July 23, 2007

....

rain drops

keep falling

on my head

....

July 15, 2007: I Feel Pink

Almost all words have color and nothing is more pleasant than

to utter a pink word and see someone's eyes light up and

know it is a pink word for him/her too. (Gladys Taber)

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Pink is the color of romance and a friend tells me that

the girl with pink dress at the party is the one who

is selected for each dance. (Alfred C. Hottes)

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The very pink of perfection. (Oliver Goldsmith)

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NOTE: Enjoy the pink flower on my balcony after rain.

July 03, 2007: Ulam raja

The above are pictures of 'Ulam raja' flowers that I took at my backyard garden in Kulim. My sister, Ramlah planted it as 'ulam' - not the flower though, but the young shoot. "Ulam raja" when literally translated means 'the King salad' (Raja=King). But I am not sure whether the King actually eat it . Some people say, the word Raja here means that this plant is the King of all ulams - especially due to it's medicinal properties. The 'ulam raja' is known for its antioxidant and also good for blood circulation. The scientific name for this plant is Cosmos caudatus.

If you notice the word 'ulam' is part of the name of this plant. In general 'ulam' is used for plants that can be eaten raw (or sometimes cooked - steamed or half boiled), as a form of local salad. The ulam is a traditional Malay dish that normally taken with 'sambal belacan' (a mixture of pounded chillies, shrimp paste 'belacan' and lime/tamarind juice) and serve during lunch or dinner.

Basically the food value and nutritional values of most ulams are very high. They are what keep our old folks and kampong folks healthy without the modern vitamins and nutritional enriched food of today's society. Ulams taken by the kampong folks are generally those that are readily obtained. Some people plant it as a back yard crop which means it is not farm based and farm ideas of using insecticides and growth hormones are not usually used. (however, nowadays due to the growing popularity, the common ulams are now beginning to be farmed). I remember those days when I was small I used to follow my mother and her 'gang' went into the jungles picking ulams - this normaly happened if it rained at night and my mother couldn't 'work' (she's a rubber tapper) the following day. To my mother and her friends, they were looking for food, but to us (normally the other mothers will take along their kids) it's fun time in the jungle!

May 23, 2007: My Joy, My Pain

Found this flower when I opened my balcony door.

It's a cactus flower.

I started taking these pictures since last night.

Enjoy!

May 06, 2007: May Flower - Lily of the Valley

Like the slow beauty of winter, the carnation reveals its color with a subtle grace and rewards close, attentive viewing. The carnation is a rich and fragrant flower, a sensual feast perfect for birthdays during this winter month. The deep, warm color of the iris foreshadows the luxuries of spring. A February birthday also portends warmth and prosperity, making these two an excellent match. Match a lucky February birthday with this slender, magnificent flower. The appearance of daffodils in the spring has long been associated with rays of sunshine emanating from the ground, bringing color, comfort, and beauty back to the world. March birthdays also add comfort and beauty to our lives, so celebrate this month with the daffodil’s fragrant sunshine blossom. The modest, unassuming beauty of the daisy has a playful, childlike character that brings joy and happiness wherever it arrives. The many colored options of the daisy provide ample opportunity to match this lovely flower to a specific personality. No other flower can match the daisy for pure joy. The subtle, majestic lily holds its delicate white blossoms snugly between its strong, broad leaves. This flower represents the both the strength and wild beauty in May birthdays. A fresh bouquet of lilies is a magnificent way to send your best, birthday wishes. June must be the month of love, as it has been paired with the flower of passion, the rose. Roses have many significant meanings depending on their color and the number of flowers in the bouquet. June birthdays are also known for their passion, making June and the rose a perfect match. The long, blossom filled stem of the larkspur has been chosen to represent July because their gorgeous and lush beauty fills summer meadows with an unmistakable color and fragrance. July birthdays are also known for their particular summer radiance. The sword like blossoms of the gladiola are responsible for its name and also for its symbolic meaning of strength of character. August birthdays are also known for a strong sense of character and moral integrity. The gladiola also reminds us that strength of character and integrity can look gorgeous and be full of rich personality. The dense petal formation of the beautiful aster allows its rich, deep color to radiate through with a lush, almost aquatic texture. This combination makes the aster the flower of magic and transcendence. September, the beginning of Autumn, is also a time of otherworldly transcendence, and September birthdays contain elements of seeing aspects of life often hidden from view. The brilliant and unusual calendula represents October birthdays because its broad, colorful flowers follow the path of the sun throughout the day, soaking up all remaining sunlight left in Autumn. October birthdays are also known for being warm, receptive people who are easy going and easy to talk to. Celebrate their one of a kind beauty with the one of a kind calendula. The bright butter yellow glow of the chrysanthemum brings joy, light, and cheer to the dwindling days of November. Chosen because of the cheer and joy November birthdays bring throughout the year, the chrysanthemum’s color and perseverance are a beacon of happiness. The translucent white petals of the narcissus blossom bring the beauty and peace of a fresh snowfall indoors. The grace and sophistication of the narcissus bring a redemptive beauty to poor Narcissus, the mythological figure that fell in love with his own beauty and drowned kissing his reflection in a lake. Now, the narcissus represents peace and the possibility of renewal.

February 11, 2007: Roses for You

The red rose whispers of passion,

And the white rose breathes of love;

O, the red rose is a falcon,

And the white rose is a dove.

- John Boyle O’Reilly

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Red rose: deepest love and respect (red rose is Herb's favourite rose)

Yellow rose: Symbolising dying love (this is my favourite!)

Pink rose: Grace, gentle feelings of love

White rose: Innocence, purity, secrecy, friendship, reverence and humility (I like white too)

February 02, 2007: The Roses

You love roses - so do I. I wish
The sky would rain down roses, as they rain
From off the shaken bush. Why will it not?
Then all the valley would be pink and white
And soft to tread on. They would fall as light
As feathers, smelling sweet; and it would be
Like sleeping and like waking, all at once!

- George Eliot, Roses

January 27, 2007: Beauty of the Night

Hi everyone,

Sharing with you beauty at my balcony tonight

Love - Larra