A tree in Keningau

It is not often you get to see so many people young and old queuing up in a kampung in Keningau. There must be something big going on. There wasn't even a crowd like this when the Prime Minister visited Keningau not so long ago.

And these folks came armed with their cameraphones.

They came for this: the cross on the coconut tree. Can you see it?

I received an SMS from Uncle Sualim asking about the tree early this week. Was still in KL then. Promised to verify it when I go back. When I came back to Keningau, the folks here were all talking about it.

So, we went and joined the curious crowd.

It was late evening, and there were still streams of people making their way to see the much talked about coconut tree. It was situated beside a kampung house, surrounded by paddy fields and vegetable plots (poor farmer, his vegetables were crushed under the feet of the enthusiastic crowd). Heard that some visitors came from as far as West Malaysia and Singapore!

Not sure how the cross made it's way up the tree. Some said it's a miraculous sign, some said some insects bit it, some said somebody climbed up the tree and cut the leaves. Apparently a few people claimed to see images of Mary and Jesus. I didn't. Then again, they say you need some extra luck to see them. Guess I didn't. Hehehe... Some worshipers lit white candles beneath the coconut tree.

I thought somebody would have set up a toll booth and make a small fortune from selling tickets. Nah, people in the interior are not so greedy la... only got a few stalls selling drinks kampung style.

So, can you see the cross? If not, here's the zoomed image.

Related posts:

Cross on the coconut tree in Keningau

Heboh kelapa bersalib di Palembang

To see more photos, click HERE.

Fun times

So I am convinced that we should enjoy ourselves, because the only pleasure we have in this life is eating and drinking and enjoying ourselves. We can at least do this as we labor during the life that God has given us in this world.
Ecc 8:15

*Location: Sipitang beach

Food for thought

One of the advantages of being in the district is, you get to see and experience things that the city folks don't get to.

For example, to see one of these...

... turned into this.

Ryan updates

Little boy has grown quite a bit. He is now two month plus already. The last time we checked, he weighed 4.5 kg. My arms now ache after carrying him for a while.

Nowadays he spends much of his time punching and kicking around. As you can see, he has learned to laugh! He also makes some funny/cute noises quite frequently. Maybe he is trying to imitate some words or communicate something.

The great news is, his jaundice has cleared!

Little boy is quite manja with his mummy. He calls for mummy when he is hungry, wets his nappies, or just wants to be carried around. He doesn't berak as much now, about twice a week and A LOT. His still kencing a lot and soaks ten to twenty nappies a day.

His body muscles are stronger now. So it is easier to play with him and bathe him, compared to the time when he was lembik lembik during the first month.

To see more photos, click HERE.

Passing on

Irene's grandmother has been ill with advanced stomach cancer. She has undergone a surgery in Kota Kinabalu, but the doctors couldn't do much anymore. She was discharged a couple of days later, and was then brought back to her home in Kampung Baru Jumpa in Tenom.

On Monday, the family prepared the place so that granny's friends and relatives (from as far as Sarawak and Indonesia) can come and visit her.

She passed away peacefully two days later.

The folks in Kampung Baru Jumpa gathered at the house to pay their last respects and to be with the grieving family. All her children came together too.

A simple but solemn funeral service was held at the grandmother's kampung house. There was sharing from the Bible with words to comfort and encourage the grieving. Granny had many friends. The house was very packed. She was laid to rest in the evening at the cemetery nearby.

Our friends, we want you to know the truth about those who have died, so that you will not be sad, as are those who have no hope.
We believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will take back with Jesus those who have died believing in him.
1Th 4:13,14

It was a sorrowful moment for those who miss granny's company and friendship. However, there was also joyful assurance that she has gone home to be with her God. She has gone to the promised place where there is no more tears, suffering, and sickness... a much better place than this world. And those who share the same faith shall one day see her again, there in heaven.

Granny did not have much wealth or possession to give to her children. Yet, she left behind something much more valuable: a legacy. I tried to summarise some deep impressions she left in me, and I could think of these...

1. Strong will and high spirit

2. Independant and adventurous

3. Hospitable

4. Positive outlook of life

5. Faithful till the end

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

2Ti 4:7,8

Ryan's grandparents

Little boy's grandparents (my parents, and sister la) came over from West Malaysia early this month to visit the new addition to the family.

They came just in time when little boy turned one month old. So, we organised a little party for thanksgiving, as well as bidding farewell to family and friends in Keningau. We had guests from the local churches and the extended families from Tenom.

My hospital specialist gave little boy a cute Garfield cake. But since little boy did not have teeth yet, we makan la.

What a month

How time flies.

I've been on leave for a month. And so was away from blogsphere. Many things happened. What a month it has been.

Well, here are some updates.

The apprentice

Maybe I'll spend some days of the month here, picking up a few tips and tricks.

Got 3 mouths to feed, can't harap too much on government pay... if you know what I mean :-).

Hot cross buns, anyone?

Que sera sera

Little boy in deep reflective mood.

Going back to school

Via the phone, I am informed that I'll be doing a course called Masters in O&G with UKM. Still waiting for the black-and-white to arrive.

Will be moving to Kota Kinabalu in June, in time to start school. I will be working in Hospital Likas, the country's first government women and children hospital. It is going to be a very busy and tiring working environment over there (am forewarned: on-call = don't expect to sleep), nothing like the laidback style here. There goes my hope of enrolling for a part-time course with STS. Poingkuro? Life's got to go on.

When I came to this little district some 3.5 years ago, I had all my stuff packed in a car and moved everything in that one trip. Now... gosh, got 2 people to move along, and loads of stuffs. Wonder how am I gonna get it done. It's in times like this, that the saying that 'do not accumulating treasures on earth, but accumulate treasures in heaven', is truly sound advice. Think I've managed to keep my life quite frugal, but there's still a lot of stuffs to move, and throw away.

We will be having a little gathering and makan-makan this Sunday. On one hand, for thanksgiving that little boy has survived one month. On the other, to say goodbye to people who have been kind to us in this little district.

I've just submitted my on-leave form. Plan to take a whole month off. Have accumulated quite many leaves... and they say that such leaves cannot be brought forward, means burn la. Better kasi pakai abis. Now, how should I spend that one month? Maybe can start packing stuffs bit by bit. Or bring loupo and little boy for a short trip... Kundasang? If I am still bachelor, it would definitely be a backpacking trip to IndoChina... Europe... Turkey... But now, kena ikat perut a bit la. Don't laugh, you bachelors out there. Emm since it's May, boleh pi tengok unduk ngadau, aramaitiii...

Signed the rental agreement with a nice couple who owns a house in Ujana Kingfisher. They liked the idea that me and my loupo pandai jaga rumah. We're renting an empty house. So, if you got spare usable stuffs... hehehehe... you know where to keep la. The amazing thing is, we searched high and low for a suitable house but haven't found one; yet this house found it's way to us through some rekomen-rekomen. I suspect Boss has a hand in this. Now need to find somebody suitable to rent my house in Keningau. Hope Boss will make a way too.

See ya in KK.