Beautiful Dawn

A Painful but Miraculous Journey

2011-11-02T14:38:00.004+08:00

My mum was diagnosed with recurrence cervical cancer mid August of this year. When we were first told the news, we were told to expect the worse. All 3 of us there; my sister Hooi Khee, my mum and I broke down in tears.

After a 2 month journey of 4 treatments of chemotherapy and various other applications including traditional chinese medicine, supplements, herbs, juicing, etc., we were advised by her oncologist yesterday that her current PET scan shows her 2 tumours to have completely "disappeared".

I looked at Dr Ang and said in astonishment, "This is a miracle". And he humbly replied, "God works miracles".

So many friends have walked this journey with us, praying, supporting and caring for my family and I in so many ways, I cannot thank them enough. But mostly, I believe fervently that it is God who has listened to our prayers and who has healed my mum.

This journey is a very personal one for my family and I, but I have chosen to share this personal account because I want this simple short story to inspire those who are facing similar obstacles in life, to comfort and impress on them that there is always hope, even for the hopeless.

As for mum, she will continue with her treatments for a little while longer, but now with even more faith and with a fiercer spirit for a beautiful life ahead.

For me, I am re-awakened to the fact that life is precious and unpredictable, that life is a present, and that reality is not always visible or logical or tangible.

Life is indeed a mystery, a miracle. Or is it, really?

Zerlynde's Under the Sea

2011-03-05T01:44:00.001+08:00

My Babies Pics taken at Kindy in Year 2010

2011-02-22T02:06:00.001+08:00

See and download the full gallery on posterous

I Love Kris Dayanti

2011-02-22T01:14:00.001+08:00

Mencintaimu

Sara Teasdale

2011-02-21T02:10:00.001+08:00

I would live in your love
as the sea-grasses live in the sea,
Borne up by each wave as it passes,
drawn down by each wave that recedes;

I would empty my soul of the dreams
that have gathered in me,
I would beat with your heart as it beats,
I would follow your soul as it leads.

Painting

2011-02-21T02:06:00.001+08:00

Lately, I have been dreaming of painting........... I think that's a call for me to start painting again...........

Somebody Loves Me this Valentine's

2011-02-21T02:02:00.001+08:00

My Baby has turned into a Lady

2011-02-21T01:56:00.001+08:00

Sarah Vaughan on What Are You Doing The Rest of Your Life

2011-02-21T01:50:00.001+08:00

is very proud of Zerlynde's poem

2010-12-20T21:44:00.001+08:00

Conversations with Zuwern

2010-10-11T02:40:00.002+08:00

Zuwern: Mama, because I am a boy and you are a girl, I want to marry you.

Mama: Do you still want to marry me when I am old, fat and ugly?

Zuwern: [pondered for a while] No.

Zuwern: Mama, why papa say can watch tv you say cannot?

Mama: Because papa wants you to be happy and mummy wants you to be clever.

Zuwern: [pulling mama's hair]

Mama: Why are you pulling my hair, Zuwern?

Zuwern: Because I want it to grow longer.

loves this painting of Zerlynde's

2010-10-11T02:32:00.001+08:00

Zuwern's 4th Birthday

2010-10-11T01:25:00.007+08:00

Zerlynde and Zuwern's School Concert (9-10-2010)

2010-10-11T01:18:00.003+08:00

"Why Do I Still Look The Same?"

2009-09-02T15:53:00.004+08:00

Zerlynde recently turned 5. We threw a Disney Princess party for her. She was dressed as Belle from Beauty and The Beast, the dress a gift from her Ah Ma.

Zerlynde asks me all the time why she still looks the same even though she is now 5, and not 4. She is also aware of the concept of immortality and sometimes talks about death! I like the way the children's mind works. They are constantly inquisitive and learning.

Zuwern's fishes and sea-horse 18.8.09

2009-08-18T12:23:00.004+08:00

Zerlynde's Crabs

2009-08-13T22:56:00.007+08:00

"The humans ate the poison and then turned into crabs."

Experimenting with Video Light

2009-07-22T14:25:00.003+08:00

Kok Wai, Penny and I went to Port Klang last Saturday evening to try out his newly acquired Video Light. Due to the haze, there were no sunset shots taken as originally intended. We discovered that the Video Light actually worked better in the dark.

Just Read

2009-07-22T14:18:00.003+08:00

Such a delightful read.

For reviews: see http://archive.salon.com/books/review/2001/06/22/lodge/
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2001/feb/18/fiction.davidlodge

Zerlynde's Robot

2009-07-13T17:25:00.003+08:00

Ogling at .....

2009-07-07T01:52:00.003+08:00

Funeral Blues - W.H.Auden

2009-07-04T20:21:00.002+08:00

Morbid. So beautiful nevertheless....

Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.

Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead
Scribbling on the sky the message He is Dead.
Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves,
Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.

He was my North, my South, my East and West,
My working week and my Sunday rest,
My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;
I thought that love would last forever: I was wrong.

The stars are not wanted now; put out every one,
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun,
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the woods;
For nothing now can ever come to any good.

I love Serendipity!

2009-07-04T20:06:00.001+08:00

Thank God the Dark Clouds Have Shifted

2009-07-04T19:45:00.004+08:00

The months of May and June this year have been most trying for me. I have had to make difficult choices, to reflect on life's purposes and to contemplate death, even.

During this period of bad weather, I have had the good fortune of being surrounded by many good friends and loved one, who offered and supported me with words of comfort and actions of kindness. I have never felt so cared for in all my life.

So, despite the dark clouds, I will always remember these Summer months of 2009 with deep gratitude and as the beginning of a new life for me.

My Mother

2009-07-04T19:18:00.004+08:00

.
My mother has been staying with us the past 7 weeks. She is here to care specifically for her grandson pre and post surgery. She is also here to make sure her granddaughter learns to spell and read.

My mother is the kind of person who makes sure there is everyone's favourite dish at the dinner table. Fried egg with ginger for me but without for Zuwern. Salted fish and sambal for her son-in-law. Vegetables for my sister. Red dates soup for me. Chicken & corn soup for the kids. It doesn't matter what she has. Her self interest is insignificant. Her joy comes from seeing that everyone else at home is happy and satisfied.

My mother is the epitome of unconditional love. She is one of my most significant blessings. And I don't know what I would do without her...

Hors de Prix (Priceless)

2009-07-04T18:52:00.004+08:00

One of the best films to come from the French moviemakers in recent years... Wished I had a wardrobe like Audrey Tautou's in the film....

BoGoShipDa (Miss You)

2009-07-04T18:21:00.005+08:00

Love this song.... and was thrilled to find the piano score last weekend....

Mother's Day 2009

2009-07-04T17:20:00.004+08:00

A very quiet affair at home, but no less joyful...

Books Which I didn't Like at First Reading but Loved at Second....

2009-07-04T17:14:00.000+08:00

Books Re-visited

2009-07-04T17:12:00.003+08:00

Currently Reading...

2009-07-04T16:53:00.001+08:00

Books I Read The Past Year

2009-07-04T16:41:00.007+08:00

Artist in the Making....

2009-07-04T15:32:00.010+08:00

Baby & Mummy Dog / Boy Pretending to be House

I Love Mama

Snowman in the Snow

Girls Practising Ballet

My Superhero

2009-07-03T22:03:00.002+08:00

When Daddy Came Home with the Giant Lollipops...

2009-07-03T21:37:00.004+08:00

Baking Gingerbread Man

2009-07-03T21:22:00.003+08:00

Since the kids are under quarantine in view of the H1N1 and the surgery and etc., we do try to engage them in some fun activities once in a while.... and Er Ee has been extraordinarily indulgent and generous with her time and energy....

J.Co Donuts

2009-07-03T21:18:00.001+08:00

Sweet and Savoury donuts at RM1 each - yummy...!

June 2009

2009-07-03T17:43:00.001+08:00

A devastating fear that my children would be left without a mother...........

My courageous Spiderman

2009-07-03T16:47:00.003+08:00

4th day of surgery

Zuwern underwent a major surgery end of May. Thank God he is recovering very well. Children are so resilient - and so courageous.

Zerlynde's FIeld Trip to High Five April 2009

2009-06-23T15:18:00.003+08:00

Zerlynde's First School Concert, November 2008

2009-06-23T15:11:00.004+08:00

Zerlynde enjoyed dancing so much she was totally oblivious to the crowd. We were all so proud of her.

Forgive Us

2009-06-23T15:06:00.000+08:00

Forgive us~

steps you would never take;

choices you could have made.

Forgive us~

hugs you would never receive;

kisses you would surely miss.

Forgive us~

siblings you would never know;

love you could have shown.

Forgive us~

our weaknesses,

our lack of strength.

Zuwern Lion Dancing

2009-04-18T22:24:00.002+08:00

My baby boy is all grown up now~ he loves singing, dancing, and lately he's fascinated with the superheroes; Spiderman, Ultraman 3, also insects and snakes and lizards......... He is so very adorable, and I cannot resist kissing him all the time.

Milan Kundera's Immortality

2009-04-18T21:58:00.002+08:00

"She walked around the pool toward the exit. She passed the lifeguard, and after she had gone some three or four steps beyond him, she turned her head, smiled, and waved to him. At that instant I felt a pang in my heart! That smile and that gesture belonged to a twenty-year-old girl! Her arm rose with bewitching ease. It was as if she were playfully tossing a brightly colored ball to her lover. That smile and that gesture had charm and elegance, while the face and the body no longer had any charm. It was the charm of a gesture drowning in the charmlessness of the body. But the woman, though she must of course have realized that she was no longer beautiful, forgot that for the moment. There is a certain part of all of us that lives outside of time. Perhaps we become aware of our age only at exceptional moments and most of the time we are ageless. In any case, the instant she turned, smiled, and waved to the young lifeguard (who couldn’t control himself and burst out laughing), she was unaware of her age. The essence of her charm, independent of time, revealed itself for a second in that gesture and dazzled me. I was strangely moved. And then the word Agnes entered my mind. Agnes. I had never known a woman by that name."

My Babies Love Making Faces

2009-04-18T21:45:00.002+08:00

My Official Photographer at Work Again.....

2009-04-18T21:43:00.003+08:00

Adrian Mole's Attempt at Being a Poet

2009-04-18T21:30:00.002+08:00

"Do you weep, Mrs Thatcher, do you weep?
Do you wake, Mrs Thatcher, in your sleep?
Do you weep like a sad willow
On your Marks and Spencer's pillow?
Are you tears molten steel?
Do you weep? "

Sue Townsend's Adrian Mole has remained one of my favourite fictional characters. He is such a "nerd" but his love for Pandora was extremely touching..... :)

I am awaiting Sue Townsend's next book with great anticipation.....

The Butterfly Lovers

2009-04-18T21:27:00.002+08:00

One of my favourite chinese classicsal stories............

i carry your heart with me by E.E. Cummings

2009-02-03T23:49:00.003+08:00

i carry your heart with me(i carry it in
my heart)i am never without it(anywhere
i go you go,my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing,my darling)
i fear
no fate(for you are my fate,my sweet)i want
no world(for beautiful you are my world,my true)
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows
higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)

City Of Glass - Second Best Chinese Movie (after Comrades)

2009-01-11T00:20:00.003+08:00

In a Nolstagia mood. Suggested to HK that we watched City of Glass. My third viewing. The last was about 6 years ago.

Such a perfect movie - the scenes of Hong Kong and London are beautiful, and the entire movie is stylish, artistic and full of tension. Many sentimental and touching scenes. And Leon Lai is as usual superb!

The accompanying music too is wonderful. At various touching moments, the director preferred silence over music. I thought it was exacting. Couldn't resist but ordered the soundtrack online immediately.

My favourite chinese movie - next best only to Comrades, Almost a Love Story.

Now listening to....

2009-01-08T00:14:00.002+08:00

Ella Fitzgerald's In A Sentimental Mood, so different from Roberta Flack's rendition....

In a sentimental mood

I can see the stars come through my room

While your loving attitude

Is like a flame that lights the gloom

On the wings of every kiss

Drifts a melody so strange and sweet

In this sentimental bliss

You make my paradise complete

Rose petals seem to fall

It's all I could dream to call you mine

My heart's a lighter thing

Since you made this night a thing divine

In a sentimental mood

I'm within a world so heavenly

For I never dreamt that you'd be loving sentimental me

Happy New Year 2009

2009-01-07T23:46:00.005+08:00

We had pot luck at home, with about 20 odd friends to join us in ushering in the new year. Almost everyone brought chicken; curry, tandoori, roast and percik. But we didn't mind. They were all good! The popular dish was hubby's rendang pork and his famed salad. And I cooked chicken and spinach pasta for the kids.

The kids went wild as usual. Just before midnight, they popped the party crackers. Then we rushed out to view the fireworks.

Pauline, Andrew, Penny and Kok Wai stayed till 3am, looking through my albums of old photographs. We laughed over the incidence of the watermelon.

When we saw the last guests out, the house was left with an aftermath of mess; toys mingled with colourful confetti everywhere. But no matter. We loved the lingering trace of an air of festivity......

Fantastic Weekend January 3rd & 4th

2009-01-07T23:27:00.005+08:00

Was back in Penang last Sat for Swee Hoon and Philip's wedding held at Gurney Hotel. Beautiful wedding! And the bride was lovely! Great to meet up with so many friends. Thanks to Fern and Dhinesh who gave me a lift to the Hotel.

After dinner, went out partying with Nazu and Jo and others till 4am, first QE2 and then Soho's! 3 whiskies later and I am almost high! No, can't do this too often, my bones can't take it!

Lunch the following day at Secret Recipe and my hospitable host then drove me all the way to Autocity so I could meet my dad who drove me back to KL.

What a fantastic weekend!

Crazy About Portraits II

2009-01-07T23:18:00.001+08:00

Crazy About Portraits I

2009-01-07T23:11:00.001+08:00

Yiruma's Kiss The Rain

2008-12-31T00:47:00.004+08:00

Last night, I went to bed at around midnight with my iPod running on the speaker. An hour later, I was pleasantly awaken by the most fantastically wonderful piece of song. Imagine, the air is still, and you hear the most beautiful melody played on the piano with such clarity and intensity that it evokes that forgotten passion tucked in that corner of your heart. I was in bliss in my drunken stupor! Thanks to Yiruma who created such wonders....

Favourite Photographs

2008-12-29T19:06:00.003+08:00

Willy Ronis's Bastille Lovers, 1957

Robert Doisneau's Le Baiser de l'Hotel de Ville, Paris, 1950

Henri Cartier-Bresson's Paris, Boulevard Diderot 1969

Read, when I was afflicted with Flu and in Bed...

2008-12-29T19:01:00.004+08:00

I think this is movie material....

Currently also reading....

2008-12-29T19:01:00.001+08:00

Currently reading.....

2008-12-29T18:59:00.001+08:00

I Love My iPod

2008-12-29T18:42:00.001+08:00

Currently 2452 songs in my iTunes and 980 songs in my iPod and still counting...

Lighting Up of the Tree at Bangsar Village

2008-12-29T16:58:00.004+08:00

We brought the kids to Bangsar Village to see the lighting up of the X'mas Tree. The girls especially had a great time, dancing away to the choir singing Christmas hymns.

We Love Karaoke-ing!

2008-12-29T16:06:00.003+08:00

At Er Pek's Birthday! Our favourite number is Dancing Queen.

Pre-Christmas

2008-12-29T12:55:00.003+08:00

Christmas 2008

2008-12-29T12:24:00.004+08:00

We had a small and intimate gathering at home this Christmas. The kids were not very well and we decided that we would leave the big do for count down. Pauline and Andrew brought a turkey with an excellent stuffing, also a Tiramisu cake which was not so sweet and was perfect. Hubby made an excellent salad and pasta, and bought some ham, sausages and fried beehoon too.

The highlight was the gift exchange. The kids had a swell time unwrapping their gifts. They were really spoilt for choice. Zerlynde received among others, a pendant, a hand-made skirt, a blouse, a tea-time trolley, books, colour pencils and a helicopter whereas Zuwern's gifts included an Elmo as tall as he is, a bicycle, a t-shirt, an Elmo VCD and several other toys.

Our official photographer was around and as usual, was snapping away. Lee Ching and her baby was his subject-matter for no less than than half an hour! The gathering only ended after a round tea of tiramisu and coffee at 5.30pm.

David Tao's Black Tangerine

2008-12-16T02:21:00.002+08:00

My favourite track: Katrina

Katrina I can't stop looking in your eyes.
But my words don't come out straight.
I don't know what to say. No no.

On Monday I tell myself you gotta wait dave,
Don't rush it. Don't anticipate. Take it slowly,
It's ok. It's ok.

And I just wanna a chance to know you
To know the woman deep inside.
Yeah Yeah

And I don't wanna look back on life
To see this missed opportunity.
Yeah (To get to know you)
Even at the risk of looking like a fool to you.

On Wednesday I casually walk on by
To find that you're not there.
I act like I don't care.

But on Friday I catch a glimpse of you
I tell myself don't hesitate.
You just walk up and say hello! Say hello!

And I just wanna a chance to know you
To know the woman deep inside.
Yeah Yeah

And I don't wanna look back on life
To see this missed opportunity.
Yeah (To get to know you)
Even at the risk of looking like a fool to you.

And I just wanna a chance to know you
To know the love you have inside.
Yeah Yeah

Khaled Hosseini's A Thousand Splendid Suns

2008-12-16T02:05:00.002+08:00

What a splendidly powerfully and beautifully written book!

The title of the book refers to a 17th century poem of the Persian poet Saib-e-Tabrizi called Kabul.

Kabul Ah! How beautiful is Kabul encircled by her arid mountains
And Rose, of the trails of thorns she envies
Her gusts of powdered soil, slightly sting my eyes
But I love her, for knowing and loving are born of this same dust
My song exhalts her dazzling tulips
And at the beauty of her trees, I blush
How sparkling the water flows from Pul-I Bastaan!
May Allah protect such beauty from the evil eye of man!
Khizr chose the path to Kabul in order to reach Paradise
For her mountains brought him close to the delights of heaven
From the fort with sprawling walls, A Dragon of protection
Each stone is there more precious than the treasure of Shayagan
Every street of Kabul is enthralling to the eye
Through the bazaars, caravans of Egypt pass
One could not count the moons that shimmer on her roofs
And the thousand splendid suns that hide behind her walls
Her laughter of mornings has the gaiety of flowers
Her nights of darkness, the reflections of lustrous hair
Her melodious nightingales, with passion sing their songs
Ardent tunes, as leaves enflamed, cascading from their throats
And I, I sing in the gardens of Jahanara, of Sharbara
And even the trumpets of heaven envy their green pastures

My Zuwern - My Third Love of My Life....

2008-12-16T01:55:00.001+08:00

We had a Elmo-themed party to celebate Zuwern's 2nd birthday in September. My little baby is now a cheeky, curious and strong-willed toddler.

My Image, My Soul

2008-12-16T01:50:00.001+08:00

Thanks to Kok Wai for capturing both so perfectly....

A Rotarian, finally!

2008-12-16T01:30:00.003+08:00

I am finally a Rotarian, thanks to the invitation of Kassim Ariff, President of the Damansara West Club.

I am definitely inspired and driven to join the Club by its charitable intention but the various toasts we have to make to several parties at the start of each and every meeting go against the very core of my principal values. Kassim calls me an anti-establishment! I think I just believe in equality.

Gubahanku Classical Guitar Concert

2008-12-16T01:22:00.002+08:00

It was my good fortune Suan Gaik offered me a ticket to see the Gubahanku concert organised by the Classical Guitar Society of Malaysia last Thursday. I was so impressed with Simon Cheong's Variations on Gubahanku arranged by the late John Daurte. I was even more impressed with Prof Dr Isabelle Heroux's various rendition, particularly, her interpretation of Augustin Barrios' Un sueno en la floresta. If I had kept my eyes closed, I wouldn't have guessed whether it was the guitar or harp she's caressing.

5th Wedding Anniversary

2008-12-16T00:29:00.004+08:00

We celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary at Golden Sands Peppino's in October....

5 years ago...........

.... now, 5 years after, with our 2 love and joy..

Fascination X

2008-12-08T18:56:00.000+08:00

Lavenders

Fascination IX

2008-12-08T18:53:00.000+08:00

Clouds

Fascination VIII

2008-12-08T18:47:00.000+08:00

Pine Cones

Fascination VII

2008-12-08T18:40:00.003+08:00

4 Leaf Clover

Fascination VI

2008-12-08T18:34:00.000+08:00

Maple Leaf

Fascination V

2008-12-08T18:17:00.004+08:00

Snowflakes

To be, or not to be - Shakespeare

2008-12-08T12:32:00.000+08:00

To be, or not to be
William Shakespeare
[Hamlet]

To be, or not to be: that is the question:
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,
And by opposing end them. To die: to sleep;
No more; and by a sleep to say we end
The heart-ache, and the thousand natural shocks
That flesh is heir to, 'tis a consummation
Devoutly to be wish'd. To die, to sleep;
To sleep: perchance to dream: aye, there's the rub;
For in that sleep of death what dreams may come,
When we have shuffled off this mortal coil,
Must give us pause: there's the respect
That makes calamity of so long life;
For who would bear the whips and scorns of time,
The oppressor's wrong, the proud man's contumely,
The pangs of despised love, the law's delay,
The insolence of office, and the spurns
That patient merit of the unworthy takes,
When he himself might his quietus make
With a bare bodkin? who would fardels bear,
To grunt and sweat under a weary life,
But that the dread of something after death,
The undiscover'd country from whose bourn
No traveler returns, puzzles the will,
And makes us rather bear those ills we have
Than fly to others that we know not of?
Thus conscience does make cowards of us all,
And thus the native hue of resolution
Is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought,
And enterprises of great pith and moment
With this regard their currents turn awry
And lose the name of action.

"Thanks Fern"

Do Not Stand At My Grave and Weep - Mary Frye

2008-12-04T16:14:00.003+08:00

DO NOT STAND AT MY GRAVE AND WEEP
by Mary Frye

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.

"Thanks Sumita"

Kar Boon

2008-12-04T13:50:00.011+08:00

Kar Boon passed away on 21st November, 2008 at around 6.40pm. It has been almost 2 weeks! I have not shed a single tear, until today, that is.

They say when someone you love passed on, he or she will continue to live on in your heart. But what if you feel like talking to that person, or laughing with him, or merely just to look at him? What then?

Kar Boon, it is just so unfortunate. I could only ask why. Why? Of all persons, why you?

Kar Boon, such a sensitive soul, who grieved over the death of Luther Vandross, who marvelled at how beautiful our house was, who was enchanted by small, little and simple things.

Kar Boon, who courageously spent a scary night at that haunted house in Batu Ferringhi - just because.

Kar Boon, who when suffering the most pain in his life, still braved the world with a smile and without a word of complaint.

Kar Boon, a romantic and so sentimental, who remembered and kept everything.

Kar Boon, the musician and the music critic.

Kar Boon, the artist, who relished all fine things in life.

Kar Boon, my friend, who was never seen without his camera, recording every single detail of his life, short-lived, stolen from us prematurely and cruelly............

Obituary: Ang Kar Boon (25.08.1969-21.11.2008)

Contributed by Selvi Neelakandan (Executive Director, Penang Bar)
Friday, 21 November 2008 11:58pm
PENANG: Penang lawyer, Mr. Ang Kar Boon passed away earlier today at the age of 39. Kar Boon was admitted to the Malaysian Bar on November 5, 1996 and at the time of his demise, he was practising here at his own firm, Ang, Oon & Associates together with his two partners, Ms. Oon Phei Ti and Ms. Wong Huong Hee. A fellow member of the Bar, Ms. Oon Hooi Lin said Kar Boon was the best friend of her husband, Goik Kenzu and they were very close. She described Kar Boon as being gentle, generous, polite, kind-hearted, easy going and well liked by everyone who knew him. Despite his quiet demeanour, he was always the perfect gentleman with a charming personality and was respected and liked by members of the Bar.
Hooi Lin added that Kar Boon was deeply passionate about his various interests, one of which was music. His favourite artist was Sarah Vaughan and he had collected almost all of her albums over the years. He also loved to dance and had taken up ballroom dancing a few years ago.Kar Boon was diagnosed with having colon and liver cancer a few years ago but he kept going strong and was always in high spirits. However, his health took a turn for the worse about a month ago. When Hooi Lin spoke to him just a week ago, he was having a bout of energy and informed her that he was listening to The Carpenters' Christmas album and he described it as the best Christmas album ever! Kar Boon leaves behind his father and siblings. His mother, whom he loved and cared for greatly, passed away not too long ago.
He will also be greatly missed by a whole host of family and friends whose lives he had touched.The funeral will be on Tuesday, November 25, 2008 at 2.00pm from his home at No. 63 Jalan Tembaga, 11600 Penang. We hope to provide further updates in due course.The Malaysian Bar extends our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the late Mr. Ang Kar Boon.

Mr Previous Post

Friday, May 25, 2007

My Music Pal
I have this friend who gives me special treats once in a while. I am always so uplifted when he sends this or that song to my Gmail account which was specially created just for that very purpose. The very first song he sent me was Stevie Wonder’s “Lately”. I was so very thrilled to hear that lovely song for the very first time. (The intro is out of this world!) And my friend was right. Because of this extraordinary ballad, Stevie Wonder is forgiven for his “I just called to say I love you” (my hubby’s favourite song – private joke!) He also sent me other stuffs as varied as an instrumental version of “Me and Mrs Jones” and Brook Benton’s Rainy Night In Georgia”. On another occasion, he surprised me with Rod Stewart’s “Hot Legs”, Francis Yip’s “Bengawan Solo”, Sarah Vaughan’s “And I Love Her So” and “Something” and “Venus” (which he says is ‘syrupy’ which I agree completely, whatever that means ;)). And the latest gems he sent were the “Moonraker” theme, the “Munster" theme, “Jeannie” and Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On” and “Mercy Mercy Me”. His gifts even extended to my dad. He sent “for my papa”, a mandarin song which recalled memories of those 70’s movies starring heartthrob Chin Hang and one of my very first movie idol, Ling Fong Chiao, and lately a very old song called “Walk Away” which I shall play for my dad when he next comes for a visit in KL. They say music brings the world closer. For me, music brings intimacy to a friendship. I will always remember my friend KB for those Jazz Circle evenings, the chatting till late to candlelight and music playing in the background at Marina Bay planning and dreaming about the craziest wedding which was realised a few years later! ;) (those were one of the most carefree time we future bride, groom, bridesmaid and best man had); and the first time he invited us to his apartment where he displayed all his 100 or so Sarah Vaughan’s CD collection on a little makeshift table, arranged neatly in rows like those stalls selling pirated VCDs at Pulau Tikus. That was also the first time I heard and fell in love with Sarah Vaughan’s “Corcovado”! (The amazing Vibrato – how did she do that?!) It takes a lot of effort to sit at one’s pc and to upload those songs and to do and take all the little things and steps involved in sending songs to another being in cyberspace. So, for my very special friend who thinks of me sometimes, here’s a very big thank you, arigato, merci, xie-xie, gracia, terima kasih! And you are right, Marvin Gaye has one of the smoothest soul voice in the whole wide world.

Beautiful Song

2008-11-05T20:14:00.001+08:00

Mandarin can be such a romantic language....

Fascination IV

2008-09-21T22:31:00.001+08:00

Snow Globe

Fascination III

2008-09-21T22:26:00.002+08:00

Cuckoo Clock

Fascination II

2008-09-21T22:08:00.002+08:00

Faberge Egg

Fascination

2008-09-21T22:03:00.004+08:00

Matryoshka

Zuwern's Fishes

2008-09-19T19:18:00.002+08:00

Tiger Football Club

2008-08-05T23:12:00.002+08:00

I simply could not resist!

2008-08-05T22:58:00.001+08:00

Susan Hill's The Woman in Black

2008-08-04T18:43:00.003+08:00

Wilkie Collin's Woman in White, Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre, Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, Gaston Leroux's Phantom of the Opera and Bram Stoker's Dracula. These are my all time favourite horror/gothic novels.

I am constantly looking for additions to my list. None has made it so far, until the discovery of this truly spine-chilling short story by Susan Hill. I love it! And I have to confess I couldn't keep my mind off it for half an hour or so after finishing the book last night.

More Beading

2008-07-30T22:01:00.002+08:00

Zara's Birthday Party on 12/7/2008

2008-07-30T21:43:00.003+08:00

Daddy's Pride and Joy

2008-07-30T21:24:00.002+08:00

Ke-Yin'sBirthday on 6th July 2008

2008-07-30T21:16:00.002+08:00

Yummy Strawberries

2008-07-30T21:10:00.002+08:00

My Mickey and Minnie

2008-07-30T20:52:00.007+08:00

The kids love dressing up, so I am always on the look out for fun costumes for them.

Zuwern's Orff Schulwork Music Class

2008-07-29T23:03:00.004+08:00

Birthday BBQ

2008-07-29T21:31:00.004+08:00

We had a BBQ at home last Sat since the following day was to be my birthday and because the kids love birthday cakes and candles. Hubby went shopping for fish, prawns, crabs, etc. very early in the morning and spent a couple of hours marinating them, as well as cooking his infamous "Tu Khar". The effort was well spent as everybody that evening marvelled at the results and said he should have been a cook! Andrew even offered his services to be a helper should hubby decide to open up a restaurant!

We didn't wait until midnight to sing the Birthday song and blow the candles as the kids were getting impatient. So at around 10.40pm, we got everyone to gather around the table and sang the Birthday Song. Zerlynde and Zuwern were thrilled that they get to blow the candles. And they must be especially happy since we repeated the ritual three times! I found some sparkle candles which I remember buying sometime last year. They were beautiful and a great change from the usual.

And unexpectedly, I've got a number of great gifts this year, apart from all the lovely birthday wishes via sms, e-mails, even Facebook! Ah! I must confess I am spoilt rotten by close friends and family members this year :) I thank God for my blessings.

Decorating Mummy's Birthday Cake

2008-07-29T20:38:00.005+08:00

My Birthday - Dinner at Souled Out

2008-07-29T11:25:00.004+08:00