Phyllis Caring Home - A Humbling Experience

On 9th April, me and my colleagues decided to pay a visit to an old folks home. Apart from bonding within the team, we felt that it is time to give back to the society one way or another. After much Googling and researching, I found Phyllis Caring Home in Jalan Universiti, PJ. The idea is that we wanted to visit those homes that are really in need - not those private nursing homes.

Phyllis Caring home was established by Madam Phyllis Nathan with the help of four churches; St Francis Xavier, Fatimah, Assumption, and Holy Rosary. The home has 13 residences in total, of which two are blind, and two are mentally handicapped.

The whole experience was really eye-opening. You wonder how can children actually bring themselves to leave and abandon their own parents when they are old? What happened to filial piety?

Take for example Aunty Juliet (on the right in the picture below). She can speak perfect English and had work in Telekom and Bank Bumiputra before as a secretary/PA. She has one daughter who had fell out of contact due to some arguments. She lives alone with 7 dogs. One day, she fell down and knocked her head. She was unconscious. No one knew about it. When she was discovered, it was already too late - she had suffered from a short term memory loss. Despite it all, her daughter still didn't come back to look for her. Until now, she still asks for her daughter and her 7 dogs.

Aunty Renu (on the left in the picture below) comes all the way from Sibu. She has children of which all are grown up and working. Her husband had past on and non of her children is willing to take her in.

Unfortunately, stories like these are not uncommon in the home. We also bought some supplies for them as well. Note: Before buying anything, please call up Madam Phyllis to enquire what is needed. You don't want to buy things which the folks don't need or is in redundant. Especially perishable goods.

Alternatively, you may pay them a visit. After all, what the old folks want is for people to talk to them and to listen to them. Because day in day out, all they do is stare at the four walls of the house. Because they are lonely. Because they needed someone to care for them.

Below here is Uncle Johnathan - who is blind. His favorite past time is to listen to the small portable radio.

Here is another blind resident. There are kind people who would buy Braille books for her to read. She fell and broke her hips so she is bedridden. Despite that, there are volunteers from nearby churches who would take her in a wheelchair for church service every week. Talk about faith and dedication.

All in all, this trip was really a humbling experience. To see these old folks being left alone in their golden years by their own children is heart-wrenching. How could people resort to doing things like this?

When we were babies who took care of us?

Who gave us an education so we can have a better life?

Who put food on the table for us?

Who slogged most of their lives for us?

It is our parents.

When they are old, shouldn't we take care of them just like how they took care of us? Wouldn't we want our own children to do so when we are old?

Think about it.

If you want to donate or visit PHYLLIS CARING HOME, you may contact :

Madam Phyllis

(+603-7956 0799)

No. 19,

Jalan 12/12,

46000 Petaling Jaya

Let's make a difference.

Love;

Mrs Lee

Weekend Getaway : Singapore

Note : Long overdue post.

In April, my family together with Bear headed down to Singapore to watch the Lion King Musical Broadway over the weekend. Yes, I am refine like that. :p

On the way down, we couldn't resist stopping by Malacca Town for its famous chicken rice balls. Can't say no to yummylicious balls, can I? Good thing was that my balls cravings were satisfied. The bad thing was that the shop which we went to was jam-packed so we opted for another one called Formosa something. Needless to say, the chicken and the balls sucks. Beggars can't be choosers right?

Gotta say though, the place has rather good ambiance. Very typical Peranakan setup. My bet is that the house was formerly a Baba Nyonya residence which was converted into a shop.

After lunch, we were strolling along Jonker Street in search of desert (i.e. cendol) and was busy snapping pictures.

And found it!

Thereafter, we promptly made our way to Singapore. We checked into Royal Hotel in Newton Street. Nothing to shout about, it was relatively cheap and the rooms were clean. So no complaints. :)

The Lion King Show was held in Marina Bay Sands. And that place is world class! The architecture is amazing! I was stoked! KLCC loose hands-down .. serious!

The Lion King show was amazing! Granted we paid SGD88 each (which translates to RM220). Not that cheap but worth every penny! We sat at the aisle (a tip given by the organizers) because the animals will come in from the door behind. :) Love love love that show to bits! The songs were good. The music was good. The cast was good. Thoroughly enjoyed it. I wouldn't mind watching it again.

On Sunday, we took the opportunity to drop by New Creation Church and the service as expected were impacting! Pastor Prince is such an anointed, eloquent, and funny speaker. His grace messages as usual were powerful.

And check out the queue!! That's normal for every Sunday service!! These people are so faithful to hear God's Word, I'm inspired!


And there sums up my short getaway trip to Singapore. :)

Love;

Mrs Lee

Review : Pangkor Island Resort (Second Honeymoon)

This was a bit overdue but thought I should rave about how awesome Pangkor Island Beach Resort is - waaaayyy above my expectations! Initially we wanted to try the famous YTL Pangkor Laut Resort but at the last minute the idea was shelve off temporarily because we wanted something that's not too over-the-top immediately after spending so much on our wedding.

Our package is 3D2N inclusive of breakfast and dinner, plus a spa for 2 hours. All in all, we paid about RM1,400 for two persons (if I could remember correctly). Yes, lunch is not provided. We didn't even eat lunch because our breakfast is usually very hearty. Not to worry, should you need to eat, there are a lot of restaurants in the resort or alternatively, you may take the resort shuttle and go out around the island. One concept that I love about the resort is that you don't need to carry your wallet out around the resort as you can charge all expenses to your room. Because the entire island is solely operated by the resort management themselves (except for the spa).

The drive to Pangkor takes about 3 hours on the road - 1 1/2 via the highway to Bidor Town and another 1 1/2 hours through the trunk roads to the Lumut Jetty. You may park at the covered carpark at the jetty. The ferry takes about 30 minutes to reach the island. Along the sea, you can see our marshal army base and some war ships stretched along the coast. Reminds me of Pearl Harbor. :p

Upon reaching the resort, you are served the sirap selasih as a welcome drink - really cooling and refreshing. I was amazed at the hospitality of the staff at this place! And I love the resort too! Very homely and comfortable.

We upgraded our room to the Pacific Wing at a nominal sum. I strongly advise you not to take the Garden Wing because you are facing a golf course. What's the point of going for a beach holiday but not having the luxury of facing and hearing the sound of wave lapping on the shores? Quite potong stim.

The Pacific Room faces the beach and we usually leave the door to the balcony open to catch the sea breeze. Total relaxation! :) The room is also split level and has a four-poster bed, really really romantic *ahem*

Believe it or not, the island is filled with hornbills!! Isn't hornbills only exist in Sarawak?? 0_o" But it was really an eye-opener because the only time I saw hornbills was half-dead ones in Zoo Negara when I was a kid back then. These birds are very naughty, they will grab or try to con their way to your food, so you have to be careful with them.

And the beach was AWESOME! Of course, it is not crystal clear like those of Pulau Redang but clean nonetheless. Fine sand and green/emerald waters. Fantastic! :)

Our breakfast and dinner was at the terrace overlooking the beach. It was so beautiful!! One downsight of the resort is that their breakfast spread is so-so, very limited choice and the food really isn't that great. But me and Bear are quite cincai with food so we managed to make the most out of it. :)

One the second night, we saw the staff arranging the tables outside surrounding the main swimming pool and the beach. To our delight, it was our dinner venue! So heart it ok! Sunset dinner. :) Perfect.

Did I mention that at the Pacific Wing, we have our own pool? Smaller than the main one but still nice. I prefer to swim in this pool because it is less crowded, more luxurious, and very private.

I heart this place so much!

As you can see, the pool is almost like an infinity pool. It looks as though the pool connects straight to the sea. Awesome!

View of the pool at dusk. Beautiful!

The spa was ok - not too bad but nothing to shout about. Was hot thought because of the weather and also the air-cond was not cold enough. The spa is operated by a third party and not by the resort. Their concept is quite kampung-style with an open concept. For the price we paid, I've nothing to complain about. :)

In the night after dinner, we would usually go to the lounge and listen to the Filipino band there with a mug of beer each. By the way, drinks are a bit on the high side so be prepare to fork out more. Occasionally we would walk the beach and laze on the sun-deck. There are spot-lights along the beach so it's rather safe (lights will be off at 12am). Besides, it is a private beach so there are no disturbance from hooligans and mat rempits unlike Port Dickson.

At 6:30pm everyday, the staff will feed the hornbills with leftover bread and fruits from breakfast. It is a sight to behold!

Did i mention that the resort has a resident peacock with his entourage of 7 peahens? Such a magnificent creature!

Yes, they are free to roam wherever they want to!

On the first day of breakfast, I was so fascinated with the hornbills that we left a trail of watermelon so that they would come close enough for us to snap a picture. Heh ~ jakun I know. :p

Come to mama!

On the way back home, we stopped by Bidor Town to have this famous duck noodles. Sedap sangat!!! Personally, I don't like to eat duck - but this was an exception because the duck tasted like chicken. -.-" HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Alas, on the last day I was reluctant to bid farewell to Pangkor Island Beach Resort because I've grown to love the place so much! :( Will definitely make a trip back here again - or maybe the next round we should try YTL Pangkor Beach Resort instead. hhmmm ~

Ambiance : 5*

Service : 5*

Value-for-Money : 5*

I have nothing but praise for Pangkor Laut Beach Resort. Well done guys!

Love;

Mrs Lee