16 The Birthday ..and a little about Elvis Presley

I have the same Birthday ....I never fail to brag, as Elvis Presley! It doesn't matter that he wasn't a celebrity of my era. I became a fan after watching one of his movies.

I was an impressionable 10-year-old who'd swoon in adoration when he appeared on our TV screen. Elvis movies were usually aired late nights on weekends, which suited me well because everyone in the family would have retired into their rooms by then. And I had free reign over the TV remote.

One fine day, curious me pulled out my old folk's record player. It had been left unused for sometime. FuhhH! A dusty affair. I wiped it clean, flipped through stacks of records and discovered a piece by Elvis. There was no turning back. I had to try!

While kids in my class were on the Sony Walkman cassette player with Michael Jackson's Thriller on play, I enjoyed getting home to my record player with songs from the old days. I don't know if I was more excited about the discovery of an old gadget or the cool idea that I listen to The Beach Boys and I was different. 

Well, just look at me! I've gotten carried away. This post was supposed to be about how I spent my Birthday. How embarrassing. Aah..but I cannot not share a quote and a couple of my favourite song scenes from these Elvis movies before I end my nostalgic meanderings down memory lane.

When things go wrong, don't go with them. ~ Elvis Presley

I pretty much glided into my 41st Birthday with several dates out in mall/s with friends. We chatted, ate and laughed over the silliest things.

The night before was spent with family members who dropped by for a visit. Chocolates and Jacob's Creek Sparkling Rose was my present.

Friends and family, nothing more perfect than that.

Early that morning, I had also received a call about a flower delivery. Roses are red ..they truly are. Deep red. Well, these are and they're from my parents.

Red Roses

The roses were so beautiful that I felt my home had been blessed with something magical. ♥ ♥ ♥ With that, I bid adieu to forty.

Are you planning anything special for your Birthday this year?

16 Saying Goodbye To The Deer Park In Perdana Botanical Garden

In the news ~ DBKL To Close Down Deer Park At Perdana Botanical Garden In Stages.

The largest green lung within the bustling city of Kuala Lumpur is the well-known Perdana Botanical Garden. It's a place that holds many tourist attractions. I've been here many times but have visited the deer park only once. That was last year, to warm up my leg muscles for a walkathon. The deer park has been around for close to thirty years!

This is the main entrance. It's free to enter. There were flags hung up because I was here during the month of Malaysia Day celebrations.

Deer Park Entrance, Kuala Lumpur

Visiting on a gloomy Sunday afternoon has its perks. The park was quiet of people who had stayed away in anticipation of rain.  I'm not afraid of rain. I would, however, hide under my blanket if it was accompanied by thunder and lightning.

Housed in the enclosures (pictured below), are small shy mousedeers.

Home to a few mousedeers

At the end of the path was a man-made waterfall. The sound of flowing water lent a moment of spiritual enlightenment. It was relaxing and I felt like I was in a state of meditation.

Waterfall at Deer Park, Kuala Lumpur

Then, a climb up several stairs. Phew! Luckily, it wasn't a steep one. The scenery was beautiful. 

Huffed and puffed up the stairs

I got a good view of the deers, mostly resting in a large fenced area. The stairway bridge where I stood to admire them, was nestled in the center. This was the view on my left (below).

Deers resting in the shade

On my right, and further up, I was able to get a closer view of the deers. They were munching on some leaves.

Eat!

Can you tell if this is a Fallow or Axis deer? I'm clueless in this department, even after googling.

Deer at Deer Park, Kuala Lumpur

The deer park will be closed in stages to make way for a Center of Rare Plant Species. That sounds pretty exciting too, doesn't it ..even if The Little Shop of Horrors  flashed across my mind for a moment. Pardon my imagination!

Hello there!

I'm not sure how far they are with works on the new center, but if you're keen to check the place out, it's now or never as it has been reported in the papers that the park will close soon.

16 A Quiet New Year

All good for the soul, but not good at all .. because I spent my New Year gorging on the most addictive chocolate chip cookies. Now I feel like a well nourished potato, rolling her wobbly way around the house. I knew I was asking for trouble when I made the decision to bake the legendary Nestle Toll House cookie but my regrets aren't real. It brought me immense satisfaction. 

Chocolate Chip Cookie with Pumpkin Seeds and Almonds

Aah..2015. "Happy New Year! Happy New Year!", we cheered to each other. Some with renewed hope, others a little superficially.

You see, it's been a tough year for Malaysians in general. A year of sorts. It was a year for the extremists. We were torn apart by racial barbs. It was the year of kidnappings for ransom. That put a dent on the tourism industry. It was the year of aviation disasters. Flight MH370 remains missing, MH17 was shot down and QZ8501 had, it seemed, succumbed to bad weather. QZ8501, although an Indonesian plane, flies under the banner of Air Asia, a Malaysian low-cost airline.

To top it off, several states are facing the worst floods. The rain has been relentless. More than a hundred thousand people have been displaced. Homes have been washed away. Many of us have risen to donate and help in any way we can.

All this, as we try to usher the year in with positive thoughts. The skies remained grey and it was chilly throughout. I didn't stay up to catch the fireworks on the eve. That doesn't mean that I didn't have a good day. I did.

I snuggled up in bed with chocolate chip cookies and three movies. No whoops of joy with friends or running off to start on my resolutions. It was just a day to appreciate the little things more and to be grateful for what I have.

Happy New Year, everyone.