Honey4Boyz

My neighbourhood is a melting pot of multi-racial, multi-status people. Malaysia is a multi-racial country, we've the Chinese, Malays, Indians and Sikhs. But now I cannot tell who are those in my neighbourhood anymore. Our society is now much more diversified than before, and includes the  refugees, migrants, asylum-seekers and many stateless children.  This is the reality of the global migrant and refugee crisis. It affects everybody. The local communities will also feel the social and economic impact of large refugee and migrant populations in our country. The fact is Malaysia is not a signatory of the 1951 Refugee Convention. Thus, the refugee and asylum-seeker groups do not have any fundamental rights, no protection and no assistance.  There's no formal registration. They cannot work, move around freely, go to schools, seek medical care and have no housing. They're open to much abuse and exploitation by the authorities as well as the local communities.  They...

Posted by Brandon My grandmother lived with us since last month. She is 77 years old. She speaks Chinese and Cantonese, which means she helps me in my Chinese. Ever since from last month, the cooking menu has changed because my grandma knows how to cook delicious traditional food. She also know medicine to make me healthy and strong. She does exercise every morning. She reads the bible, listens to the radio or watches TV when she is bored. Her favourite channels are 7 and 8. She is very happy to ride her electric bicycle. She goes to the market with the bicycle. And even when she is new to our area, she never gave up and cycle through the crowds in the market.

Posted by Xian Wei Gong Xi Fa Cai! This year's CNY might be one of the most prosperous CNY for me. I get to visit my cousins again, and eat and talk with them. Also, we had the reunion with some of my parents' friends.  The Yusheng. The only dish that did not vary in the reunion dinner during our visits and stays. So if you can't escape from it, just eat it. During the CNY, animals(sugar glider [right]) and insects(cicada [left]) also wanted to visit us. They were quite a company. Ming's buddies showing off their martial arts skills, all enjoying the festive CNY.  And of course, the famous movie "Ola-Bola", a Malaysian production. This is, by far, the best movie made by Malaysians. A truly heart-warming movie that is about not only football, but also about the hardship of Malaysians in the 80s. Watch it if you are truly a Malaysian! We stayed with our cousins during CNY. All the cooking smells from kitchen preparing for the reunion dinner r...

Posted by Xian Jin Finally, the moment we have been waiting all year: a rest and retreat at Cameron Highlands! I was longing for a cool, refreshing time up here, away from the scorching heat back in KL.  The OMF bungalow, where we stayed for 4 days. It was very spacious, with so many places and treasures to explore and discover. I spent much time in the library, going through old books in peace and quietness.  The scenery was simply beautiful, lush green surrounding the entire bungalow. It was a cold, squally morning; the forest of different shades of green overlooking the blue sky. The air was so fresh and clean, a pleasant environment. Football Time!!! We spent hours outside playing sports. I enjoyed the cooling atmosphere up here, something we didn't have back in the city.  You can never really feel bored here, what with books to read, animals to play with and the people you spend hours with.  It's moments like thi...

O Lord our governor, we beseech Thee, of Thy mercy, That we may have the heavenly vision,  And behold things as they seem unto Thee, That the turmoil of this world may be seen by us To be bringing forth the sweet peace of the eternal years, And that in all the troubles and sorrows or our own hearts We may behold good, and so, with quiet mind And inward peace, careless of outward storm, We may do the duty of life which brings to us A quiet heart, ever trusting in Thee. We give Thee thanks for all Thy mercy. We beseech Thy forgiveness of all our sins. We pray Thy guidance in all things, Thy presence in the hour of death, Thy glory in the life to come. Of Thy mercy hear us, Through Jesus Christ our Lord. By George Dawson

A rare full cold moon brightened up the sky on Christmas Day. It's the first time in 38 years that it's full moon on Christmas. December's nights are the longest of the year so we could see the full moon much longer and it's a typically cold month. What a rare treat indeed to end my homeschooling year with Brandon!  Drawings By Brandon:- On a still winter night H.M.S. Resolution in a Gale,  original painted by Willem van de Velde the Younger (1670) The cannon shot, original painted by Willem van de Velde the Younger (1680) Shipwreck on a cloudy night Hong Kong International Airport The Starry Night, original painted by Vincent van Gogh Brandon wrapped up his  Charlotte Mason  homeschooling year. It has been a very eventful year for him, and the family as well. We've thoroughly enjoyed the journey and saw the benefits of exposing him to a wide spread of interests and lotsa free time for him to explore and connect with things...

Cookie was a nervous freak when she just joined our family in April 2015. It's a very timid dog, and it barked a lot especially when it's afraid. It's so hard to house train her and she hated to be confined. Cos of her agility and small size, she could jump over the fence easily. We're almost at our wit's end. After Cookie turned 'one', she's spayed on Dec 17 and stayed at the vet for 10 days.  We noticed a turn around in her since then. She's much calmer and always ready for an exercise. She also keeps her crate clean and dry the whole night. She still barks a lot, but she doesn't pee and poop so often whenever she's afraid. She's beginning to be more aware of our commands and instructions too. We're happy of her changes, it keeps our sanity for the time being.  "We gain some, we lose some" as the saying goes. We're proud of Cookie's progress, at the same time we lost Disney on Dec 29. The boys we...