Coolest Week

Last week was the coolest week I’ve ever experienced in KL…. Oh, wait a minute.. I mean practically “coolest” weather. It started since Monday, Nov 16. Guess the sky above was feeling real sad and decided to cry non-stop. The temperature dropped to 23 degree celsius at day time. Yes, it did feel like Autumn…. and how I miss the Autumn so much…

My first ever Autumn was spent in Millersville in 1993, subsequently my 2nd & 3rd Autumn in 1994 & 1995 as well. I’ve never seen the leaves changed colors ever since. Oh, no no.. the leaves still changes colors in Millersville, I’m sure. It’s just that I have never gone back to the States after leaving on a jet plane in July 1996… that’s more than 13 years ago. Sometimes I do hope there’re 4 seasons in Malaysia…

The colors of Autumn is simply amazing… Green is my favourite color, but when the leaves changed into vibrant Orange, Yellow, & Red, it’s just like adding blusher on a pale cheek, just irresistible. Those great colors, those kind people, those unforgettable memories..

 (Will I ever go back to visit again? I don’t know… I seriously hope I will… one fine day..)

 

Little Fighter

3 Days… that’s how short the little kitten’s life was in this world. “Meow Meow” gave birth to 3 little kittens on April 6, 2 didn’t make it on the same day. This little fighter however, made it through the first day.

Yes, “Meow Meow” is my cat. She came to our house un-invitedly on Dec 29 last year. She looked too pretty to be a stray cat but somehow, she has no place to go. Nobody looking for her either.

We were a bit worried when her tummy got bigger. But hey, what the heck. We thought she would take care of the kittens. And we’re wrong. In conclusion, “Meow Meow” is just a teenager… she just didn’t know what to do with her own babies. Hmm.. can you believe she actually chose to sleep under the car than to nurse the kittens?

So, this little fighter made it through the first day. We actually forced “Meow Meow” to sleep with this little fella on the first night. Reluctantly, she did. The kitten was sleeping so peacefully with the mom around. However, she refused to come inside our house yesterday. Yes, she wouldn’t eat either. Poor little kitten was crying for mom last night, and Komphek (my domestic helper) and I took turns to bottle feed him. (Yes, it was a boy) Stroked him gently using a piece of cloth. He was feeling better and fell asleep.

The little fighter was still ok when I left the house in the morning. I said to him:” Be brave and stay alive ok?”. He looked really tiny and fragile. I seriously was hoping he could live longer. Guess he was just not meant to be staying in this world. Komphek told me he had stopped breathing at around 2pm when I called back in the afternoon. I was really sad..  I went back home and saw the tiny life-less body, but I still tried to wake him up by stroking his back. I cried. He wouldn’t wake up anymore. I have to accept the fact… We wrapped the kitten with a piece of cloth, covered with jasmine flowers. Yes, we buried him at the small garden in front of our house. “Meow Meow” was with us when we performed the ritual.

Dear Little Fighter, even though you life was short, but you will always have a place in my heart. I had never tried feeding such a tiny fella like you. The feeling was simply amazing! Remember to be strong and brave, and remain a fighter when you come to this world again.

Om Amideva Hrih.

(I didn’t have a photo of the kitten. I could tell you he was rather cute.)

 

Adorable Creatures

“Finally you have tied the knot, when are you going to have a baby? “ The most popular question I received after I got married….. “Wow, Hongren is a big boy now, so when are you going to have another baby?” hmm…. another popular question I received after my first son turned 1 year old… “Wow, 2 boys now,  when are you going to to try for a baby girl huh?” ………… Do I have a ”PIG” printed on my forehead… sometimes I wonder. Oh, no no no,  please don’t get me wrong. I love children. No doubt about that. They are the most adorable creatures in the whole wide universe. I swear.

Imagine reaching home after a hard day work, hearing “Mama” from the purest voice, following by a great tiny hug from Hongren, oh…. what more could I ask for? (My Yuanda is learning how to talk now, and one day he will do the same as his brother I hope… ha!) Oh yes, I used to hate Barney. As I could not understand why all the children liked the big.. clumpsy.. purple.. thingy..  Well the “law of attractions” says we should not hate something as it will come to you. I totally agree. As now I’m watching Barney with Hongren and have since learnt few songs from the series. I hum “I love you, You love me, we are happy family….” all the time now. Amazing.

When is baby number 3 coming? Maybe in another 2 years? My hubby and I actually don’t mind if baby number 3 is another boy. Most importantly is a healthy & happy baby Well, age is catching up. Perhaps we’ll stop at 2. Who knows?

(I love you.. you love me.. we are happy family.. with the great big hugs.. and a kiss from me to you.. won’t you say you love me too…)

 

Love II

姚斯婷的声音。。。像杯Cabernet Sauvignon，淡淡苦涩中带微微的甜，让人欲罢不能。。。不晓得是去年的那天，在家乡的一家唱片行听到了她的歌声，一开始还以为是那位西方歌手，就向店员讯问。。。 “这是最后一片了，每每播她的歌，就卖的好像热蛋糕！“也许我耳根子太软了，轻易的信了他的话。。。 或许我太“怕输”了，天晓得。无论如何，这盘Love II光碟实在非常好听，我真心强力推荐。。。

Where’s My Love

Where is my love? The one for me.. Somewhere too far not close enough for me to see

Where is my love? Who could you be.. Someone I knew but let slip through while dreaming of you

Oh love… oh love… come to me

Where is my love? Give me a clue.. Give me a time, show me a place I might find you

Where is my love? Don’t hide from me.. I’ll be good to you I will honestly

Oh love… oh love… come to me

Where is my love? The one for me.. Somewhere too far not close enough for me to see

Where is my love? And now I see.. Hoping someday you’ll bring the lovely ending

Oh love… oh love… come to me

Oh love… oh love… come to me

 

October Bliss

My car number is 1010. Well, most people would have guess it’s either a birth date or an anniversary. Well, this car actually belongs to my hubby thus it can’t be my birth date… Yes, our registration day was in October 10, 7 years ago. Gosh, time does fly!

Actually the number plate meant more than that. The funny thing is both my hubby and I didn’t realize that until a friend brought it up to my hubby one day, “Hey, your car number plate is so meaningful, Perfect Love 10/10!!” Interesting eh? (He was driving the car few years ago)

Our wedding in Penang was 6 years ago, today ~ Oct 19. Well I must say it was a beautiful and most memorable event. Sea breeze (it’s partly open air).. jazz band (played romantic songs).. good food (buffet western).. great crowd (my family & friends, Samantha & Geoff who came all the way from UK).. cool restaurant (32 which is by the beach, yes, it’s still around) .. beautiful deco (Fresh flowers such as button poms & white daisies every where).. What more could I ask for?

Ah…. October is so romantic….

(Maybe I can consider to organize a 10th Anniversary Dinner?? Gotta start saving for it now….)

 

Let’s Go

I’m listening to this breezy song while writing this. And I suggest you to listen to it while reading this. This is my favorite song at this moment… Oh yes, I have many…many… countless favorite songs at different stages of my life. I believe you do too.

Guess it’s difficult not to love this number. I feel like going for a short island getaway now… Bali? How’s that sound? Come, let’s go together.. Follow me, count till 3, close your eyes…………

(Don’t cheat, close your eyes, quick…..)

 

Lacto-ovo Vegetarian

I am a vegetarian. No, I’m not a vegan as many would have thought. I am a lacto-ovo vegetarian. According to Wikipedia, “A lacto-ovo-vegetarian is a vegetarian who does not eat animal flesh and seafood of any kind, but is willing to consume dairy and eggs products” And yes, I still eat onions, shallot, chives and garlic.

Reasons of becoming a vegetarian? My answer is for Religion, Environmental and Health. Well, it actually started after the Cyclone Nargis that hit Myammar and Sichuan earthquake in May. I was deeply saddened by the natural disasters. Then I was wondering what I could do for the victims and survivals other than donating money to them? After attending a prayer organized by The Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, I realized that our beloved mother earth is sick, and it’s pretty bad. The cyclone is caused by global warming due to the greed of man kinds.

# Juliette Jowit, environment editor
# The Observer,
# Sunday September 7 2008

People should have one meat-free day a week if they want to make a personal and effective sacrifice that would help tackle climate change, the world’s leading authority on global warming has told The Observer

Dr Rajendra Pachauri, chair of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which last year earned a joint share of the Nobel Peace Prize, said that people should then go on to reduce their meat consumption even further.

Oh, no, no, no… I still do enjoy good food. The meatless way. Mix Vegetables curry, Aglio Olio, Mascarpone Mushroom pasta, Seaweed Rice, Cheese Pizza (Try Domino’s New York Crust Triple Chees, it’s absolutely delicious!) etc.. etc..

And, yes, yes, yes… I don’t have to only dine in vegetarian restaurants. Just order whatever that’s meatless in the menu, and voila…. It’s that flexible!

Perhaps you can try to be a vegetarian once weekly, or once monthly or even once yearly

(Hmm… should I order Domino’s Delivery again tomorrow? I fell in love with Triple cheese……)

 

Mother Tongue

“An Chua, Ho Sei Bo?” in Hokkien is “Yo, What’s Up?” to American or “Howdy Mate” to Australian. I’m a Hokkien. My paternal grandfather came to Malaysia from Fujian province in China, early last century. Hokkien is one of the many Chinese dialects. There are many Hokkiens not only in Penang and the North, but also in Klang, the South, East Coast, and also Kuching. And the Hokkiens from other places say Penangites “sing” the dialect instead of speak it. Well.. I agree.

 

No, I don’t speak dialect at home, nor I spoke it in High School and Uni. I speak more Mandarin early part of my life followed by English. I didn’t master my mother tongue until I started working 12 years ago. I wasn’t given a choice. Is either I learnt and survived or being buried alive. I chose to learn. I got hooked since then.

 

I once thought I was about to say goodbye to my beloved dialect when I moved down to the capital 3 years ago. As most people here speaks another dialect. I was wrong. More than 50% of my colleagues speak Hokkien, it’s just so comfortable to speak the familiar dialect to each others. You know, the mutual jokes, and the same curses.

 

Whenever I heard somebody sang the dialect in the malls, at the hawker centre, or on the streets, I would know he or she is from Penang. I usually smiled to them. I’m sure they would think “Zhi Le Lang Xiao Liao…” * I don’t care. I’m a friendly Penangite.

 

Oh I love my mother tongue.

 

(Peng You, An Chua, Ho Sei Bo? Wo Jin Sio Liam Penang le……..)

 

*This crazy fella..

 

Island Rendezvous

I’m an Islander. I was born in Penang Island. It used to be “Pearl of the Orient” but.. not anymore. Well, I don’t really care. All I know is I love this birth place of mine. And I only started to love this island dearly after I moved down to the capital. As the saying goes “You usually don’t treasure what you have until you lost it”…

What’s so attractive bout this island? The hawker food? Oh yes, oh yes… The hospitable islanders? Not all of us are… The beaches? Err….. The ferry ride? Ya, ya, pretty nice… The temples? There are lotsa them… Botanical garden? Very shady and lotsa monkeys… Gurney Drive? Beautiful sunrise…Penang Hill? Hiking lovers’ paradise… Penang Bridge? Err…

Penang is no Bali, not so Singapore, unlike Phuket, and definitely not Hawaii. It is unique. It’s kinda down to earth and the islanders are kinda relax. I can drive 40km/h on the road and still there’s this car driving 36km/h just right in front of me. The motorcyclist can move from the left lane to right lane in slow motion irregardless if there’s a car behind. Very interesting indeed.

I just went back last week, the break is always too short. I managed to achieve my missions though.. Such as a massage session, a foot reflexology session, a hair trimming session, a pedicure session, a karaoke session, a few lunch and dinner session with friends and family, and not forgetting my coffee… Oh, life is definitely good there!

Looking for a vacation? Welcome to Penang.

(I’m looking forward to be back again… hopefully soon. As for now, I will go back to the island in my dream……)

 

Coffee Break

Coffee, Tea or Me.. Hmm… I will go for Coffee. There are many coffee frenzy out there, I’m sure. I love coffee but I don’t drink it that often. I know Baby Yuanda loves coffee as I drank at least a cup of coffee a day when I was pregnant with him. Not Hongren, he loves soy milk instead. Kinda funny eh?

What if I tell you my dream job is to become a Barrister? I think it’s an ultimate cool job. Preparing coffee with passion for coffee lovers. How satisfying. Actually I do make good coffee. I used to prepare coffee at family gathering and my cousin and uncle loved it. Did I prepare with coffee maker? No. I used 3 in 1coffee. Yes, I’m serious. My secret is to mix 2 different type of 3 in 1 or 2 in 1 coffee, then add creamer or condense milk, and pour in boiling water. Voila…

Well, I seldom go for coffee in Starbucks or Coffee Beans as it’s pricey. Gotta be thrifty nowadays as everything is expensive. I don’t mind going for it once a while. My favourite is Ultimate Mocha with lotsa whipped cream.

Local coffee is C&G, cheap & really good! Oh wait, it depends on which kopitiam* you go to. Ah Lai kopi off Beach Street in Penang, Ah Chun kopi in Campbell Street in Penang are 2 of the Best. Ah Lai and Ah Chun make truly aromatic local coffee…

(Can’t wait to go back Penang now, just one more week to go.. Coffee, here I come..)

* Kopitiam in Hokkian means an open air coffee shop.