I am blessed...

"Love takes off masks that we fear we cannot live without and know we cannot live within..." - James Baldwin

(The girls in the family)

I may never climb a mountain,

So I could see the world from there.

I may never ride the waves,

And taste the salty ocean air.

Or build a bridge,

That would last a hundred years.

But no matter where the road leads,

One thing is always clear,

I am blessed,

I am blessed,

from when I rise up in the morning,

'Till I lay my head to rest…

Pahang - Cameron Highlands day trip...

"The thought of travelling should not restrict the travelling of thought...”

Strawberry Fields forever
(Beatles)

.

Let me take you down

‘Cause I'm going to Strawberry Fields

Nothing is real and nothing to get hung about

Strawberry Fields forever

Living is easy with eyes closed

Misunderstanding all you see

It's getting hard to be someone

But it all works out,

it doesn't matter much to me

.

(The girls at Lata Iskandar...)

(Cousins - Alia Ashran and Hana Ashran...)

(Mushroom Spagetti)

.

(Western lunch @ Hotel Equatorial...)

Makan2 @ Sidah's...

"Your friend is the man who knows all about you, and still likes you..." - Elbert Hubbard

(With Bee in Sidah's kitchen...)

(With Sidah, the hostess with the mostest...)

(Sidah, Nong, Cik and Bee...)

Complete Rest in Bed...

"Nearly everyone has low back pain at some time during their life…"

I had my bout of lower back pain several times before but this time it was the worst. I can't even bend down to touch my knees! Even the slightest movements will send jolts of pain to my spines.

On Monday, Sara and I went to Dewi Sri Spa and had an hour of traditional massage. They said massage therapy is a great, non-invasive method of treating back pain as it increases circulation to the injured muscles. The same afternoon, we went to the clinic and doctor gave me loads of muscle relaxants and pain-killers and told me to rest.

I am now in complete rest in bed mode with cold and hot packs permanently stuck to my back. I guess my suffering is due in part to the aging process but also as a result of sedentary lifestyles with too little exercise.

Penang Weekend Trip...

“Travel for the young is a part of education, for the old, a part of experience....” -Francis Bacon

(T-shirts for souvenirs...)

We left Sidah's wedding reception early to send YB Ubai to KL Sentral. We then drove direct towards the north and stopped at Jawi Golf Club. Sara and Fitri had checked-out and were waiting for us with baby Alia having a slight tantrum because of fever and cough.

We reached Penang island quite late. After we checked in Hotel Seri Malaysia we drove to Padang Kota to have Pasembor and sotong bakar for dinner and later drove towards Batu Ferringhi. Batu Ferringhi doesn’t really have any historical attractions within its vicinity aside from the beach and the daily night market.

(A scorching hot day, in front of Komtar...)

The next day we went to Chow Rasta Market to buy some colorful preserved fruits and later walked along the old shops selling souvenirs, locally made products, and unique handcrafts. These shops have been there for over a hundred years - generations have taken over the family business till today.

(Colorful preserved fruits...)

(Murals on the wall...)

After checking out, on the way back to KL, we stopped at Queensbay Mall and had lunch at TGIF. The Mall is the largest shopping centre in Penang, minutes away from the Penang Bridge.

(Elephant sanctuary @ Queensbay Mall...)