WHAT'S LIKE FOR ME TO BE RETIRED

After about forty years of teaching life I really looked forward to retirement. So here I am, free from all the burdens of a hectic working life. Some friends remarked that I would be bored doing nothing. Why should I be doing nothing? Being retired from work doesn't mean I would sit down and do nothing. I think that would make our exit from this even faster. No 'Boring' is not in my vocabulary. So far life has always been interesting for me whether I am working or now being a retiree. Now I can have time to meet with friends, go outing and pick up the hobbies that I enjoy like reading, listening to music, join the line dancing club or go for a walk to keep myself fit.
Getting involved in Church activities keep me spiritually healthy and I believe is very important preparation for the end as nobody knows when it will come. So I would always start the day with my quiet time with the Lord and end the day thanking Him for everything that happen during the day. This has always been a source of strength and help for me. Now I can afford to spend more time in this solitude and how thankful I am that I don't have to rush here and there. I may not be earning but I am reaping a harvest filled with the goodness of the Lord.

So to all my friends who have retired I wish you the best.

My Remedy to stop my hair from falling

Some time ago I was worried that I would eventually end up bald headed. The reason was that each time I washed my hair a lot would fall off. My scalp was also very itchy. I thought it was the shampoo. So I bought whatever was recommended to me. My hair still kept on falling . I concluded maybe its part of growing old.  Part of my hair was turning grey anyway. Then somebody told me to try the henna leaves locally known as 'daun inai'. So I went in search of this plant. One of my friends actually had this plant in her garden. I asked for the leaves and also learned how to prepare it.

Here it is how I prepare it.

What you need are the following:

 Henna leaves (pluck fresh from the plant. )

 Aloe vera  leaf (use half only)

 2 Lemon /or lime 

Method

1. Put in the henna leaves into a blender.

2. Chop the aloe vera into small pieces and put into the  blender together with the 

     henna leaves.

3. Add the lemon juice and some water just enough to make a thick mixture. (If it is      too watery it would be difficult to put on the hair. It will be very messy)

4. Blender the whole mixture until well blended to make a paste.

5. It is now ready to use. 

6. Leave it on the head for two or three hours. Cover with  a towel to make sure the 

     mixture stays on your head. 

7. After that wash your hair  and blow it dry.

The above did  not only  stop my hair from falling but also gave my hair a beautiful brown colour. If however the hair is black the colour may not show. So the above can  also also be used to dye  hair.  It doesn't cost much and you can do it at home at your own leisure.

The above remedy works for me but I cannot guarantee that it will do the same for you. Anyway no harm trying. But if you have grey hair it will give your hair a beautiful brown  colour.

Have a good try!

My style of making 'Hinava"

'Hinava' is a local dish of Sabah. It is made of raw fish and taken as an appetizer. Last Christmas I introduced it to my son's in laws in K.L. and they loved it. That was the first time they tasted it . So I just wish to share with you how I prepared it.

Ingredients

1/2 ikan tenggeri which must be fresh
garlic according to taste (for me I like to put a lot)
small red onions
1 piece of ginger
10 limes (more or less)
2 red chillies (optional)
5 - 10 limes

Method:

Slice the fish int0 halves. Make sure to clean the fish properly. Scrape the flesh out with a spoon. Put it aside in a bowl. Clean the garlic, onions and ginger and chop them into small pieces. Smash the garlic first before chopping. Slice the lime lenghtwise so that the juice can be squeezed easily.
Add the lime juice onto the scrapped fish a little at a time until the fish turns pale. Put in the other ingredients and mix well. Put in salt to taste. (The limes will cook the fish so make sure you put enough until you do not see any red colour) Don't forget to put some salt and if you like sprinkle a dash of pepper to the dish.

Have a good try.

Sunset

THE SUNSET

It was a very pleasant evening.
I was walking along the beach with a friend
She suddenly shouted and said. “look at the sky!”
I turned and looked and was mesmerised by the beauty of the evening sky.
Yes the sun was about to set
But before it disappeared it was bathed in colours so bright
then it turned golden red
as it was about to disappear behind the horizon
as it went so was the sky getting darker and darker
finally it was completely hidden
darkness began to descent
then the chirping of the birds could be heard
they too seemed excited as the night approached
the day was over and it was time to rest
we hurried to our car and drove off
before it became too dark.
it had been a long day
time to be home like the birds
rest at last after a long and tiring day.
Tomorrow is another story.
Who knows what holds tomorrow!
At least for now another day is gone.
Would there be many more sunsets to watch
Nobody has the answer except the one
Who holds tomorrow.

By Gerarda

About Me

I was born into a small village called Kuala Penyu where back in 1946. It is a small quiet and isolated village then.