I was pleasantly suprised to learn that the Yuanji Science Association does not confine itself to Yuanji exercises alone but also involves itself in several other extracurricular activities for its members as well. Apart from the usual annual parties and excuses for pot-luck get-togethers, several trips both local and overseas, have been organised to encourage members to get to know each other better and of course to havea good time. Although it is not possible to participate in every trip, I did go on a few, one of which was the excursion to Cameron Highlands, a two-night stay at Brinchang Luxury Apartments from 3rd to 5th December 2005.

We started off on a wet rainy morning with a coach load of enthusiastic Yuanji holiday makers from SS 2, Puchong and Selangor Club branches. En route to our destination, we stopped at a few tourist spots the most memorable of which was the hot springs at the Lake Iskandar Waterfalls. Known for their therapeutic properties, the hot spring waters have been known to cure all sorts of ailments especially skin problems. At some points, the water was hot enough to make hardboiled eggs. Cooking eggs became the prime preoccupation of some visitors (ours included) since it is believed that eating these boiled eggs would enhance virility. Meanwhile, each of us took a turn to immerse our legs in the really hot water and this took a lot of courage and tolerance. I could literally feel my feet sizzle and cook. I did not stay long in the water for fear that my already medium-rare feet could eventually turn gangrenous. However, I could see that everyone else was more hardy than I was. Needless to say, when it was time for us to eat the eggs that our tour guide had prepared for us, the guys tucked in with much gusto.

For reasons best known to the tour guide, instead of making a beeline for the direct highway for the last leg of the journey, he decided to take the circuitous and seemingly interminable route instead. We arrived at the Brinchang apartments late and in a daze. We were relieved to settle into what turned out to be quite comfortable quaters. I was rather amused to see that one of the members had brought along enough food to feed at least five stranded trekkers for a week! On that first night, we were free to have our own dinners at the many restaurants nearby. At night, some members did their karaoke, some carried on some riotous gambling but those in my apartment decided to have a yarning session instead boosted by a bottle of wine that a member had brought along and all the eats that kept appearing out of nowhere - some people have such great foresight!

During our stay, we visited quite a few places of interest such as the Buddhist temple, the bee farm and the cactus and rose gardens. We were amazed at the incredible variety of roses and cacti that were on display, not to mention various other types of flowers and greens, all decked out along the terraces around the side of the hill. We also visited a tea garden where we sampled some of the best teas grown in Cameron as well as a strawberry farm. Along the way, we stopped at some wet markets to buy fresh vegetables. The most memorable place we visited was the night market where one could get pratically everything. All I remember is that everybody was caught up in this buying frenzy, be it vegetables, fruits, snacks, flowers etc, we simply couldn't get enough!

On our return journey, we visited the Ji Le temple as well as the Kek Lok Tong temple located in a limestone mountain, the latter of which is famous for its intricate formation of stalactites and stalagmites that lent greater mystique to the temple. Apparently, quite a few visitors have hadtheir wishes and prayers answered by the deities here and I hope mine will be too.

Another aspect that I can recall is that the meals were really sumptuous. In fact there was enough food at every meal to feed ten more persons. As if this was not enough, there were nemerous stops along the way to buy all manner of food, including pre-ordered 'beggar chicken', a famous delicacy from Ipoh. With so much accumulated buying, the inside of the coach resembled a refugee camp.

All in all, I believe everyone had a good time, made some new friends and reached home pretty pleased with our armloads of foodstuff and useless souvenirs.

S'ng Swee Kong
SS2Centre

SSK/20.7.06

In line with Yuanji group objectives that is to enable members of the association to get together for social and recreation purposes, OUG KL Yuanji Centre on 23-April-2005 (Sunday) organized a one-day excursion to Pulau Pangkor and Lumut. The response was overwhelming when 41 centre membere, their spouses, relatives and friends joined in. The excursion was led by OUG centre leader Bob Mooy who was assisted by sub-centre leader Leong When Chun.

The centre members, eager and full of enthusiasm, assembled at 5.45am nearby OUG BP petrol station. Although the majority of the man and woman participants were not from the teenager group, but their energetic nature, vitality and visibly strong life force exemplify undeniably the positive result of persistent Yuanji practice. According to schedule, the chartered yellow school bus, moved out at 6.00am sharp. Thanks to the discipline and punctuality observed by all.

The bus stopped over at Bidor town for members to enjoy their breakfast. Many took the opportunity to visit the quaint little Bidor open-air market where food varieties were plentiful yet delicious. Breakfast prices are extremely cheap when a bowl of noddle laden with assorted fish cake costs merely RM 2.20, a very good bargain for many indeed.

The journey took us through several small towns among them were Langkap, Kampung Koh, Seri Manjung and Lumut. It was an eye-opening experience especially for many woman folks, who have never stepped out of Kuala Lumpur city. We learnt to appreciate the contrasting lifestyle, economic activities and countryside living of rural Malaysians.

Among the popular places visited during our round Pangkor Island tour were the 261 year old Dutch fortress, Pangkor business centre, Satay Ikan factory, Teluk Dalam Resort, Coral Beach, Pangkor airport and Fu Lin Kung Temple. The Fu Lin Kung Temple, which was recently renovated, looks serene nestled amidst the stone forest and matured pine trees. Among the attractions found within the temple ground were attractively crafted stone statue of Chinese deities and dragons, a miniature Great Wall of China, and separate ponds for tortoises and gigantic Talapia fishes. Many members took the opportunity to offer prayers for handsome good fortune and seek divine blessing.

Altogether, it was a pleasurable trip getting acquainted with newfound friends and not forgetting the sumptuous seafood meals. Looking back at those rather ordinary tasks of purchasing dried seafood and local delicacy biscuits but doing it in a totally new environment, collectively haggling over prices and afterwardscomparing paid prices bring forth a renewed feeling of brother and sisterhood. In my opinion, I strongly believe we should find time to break away from the routine, to de-stress, take a pause on our hectic lifestyle to appreciate the little happenings like watching a little shoal of "ikan bilis" swimming near the beach, and giving ourselves time to absorb new discoveries new experiences.

Eric Aw Chock Wai
OUG Centre
23-April-2005

On April 23rd, members of the SS2 and Puchong Yuanji section gathered in the SS2 playing field at 6.15am for practices of Dong Gong and the second Yuanji dance. Besides exercising, this special gathering was intended to celebrate SS2's 8th anniversary and Puchong's 7th anniversary respectively. Breakfast was laid out punctually and the attendees commences breakfastat 7.30am.

Our Yuanji members initially brought their own deliciously home cooked food and delightfully treated us their specialties. Joy and laughter were clearly apparent and displayed in all our faces as we ate heartily as wellas catching up with each other. The cheerful mood matched the clear, sparkling blue skies with gentle breeze, offering the perfect frame for an early morning park gathering. The draw of good food attracted all; even the less regulars and it presented a good opportunity for all members to interact with one another.

As usual, Mrs. Chew, Anne and Mrs. Voonwere in theirown ebullient self and making sure that the tables were placed properly while arranging the dishes as well. Amongst those attractively placed food were countless desserts, noodles, cakes and other dishes. Mr. Thye exhibited his new camera and lens and went around capturing moments of remembrancefor all.

Mrs. Ng's dainty kow chee was met with gusto and those late couldn't sample any. Fortunately, I took the last one and still hungered for more! Mrs. Pat Chew's gingko barley tong sui was out of the world. Her fingers must have had suffered some seious punishments from cracking the gingko nuts; all for the love of the fellow Yuanji members. How touching.

Ms. Tan with her purple orange nyonya kuih and beautiful cake were great displays of her culinary skills. Of course, all these would not be complete without Madam Ooi's famous bak kut teh. Last year, these vanished almost as soon as it was placed on the table. Such was the fame of her signature dish.

As for me, I brought my two terror boys who enjoyed themselves immensely on the playground. Oblivious to us, they ran, jumped, sat and even slept on the concrete basketball court despite the perspiration drenched shirts.

The cake signifying the inception of SS2 and Puchong Yuanji was jointly cut between the teachers, instructors and students after signing the perennial Happy Birthday song. Apparently, none of us had any space left in the stomach for the cake due to the abundance of good food but it was gladly doggy bagged.

The party dispersed at approximately 9am. We all had a marvelous breakfast with great company. Surely all of us left with a happy heart, looking forward to next year's anniversary gathering where it was a gleefully suggested that it be held in the Puchong playground then.

Tillia Thong
SS2 Centre

It was six in the morning and the air around the Royal Selangor Club (RSC), Bukit Kiara was cool. Streams of private cars with their headlight switched on, followed by as many as fifteen chartered buses can be seen rolling in, ferrying Yuanji members from as far as Miri, Sarikei, Kuching, Penang, Kuantan, JB, Batu Pahat, Melaka including neighbouring countries Singapore and Brunei for this annual event. They are here to join local members celebrate the KL & Selangor Yuanji 2005 annual gathering.

The warmth of the local members can be instantly felt when visiting members were warmly welcomed by smilingfaces at the club entrance and being enthusiastically led to assemble at the club's well-maintained field. Although some Yuanji members from the other states were dressed in uniforms of different colours and shades, they were however united by having a Yuanji logo prominently displayed on their t-shirts.

This mammoth gathering numbering more than 830 Yuanji practitioners is an annual affair. But what is refreshing this year is the inclusion of as many as about 400 members from other states including neighbouring countries. Local members were from Yuanji centres in OUG, SS2, USJ, Goldhill and Cheras. This year, OUG centre led by Mr. Lau Teng Chye, was given the honor to organize this function. This gathering apart from promoting healthy Yuanji exercises also enabled members to converge and interact with one another in one place. Indeed this gathering had helped to raise KL & Selangor Yuanji's profile among the Yuanji practitioners in the region.

At 6.30am sharp, the programme started with "Jin Lian Chu Kai" and followed by "Dong Gong" exercises. The event-organizing chairman Mr. Lau Teng Chye delivered his welcoming speech. The KL & Selangor Yuanji association president Dato' Robert Lim in his address thanked the president of RSC Tungku Aziz and sport club chairman Lt. Commander Mr. Arukalidas for being kind enough to allow the use of the club facilities. Later Dato' Robert Lim presented a token of appreciation to RSC Bukit Kiara. After more exercises, Dato' Robert Lim presented several bannerettes to outstation Yuanji Centres. In return, the president received momentous from the outstation Yuanji Centres.

The members accompanied throughout with soothing melodious Yuanji music, danced through several sessions of Yuanji exercises. The event ended when members assembled in groups and had a photo-taking session with Yuanji officials thereafter followed by breakfast.

It was certainly a very memorable morning for many. It is certainly a time to establish new friendship, get to know new friends who share your conviction with Yuanji practises. On the whole I would confidently say this is a very well organized event, the members are orderly and their self-discipline is commendable. In that sense, the effort of the event organizing committee is well rewarded.

Prepared by
Eric Aw Chock Wai
19-Sept-2005

Yuanji Science Association KL & Selangor - 9th Anniversary Celebration Dinner

After months of preparation, the 9th Anniversary Celebration Dinner organized by Subang-USJ Yuanji centre with assistance from representatives of other KL & Selangor Yuanji centres was successfully held at Thean Hou Kon Hall in Kuala Lumpur.

The response for this Anniversary Celebration Dinner was overwhelming. Besides the 434 Yuanji members from KL & Selangor Yuanji Science Association, there were 402 Yuanji members from Brunei, Singapore, Kuching, Sibu, Sarikei, Bintulu of East Malaysia,Penang, Johore Bahru, Kuantan, Batu Pahat and Malacca of West Malaysia. A total of 836 members attended the Anniversary Celebration Dinner.

Due to keen response from outstation Yuanji members attending and there was limited hall space, many KL & Selangor Yuanji members had sacrificed their seats to outstation members. The Organizing Committee wishes to extend highest appreciation and thanks to their understanding and compromising spirit.

The theme of the Celebration Dinner is 'Destined to Gather' (gather with all conditions met). As the statement "gather to manifest as Forms, disperse and become Nil". The keen attendance of Yuanji members to the Anniversary Celebration Dinner truly reflects the members' love towards Yuanji.

The tedious preparation and harmonious presentations of the various dances and singing programs fully showed the harmony and 'heart to heart' spirit of all that present.

The Celebration Dinner started with the song "applause". It applauded and encouraged Yuanji members to continue their efforts to spread the goodness of Yuanji.

The slide show presentation arranged by the Organizing Committee showed the activities carried out by the various KL & Selangor Yuanji centres. This helped the audience to understand their activities at a glance. The creative and humorous presentation of some slides brought laughter to the audience.

Yuanji Science Association KL & Selangor took opportunity to announce the RM 60,000.00 donated (up to the dinner night) to the Yuanji Building Fund and the donor name list during the dinner.

Yung Chuen Seng from Subang-USJ Yuanji centre who was the Master of Ceremony for the night did a very good job in controlling the program presentation. The rhythm for the night was in tune right from the beginning till the end. He earned praises from all the audience.

Finally, the tune of Au Lang Sang brought the dinner to an end and with words of goodbye and looking forward to meet in next event.

Reported by
Yeap Boon Chow
Organizing Committee