Police Report

I went back to Sibu Central Police to collect the report on my lost exam certificate. It was a nice sunny morning. The weather reminds me of Jude (one of my students) used to greet me, 'it's sunny day' instead of good morning, teacher or hi teacher whenever I entered the classroom in the morning to teach thematic English.

After had parked the car, I walked out and saw the new moon crescent in the morning bright blue sky next to the central police building.

I went straight to the 3rd floor as was instructed on the note given me and looked for room No. 3. A middle aged lady in the room was working on her old-type writer typing away undisturbed her glasses around her neck, she was like Jessica Fletcher on 'Murder, She Wrote'. On the door to the room No. 3 a piece of note hand-written cello-taped on the front door saying, 'please wait outside' followed by a line in Mandarin and Malay language a misspelled of the word 'jangan' with a missing 'n' in between (jagan).

I knocked at the door 3 times and the lady on her typewriter stopped to see who's knocking. She lift up her head, put on her glasses to see...

After had passed her the collection note, I was asked to wait outside where the chairs are provided and she went back to her typing. Few minutes later the door opened, she stuck out her head from the partially opened door, her voice hoarse as she ordered, 'please go back to the counter downstairs and ask for another copy of the report'.

Obediently I went although I was thinking, shouldn't this a job of the officer downstairs to make sure all reports reached the officer in charge safely?

Nevertheless, everything was done quick and fast and the payment of RM2 was done outside the door of room No. 3 officially.

I met a guy, he sighed to himself when I saw him. As he walked into the lift his eyes fixed on the piece of police report he was holding, seeing that I then asked him what he was reporting. He looked perplexed, worried but answered, 'I've lost my laptop'. 'Can it be claimed?' I asked again. He sighed and fixed his eyes back on the paper. I remember I lost a laptop to a car thief incident, made a police report but nothing can be done according to the officer unless I've insured my laptop.

Fill in the form for the application of copy of lost certificate- checked. Original copy of police report- checked. Money Order of RM10- checked and self addressed stamped envelope- checked. Sent them out this morning by courier to Putrajaya. I'm hoping to see the self addressed stamped envelope with the copy of cert returns back to me within seven working days.

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I lost my exam certificate

I was told 1Malaysia Clinic (recently opened) at Teku, Sibu charges only RM1 for Malaysian citizens in Sibu. However, the clinic will only treat general, common complaints such as cold or flu. I have recurrent cough and I am perplexed by it, this is the 3rd time in within 5 months due to weak immune system due to stress, I guess. As it was 2 days Gawai (public) holiday, pharmacies and GPs are usually closed for the celebration. So, I thought of going to 1Malaysia Clinic for cough but unfortunately I was informed that it was closed for Gawai as well.

Anyway, today I've learned the hassle of- how to replace lost examination certificates. I thought I could replace one that I've lost at the school where I sat for the exam but that thought was wrong.

I called up a friend to find out how I can obtain a 'salinan' (copy) of lost exam cert after had read online that the copy of lost cert can only be obtained personally at Examination Board, Putrajaya in KL which means I have to fly over there meh? Later, a friend told me it can also be done at district's exam office and the nearest to me at the moment is at Kampung Nangka, Sibu.

Upon reaching the office, I was 'prepared' as I was told the officer in charge at the department was an unfriendly person nevertheless I was attended by the office clerk who gave me a few forms to be filled, a letter of instruction on how to apply for the copy of lost exam cert. In the letter it stated that, I'm to send the complete forms of application (requesting the replace of the lost cert) together with the original copy of police report, a RM10 wang pos (postal order) and a self addressed stamped envelope.

Next the police report. I went to Sg. Merah police station where I once settled my parking offence. Reached the police booth or rather guide house to the police station, the huge officer in his police uniform asked, 'mau bayar saman ka?' (paying your summon?) After explaining that I'm here to make a report on missing exam cert, I was asked to go to the central police station in town.

It was the first time I walked into the new building of Sibu Central Police Station, it looked clean and new. The officers at the counter are young new cadets or constables judging from their youthful looks.

After a short while of waiting, I was asked to proceed to the counter where I gave all my particulars and incidents on how and when I first discovered my exam cert's lost. The young man in his blue cadet uniform worked really slow and steady on his computer keyboard. It took him almost 30mins to complete a short 30-40 words report in Malay language. While I sat there coughing persistently for minutes on end and trying to control coughing until finally when he's stopped typing, he turned the monitor screen so I can confirm what's he typed. After had signed the proof- I made the report, I was given a piece of note to collect my report on the following day instead of after 3 working days. The police report cost me RM2.

Thus, a lesson to learn, keep all your important certificates safe in one place. When I lost mine, I thought it was not going to be a hassle to obtain another copy of cert. Instead I was told, the exam board will not replace lost certificates, but will issue a certified statement of results and RM10 will be charged for that.

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The View Through My Lens

Today is the last day of May already!
Harvest Festival or Gawai Dayak is celebrated by the Dayaks and Ibans in Sarawak to usher in another year of bountiful goodness after the end of the rice harvest. Gawai Dayak falls on every 1st of June which is also mom's birthday. We celebrated mom's birthday in Sarikei yesterday. It was a simple birthday celebration.

Dropped by Sony Service Center in Sibu this morning to get my Sony laptop's fan replaced due to manufacture fault, (note to those who purchased VGN-CS33G model get yours check before the warranty period's over) got the fan replaced for free. The lady at the Sony was one friendly and a kind person as if we were longtime friends unlike as we always hear about those poor and unfriendly service at certain Service Centers. We chatted from Sony to everything. And I got my Sony laptop serviced in just an hour.

Then I took a nephew to Sibu esplanade located at the end of Sibu Town Square Phase II to see boats as he suggested it.

There, trying out my photography skills with my dslr: The view through my lens.

Kampung Datu.

The nephew pointing at the shipyard along Igan River.

Running....

Sibu's oldest trees still standing strong and tall at Phase II Town Square.

Behold! I'm now in Sibu :)

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Sibu By-Election

Today (May 16) the people of Sibu (Chinese/Foochows made up of 67% of the voters in Sibu) will determine Sibu's (once was known New Fuzhou) future. May 16 the P212 Sibu by-election is also labelled as the 'battle of century', 'battle of the mighty Rajang' (Wiki) and 'battle of the foochows' where two candidates from the main Chinese political parties (Lau vs Wong) will determine their own fate.

(I was at a school recently when I saw this Sibu's registered Chinese bicycle. I remember during those school days at SMK Bandar, (3 miles from Sarikei town) 60-70% of the students in the school rode swallow brand bicycle to school.)

This Sibu by-election has nonetheless made known Sibu's signature 'kampua mee' to outsiders but has also made it the 'victim' of bias by-election campaign - "A Vote for the DAP is a Vote for an Islamic state", as a subtle way of telling the voters, particularly the predominant Foochow community here that they may LOSE the famous traditional 'kampua mee' if the Opposition pact comes into power. Wah ha ha ha! It makes me really miss 'kampua tauyu' at the moment :|

The media also posted PM Najib 'meet' the New Fuzhou (Foochow) founder Wong Nai Siong and give a short speech at the Wong Nai Siong Memorial Garden. And the campaign goes on and on....

Banner of 'Pu yau pek mo' translated as 'don't want white hair' - say NO to Taib (Chief Minister of Sarawak).

The Rocket.

1 Malaysia.

By 10pm tonight, let's see...

I'm not a Sibu-ian, not a Foochow but grew up in Sarikei (105km from Sibu) the town almost similar to Sibu with the Foochow majority. I have seen many promises being made before any election, Sarikei like Sibu has been developing for more than 40 years, but still under-developed.

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Farewell Sibu!

For the past few nights I've been planning to come out to town square at night but each time as dusk approached, the skies poured down rain.

I'm a timid driver at night, I won't drive out at night alone especially if I know it's going to rain.

It seems like it's going to be a wet Christmas in Sibu this year, but there is no sign as yet of the occurrence year-end monsoon floods.

At last, I made an attempt to be there at least once before Christmas. Sunday, being home alone, I took an afternoon drive and headed down town until I reached the town square and went strolling through Sanyan shopping mall for the last time and had my last meal at Manna Cafe, happened to be the first Cafe I sat in having my lunch when I first arrived here about a year and a half ago. It always reminds me of miraculous food God gave the Israelites during the Exodus.

In the afternoon, the country's largest urban square is the place to be for Sibu-ians to enjoy their relaxing afternoon walk. While at the corner allocated an area for youngsters having fun skateboarding, the dancers rehearsing their dances on the field preparing for the coming home's Christmas events.

It was so lively in the afternoon, somehow I was feeling delighted. I regretted I was too proud to come here more often during the past one and the half year of my stay in Sibu.

The stage for the evangelistic nights on 23 and 24 Dec being set up on the field.

The banners you can see decorate the streets of Foochow town for coming Christmas events at town square.

View from Manna Cafe while waiting for my meal. It was pouring outside.

I'm not good in remembering names, I think my order is the hot pot Korean beef rice something. I can't remember what it's again, but basically it's rice with kimchi sauce, fried beef, shredded carrots, cucumber, bean sprouts and an egg in the middle.

It was alright except for the large portion, I only managed to finish up half of the rice.

This shall be my last post in Sibu. I shall not be talking much about Sibu anymore after this unless on special occasions when I shall come by again. The one and a half year is the longest I've ever stayed in Sibu so far. I will miss you, you who hate me and hate you, you who love me. Farewell Sibu!

It's Christmas all over the world! Town Square at night. Enjoy! :)

I have nothing to give, I have no love and I'm unlovable. For over a month, I've been posting almost everything about Sibu on my facebook so the world may know you, Sibu. Till we meet again!

The carolers' song - Joy to the world!

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Christmas @ Sibu Town Square

The yearly Christmas tree contest, Christmas parade and Christmas events are slowly taking place at Sibu Town Square. Twelve 10ft tall trees brighten up the town square and light up the night with thousands of sparkling lights and ornaments.

We took a walk on Sunny Sunday morning at the town square mainly because of these Christmas trees, and met a guy fixing one of the trees telling us few trees were toppled due to heavy storm that evening. [Sometimes, it seems like I don't bother much about what is being told to me as if I don't care and it's not my problem but in actual fact, I don't know how to convey or response to what had happened.] So, I gave the guy a little grin and said to him, 'ya ka?, tidak apa.' (really? it's ok)

Feeling sorry, although I was thinking it takes the strong wind to blowdown a huge 10-12ft con shaped tree.

Then I walked away busy mending my own business and checking on every Christmas tree there, like a child excited about Christmas!

It looks snowy at town square with snowy decorations, symbolises year end winter and winter solstice falls 3 days before Christmas where the Chinese remember the day as 'Tang Yuan', it marks the shortest day and the longest night of the year. In ancient Rome it was believed that the sun god Saturn died on that day and celebrated Saturn's rebirth on the 3rd day where it's known as Christmas today.

It's that time of the year again, Santa is coming too, he will leave his reindeer on the roof while he nips down the chimney. So, you'd better watch out!!!

Here's more pictures of Christmas at Town Square on Youtube with warm Christmas song- chestnuts roasting on an open fire:-)

Enjoy :-)

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The Old Sibu Street

I walked the old street of Sibu for my very first time yesterday. Thrilled at myself (after almost 2 years in Sibu), I finally got to stroll the old street and walked as far as from (if you know, as I'm still not sure of Sibu roads yet) where the Public Bank is up to where the Methodist Masland Church is located at Island Road.

Walking along five foot walk on my way to Methodist Bookstore for some cds, I saw an elderly homeless man, clothed in dirt stains torn jumper, dirty trousers, he wore no shoes exposing his black dirty charcoal soles feet lying still seemed like he was taking a long afternoon nap on the concrete floor of the five foot walk. His sudden movement to adjust his body's position the moment I walked by caused me to hurry up walking a little as I was not sure of his mental situation.

After I have picked up some cds, I took a little walk around Hoover Square for the first time since it was declared open last August. It was a quiet afternoon, no one seemed to be around the area where I can chat with to ask about the impressive Masland Methodist Church Complex that cost 20million in ringgit Malaysia to build also marks the biggest and expensive Church Complex in Sarawak.

After I've took some shots for jg's journal under scorching hot afternoon sun, I walked back to my car which I've parked quite a distance away. I passed by the elderly man again, this time he was in the state of deep sleep, undisturbed even by many passerby walking. I reached my car and was about to try on my new cd that I found out I've bought a karaoke cd instead that does not fit my car's cd player. Then, immediately a thought came to me, I might as well get the cd replaced to the ordinary one else I won't know when I'd be coming down this area again. As soon as I've replaced another parking coupon for my car, I walked back to the bookstore. Again, I walked faster to get pass the elderly man, this time half waking up and trying to sit up.

Walking back to my car using the same way a while later, I saw people gathering around a block away from where the elderly man was lying and overheard them talking among themselves, I heard, 'dah mati' (He's dead) I took a quick closer look as I walked by this time, he was motionless, leaning half seated against the wall with his eyes open.

I'm admitting, "I'm not a good Samaritan." The least I could do then was to call an ambulance but I walked away. As I was driving home, I kept thinking about how short life is and then if Rev. Hoover was there knowing that the man was dying what would he do? He could have given him a glass of water or a plate of food and the assurance of salvation so he can go in peace.

***

Here's for Christmas:-

Silver bells!
Background Audio: The Platter

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Dinner At RH, Sibu

We had a niece's birthday dinner at RH. The shy niece when asked what she wants for her birthday, she wasn't sure of what she wanted initially. Her loving dad was however would give her a birthday bash with her friends at the top floor of Cafe Cafe. Perhaps give her another year or two...

She picked RH, and we had family gathering simple birthday dinner. First Christmas tree I caught this year, in fact they were few in the lobby of this famous RH Hotel. Oh, by the way RH stands for Rimbunan Hijau, I'm told (one of the huge timber companies in Sarawak) and they own the Hotel. At weekends the place is packed with diners coming for their buffet dinner now at RM38 per pax compares to the last time we had at RM40 per pax.

It took me ages (long hours) to load a 4mins birthday's video I created using picasa movie maker for the first time unto youtube with slow streamyx on Saturday. The first video failed to upload. However, I persisted on to try again and it took me (approximate) another 4 hours to finally uploaded the video with poor audio quality :(

Here's for my niece (taken from my facebook), on her 13th birthday!

And here's a ball (Christmas ornament) to get you into Christmas jolly mood :)

The chefs at work at the restaurant.

Guess what?
They have the chef special promotion at RH, RM10's fried Foochow noodles in Foochow town.

Must be a very special taste of Foochow. We didn't try it but I can assume it's a very rich Foochow noodles.

I had the rich juicy cheesy beef lasagna instead.

RH's spaghetti.

And a small eater nephew had his RH's ABC ais kacang special!

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First Round Of Flood Coming......

While we were passing by the road leading to Ulu Sg. Merah on Saturday night, we saw cars from low-lying prone to flooding housing areas parked along roadside near the main roads to avoid stuck in flash flood.

And we were all expecting it's going to flood the next day. It was raining in the evening on Friday and it rained the whole day on Saturday.

Taking my usual road heading towards Ulu Sg. Merah this morning. The road is now only accessible by off-road vehicles, my new car however has it's first cruised through stretch of shallow water up to Jalan Apollo a short distance away from the deeper flood water.

It wasn't 2-3 feet deep though otherwise I'd be whining. I was sending my nephew to his babysitter's house when I told him I need to take some pictures of this (above) reflection of trees in water.

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Exploring The Country's Biggest Market With A 6yo

My inquisitive 6yo nephew had just learned in school about fruits and vegetables and how important they are for good health.

When he saw the mangosteen pictures I posted on my facebook, he was fascinated and since then had been pestering me to buy him mangosteens.

I told him I didn't buy those mangosteens (on my facebook), they were the leftover a colleague bought on Friday evening. But had promised him we can scout around Sg. Merah Bazaar fruit stalls later in the afternoon for some mangosteens. So we went but unfortunately, we did not see any there.

Mangosteen, I rarely see the fruit nowadays. On our way out and after he's seen plenty of durian around he started asking if I know that durian is the king of fruits and mangosteen is the queen of fruits and amused me when he said in Mandarin, (translated) if the king of fruits is in season now then the queen of fruits should be 'following from behind', we should have plenty of both fruits side by side each other.

Nope, we didn't find any at Sg. Merah Bazaar this morning. He woke me up this morning just so that we can explore Sg. Merah bazaar fruit stalls for some mangosteens.

We walked from one stall to another. Finally after much contemplating, he decided we buy a watermelon instead.

Interested by variety of different kinds of fruit in one of the fruit stalls at Sg. Merah.

We stopped at one of the stalls where he saw a huge Jackfruit and out of curiosity he asked, is that fruit 'hung mau lieu lian' (soursop)?

We then proceeded on to Sibu's Central Market reputedly the biggest indoor market in Malaysia hoping we would find mangosteen there. We were disappointed after had walked one big round in the market including walking down from the car park's 8th level staircases and didn't get what we initially hoping to get.

Nonetheless walking with a 6yo to the market is something an exiting experience for me. It's interesting on the other hand to be at the central market around this time of the year where seasonal fruits are in season. Where dabai, durian, langsat, rambutan and many other seasonal fruits just filled up one third of the big indoor market. It's a must visit place if you are in Sibu.

We have plenty of 'Sibu Olive', buah dabai or buah kebayau in this time of the year too :)

My nephew thinks these are some kind of fascinating creatures. Sago worms, he was asking if he can have them to keep.

After had explored one third of the biggest market in the country, my nephew insisted we go home. He seemed like didn't really enjoy the crowd that much. At one point when he let go of my hand and walked on few meters away from me, I saw him turned around and found that I was not behind him, he looked scared. He told me later in the car, just now, when I didn't see, I was scared.

We came to the place where we first started and stumbled upon 'engkala'- rare exotic fruit, another one of famous season fruits in Sibu that I've not seen for ages. It took a while for me to decide whether to buy or not as I wasn't sure how to prepare the fruit. Only after, I'd asked the stall vendor and got a little tips from her on how to prepare the fruit that I paid RM3 for 8 engkalas. It's creamy-white and similar to avocado, but softer with a more delicate flavor.

Interestingly, I was told the fruit is prepared by rolling it around a basket, or hitting it with the back of a spoon.

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