Sambutan Hari Raya Pengakap...

"A week of camp life is worth six months of theoretical teaching in the meeting room..."

(The Golden Girls with the Scout Leaders)

The Scouts Association of Malaysia organised a Hari Raya Aidilfitri gathering at BP House at Jalan Hang Jebat.

The Golden Girls were invited to join the celebration and had the opportunity to meet and strengthen ties with other scout members throughout the country. There was a spread of traditional food and dishes to enjoy while we watched performances from representatives from the states.

(With Datuk Seri Dr Shafie Salleh, the Scout Chief)

(Bee presenting a portrait sketch to Hajjah Normah)

Our 4x4 Bigfoot collections over the years...

"The big lesson in life is never be scared of anyone or anything..." - Frank Sinatra

(Toyota Hi-Lux: 2018)

When we were young and the kids were still small, we used to go hiking and camping.

We loved the outdoors and will spent most of the school holidays in the jungle, hiking the unbeaten paths, crossing rivers and exploring waterfalls. There are lots to see and learn from nature, especially in areas that have been visited by not many. The air is fresh and clean. You can hear the calming sounds of birds, insects and the flowing waters of the cool clear mountain streams. It’s a great place to forget all your problems and stress, and unwind after a hard day’s work. We joined the 4x4 club and started to travel over rough terrain and camping at remote camping sites.

Over these years, besides indulging in riding adventures, we will drive our 4x4 for a leisurely excursion into the neighbouring countries, just the two of us.

(Ford Ranger Extreme: 2007 - 2018)

(Toyota Hi-Lux: 1997 - 2007)

Kepong Metropolitan Park - an early morning exercise...

Happiness is nothing more than good health and a bad memory. - Albert Schweitzer

(The start of our pace-walking)

We have started our pace-walking routine, a few days a week. We have chosen Kepong Metropolitan Park because of the good clean ambiance and it is near to our Bidara House.

The Kepong Metropolitan Park, located at the Northern end of Jinjang is one of the biggest recreational parks in Kuala Lumpur. The 95 hectares of lush greenery park offers a 3.5 km running loop which branches out to form many different loops, flat and hilly. The route around the 57 hectare lake offers pretty great views.

The park is famous among locals for the kite flying activities for kite enthusiasts. There is a huge field that runs parallel to the main road specifically for this purpose. Other facilities at the park include children playgrounds, a Remote Control car track, a jogging track, a cycling track, a football field, a boathouse and aquatic activities, observation towers, pavilion, toilets and shelters.

(A 5 km loop of pace-walking)

(Beautiful scenery around the lake)

For a start, hubby and I planned to pace-walk for 5 km for approximately an hour, a few days a week. Hopefully, it improves my cardiovascular and pulmonary fitness and stabilizes my erratic blood pressure readings.

Mouth watering indulgence...

"The only thing I like better than talking about food is eating..." - John Walters

(A delicious Lamb Rack dish)

Our celebration of Eid this year was simple. No lavish gourmet menu, no assortment of kueh raya.

After we completed our puasa enam, we had a celebration of sort at Tony Romas. We ordered Lamb Rack and Sirloin steak for our dinner. I am trying to keep an eye on my calorie intake but I think I am going to gain back whatever weight I reduced during the fasting month.

(A plate of Sirloin Steak)

Selamat Hari Raya Eidil-Fitri...

"May the blessings of Allah fill our life with peace, joy and prosperity..."

(The two of us @ Bidara House)

We celebrated the Eidul Fitri, just the two of us.

This year, both Sara and Iwan and their families celebrated the Eid with their in-laws. We had our family gathering on the second day of Eid in our Bidara House.

(Sara's Family @ Pontian)

(Iwan's family @ Putrajaya)

Relief my Stress...

"The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another..."

(My favorite Spa at Plaza Damas)

At this age, taking care of my body should be at the top of my priorities.

When I was still working, I used to add therapeutic body massage to my monthly routine. Stress relief is one of the first benefits that come to mind. Massage therapy can reduce pain, increase energy levels and improve overall physical and mental performance. Now that I have moved to my Bidara House, I visit less and less of my spa.

Recently, when Sara was in town, we visited my spa and spent two full hours indulging in strong aromatic massage and facials. And the day after, I am feeling a little sore all over...

(A therapeutic indulgence)