Monday, August 31, 2009

Happy Birthday, Malaysia

Good morning Malaysia, Happy 52th birthday.





Hatiku rindu melihat kemuliaan kuasamu

Hatiku rindu melihat curahan kuasamu

Di tanah tercinta negara Malaysia

Ku berdoa Malaysia

Penuh kemuliaanMu

Malaysia bagi kemuliaanmu

A prayer that this land will be blessed , O God.

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Swiftlets...oh swiflets

Swiflets love the place.
The Sultan Ismail bridge built in the 60s greets you as the town comes into sight. The town clock recently constructed adds more colour too.



In tandem with the Merdeka spirit and low key celebrations, the Johor and National flags welcome the guests who drop into the town.




Constructed in the heart of Muar, the clock tells her people of the time of the day and the quaint feature gives one a merry feeling.
Endowed with good coastal breeze and droplets and together with the ambiance exuded in old buildings, the sleepy Muar has today been synonymous with the mushrooming of high roof structures created for the bird nest industry.




Buildings of the previous century still stand tall and strong and businesses are conducted daily in these buildings. Kong Kong tells me that the sleepy town is facing bad business and new ventures that crop up don't last even for a year. Also, rentals are difficult to fetch and it is no more so lucrative to own shop lots for leasing purposes. Things are becoming temporal and ever since the older generation of the town have left, the younger ones without the needed patience and grit find it hard to survive in the town.
So, many of the shop owners have turned their attention to bird nest farming. As highly believed, Muar being coastal in nature is able to attract swiflets to make bird nests in old buildings which have properties which attract them - dark, dodgy, wet, and cool.



Do you notice the extended feature on the roof? They are outlets for the swiflets to make bird nests.





A closer view convinces one as the holes created in the extension are for air circulation. Also, the tall buildings avail themselves for tall aerials and communication discs for TV reception of channels from Singapore. The local folks love the soap operas of Singapore and no one day is over without a switch to some of the channels. But of late, the astro existence has given Singapore a keen competition. One can go by without watching Singapore shows. I definitely can.




See, high roofs mushrooming in almost every building in town.




Even small, back portions are not spared.



New ones are still cropping up. The town is frenzied with the industry.





The highly sought after bird nests

Swiflets are tiny birds found in South East Asian caves. Instead of twigs and straw, the swiflet makes a nest from its own saliva ; the only bird in the world to do so. Its recent rise in popularity comes from its growing reputation as a health tonic.





Most medicinal shops sell bird nest as a delicacy and it's pricey. That box up there could come to hundreds. The lucrative harvest from the swiflet's saliva has caused many to try their fortune in attracting swiflets to rest and build their nests in the roof tops.


A peek into the inside of one of the roof structures may show the following features.




A ceiling with wooden panellings for the swiflets to perch and build the nests from their saliva. Notice the row of lights installed to create artificial light ... maybe for cleaning the droppings of the birds?



The place is almost under total darkness ; a prerequisite for the swiflets to want to begin nesting.

Just at the entrance of the roof into the panellings, a water tank is placed perhaps for the swiflets to clean themselves? Much thought and care have been poured in to invite the swiflets to nest here.




A successful attempt will ultimately result in the above. Swiflets flying in and out of the abode to seek for food and to make their nests and rest.



But unfortunately, the process of initiating a swiflet community to begin nesting is almost always the most difficult part. Most effort can be futile and tens of thousands can just go down the drain. Every venture is a risk but the saying also goes ; no risk, no gain. So, apparently, about 50% or even more of the ventures attempted may fail and its every investor's prayer that the swiflets would come upon invitation. This is because the whole procedure is a sensitive one and all or almost all conditions must be fulfilled before any fruition can come true...the dampness, the temperature, the darkness and whatever ... and believe it or not, music and the sounds of bird chirping are created to complete the call. Yet, not all is well as swiflets are the most difficult and fussy guests .





The bird nest soup tonifies the lung and kidney , fights ageing and nourishes the spleen; so I have been informed. It is especially good for those weak in the lung , those with coughing spells, excessive sputum and general fatigue.
No wonder Por Por feeds on the soup so frequently. So it's also no wonder that the 2 dear old folks never gave up on this venture too. They too are inviting the swiflets to nest on their roof top! At 90 and 84... they are venturing into a business for the young and bold ; they don't give up, do they?




Besides watching the soap operas, they are also watching this box... to look out for shadows of the highly regarded swiflets.


Swiflets, oh swiflets...won't you come and rest on their roof top too ? Soon too, please...hehehehe.

Friday, August 28, 2009

The Grand Old Man

Kong Kong
Each time I go home to visit them, I love to have a heart to heart talk with Kong. Somehow as he ages in his twilight years, he seems to grow warmer, kinder and more cheerful. Kong is an easy man to get along with ; he being generous and always relating the latest in the papers may it be politics, finance or even day to day gossip, the latest being the MCA mess.
He used to be the loud Hakka man who will not compromise on his decisions and he hit his children when he deems fit...I am not joking when I say he even employed a pole to wallop us...when school results are bad or some misconduct construed. He wasn't someone you could relate easily to then.
But now he has changed. He tells me stories of his past and is concerned about his grandchildren and children's affairs. He has not grown senile a single bit...really as I have said before don't challenge him with figures.
He pines for his grandchildren especially but they are hardly to be found around them...they say who wants to be in their place when there is no internet service? Children can be quite heartless at times...fun first.
Por Por : Poh, how do I go about to fix a line in the condo?
Me : Why Por Por?
Por Por : Oh , so that the girls will come see me.
Me : To pay for the internet line when they hardly want to be here? No Por. Let their good sense grow into them ( if they have...)

So, when I go home, I sometimes chose to sleep with mum to the chagrin of the girls...mama sleeping with por por ...hahhahaha. Kong Kong would be babbling about his sons and daughters and I just listened. At times I watched the box with them...but I really can't swallow in the Hakka series in CCTV4 where most Chinese stories are told. I just can't take in the morbid scenes ... dark and gaudy and so very unhappy feeling ! But Kong loves them cos they remind him of his homeland...which he left behind for Malaysia.

Kong says he is grateful to Malaysia. When he arrived in the early 30s, he came with 10 cents in his pocket. But today he told me that he has a beautiful roof over his head, sons and daughters, grandchildren and he is never hungry. If not for Malaysia, he would have died of hunger and misery. So he says he is very fortunate to be in this land.


As had been related before, when he was young, he was a strong man physically fit to run any race and his boyish indulgences included wild boar hunting, dog hunting and bat shooting.



Of course he learnt the art and trade of this game - mahjong. He became a champion in this mind boggling past time and a game which could be the reason why he is still so alert till this day. This game also keeps his memory good and quick at figures.

But at 90 today, he has changed in his past times. Today, his favourite activity is scouring through the papers and tells me about the Afghanistan conflicts, Edward Kennedy's demise and Andy Lau's affairs here.





Every morning he keeps himself in tune with world affairs and makes busy comments.



His eyes will automatically rove around the obituary column.

Kong Kong : Look, people are dying younger by the day. Hahahaha...( terrible old man)
Me : Hmm...what is your secret, Kong?
Kong Kong : Be happy, live for the day and don't worry too much.




He is indeed happy as he buys tickets to hit numbers...
" Sometimes I hit a few numbers... hei do you know 2 from Muar have hit the jackpot!" he cheerfully exclaimed!



Yea , he wants to hit it one day....hahaha...happy trying Kong.


Every evening after he has done some business transactions, he will make his way to the Hakka Association and indulge in his all time favourite... hardly a day goes by without that game. All is forgiven in the name of fun and keeping the senility away.



But really, at night and at dawn , he will be facing the box in all quietness ...again to be in tune with the world... and perhaps thinking about the welfares of all his children. Kong is frugal, good at keeping money and careful in all he does. Independent and still able to earn for a living , I cannot help but admire the good traits in him and he gives us no reason to rest on our laurels.
In true Merdeka spirit, in spite of and despite everything, Kong again reafffirms that this land has given him hope, peace and a place to call home. He is thankful ; he told me.

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Old and New...


The old first...the kacang putih man of the town !

Was back to Muar to see the old folks and to taste some local goodies ; never got tired of them... Ah Khong's 'lou su pan' and Ah Pek's teo chew mee ! And...I saw this old man again ; thought I would never have the chance to meet him again.


I have always addressed him as the kacang putih man and many from Muar would have fed on his various kacang...rebus, keras, hijau, merah...name it. He is symbolic of the various variety of nuts sold in front of Asiatic Cinema along Jalan Abdullah. I can vouch that if one has ever been to the cinema one would have met this old man. A friendly and kind old man, he is always seen with a grin and his gentleness shown on the countenance of his face. Kong Kong drove me to town one evening to get some oyster cooked in eggs and told me that the kacang putih man is still selling the nuts. I got down and said hello to him...and he smiled so sweetly.

"Masih ingat saya? Selalu jumpa awak di panggung wayang dulu" (do you still remember me?...you are always at the cinema) and he went " hehehe...sudah lupa, lamanya" (I have forgotten, it has been a long while)...later he told me he's 79 now and he 's still at the business.

All kinds of nuts he sold...and by the way he was also synonymous with the mee siput. In fact, I ate a lot of mee siput prepared by him but he told me he has been pushed off the sale because of stiff competition from up and coming giant stalls...he was dropped off the race. Again on the same concept of economies of scale.

Mee siput is always so good.


My siblings will remember him well ; especially the one in the states...Old faces of Muar.


In this century and time, this cart still serves its function dutifully in the town. The local municipal council engages employees to get rid of rubbish along the street and drains using simple tools such as the cangkul and a long handled lidi broom. I used to see the cart as a student then and I guess though the methodology is old, the function still stays as good...as if no new ways could work better...I wonder why.

Now, for the newer happenings.

Along Jalan Ali, there used to be a row of blacksmith shops but today a new facade has taken over.




The whole block has been taken over by the Leong Hup group ( I was told) and has been turned into a hotel. There has been effort to maintain the external look...nyonya style but now its service has changed in nature.




The room rate seems reasonable and I am quite sure it would attract many during festive seasons. The location is perfect for those who love to eat...near the 'tam chiak kuay' - food galore street. However it will be quite a distance away from the seaside.


Serving the hotel is also an eatery that boasts of good briyani stuff.


The old wet market along the road has been transformed too. Small businesses have cropped up and now you can even do some shopping here...clothes and other essentials.


What a coincidence ! I saw this very top at Sungei Wang Plaza last Sunday while shopping with Sara and casually I asked for the price. It's RM49.90 and guess what...it says RM29.90 in Sg. Wang. It looks as if small towns do not offer things cheap anymore.




The kopitiam trend has also found its way here. Not White Coffee or Old Town Coffee but Town Street Coffee ! Not bad...good old Muar trying to change too.

A small talk about the town...some old features still remaining while newer ones are sure finding their way here.

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Whee...holidays!

The long awaited teachers' break !

The best timing ever too ... a break from the H1N1 attack ! Yes, it is indeed a great relief that a break is here to reduce whatever threat the virus is here for. Everyday, we pray and hope nothing uncalled for would happen. The safety of the school and her people would be of utmost importance. Surely we are glad the break is here. We also hope that there won't be too much movement during the break. Students are advised to stay home and communicate via telecommunications ... the fewer the physical contacts the better.

So, " Yin, aunt Joan says 'lau nua' over your cakes. How about baking some for her?"
She chose to be pleasant and said "why not?"...
Here it goes.

On this lovely Saturday with the school behind me and choosing to put my stress level at 3 from a scale of 0 - 10, we did what we wanted to do... Sara baking her coffee cupcakes and I ?

I indulged in something which I have been longing for...cleaning my costume jewellery.



Lovely, aren't they? They have been collecting dust and so I decided to keep them in boxes. I remember them in fondness; collected over the years ; some were from friends when they came back from tours, while others were personal choices. Hei , they are only costume jewellery, okay ? I took time to clean them , article by article - a good way to relax. You know, sometimes it's good to do menial chores which do not need much grey matter... no need to plan, launch and watch ! Just do something which does not drain your brain...relax.



Sara of course also did what she loves...baking coffee cupcakes with chocolate ganache for friends...


Cooking the choc ganache for the absolute taste !



See, putting the ganache to enhance the coffee cakes.


Adding the cream for looks and taste too !



It not only looks yummy but tastes yummy too !

Out of the world with coffee over tea time !


Aunt Joan, this is for you...in church tomorrow. See, you get when you ask.

A lazy Saturday without thinking too much except remembering poor Grace who is on call today, last weekend and next weekend !

"Why 3 weekends in a row, girl ?" " It's because I have had too long a break in July."
" Gila punya !"
" That's life, ma." Sigh...

Stress level...cap it at 3, girl.