He Laughs

Fun Badminton Games

Developing Talents #8 ~ Plan a physical fitness program for yourself that may include learning to play a sport or game. Participate in the program for one month.

I was born and brought up in Malaysia where badminton is a very popular sport and the most successful sport in Malaysia.

It is the most accessible game here may be because it does not require much equipment, and the low equipment cost of this fun sport makes it affordable to almost anyone.

When we were young, Esiang and I used to play badminton at the road in front of our house and with our neighbour. Usually, strong wind would blow the shuttlecock away determining the defeat or victory.

After I came across this lesson and activity to plan a physical fitness program, I have discussed with Issac that he might pick up this badminton game again, after he did join the badminton club in SRJK (C) Chee Wen year before. Or other sports and games he wish to learn. Issac decided to play badminton with Alvin.

Alvin and his colleagues have badminton session every Wednesday or Friday at one of the badminton arena nearby. Thus, Alvin bring along Issac to their badminton session.

They have been playing for quite sometime over a month now. Well, I think both of them love the game and their bonding time together as father and son too!

All these are the photos whereby they played together at the badminton court. And at the same time, build up their relationships, and get a fit and sound body!

The Family : A Proclamation to the World

Preparing for the Priesthood #5 ~ Read “The Family: A Proclamation to the World.” Make a list of things you can do to help strengthen your family and make a happy home. Share the list with your parents or Primary leader.

At first, I was thinking like it must be quite a tough message or lesson to ask the children to read this “The Family: A Proclamation to the World”.

After last year, we attended the District Primary Activity Day in Preparing for the Priesthood and Young Women. From there, Sister Yang talked about how the children can do to help strengthen the family and make a happy home.

So, what’s the best way to strengthen family and help create a happy home?

“The Family: A Proclamation to the World” has the answer!

This important document describes why families are so important in Heavenly Father’s plan and what exactly we can do to strengthen our family relationships. It also explains explains exactly how we can be happier in our families.

There’s no secret recipe – just the basic principles of the gospel we’ve been taught all along: “Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriage and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities.”

We made the lists and things that kids can do to help strengthen our family and make a happy home.

We know that families lie at the center of our Heavenly Father’s plan. We are part of that eternal unit that requires our work and best effort on our part. Continue building lasting, loving relationships for all family members.

Be certain that we bring warmth, kindness, understanding, consideration, and a strong love to our eternal family.

Listen to one another, be united, work together, play together, pray together, study together. Live celestial principles together, serve the Lord together.

In a world of turmoil and uncertainty, it is more important than ever to make our families the center of our lives. But all the effort we put into strengthening our family will ultimately make us – and them – happier.

A Japanese Late Lunch @ Tenka by Bentoya 9 Sep 2017

We had a late lunch at IOI City Mall at Putrajaya on last Saturday. We just strolling around the mall, and Alvin wanted to check the exchange rates of the Vietnamese Dong. We are planning to go to Saigon or Ho Chi Minh City as our family annual trip for end of this year.

 

We just walked in to one of the small Japanese restaurant – Tenka by Bentoya. We ordered Bentoya Bento which Karaage Japanese Fried Chicken Bento for Annabelle, Teriyaki Salmon Bento Set for Issac, Spicy Hell Ramen for me and Seaweed Ramen for Alvin.

Seaweed Ramen for Alvin. It was loaded with a lot of seaweeds and vegetables and top with the sweet sautéed onions. The soup was nice and the ramen was spongy.

Teriyaki Salmon Bento set for Issac. Besides the pan fried salmon with Teriyaki sauce, there are potato salad, pickles and vegetables too. Frankly, I was pretty impressed with the portion of rice and vegetables served.

This was the Hell Ramen that I ordered. I was curious how spicy this Ramen claimed to be and just feel like trying. This ramen too was loaded with vegetables. I love vegetables! Comes with some squids and prawns as well. The soup really super duper hot and spicy, until I was sweating all the way! But it is nice!

This Bentoya Bento set was super duper value in money! It is a combo with garlic fried rice, spaghetti carbonara with sausages, on top of that include in the set are tempura prawns and karaage fried chicken and pan fried dumplings!

The children were having fun while waiting for our food to be served. Overall the bento and ramen are tasted delicious and in big portion too! We were all very satisfying and enjoying our meals. We enjoying each other companion. We had a great family outing together!

Student Progress Report 7 Sep 2017

It was time for the Student Progress Report again for the Term 2. Well, both children’s results were falling behind a little bit…

 

Well, I did have a meeting with both kids teachers on this. The teachers highlighted to me what are the things that I need to observe for both of them. I did talk to their teachers on their characters and bad habits on studies which need to be corrected, and hopefully teachers able to help both of them.

 

Hope both can improve on the next term…

A Reading Boy 5 Sep 2017

Issac loves to read lately. He always put a book in his bag, take out to read when he is free. Glad to know that he reads a lot more now ^^.

Leaning Tower Teluk Intan 2 Sep 2017

This is a revisited place for me, but the first time for Daddy, Issac and Annabelle. On our way back to Kuala Lumpur, Daddy decided to go Teluk Intan and wanted to see the famous learning tower.

I had been there once only during 2009 with my ex-collegues in Virtual Space. That time was due to a site visit for tender job for Eon Bank branches at Teluk Intan and Langkap.

At that time, my heart was thinking if I can able to bring 2 children come and see this mini Pisa Leaning Tower.

And, this is the day! On the way to Teluk Intan, we passed by the beautiful paddy fields along nearby the town itself.

We arrived at the centre of the town, and there were many tourists there as well. We just stepped into the tower, and what else? Took selfie la!

Deacon Power

Preparing for the Priesthood #3 ~ Talk with the deacon quorum presidency about the role of the deacons quorum. Write in your journal how you can serve the Lord as a member of a deacons quorum.

Again, this lesson and activity is to strengthen whatever we have learned before this.

Due to our Puchong Branch do not have the deacon quorum presidency, we just learned and talk about the role of the deacons quorum, by reading through the Church Handbook.

A Priesthood Quorum is an organized group of brethren who hold the same priesthood office.

The Primary Purposes of the Deacon Quorum is:

1. To Serve Others
2. Build Unity and Brotherhood
3. Instruct Members in Doctrines, Principles, and Duties.

We discussed again on How Can You Serve the Lord as a Member of a Deacons Quorum. It can be done by the followings:

Overall these first 3 lessons of the “Preparing for the Priesthood” gave an introduction for Issac and me to know more about the Aaronic Priesthood, the responsibilities of the Aaronic Priesthood Holder and how they serve to the Lord in Invite All to Come unto Christ.

This lessons and activities have given Issac opportunities to understand more about his future responsibilities as a Priesthood Holder! Soon to be!

We would be having 2 Priesthoods in the house!

Fettuccine with Swedish Meatballs

After coming back from Church, Alvin started to try a new recipe that he newly found on the internet - Swedish meatballs are such a classic perfect meal!

This meal is ready in just 30 minutes and perfect for feeding a hungry family during the week.  We serve ours over Fettuccine, but it would also be great served over mashed potatoes or rice.  It is such a classic recipe and this one I believe is the best!

Preparation Time : 10 mins

Cooking Time : 20 mins

Serves: 6

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef
• ¼ cup panko bread crumbs
• 1 tablespoon parsley, chopped
• ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ cup onion, finely chopped
• ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
• ⅛ teaspoon Pepper
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 egg
• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• 5 tbsp. butter
• 3 tbsp. flour
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp. Dijon mustard
• salt and pepper to taste

Preparations:

1. In a medium sized bowl combine ground beef, panko, parsley, allspice, nutmeg, onion, garlic powder, pepper, salt and egg. Mix until combined.
2. Roll into 12 large meatballs or 20 small meatballs. In a large skillet heat olive oil and 1 Tablespoon butter. Add the meatballs and cook turning continuously until brown on each side and cooked throughout. Transfer to a plate and cover with foil.
3. Add 4 Tablespoons butter and flour to skillet and whisk until it turns brown. Slowly stir in beef broth and heavy cream. Add worchestershire sauce and dijon mustard and bring to a simmer until sauce starts to thicken. Salt and pepper to taste.
4. Add the meatballs back to the skillet and simmer for another 1-2 minutes. Serve over egg noodles or rice.

The creamy sauce has a secret ingredient that our family loves which I think adds such amazing flavour. Worcestershire sauce. It really adds good flavour to the creamy sauce and takes it to the next level.

The creamy gravy sauce is really what makes this meal so incredible! And the best part…  my entire family LOVES them!

Kuan Yin Tong Temple 1 Sep 2017

Kwan Yin Tong Temple is a cave temple located at the foot of Gunung Rapat on Jalan Gopeng, Ipoh.

Gunung Rapat is an impressive limestone karst tower which contains a number of other nearby cave temples such as Sam Poh Tong, Nam Thean Tong, Ling Sen Tong and Kek Lok Tong.

The cave at Kwan Yin Tong extends for about 20 metres under the cliff. The floor of the cave has been paved over with marble tiles and the lower sections of the walls have been smoothed off and whitewashed. The upper walls and roof have been left in their original natural cave state.

The temple is Buddhist and dedicated to the Bodhisattva Guanyin commonly known as the Goddess of Mercy.

Numerous statues of Guan Yin, both large and small line the walls of the cave temple, together with colourful murals.

There are stalls selling Guan Yin statues, incense and other temple paraphernalia.

Stairs off to the side of the temple lead to a higher level with a Buddha in seated position. But it was gated that we unable to go up, and we do not intend to go up as well.

A terracotta pagoda stands outside the cave.

Here we are, selfie with the big Kuan Yin Statue.

This is the little 2 kiddies with their Daddy selfie with the Kuan Gong behind.

And that, ended our cave temple visit in Ipoh. We only realise that we missed out the Perak Tong Cave Temple, Kek Lok Cave Temple, and other little smaller cave temples.