2024 In Summary

2025 - what will the year hold for me? As I look out the window, I can only think of the fun I had in 2024 as I can't foretell the future. While I hope that the new year will bring new adventures and good tidings for myself, I will appreciate what the current year brought me. As I recall the events, I can feel that 2024 had brought me more fun compared to 2023. It's more people oriented this year and there's lots of people whom I've enjoyed meeting. Let's go through the activities by month.

January - My brother-in-law came down from Singapore and we all tried the Gamuda Luge which was a great fun activity. First time taking the skylift up the hill and the suspended seat really tensed me up as there's no harness to keep me secured to the seat. I didn't lose the race as I came in second place. Kota Kemuning Councillor, Simon, completed his term and as a token of appreciation, treated committee members, to a nice dinner. After installing the new crash bar to the bike and added the spotlight, rode to Penang to meet cousins who returned from Australia for a visit and we had a family gathering. Daughter passed her driving test and received her driving license on 24.1.24. We're hoping that she will drive us while we take a backseat in the car and enjoy the scenery.

February - I was a good skeet shooter 30 years ago, at the video games arcade. So, I registered as a member of the Selangor Shooting Association and after I've obtained the police permit, hope to try holding a real rifle to blast the clay projectiles. I started my journey with the .22 calibre Glock semi-auto weapon. If we had raced downhill last month, this time we competed on a horizontal plane, at RUD go-kart, Gamuda Cove. It's a pretty fast machine and there's plenty of laughs as we raced round the track.

March - The month ended on a sad note although it began happily with a company Annual Dinner at Double Tree Hilton, Shah Alam. Casino Royale was the theme and I had to look the part. Succesfully organised a 100 pax lunch gathering of Hainanese clan members. I had just joined this group for 3 months then. Father was admitted to hospital for a lung infection and stayed in hospital for 15 days, before passing away on 31.3.24. It was a good experience taking care of him since mum's passing on July 2021. Thanks for the opportunity to serve you.

April - Started with a father's funeral and cremation. It was a happy event with family and friends gathering at Nirvana Memorial Park, Shah Alam. I'm sure father's happy to know that many people accompanied him during his final journey in Life. Collected my Identification Pass from Hospital Shah Alam, where I was appointed as a member of the Hospital Visitors' Board. The staff were friendly and I have a better picture of hospital-doctors-patients process and services now. Shot our first bullet at Selangor Shooting Association.

May - Started the first session for my dental implant procedure at MAHSA University. A scan was performed to determine the condition of my jawbone, whether it's able to receive the screw and fortunately, it's ok. Datuk Jeff Yong, a fellow Hainanese from the Hainanese Circle Whatsapp group which I joined last October, took me under his wings and my writing journey was sharpened with his advice and feedback. Malaysia Autoshow Show was held at MAEPS Serdang and I brought my son to view the vehicles on display and we managed to test drive an electric car from Daimler Chrysler. Silent and powerful it was but we didn't end up buying the car. The final activity for the month was the ride to Titi Kong from Seremban, where I accompanied my friend who had just purchased his new scooter, to the little town for breakfast.

June - I've been suffering a lost of radiator fluid from the car over 6 months and it got worse the last 2 months, having to replace 500 ml of water every day. After studying information from the internet, I concluded that the problem lies within the engine block and had the workshop replace the damaged engine block which had a pitted wall between the cylinder and the water circulation system. The pressure from the cylinder was pushing the water out of the radiator. I will have to send my car to Puspakom to register the new re-con engine and update the vehicle registration card. Attended a workshop on Artificial Intelligence at UKM during the final weekend of the month and learnt a lot from the Professor who was in charge of the AI Department, covering both theory and practical application of the knowledge. It was an eye opener for me but I will have to find ways to make this AI knowledge work for me financially.

July - Father's 100th day prayers are due and brothers came to Shah Alam for the ceremony. We hired the services of a monk to perform the chanting and we all feel at peace, with the end of the process for father's funeral. Since the entire family is here, we spent the night at Amverton Cove Golf & Island Resort, which is located at Pulau Carey. Raced each other in the go-kart and the kids had a fun time at the water theme park the next morning while the older folks went to the Mah Meri Cultural Village which was about 5 km away. I'm impressed with the native's wood carving skill and the completed totem pole can be had for about RM20,000. No, we didn't buy any totem pole but took lots of photographs for memories of the place.

August - The month began with a dinner gathering of ex-colleagues and getting updates about each other. The venue was an old but popular Chinese restaurant in Petaling Jaya. The next day, met up with this couple who resides in Johor and I've known them for 30 years. At this age, we're discussing family matters, especially the kids and how we bring them up in our own ways. Culturally, I joined Phor Thor Association's celebration of the Hungry Ghost Festival and prayed for the safety of the community, family and friends.

September - It's my birthday month and that calls for an overseas holiday trip. This time round, we flew to Zhangjiajie, the Avatar land located in China. It would be our first holiday abroad since the CoVID-19 travel ban and it's been a four years wait, caring for father for 3 years after mum's departure in July 2021. I had my dental crown fixed, after a 3 month's wait for the dental screw to stabilise itself in the jaw bone. Thanks to MAHSA University. Spent a total of RM2,600 for this procedure. The month would see me replacing the car's 4 wheel rims too, after one of it was damaged due to an incident at the roundabout near where we stayed.

October - My former room-mates came down from Singapore, for this Penang trip which I had planned 2 months ago. We had known each other for 30 years. I was their tour guide for 3 days and I drove them up north over a total distance of about 1,000 km. Penang is my favorite state and I don't mind the drive. It's a joy. After 21 years, I had my car's window tint replaced as it been an extended period of seeing bubbles on the windows, as the glue had reached its end of life. I'm able to see clearly and enjoy the scenery as I drive, and seeing cars through the rear windscreen, which I've not had the privilege, over the last 10 years.

November - Took a medical screening test to asses my health and as a consequence of this decision, I now have to watch my intake of sugar and fried foodstuff. Is it better late than never? Meeting people is another activity that I find joy in. I organised my 2nd breakfast gathering with Kota Kemuning residents and 9 people turned up. There's just so much to learn from each other and we were so engrossed in our sharings, and 3 hours just passed us by. There's going to be more of these gatherings, that's for sure.

December - It's the final month of the year and before the year closes, had two rides - one to Tadom Hill and another, to Kuala Kubu Baru for breakfast. This was followed by a family trip to Jerlatok Retreat Farm in Negeri Sembilan for an overnight stay at this secluded and peaceful hideout, a 90 km drive from our house. During the first weekend, brought my son to Kokopelli at Templer, to listen to photography professionals share their photo-stories while Yusuf Hashim the great traveller photographer, mediated the presentation.

Looking back at 2024, I know I've had more fun, met more people and ate more unique food than 2023. I make notes throughout the year, so I'm always in touch with my activities and it makes me grateful for the wonderful experiences I've had throughout the year. Be Happy and you'll be Healthy, I like to tell people. A simple formula, without having the need to consume health supplements. Eat and rest well. Be grateful and show gratitude. Make your Life count.