Hongdamama’s Weblog

“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..

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……)