening to know that while many people in big cities and towns are enjoying their lives living under the shades of the so-called modern and supposedly luxurious society, there are actually people out there who are still stricken with dooming poverty and struggling to feed their children. And they are our very own people. Well, some of them are doing OK but then many of them are still very much struggling. Well, I was born into a struggling farming family myself, and life was hard back then until my parents made a bold venture of moving out into town. Apparently, it was the wisest decision they had ever made. So, things with poverty have a very bitterly special connection with me and the encounters I made recently were nothing but a reflection of the past. And I couldn't help but getting a little bit emotional. Uhukss!

I LOST my blog

This is not supposed to be my first blog entry. I was obliged to re-create another blog address after all my efforts to re-trace my previous long-lasting blog had proved to be futile. Somehow, it had disappeared in the wide world of cyberspace. It's kinda disturbing to realize that I have to start all over again. But then, this is a totally for fun kind of thing. Writing just about anything that comes into my mind, knowing that somebody might be reading them out there. Cheers!