Mom & the Chinese Passover....

I just received a call this morning from my mom asking me to come over to the house for the Chinese Passover celebrations! Yeah! It's "tong yuin" time again! For the benefit of my non-Chinese friends, it's the red and white glutinous rice balls in pandan flavour & gingerly sweet syrup time! [ That's how I like it, actually. ] Nowadays, they would fill the balls with red bean paste and so on. You can get them in season or out season in the supermarkets! This tradition has been with Chinese families for generations and mine is no exception. Honestly, I totally forgot about this and yeah, it's about a month to Chinese New Year! So sweet of mom!~ Love this lady a lot!

Yunno, I am definitely not that kind of guy who would show my affection in public [ seriously, I really can't do it ] but I most definitely can express it through my writing much better.Some say it's good while some say it's not. So, I'm learning to use the middle path, really. A little bit affection and a little bit of writing!

Okay, mom has been instrumental in shaping my life a lot. She is helpful, kind but she has an explosive temper. [ Now, I know for sure where I got my explosive temper!!] She's very concerned about my life but never ever intrude in my life. Mom & dad really gave me a lot of space in my life. I learnt independence early - got into some trouble but mom & dad stood by me every minute of my life. I love mom because she really cares for me and the family. Even though she may be disappointed with me in my early years, she never showed it. Instead, she continually talked to me and got me to think a lot about my life. Yeah! Mom whacks/caned me a lot when I was younger but never abusive. [Yeah! Spare the rod and spoil the kid! ] She treated all of us fairly though her obvious favourite was my youngest brother! She was the one who really took care of our food, our clothes and our daily lives. I want to share one occasion that is very close to my heart regarding my mom. I remembered that dad was working with a very hard boss those days and food was very difficult for all of us. Even on the eve of CNY, dad did not get his salary [ a mere RM 250.00 at those days ] and he somehow managed to get some chicken and some dishes for us. Later in my years, mom confided in me that dad had to sell his favourite working tools to get some money for us to have something to eat for CNY eve. Anyway, as usual, mom was there to cook rice and ensured we had our fill as children and we went out to play. Somehow, as a boy I was always inquisitive and I went back to the kitchen. There I saw mom & dad picking up the scrawny and boney leg part of the chicken [ kai kiok! ] and they had their meal! Those were the only parts that were left. They never complained but quietly eating away. That to me is the epitome of what sacrifice is all about. That stuck in my mind and heart for a very long time. In fact, it impacted me in a way. I learn a lot from those type of experiences from my mom & dad. BTW, we didn't get any new clothes either because dad didn't receive his salary that day. [ BTW, in fact, the boss did not pay my dad for 3 months and it was only when dad threatened to quit that he paid my dad one month salary citing difficult times! Sounds familiar in today's society?! Sigh!] As children, young as we may be, we understood the graveness of the situation faced by mom & dad because they tell us the truth and hide nothing from us. Never mind, if we did not have much to eat or new clothes. We were just happy being together as a family. That was more important to us. There were many incidences of love and sacrifice with mom but suffice to say, she's just a great woman!

Mom really sacrificed a lot when dad had stroke and cancer. But what marvels me was her tenacious will to continue to be with my dad throughout the difficult times and to continue to encourage each and everyone of us to go on with our lives even after his death. Again, she NEVER interfered in our lives and she always reminded me to take good care of my family. She is a wonderful grandmother to my children and my children love her a lot! The other thing that astounds me is her giving heart. Just like my dad, she is always helping out and giving all she could afford. I guess, her good hearted ways and helpful nature rubbed in all of us, her children. She was the one who taught me to speak the truth. She tells me that it is better to tell the truth than continue to speak more lies and get into more difficulties. She also continually reminded me that I am to remain faithful and to constantly protect the family. She never failed to tell me this every time I visit her at home. In many ways, mom is a woman of great courage, a great encourager and most important of all, a mother!

So, as I celebrate the Chinese passover, I just want to express my deepest gratitude and love for my mother, Tan Ah Moy [ I've asked her before "Why Tan Ah Moy? She replied ," Your great grandma says it is easier to remember and it's popular at that time!" ] BTW, she's a great cook ~ Hainanese chicken rice - the bestest!

Mom, Thank you for bringing me up and thank you for your love! You have a very special place in my heart together with dad!

So, to all the great moms and dads out there who had been inspirational & encouragement to your children wherever they may be :- Cheers to you !~

Home Alone...

I am halfway through my "home alone" week as Soon Ling and the children, Joa Wee and Shwu Yuen are at kiasuland errrr..... Singapore. They are at Ting & Yam's place. [ Soon Ling's sis and brother-in-law ] Throughout the days, I've been getting updates from them on the places they have been and so on. Much that I would like to join them, I am at work and it isn't easy not being able to be with them.
How does home alone feel? Well, I must say that uptill now I am okay with it. Generally, it isn't easy but I have managed so far. I guess, I am not used to having a very quiet atmosphere. Almost too quiet that you can hear the pin drop! Anyway, I miss the wifey and the kiddos! So far, the most decent meal I've ever had was on Tuesday night when I went over to Dinesh & Abby place for dinner! [ Thanks guys for giving me really great food and a fun time! ] To be honest, I am quite okay with meals ~ I'm kinda simple on meals. You wouldn't believe what I had for meals, actually. Don't cringe now! I had Cintan mee for dinner on Monday, roti paratha for Wednesday dinner and Maggi mee curry for Thursday dinner. For Friday, I'll probably have bread. By the way, I am really okay with the meals. No problems here! Belly is filled , I go to sleep-lor!

What I miss most is actually having Soon Ling to share my thoughts and so on after a day at work. I really miss talking to her and the children. In a weird sense, I miss sternly "reminding" Joa Wee for staying up too late for TV or having Shwu Yuen make me a cup of Nescafe O. Yeah! It's those little little things that makes it all most memorable.The other thing is that I have been routinely washing clothes and cleaning up the place that I am actually like Soon Ling now! Arrrrrrrrggggggghhhhhhh! It's scary! Yeah!Somehow, I have become paranoid with washing clothes and keeping the place swept and cleaned! Ha.....ha........ OhYes! I've even folded the clothes and put them back into the respective drawers and so on. I guess, I must say that I raised a lot of eyebrows when I used the washing machine the other day. I guess, my back row neighbors knew that the wife wasn't around [ coz'normally Soon Ling would be doing the laundry each night without fail! ]. So, when they saw me drying up the brassiere and the undergarments and a pile of clothes, they must be thinking I was having another woman in my home!!! The actual fact was that this was our previous day load and I had to divide the load to two batches! It was fun watching their faces and hearing them talking to one another if I had another woman in my house while my wife was away! I tell you, I couldn't help myself laughing all the way! Humour does find its way in the weirdest of situations!

The other thing was that my young neighbours [ students from the nearby college ] on the right side of my house noted that it has been a few days since they last saw Soon Ling and the children. Finally, one of the lads asked me this morning, "Morning , uncle, tak nampak auntie?" Being naughty, creative and mischievous, I looked sober and replied curtly, "Auntie dah lari sama anak-anak-lar empat hari lepas!" He was like confused, taken aback and politely answered," Oo! Sorry uncle!" Then I started to smile and laughed a little bit. Then he too laughed knowing that he had been had by my morning prank! Then, I told him that wifey and children had gone to Singapore. I could see that he sighed a big relief. Probably, he would have thought that he had asked the wrong question to me this morning. I could still hear the rest of the girls in the house laughed aloud as I turned to my car to get to work. As I was about to get in the car , one of the girls remarked, "Kelakar jugak, uncle ni! "

Well, I have another 3 days to go before they are back. I am surviving this and a little humour does helps along way.~ Cheers!

The Mindset Change...

Have you had days when things just don't seemed to go right? Well, I guess, I experienced one of those days today. It wasn't actually a horrid day but things just down fall into places today. No! I am far from angry, bitter or even frustrated by it. I guess, in more ways than ever I am thankful that at least, I had lived another full day and survived! At my age and at the work I do, I count it a real bonus and a blessing to be able to wake up and face the day. Never mind if the day don't turn out as what I had expected. At least, I get to live a full day and go through what I had to go through. Learn from it and be much much wiser in life. Some of you who know me would probably be flipping over your chairs or even put on the sackcloth and pour ashes over your head like they used to do in the olden times, right?

Well, I guess, in some way or another, when things seemed not to work out the way it was intended, I've gotta stick my face up and smile. That should wake up some muscles in my face and make me look younger, right? Yeah, I've learnt to take in the hard crunch of life in a positive manner. Thanks to good friends like you who took the time to invest, re-invest and re-invest your advices and views to my fragile life. I guess, if I had been my old self, I would have flipped and burnt myself out with anger and the nastiness of life. Hmmmmmnnnnn.......I have changed, haven't I ?
I guess, I've ..................mellowed.................... in a certain sense. I can't change the situation which took place but I most certainly can change my reaction, right? I guess, it took me a while to grasp that idea but hey! It's not too late! Sure! Occasionally, I'll go into the lapse mode but at least, I gave it a try , right? I guess, I want to make a difference with my life and be a part of that good change.

I must tell you, change is hard and it takes a while but when you are at it like I do, you should be able to survive the nasties in life like what happened today when things just don't seem to go right. One thing is for sure, you've gotta to laugh at yourself a lot. That's what I am doing all this while! A lighter moment in the hard curve of life. So, here's to better days ahead!~ no matter who you are, where you are or what you do!~ Stay blessed and be a blessing always!

The Flop L'Enfant Plaza.....

When I read “Pearls Before Breakfast” by Gene Weingarten of the Washington Post dated 8April, 2007, I was captivated by the true life story but most important of all, I learnt that having life lessons from God is far more important than anything else in this world. It started out as a challenge to see if anyone would recognize this 39 year old violin extraordinaire and violin prodigy, Joshua Bell in the midst of the busy DC Metro subway station L’Enfant Plaza, Washington D.C. Again, I must confess that I don't know much about classical music. I must confess that I have heard of Placido Domingo, Luciano Pavarotti, Jose Carrerras and Il Divo. I should say I do enjoy too pieces from Johann Strauss, Ludwig von Beethoven, Johann Sebastian Bach and some other names when I was younger. I hope I don't sound like a geek,man. OhYes, my favourite of all time, "Flight of the Bumble Bee" - Maxim.
On Friday, 12th January, 2007, armed with his 300 year old Antonio Stradivari crafted violin called the Gibson ex Huberman made in 1713 worth US$3.5million , donning a long sleeved T-shirt and a Washington Nationals baseball cap, this youngish white man in jeans started with “Chaconne” from Johann Sebastian Bach’s Partita No.2 in D Minor. He played Franz Hubert’s “ Ave Maria”, Manuel Ponce’s sentimental “Estrellita”, a Jules Massenet piece and then a Bach gavotte and it all lasted for 43 minutes. Here was a man whose talents can command US$1,000 per minute Joshua Bell playing the violin in the best way he knew how and what was his bounty ~ US $32.17 with some in pennies! Of the 1,097 people who passed him by that day, twenty seven gave money and only one person recognized him. It was Stacy Furukawa, a demographer at the Commerce Department. She said “It was the most astonishing thing I’ve ever seen in Washington. Joshua Bell was standing there playing at rush hour and people were not stopping and not even looking and some were flipping quarters at him! Quarters! I wouldn’t do that to anybody. I was thinking, Omigosh, what kind of a city do I live in that this could happen?”
What did this maestro has to say? “ It was a strange feeling that people were actually ignoring me. At a music hall, I’ll get upset is someone coughs or if someone’s cellphone goes off. But here, my expectations quickly diminished. I started to appreciate any acknowledgement, even a slight glance up. I was oddly grateful when someone threw in a dollar instead of change.” The awkward times to Joshua Bell is what happens right after each piece ends: nothing. The music stops. The same people who hadn’t noticed him playing don’t notice that he has finished. No applause. No acknowledgement.
For Joshua Bell, he may have been the greatest musician on earth of all times but that day, he was humbled by the people at the L’Enfant Plaza subway station.
So many times, our Father in heaven is just like that. We live our lives in such hurried–hurried manner that we seemed to forget that the greatest musician and healer in our lives seemed to be playing at the side unnoticed just like Joshua Bell. We also need to humble ourselves, lean back against the wall, listen to soothing music of life as belted out by Him and recognize Him for who He is in our lives. Be blessed !

The Voice...

31829 ~ That was the number which was worn by Paul Robert Potts, mobile phone salesman with Carphone Warehouse in Bridgend, during his first audition for the 1st Edition of Britain Got Talent Competition in 2007. This man completely bowled over and won the hearts of the 3 judges namely Piers Morgan, Amanda Holden and Simon Cowell plus the 2,000 audiences who were shocked to their brains over his performance. As I watched through the audition on YouTube [ 5,472,132 hits on this piece ] last night, after this guy was specially mentioned by Pst. Ng Kok Kee during church service, [ I was apprehensive at first at the showing of the video clip!] I have nothing but great amazement for such an individual. [ Gosh! God made every one so different but special ] On stage stood a short, balding, shy , modest, crooked & broken teeth with cheap suit, 37 year old man on stage and blowing off the minds and hearts of the audiences!
When Amanda asked him, " Paul, what are you here for today, Paul?", he just simply answered “To sing opera!” You could actually see Piers Morgan looking dazed together with Amanda Holden while Simon Cowell had the “ Here comes another crap!” facial expression. Then, there was about 10 seconds silence before the music goes on and I was also as apprehensive as those people were. But when Paul Potts opened his mouth and sang Giacomo Puccini’s “Nessun Dorma “ from “Turandot”, every one was mesmerized and amazed at his ability to sing opera. When he finished, he completely bowled over Simon Cowell who was clearly amazed by this man’s ability while it brought tears to the eyes of Amanda Holden. What a talent! Anyway, he went on to win the coveted title of winner of “Britain Got Talent” Competition beating 6-year old favourite, Connie Talbot who sang “ Somewhere Over the Rainbow” [ another crowd favourite ]
As always, I did my little research and found out that this piece, Giacomo Puccini's “Nessun Dorma” from “Turandot” is made popular by the late Luciano Pavarotti. By the way, I am no opera expert I must admit but I found out too that “Nessun Dorma” means “None Shall Sleep Tonight”. It is sung by Calaf, il principe ignoto (the unknown prince), who falls in love at first sight with the beautiful but cold Princess Turandot. However, any man who wishes to wed Turandot must first answer her three riddles. If he fails, he will be beheaded.
In the act before this aria, Calaf has correctly answered the three riddles put to all of Princess Turandot's prospective suitors. Nevertheless, she recoils at the thought of marriage to him. Calaf offers her another chance by challenging her to guess his name by dawn. (As he kneels before her, the Nessun dorma theme makes a first appearance, to his words, "Il mio nome non sai!") If she does so, she can execute him; but if she does not, she must marry him. The cruel and emotionally cold princess then decrees that none of her subjects is to sleep that night until his name is discovered. If they fail, all will be killed.As the final act opens, it is now night. Calaf is alone in the moonlit palace gardens. In the distance, he hears Turandot's heralds proclaiming her command. His aria begins with an echo of their cry and a reflection on Princess Turandot:-

Nessun dorma! Nessun dorma! Tu pure, o Principessa, nella tua fredda stanza, guardi le stelle che tremano d'amore, e di speranza!"
(English translation: "None shall sleep! None shall sleep! Even you, O Princess, in your cold bedroom, watch the stars that tremble with love and with hope!")
"Ma il mio mistero è chiuso in me; il nome mio nessun saprà! No, No! Sulla tua bocca lo dirò quando la luce splenderà!"
("But my secret is hidden within me; none will know my name! No, no! On your mouth I will say it when the light shines!")
"Ed il mio bacio scioglierà il silenzio che ti fa mia!"
("And my kiss will dissolve the silence that makes you mine!")
Just before the climactic end of the aria, a chorus of women is heard singing in the distance:
"Il nome suo nessun saprà... E noi dovrem, ahimè, morir, morir!"
("No one will know his name... and we will have to, alas, die, die!")
Calaf, now certain of victory, sings:
"Dilegua, o notte! Tramontate, stelle! Tramontate, stelle! All'alba vincerò! Vincerò! Vincerò!"
("Vanish, o night! Set, stars! Set, stars! At daybreak I shall win! I shall win! I shall win!")

Well, God made every one of us different and He equipped us with many talents. So, remember Paul Robert Potts, don’t judge any one by their exterior and outward appearance. Know that it’s the beauty that is in the inside that is most important. Peace to opera lovers!~

A Clinic Scene...

Today, I went to a clinic where I have a work appointment with a doctor. Upon arrival at the clinic, I immediately informed the nurse on duty that I had an appointment with this doctor and I was told ," Yeah!Yeah! Just sit right there. Others are also waiting for the doctor!"; showing to the row of seats at the clinic. I thought that was rather rude of her but like "all good Christian fella" [ Sigh ! I can be nasty at times but somehow, I just quieten down a bit for once ] , I just plunked down at the seat and looked around me. I saw three couples at the clinic :- one Chinese middle-aged couple, one Malay young couple whose wife was pregnant and one Indian daughter and her mother. I couldn't help but noticed that the Chinese couple was constantly bickering over the high clinic fees and some silly matters [also, money, money, money thingy ] while the young Malay couple were constantly whispering in each other ears, giggling and "manjaing" one another like a pair of bunnies in heat or some fresh new pair of teenagers in heat [ real irritating when I am seating beside them on the long lounge chairs ] while the Indian daughter and mother couple looked unduly worried and agonising look - lines all over their face! You see the range of human emotions in one clinic! That's cool, man.
In all honesty , I don't know the speciality of this doctor and neither have I met him. I was just there to do my work. When he finally arrived, wow! Sure looks, talks and works like a doctor! ~ Ada gaya,man! He had that commanding presence and no wonder there are plenty of patients around. I just could not help but marvel at that "presence", it's like having our Father in heaven's presence in a situation! It's that enigmafying feeling! Anyway, got my job done and I was out of there. I then met up with the doctor's insurance agent [ an Indian guy who just turns, and twist and twirls around the facts when I have already got all the facts in order when I spoke to the humble doctor! ] and I have nothing good to say about him. Like they say, if you don't have good things to say about that person, don't say it at all, right? That's what I am doing right now!~ Have a pleasant weekend ahead, everyone !~ Be blessed!

Flood & Politicians...a weird concoction!

While at work yesterday morning, I was rushed to a flood prone area in Alor Gajah. Together with my colleague, CKGoh and my trusty Proton, I thought to myself, "Here we go again! Mud and stench again. Poor wife had to scrub hard at my clothes again !" As we arrived at Garden of Blue Clouds i.e. Taman Awan Biru, there was a massive jam and plenty of politician cars, police cars and fire brigade tankers lined up along the narrow roads of the taman. This made maneuvering along the road most difficult as I've got to get to some of the houses for my work. Never have I ever seen such a big circus; politician cars, policemen of all ranks, the fire brigade departments, scores & scores of mandors! As I managed to maneuver towards the main road, I was hit smack with the CM's Triton parked right at the center of the road blocking all ways to the houses I am supposed to work on. As I tried asking the driver to move the car to the side a little so that I could squeezed through but I was greeted with an angry wave of hand signalling me that he was not ready to back away the car nor he was going to do anything about it! Yeah! Talk about humility of public servants! My foot! For crying out loud, he parked the damn car in the middle of road, man! Why? Obviously not to soil some politicians shoes who was only there for some publicity stunt! No disrespect to anyone on this matter but parked the car at the side-lar so that there is a free flow of traffic! Undeterred, I reversed my car and looked for another alternative route road and I managed it only to be stopped by two "paku on the shoulder" policemen who took one look at my face and my Proton and waved me on. Some security for CM and the Assemblyman who was in the midst of calming down some very angry houseowners there!
My point is that this is the sixth time these houseowners had experienced the flash flood and mind you, these are low cost house owners, man! I was told that the Assemblyman came by to look into the plight of these people during the flood occurrences earlier - words, promises, hand out some cash and NFA [ No further action! ]. Hello! These are low or sometimes middle income people of all races living here! People who have worked hard and saved every penny they could to buy these houses and the items in teh house-lar. [ I don't doubt that there are some who don't belong to this income bracket, though! ] Have a heart,man! They don't need political sweets! They need well-regulated and bigger drains-lar! They need solutions for the flash flood-not handouts & political sweeteners. As I looked into two families which I have come to know well as I have been attending to their cases, Aslan* [ not his real name - a hardworking Malay man - He works in an electronic factory. ] and Soo* [ not his real name - a Chinese carpenter ] , I have nothing but sympathy for them. Their houses were in a total ruins as the flash flood ravaged their beds, their furniture , their electrical items , their clothes and other properties. It was sad for me personally to see their losses. I would feel devastated too if I were in their shoes right now. If only you people could imagine the trauma these families goes through each time it rains in this part of the town.
I noted with much amusement when I saw the big shots being photographed with some cangkul, digging out dirt from some drains and walking around the taman telling the people that bigger drains would be built. Really publicity stunt show,man! Normally, they are not even seen changkulling their own yard for that matter! [ Sigh! ]. I am usually not critical towards our assemblymen, big shots of the Govt.departments and so on as they are also human beings but what I saw displayed yesterday was pure publicity stunt. These big shots and important people get to go back to the comfort of their homes while the residents of Garden of Blue Clouds looked towards re-building their bleak lives all over again. Look, these are basis amenities and necessities in a taman. Help the people, cut the red tape and the procrastination on who is responsible for what and so on. Get the mad house together and give meaningful lives to these people who had toiled in whatever capacity they are in, to contribute meaningfully to this nation. Look! These are the people who put the big fat "X" in their ballot papers to return the present people to govern. Please repay their good faith with these basic facilities and make their lives more livable in their already small homes. Gosh! Our governing bodies have a moral and social obligation to fulfil these basic facilities. If we continue to be ignorant and constantly filled with a lackadaisical attitude, the people will be disillusioned and that's sad. Even my colleague , CKGoh felt repulsive over what had happened and this was his first experience at the stench-filled mud and unbearable rot smell. This not the type of mud you want for your body therapy ~ this I can tell you!

Anyway, this is my two sens input!~ No offence intended!