Countdown 2009

Pheww, for the organinising committee of this countdown party, we can finally have a peaceful sleep. My "investigation" revealed that a majority of us, yours truly included, have been having sleepless night for the few days leading up to the countdown party. There were so many last minutes loose end to tie up and finally, it was all system go and whether we did a good job or not, it is for the participants to judge themselves, though I must say that those who knows how to party, have a good time and those who are still shy, there is always next year.

I didn't have opportunity to snap pictures, but I do know that Zafri, Venu, Tony and a few others took loads of photos. So, while waiting for the photos, I will attempt to capture some of the moments of last night in here.

Before I do that though, I think our Event Head, Ms Agnes Lim deserved to be awarded a medal for doing a great job, she was the busiest person yesterday night and doing 1001 things, without which, many of the things would not have gone so smoothly. Her kids, Michelle and Andy manned the reception. Also, she prepared the finger foods when the caterer was delayed by an accident. Organising the event, taking the lead in the party and many many other things that I didn't notice personally but I know she did it, out of passion, responsibility and love for the community. A big bravo Agnes (you are staying on permanently on this job, I'd say)

Of course, the rest of the organising committee for job greatly done, I will list here and any good Glencovers should thank them when you all see them during your evening walk, gym time and whatnots.

a) Mary Westholt - for wrapping the presents and making the whole presentation looked like a million dollars!!! And walking around the neighbourhood with Sheila selling the tickets and promoting the event.




b) Nicky and Doris - for running up and down to buy things, get things organised, leading some of the games etc.

c) Mary Wee - for arranging the presents for the carollers.

d) Sheila - for aggressively promoting the event and selling the ticket, at the same time assisting Mary for presents et al.

e) Tony, Dahlia, Penny, Albert, Padma, Jeff and Cathy - for assisting in organisation of the event.

And a few others who chipped in but probably skipped my mind, of course, the things everyone mentioned above did was not limited to that stated, it was definitely more than that, I am just listing what little I can remember. Of course, not forgetting the sponsors for the presents, Ganesh & Prames, Rajan, Syed & Sharifah and yours truly lah of course.

The event started around 10.30 with speech from Penghulu. Then some game, some lucky draws and we were at the eve of the year already. A quick countdown by Nicky and lighting of fireworks, again, sponsored by Ganesh and Prames. Everything goes so fast that I don't really recall the chronicle of events, suffice to say that it went as well as I could wish for and I am really going to let the picture tell the stories, later, when I get the photos, of course.

But some of the guys stayed on after the event proper, I was with them until 4.00 a.m and I think, most of them would have watched the dawn of a new year by the riverside as it was only 2 hours to go for that view. We shall know later.

Well, that's about all that I am going to write about this party, until I remember more. I do hope everyone enjoyed themselves.

Security Issue - Tony's Response

My good neighbour Tony is an avid angler/fisher/fish catcher. Apparently, he has seen his share of outsiders in the precinct in unearthly hours and following was his comment to the security issue posted earlier (it can be found under the main post too) - I am reproducing what he saw and along with his suggestions that I totally agree.

Quote

tony wee has left a new comment on your post "Security Issue":

Yes, yes Thomas. I agree 100%. The tight security is one reason we bought into this community, but recently there have been many "friends" who come fishing at the pier. sometimes overnight.

Perhaps one way is to insist that all who come in are not only registered, but that the host must stay with the "guests" all the time.

Another point to note is that the pier is often left very messy after their fishing session, and I have seen them climbing into the residents' boats. If they are residents and children of residents, we can always talk to them, but being strangers, its more difficult. Hope the Glencove CEO is reading this blog.

Unquote

I share Tony's sentiment and now, knowing that they don't even have respect for resident's property when they are guests, do we still want to be lenient? What if they are no more resident's friends or if someone posed as resident's friends? It is food for thought and we are the long term resident here, our collective decision in this matter is crucial to determine what kind of neighbourhood we actually want??

Security Issue

The people in Glenmarie Cove really knows how to party and have a good time. One after another, we have drinking, eating, singing, jamming, gossiping, story telling and whatnots. A fine example of community living at it best. Slowly but surely, most of the main residents are getting to know each other pretty well and glad to note that, most do get along pretty amicably too, except for a few, which is common, as perfection is an ongoing process, if it is already perfect, then there is nothing to pursue anymore, right?

Well, during the parties, where I am pretty much a listener, I noted that many residents noticed that recently, there has been many outsiders coming and going at our precinct at their whims and fancy. Standards of security seemed to be going down. There has to be some sort of control to stop outsiders from coming in by just saying they are visiting a friend, especially at unearthly hours.

Even personally, today, I got back from a function in KL and reached the first guardhouse around 11.50 p.m. In front of me, there was a motorcycle. I saw the guard pointing to the Sri Santai but the motorcycle just turned left, without registering. I wind down my window and asked the guard, who were the two people. He told me that they were the friends of some residents, coming in to FISHING!! Apparently, he must know them, otherwise, how would he know they are just coming for FISHING?


I told the guard, why are they not registering at the counter Sri Santai? He immediately talked into his walkie talkie to ask the 2nd guard at the second guardhouse to turn them back to register.

My grouse now is this :-

At 11.45 p.m, can a visitor just be let in without verification with the resident? can the "visitor" just mention to go fishing and they are friends of A resident and be let in? It is fine if residents don't want their visitors to be hampered, but at 11.45 p.m?? Shouldn't the guard at least be calling the resident to verify and get the resident to vouch for this visitors? They are not even really visiting the resident but coming in to FISH, on the pretext that the resident is waiting for them. I think late night visitors should be subjected to more stringent procedure and may even need the resident to vouch PERSONALLY, or pre-alert the guards on late night visitors.

Also, what about the overnight visitors? (Taking this two fellows on motorcyle, if they are fishing, they would be "stay" overnight? Are we sure they are just "fishing"? Do we want to care?) Shouldn't the security be informed too by the residents? At least as a courtesy to other neighbours. We are all sharing the same precinct. Do we really want to wait for something untoward to happen before we put in all the precautionary deterrents? Do the residents want to cry over spilled milk?

I have also noticed on a few occasions that contractors (I am assuming it is contractor) that just come in, passed the first guardhouse and proceeded to the second guardhouse, without going to Sri Santai either. Then, they will wait at the second guardhouse for the security guard to open the boomgate for them. What I am not pleased about is that the guard DO open the door for them, probably they know each other well but procedure is procedure and it is put there for a reason! Start bending rules and regulations, that is where the problem all starts. On many occasions too, I observed that people leaving in cars and motorcycles waited at the second guardhouse for the security guard to open the boom gate for them. Meaning, they didn't register too, because otherwise, they would have their own touch and go key to slot in to open the gate!

I will definitely highlight this to the management and the security company, and our penghulu, after hearing it from fellow residents and observing it myself too. Most of the people in Glenmarie Cove are bought in the security and leisure lifestyles offered here. If we want to have strangers loitering around our neighbourhood, we don't have to pay a premium for our property and monthly security fees to get that. Any taman will have strangers loitering around anytime of the day and we can get that for free elsewhere for that matter, why pay for it?

Discipline has been wanting, rules has been bent, it is high time things are being righted. It is really a lovely neighbourhood with lovely people and we really don't wish to have any untoward incident to mar such a blessed place. Some residents might not like a strict enforcement of rules but if the majority requested so, the minority has to follow, that is called democracy and majority rules. The interest of the majority has to come first, I guess, though it sounded selfish but we just couldn't risk polluting a well just because some people refuse to take joint care of it? Granted, we are not under siege but everything starts small, to snowball into something that might be regretted later on. Nip it at the bud, like our penghulu always advised us.

Accolades

My humble apologies for missing the important mention of people who contributed their time and energy to make each of our event a memorable one.

Special thanks to :-

The event chairperson, Agnes, Santa Nicky, who have to wear a personal sauna, Uncle Joe and Auntie Stella for hosting the brady bunch every weekend and earlier this evening, Mrs Maria Ng, the choir master, Uncle Joe again, for guitar and lead singer, Clarisa Ng (Capt's daughter) who played the violin, Andy (Agnes' son) for chauffering the Santa, Mary Westholt for contribution, Mary Wee for the poem.

Also, must thank the hosts for participating in our inaugural carolling event :-

a) Mr Jason and Ms Ann
b) Mr Saran and Ms Anita
c) Mr Tony and Ms Mary
d) Mr Jeff and Ms Cathy
e) Mr Rama and Ms Viji (who is in India)
f) Mr Joe and Ms Stella

Personally, I must also thank Auntie Stella for her awesome coffee but I really must try to decline her offer for the coffee in future, much as I loved them, as I was not able to sleep due to the overwhelming effect of the latte, like kids on sugar - hyper...he he he. Unless if the offer was over breakfast, hint hint nudge nudge...

Carolling Event on 23 Dec 2008

After sacrificing a few weekends for practicing, finally, D-Day was here and earlier this evening, the group of carollers went around the neighbourhood to bring the spirit of joy and sharing to the neighbours. I must say that though not all of us are Christians, but true to our Malaysian spirits, all of us, irregardless of religion turned up in full regalia to paint the whole neighbourhood RED, literally. Take a look at the preparation :-



And we have our own tailored-made in-house Santa Nicky-laus to boot, literally!!! Look at our Santa and you will believe that the REAL Santa will lose some sleep over the competition, if ever our very own Glenmarie Cove Santa decides to venture outside his territory.



As the saying goes, behind every successful Santa is a Mrs Santa, in our case, BESIDE our Santa is a Mrs Santa, like Malays saying, bagai pinang dibelah dua, loosely translated, perfect match made in Heaven...



The group made the procession to the first stop. The sight was fantastic with the RED uniform and lighted candles.



The first house, Jason and Ann's house. Following photo is the graceful hostess, who are so generous with gifts and foods but we didn't have the opportunity to really sit down and savour the goodies provided. I am sure, next round may be, we will finish off every morsel of it....



Then, we were off to Saran and Anita's house. I tell you, Glenmarie Cove residents really spoilt "us" - us, as in the ADULTS as well as the KIDS. I mean, who can resist good food, yummy food and great hosts? Really, you can see for yourself how the hosts spoilt "us" - it is a wonder that all of us didn't end up looking like future Santa with all these generous residents around...





By this time, like the Ultraman button on his chess, my "cap ayam" camera signalled that it was running low on power, so, by the time we reached Auntie Mary and Uncle Tony's house, I could only managed to capture some photos before the camera gone kaput on me. Look at the lovely couple, with Santa acting as the "street lamp"...hmmph....What a role model to emulate...the loving couple, I mean, not the "lamp-post"...he he he.



After that, we were off to Uncle Jeff and Auntie Cathy's place, then onwards to Uncle Rama's place, Auntie Viji is off to India, this time, not around to spoil us with nasi beriyani, otherwise, we will eat, again!! Who can resist Auntie Viji's beriyani?? (at times I wondered, where do we find the space in our stomach for so many meals in one session???).

Last but not least, we adjourned to Uncle Joe and Auntie Stella's house where the kids had their party and gifts from both of them and again, the host spoilt us with wine, beer, cookies, coffee (which I couldn't resist, keeping me awake at this hour, posting this evening's event) and plenty of deliciously, sinfully fattening cakes and pastries. I don't know about the rest of the guys but I do know I won't be looking into mirrors for the next few weeks after all this overeating!!!

For more photos, click here.

And as usual, since my camera battery gone dodo bird on me, I have to wait for the resident cameramen (Uncle Tony, Uncle Albert, Brother Vennu, Brother Ganesh) to provide the rest of the pictorials.

Till the next update, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. See you all in the countdown party...ho ho ho...

Tony and Mary Wee's Christmas Gathering

Tony and Mary had their Christmas Gathering on 21 Dec 2008. Most of the usual people were there, with addition of two new faces, that is of Ernest and Rachel, Tony's immediate neighbour to the right and Tuan Zaid and Zarinah, the neighbour opposite me, who are based in Kuwait presently (who came despite their hectic schedule, just to say hello to the neighbours).

The party started with the usual makan-makan, good food, good company, good wine. Halfway through the night, all of us gathered in the living room and good ol' uncle Joe provided some guitar music with the kids singing some Christmas songs. Then, we had Chris singing a song, Pat and Sheila leading a dance, etc.

The host wanted the guests to play a game of "Know Thy Neighbours". The game turn out to be a huge fun because of "argument" and "contradicting answers" - where in the end, the owner of the questions will decide the final answer, hehehe, where the team of Wand To Be Tree (Road 1, 2B, 3) scored higher points against team Two Ayes (Road 2A).

One of the most argued answer to a question was the name of Cathy and Jeff's yacht, the answer was "Rapscallion" or as our team answered "Rapascallion" - the actual answer was Rapscallion of course, but we as got our answer from Cathy's sms, thus, we "present" our case as the owner themselves had given the answer, we couldn't be wrong, with proof to boot. In the end, we won though the other team was correct, factually but on technicallity, we won, hahaha. That is "the rule of law" for you!! hmm... I wonder if the court play by the same rule... scary....

There was so much to tell but I think, some pictures will do it more justice. At the same time, I managed to record some clips using my handphone, though I have to add that unless you are there, I doubt you would know who is who because the clips were soooooo blur....





My apologies because the video were side way, got to slant your head a bit to see, didn't realise the setting on the handphone were landscape at the time.

Sheila and Padma reliving their younger days, where dancing was their dating game, hmm.

Nicky, giving some instruction, I believe.

Mike and Taizo having some discussion.

The most expensive cleaner in GC. Mr Taizo helping to clean some rubbish inadvertedly created by another neighbour...

Mary having a chat with Tuan Zaid, our latest addition. 

Another angle of the most humble big boss of the day.

Countdown Itinerary

GLENMARIE COVE RESIDENTS’ 2009 NEW YEAR COUNTDOWN
Wednesday, 31st DECEMBER, 2008
FROM 10.00 PM TO 2.00 AM
SENANGIN JETTY

TENTATIVE PROGRAM

10.15 pm Welcome Speech by Mr. Padmar, President of
Residents Pro-tem Committee

10.25 pm Light Refreshments

10.45 pm Dancing / Games

11.30 pm Performance by Residents’ Talents
[dear fellow residents, please come forward to share your talents !!]

11.59 pm Countdown

12.00 midnight “Auld Lang Syne”

12.30 am Lucky Draws

12.45 am Dancing / Games

2.00 am End of Fun Night


*************************

New Year Countdown Party

GLENMARIE COVE RESIDENTS’
2009 NEW YEAR COUNTDOWN !!!!

Wednesday, 31st DECEMBER, 2008
FROM 10.00 PM TO 2.00 AM
SENANGIN JETTY

[dress in your wildest party garbs !!!]


“A Night of Fun”
for ALL Residents, Families and Friends of Residents

Tickets are available at RM20.00 per head. The tickets sale proceeds collected are for miscellaneous expenses [Music Machine & DJ, stage & lightings, light refreshments, lucky draws, etc……..etc……].

Payment in cash preferred. Make your payment to Mrs. Mary Wee or your Road Reps. Early payments are appreciated. The contributions collected are non-refundable. A statement of account will be issued to all contributors after the event.

For further information or enquiries, kindly contact :-
Mary Lowdik
Sheila Padmar

Thank you for your support and looking forward to your participation in making this event a success !!!

Another Halloween Update

Hi, I just got some photo from Albert Mok, have just uploaded the pictures, which can be accessed here.

Saturday will be the first carolling practice, I don't know how is the response, will keep you guys updated.

Have also started to distribute some flyers for the countdown party and we hope the good people of Glenmarie Cove will come forward with full support to our first countdown party.

Until the next update, stay happy and stay healthy.

Raja Muda Regatta - by Jeff Harris

This is the message from our good sailor neighbour, Jeff Harris. I cut and paste from his email unto here.

His yacht name is : Rapscallion

On behalf of the Glenmarie Cove people, I would say it is the experience of it that is the most valuable of all and who knows, in the near future, you will be just whre you wanted. And you might even captains a team of 100% GC in another event.

====================

Hello All

I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who sent me the cared with good wishes prior to the race.

Cathy and I are now back in Glenmarie Cove and I just spent the day recovering from an at times exciting, enjoyable, frustrating, tiring but extremely satisfying sailing experience. The following from Asianyachting web site sums it up well:

Well what a marathon. Only sailors with allot of stamina on and off the water should compete on the Raja Muda Regatta. Sailing through the night, finishing in the early hours off the morning, consuming copious quantities of alcohol, raging around the night clubs at the stopovers, then going out and race again with little or no sleep for a week is why this event is called the "Most challenging regatta in Asia". This behaviour is normal on the International sailing scene and anyone looking for a Asian holiday with a difference, where they can get involved with some sailing activities should not go past Malaysia as the Raja Muda Regatta beckons each November. World cruisers are especially welcome as the island hopping nature of the regatta was specially designed with them in mind, to showcase the west coast islands and enjoy some good ole Malaysian hospitality.

The Rapscallion went well, the team were great (despite the combined age!), no major mess ups, nothing got broken and we placed seventh overall in class out of ten boats. Not a momentous result but the fun of the whole thing left everyone happy at the end and the parties made the event, particularly as Cathy and two other wives joined us. We didn't make the night clubs - those were left for the youngsters. Our tactical decisions in the passage races, always partly experience and partly luck, didn't work out quite right. After the first night we thought we had done well, at dawn lots of boats were behind and only a couple with higher handicaps could be seen in front, then with twenty minutes to go till the line the wind totally died and the tide took us swiftly sideways. We finished a painful two and a half hours later, while watching slower boats catch up as they found some wind closer to the shore. Second race, almost a repeat, although the no wind event happened a bit earlier. The Penang to Langkawi leg was fast and furious towards the end with 25 - 30 knots of breeze on the beam. All of the harbour races were pretty close but our competition was just a bit faster. Having said that we were against an out and out racing yacht and two others that had bought in professional crew. Hey ho! To add to all this we tried our luck in the trishaw race in Penang, not shure who won that one as the rules seemed to go out of the window!

A few pics are attached.

Jeff

Palace Of The Golden Horses

Just a quick one.

Today, the majority of the Glenmarie Cove P1 residents went to Palace of The Golden Horses to attend the wedding dinner for our new neighbour of Vennu and Anusia. Most of us car pooled, good for the environment!!!

Well, we have some nice photos, can check from here.

Many of the folks of Glenmarie Cove wear some of the nicest clothes. Nicky says we should be in the Malaysia Tatler magazine, that my friend, if it happened, I will frame the picture!! hahaha. Here is some of the nice and graceful folks of Glenmarie Cove.



Wait for some more nice photos upcoming from the other photographer.

Overall, the banquet was something different yet similar, like what we deduced, fusion of culture is happening in Malaysia and that's the way it's going to be. The food is quite delicious. Many of us are Indian food kaki anyway and it suited our tastebuds.

By sheer co-incidence, the host put a few of the "kanak-kanak dewasa" together at the same table, namely Nicky and Zafri lah. The both of them was soooo sweet to the waiter that we got our first dish quite fast, and we don't even need the waiter to serve us, we are quite happy to just indulge ourselves. By the time our foods were cleaned of the plate, I noticed Mano and Thana's table is not being served yet....so, I guess, next time, must ensure to sit together with this two "k-k d" to get to jump some queues.

The Glenmarie Cove residents also wished the bride and the groom a "Tani" greetings (our version of yam seng for the nite!!) and the lot of us happily joined in. If I get the photos from Venu, then, I will post it, then, we can see the whole group cheering for the newlyweds.

Later on, Delia and Sheila joined in the dancing but have to cut half way through as it was quite late and most of us were tired out. For our two ladies, fear not, another dance party is coming, make sure you gals are around!!

One another note hor, today is also the birthday of somebody lah, 22nd November. Who?

This fella lah :-



Also, today is also a couple's wedding anniversary....which couple?

This couple lah :-



Don't forget, we will have our New Year Countdown happening soon and do keep in touch with the organiser so you don't miss out all the funs.

Halloween Update

Here is another update for the photo album. Kindly click here for the photoshot taken by Zafri.

As for the rest, well.....

Please be informed too that the countdown party is on!!! Let's welcome 2009 openly and join our inaugural countdown party, where a lot of party is expected. Don't forget your dancing shoes and party hats, come with open mind and enjoy yourself.

To help cover for rental expenses, we will most probably be selling tickets that doubles up as lucky draw tickets.

So, do come and make it a success. It is fate that we all become neighbours and let's be the best neighbours and neighbourhood to live in.

Halloween Photos

Finally got some photos from other residents. Thanks to Venu who followed one team around and took loads of photos, that can be access here.

Please click on the link and enjoy the moments.

I am still waiting from the other photographers.

Maiden Halloween Night 31 Oct 2008

Trick or Treat? (Updated with photos courtesy of Tony Wee, awaiting the rests)

Alrighty, I have some tricks and I have some treats too.

Firstly, the tricks, you guys have to wait for the photos of the Halloween Night organised by Glenmarie Cove Residents. 1st Reason? I have yet to receive them from the cameramen, ie, Tony Wee, Zafri, Venu the Werewolf. How about my own camera? Well, the camera fell while busy shuttling around the precinct and somehow, the memory card's lost it's memory, what an irony!!..sigh. It's very frustrating because I have loads of photos inside.

Now the treats. We had a FANTASTIC Halloween Night!!!! I would sum it up as a BLAST. The organising committee would like to express a big thank you to the residents of Glenmarie Cove Precinct 1 for the co-operation and kindness in treating all the children with so many wonderful candies, sweets, chocolates and whatnots.

The night started with registration and what a sight to behold. We have witches, draculas, vampires, pirates, angels and a few others. The photo will tell a better story, wait for the outcome from our cameramen.



(The group of children before the start, photo by Tony Wee)

The children were split into three teams and covered different roads at different time. I followed the three teams on different occasions and glad to report that houseowners / residents (most of us anyway) were very excited and quite a number dressed in their royal spookiness to scare the children. One houseowner even go to the extent of playing spooky music and stationing one "keeper" to "play" with the children. As in all things, some kids find that amusing and exciting while some others were scared stiff and cried, ah well, all in a day's trick or treat. To that houseowner, congratulations for the effort, you are truly one of a kind. I don't know which unit because I missed it.

Many houses instead of leaving only the porch light on, took the extra step to prepare Jack-o-lantern, pumpkins carved beautifully, or should I say eerily, and I took those photographs but unable to share it due to the reason above...what a waste. I hope the other managed to take the Jack-o-lanterns carved by our people.



The Jack-o-lantern at Thomas' house (taken the night after, the first was MIF - missing in falling)



The Jack-o-lantern at Tony Wee's house

Mike from DL 3 also dressed like the rest of his family member, for this night, the whole family decided to reveal their trueself, The ADDAMS family, albeit the blood sucking one.



The "ADDAM'S FAMILY" - Mike was at home waiting to scare the kids...

Parents and adults that dressed according to the theme too, were Agnes (the chairperson), Cathy, Ramasamy and his children, Sheila and a number of others whom I didn't get the chance to get their name.

The adults were complaining that they didn't realise that to walk the whole precinct was pretty tiring, I say to you guys, good exercise eh? If adults complained about exhaustion, imagine the kids. And the kids were indeed pretty tired, probably because there are still many empty houses and they have to walk long stretches with nobody to treat or trick. Let's hope this time next year, we will have more occupancy so it will be more bustling trick or treating for the kids.

I assure you that the kids got loads of candies to last them 3 months at the very least!!! Glenmarie Cove Residents are really generous lot. We hope that the residents shifting into the empty lots in the future will share the same spirit and generosity, in their candies and friendships, right?

After the houses has been covered, the children adjourned to the playground for some impromptu games. The parents and adults cheered them during the competition, pitting the team of Witches led by Tracy, Pirates by Andy Mok and Claws by Brann (am not sure about Tracy and Brann as they both looked alike, doesn't matter) against each other. It was really a very festive atmosphere with the encouragement from the parents rooting for their kids. It was fun to see the children playing games and it is really not easy to manage a bunch kids, phewww, am I glad it is over!!!

Anyway, when the game session was over, children safely tucked in, to dream of 1001 ways to finish off their loots without the parents' restriction, the parents / adults sneaked out and adjourned to the Senangin Pier for some chit-chat, catch up and gossips. The night owls consisted of Tony and Mary Wee, Jeff and Cathy, Ramasamy and Gee, Robert and Delia, Agnes and Albert, Shirley, last but not least, Penny and yours truly.

So, there were beers flowing freely and Agnes bought everyone a round of roti canais, roti pisang, chapati, chicken wings and Gee sponsored some fried rice half way through the rotis, everyone would have finished it off if not for the over stuffed stomach. Still, being one not to resist any good food, at least half of the fried rice were gone within minutes.

I brought along a canvass to be spreaded on the grass and everyone sat around and chatted until about 2.00 a.m. before we called it a day. It was a time well spent. Truly, it has been one of the longest night and hopefully, such high standard could be replicated again and again. I know some kids were asking when will be the next "party"...I wish I have that much energy too...Until the next updates...

"TRICK OR TREAT,
SMELL MY FEET,
GIVE ME SOMETHING NICE TO EAT"

Hari Raya and Deepavali Updates - Oct 2008

Just a quick updates.

a) Hari Raya came and went. We had a few open house in the neighbourhood, first one hosted by Syed and Sharifah. Right after having our fill of super yummy nasi beriani and nasi himpit kuah kacang here, the same group of neighbours then adjourned to the house next door, who happened to hold open house on the same day. The host is Timothy but I forgot the missus name, I think it's Sarimah or something. Someone care to correct me? Even though most of us have eaten at S&S's place, we just couldn't resist to have another go at Timothy's, the foods were just too tempting.

b) Today is Deepavali day and Mr and Mrs Rama (the bungalow unit near the lagoon) held an open house for the neighbours. Almost everyone who knows someone were there. Usual suspects, Padma, Jeff and Cathy, Nicky and Doris (I hope I get the name right), Albert and Agnes, Tony and Mary Wee, Mary Wesholt, Shirley and her husband, Mike (I am bad with names, hope it's correct) ; his first time to join the usual suspect ; Azlan, Zafri and wife (forgot the name, sorry), another Thomas with his wife, Brenda, I think and a few more ; missing is Captain Ng & Mrs, and Mr & Mrs. Taizo. As usual, the names above were the ones who would stay the longest, hahaha. I was there around 2.15 and left about 5.15. Talking about staying!!! Again, what else us Malaysians would do if we gather if not to eat (again) and Mrs Rama cooked very delicious beriani that some of us had like 3 - 4 helpings, you guys know who you are...

Anyway, we met the lovely children of Mr and Mrs Ramasamy. Their youngest daughter is getting married (Anusia) and we were all invited, it's a BOLLYWOOD themed wedding dinner, guests are encouraged to dress according to the theme and we are so excited to go, yeah.. I am excited too because I would finally have a chance to wear my Punjabi suit bought in Chennai, oops, sorry, got side tracked, back to main topic.

Anyway, after her wedding, Anusia will stay at the semi-D in road 2B, next to Tony and Mary Wee's. We are finally seeing some new faces in our area. By the way, my wife told me that the Wanita group planned to attend the dinner dressed like Aiswarya Rai and Kajol, I am soooooo looking forward to see Agnes, Mary Wee, Mary Wesholt, Doris and the rest of the gang in saris and salwar kameez.

I wonder if Nicky would be wearing "Dhotty"???

Both Nicky and I are Indian foods fan and we just found out that Zafri is also crazy about food. We got more kaki for eating expedition in the near future.

It is very nice to see such a friendly crowd and humble to the core, no stucks up around. Everyone is like old friend, I really admired these people. I hope there will be more get together to build on the good things we have going.

c) This coming Friday will be Halloween and Mary Wesholt and Agnes Mok has taken the initiatives to organise a Halloween party for the young (and young at heart), so, I hope everyone will join in the fun. I have bought loads of candies and I hope there will be lots of kids going tricky-treating in the neighbourhood on that day, otherwise, somebody have to volunteer to help me finish off the candies.

Lastly, the pro-tem had a meeting with Glenmarie Cove management and highlighted all the issues as mentioned in our letter to them. Mr Ng promised to look into some of the issues on hand personally. I think it went very well and we can look forward to many good things happening in our neighbourhood.

Well, that's all for the time being. Catch up later.

Updates

I believed by now, most of the Precinct 1 Resident of Glenmarie Cove would have received their copy of letter to the management airing our grouses and discontent over some matter and manner of things being handled.

Hopefully, very soon, the management will allocate some time to meet up with residents' representative to sort out the more pressing issues.

Meantime, pro-tem committee is in the midst of planning for an Autumn Festival or in Malaysia, it is more widely known as the Mooncake or Lantern Festival.

Please check back for more updates. Meantime, we hope that we will get the return of the contacts of individual residents soon to enable everybody to be kept in the loop. Please do inform your neighbours if they have not registered themselves to receive emails. Please do check in here periodically to keep abreast of matters that might be happening or planned for our community.

Neighbourhood's First Get Together

Hi there, we have just had our first neighbourhood gathering, the usual suspects were all there, as usual. Except for a few new faces, mostly are the ones who parties the latest and the noisiest, hahaha.

We hope to rectify the situation by getting the road-rep going door to door and collecting information and introducing ourselves and get them to join in the community so we can always speak with one voice and protect our interest collectively. Otherwise, if everyone only care for themselves, then the community will deteroriates and we become like just another normal taman in Malaysia, let's strive to avoid that. As it is, I think we have known each other names, more than from where we were originally from, where neighbours just practically do not see nor know each other. Let's not become like that, again.

Alright, some head up on the gathering. Let me just list down the people who were there, in order of their self introduction.

1) Tony and Mary Wee
2) Ng Ber Toon and wife, sorry, I didn't get the name.
3) Saran - the new face, who is a few doors away from Mr Ng
4) Patmanathan and Sheila - our pro-tem penghulu
5) Mr Teh and Ms Pat - I hope I got the name right
6) Joe and Stella - who is the second to move in after Patma
7) Thomas and Penny Mok - that is me and my other half.
8) Jeff and Cathy - their house is right opposite the host's
9) Azlan and Badriah (Bard) - whose house is my siamese twin
10) Albert and Agnes Mok - not related (to me, that is), Agnes is the events chairperson
11) Nasir and Jem - hope I got the name right, they are next to Nicky
12) Mary - everybody knows Mary, no need introduction
13) Ken and Mei Ng - they are the coming soon neighbours, Nicky's siamese twin
14) Nicky - another one who don't need introduction

Just a quick recap on things mentioned, of which Mary will give the minutes, she is such a good secretary, thank you very much.

a) There is no security manning the second guardhouse for certain hours, it doesn't seemed to be a good idea but we will see how it goes
b) There will be one key contact person from GC to attend to any grouses we might have, Patma will let us know who once he have more information.
b) There will be a change of landscaping contractor, we were reminded to monitor the situation and do not allow for any slackening of the maintenance, for our own benefits.
c) Cleanliness is an issue and I strongly felt that the guard who do the rounding will have to monitor the contractors and workers because rubbish are definitely not created by residents.
d) Visitor passes shouldn't be allowed to be given to contractor, they have to get their own special passes.
e) Everyone will list down the defects they faced for other's to study and look out for in their own unit, meantime, all unattended defects will be complied and highlighted to the developer, so, please do compile your list and send them either to me, Mary Wee or Nicky.

Overall, the gathering / meeting was a success and we hope the momentum has been set to have more this type of gathering so we can share information and tips for our mutual benefits.

Lastly, photos will be posted once our cameraman (Tony) and camerawoman (Mary, not Wee) send or pass to me.

Another Attempt To Upload The Video

Hi there, I tried to upload some snippets on youtube but always rejected, don't know why. Now I am trying the blogger one, I don't know how it will turn up once I hit the publish button, here goes....





I just viewed it, it's oklah. Hope you guys enjoyed it. Vids courtesy of Tony (again)

Tony Wee's Recording For Retro 60s Party

This is captured by Tony Wee. Enjoy yourselves.

Retros 60s in Video

My internet line is back to acceptable speed. I have just uploaded some video to youtube. It can be viewed as below.







Tony have also passed me a cd for the same. I am uploading the picture shortly but I am still figuring how to upload his video to youtube as it seemed to be different format, if based on existing format, I fear it would be too big file. Anyway, enjoy the picture first.

Glenmarie Cove Resident Nite

To those who have missed the party, you MISSED the party!! nay nay nay nay nay nay....

First off, the food, yummy. The food was much better than the last time, or rather, much better organised. And plentiful. We had, most of us anyway, overeaten and thanks to Glenmarie Cove developer, the gym would be very well utilised the coming few days to burn off all those excess fats!!!!

We have our usual members, the one I mentioned to my wife as the initial group, who always are among the first to arrive and among the last to leave, hahaha. Let's look at some of the photos.

Arrghhh, unable to upload the photos. Stupid connection is so slow. You guys have to check it our from the group website, I guess. The link is from the Neighbourhood Database.

I will update further after I make the complain to streamyx for the slow connection first. Till then, adios.

Security

Alrighty, I decided not to write complaints on the first two posts, this constitute the third posts, as such, moratorium over already.

As mentioned in the groups created earlier on (link found herd), I think it is not right that contractors should be using visitors pass to enter into the neighbourhood. As I mentioned in the other place, my sister had to wait for quite sometime before she can get a visitor pass, reason being the Seri Santai is out of the visitor and touch'n'go pass. I asked the security, why is it so? I found out that they run out of passes because too many contractors going into Precinct 2. I was like, Hello? How can passes be given to long term contractors until it causes shortage?

I remember earlier on, all contractors would have to pay or buy a one month pass. What has happened? If the contractors can not take care of the passes for one month (again, security guard told me that contractors always loses the pass they make), then, my say is, they lose it, they pay for it, AGAIN. It is only fair, right? Imagine if your friend wanted to visit you and then, they can not come in because there is no pass. Wouldn't that be a bit awkward?

Another thing that I noticed, it used to be that sharp at 6.30 p.m, all renovation works must cease. Nowadays, it is not strictly enforced anymore. Do we keep quiet like the normal Malaysians? Or do we highlight this to the management? Among us, we understood the timing, at one time, when a cabinet installer have to do a bit later than allowed time at a neighbour's place, the neighbour came over and apologise if any disturbance caused. No offence taken of course. But it shows the sincerity and consideration and it is a value that I treasure very much.

Okay, that would be all for the moment, I will ask our pro-tem Penghulu what he thinks about all this and we will follow his wise decision, of course, hehehe.

Resident's Appreciation Party

Well, all of us are aware that the developer, Glenmarie Cove will be throwing a party for the Precinct 2 purchasers. Of course, being the pioneers, most of us received invitations too. I am looking forward to this gathering.

Date : 21 Jun 2008
Time : 6.30 p.m to 10.30 p.m
Location : Senangin Pier

By the way, should anyone have any comments or announcement to make, please do drop me an email so I can post it in this website. I can be contacted at tmithomas1@gmail.com or just leave a comment at the comment box, I should be able to get it too.

Bye...

Maiden Entry

Hello there, I am pleased to be blogging about the residential area I am staying in. So far, the people who are my neighbours are friendly. May be it is the lack of fences that make people slightly friendly. After all, with fences around us, we tend to keep to ourselves mostly. Without the fences, people tend to smile more and say hello more often too. It is less stressful and thereupatic to come back to home sweet home in nice neighbourhood like this.