Wet,wet,wet !

Freak Weather ...

Travelling down South to see loved ones was dampened with the torrential rainfall throughout the journey. It was not a surprise to see vehicles being stalled and tow tracks are doing many a favour by being around. They are the first to arrive to render help. Some accidents were really nasty.

But it was good to see the old folks at a stop-over in Muar before we left for Kulai to see grandma Lau. The journey was lengthened by the ceaseless rain today and now I know how the folks in Queensland feel with so much water everywhere. Kulai town was inundated with flood waters and were we glad to travel in a 4-wheel drive ! Many smaller vehicles had to make various kinds of detour to avoid the rising waters. I have never seen a flood of this degree in reality. I only see them in the news and some pictures.

How is the by- election in Tenang going to make it? How many will be able to arrive at the polling centres? Will there be a possible postponement?

Then I began to look at the dark clouds and rain again. I honestly have not felt so lost in this weather ... before the annual new lunar year. It always used to be hot, hot, hot ! The bougainvilleas will be blooming so beautifully unlike the pathetic looking ones in Por's place. Oh everything feels so different without the usual scorching sun. I hope the weather will improve in the next few days.

But the gloom is uplifted when we reached Singapore to be with Grace and Esther who came down a day earlier for a show. Yes, it's good to see the girls again. The next few days will be a good change from KL and I hope to see what the season's mood is like here. This is my first time in the Lion City for the season. There were never reasons to come down but now it's different because Grace is here. She finds it difficult to travel with her working hours ; so we had to travel for her instead.

Looking forward to spending some days with the girls before they leave again.

Cultural Practices

The Chinese New Year

in

Spring

Tradition has it that the Chinese people like every other ethnic groups celebrate the coming of Spring after a long haul of winter and to hope for all things good in the coming year. My understanding is that it has very little religious connotations except that some crop in to remove ill luck, mishaps and of course that more money will fall on their laps.

The Chinese is so often equated with money and prosperity probably because of a deep set of life's struggles related to economic woes in the the then China ; my father included. Till this day, my father is still a formula worth emulating.

I walked into Subang Parade last evening and this time Esther told me not to blog about decor anymore; so I will give it a twist and tell the story behind it instead ! The decor are just a waste if left unseen and untold. I still want many to see.

So, like I say, the tiny pink flowers ( mei hwa, I hope ) are an indication of the arrival of good weather and good times. It's so pretty and creates a cheery mood and joy.

The ones in Pavillion are even more breathtaking ! Peonies. Somehow your spirit is uplifted with joyous feelings and gladness of heart. So you know why I love to 'zhou jieh' - go gallivanting and sip in the joy of others.

However joyous an occasion may be, it means nothing without being home with loved ones. So, the home in the village (hometown) is still a must to return to reciprocate our care and love for the older folks. Family ties are still strong and a reason to come together. So, we travel to spend meaningful times with them.

Then we bring along supplies of goodies to show a little care and love and to make them happy.

But of recent times, new features are cropping in. Some have taken the long break for a holiday overseas and the trend is fast catching up. A colleague told me she's not going home this time as both parents are no more here while another one is busy preparing dishes for a pot luck session on the eve.

Next, this display evokes some tales in me and this is how I see it.

Basically an agricultural land, the Chinese of China depended heavily on their crops and a good harvest means an easier year. So, the decor is attractively displayed to connote money matters but of course China is different today. But having food on the table is still the main menu in everyone's agenda.

Then these calligraphic writings of all sorts splattered all over are mere words that speak of blessings and hope. They are repeated with the confession of the lips for it to happen. My father is one who practised it too in his younger days as he named my younger brother "Ah Choy" ... and calls him that until it happens. Today my brother is surely full of it...hahahaha. Hei brother, share with us too !

Of all the writings, this one is most used and appropriate... Happy New Year. Everyone hopes for a happy new year; be it the English, Indian and others. We long for happy times not realising at times that it is we ourselves that have to make it happen by the right perspectives.

To join in the rest of the fellow ethnic group, we also took some effort to change the mood of our Christmas tree into a cherry blossom tree ! You like it? Very versatile indeed. I love this pillar of hope and colour. Dad and I bought a couple of stalks and dutifully pluck them off their twigs and stuck them to the greens and isn't it good-looking?





We must give away to receive more. This I believe.

I have sent one to Sara to the UK through Joel. Have fun, girl.

So, times of good greetings, blessings and hope for all who celebrate the Chinese New Year.

He Sobbed

Sobs

Today was one day that I had to learn to think like a youth and image their train of thoughts. Walking around again this mid morning, I saw a boy sobbing on a flight of stairs in school. Surprised to witness the scenario, my maternal instincts told me that I had to get the story out of him.

"Why're you so upset, young man?" Though reluctant to share in the beginning, I finally got him to tell me the reason for his disappointment.
"I wasn't picked to be a prefect today. It's so unfair. They found my old tricks and took them against me. It's just too unfair !". It wasn't the outburst that caught my heart; it was the genuine flow of tears that held my attention. The boy was truly upset. He had to escape from class and find a corner where he tried to decipher the disappointing outcome. I was evoked too.

I needed to reason with him and use a right approach as he was upset and I did not want to aggravate the situation.

"Ok look here. When you chose to go under probation you already knew that you may not be chosen. Am I right?" He nodded his head in agreement and I took the opportunity to explain further.

"Do you know that there are limited places for the position and some may not succeed ? You happen to disqualify but that does not mean you are not good. You may not be good in this duty but you can excel in other positions. You may be the president of a club one day. Yes, it is not because you are not good but rather others may have stronger inclinations."

I continued along this line of argument and he finally wiped away his tears as he became more aware of the situation. He agreed with me as we walked together to the next block. I hope he learns to get over the disappointment soon.

Yes, teenagers have practical lessons to toughen themselves up for the real life out there. This is only the beginning. There will be more to come. We start with small ones to graduate into bigger ones. Someday I know he will cry no more when he does not get what he wants but rather he will find consolation in good reasonings.

The school is the best place to put things in the right perspective and we allow no bitter feelings to crop in whenever a challenge happens. It is the school's aspiration to see her protege emerge successfully under all circumstances.

I hope the boy will sob no more.

A Stranger

Many times I feel like a stranger in my own country...

I also chuckle at myself when I feel foolish for wanting to explore overseas when I hardly have savoured in the beauty of my homeland. Sara always tells me that Kuala Lumpur has a strange effect on her. She loves the authenticity of the city and admires the cultural aspirations mingled among the people out there.

I also have this feeling. I like to hang around the old Petaling Street and watch how people do business and taste the unique food cooked by experts especially the Hokkien Mee. Somehow I get excited each time I make a trip there. Sara surely shares the same sentiments. I lost a 'kaki jalan' (partner) when she left for the UK and it's not the same with the other girls.

They say beggars have no choice. So I begged Esther to accompany me down town to catch the Lunar New Year mood.

There was not much of a crowd. But Esther has other tricks that I do not have though. She introduced me to a place for authentic local hawker tastes. After visiting this place, I promise myself that I will bring everyone and anyone who is with me for meals there whenever I am around the vicinity.

I am not joking.

There is this place that dad often talks about to friends. Apparently the best hawker stalls have been invited to participate in Hutong Heritage Food Village just at the lower ground floor of Lot10. Passing along the place, Esther told me that she has tasted the best beef noodles in the world and insisted that it was a must that we had dinner there.

As you go down a flight of stairs into the hawker village, you feel the uniqueness of the ethos. It seemed to connote expensive meals but you will be surprised how affordable the meal can be.




The oriental expression is apparent.

Tastefully displayed are framed culinary images of world class looks.

It is further conformed with a write-up about the place and there are also pictures of Michelle Yeoh with the boss of the place ; confirming the best ever here.



The Boss of Yes is also the boss of Hutong Heritage .





Hutong boasts of stalls which have already etched their reputation in the hearts and minds of the local folks who go for nothing but the best. Soong Kee is a household name for beef noodles among the KLites and it says here that it is a 3rd generation family business.

Along Petaling Street area we also can find beef noodles of this concoction but Esther only wants the Soong Kee version. Sara, if you are reading, mama will bring you to this place the next time you are home and you will taste the difference. Guess what? Rm11.59 for 2 bowls. I think it is pretty cheap. But most of all it tastes very good, very good.

Ho Weng Kee ; I don't know what it offers but I know it cannot be anything but the best... a 2nd generation family business.

Hainanese Chicken Rice since 1976; no chance to taste yet...but I will one day.

I know these are big names in the food business but just one evening is not possible for me to venture into it. I need many, many moments and times to savour them in. Every time I am around that area I promise myself that I will go there till I have tasted most of them. After all the boss says it's the best. Trust him.

Now it's more hot stuff all I believe should boast of unforgettable tastes.

I know this place has been in town for sometime. It is only I who fail to discover it earlier. I will bring my foreign and outstation friends and relatives here...

We walked out of Hutong Village into the streets to discover the happy night life. People take pains to stay happy to entertain and to be entertained.

I was entertained by this group of youths jumping and bouncing on special stands ... like on a bicycle.

Then there was this photo shooting session and I glanced at them for a long time. They work real hard too. Everyone works hard for a living. Sometimes it's not about food on the table only; but rather about bringing meaning to our existence here.

So, here in the streets of Kuala Lumpur there are so much to see, feel , love and yet strangely enough I never found the time to do it. When I retire, I will explore the city more and learn more about it.

There are so many things I have not seen in my own country. I must make a point to learn more about it.

Kuala Lumpur is truly a ruggedly beautiful city engulfed in a rich culture that is to behold by many.

The Lovely Vine

The Garlic Vine

I was greeted with such lovely blooms after school a day sometime last week. I couldn't resisting shooting them for memories. I had to keep them in my album for I know they don't last.

I learnt its name for the first time - garlic vine.

The vine creeps all over the place and hangs onto any other plant in a parasitic manner.

I don't know how it found its way up there. From a stem cutting it grew in leaps and bounds to great heights . But don't you think it is a captivating sight? It's so natural in its climb and growth and worth many second glances.




The garlic vine is seasonal too. It's not evergreen and there are many gaps in between blooming times. But the most heart-breaking moments are when they begin to fade. They fade real fast ; just a couple of days of full bloom and they wither away quite pathetically. I saw them fade and it was just too much pain for me to see it grow old and wither. I did not snap it when the blooms disintegrated.

But while the vine lasted in great colours it was a sight to remember by.

Catch moments of life when the opportunity is here.
Some moments just don't last forever.

My All Time Favourite

Listening to oldies and sewing.

On a Saturday far away from the maddening crowd of the school, I did some tapestry and added some new colours to the kitchen. I love the sewing machine and listening to old Chinese hits. I sound so old? But it is those quiet moments that you can catch yourself and reflect on your relationships with people around you and sometimes it goes beyond that.

I kept on going through the characters played by Hem and Haw and even Sniffy and Scurry from "Who moved my cheese?" and relate it to my present moments. I can still change for the better? I can invest? What kind of investment? How do I handle the youths of the school? Shall I think the way they do? How much must I change to be accepted by them?

Shall I draw a new line between the Chinese and Western mum? When do I become the Chinese one and when the Western one? Perhaps I can come out with a new formula ? A combination of both cultures? Maybe...just maybe.

So the thoughts roll all over...

If you can get a copy, get it. It's a new twist to the old tempo and it's jazzy. Lovely songs sung in a modern beat and it was played for 3 hours. 3 cds in the album and Esther was extra patient with me as she listened along. Not a word of complaint; so unlike her. Aha, maybe it's because the album has a special attachment ; a gift from someone close to her?

I love to gather the pleats and take pride in the details. See the maroon edging? I could not do on my own. Sent it to a tapestry outlet to get it sewed and it cost me a bomb...RM12.00. But I just wanted a professional look on it so I had to give in.

The edge is neat and tasty ; so it's worth the money.

The colour of the table cloth drew a lot of praise as it calms the soul ... like cherry blossoms on the table.

Now, it's a set. The windows are also cheerfully dressed up with the same colour scheme.

It is home and it needs the touch of love and care.

It is also to greet the year of the golden rabbit on the Lunar Calendar...exactly 24 years ago when Esther was born.

The cheer is in the air again.

Malaysia is truly a unique land.