Sydney Basket Brigade Packing Day

One Thanksgiving Day many years ago, a young family awoke not with a sense of gratitude many associate with the holiday but with a preoccupation of where its next meal would come from. Too proud to contact a local charity and too frustrated to celebrate the gift of togetherness, the parents lashed out at each other, turning the holiday into a day of devastation. The oldest son could do nothing but watch in despair. 

Then, destiny intervened with an unexpected knock at the door. The family was stunned to find a man standing there, grinning broadly and carrying a huge basket brimming with Thanksgiving delights.

In that moment, this young boy's life was forever changed. He learned with this simple act of kindness that hope is eternal and that people, even strangers, really do care. He was overwhelmed with gratitude and swore that he would someday become successful enough to give something back to others.

On Thanksgiving some years later, the boy, just 18, went with his scant earnings to begin to fulfill that promise. He bought bags and bags of groceries and delivered them to a woman with six children whose father had abandoned them. The woman was elated, and the children shrieked with delight.

The young man was moved to tears. In that moment, he realised that his horrible day years ago was actually a gift that had brought him the fulfillment he now felt, and he knew with absolute certainty that whatever challenges came about now would be turned into valuable lessons.

The boy, was Anthony Robbins, and the moment marked the birth of the Anthony Robbins Foundation's International Basket Brigade. Inspired more than three decades ago by one simple act of generosity on the part of one caring person, the International Basket Brigade has blossomed into an astounding collective effort that now feeds more than two million people in 74 countries. Throughout the holiday season each year, Basket Brigade volunteers in all parts of the world deliver food, clothing, and hope to those who need it most.


There currently are ten Basket Brigade teams across Australia who help thousands of people every Christmas with food and toys. Entirely run by volunteers, Basket Brigade works with local grass root organisations that work with families on a regular basis to assist those that are truly needy. Basket Brigade has no religious or political affiliations and anyone is welcome to donate to the cause, may it be in the form of funds, products or services, or as a volunteer.

I got to know about Basket Brigade through the most effective social networking website - Facebook. A member of Malaysians Sydney Chapter shared a video of last year's Packing Day, which she was a part of. Packing Day is the day volunteers meet up at a designated warehouse to pack these Baskets.

It looked and sounded like lots of meaningful fun to me so I checked my diary to make sure that I did not have an interviewed scheduled for the day. When the online registration link was accessible, I logged on and registered. An e-mail then arrived, confirming my participation and providing the when and where details of this year's Packing Day.

Fast forward to today. I woke up early to take a bus to Epping. Due to track works, I took a Cityrail bus to Strathfield where I took the M90 to Chullora and walked the rest of the journey to the warehouse in Greenacre. I was welcomed graciously at the gate and was directed to the registration counter where I handed in my paperwork. Right after the lady behind the counter strapped my left wrist with a red paper band (those that are waterproof and really hard to tear off), my lovely friends from Malaysians Sydney Chapter walked up the ramp.

I take my hat off to the committee who made the event possible. During the briefing session, we learnt that one committee member did some of her liaising from South Africa. Talk about dedication and commitment. We were also reminded to work at a leisurely pace to prevent injury and more importantly, to ensure that all Baskets (boxes, actually) contain the right amount of content according to the labels.

Let me share my first Packing Day experience with you. I was part of the human production line, where I started with an empty box that was gradually filled to the brim at the end.

There were so many boxes. In fact, over 2,200 of them! However, due to fewer sponsors and donors, this amount is no where near the 4,000 boxes packed last year. Everyone is feeling the economy pinch, I suppose.

Each box was either painted on or decorated with hand-drawn Christmas drawings and greetings.

Just to let you gauge the atmosphere in that warehouse...

I was not even halfway through the line for the amount of food in the box below...

... and no, not lying because look, tell me if you are able to see the end of the line...

There was little room left in the box for the presents (they go according to gender and age of the recipients) and in some cases, no room left at all!

The presents were carefully wrapped by volunteers working in a special wrapping section of the warehouse.

The committee stressed that the Baskets are given anonymously. The only note for the recipients asks them to take care of themselves and if one day, they find themselves in a position to help another, then we encourage them to do so - the "pay it forward" concept. This note was placed inside the box right before it gets taped up by other volunteers. The Baskets were then moved onto the floor space and sorted according to area, for other volunteers to deliver.

To me, what made the day all the more meaningful was the sight of parents with children in tow, young and old, groups and individuals, friends and strangers, all working together for one cause. Everyone showed enjoyment in their expressions regardless of their 'jobs'. Some carried  and distributed boxes, some the food items, some wrapped presents, some taped the boxes, some cleaned up, some manned the barbie. But all of us were happy to be there knowing that part of what we did this morning will put a smile on someone's face.

Thank you for sharing it with the group, Michaeline. It was so much fun to have your girls there with us, too, Charmaine and thank you for the ride to Chullora. And it was a pleasure getting to know you, Yasmin and John.

N.B.: All background information taken from Anthony Robbins Foundation's International Basket Brigade and Magic Moments Foundation Australia websites and Facebook pages.

Concert & Graduation 2012: Colours

This year, the theme for our annual Concert and Graduation at Kembangsari was 'Colours'. Therefore, the material used for all the performances had something or other to do with colours.

Preparations began earlier this year, as I was around then to give ideas. As I was only there during the very initial stages, the educators (and myself, admittedly) were very nervous about putting up a good show. Preparations not only encompassed training the children in singing the songs but also the choreography of the songs, as well as matching and designing costumes and props.

Nearer the big day, Dad would draw up a draft of what the stage would look like.

Some of the educators then arrive on the night before, and more come on the morning itself to help with setting up the stage.

For particular educators, the night before also involved getting some of their props ready...

We received positive feedback for the stage this year, with the 3D effect created by the pieces of cloth that floated midair from the front to the back of the stage.

To see the hall seated to its maximum capacity and full from beginning to the end of the show was also a very encouraging sign. We really appreciate the support from everyone in the crowd - thank you!

You have no idea the amount of work that goes into making a successful show. And when I say work, I do not mean only the training and preparation for the performances. I also mean all the effort invested into grooming the children into the confident individuals that they are.

Like the African proverb, "It takes a village to raise a child", it takes the hard work and sweat of all the teaching and non-teaching staff and management, parents and the individual child to see the results we see in the children. It takes time and patience to guide children to become a team player who is respectful of themselves and others. It takes belief and perseverance in cultivating the habit of learning from mistakes with a positive attitude. It takes skill and enthusiasm to promote enjoyment for learning and doing new things.

The event, in my opinion, was a success. The children outdid themselves and performed better than everyone imagined. The parents were respectful of each other and were very supportive of all children. We are very honoured to have all of you with us.

Hope you will enjoy the DVD and we look forward to putting up another spectacular show for you next year!

Happy birthday, Mummy and Little Bro!

If only I was home this year for my own birthday, I would then be able to celebrate Mum's and Bro's birthdays, too. Apparently, Dad brought them to Bumbu Bali Restaurant in Bandar Puteri Puchong for a treat. Argh, missed yet another sumptious meal!

Here is to wishing my beautiful and capable mother, as well as my charming and popular brother HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Love you lots!

Happy birthday, Michael!

When I asked you out for dinner, I did not expect you to choose to have a mamak dinner. I was expecting something like Japanese or Thai. But never mind, it's your birthday so you get to have the last say.

My dearest sai lou, may the coming year be another year of personal growth and achievement for you. 

Happy birthday!

Happy wedding, Junda and Sharon!

When my friend Junda from UTS, enterprising owner of PappaRoti Australia and Petaling Street Malaysian Hawker Food Sydney Branch extended a wedding invitation, I could not say no. And so, along with three other lovely ladies, I went to Doltone House for a very purple evening.

Each of us received a personalised shot glass each...

I have to say, the food was not too bad. However, some of us were comparing a Western-style wedding dinner to a Malaysian-Chinese-style wedding dinner. No competition really. One is a three-course while the other is at least an eight-course.

Thank you for the invitation, Junda and Sharon. Congratulations and wishing every best for your future together as Mr. and Mrs. Khoo!

Life #11

Hello, my favourite month of the year. How have you been? You seem well. You brought with you splendid weather. You brought with you endearing endings and exciting beginnings.

Ah yes, it has been a while, has it not? A whole year has gone past without us realising. I suppose that is a good sign, no? A sign of us living life to the fullest and really enjoying our earthly pursuits.

We tend to take life for granted, do we not? Life, as in even the 'free stuff' that Mother Nature provides. Take now for example.

I see the flickering of the shadows made by the leaves on the trees playing peekaboo with one another.
I see the golden rays of sunshine, which provokes a sense of warmth.
I see birds of all kinds taking flight, making full use of the cool breeze that helps them fly with less effort.

I see all but I see only when I take the time and effort to slow down and pause to observe and ponder. This stopping to ponder, to me, is an important process but I am not suggesting that we do it every minute of the hour. I hear you ask, "If we stop to ponder so much, how does that help the year go past faster?" Ah, now, the answer to this question would differ from one individual to another. And for me, this process of reflection helps me shape my thoughts and to help me become.

Become?

Yes, become. To become more me. To listen to myself more. And when I am more skillful in listening to who I truly am, I am a more genuine person.

The world isn't just the way it is. It is how we understand it, no? And in understanding something, we bring something to it, no? Doesn't that make life a story?” ― Yann Martel in Life of Pi

Do not get me wrong. There is not intention to become the perfect being. This process of becoming takes plenty of effort, and life lessons. And I think, it also involves taking time to stop in our normally fast-paced, technology-packed tracks to just be grateful for everything and everyone.

So yes, my favourite month of the year, I am grateful that you have arrived. And thank you.

MasterChef Billy's Halloween Dessert Degustation

When Jenny asked if I was interested to go for Billy's Halloween Dessert Degustation, I was surprised at how quickly I said yes. I transferred the amount required to her and two spots to the event were booked. With limited seats and in collaboration with two other food bloggers, Karen Low and Phuoc Huynh, I did not need to think twice!

We shared a cab to Studio Neon in Waterloo. Other guests started arriving in their own Halloween costumes. Some really bothered dressing up.

First thing, grab ourselves a drink. After trying all the drinks offered, we settled for a Scarecrow Mojito, which was a mixture of Bacardi with a dash of lime juice, thyme leaves and pumpkin puree.

Although it was handy to have these placed right in front of us, it was also very dangerous - we kept popping one or two into our mouths!

And then, the dessert feast began! The six-course of four sweets and two savouries started with petit fours of pineapple marshmallows, balsamic vinegar strawberry pate de fruit, and black sesame & charcoal powder macaron with pumpkin and Fromage blue cheese filling. The combination of blue cheese was a little strange but was not hard to accept.

This was followed by Phuoc's deconstructed apple crumble, which I really enjoyed. Perhaps it was due to the apple and green tea sorbet and the popping candy mixed with the crumble...

When I heard the word 'moscato', I did not bother listening to what else was in the tube. I know there was a lychee in it but whatever else there was... nah, it's moscato so all's good.

Then it was Karen's turn to plate up. Her dish of chocolate parfait with fisherman's friend chocolate dirt had everything a chocolate lover would want. I looked at Jenny and said, "I am not going to have chocolate for at least a month".

Frankly speaking, I was full by the time the Mexican smoked pulled pork and Asian style chilli and soy lamb ribs with the sides of balsamic braised red cabbage and cauliflower puree were served. I did not have much of them but the puree was smooth and had just the right flavour.

The pumpkin soup with red pepper oil pork crackles on the side had both of us sold. Oh my goodness, this was orgasmic!

The grand finale was the Snow White. Billy had this white ostrich egg looking thing placed in front of us. We watched the thing melt (some more gracefully than others) as hot raspberry coulis was poured over it.

We little red devils really enjoyed ourselves!