Happy and prosperous 2026 to all friends who are reading my column today. How time flies! A while ago, we were looking forward to December 31, 2025. Now January 4, 2026 is already here. Oh, how was January 1, 2026 for you? Personally, I always look forward to the first
“Men are like wine. Some turn to vinegar, but the best improve with age.” – Pope John XXIII I had a memorable Christmas Day this year because I attended the double birthday celebration of Terisa Jose, the wife of my nephew, Ah Kiong, and her mother, Mary Mungam. Imagine being
HAPPY Dongzhi (Winter Solstice) Festival to all my Chinese friends and Merry Christmas to all my Christian friends. Today, Chinese all over the world are celebrating the Dongzhi Festival with family feasts, ancestor worship and eating ‘tangyuan’ (glutinous rice balls) for togetherness. It is also a time to reflect on
“Pure water is the world’s first and foremost medicine.” – British actress, Audrey Hepburn LAST Thursday night (Dec. 11), I was happy to be home early after a long day in the office. “Okay, let me wash the dogs’ bowls and the unwashed crockery and cutlery in the sink first,”
‘When we are generous in welcoming people and sharing something with them …not only do we no longer remain poor: we are enriched.’ – Pope Francis I received a bag of rambutans from a neighbour who lived opposite my house a few days ago and was deeply touched and surprised
“From our experiences in Sabah and previously in Sarawak, such as the incident in Baram, Sarawak, we’ve learned the importance of continuous preparedness training.” – Minister of Women, Family and Community Development, Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri. LAST Thursday afternoon, I was checking grocery items in a supermarket after a good
‘Moderation is key; limit it to once or twice a day during the season. Choose a good quality durian, having a small serving of a high-quality durian is better.’– Public health specialist Datuk Dr Zainal Ariffin Omar He stands at the back of his car beside a small pile of
“I once had a sparrow alight upon my shoulder for a moment while I was hoeing in a village garden, and I felt that I was more distinguished by that circumstance than I should have been by any epaulet I could have worn.” – American essayist, poet, philosopher and naturalist,
‘Travel isn’t always pretty. It isn’t always comfortable. Sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart. But that’s okay. The journey changes you; it should change you.’– American chef and author, Anthony Bourdain Was Harry, my brother-in-law and the husband of my elder sister, taken for a ride on Friday
“I have very poor eyesight, and I can’t imagine a world without my glasses or contacts.“ – American actress, Ellen Hollman I HAVE sharper, clearer vision now, especially at night, after undergoing two cataract surgeries recently. Both operations were carried out at the Sarawak General Hospital Eye Clinic. My first