2 Bouquets for 090909

I felt honoured to design and produce 2 bouquets for 2 special ladies. One wanted a simple pale pink bouquet with few Gerberas on it. Another one wanted a bright pink bouquet.

Grandpa's Funeral

26th August 2009 - Mom's Call at 7.35 am

Mom usually won't call really early but when that call woke me up, it must be something really urgent. I sensed that something is not right. Then she told me straight with the first phrase "Ah Kung (Grandpa) had passed away. You need to come back." I was absolutely shocked with the news. I called Jimmy and told him the news as well as shocked him up too.

Grandpa had admitted to hospital for few times earlier. But he was always strong & overcame all the minor old age problem and discharged from hospital. But this time... he was gone. I was really shocked.

27th August 2009 - Funeral
The funeral indeed started on 26th August 2009. But I only managed to be back on 27th. When I reached home, I saw mom to be much slimmer (after her sickness for 10 days + exhaustion of the funeral). We rested for a while and headed to the funeral place.

The moment I stepped in, I went to light up some josssticks and pray respect to grandfather. And, I headed to look at grandpa's remain with mom. He look really peaceful. I was calm. No tears. But mom started crying emotionally and I had to hold her and it made me shed some tears.

Then I met cousins - Shang Wei, Shang Yuan, Shaw Fung (John), and my brothers, Wai Ming and Wai Kit, were there helping each other on folding the "kam po (gold)" to be burned for ceremony. It was like a mini gathering and we always teased each other with jokes and laughed a little. It reminded me when we were younger and growing up together.

Then ceremony began at 6pm. Sons and daughters have to wear black and we, grandsons and granddaughters in white, great grandsons and great granddaughters in green.

Prayer - Blanket Him & Look at Him Last Time.
The ceremony began with some prayers and as it reached almost the end, mom and Auntie Thai Chin had to put on "blanket" on Ah Kung (grandpa). They, daughters of Ah Kung (grandpa) had to buy him a blanket and a roasted pig for the whole ceremony.

The ceremony was okay except the part when we could look at him the last time (before they nailed down the mirror to close it), mom and Auntie Thai Chin cried really hard and we had to hold them and brought them out of the place where coffin was placed. It was emotional.

Prayer - Crossing the Bridge
They have this bridge (in paper) where Ah Kung (grandpa) - in soul - was supposed to cross over. I didn't really get the idea of this ceremony, but we had to yell "Ah Kung (grandpa), cross the bridge". I didn't get that message. But we did it because we respected the ceremony to be good for grandpa. Mom cried too.

Prayer - House and Car, with Maids & Drivers (in Paper)
This ceremony was to ensure Ah Kung (grandpa) to receive his house and car, with maids and driver being educated to be filial to Ah Kung (grandpa). It was hillarious

Prayer - Dragon's Gates and with Coins?
This ceremony was interesting - a sand dragon was built on the ground outside the place and coins were spread around it. The prayer went on and they lighted fire on the wok with stunts where it causes the fire to flame. It was interesting to witness it. Then, they wanted us to dig and find all the coins. The ceremony might means about wealth? I got myself quite some coins.

Prayer - Burn the House, Car, Maids, Driver
This ceremony was the final one on that night. We had to form a semi circle around the Paper House, Car, Maids and Driver. Then ceremony started and they started burning it. It was chilly outside after rain and the fire flames was big.

Uncle Thy Chong & families were back
When Uncle Thy Chong and families were back, mom & Auntie Thai Chin hugged them and cried so hard. They headed to pay respect to Ah Kung(grandpa). I had to hold auntie and mom. They were all crying emotionally.

Then, all of them settled down and spoke to relatives - thanking them to come to pay last respect to Ah Kung (grandpa). It was a tiring day.

28th August 2009 - Funeral - Last Respect
Early morning we completed a ceremony where we had to wipe a paper (gold paper) on his coffin and throw it on the floor. It was the last respect. It was more emotional and alot of them cried. I cried alittle too. Then, they asked everybody to pay last respect and also, look at him for the last time before they close the coffin. When I look at him the last time, it was the time I cried the most. It was sad. I couldn't hold my tears. Mom was emotional but she was in control. Earlier, Auntie Thai Chin was brought to clinic because of her exhaustion. We were all shocked.

Then, they finally closed the coffin.

We had to line up and trailed the coffin car - we walked for almost 10 - 15 minutes on street. It was almost over.

Cremation Burn
We were headed to a place where Ah Kung (grandpa)'s remain is to be burned and ashes to be collected and placed in Graveyard.

This marked the final ceremony we did for the funeral in general. Mom was calm and everyone else is alright.

The Pro-Funeral
We all had lunch in restaurant to thank everybody for efforts and come to the funeral.

Then, Dad was assigned to chop the roasted pig (mom and Auntie Thai Chin bought for ceremony). Then, all the parts were separated and chopped, to give to relatives and people.

Ashes of Ah Kung (grandpa) was collected earlier today (on 29th August 2009) and was properly placed in Nilai Memorial Park.

It's Nothing Matters Anymore But Our Hearts Still Have Him
Ah Kung (grandpa) was a smart guy and earned a lot of money - and if he have not spent a lot of money, he must be a rich person. He passed away peacefully and we all really miss him. Although a lot of times, we heard troubles he made, we have heard words he said that were not nice, but all of them were gone. During Chinese New Year this year, where my financial status was better, I managed to give him an angpau. I am glad I did. At least, I have made him feel happy. I might not have been so filial, but I did what I could to pay the last respect to him. Although maybe we were not close enough, but I was saddened over our loss.

Mom said "We used to argue and quarrel, complained at each other, and now he is really gone. He is really gone." - She meant wholeheartedly as in, there are many cases of quarrels and arguments because of personality crash, financially, troubles, but at the end of the line, she still care for him - she went to hospital to bring him food, she asked him to come for dinner, she bought him clothes for CNY, everything she can do as a simple housewife. Same goes to my father. Father takes care of him too.

My sister in law said "We are always near and Kit (Wai Kit) always talk to him, saw him around in the neighbourhood". She was saddened when he was gone.

Every 1st day of Chinese New Year, we went to Ah Kung (grandpa)'s place to greet him. He always feel happy for that. I will miss him on the 1st day of Chinese New Year.

The few days' weather were calm - cloudy, not too hot, not too cold. I sensed it as calm and serene. Ah Kung (grandpa) passed away peacefully and may he rest his soul in peace.

One important thing that I have observed throughout the whole funeral - Being filial, respectful and take care of our parents are important; no matter how they have treated us earlier; Spend some time with them, although just short weekend; call them; contact them - they feel much happier.

In funeral, what is need to be done is to pay respect. And for those who have not done enough when they are still around, what else can be done? Even if one shows no respect or showing respect, and even dramatize sadness, actually it doesn't matter anymore.

Grandpa, we always remember you in our heart. RIP.

A Painting for Jaymy

A Painting for Jaymy for her new house and also for her birthday.

URNIEZ - a Solo Exhibition by Chee Way

Event: URNIEZ ( "a Solo Exhibition by Chee Way")
What: Exhibit
Host: Findars - 無限发掘
Start Time: Tomorrow, July 12 at 6:00pm
End Time: Thursday, July 23 at 7:00pm
Where: FINDARS Space, Lot 2.01,The Annexe, Central Market

Blue in the Face: Climate Change Campaign

Jason and Vince Bridal Car Decoration

Proud to show my creation of wedding car for Jason and Vince's wedding that was held during last weekend. She chooses salmon, beige and pinkish with white color to compliment the bronze BMW car. I'm proud of the whole entire design.

Hazy Friday Morning

Taken on December 2008.

Taken on today, 12th June 2009.

I just woke up and realised how wonderful today shall be: I'm on half day leave to head down to Muar for Vince's wedding as I have to decorate her bridal car. It's kind of exciting.

But I actually woke up even earlier than previous days. It's the haze effects. It is not funny at all. I remembered that few days ago, I couldn't sleep well at night - it was rough, still and warm. I was sweating and the air was dead still. I felt nose blocked every morning.

It is not unbearable. I think all of us have to bear the consequences. We get quite used to this kind of situation thanks to our beloved neighbour country. But the worst, I still see people practice open burning from their house. How untolerant our masyarakat is.

Maybe it is about feng shui. It predicted that this year is not going to be a great year. I'm not superstitious. I want it to make sense too. There are certain things that make me believing it. But I try not to be. Really, not to be.

Well on top of the haze matter, I received a shocking SMS yesterday. It was a bad news - a friend from Penang had just passed away. He had health problem but it was actually quite sudden. I felt shocked. All I could do was to pray for him - may he rest in peace.

Earlier, few days ago, my friend who fetched me home from dinner and thought of drop by to look at my painting, got into minor accident with an Indian.

As we all know, PJS7 is "Little India of Sunway". After the accident happened, very unsurprisingly, alot of fellow Indians came up to us and shouted about it. It wasn't my friend's fault. His car was at one side of the road heading to the apartment, while the Indian's car was at the other side but the tyre was slightly at our side of road. That's cause the crashes. The proof was on my friend's car - all the scratches were the textures of the tyres.

Back to story, my friend argued with the Indian driver about it because it was not his fault. But we were surrounded by many Indians. Anyway, we "settled" it by ourselves. Although it was not our fault, we have to reluctantly paid him the money. I did contributed some money to pay it off. I felt we were only two little kittens with many wild black dogs. Me and my friend were the only one at our side to defend on the situation. Well, as a matter of fact, I always think majority seems to be the bigger player in all sorts. I contributed to pay a part of the sum (not really alot of money) to rest the case so that it washes us off from many troubles.

One of them said "We are not here to fight, we are gentlemen, we just want it

SETTLE". - Oh Bloody Yes! When I got into car, and I told my friend about how injustice it was, but that little sum of money bought us our safety and assurance.

Well, what a great morning it is! I have to get prepare to work again.

Wild Channel - Wild in the Street Event

Last Sunday I went with cousin Jimmy Tan to his company's event - Wild Channel Wild in the Street event in Mines. It was quite eye opening for me. Not describing alot in words, but showing more of the photographs that I have taken:

Pa & Mami in Seremban's Home

It had been some time since I last wrote in my precious pathethic blog. I was frustrated with my emo; my mood swings like Bell Curves; it was the hot weather to blame on. I felt restless most of the time and I felt uncomfortable to even say more things out from my mouth.

At the same period of time, I was preparing bridal car's materials and alot of hand-stitched works for Vince's big day - that is arriving next week! Pray for the good outcome of my design. And, at very same time too, I took the challenge of participating in a Contemporary Painting competition where I spent almost a month on one big 100cm X 100cm painting. It was really challenging and I was being careful for every strokes and details that were painted on it. Finally, I loves the outcome. I was proud to showcase it to people but not so publicly yet; it's a competition. I need to stay cool and low profile first. I have sent in the entry form. I really need to pray hard for this.

Well, back to today - I think all the bad and "sui" feeling are gone. It's time to get back to blogging again. I have nothing much exciting events or activities or painting or crafts to share about; but rather, some thoughts to talk about during this down-time.

Looking back on some photographs I took in Seremban, I realised probably Seremban's home to be a comfort and peaceful zone for me to get a good easy rest. It is in fact very warm interiorly and I used to stay in my air-cond blasted cozy room. Anyway, I still loves the feeling of me hearing the loud voice of Pa (father) and Mami's laughter (mom's) watching TV programme from downstairs, while I stays up on bed doing my work upstairs. It's sentimental and warm. It reminded me how un-sound proof the room door is especially during my critical SPM time where I need to concentrate on studies. It is good to recall back the moment - I failed to fully concentrate on SPM studies actually, but it showed me a sign - I'm not a Science but Art person. :>

I went out from my house to take some photographs and it was interesting to see some old practice is still intact and works well for the modern world. Mami collected all the peeled Mandarin oranges' skins and chucked into a wire from a broken hanger to hang and dry up the skin. It was nice to look at that photo that contradicts with the Sokka Gakai's building next to our house. (I hate that building! It blocks our feng shui and wind)

I did tried to look at anything else to capture as photograph. I look far and targeted my neighbour's childrens who were playing football. Their corner house is with bigger compound to accomodate them with an activities area. Well, it is better than our house. But it doesn't matter anymore now. Pa and Mami are the only old folks who stay in there most of the time. They claimed our house as "old folks home".

I also managed to take few photographs on Mami's plants and realised this is a nice photograph to be featured here. Mami have this strange behavior - when she is into something, she puts 110 % into it. I think she neglected her gardening interest. There are proves! Ha ha! She is into line dancing now. No more mahjong. It's great news.

Pa & Mami had tied their knot for many years.Their wedding photos prove the time. I loves their black & white vintage wedding photos that were displayed in our house. When Mami looked at her wedding photo, she mentioned about her hairdo and common practice during that time for bride's hairstyling. Usually, bride has to go to saloon and set their hairdo one day earlier before wedding. Hairstylists that time were arrogant and nobody would come to do bride's hair in the morning. I think it is totally opposite now. Maybe there's no competition for the saloon at that time. Ha ha ha.

My big brother is a creative person. He eventually turned 2 cigarrette posters frames (from coffee shop) to become 2 big photographs collages to be displayed at our house now. I loves looking at those photographs. It reflected me with many happy moments and those old memory lanes.There's this photograph that I love most - it was taken when I was still in infancy. I look totally blur but my mom looks gorgeous with her Bob style haircut. It was so retro. The style is back.

Mami still looks great at her old age now. She is still sporting, youthful and most important, still pretty. I wish Pa and Mami have great health and enjoys their life happily.

Some weekends I would rather spend time with Pa & Mami in our beloved Seremban's small house. They are always awaiting for chance with family members and relatives. I always give my best to spend some time with them. It is a good deed to do.