The Feast of St Valentine 2.0.1.2

I know many people have different opinions about Valentine's Day and this whole celebration of LOVE thing. However to me, Valentine's Day is just an extra special day that you must honour it for love, like your birthday ... when everything is all about you. It is not written in the law that people must celebrate birthdays or Valentine's Day ... but when it became a tradition, a norm or maybe culture ... it is a special day.

Many associated Valentine's Day with Christianity due to the fact that the early Roman Catholics observed it in honour of one of Christian matyrs named Valentinus. But honestly, in my 35 years ... never once I ever heard the Feast of St Valentine's or being taught by the church to observe it as a Christian Holy Day like Ash Wednesday, Easter, Good Friday, or Christmas. In fact, I think this festival of Christian origin has become more of something cultural especially in the West, just like how the Chinese celebrate Mooncake Festival (a festival of Chinese folk religion origin) or in modern Bidayuh context, how we see Gawai Dayak Harvest Festival - a festival in honour of our culture and tradition.

I can accept it as something Christianity especially on the honouring the Act of Love as it is written in the Scripture - Between love, hope and faith, love is the greatest of all. However, to first associate Valentine's Day with something immoral, lustful and then link with Christianity ... that angers me ... there I said it.

For the year 2012 and the years before, I celebrate LOVE, non LUSTfully (never pun unfortunately). Instead, it was more towards GLUTTONY. I asked myself earlier today ... How shall I love thee? True, there are many ways of showing that you love yourself, however I decided that I should love myself like how I love a child or how I spoiled members of my family. Yes, I show my love through food. 

Being brought up in a conservative Asian family, food is something many household tend to revere most. My late grandmothers from both side take food matter very seriously. Do we have enough rice to feed everyone? Have you taken your lunch/dinner? Make sure you finish your plate. Make sure you have something before you go ... those were their words that still ring in my ears. Despite now that many of my family members and relatives have turned obese (myself included) ... I still could feel their fear till their final days that we might not have enough to eat.

Unconsciously, I do fear that I might have not enough to eat ... and so do my mum, my dad and my aunts ... just look at the food stocks that we have in our kitchen. But at least, I love to cook ... and so does my mum, my dad and my aunts. Cousin Ruby came last weekend and brought my aunts shopping at Sunshine Farlim. I was so amazed when Auntie Rose told me that Cousin Ruby has tasted, tested and experimented with all sorts of food products. From rice grains, to pasta ... even to which brand of cheese nice to eat with what.

Ruby initially couldn't understand my love for wantan mee, always advising me to try other Penang hawker fares. But when I explained to her that my wantan mee got ranking and my benchmark is the Caunter Hall stall .... she somehow could relate to it, telling me how she was so crazy of Assam Laksa but couldn't find one that tasted quite right in Parit Buntar. But once she finally know how to cook the Assam Laksa correctly and at par with Grandma's and Auntie Rose's ... she could finished the whole pot of Assam Laksa gravy all by herself. Hahaha ... the story about her finished a whole pot of assam laksa was a legend in my family.

So commemorating today's LOVE theme of SELF Indulgence and EATING WITH PASSION ... I wandered to my green pasture ... the City of Georgetown, Penang. Forgetting for a while the expanding waistline and my recent recovery from tonsillitis. A total bliss! Happy Valentine's Day everyone ...

Breakfast of Kuey Teow Soup Utara and Air Bandung @Astaka Tanjung Selera.

Coffee break with Penang Coconut Jelly and Rojak Buah.

Dinner with Penang Sar Hor Fun and Teochew Chendol at Georgetown White Coffee.

The Next Generation

I am taking another break from penning my next entry on 3rd day in Bangkok. As you all know, I went back to Kuching for Chinese New Year 2012 and we are ushering in the year of the Dragon (Water Dragon). So water is the element of the year. Bagus lah ... cool down banyak yang "panas-panas" yang sedang hangat berlaku kat seluruh dunia sekarang ni.

Anyway, to conservative Chinese ... the dragon year is among the most awaited year. It is a year of transformation, its a year that they should have babies (kalau son lagi bagus). Many believe Dragon babies bring luck to the family and people who are born in the year of the Dragon one day will hold high positions or very influential. You see ... in ancient China, the celestial Dragon represents an emperor and power. Today, it is the ultimate auspicious symbol signifying success and happiness. 

Having said that, many fengshui masters predicted that this year would not be prosperous lah sebab the most fearsome star that is 5 Yellow (ni boleh sebabkan extreme financial lost and injuries) is entering the Dragon sector of Southeast. Bad news for me, Snake also share the same sector so this is not a year for me to be overzealous in work or relationship (if any). Have to be extra careful and lay low this year. My consolation is that, this year's element is water whereas 5 Yellow is an Earth star. So water is destructive to earth so the impact will not be that bad huhuhuhu

Anyway, this year I spent most of my time with my nephews and nieces. They have grown so big, playful and naughty. I am happy that to see that the brothers, sisters and cousins are getting closer from the new generation. I did a lot of cooking too this CNY. From normal meals, to our open house dishes, to family party and gravies for my cousin Grace (so that she could cook her kids favourite dishes). I showcased few new recipes from all my "travel and living" experience in Penang - Kari Kapitan (modified), Duck in Salted Vegetables, Bangkok Tom Yum (from scratch uolssssss ... takdenyer pes pes), Spaghetti ala Aglio Olio (Amberly merajuk that everyone finished it up when she asked for 2nd helping) ... andddddd a dish I called ...

Ayer Itam Duck - inspired by the famous Ayer Itam Duck Rice and Kylie Kwong version of Peking Duck. After roasting it for few minutes, the duck then cut in pieces and pour the special gravy on top

I also babysat for Florence and Grace - supposed to be until Thursday, then the kids didn't want to go home then extended to Saturday. I loved having kids around especially when they are well-behave. Well, my cousins did a wonderful job in raising their kids ... except both of them are lazy cooks ... so for 6 days, their kids get to eat proper home-cooked food from Auntie Mie.

From left to right: Ashleigh, Amberly, Gina, Marco, Maegan and Michelle. Funny bah my nephews and nieces, my mother pulak they anggap their nenek.

The baby in pink is Fidelia. By the way, I think Michelle and Ashleigh will grow into stunning beauties one day.

 

 

The girls sleepover getaways at my mum's house.

Amberly doing the split.

Anyway, I would like to take this opportunity to showcase, the little mister whom I mentioned in my previous entry. Jeng jeng jeng jeng .....

The rumor is true ... I am my Mamma Mie new man ... do you have problem with that?

This is my girl so jangan kacau.

So this CNY, I met Mr Carl Nickson for the first time. I was so shocked to see a 1 month plus baby that looks like a 3 months old baby. According to his grandma, his weight now is 5kg plus plus. Goodness, looking at him, holding him makes me want to have my own baby ... (terus sakit perut walaupun tak berkaitan).

CARL NICKSON SPECIAL SHOTS by Rambomadonna

Shot 1 - okay sleeping peacefully.

Shot 2 : Closer shot, ok still sleeping.

Shot 3: At this time, the kids were shouting and baby Nick "terkejut" (panic!!!)

Shot 4: Alamak terbangun pulak .... I did try to put him back to sleep but he kept staring at me.

"Don't kiss me anymore", I think that's what Baby Nick was trying to say.

I knew he wanted to "play".

Eh ... who taught him that ... jaga Mama pukul nanti.

I must put on my best pose too ... Aunty Amberly is too photogenic.

I love to be the centre of attention!

The Single Story - Pre Dragon New Year Shopping

I am taking a break from penning down my entry for Sawadee Ka Bangkok 2012 - Day 2. Yesssss .... it is another long entry until akak pun sudah naik pening uolsss ... Dah janji pada diri sendiri kan ... tahun ni nak tulis banyak-banyak dalam blog. So balik semalam from work, rasa nak share feeling-feeling seseorang yang single and not sure nak searching ke tak beberapa hari before New Year of the Dragon.

Anyway I read in few online fengshui sites that this year would not be a great year for a snake lady like me and so I had to lay low this year. Many obstacles will come my way and therefore I should be more cautious, rest more and careful with my money. Well, I think so too. I really want to slow down this year ...  about time I further my studies to a higher level.

So after shutting down my office PC, I took 5 minutes to think of what I want to do later.One thing sucks about being single is that, terpaksa lah buat semua sorang-sorang ... kena get use to it. Shopping and watching movies I am okay buat sorang-sorang, in fact I lebih suka pun buat sorang-sorang. We can plan our time and kita tak perlu tunggu orang.

Since it is customary for me to follow certain tradition and belief before CNY, I decided to shop for some important items like new underwear, new clothes etc. But first, I want to reward myself with nice food ... and I was in the mood for something Japanese.

I am so happy that there is a Sakae Sushi outlet in 1st Avenue, Penang. Well, after sampling so many Japanese restaurants including the ones that the Japanese in Penang and KL love to dine, I think Sakae Sushi is still a better alternative to Sushi King and cheaper alternative to my favourite restaurants like Kirishima (Cititel) or Muraku (G Hotel) or Rakuzen (Plaza Damas).

Monthly specialsssss ... sini nak order guna Ipad lagi.

Somehow, since I mostly dine alone, I still think its better to find a Japanese restaurant with Kaiten belt and counter top so you can simply choose and pick what you what to eat without having to bother about people looking at you sympathetically (very negative thoughts) ... actually, orang pun bukan peduli pun tapi kita jer dok segan-segan. Anyway, yesterday rasa special pulak ... tiba-tiba the staff give special attention to me pulak. Balik-balik tanya nak order lagi ke tak, nak refill air ke tak ... Best pulak.

Ikura Chawanmushi

 

Salmon sashimi

Trio sushi - Tamago, Sake and Unagi

The monthly special - Tropical Salmon Roll

I was surprised that I didn't eat as much as I would at Sakae yesterday. Penat kot ... Seriously, minda I sangat penat semalam. Sebab nak pastikan semua berjalan lancar for our first event on the 17 February and another one on 17th March, rasa nak gila iols plan pengisian, kerahkan staff and before balik semalam ... was really angry at my Ketua Unit PI for making a very unforgivable mistake, and it was not the first time. So after lecturing her and at the same time perbetulkan balik bajet, I rasa tenaga I dah habis keluar dari badan.

Deco CNY di 1st Avenue, Penang

Last year, the family welcomed a new member ... Carl Nickson (Baby Nick) which according to family hierarchy is my grandnephew. Hmmm dah jadi nenek rupanya I ni. Mie and Baby Nick's grandfather are first cousins, but our families are so close that we were brought up like brother and sister. In fact I called Baby Nick's great grandmother "Sindo" which means mother in Bidayuh. Baby Nick's auntie ... Gina, is the apple of my parent's eyes. I planned to teach Nick to call me Mama, sort of sounded like Ah Ma (Hokkien for Grandma) ...

Susahnya nak shop baju for baby boy ... sungguh tak seronok.

Kalau time CNY mesti selipar I hilang atau tak tau ke mana so setahun sekali kena beli slipper baru.

Rasa sedih pulak nak tinggalkan my aunties during CNY. Last year Christmas pun tak celebrate sangat with them. Usually my family in Penang celebrate Christmas as my late grandmother was born on Christmas. So i memory of her, they will hold some prayers and offer some offerings during Christmas and CNY. Balik semalam terhidu something yang sangat sangat sedap ... wah rupanya Auntie Rose made Acar (achat) for me to bring back.

Auntie Rose Acar

Acar ni a must in our house during Chinese New Year and weddings. It is a nyonya dish that ramai tak buat dah. I love to eat this with keropok. I am happy that some traditions and recipes dah sikit sikit Auntie Rose perturunkan to me. So far she taught me Gulai ayam, Sambal Hay Bee and Assam Laksa. I pulak taught her how to cook Spaghetti hehehe ... can't wait for her to teach me Otak-Otak, Acar and Jiuhu Char.

Wonder how's the preparation in Kuching.

1Malaysia Parks and Gardens Carnival and 1Malaysia Harvest Festival 2011

Actually I was really really busy these past few days as I have little time left to prepare for the 1Malaysia Parks and Gardens Carnival at Penang Botanic Gardens on 11th and 12th June 2011. But this is still OK compared to 1Malaysia Green and Clean launching at Penang state level last year. I had to organise it within 7 days ... after "mentertawakan" Nel (Sabah Director) who first got the "heart attacking news". Suddenly I found myself the one to launch the event in Penang whereas Nel had to appease the community leaders for the change of plans. It is really not easy to be State Directors.

Anyway, I took up any jobs "thrown" to me with an open mind and heart. As a civil servant, I have a secure job and steady income whereas there are many people out there struggling to make end meets so events such as these are their chances to get jobs or make some income... This statement may be a bit subjective as many head of departments, whether in private or public sectors, still practice the "10% culture".

However, I have to be honest that for this event, I had to organise it with "tears in my heart" as I will again miss the Gawai celebration. For the Chinese just visualise yourself had to work during Chinese New Year and the Malay, missing the Eid-Mubarak .... last year I couldn't celebrate Gawai because I just moved to Penang and running out of cash because of delay in travelling claim payment.

And to be honest, I also didn't intend to blog tonight. However after listening to Sayonara Hari Gawai (on Jethro Henry Adam recommendation) ... especially to Jenny Tan's vibrato ... suddenly I find myself started singing and speaking in Iban hahahahah (when Hokkien took me like forever!) and into the festive mood! I called everyone in Kuching ... my mom, my sisters, my godmother, my GINAAAAAA (when we started calling each other "sibuk") and everyone seems to be cooking Itik Pak Lor (5 Spice Duck). Seriously ... I miss home! I miss Gina the most.

So here is my Gawai song for year 2011 .. And don't forget to read my last year's entry for Gawai as well. Just to help you to get into the Gawai mood. Happy Gawai Dayak everyone ... harap ka bala nuan, gerai nyamai lantang senang ... and yon bara madis, dingan ... doh kambot ku mun ngan man Pak Lor hehehe

Ushering The New Year of The Rabbit - Fengshui dan Dzi Beads

According to Lilian Too ...

"The Golden Rabbit Year of 2011" is a year of clashing discordant energy. It fuels the tendencey for many to take offence at the slightest provocation. Many will be quick to anger and impatience dominates the year. But it is also a year when many animal signs can make meaningful advances economically. Those who know how to tap into the veins of the good fortune will even rate 2011 a bonanza year.

These last 2 year I was not really into fengshui, as compared to when I first started in 2004. Having just moved into a new home, new office, being in strange land and had nothing to do during weekends, I decided I needed a hobby. I found out later that Uncle Tan studied geomancy and asked him to tutor me on some of the basic principles. I never fully master it ... for religious (and laziness) reasons ... however sometimes I did applied some of the "hard to understand logic" just for the fun of it.

Okay recently, the bad vibes of 2010 had been a HOT topic among a special group of friends and how it had affected their life. Well to be honest, the tiger year of 2010 too most was a challenging year with plenty of competitive pressures. But in general, for me a Fire Snake lady, it was ok and much better than the year before. So one of my friends told me that he was thinking of buying crystals for good luck charm for 2011. However I advised him to checkout the Dzi beads as I think it looks better on man as an accessory.

I noticed that lately these bead stones have gain popularity among private gem collectors (and feng shui practicioners) in Malaysia, usually for good fortune. The strongest energy comes from Tibetan precious white jadeite dzi, aged from 100 years above. These "old" beads price can fetch up to thousands of RM. New or young beads, aged between 2-3 years, are sold between RM 70.00 -150.00.


My first dzi bead was a 9-eye dzi bought in World of Fengshui MidValley in 2007. Cost me RM 388.00. That time, it was among the few places that sells genuine dzi beads. However, I found out later that mine was not a "young" bead. Hence, the price. Initially it came with a string of clear citrine crystal as a bangle. Later I replaced it with golden citrine for "more better " (hehehe ... apa punya English) wealth luck hehehe! FYI, contrary to some beliefs, crystal actually doesn't works for everyone if based on the person self-element.

Notice the difference in colour between my 9-eye dzi and the rest? Over the years, I bought few more into my collection, for specific purposes. Now I own a 3-eye, 11-eye, garuda, kuan yin and tiger tooth dzi beads. Some I made into bracelet, some as a necklace and some, I haven't decide what to do with it yet. Dzi beads to me ... are trendier looking than crystals (which are closely associated to old Chinese Ah So) hehehe


My favourite dzi bead stone would definitely be the Kuan Yin Dzi - meant for relieve of suffering and loneliness, and bring forth mental tranquility, strong protection, love, righteouness, joy, kindness and ensure safety in travelling on all mode of transport. Can you see the Kuan Yin image on the bead stone? I bought it in a pair with the Garuda dzi, however last year, my Garuda bead broke after my bracelet fell on the floor. Some people believe that it was a sign that a "harmful" luck as been overcome. Gulp!!!! (Garuda dzi is for very strong protection, cure serious illness)

I usually buy my Dzi beads at the Dzi Kingdoms with outlets in Mid Valley Megamall, KL and Gurney Plaza, Penang. Another good outlet is Gem Max Crystal Sdn. Bhd in Prangin Mall (Level 4). This is because some people sell fake dzi which are made from porcelain, plastic or glass. Better be safe than sorry. Make sure you ask the staff to do some Ba Zi readings first so that they can recommend the right dzi beads for you.

One of the hassle of owning a dzi beads or crystal beads is that we need to clean it once in a while to energize the "power". All you have to do is go to any crystal shops and request for "cleansing".They will put it in a large crystal singing bowl, that will create a kind of humming sound. Last year, before my transfer to Penang, I went to have lunch at Brem Mall Kepong with Mr Energy Savings and Guy Next Door. We passed one Crystal shop selling authentic Tibetan Singing Bowl. I've never intended to buy these bowls but sometimes the sound of it wasvery enchanting. Plus the one on display were just brought from Tibet. Hehehe ... i ended up buying one!

Anyway, you don't have to believe that it has special powers or what not. But I love my beads and I believe one day ... it may fetch high price, just like some rare old beads usually found in certain native accessories of Sabah and Sarawak. It's a keeper!

Ushering The New Year of The Rabbit - Part 1

Today, Penangites witnessed a very grand Thaipusam celebration ... second to the one in Batu Caves, Selangor. However, my story today is not about Thaipusam ... the truth is, I couldn't take a wink ... selagi cerita ni tak dipublish! ( hehehe ... I just need an introduction paragraph).

Among all the celebrations that I celebrated, special attention would be given to Chinese New Year .... partly due to culture and partly due to just for the fun of it. Usually my routine CNY preparation just involved buying new clothes (including undergarment), spring cleaning my house and office plus checking feng shui updates for the new year. These photos were taken last 2 weeks during my last trip to KL.

This is to ensure not a single dust or spider web was missed out!

Habis all my sofa kena turned upside down.

Hehehe ... finally found the solution how to blend this wayang kulit puppet into the ID.

However this year, the preparation is a bit special because now I am in Penang and be able to witness CNY preparation for the New Year here. These are some of the photos taken over the weekend at the Chowrasta Morning Market (enter from Campbell Street). Harusssss akak berlakon jadi tourist.

Actually, the Morning Market is very famous to the locals ... seafood and poultry are sold fresh every morning. Pricewise ... quite OK. Cleanliness, acceptable.

Last weekend, the market was more crowded than usual and we could see many cars with "W" plate numbers parked along Penang Street and Campbell Street.

Bright colour CNY decorative ornaments.

The traditionally made Kueh Bakul ... between RM 1.50 to RM 5.00.

Haaa ... actually, the main reason why I wanted to visit this market last weekend was to see this particular shop's wax meat (lap cheung), which is very very famous among the locals and KLites ... was featured in the Star paper, 2-3 years back ... I was very suprised then because I usually come to this shop to buy some rations but never knew they are famous for their lap cheung hehehe

These wax meat are usually made with duck meat or pork (sometimes into sausages). Grandma love to steam her lap cheong while cooking rice. Usually, these wax sausages are cut into small pieces and added in Chinese fried rice. Never tried the duck wax meat.

Many, many years ago ... Chinese invented wax meat as a method to preserve food, especially during the winter. It is a type of preserved food that has been salted and cured but nottttttt with wax ... it just that, it looked like wax.

Next entry ... renew craze for feng shui and dzi beads!

Salam Lebaran

First and foremost, I would like to wish all my Muslim friends all over the world and wherever they may be, Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri Maaf Zahir dan Batin. And to the rest, Happy Hols, rehat cukup-cukup and makan cukup-cukup as after the holidays we have many things to do.

This year, unfortunately, I don't feel the festive mood of Eid-Mubarak. Perhaps because I am in Penang where the populations are predominantly Chinese. In fact, the Hungry Ghost Festival and the coming soon Mooncake/Lantern Festival felt much more happening here. Quite disappointing actually.

The Ramadan bazaar was less happening (ada yang siap gaduh-gaduh masuk paper lagi), the shopping complexes less appealing. Luckily my mum came over and we had our "ladies nite" out ... shopping for office attire, household appliances (my dad and I moved to a new house at Loh Boon Siew Road) and dresses for little Gina ... mum said her dresses have all turned into "shirts".

Gina is not my flesh and blood but it's amazing seeing her resembling me at her age, especially in the cuteness department (chewah) and our passion for music. Told my mum, I don't want her to be a Barbie girl, so I bought her all Power Puff Girls stuff (with exception to Barney).


Looking back when I was in my former office, the fasting month is usually a merry-making (or money-making for my cakes and hampers) and entertaining month. Usually, it was the time of the year that I could use to slow down a bit and make plans. But here in new office, "business is always not as usual" .... often I found myself worn out at the end of the day. Usually it's due to last minute decisions and sometimes "program wahyu".

Despite that, I often found indescribable satisfaction, in the after party of a successful event. Tak kiralah if it's at a mamak shop or in the sanctuary of my bedroom. Like the recent visit of the Empress Dowager ... on Raya Eve when everyone in the office expecting to "balik awal". She was so happy of how things turned out in Penang, it really makes my day (though I didn't eat a single meal that day .... puasa). So later that evening, my driver for the day Bob, and I went to Kapitan Restaurant at Chulia Street and break fast with big helping of Nasi Beriyani Ayam Tandoori ...

Sedap sehingga menjilat jari ... not a single grain of rice left. Licin! So much about wanting to loose weight!