Old is Gold

Apart from conducting Beginners and Continuing classes, Kajang branch also runs a special class for the local senior citizens. Simply called the Senior Section, this group consists of members aged 60 and above. Thus far, it is an all-women group (wonder what happened to all the senior men in Kajang!). The oldest member is 84 and she is a regular in the group.

The Senior Section practice once a week i.e on Saturday mornings, from 6.00 to 7.00 in the morning. The venue is at the town's Catholic Church which is within walking distance from the main practice venue at Mewah Club. "President" Phin and Swee Fun, Treasurer and ICC Member, are the Instructors and they have been carrying out their responsibilities diligently since the inception.

I have the chance to meet the senior group last Saturday (26/2) morning when Phin brought me there. It was still dark but at the outdoor badminton court where they practice, it was sufficiently lighted up by the adjacent street lights. Twelve senior members turned up that morning and I saw them happily practicing the set under the watchful eyes of Phin and Swee Fun. After practice, we took photo and later, one of the senior members reminded Phin to bring me over on 12/3 as they will be having a pot luck session after practice, to celebrate the birthday of members born in the month of March. Phin told me that this is a regular monthly activity for the senior members.

I am so happy for them. They all look so wonderful today because they know the importance of exercise and in Taoist Tai Chi, they can enjoy this internal arts of health that cultivate the body and mind.

Tiger in Malaysia - a new week, a new adventure...

I have discovered that Kajang members practice twice a week i.e on every Wednesday and Friday evenings, from 8.15 to 9.30 pm. These are the only time available for TTC as members will be busy with their work in the day time.
Yesterday evening (23/2) I got to meet more members. They have heard about me from the other members and keen to check me out. Of course, when they looked at me, there could only be just one reaction i.e they all smiled happily. I liked that, and also not forgetting the hugs and kisses. I am the luckiest Tiger in the world!
Before I get too carried away, at that practice session, "President" Phin unveiled the 2011 Malaysian t-shirt to the members. It is maroon in colour with the society's logo and two Chinese characters saying "Rabbit Year" (direct translation to English) prominently featured on the left side. On the reverse side, I could see two familiar lines i.e Taiost Tai Chi internal arts of health. Cultivating body and mind. Simple and nice.
For the next few days, I will be staying over at "President" Phin's place on the other side of town. I learnt a new phrase from "President" Phin which would be appropriate to use now. It is JUMPA LAGI - in the Malay language and it means See You Again. Goodbye.

Meeting the Malaysian members

Today (18/2/11), I am so happy that I could meet Malaysian members for the very first time. The place is @ Mewah Club in Kajang. When I arrived there, some of the members were warming up and doing some stretching exercises.All these came to a halt when they saw me and they all smiled at me and said that I look so cute! I was then introduced to the members officially and right after, Phin, the President of TTCS Malaysia gave me a "Hoong Pau" as a welcoming gift and also as a tradition during Chinese New Year where the elderly would distribute it to family members and friends. Next, we took a group photograph. I saw the members in their locally printed TTC t-shirts and was particularly fond of the green one with the picture of children in it and the message on it says "Children of Malaysia". There was a Malay boy, a Chinese girl (with pony tails), an Indian girl and last but not least, a Punjabi boy with his turban. These represent the main ethnic races in the country.

Then, I saw them practicing, first with the Standing exercises. I noticed that after each Standing exercise, they would proceed with 10 times of Don You. So, in all, they would have done at least 40 times of Don You for the Standing exercises. This was followed with two sets of TTC with a short water break in between. It was time to say good bye to all the Kajang members for this week. Phin told me to come again next week and meet more Kajang members. Of course, I replied with a loud ROAR.

Until the next time, it is goodbye for now.


At the main entrance


Mewah club


Receiving Hoong Pau


With Kajang members

Tiger in Malaysia

I have safely landed in Malaysia and am currently enjoying the hospitality and festivity here.
Oh yes, they are still celebrating Chinese New Year. The celebration started on February 3 and will be coming to an end tomorrow 17/2.
I have arrived towards the end of January from Australia and have shortly been transfered to Kajang, where TTCS Malaysia is located.

Up to this point, I have been enjoying the Chinese New Year food which includes "Loh Hei", a vegetarian salad with slices of fish meat which is a must for CNY. And it is only available in Malaysia and Singapore. Apart from that, I also enjoyed the local titbits like "Muruku" and Mandarin oranges (imported from China), please check the photo attached herewith for the above said.

Away from food, the temperature here is around 28 to 32, hot and humid and I have been sweating quite a lot. The good thing this year is that there has been a lot of rain and this brought the temperature down quite a bit. I am eagerly looking forward to do a set or two this Friday with the members.

In the photo, I am seated next to She Rabbit. As you may be aware, this lunar year, it is the turn of Rabbit, and it symbolizes the passing of the baton from Tiger to Rabbit. On the foreground, you can see red packets or "hoong pow" in Cantonese. During CNY, elderly and married people will distribute "hoong pow" to the young and unmarried in the family as well as to friends. And lastly, in the background, it is the Malaysian flag.