Fish Until You Die!

Just got back from a week's long fishing trip from Kuching with my "Ah Kor" Brother In Law (Andrew). BTW Andrew is almost like my own brother cos we're kakis in more ways than one. Frequency : Microwave 90.5F(ishing) M(ad)

Yes, we both survived this crazy fishing trip (off Kuching-Sarawak, East Malysia) . We're out on this 5 nights 6 days, full stay onboard a 45 footer fishing boat. First 2 days were quite alright but as the discomfort and fatique start to set in the enthusiasm too started to wane. I was told, we were at some point, about 300km off Sungei Apong (our jetty departure spot) into the South China Sea. Sporadically we caught sight of Chinese fishing trawlers from afar. Its amazing that you can also spot sea birds, small as the minors in Singapore out in the open sea flying against the windy and sometimes rainy conditions. Amazingly, these small feathered species take breaks "sitting" on the water. We also had 5 playful dolphins for company, swimming criss-cross ahead of our boat hull for a couple of minutes during Wednesday evening. Got caught in a rainstorm on Thursday (23rd night) and was stranded facing waves up to almost 4m high??? feeling nausea, stuffy and poisoned by the diesel fumes from the boats engine....(caught between the devil and the deep blue sea) wah cow!....can die. There we were, 9 anglers and if I can also be considered an angler...hahaha. Those guys are true fishing keens.

Ah Kor (no surprise to me) landed the trip's biggest catch ( a 25+ - 30kg) "Chinaman" fish. Dont ask me why its named such. There were also a couple of some between 8-15 kg Groupers as well as Red Fish. The only set back is not being able to go for the Spanish Mackerel more known to us as "Tinggiris" (due to the Thursday night storm)Tinggiri fishing was supposed to be the highlight of the trip at least for Ah Kor and I cos we've never experience the much rumoured Tinggiri's frenzy in this part of the sea.

I heard this species here are anything from 5-12kg each and they are real delight to bait cos they fight and resist landing fircely. However as a small consolation, we did earlier in the day parked ourselves on a spot infested with a school of sharks (baby size like 1.5-2.5kg) Caught about 20 pieces in 20 -30 minutes. To the pros they are not interested reeling them in , but I dont really mind.Bad thing about this deep sea fishing is that we need heavy sinkers (up to 18 oz / 500gm??)

Ours will likely the last group out fishing in these waters as the monsoon has started. Boat captain and his 2 crews will be taking a 6 months break. But for these die hard fishing freaks, they are already planning their next trip in May 2009 albeit a shorter 4 days 3 nights under better weather condition I was told. - Thanks Alot for having me in mind but really No Thanks!! Nonetheless, I will be tracking them on their catches when they next leave shore for yet another "Fish Until You Die" Trip.

6.33p.m.

Was driving home and the clock display on the dashboard show 6.33pm. Temp 28C. The feeling is a cool and calm evening. Noticed the sky is almost dark already and I suddenly recall we're into the first week of Oct and year end's around the corner. Nat's finishing her last 2 papers (Home Econs & History)tomorrow. Jacs into her last 10 days of her 7 week break. I should be feeling relieve cos exams period is over and we can take the foot off the pedal and let them both have some fun and outings together.

Its been a harrowing 2 weeks. The U S, and now, Europe economy had gone into a tailspin. They are now in a major recession, never before experienced. First Freddie and Fannie, than came Lehman and AIG and WaMu....what else can we not expect???? Though the US Senate vittoed the US$700b rescue plan, it was later rumoured that the money may not go very far in bailing out this disastrous economic mess they are in. Asia and the rest of the world are feeling the effect based on the stock market which I track. How could some wrong of this magnitude strike?? Only God Knows!

Guess we've to re-organise our plans, financing and priorities, business plans...etc... to ride through this grave period which they say will last several quarters. It'll be a long haul before we see some clear skies again. In trying financial situations like this, we're bracing our family unity, harmony, understanding and counting on it to weather through this storm. Dark and Long Storm. Its 10.47pm and the DOW is some 130pts down (DJIA 9318 pts) a far far cry form the 14,000pts about a year ago.

Logging Off now and retiiring for the night soon. - Cheers! Sleep Tight, dont let the bugs bite.

Nat's starting her year end exams 2morrow. Crucial cos its streaming year. Whether she'll end up being a Rocket Scientist, Politician, or an F1 Road Marshall, this is it. I asked her last nite n she said she's not decided but she'll think over it very carefully. Good! Her exams will end about 2 weeks from now and it'll be relieve again for her...and us too. Good Luck Nat. Give it a Big Go!!
Jac, Jac's still relaxing. She's 41/2 weeks into her holidays and both Linda and her got into this Jigsaw Puzzle thinggy??? 500pcs initially and I think they are into bigger ones now. Boring Stuff. Jac n Nat r looking forward to their year end participation of "Promise", though Jac has'nt know for sure whether she's counted in. F1 is here this weekend and i feel that all the vibes and excitement are now been stiffled by the major U S economy setback as well as the melamine tainted milk saga in China. Well if you cant trust shelf milk anymore, go back to your mom. Lucky if you guys still have your mom around...hahaha

Talking about F1 - dunno who you guys are rooting for this weekend. For us : Jac's for Alonso, Nat's for Hamilton and I'm for Kimi. I have to ask Linda. Hope she wont me Gerrard?? Sorry, Just poking some fun....hahaha. How about Agnetha Faltskog??? Got to Go Peeps!!!

Long Time No Post

Pai Say - Long time no blog. Cos I'm just plain lazy. Jacklyn reminded me that someone from her TPC mentioned that my blog's been dormant for awhile now. K, lets get started...first by clearing the cobwebs
This week's been eventful. Nat left us Friday night for a school trip to Brisbane for a week. She n her classmate Ming Ern, they've been paired to stay with one of the Aussie Family for a couple of days. She's required to attend class at the one of the Brisbane School.We called her the last couple of nights and she said she's doing fine. I'm starting to miss her already cos no one to argue with (Nat's a livewire in our household).

And Today...Today is our 19th Wedding Anniversary! - Dont believe that I'm still with Linda for this long? hear this...Linda and I started seeing each other for 8 years before we got married. So its like we've spent 27 years of our life together??? Hey Peeps out there, ppl who tought I would'nt stand the test, This One Woman Man have to dissapoint....hahaha. If I may relate a song for our being together, it had to be "Best Thing That Ever Happened" by Gladys Knight & The Pips.

Jacklyn's started her 7 weeks term break. You know these Poly education..quite switch off. She just completed her first week of break and already feeling bored without Nat's taunting and arguing. Linda suggest her to go work for a friend's boss (paid by hour n flexible time) at his luxury home doing scanning of his huge collection of photos. Jack refused. No work no $$$ and no $$$ means no shopping. Wonder whether she knows that the world's going thru a recession and we have to be a little watchful with our $$$.

I have to mention this report in yesterday's papers about a local family who receive a real nasty shock when they were shown a $700K medical bill for their 76 year old mom's heart treatment. Despite spending all the $$$ the mom died not too long after that- Hey peeps when I am 70+ and down with a chronic or terminal medical condition, remember not to burn that kind of $$$. Cos I may be cured for only a few years and even then, at 70+, we're only like half pace, how much can we really enjoy ourselves. On the other hand those who foot the bill will have all the ah long coming after them. Ah long breathing down your neck i think is worse than suffering from medical deficiency.

Back Home Again

Landed 10pm on Sunday, caught a cab pick J & N from Riverina Cresc. Got this cab driver trying to "entertain" us with his own riddles, kiddy stuff though. Guess he's just being nice, but we're all a too little tired to be amuse. Starting to miss the kids already, their hugs and presence, their noise and their whatever.

Been a good trip and visited The Peak, Lei Yue Moon (Seafood), Macau - The Venetian (Opulent!), Discovery Bay, Shenzen. Golfing...eat, shop, walk, get tired, sleep...more or less the same routine in Hong Kong.

Year end and things are tailing down, quiet in office on Monday. Most went on leave or holidaying still.

Dan Fogelberg passed away yesterday at age of 56, died of prostrate cancer. Love his music, His better tracks - Leader Of The Band, Longer, Same Auld Lang Syne, Hard To Say. As Christmas approaches, we'll probably reflect his "Same Auld Lang Syne" lyrics which is written about his meeting an old flame at a grocery store on x'mas eve. Wonderful song and wonderful lyrics. RIP Dan, Bet you be happy to know that I've got your Leader Of The Band lyrics (chorus part) on my Dad's Epitaph.

Monday Blues

Last night, we had dinner with Andrew's family. Went to (where else) but Akira. Need to catch John as he's getting enlisted this Thursday and we're leaving tomorrow. John LOVES Sashimi (Salmon) and he can eat like 8 servings (each about 10 slices???). John's body must be full of Omega nutrient, hahaha....Amazing how time flies. We dont seem to have catch much of John lately. Hard to imagine he's been drafted in so soon. Seemed like not too long this Hai Sing schoolboy was deligently going for his regular saturday sailing at the changi sailing club with his good friend Graham and coming home all tanned and hungry. He's now going in to get toughened up again. Good Luck John!! - Take good care of yourself and make full use of the physical training the N.S. offers. You be amazed with the transformation when you are through with your 3 months BMT.


This morning - 6.10am my alarm went off. Need to get Nat ready. She need to be at Bishan MRT station to meet her Badminton team mates cos they're making their way to Tampines sports hall for some Berita Harian Invitation touenament. Nat trains with her school team and it is compulsory that they take part in at least one external tournament during school break to, This will help in her CCA points. last saturday after her church camp, Nat kept pestering me to have a badminton game with her, hoping that it will sharpened her game?? (hey nat, playing 1-2 games wont make much difference la). last night i can tell she's getting jittery. "silence of the lambs" re-visited...hahaha. she said to us that she's hoping her draw does'nt show up and she'll be given a walk over. what sporstmanship is this? - The school's nowadays are really kiasu - make the kids run all over the shop to train here, play there, how do you expect the parents to accomodate and keep track of their children man? - very disruptive



after dropping nat, came back home to get jac ready for her 1st day of work at LSL. getting Jac out of bed in the morning is quite a chore as she's always complaning. jac needs time to warm up. she's supposed to be there by 8.00am and still in bed at 7.25. how la? no need brush teeth, freshen up, tie hair, get change...too bad la, no time for breakfast. Managed to reach Andrew's office at 8.10. Jac got a shock of her life cos there were alot of Bangla Deshi workers hanging around and i teased that Gopalans are a plenty here....hahaha. am thankful to andrew and lilian for giving her an opportunity, anyway she's getting paid like $5/hr. handy pocket money for coming christmas. jac's gonna be our santa rina this coming christmas, she's gonna buy us presents....



Jolene and Amanda posted comments on my earlier blogs (horse with no legs). Jolene said she empathises For 12 years since Linda bought me the horse, it must be frustrating that it's now broken, she asked that i get over the matter. - Amanda said she did'nt know i like horses. She just posted again and said she prefers "1973" in that James Blunt CD that I just bought - she loves catchy tunes. - she must love dancing, i guessed.



BTW, Dont think i'll post for the next few days as we're going away with the SIM's / TEO's and later the LOW's will join us. - Hey kids, be good! take care.

Jac & Nat - Back Home

Church Camp's over. Fetch J & N from Kuo Chuan and on the ride home they shared some of their experience. Both felt the last year's camp was better. Perhaps they're not quite use to mingling with other churches. Its now 10 to midnight and they are both still asleep (since like about 5pm). Looked like they'll sleep thru. The marathon sessions last couple of nights must have now taken its toll. Well we bought some pastries from Breadtalk just in case they get up middle of the night feeling hungry. Lilian offered Jac to work at Andrew's office this coming Monday helping out mainly with filing and answering calls - Hope she copes well. I am still having this naggling discomfort around my hips, and the bruises now start to surface - praying that it'll clear up by the time we leave this Tuesday.

Went dinner with Linda at Newton hawker centre, just noticed there were so many similar seafood stalls (easily 20) selling king prawns, crabs, lobsters, targetting tourist type of business. Linda had Fish Congee and I had "Yew Mee Tar" we both have a popiah each. This popiah guy (one-man-operation) must be rich, his popiah is priced at $1.80 (self-service) and his buisness is like whoa....i stood in the queue like for 12-15 minutes and during this time he must have sold some 20 -25 popiahs.

Back home and since the kids are still asleep, I'm having more time with the newly acquired James Blunt (All The Lost Soul) CD. Better than I thought. My favourite? - track 4 "same mistake". - gotta go listen to it again....