<bgsound src="http://www.ijigg.com/songs/V2BFBCGCPAD" > My Big Big Adventure: September 2008

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

玩新郎的遊戲

結婚的姐妹們可以參考以下的殘酷又好玩的遊戲以增添歡樂。

  • Wax 小腿:將wax紙貼在兄弟們的小腿上,然後大力撕開wax紙;
  • 喝 “甜酸苦辣”飲品:裏頭包涵西瓜、蜜糖(甜)、檸檬、醋(酸)、瓜 (苦)、辣椒、wasabi(辣);
  • 吃湯圓:有餡湯圓,裏頭可以包wasabi或是辣椒;
  • 將冰山劈開:將大門的鑰匙結冰,然後把那個冰塊和其他的冰塊放進容盒要兄弟們找並開門;
  • 内褲洗禮:兄弟們把有字體的紙内褲穿上,然後要他們跑遍整個大廈還有拼字;
  • 找老婆:將原先新娘和他的朋友的個體拍成照片,讓新郎猜。要是猜不中,兄弟吃wasabi;
  • 瑜伽鍛煉:請兄弟們看圖做瑜伽好鍛煉身體;
  • 練習腰力:將井繩棬在兄弟的腰間,另一端綁上一根大根的香蕉或蘿蔔。然後要他們前後擺動。
  • 吃辣椒wasabi麵包:營養豐富早餐,刺激味覺;
  • Lady and the Tramp:要兩位兄弟將香蕉的各一方吃近中心;
  • 愛的證明:為兄弟們凃上口紅,然後請他們吻在心型卡片上以表達新郎對新娘的愛意;

開門暗號:唱情歌

懲罰:掌上壓、吃wasabi、waxing

Chinese Wedding Helper Must-know

Recently, been helping my friend's at her wedding receptions and also the morning tea ceremony (Chinese wedding). Here are some of the observations I have gathered in a checklist which may (or may not) work for you:

Supportive and Sporting Parents
This one cannot really help much. But good supportive and sporting parents could make the event much fun and great laughter could be shared.

Pre-requisite: Encourage your parents to be supportive and have them involved. If you already know they are not keen on fun activities, make sure you do not enforce such fun activities, which could be taxing on them. A nice and quiet event would best suit your needs.

Sporting "heng dai" (brotherhood on the groom side), aka best men
You need these people to chaperon the groom to bring back the bride and her entourage. Most importantly sporting enough to play the awful evil games that were put on by the playful ji mui before the groom is allowed to pick up his bride.

The role of these people also involved to shelter the groom from any damaging done upon him, like during "yam seng" (go round tables on toasting), Heng Dai need to be by the side to drink on behalf of the groom and support him when he is drunk.

Pre-requisite: Make sure you can stand being played or made fun of. If not, please do not volunteer yourself and become a "victim".

Playful "ji mui" (sisterhood on the bride side), aka brides maids
You need these people because they are good in playing pranks on the groom and his entourage. However, they serve as good helpers in ensuring everything during the wedding reception till dinner time runs smoothly. Highly responsible duty.

Pre-requisite: Have to be a fun person with crazy ideas, and thick skinned to play pranks on others (beauty can be added advantage, but not necessary). Yet, highly responsible with the wedding reception to ensure good flow of wedding itinerary in place.

Delightful "dai kam jie" (Mak Andam, or the ceremonial spokesperson)
Dai Kam Jie, a famous bubbly character which the Chinese family likes to engage during tea ceremony. This cute lady is dressed in red, could sing and dance and speak multiple Chinese dialects to suit the occasions. Always have good words to share with the audience. Normally, the skills of the dai kam jie is put to test during the tea ceremony. Usually engage through word-of-mouth from friends and family members.

Pre-requisite: Find a dai kam jie which is humorous, then everyone will be in delightful manner. And, this will help make the environment more lively and fun.

Professional Photographers and Videographers
They will ignite a magic touch to your finest moments. Get the best and a few to cover every aspects of you on your big day!

Pre-requisite: Find photographers with good portfolios. To save money, some of your friends who have experience with professional photography would do the trick.

Enjoy your moment!

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Controlling Wife

I have recently got to know that a friend's wife has conceived their first child. Till now, it has already been five months now.

Tonight, we are throwing a bachelorette party for my girlfriend who is getting married next week, but my friend had to bring his wife just to get out of the house to meet us. I can't say I have known the wife of my friend for long, but I know that when my friend said that to the organizer, it only means one thing: stay home with me and not go out and see your friends for fun.

Furthermore, I think it would be inappropriate to go out in a pub with loud music for expecting mothers. Overall, it is not a very responsible thing a mother would do. I guess maybe it is because insecurity of staying home alone that resulted my friend would need to be at home with her, depriving him from having fun once in a while (we don't go out often).

Well, 家家有本難念的經, for outsider like me, I could not really judge what is happening in their household. But I am sure, a jolly guy needs to be free once in a while. Just hope that his controlling wife would come to her senses and let the leach goes loose tonight.

Wedding Bells


This weekend, being the last weekend of the eighth lunar month, and also Ramadhan, is also another celebration for my friends who are getting married. First of all, congratulations to you, Meng Chong (high school classmate); and Sharon (MBA classmate), who are having their wedding dinner on 27th and 28th September respectively.


Wedding march is coming, so does the burning-the-pocket sensation for many who are attending. Anyhow, friends, do not despair, because you get to wish the groom and bride happily married, enjoy good food, go well-dressed, and also get to see pretty girls and handsome boys, enjoy the show, and most importantly get to see your long-lost old friends whom you have not been in touch with. What a deal!

After this hectic week, next week comes another wedding dinner of a dear friend, June (smartie).

Congratulations and wish you happiness in your marriage, dear friends!

等待

曾經何時我也等待過、還有讓別人等待。曾經有段時間自己的時間觀念出了問題,老是使等待我的人不悅和生氣。當然,我也領教過不守時的情景,深感認同守時的重要。可能以往總是遲到老是遭到挨駡,還有傷了感情的不悅,所以我也不敢再遲到,深怕傷害到他人和自己。也因爲這樣,我會讓自己變得更加守時。



最近覺得老是等待他人。不知道是我的時間出錯還是我已經改了遲到的老毛病,或者是他人的時間變慢了也説不定。以前我可以說我會因爲別人的遲到立刻發脾氣。可是現在可能懂事了,也明白了可能別人也和我以前一樣,總是在最後的時刻有逼不得已不整理的重要事務要辦,還是大塞車,也可能是出了意外,所以遲到。我也開始體桖還有體諒他人的遲到。

要是不趕時間的話,我會籍著他人的遲到,可以多看些書,多喝一杯茶、多放慢腳步以迎合他們。因爲我已經發現其實等待是一種期待。就是爲了期待所以才當初約在一塊兒見面一起幹活動不是嗎?只要保持初衷,相信那份能耐也一定可以超越那份等待的焦急,令我們更加開懷的等待。

Sunday, September 21, 2008

電車地鐵之旅

大功告成

我的胞弟在上個星期終于完成他的釜山電車地鐵之旅。雖然身在國外,還是喜歡做他很有興趣的活動。我的弟弟和常人不一樣,喜歡做一些凡人不喜歡的活動。我看是我們家族的遺傳吧。

他的旅程碑又邁進一大步。看來我也不甘示弱,可能在下個月份我也來一趟電車之旅,好讓我也感受一下作爲電車女的感覺。敬請期待。

Mini Bas

After searching for the mini bus photo, I realised there are other people who enjoyed a ride on these little creatures 10-15 years ago before Intrakota (now Rapid KL) replaced them in 1997.

I used to enjoy the ride on these mini buses. To me as a consumer, these mini buses' service were incredible. I must say they did provide speedy (I could get to KL town center within 15 minutes from my home; while Intrakota takes 30 minutes) and prompt service. It's a shame that the government has ceased their service, given excuses of reckless driving, and internal rivals. In fact, it was also a reason to bring in business for Intrakota as a sole government-linked bus operator besides other more competitive ParkMay and Metrobus. What is wrong for having a healthy competition among themselves as bus operators?

After mini buses operators were put out of business (which those mini buses operators owned those buses and worked as sole proprietors), many of them have their buses convert into Bas Kilang or school buses. Some of the drivers and ticket collectors have moved to Intrakota or Metrobus for job opportunities. In the end, the more competitive ones are sucked into the inefficient system of our transportation. What a waste of talent!

Bas Mini ~ those were the days

Oh, I still missed the good old days of our mini buses. I still remembered vividly the shouting from bus driver and ticket collector "masuk lagi, masuk lagi", even though the bus was jam-packed like sardines in the can. I sometime wanted to beat the time, and had to resort to standing at the stairs by the door. It's dangerous, but it was also an exciting experience. Because it is real packed, sometimes we have to beware of pickpockets.

Also, for school-going kids, I also enjoyed discounted off-the-book price, like 30 cents (normal price 50-60 cents), which you can never get on a full-fledged Intrakota. Furthermore, if you frequented the same bus over and over, the bus driver and ticket collector would recognise you. And, if you need to ride somewhere away from the bus stops when you see the bus coming, these good-will bus drivers would stop where you hailed them. Those were the personal touch you cannot experience now.

These unforgettable experiences I have had during my encounter with mini buses are very memorable. I can still reminisce with good smile on my face. Ah, those were the days~

Martin Luther King, Jr "I Have A Dream"



"And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of "interposition" and "nullification" -- one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; "and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together."

This is our hope, and this is the faith that I go back to the South with.

With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith, we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.

And this will be the day -- this will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with new meaning:

My country 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing.

Land where my fathers died, land of the Pilgrim's pride,

From every mountainside, let freedom ring!


And if America is to be a great nation, this must become true.

~ Martin Luther King, Jr. "I Have A Dream" - August 28, 1963, Lincoln Memorial

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

I am scared!

I learnt just now that AIG may be in trouble. And I know I have bought insurance from AIA, which is part of AIG. What will happened to AIG? The Federal Reserve is going to announce their decision to save this big giant by 2:15 am news (Malaysian time).

I hope to hear some good news, as I in need in one now.

I am just so scared~

Monday, September 15, 2008

中秋佳節



昨天是中秋佳節的大好日子。我和我媽一大清早就到巴刹去買菜準備晚餐以招待我的親戚和家人。
人家說中秋佳節月圓人團圓。這一次的中秋節顯得更爲融洽,因爲我的阿姨還有他們一家剛好從澳洲墨爾本回來,加上我的勞勿來的二舅、舅母還有表姐和男朋友難得來我家裏做客。這一次也是我和我媽一塊兒下廚宴客,所以我顯得格外高興。
我媽負責熬蓮藕粉葛湯,燒肉炒蔥花,還有她拿手的醬油炒木耳雞肉。我就負責我拿手的排骨花肉金華火腿一品鍋,炸蝦點沙拉醬還有蒸豆腐夾料。這餐飯真夠豐富,大家也吃得抱腹喊痛快。接著我們有甜品雪糕遮喱月餅還有葡萄招待。大家感到非常滿足。

吃完,大人們在客廳閒聊。小朋友們就到門口処點蠟燭提燈籠遊街去。不亦樂乎。

中秋佳節人團圓。希望大家也一樣有著快樂的中秋節。

Saturday, September 13, 2008

文筆的流暢

部落格最近很受歡迎。原因沒有其他,就是一個可以抒發自己感情和觀點一種方法之一,加上可以鍛煉自己文筆的一個好開始。

記得在上中小學的時候,語文科不是我所擅長的科目。常常會因爲自己很爛的作文而遭到老師無情地批改,分數自然也降低不少。我的成績單也自然而然被這慘遭敗筆的後患銘記在裏頭,慘不忍睹。

我知道要使文筆進步神速,就要多寫還要多閲讀才可以累積心得。從此我也了解文筆的流暢是件很重要的使命。也就因爲這樣,我為部落格的歡迎而開始了我人生至今的記錄,以我簡單的詞彙構成我現在的含蓄部落格。除了滿足自己的鍛煉下筆成章的欲望, 也可以把自己的生活點滴與他人分享。一舉兩得。

鼓勵

鼓勵,是一股力量。是一股很強的力量。每次聽到鼓勵這個詞彙我會顯得特別高興。因爲每一個人需要愛的鼓勵。

記得學校的活動中,學生們都會鼓吹“愛的鼓勵”,然後大家不約而同拍起那相同節奏的掌聲。啪啪、啪啪啪、啪啪啪啪、啪啪。然後在次高喊“愛的鼓勵”,再次引起共鳴。這股力量有幹勁有活力。參與的人自然了在其中。旁觀者也會被這種積極的能量感染而做出同樣的反應。

小時候我們學走路的時候,是爸媽最鼓勵我們的時候。知道我們笨拙的小腿開始緩緩從地面站起來的第一個反應,就是爸媽拍手叫好鼓勵的時候。那種開心和喜悅洋溢在他們的臉上。此時小小的心靈也勇敢地踏出人生的第一個腳步。那種感覺真好。

可是爲什麽長大了以後,這種鼓勵也隨著成長的年齡而逐漸消失。鼓勵,到底你去了哪裏?

我們會為生活和工作還有人生的種種而感到不順心和挫折感。我們此時需要鼓勵。也因爲積極鼓勵的效應,我們才能再次勇敢站起來去面對種種艱難的挑戰。可見鼓勵是一股推動力。一股你我也想不到的魔力。所以繼續散發這股超強能量,好讓大家感染一下--原來鼓勵是這麽簡單可以滿足我們的失意,讓我們可以重拾自己、重新出發。因爲鼓勵就是幸福的開始。

節省妙方

最近錢不夠用,所以想盡辦法找一些即省錢又實惠的點子作爲參考。點子如下:
  • 拾起朋友丟棄但是還可使用的東西;
  • 收集可賣錢的東西,例如舊報紙、鋁罐、廢鐵;
  • 廢物利用 -- 把不要的東西改裝一下變成全新的有用物;
  • 可以把兒時玩具和遊戲和朋友一塊兒分享;
  • 把不要用到的電源関掉還有關緊水龍頭;
  • 走路去旅行。到附近走走看看有沒有新發現,順便和近鄰促進關係;
  • 衣服可以多穿幾天直到很臭了才換;
  • 刻意去百貨市場選吃食物試吃和拿食物樣本(sample)回家;
  • 去宗親會館聯誼會、政府機構的招待會和節日慶典、或是股東大會上大吃一頓;
  • 找一些 “sold as it is” 和 “low priced items”。有時還要跟黃臉婆aunty爭個你死我活;
  • 跟朋友借最近熱門劇集看。最好是在他家裏看,可以把電流都省下;
  • 接駁隔壁的無限上網服務;也可去購物中心免費上網;
  • 厠紙可以重疊再折重復使用。還可以到公厠去取紙;
  • 搭順風車來返家。有男朋友的,可以順理成章叫他接送;
  • 免費贈品一一不放過;

以上是作爲參考之用。可能有兒童不宜的因素,千萬不要有樣學樣。適時取好捨惡。除非是逼不得已情況,否則後果自負。如果你有更好的省錢妙方,不妨在留言箱子裏填寫你的 good idea 以便參考。謝謝。

新奇動物怪胎兒

今天很無聊,突然腦袋有了這個詞句,把它在這裡記載。

“新奇動物怪胎兒”是什麽?我也很想知道。。。嘻嘻~

主觀

有沒有發現我們通常都會以自己的個人觀點去評審一樣事物。就算你多麽不想要這麽做,你還是會照辦。還有你有沒有發現到別人(特別是主管或是年紀老邁的)總是喜歡叫你用客觀的角度去思考某件差事。不是你不想,而是做了也是會被他們主觀批評不是,左右爲難,深覺有點吃力不討好。甚至朋友邀你一同出席聚會,就算那天工作很累想早點回家休息,也得應酬。因爲要是不出席就會覺得是你不給面子,刻意拿理由推辭。更糟糕的是還被他們數落和把你納入黑名單,以後的日子真的不是滋味兒。

告訴你,這是很正常的。因爲我們都是人。人,是主觀的。

久違的網球練習


今天一大早犧牲了寶貴的睡眠和我的朋友宏釗約好去打網球。說到網球真的又愛又恨,愛它是因爲它是一個健康的消遣運動,而且是一個聯係友誼的好活動。恨是因爲我肥胖的身體運動起來很笨拙,曾經扭傷腳和手。不過這個陌生又好玩的遊戲再次出現在我的生命裏。重返球場的感覺真好。

星期六的一大清早,配上清新的早晨空氣,令我心曠神怡,好想運動一下我這肥胖的身軀,加上又有好玩伴,可說説是一舉多得。原來出了汗的感覺是這麽棒的!我是應該感激我這位友人。要不是他的安排與堅持,我可能就沒有這個興致去玩了。

宏釗,我們再約打球去!

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Coffee Cheesecake

Creamy full coffee flavour cheesecake


Finally, my experimental coffee cheesecake has been served. The aroma from the coffee is so tempting, that I am sure coffee lovers would just sunk their teeth in immediately.

The topping is full with cream with Kahlua cofee liquor, hardened with gelatine. The coffee cream smells just like the brewing golden roast, and the base is crunchy biscuits filled with ground Almonds.

It is definitely a great dessert for a person with a sweet-tooth and coffee lover. Once you have a bite on this softy, it will melt you instantly. Go try making it yourself and taste the creamy dessert during coffee break!

Tuesday, September 09, 2008

家變

我們在日常生活中所看到的家變故事都是香港或是台灣劇集裏的故事情節。雖然沒有遇上這不幸的事情,不過對這樣的故事也不是沒有共鳴,大家還是會為那些受欺負的弱小女人抱怨或是喊打不平 (通常故事是女人不好命啦)。就好比最近的港劇《家好月圓》還有之前的《溏心風暴》,大家看得非常投入,感覺自己也置身在劇情裏頭。什麽是家變?相信每一個人的定義也有所不同。可是,仔細看一看,通常劇情的故事背景都是和錢有著莫大的關係。是錢在作怪。

家變的引發是一種精神上的衝突,是檢討家庭和社會的問題。社會問題日益嚴重,也因爲是家庭的問題所帶來的後患。父母親都投身工作,沒有時間醖釀婚後的感情生活,孩子們的溫馨關愛也頻頻缺乏。還有男人可説是有錢了,身子癢。不是拿錢去花天酒地,就是藉口說要找回失去的青春和愛情之類的傻話。呸!這話還算什麽男子漢。最可悲的是家不顧了,吊兒郎當起來。家破人亡。最可怕是男人也和女人一樣,也會有更年期的跡象,有時還比女人更恐怖。原本煩躁的心情更爲嚴重,時常發脾氣,讓妻兒受氣,家裏的氣氛更爲不悅。

家變究竟會是演變成什麽局面,就要看當事人如何結束這場小風波。擺得平,小事化無,圓滿收場。要不然家變可能釀成悲劇也説不定。如果大家一開始可以平心靜息坐下來談談,相信一切問題都可以解決的話,家變這個詞可能就沒有必要出現。但是想象得到當時吵架的各方,面紅耳赤,怒氣上頭,哪裏會這麽理智好好坐下商量?不好聼的話口無遮攔,心裏湧出的傷心刺激的話語也一一表露無遺,完全沒有顧及對方的感受和立場。場面難堪、尷尬和丟臉。有時想想又何苦?

我們不是當事人又會怎麽知道他們的經歷和感受。只是我希望大家可以以和為貴,好讓大家有個後路可退。家變既是沒有人想要,也沒有人也想因爲這樣而弄到大家不歡而散。還是三思而後行。要是真的不行,離別收場,只是希望是“再見也是朋友”。至少在街上碰面也不會不自在。

Political Change in Malaysia

In recent political turmoil happening in Malaysia, there is no peace at the moment. Everyone is on wait-and-see mode. Also, with Bukit Bendera Datuk Ahmad Ismail recent statement of provoking racial issues and party separation, it is really posing a serious problem around.

My rationale by looking at Datuk Ahmad's behavior, I suspected that he may be one of the person who would be likely to jump ship to the Pakatan. Because my rationale to his behavior is that maybe he wanted BN to suspend him and he is then a free man to join any party to his liking. But, to me, this man would not be a long-lived as politician, as does not deserved to be. What a shame to the name of politician!


Roots: where leaders in search of "wealth" by sucking poor of people; Branches: cronies who benefited from the sucking

My colleague who has been following the political movements from unofficial sources shared an interesting analogy with me. He told me that political party is like a big tree. The people is the water or nutrients in the soil, and the roots function is to suck the most out of it to benefit the branches and leaves on the trees. To me, whoever is leading the way, the same shit story still applies.

Don't get me wrong. I am not into politics, just find it the instability actually affected me deeply. Now, I am like the others, looking forward to see how Anwar Ibrahim is able to change from seats from red to blue on 16th September. Let's hope the stability will come sooner before it gets any worse.

Wednesday, September 03, 2008

Surau, be quiet

Recently, my neighbourhood Surau has started operation, especially it is in time for the Ramadhan. Last Friday, when the Surau is in operation, I had a shock of my life when I was awaken by the loud sound of some Ustaz singing away in his prayers in the middle of the night. My gosh, the loud speakers were so loud that I leaped from my sleep that very instant! I wonder if a person with a weak heart could take it.

I have read articles from our Muslim friends, Ustaz or the religious teachers, and understood that the Islamic religion is about tolerance. It is unacceptable that this practise of intolerance could happen in beautiful country such as Malaysia. I am in doubt of the sincerity and the practises of such unbelievable means.

But after that night, the Surau seems to quiet down from its regular piping. And I am really appreciate what our neighbour Malay community has done to make it work for everyone. Thank you for your consideration.

Besides, there are already three to four Suraus with great loudspeakers that alarm everyone every morning in the vicinity, why add in another which create not music but noise to everyone around the vicinity? To me, practising a religion is between you and your God, not about "bragging" it out loud to everyone without much consideration to others.