I was standing on a 30m height observatory tower.
A very picturesque view. The trees grow along the river bank. 
We could see the mangrove canopy better from the observatory tower.
There is a 1.5km boardwalk to bring us deep into the mangrove forest.
Very serene and windy though a bit warm.
A very delicious and affordable Fish Bihun at Lintas, KK.
It was my first time to participate in Tzu Chi activities at Kota Kinabalu - home visits.
Every year KK Tzu Chi grants a nominal amount of compensation to the poor students. First of all, each school will hand in the personal data of 20 chosen students and then the Tzu Chi volunteers will visit every family to identify the qualified students. Today, we have succeeded only in visiting two families. The others were either not at home or could not be contacted.
The family of the first student, Helena lives in a very shabby wooden house. They have to pay RM109 per month to rent the land without a house. They built the house themselves. Moreover, the charges of utilities are double than the original priced. That ruthless landlord! Helena’s father earns an income of RM800 and from time to time he makes an advance of salary from his boss. So in the end of the month there are only a few pennies left. This is a family of eight with six children attending school, there’s no other income! While RM800 doesn’t seem to keep me living I do not know how that meager salary could feed them well! The second student's father was a policeman. He joined police force in 1995 but I don’t know why, until today, his salary is less than RM2000. They lived in an old police quarter with eight people live under one roof. He also has seven children, including a nephew to feed.
Frankly speaking, this could be the sole reason people rarely want to be a policeman. We often complain about police corruption, their irresponsibility and unreliability but wait; you may want to think twice when you see them getting a scanty salary but still being told off so hard by the public.
What I observed from these two families is they have many children. Somehow I wonder why they didn’t seriously carry out family planning, resulting in a “overcrowded” family. In contrary, the urban people “strongly” believe in “quality” and not “quantity". I still remember whenever I tell my friends I have four siblings they will be left in “admiration”.
Back to the topic. When a family cannot afford their children's education and healthy lifestyle, shall the couple weigh these things and do some “birth control”? Or shall they obey to God’s Will and give in to their "need"? I watched the children's faces and know they desperately want to get this grant. Do they feel helpless and sad? Do the parents feel guilty? Or am I thinking too much? I still remembered there was news on the suicide of a China father because he couldn’t afford his child's costly university fees. I think I may not be able to provide my children the best of everything but if my children don’t feel at ease to study, I will definitely feel guilty. I really hope that this bit of grants can reduce the family burden.
Today I am grateful to my parents and the community for I could complete my studies worries-free.
I'm still on the derrick barge waiting for the installation of the KNJT-C Jacket Platform. The exact location is about 55 km from Labuan. I was supposed to be back onshore last Sunday but due the the adverse weather the boatrun back to Labuan was cancelled. Since I want to watch the installation I have to stay here until everything is done.
The jacket is being tied down on the barge Giant 2.
While I was standing on the work deck looking at the sea, what i could see were only the barge Iwas on, the "mesmerizing" sea and the azure blue sky. That moment I felt myself minuscule compared to the ocean. I can feel the saltiness brought by the soothing sea breeze.
This was me wearing the safety coverall. Beside me was the inspector.
Anyway most of the time what I do -- eat, chat, watch tv, surf internet and sleep. Of course I did study about the whole installation procedures of the jacket. Hopefully it can be carried out soon so I could go back home!
