Malaysia Merdeka Day

     Today is Malaysia's independence day, the day they were declared free from British colonial rule  I think it's the 65th. 

The iconic PETRONAS Twin towers of Malaysia, still the world's tallest for a twin tower

     I've spent almost twenty years of my life in Malaysia as an OFW. I feel I am more Malaysian than Filipino. I got used to their customs and traditions . For me, Malaysian is the perfect balance between progress and tradition, urban and rural. People are happy and living above standard, so different than what I am seeing now in rural Philippines. 

     I used to joke that I could go around Malaysia without getting lost and it's the other way in the Philippines, although now I am slowly blending into the life here and getting used to the ways of the people here especially in my rural village.

     I miss my Malaysian life which I won't be able to go back after my stroke. The stroke rendered me back to my home country.

Money Plant

     They're growing lushiously. How I wish the name is real then our needs will be catered. I didn't know the leaves can grow big and wide as I've seen in Hilongos, Leyte. Now that they're growing, the leaves are starting to get big. I think when they are exposed to more sunlight then they become bigger.

Growing money plant 

What a Beautiful Day

     As I did my morning walk, I witnessed a beautiful morning, probably a moment I've not seen in so many days due to the weather.

Isn't it lovely?

     The scenery was bucolic. The sunlight made the scene even more lovely. I heard the cooing of the spotted dove coming from the tree although I didn't see the bird. It maybe nesting on the tree.

     

Hibiscus

     It's simply beautiful.  

Isn't it lovely?

     The hibiscus blooms in the yard and it is a lovely sight to behold as I do the my morning walk around the yard. Natural beauty unfolded!

Priceless

     Hibiscus is one of the flowering plants in the yard. My niece hired a hand to do the planting all around the hut months ago. They are now blooming and a wonderful sight to see early in the morning.

Ghost

     This is one of the few movies that I could watch over and over again. I remember watching it when I was still working in Manila. 

Ghost that I've watched many times

     The ending sent me tearing on seeing a loved one go to heaven. Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze(now dead) were both very young when they did this film thirty years ago. They personified of everlasting love and good hearts, nothing can prevent good from overcoming evil. Whoopi Goldberg, the funny addition to the cast, was instrumental in the movie being the medium, since she is supposed to be a charlatan psychic.

Happy Feet

    Happy Feet is on HBO again, I've watched it many times and I still want to watch it again. I remember the time I first watched it, when I was still with Jotun Paints. It was a company-wide sponsored show since it features penguin which happened to be Jotun's logo.

Happy Penguins

     The resilience of the penguins is a characteristic worth emulating. They are exposed to a very harsh environment yet they survive and learn to adapt. 

Experiment No. 2 for Chili Garlic Oil

     Due to the many chilis in the yard, I had to cook them to avoid wastage. I made chili garlic oil, my second attempt. It was better ingredient wise but I may have overcooked it to the point of almost burned. I increased the flame last minute and I didn't realize that few minutes could turn them to almost black.

Raw ingredients

Cooked chili garlic oil

     I learned lesson from this experiment. Try and try until you succeed may sound cliche but definitely applies to me in this case. It is in learning our mistakes that we learn.