A Casual Lunch at Jordan Hong Kong Restaurant 26 Dec 2024

Had lunch at Jordan Hong Kong Restaurant at IOI Mall Puchong and enjoyed a little taste of Hong Kong-style comfort food.

We had a few different dishes on the table. The egg omelette topped with luncheon meat looked simple but appetising, while the noodle soup came with tofu, fish cake, and other ingredients in a warm broth. There was also a rice dish served with sliced meat, vegetables, a soft-boiled egg, and crispy diced toppings.

I always enjoy having different dishes to look at and taste when dining together. The combination of noodles, rice, eggs, and meat made for a comforting, casual lunch. Nothing too fancy—just familiar food enjoyed in a relaxed setting.

Sometimes, a simple meal at the shopping mall is a nice way to take a break from the usual routine. Good food, a little conversation, and a change of scenery are enough to make an ordinary day feel enjoyable.

Another little food memory to add to my collection!

Messenger Video Call with Elder Yu 16 Sep 2024

Even when we are miles apart, a family Messenger video call brings us a little closer. Four faces, four smiles, and a few precious moments shared through a screen. We may not always be together physically, but these little connections remind me that family bonds can still bring warmth and happiness across the distance. ❤️

A Heartfelt Goodbye, A Mission Begins ❤️

It was finally the morning we had been preparing for, yet somehow, none of us felt quite ready to say goodbye.

We woke up at 3:30 a.m. and got ready to send Isaac to Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Terminal 1. His flight was scheduled for 7:15 a.m. He would first fly to Narita Airport in Japan, then continue to San Francisco International Airport before taking another flight to Salt Lake City, Utah, where his missionary journey would begin.

Daddy Alvin had purposely travelled all the way back from Penang to KLIA just to send Isaac off. That gesture alone showed how much this moment meant to him. Before the departure, father and son had some private time together. I didn't know exactly what they shared, but I knew it was a special moment between the two of them.

At the airport, we took lots of photographs together. We wanted to capture these last moments as a family before Isaac began this new chapter. There were smiles, silly poses, warm embraces and, of course, the usual brother-and-sister moments between Isaac and Annabelle.

Looking at their photographs together, I was reminded of how much they have shared growing up — the laughter, the little arguments, the adventures and all the ordinary family moments that have become precious memories.

I especially treasure the pictures of Daddy and Isaac, and the family photos we took before he left. We were smiling for the camera, but behind those smiles were hearts that were not quite ready to let go.

As we said our goodbyes, I tried to be strong. But once Annabelle and I got into the car and continued our journey to Mecaje School, our emotions caught up with us. Both of us started crying. It was hard to imagine our family routine without Isaac around. No more seeing him at home every day, sharing meals, chatting or simply having him nearby.

As a mother, I will always remember the little things about having Isaac at home. Sometimes we take those everyday moments for granted until the day comes when we realise how much we will miss them.

But this is also what we have been preparing him for — to grow, become independent, strengthen his testimony and serve the Lord. Although it was difficult to watch him leave, I knew this was his time to go.

I am proud of him for taking this step of faith. There is so much ahead of him: new people to meet, lessons to learn, challenges to overcome and opportunities to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.

That morning, we left the airport with heavy hearts, but also with a quiet sense of gratitude. We may be separated by distance, but our love and prayers will always be with him.

After all the tears and emotions, we finally received the news we had been waiting for — Elder Yu had arrived safely in Salt Lake City! What a relief! Seeing that he had reached his destination and was already meeting another missionary made our hearts feel lighter. It was comforting to know that he was no longer travelling alone and that the next chapter of his mission was beginning.

That moment reminded me that although we cannot be physically beside him, the Lord is watching over him wherever he goes.

 

Dear Isaac,

Go and serve with all your heart. Remember who you are, remember the values we have taught you, and never forget that you are loved. We will miss you more than words can express, but we are excited to see how the Lord will shape you through this experience.

One last hug, one last family photograph, and a new journey begins.

Until we see you again, Elder Yu. We love you! ❤️

Han Chin Pet Soo Ipoh 31 Dec 2020

After our Ho Yan Hor Museum visit, we just noticed that uniqueness of the building next door. We were wondering if this Han Chin Pet Soo can enter, because the main door was closed.

So co-incidentally the tour guide came out from the door and welcomed us. He guided us to make a tour booking thru the designated app. It was due to this Covid-19 pandemic season too.

We were invited in and the story of Han Chin Pet Soo or Han Chin Villa at No. 3 Jalan Bijeh Timah (Treacher Street), Ipoh have been revealed to us by the tour guide.

It starts on 5th May 1893 when mining Towkey Leong Fee formed the Han Chin Tin Miners’ Club in a double-storey shophouse where the Villa stands today.

The club membership was restricted to Hakka miners and it was a place where they could connect with their colleagues and friends from home, smoke opium, and entertain “dancing girls”.

They could also gamble legally, with approval from the District Magistrate, Kinta. Lodging house facilities were also available for make relatives and Hakka friends.

In 1927 the club bought the building from Leong’s son and in 1929 rebuilt it into the unique structure today. On the 5th May 1930, their 37th anniversary, they held a house-warming party to celebrate their new home.

At the back portion of the building at ground floor, there is a former bedroom has been converted into a cinema screening an 11 minute black and white documentary which produced in Hollywood in the 1930s called ‘Tin From the Malayan Jungle’. It explains the various methods of tin mining.

It displays some of the products of tins. Tin used to be a monetary system in the ancient time as the traders used to trade. And it came in different interesting forms and shapes according to different kingdoms and time.

Tins were used to produce some of other products and variety usage in the past even till now from decorative items to electronic components because it is a good isolator.

There is a huge mural paintings,life-sized mannequins, authentic tools and equipment that were used during that period.

At the back yard of the ground floor, there is a miniature of the livelihood of a miner during that time.

It give us some ideas or illustrations how were the days back in time as a miner’s life of those glory days.

We went up to the first floor of the building, where it was a place for the miners to smoke the opium and place for them to gamble at those time.

It seems as those time, being involved in the 4 evils namely opium, gambling, prostitution and the triads or secret societies were the things that the entertainments that they enjoy among the Hakka tin miners.

One very special rule over here is wives were not allowed inside the club, except for mistresses or concubines.

On the top floor of the building is a gallery dedicated to the history and background of the Hakkas and how they ended up in Malaysia. The Hakkas are described as ‘The Jews of Asia’ reflecting their migrations over the centuries from China.

There is a typical resting room at the top floor for the towkays and another room displays all the automobile history during that era.

Interestingly we saw a photo of the Sir William Kellie with his wife Agnes on an antique car of those photos.

On the way from the top floor down to the ground floor, the tour guide shown us an antique safe during those era with a real block of tin in the safe, which might costs about RM3,000 according to the market price now.

We were guided to the ground floor main hall again, where there is a huge and long dining table and dining chairs. It was told that all the miners were having dining here and chit-chatting at the same time. There is a photo of Hakka dishes on the wall.

There are a pair of infinite mirror on the both side of the wall which make the reflective surface of the two mirrors, make it an infinity never ending looks.

It was about a hour and a half tour in the Han Chin Pet Soo and it was an opportunity that we rare to have to go inside a well preserved heritage building in Malaysia that has faithfully retained its original look and purpose.

In 2013, due to a dwindling membership, the club was leased to ipohWorld who spent more than one year carefully restoring the building and fitting it out with a museum-quality exhibition.

Guests may visit the club and exhibition by appointment and there are up to four appointments available per day with a maximum number of 40 guests per appointment.