Ramblings

It’s a Saturday night. Just came back from dinner with my sisters in the Korean Village near Ampang Point. Elder sister suggested dinner with another one of my younger cousins working in KL. Food was decent and tasty, and the good thing is they went easy on the MSG. Had a quick stopover in GE Mall for meringues but they ran out. So, nothing there.

It’s a Saturday night. Wanted to catch up on the last Survivor series being aired, but my younger sister took her laptop to Klang. Just a week ago, I had exams in the afternoon, and it is such a relief now, that I don’t need to spend time after work everyday for at least an hour to prepare for the exams.

It’s a Saturday night. Went for my singing lesson today, and after not having classes for three weeks, and not been singing much at all, my technique suffered. At least I got some things right, but some of my bad habits reemerged (singing without cover tone, ending phrases messily, etc). Wanted to learn a Chinese song. My teacher promised me one for next week, but don’t know what song he will give me to learn, and hope I can pronounce the words correctly. I informed that I will be “missing in action” for another lesson next month as I will be traveling, and he jokingly said he doesn’t want to teach me anymore for having to replace so many “missed” classes. Up to August period, I think I would need at least five classes to be replaced. He will try to swap for an after work period if possible with another student on certain Fridays.

It’s a Saturday night. Rejoined The Wicked Pitches for rehearsals last Thursday after a month plus of absenteeism due to exams. Was greatly encouraged by the sound produced, and was genuinely surprised that some of the songs were coming along nicely. Just need more polishing and memorising of music. For me, I have quite a bit of catching up to do. Need to plonk some of the songs on the keyboard to hear the notes and learn by heart. Tried doing two songs this afternoon in phrases, but as I am typing this, I have forgotten bits and pieces already. Need to put in more effort as I am already doing catch up with music learning.

It’s a Saturday night. Have you ever experienced the feeling when someone tries to get you to do something, the more you don’t want to do it? There is one thing I detest, is that someone volunteering me to do something and putting me on the spot. I recall one particular case in college (don’t know why I remember it, probably it was one of the few incidences which was very “off putting” for me). Even now, some of my friends (who think they are doing right and trying to nudge me along a certain path), generally makes me rebel even more.

It’s a Saturday night. Yesterday, one of my industry peers called me up to go “yum cha” with another bunch of people. I wouldn’t have minded going, but somehow, the group (whom I met during the course for the exams) were a younger bunch and somehow, I couldn’t really click with them, except for one or two. Maybe it is the age gap, (most of them just started working life), or maybe it is just me. Have been told I appear really stuck up for those who don’t know me (maybe also for those who know me!). Just my character I guess, and really don’t give a hoot about socialising much. Would very much prefer to go home and read a good book.

It’s a Saturday night. Went bowling last Wednesday in Bangsar with two bankers. The bankers wanted to practice for an informal friendly match with a big client. Averaged about 130, and lost three coffees to them. I played three games in all, and owed “Bad” one coffee, after having netted off the first two games. I drew the first game with “Rose”, and lost the subsequent two. Oh well, netted the two off from “Rose” from the five coffees she still owes me from previous games. As we were leaving, she jokingly told me that there was a suggestion by an ex-broker colleague of hers to gently lose the game to the client to give them “face”. But they will probably play to their best ability sportingly. Will call them Monday to see how they fared.

It’s a Saturday night. Caught a nap this afternoon, as I was feeling the weight of the week on my shoulders. It rained earlier on, and cooled the air some what. I think it’s drizzling outside now as I am typing this.

It’s a Saturday night. Trying hard not to think about work next week. Have a reporting deadline looming, and things are piling up, especially with last minute requests for this and that, on top of my own deadlines. I try not to bring work back home unless I really, really have to. I want weekends to be “my time”, and not “office time”.

It’s a Saturday night. Just glanced across at my medication. My dosage of antibiotics will be ending tomorrow. Yippeeee… Hate taking medication, but what to do, am not a healthy guy. As it is, I have to pop a pill every morning just to control my high blood pressure.

It’s a Saturday night. Been conscious of my weight recently. Have promised myself to do some running in the gym and rejoin the aerobics class. Haven’t gotten round to it yet. Hopefully restart this coming week. Been eating regularly, but having a smaller portion of food, and have noticed a slight decrease in weight. Trying to lose more, but it is difficult. I like to eat!

It’s a Saturday night. Last Thursday, had a farewell lunch with a banker who is moving back to Singapore. He came to KL about four years ago, and specialises in structured products. He’s actually a Malaysian, but “westernized” (grew up in Austria and speaks fluent German). Was supposed to have been a private affair of about 5 to 6 people, but ended up being a group of over 20 people. Due to the numbers, venue was changed from Hard Rock to Shang’s Lemon Garden Café. Again, I almost wanted to overdose on smoked salmon, but this time, took less. Even the little lemon meringue thingies, I took only three and left it as that. The last time I was there, I walloped eight of the little buggers on top of the smoked salmon and other food.

It’s a Saturday night. I am currently hooked on this PC game called “Seven Seas”. It’s a thinking game, with pirates chasing you down in a block of squares. Need to maneuver my ship around with cannons a blazing. Of course, the pirates fire right back at me, as well as trying to ram and sink my ship. Truth be told, on the nights running up to my exams, I limited myself to one game per night only.

It’s a Saturday night. Almost wanted to go out this evening after dinner to lepak, but decided against it. Stayed home, and will no doubt be playing Seven Seas shortly.

It’s a Saturday night. It’s almost crossing midnight. And my, where has the day gone?

Durian anyone?

Fancy any durian? It is one of my favourite fruits. I can eat it for lunch or dinner just like that, and I love the smell! Surprisingly, I don’t like cheese, but adore durians. I especially like the slightly bitter ones. They are simply the best! And I enjoy a good burp after eating durians to savour the smell.

Opening it is a challenge because of the thorns, but after learning how to open durians since young, “no problemo” now! The other good thing is, after opening the durian, put them in a container and chill it in the fridge. Simply the best!

In Sarawak, we also get the “red durians”. The texture is drier and the colour is flaming orangy-red. Have not seen these here in West Malaysia.

Source: Wikipedia
The durian is the fruit of trees belonging to the genus Durio. There are currently 30 recognised Durio species, all native to south-eastern Asia. At least nine species produce edible fruit. Durio zibethinus is the only species available in the international market, but other species can be found in local markets in their native region. The durian is distinctive for its large size, unique odour, and its formidable thorn-covered husk. Its name comes from the Malay word duri, meaning "thorn". The fruit can grow up to 40 cm long and 30 cm in diameter, and typically weighs one to five kg. The shape of the fruit ranges from oblong to round, the colour of its husk green to brown, and its flesh pale-yellow to red, depending on species. Its hard outer husk is covered with sharp, prickly thorns, and the flesh within emits a strong, distinctive odour. Some regard this odour as fragrant, while the uninitiated often find it overpowering or offensive. The edible portions of the fruit are the custard-like flesh and the seed.

The only thing I haven’t learnt is how to select good durians. Do you shake it? Smell it? Or what? Hmm… Sadly, it is not an all year round affair, as the durian tree depends on the season to bear fruit.

Do you like durians?

Where has the day gone?

Time flies - a cliché?
It’s almost 7:00pm now, and am still in the office asking myself:

"Huh? How come I didn’t get to finish what I want to do for the day?"
"Huh? Why am I usually trouble shooting and seeing to ad hoc stuff?"
"Huh? Why do I get blamed for not providing a reply in time when the query was never posted to me in the first place?"

"Huh? Why am I here?"
I need a break……..

What to cook today?

"What shall I cook today?" - a phrase I sometimes ponder upon. Last week, during the run-up to my exam period, I took one day off to study. Come lunch, had to "kau tim" myself, and decided to do one of my all time favourites - "Lap Cheong Fan".

I had some leftover rice from the previous night (I made the chicken wing dish and raisin rice for the previous dinner), so decided to just reheat that instead of boiling fresh rice. Cut some lap cheongs up, put it in the microwave for about 45 seconds before stirring and then in it goes again for a few more seconds. Take out, drain away oil from the lap cheong, and add to rice.

Also decided to eat an egg with it, so in goes the beaten egg into the microwave for a few seconds, and voila, my lunch was ready to be served. For added pleasure (for me anyway), add some maggi tomato sauce, mix everything all up, and eat! Yum.... salivating already....

So, for those who need not wonder "what to cook", treasure the moments and be grateful.....

"Kaylem"

"Kaylem" - a word I grew up with, meaning "ice-cream" in Hakka. Those days, it used to be the ones made from syrup or milo and then frozen in a long narrow plastic bag. How I miss those. Must make a point to try and recreate my own "homemade" ice-cream sometime.

Had an ice-cream on a stick today for dessert after having lunch. Haagen-Dazz’s coffee with almond nuts flavour! Think there was a vanilla with almond nuts flavour as well, but I had the coffee one. This is a picture of my half eaten ice-cream. Quite nice and smooth, but “a bit” on the sweet side for me. Would have actually preferred it if it was less sweet, but hey, beggars can’t be choosers!

Came in a box of three. Compliments from a friendly party for a few boxes to be shared in the department. Yum-yum!! :)

My Hometown

Do you miss home? Where is home to you? Is home where you were born? Is it where you were brought up? Or is home where you are currently residing?

Serian
My hometown, a small town situated about 40 miles from Kuching. My grandparents migrated from China, and began their roots in Serian. Used to be called Pekan Serian, now at least it has been "upgraded" to Bandar Serian. What's to see? There's a Ranchan waterfall nearby, Tebedu town (Sarawakian border with Indonesia) is not that far away, there's a Serian Lake, various kampungs, and the main town itself.

Was pleasantly surprised to see some webpages about Serian. Can check out:

a. Serian District
b. Serian District Council

Some scenes from the flood in 2003:
Flooding of the Malay Kampung. Can see the river water slowly entering the masjid. Not a normal occurence, but the kampung is prone to flood, as it is situated along the river bank.





Main road linking Sarawak from South to North passes through my hometown. During the flood, only heavy vehicles were passable. The 2003 flood was one of the worst I have seen, and it left many travellers stranded for a couple of days.



Some residents wondering how to get home, and that's not even considering the potential state of their homes due to the flood.





A picture of the lake in Serian. Very picturesque, but this was taken during the flood. Residents use to do their morning or evening walk around the lake. The air is fresher (as the town is situated in the highlands), good scenery, and a clean neighbourhood.



One of only three petrol stations in Serian. This station has been operating for over 50 years. Do you recognise a blue honda CRV nearby? :)

Where's your hometown?

De-stress

Had a discussion earlier on about fixed income fund management, and the respective targets set by the management. Sometimes, these targets don't go hand-in-hand. Whilst discussing, reminded me of a phrase I heard last year, which was quite apt as an analogy:

"Round one take, flat one don't take.
Flat one take, round one don't take.
Round one, flat one, all take."

Translate it into Mandarin, say it out loud quickly with a slight left-right (or vice versa) tilt of your head after each line, and you will get the joke, but no offence to anyone out there. Not meant to be offensive. How I draw parallels:

"Round one" = Target 1
"Flat one" = Target 2

Most times, in order to achieve target 1, target 2 will have to be sacrificed.
To achieve, target 2, target 1 has to be sacrificed.
However, management wants to achieve target 1 and target 2 (hence the last line of phrase).

How?

Father’s Day Ode

Because of you, I therefore, am.
You gave me life, you gave me hope, you gave me love.
All I have, is because of you,
My dearest, my father.

The silent one, the provider.
The comforter, the joy giver, the peacemaker.
The one, the only,
My dearest, my father.

Though we are an ocean apart, though I seldom call,
You never demanded, you never imposed.
You bear great everlasting patience,
My dearest, my father.

Lines of age begin to show,
You bore witness to the marks of life.
The trumpets flare, the trombones echo, the horns resound,
My hero, my dearest, my father.

A serene prayer, a silent wish.
A steady thought, a gentle touch, a warm embrace.
My unending love,
For you, my dearest, my father.

Twist It

Ever stumbled on pronouncing words?
Been Tongue Twisted?
I have difficulties with some words, and sometimes become incoherent.
I personally find these 3 challenging!
Try saying these repeatedly and fast:

1. Shy Shelly says she shall sew sheets.
2. Red lorry, yellow lorry, red lorry, yellow lorry.
3. Which witch wished which wicked wish?

Can? No problems? :)