absolut ginger

I have been spending my last days of the Ox Lunar year and beginning of the Tiger Lunar year in Port Weld or Kuala Sepetang, Taiping. Nothing beats going back to hometown for Chinese New Year celebration.

As the new year was drawing near, there were many last minute preparation. Including last minute hair cut! My third aunt has been in the hair styling and dressing business for over 50 years. Apart from being a hair dresser, she’s also a matchmaker and make-up artist. She is quite well known in this small kampong, Kuala Sepetang.

Antique curlers!

I had the chance to listen to stories by my aunt of her customers, mostly elderly ladies. She told me, two days before the 30th night (last day of the Ox Year in Chinese calendar), she went to the other side of the river to help 4 old aunties in their 80s and 90s to do their hair as some of the elderly ladies could not walk, what more to take a boat to the hair salon for a hairdo. So, she took the initiative to offer her service on house calls. In fact, she has been doing this for the past few years!

It’s funny to hear that, these elderly ladies keep telling my aunt not to die before they do, as they all need to look good for Chinese new year for their grandchildren and great grandchildren. It’s sad that modern salons do not take in elderly people and some even fend them off or tell them that their salons are closed whenever the elderly approach them for a hair cut.

My aunt who is in her 60s laughed so hard whenever these elderly ladies told her not to die before them. So, my aunt said, she would come to do their hair every year till she couldn’t even walk herself and she would crawl to their house to do their hair too! Haha!! It’s so damn funny! I hope these ladies are still there next year as I intend to go with my aunt and take their pictures.

This is how you roll the curlers

I have a story for this particular aunty who came on the 12th February. My aunt said, she’s the mid wife for my late grandmother when she (my grandma) was giving birth to my late uncle (who died in kidney transplant surgery in India). Imagine both my uncle and grandma had passed on and this nice little old lady is going strong till her 90s. She’s slightly deaf. After we served her a cup of kopi O and as she complained of aches in her butt whenever she sits on a plastic chair, my aunt let her sit on a cushioned chair this time. She didn’t complain this time round.

Hair sprays, gel, foam, combs, brush, for hair styling

While waiting for her hair to curl up, a deaf and mute guy who washes my aunt’s house every year came for a hair cut. My aunt said, when he was washing her house the day before, she was rather busy so she didn’t have time to cut his hair. She told him to come the next day. On how to communicate “come tomorrow” in deaf and mute language, my aunt asked him to go home to sleep by clasping both her hands together and put them to her cheek, closed her eyes and pretend to sleep, then roll her fingers to next. He understood and came the next day. My third aunt is a genius!

My third aunt only charges RM20 for perming hair for the elderly! On why didn’t she charge more since it’s Chinese new year like everybody else, she reasoned that these clients have been with her the past 50 years. Some of them have been with her since they were in their 20s till they are in their 70s and 80s now! I am humbled by her stories and learn that there are people who weigh kindred spirits and compassion more importantly than inflation and money in this small little village called Kuala Sepetang. Buddha says, “Teach this triple truth to all: A generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion are the things which renew humanity.” I saw all three in my third aunt.

I am glad I could spend more time with my aunts this Chinese new year holiday.

6 Comments | In: Celebrations, Journey of the Soul | | #
Posted by Gina

Well, if you count from the first day I blogged in blogspot, it would be 6th year today. How time flies! Blog is a good way to communicate and build network with people – sharing good things in life, hope to inspire others and be inspired. I guess it has been a rather pleasant blogging journey, well, at least for me.

When we were little, we wished that there were more candles on the cake so that we could get the thrills whenever we blow each of them out. Once you past 30 years old, that’s it lah. You wish people will forget your birthday. Or hoping that it would be just another ordinary day passing by without you having to think about it.  Hahaha!

To those who said, “Come on! Age is just a number!” My reply, “Yeah right!” There is no one day going by without feeling slight pains here and there, the aching back when springing out from bed (for me, I never spring.. I begrudgingly get out from bed every morning.. haha!), or the grinding feelings on the knees when climbing the stairs. Oh my! I am aging! Ok! Enough of negative talking!

Since my blog birthday coincides with my birthday as well, here, I present to you pictures of the lovely cakes my very thoughtful friends baked or bought for me.  It’s good to feel so loved. I thank my lucky stars for having such wonderful people around me and pray that good wishes and blessings will always be upon them! And of course, not forgetting the equally wonderful people – readers like you!

Banana choc cake covered with yummy chocolate ganache. May baked this! Thanks!

Colorful Jelly Cake which is exceptionally delicious especially when a cute waiter brought it out and sang, Happy Birthday in his husky, melodious voice! Hahahaha!!! Menggatal lah tu!

Super, SUPER delicious Suchan’s tiramisu – with a male model’s hand LOL!

Gong xi fa cai, again!

7 Comments | In: Celebrations | | #
Posted by Gina

Gong Xi Fa Cai for Tiger Year 2010!

Since my birthday and Chinese New Year coincide on the same day this year, my friends decided to throw me parties a week in advance! It’s always very thoughtful of them! Thank you very much!

“Sing Long” Yee Sang from Jusco, RM19.88. If you notice, no “fish”. You have to add on yourself. Haha!

Over the lunches and dinners, we had yee sang as well. I was told that yee sang is only being eaten in Malaysia. I’ve always thought yee sang originated from Hong Kong! A quick check on the internet revealed otherwise. My friends were not totally right either. In fact, I read from the Wikipedia that, yee sang was actually eaten by fisherman in Guongzhou, to celebrate their catch on the seventh day of the Chinese New Year, also known as “Renri” – “Human Day”. Hahahaa! Direct translation sucks! This delicacy existed since the Song Dynasty! Then, in the 1960, a Singapore chef in Lai Wah restaurant formulated a new recipe for the yee sang that we enjoy today. For more info, you may click here.

Well, I think this blog has been deprived of food pictures lately, so, here are some of the stuffs that my friends cooked over the weekend. So, salivate away! Haha!

Vegetable penne pasta with sausages and garden salad

Fresh Yee Sang from Sek Yuen, 1 mai for RM40

Nam Yue fried chicken

Guilin mee hoon with minced pork & mushrooms

Pita bread with chopped ham and cheddar cheese

Gong xi fa cai, fellow readers and friends! May you be blessed 10,000 folds this Chinese New Year with immaculate health, abundant love and endless prosperity!

10 Comments | In: Celebrations, Makan-makan | | #
Posted by Gina

Salmon lou sang

During dinner last Sunday over salmon lou sang and poon choi at UK Four Seasons, we spoke about a few things, amongst which, the Chinese tea culture.

Have you guys ever wondered why do we tap our fingers on the table when a friend pours us tea?

Poon Choi

A friend’s dad used to work in the timber industry. Those who are familiar with hiking understand very well that they should not call out names when they are in the dense forest. Calling out names would invite spirits to also call out to you and would somehow cause mishaps and accidents. So, most hikers would keep silent as they hike and would not walk anymore when it turns dark. So do the timber workers. When they work, they would not talk to each other and do things as quietly as possible in order not to disrupt the spirits in the forest. Hence, when it comes to lunch and drinking tea, they would go about it silently and they would tap their fingers on the table to show their gratitude when someone pour them tea.

We also learn that, this gesture has been carried out since the many Chinese dynasties in yester centuries. Amy pointed out that, there was a story in the Ching Dynasty back then which the thanking gesture of tapping fingers eventually made its way till today.

A quick check on the internet reveals the origin on tapping fingers on the table to gesture thanks.

In the Ching Dynasty some 300-400 years ago, the emperor liked to dress casual and visit his kingdom. Servants were told to stay low profile in order not to reveal their master’s identity. One day in a restaurant, the emperor, after pouring himself a cup of tea, filled the servant’s cup as well. To the servant, it was a huge grace having the emperor pours him a cup of tea. Out of reflex, he wanted to kneel down and thanked his master. But he was stopped because that would give away the emperor’s identity. So instead of kneeling on his knees, the servant knelt with his fingers.

That “thanks” knock is still in use today in the 21st century.

I am in the festive mood already for Chinese New Year this year, which is very rare. Don’t know why. I have been going out to have reunion dinners with friends. I am looking forward to the reunion dinner with the family this 13th February in Port Weld, Taiping. It’s going to be big!

6 Comments | In: Celebrations, Makan-makan | | #
Posted by Gina

2009 has been a challenging year. It moved on really fast – totally like in a blink of an eye. In just 365 days, I have put on more weight (geez!), traveled to a few nice places with family and friends, celebrated a new beginning for my sister, so on and so forth. Decided to come up with a short chronology on how the year came and gone.

16th January – Became witness and photographer for a dear friend’s marriage registration at Putrajaya.

14th February – Datin cooked me a fantastic lunch for my birthday. Invited several friends to join and May baked me a nice oreo cheesecake.

27th February – Went to Macau/Hong Kong the second time. Visited long lost friend. Vincent.

5th April – By-election for Bukit Gantang – Changkat Jering where PAS won the votes in Chinese majority village – Kuala Sepetang, my late grandma’s hometown.

11th April – Ryne and Curly came back from Melbourne and we had a blast.

21st May – Kris Allen was crowned winner of the 8th American Idol, but we knew who the true winner was. Hehe! Glambert mania is on!

25th June – King of Pop, Michael Jackson passed on. May his soul rest in peace.

23rd July – Birth of little Terence – baby to the one who got hitched on 16th January.

25th July – Another great personality passed on. Rest in peace, Kak Yasmin.

6th August – Lenny finally sold off her house we went to Vietnam Kitchen for a feast.

9th September – My only sis got registered at Thean Hou Temple along with 239 couples in the afternoon session.

10th September – A dear friend underwent double heart valves replacement. This girl is a hero!

20th September – The chaotic yet, blissful wedding reception of my sis and bro-in-law. Thanks to my friends who shared with me this memorable event.

21st September – Yip proposed to Wai Ling in Japan.

26th September – Made a short trip to Bangkok. Was turned into a shopaholic overnight! You can get crazy over there!

9th October – Dimple returned to Malaysia for a short break. We went out for a chat over a great dinner and bid good bye to another year.

20th October – A short trip to Eastern China. Super impressed with the infrastructure and cleanliness.

29th October – My only uncle from my dad’s side who lived in Penang passed on.

23rd November – Adam Lambert launched his debut album, For Your Entertainment and got into trouble for simulating oral sex with a male dancer and sticking his tongue into his straight keyboardist’s throat. Scandalous!

5th December – Lenny, my buddy who now resides in Singapore with her lovely son and husband completed her first full marathon (42.2 km!!) in 6 hrs 17 mins. Way to go, buddy!

5th December – Visited Carcosa Seri Negara for the first and last time.

18th December – Despite all the differences we had for the past few years, I attended Sam’s wedding at Imbi Palace. Here’s wishing him much happiness and love.

19th December – My cousin brother in Penang welcomed a healthy baby girl to his family. Congratulations!

20th December – Brittany Murphy – (I loved her in Little Black Book), died of cardiac arrest. 2009 is indeed a bad year for celebrities!

25th December – Watched the must awaited movie, Muallaf.

29th December – Posted my first story in City of Shared Stories, Kuala Lumpur.

31st December – High Court decided to allow a Catholic weekly to use the word “Allah“. Probably the fairest news all year.

Chronology aside, this year I learn to truly appreciate true friends. I was very touched when a friend helped another during the passing of the latter’s dad. She helped without being prompted. She assisted a friend right throughout the whole process – from releasing the deceased from hospital till the day he was laid to rest. May he rest in peace. This friend, without complaints – lacking sleep,running back and forth with the family, helping the friend when she was at the most vulnerable state. This friend is a real champ. I am glad to have met this person.

I have met the kindest soul too. She raised RM10k for charity to assist children with congenital heart diseases to have a new lease of life and even climbed Mount Kinabalu as a tribute to friends and strangers who helped her to raise the fund! What a brave and determined young lady!

2009 is also a year of diseases. Firstly, the H1N1 outbreak in Mexico which took many lives sometime in April 2009 and spread all over the world. We were all told to be aware of second wave which might be even stronger than the first. I first heard of helicobacter which affected my colleague and also Kawasaki disease which affected a colleague’s 2 year old daughter. Diseases are getting more and peskier and there seemed to be a mutation pattern. This is really scary.

I think 2009 is probably the worst for politics. I foresee much worse to come. What to do if you have clowns running the country. There are infighting within parties and those idiots are too blinded by greed for power and money that they ignored the important things like economic crisis, climate changes, escalating crimes, brain drain etc.

Seriously, it’s all rhetoric when they want to implement “unity”. 1M this, 1M that. Kiss my ass. For God’s sake, if only they could just open their eyes wide and see that, actually most Malaysians are rather unified lot, save for a handful of idiots who think this country belongs to themselves only and probably can carry all their wealth and material things to the grave. What a bunch of morons. I think if only the government would put things into perspective and start to improve on infrastructures, safety, health care, education, prevent brain drain etc, this would directly affect the sentiments of the everyday people. “Unity” would eventually take place because everyone is happy.

Let’s hope 2010 will bring in more hope for the otherwise downward spiral running of the country. My dear loved ones and readers alike, I pray for your safety, peace and most importantly, good health. And as for myself, in addition to the three things, I am trying to learn to be less judgmental.

Happy Blessed New Year 2010!

11 Comments | In: Celebrations, Journey of the Soul, Note to Self | | #
Posted by Gina