IRREGULAR SHAPED HOUSES

I spotted these two irregular shaped houses facing each other on either side of a road in a housing estate.  In Feng Shui such irregular shaped houses have implications on the occupants of the house as well as those living near them.

 I guess that the two buildings are showhouses or offices and not meant for sale.  There are more pictures of the houses below.

WHERE TO AND WHERE NOT TO PLACE PEONIES AT HOME

In Feng Shui, the beautiful peony flower symbolises romance and prosperity.  To the Chinese, peonies are said to attract romantic luck. Some Feng Shui sifus have said that placing peonies at home would help single girls to attract romantic love.  As for married couples, they too can utilise this flower to ensure that their marriage remains harmonious and prosperous. The best place to place them would be the south-west corner of the home. It is difficult to get fresh peonies in Malaysia and many other countries and so thenext best thhing is to use paintings or prints of the blooms.
Here is more info on the use of peonies in Feng Shui:

1. Displaying peony in the bedroom is an enticement for sexual entanglement for married couples. Therefore, married couples should display them in the living room to lighten the effect instead. However, for those who want to encourage libido in their husbands can hang one in their bedroom.
2. Displaying the peony around ladies will benefit those at marriageable age to find a partner of life. For men, the peony will help to bring in some female energy into their surrounding, thus bringing potential partners into their lives too.

Source: http://www.fengshuibestbuy.com/SL10172-peony.html

WHERE SHALL I TAKE MY MUM AND AUNT FOR MOTHER'S DAY

This year Mother's Day falls on Sunday, the 8th of May.  It has been fixed that the second Sunday of May would be reserved as one to pay honour and tribute to Mothers.
Sooo ... what shall I do on that day for my mum and aunt?  I am thinking about it and would try coming up with something interesting for them.

ALAMAK! MY DESK IS IN A MESS

These few days my desk in school is really in a mess.  My notes, letters and other important materials are just placed in a basket waiting for me to sort them out when I have less work to do.  This is definitely not good as a messy living space reflects a messy mind. 
I started tidying the desk after the above pictures were taken as I need to get things neat and tidy in order to make sure that my life is more organised.

THE SMALLEST BOY IN SCHOOL

Asyraf who was chosen to take part in the role playing Gimmick to kick-start the Resource Centre Week or Minggu Pusat Sumber is the smallest sized boy in Vokasma. Though he is in Form 4, Asyraf can easily pass off as a Standard 5 or 6 pupil
Here Cikgu Ishak Salasa is showing how lightweight Asyraf is. See how easily he can be carried.

GIMMICK TO DRAW THE INTEREST OF OTHERS

Each year, my colleagues and I organise a Resource Centre Week to promote the use of the library.  The theme that we have decided on for 2011 is "Traditional Malay Cooking". 
The launching ceremony was carried out during assembly this morning and we prepared a gimmick to draw everyone's attention to two types of traditional Malay food.

What we did was to have two boys dressed as peddlers selling traditional Malay food.  The first boy entered the hall carrying a basket with a traditional snack called sagon.  He was calling out "Sagon, sagon. Dua kupang satu"  (Sagon, sagon.  20 sen for one.)  Then the other boy entered carryng a basket containing "Pulut Kuning and Gulai Ayam"  (Yellow Glutinuous Rice and Curry Chicken).  He was also calling out "Pulut Kuning.  Pulut Kuning".

 When both the boys reached the middle, they faced the stage where the principal and other teachers were seated.

 Then the principal who was already cued on what to do called out to the smaller boy to go up to the stage.

 She proceeded to ask him what he was selling.  He answered, "Pulut Kuning". She then asked how much.  The answer was RM2.50.  The principal said that RM2.50 for a bit expensive for glutinuous rice only.  Then the boy answered that the Pulut Kuning came with Curry Chicken.  After that, the principal said that she'd buy one.

 The boy is putting the container of Pulut Kuning into a bag to give to the principal and she pays him RM2.50.  In Malay culture, the seller would say, "Jual ya"  (with the money received I have sold you food) while the buyer will reply, "Beli ya"  (Bought).  It is with this transactional exchange that the Resource Centre Week was launched.  Wasn't it fun?
The Sagon was also distributed to the teachers as goodies for the launching ceremony.  Besides that pamphlets and a Bulletin was also given out to advertise the activities of the week and also the types of Malay Traditional Food.

After the launching ceremony, the committee members were treated to a breakfast of traditional Malay meal comprising of Pulut Kuning with Gulai Ayam, different types of traditional kuih (cakes) and Kopi-O. 
Next week, Haji Hasnin will be demonstrating on to cook Nasi Lemak and Sambal Ikan Bilis the traditional way and that is cooking the food over a charcoal fire.  The librarians and other teachers are invited to attend the event which will be held around 3.30 p.m. on Tuesday. 

ALL EYES ON THE TV SCREEN

Did you watch the Wedding of William and Kate on telly this evening?   I along with 2 billion other people in the world did.  This is really like watching a scene from a Disney Fairy Tale come to life, that of a real life Prince Charming marrying a beautiful girl who is a commoner.

LIKE A FAIRY TALE PRINCESS

 There is only one word to describe the bride of Prince William and it is "WOW!"  The moment that the world clapped eyes on her in her bridal gown, we knew that we had ourselves a fairy tale princess come to live.  She embodies what the world imagines how princesses should look like.  She really is stunningly beautiful and that dress accentuated all her curves.  What a powerful vision.  She looked almost ethereal in that simple yet stunning wedding gown.

WPA Pool/Getty Images

LOVELY SETTING FOR RETIREMENT

Quite a number of the teachers in my school posed for pictures on the school stage which had been specially decorated for a retirement ceremony.  We felt that it was a waste not to take advantage of what has specially been done by professionals hired to do the job.  This is what we call retiring in style. 
Hmm ... I wonder if I too can have such a lovely setting when it is time for me to retire.

RETIREMENT CEREMONY FOR A COLLEAGUE

I was busy yesterday morning and afternoon taking photographs of the retirement ceremony of my colleague. Then I spent the whole of the evening until 11.39 p.m. uploading and editing the few hundred pictures that I took to post into the school blog.

Happily I have completed my job and now I have time for the Xing Fu Blog. Since I spent so much time on the retirement ceremony photos, I thought I'd share them with you as well since it is such a special occasion for my colleague. Hey! It is not everyday that one retires.

 The chauffeur driven car for the Man of the Moment was accompanied by a convoy of Superbikers from the Manjung Bikers Club.  A few of the teachers in my school belong to this club and so they managed to get their members to help.

 My colleague, Sahak, acted as chauffeur.

 The soon-to-be retiree is welcomed by the teachers and staff.  The student leaders line the path to welcome and greet him and his wife.

 All along the way into the hall, he is greeted by students that he had taught.

There were of course a few speeches.

 Then the performances by students and teachers.

 A slide presentation about the Man himself.

 A special dais plus chair is prepared for him.

Giving his farewell speech

 Receiving farewell gifts from his students

 A retirement gift from the school

 Making his way out of the hall to the office to clock out for the last time

 Signing a specially prepared page in the guest book.

Clocking out for the last time.  After this, he will be officially retired.

 Outriders accompanying on his journey out from the school.

 Waving goodbye to his colleagues and students.

 Attending a farewell lunch held in his honour.

Pictured with me outside the restaurant after lunch

Waving goodbye.  Finally, my friend is now retired and can be referred to as a pensioner.