Monday, December 31, 2012

與屋一段緣



回顧今年,最讓我牽心的事是我檳城的屋子。
它已如我的願望,找到好的新主人。

為了紀念它,就記錄下來-些事件。
1994年檳城屋業勃勃生機,大華高原發展商廣告登出RM69,200最低價的700方呎三房公寓,九座共有1,557單位可開始預訂。當時檳島有這屋價很吸引人,因為500方呎二房廉價組屋又沒機會買到的都要RM50,000
我是被同學兼同事P約了去看看,發展商門還沒開,大批人已排長龍,原來天未亮已有人來了。P和我排隊等了幾小時才輪到我們進去,銷售代表讓我們看了屋子模型及還未售的各單位價格。P和她丈夫選定了一單位,當場寫支票給10%錢簽約。我本想不要因我沒支票,但經P的說服可先借支票付,明天再還錢給她,我最終也選定了一個很好的門牌號及靠中間樓梯的corner單位。想起來我做決定真的是'爽快'到我自己都不會形容。
大華高原發展商得到熱烈的反應售馨,很快又推出第二期、第三期的公寓。
屋子條例是3年內完成交屋。
97年世界經濟危機,發展商沒完成建屋,無良心的發展商找法律途徑在2001年以破產結束。
我們第一期的屋主,已在34年交了100%現錢貸款,眼看只存一些尾工的建築,第一期共有1,557單位的屋主有人發起委員會,每單位先付RM100交委員去辦事,最終2004年初屋子完成及申請到入屋,可是要拿到銷匙,必須交RM7,500
可是很多屋主挨不起10年,放棄的,早就停止付貸款,包括P
我是一個安份守己的人,借貸就要還,雖然要再多付錢,但我感激委員的努力。
我油漆及裝設所需約花十仟左右,我於200410月搬進住。我喜歡整座只是一排式的屋,不是門對門的密不通風,屋前屋後都會有陽光照進的時刻,有涼風,甚至有時不用風扇。屋內設計的客廳大,沖涼房、廁所隔成兩間。有向左鄰右舍要幫助,他們都很親和。
不到一年,我相信這個很好門牌號的屋真的給我帶來好運,我認識到他,我現在的丈夫。
20075月我搬到美國也就是嫁給美國人的他。
2012年終將這個好門牌號的屋,我虧本很多,比原屋價以很低很低的價賣了,因為不想再有各方面的負擔。心情不好受,不過,只要可不讓它空置,我還是放下吧。


Friday, December 28, 2012

Realistic gifts



I'm not good buying gifts for people, including for my hubby, because I am not sure if the receiver will like the gift or not? 
I am realistic, I frankly told my hubby not to buy flowers and gifts for any special days after the first year we were married. If it is a gift, then it should be a 'red packet' (it is a monetary gift, given in a red envelope, common in Chinese). I am not of a monetary mind. In fact, I have debit and credit cards I can use to buy flowers, food or things whenever I like. Nevertheless, I don't simply spend money. Thus, my birthday, our anniversary, Chinese New Year...red packet. This is a realistic gift for me. 

We also have a common gift to share for ourselves, that is vacations.

我不太會買禮物給人,包括丈夫,因為我不知道所買的禮物真的讓收禮者喜歡嗎?
我是比較實際,所以結婚第二年後,我坦誠和丈夫說不用在佳節買花及禮物,要給禮物就給紅包。我不是貪要錢,其實他有給我debit cardcredit card,我都可很隨意可隨時想要買花或要買吃、用的東西,但不會亂花錢。所以我的生日、結婚紀念日、華人新年...都是紅包,對我是最實際的禮物。

還有去旅遊也是我們共同分享的禮物。

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Christmas red packet 聖誕紅包



We greet each other every morning: Have a new great day! 

我們每天早上都會互相祝: 擁有新的美好一天!

今早, 他說: 擁有新的美好聖誕節日! 
我說: 你不是說你是佛教徒嗎?
他說: 那就, 擁有新的美好佛節日!

This morning, he said: Have a new great Christmas day! 
I said: Didn't you said you are Buddhist? 
He said: Then, have a new great Buddha-mas day!



Later, he gave me a 'red packet' (called AngPow in Hokkien). 
I said: Wow, I have a Christmas gift. Santa Claus knows about AngPow also? 
He said: Yeah, he knows all the culture, that's why he is red. 
I said: Oh ya, he is dressed like a red packet.


過後,他給我紅包。 
我說: 哇,我有聖誕禮物。聖誕老人也知道我要的是紅包。
他說: 是啊,聖誕老人什麼禮俗都會,他知道紅包,所以他整身就是紅紅的。
我說: 對呀,他就是像紅包。


Sunday, December 16, 2012

Some beautiful plants


Pink leaves


Purple berries

  
Pink & Purple flowers


Buds


Fig looks like snail


Funny leaf shape


Torn flowers


Cups

Friday, November 30, 2012

US - Grand Canyon at South Rim



We went in South Entrance Station near Tusayan,AZ, where we stayed last night.


From South Entrance driving to Desert View, the closest viewpoint toEast Entrance Station.


The staircase up to top of tower.


The decorated walls inside the tower.


Window view from top of tower.


In fact, last night we already drove through from East to South Entrance (about 20 miles?), but it was nighttime and we couldn't see anything. 


We drove South - East, then East - South again, stopped at Navajo Point and Lipan Point.


Tusayan Museum and Ruins.


My shoes are loyal and have been many places with me the past five years.  I love them, but am afraid to say good-bye to them soon. 


Then to Grandview Point, Mather Point, Yavapai Point. 


We missed Yaki Point because the driveway was blocked.  Only shuttles were allowed to go there, and we were not sure whether the shuttle line was still running in November. 



South Rim Canyon's model.


We parked the car near Bright Angel Trailhead to take the shuttle to all the viewpoints.


Our shadow.
The shuttle comes every 15 minutes. 
The end viewpoint is named Hermit's Rest. 


"Some visitors asked me to take them to the Skywalk, where is the stop?" one of shuttle's drivers said, "Skywalk is about a 5 hour drive to the East Rim of the Grand Canyon, and costs about $80 per person."


Tuesday, November 27, 2012

US - Arches National Park


A store in the mountain in Hanksville, UT. Cool!


Landmarks in Arches National Park named Three Gossips on the left and Sheep Rock on the right.


Balanced Rock


 Arch named North Window


Arches named North Window and South Window
They looked like eyes.


Turret Arch.
Hiking trail 1 mile round trip for The Windows and Turret Arch.


Skyline Arch


This tiny old trailer parked was driving very slowly in front of us, but we stopped at some viewpoints on the way. When we arrived at Devils Garden Trailhead at the end of the road, it was there.


Hiking trail starts from Devils Garden trailhead to Tunnel Arch.


Then to Pine Tree Arch.


 Then to Landscape Arch.


Heading to Double O Arch, we found the trail is more difficult, we almost gave up.


Steep, narrow, slippery rock surfaces, some areas we didn't know which way the trail went, until we saw the rock cairns marking the way. 


After 4.2 miles round trip, we finally got to see Double O Arch.
We didn't continue to Dark Angel at the end of the trail, that might have added 2 miles round trip?


So, we hiked back on the trail.
Nature's art! What does it look like?


Then to Partition Arch.


Then to Navajo Arch, and back to Devils Garden Trailhead carpark.


We ran out of time, so we didn't go on the 3 mile trail to reach Delicate Arch, but we went 0.5 miles and had a far view at Lower Delicate Arch Viewpoint. 


A beautiful deer in Arches NP.
We drove to Grand Canyon South Rim to stay the night.


Saturday, November 24, 2012

US - Capitol Reef National Park


A natural picture in back of the hotel room.






What a miraculous artist, her name is Nature!






Petroglyphs (carvings on rock walls.)





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