2021 In Summary

 

January - We began the year 2021 with a trip to Gopeng, a 1.5 hours casual drive up north of Malaysia. To spend some time with nature and forget the hustle and bustle of city life. Rented a room at Hijau, a 20 minutes drive off the North-South highway, through the curvy narrow village road. Housed beside the river, the sound of water rushing over the rocks, serenaded us to sleep and provides a good meditative environment. Visited the old dredge TT # 5 and the kids had fun with the goats. Followed by dinner at Tanjung Tualang to savour their fresh tiger prawns, harvested from the farm

February - The old must make way for the new and so, the old market was demolished after the new multi-storey market building was completed. The spanking new market is more organised with different sections across the floors. Before you know it, it's Chinese New Year again and I made an effort to apply for the police permit to travel cross districts in view of the CoVID-19 lockdown period. Managed to obtain permission at the third police station and quickly drove parents back here from Malacca. Otherwise, they'd spend CNY alone in the house. A decision that I would later be thankful as mum will leave us in the month of July.

March - Life should be filled with activities. Hence, joined the Yan Shou Gong (YSG) exercise group, which shares on healthy exercise movements with elements of Shaolin. Twice monthly online sessions on Thursday nights, we met fellow practitioners who share the same interest. Invited to the local resident representatives' dinner one evening, had the opportunity to meet fellow residents who share communal leadership roles within their own groups. A good exposure for me and I'm grateful for this opportunity to mingle with them.

April - This is the month where I passed both professional competency examinations. Being the active person that I am, within the neighbourhood, I was invited to join the Residents' Representatives' Council (MPP) and I had the honour of meeting the leaders, both old and new. It's always a good thing to get to know fellow neighbours where we live. And this event would be followed by a political party luncheon, where I had the opportunity to meet more leaders. It's a whole meet-the-leaders month for me.

May - After registering myself for the CoVID-19 vaccination program in February, it's time for me to get jabbed, after having sent parents for the jabs prior to my appointment. I took the Astra Zeneca option, which citizens have rejected due to concerns of side effects. It will turn out later, that AZ is the strongest compared to Pfizer and Sinovac. Joined the AZ Facebook supporters page and we worked to convince others not to be afraid of AZ. Had fever after the jab, which was quickly resolved with paracetamol.

June - Two months after joining MPP, we were issued t-shirts so that we'd be recognised as a team. A volunteer group, we got to know ourselves better as we worked together on community activities which were limited due to the CoVID-19 situation. We had fun, laughed a lot and I thoroughly enjoyed the banter. Joined Photojam, a group of photographers, mostly professionals and a few hobbyists, upon the recommendation of a fellow resident who will later become friends. Had the honour and opportunity to share my humble shots to the group, taken during my photographic journey. Photography should be simple, sans the complications and technicalities of camera equipment. Just focus on photo composition and your best friend would be your smartphone.

July - This would be the month where mum will leave us. A quick departure on the night of 23.7.21, as we were accompanying her upstairs to sleep. Passed away in my arms, she did. Burial permit, funeral wake, cremation and collection of remains to be placed in the niche followed, swiftly and without trouble, just the way she'd have liked it. We were happy to be able to send her off in a grand manner, the hearse being a luxuriously modified premium car. We'll meet again one day, mum.

August - A community council's journey would not be complete without activities. Physically, this would be my first, due to CoVID-19 constraints. Helped to fill petrol into motorcycles as the local representative (ADUN) initiated this project to help the food delivery riders who may be affected by the pandemic and they received free fuel for their vehicles. They were ever so grateful even though the amount dispensed was not much due to the size of their motorcycle fuel tanks. Community work is meaningful.

September - Having classes online, the kids definitely will need an upgrade from the Huawei Tab, as the screen is small. The hours spent squinting to read the tiny text, won't be good for their eyesight. So, a new laptop purchase is on hand and we settled for this ASUS model which offers a 15.6 wide LCD screen and wide keyboard. I had to get myself acquinted on this big keyboard area compared to the notebooks which I'm used to, resulting in pressing keys which are not where it usually is. No need for touch screen complexities.

October - I had 100 days to write a blog on mum and I slowly added content to the article. You can check it out in the previous update. It still feels funny talking to the altar. Fresh incense sticks are lighted up in the morning and evening, after I return from work. The altar was purchased online from China and I had fun assembling it. After 100 days, it is believed that mum would have crossed the bridge and will enjoy a new adventure in the Afterlife. Do drop by and visit us once a while, mum. I'm fortunate to have many physical evidences of our time together, in the form of photographs, voice recordings and the one and only Zoom recording as we celebrate CNY online this year.

November - Signed up for a PADI diving course, me and my son. At 13 years old, the instructor was commenting on his calm composure while underwater, following the instructions carefully, as I accompanied him by the side, checking on him every few minutes. It's a totally new environment for us, breathing from the air tank while submerged in water, having to pressure-equalize our ears as we release air from our Buoyancy Control Device (BCD) and sank to the bottom of the 4 metres deep swimming pool. And it's not a quiet moment as we released air bubbles when we exhale, generating bubbly noise.

December - As I gathered the bills that mum used to pay and getting over the savings in the banks, we're somewhat settled down. Dealing with property transfer will be next on the agenda. And the year would not be complete without the annual Penang trip. Besides the obligatory family reunion dinner (mum's from Penang), we had fun at Escape Park, located at Teluk Bahang. Jumped off a 20 metres high platform, we did. And braving through the aerial obstacles. After 8 years of existence, this is our first visit to Escape Park.

2021 would be year mired in tragedy and suffering. In December, the area near where I stay, was affected by severe flood. Houses were submerged and residents had to wait for help on their single storey rooftops. In addition to pandemic, we had to face challenges from excessive rainfall. This is a time where humans gathered and volunteers arrived, to help with their boats, collecting and providing food and clothing and after the water receded, we moved in to help the residents clean their flood ravaged homes. I'm grateful not to be a flood victim. We will look forward to a better 2022. I began the year by writing this blog article. How about you?

An educational trip through tin mining history

Brought parents to view the new market

Fun with the local community leaders