I was watching news on TV. Tommorow is Thaipusam in a Visit Malaysia Year. Tourist interviewed were impressed with the colourful event and all. Hmmm.... shh... let me tell you something, i ... errr... as a malaysian... have never been to the Thaipusam event before. Nope.. i have never break coconuts before. Hehe.. this is a bit embarassing. ( Dont scold me for this ... )
Sadly, in my entire life, my exposure towards Thaipusam is only from text books and TV, Astro mostly. If I were asked to explain what this festival is all about, most likely the fellow will get a blank look from me. As far as I remembered, I have always been interested to witness this religious festival ... how they carry kavadi and march through the streets, and how folks piercing their skins with steel rods, needles and not feel a pinch. It certainly is very interesting...
When we were young, my mom forbids us to even get anywhere near the thaipusam celebrations places. DISCLAIMER : This is strictly my mom's version. Dont know how much truth in it, or where she got the idea from.
We were told, there are spirits around. We were told the spirits are invited into the body of the devotee and thus protecting them from feeling pain. For people with a weak minds and children especially, the spirits could decide to "take over" the child and thus making it a "not-safe-for-kids" event. So that explains why my siblings and I never got to go for this yearly event.Back then, parent's word are as good as the law. Any objection are overruled.
When I grew older, none of my friends seems to have to interest to accompany me to go watch the celebrations. Avoid the traffic jam, the weather is hot... and a whole long list of other excuses more. My husband is even worse, the adamantly refuse to go anywhere slightly crowded. Sigh.... I know I could have gone by myself if i were persistent enough. But its no fun, right ...
I guess this year, another year passes - this item will still remains as one of my To Do List.
Some readings on Thaipusam
http://allmalaysia.info/msiaknow/festivals/thaipusam/
http://www.tvsmith.net.my/picturestory/thaipusam.html
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Gems from toes
These kind of news i would expect from gossips magazine, dont expect to see this on a mainstream newspaper - must have some level of truths from it then. Many unexplainable things in this world. I wonder how the girl feels about this sudden attention.
In the 4400, those ppl freaked out when they got to know they have special powers. All they want is to be a normal person. They wish it to go away. When they lost their powers, they felt the loss.
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Of Restaurants and croaches
Over the weekend, I had been able to find time to enjoy restaurant food. One was the Chef & Brew at Crystal Point. After we stepped in, I notice a change. We no longer had to guess if the person serving us is a waiter or waitress. They seem to be replaced by students now.
I order one of the sizzling dish, and it actually taste good. Too bad i forgot to take a pic. Well it is not the food that I am complaining about. Halfway thru eating, a big cockcroach quietly crawled up my friend's shirt. He instinctly reacted by sweeping that "Siu Keong" (a nickname for cockcroach) away.
Among my other phobias, cockcrach-phobia is one of them. I stood immediately stood up and step back a few steps. Our commotion attracted the attention of the waiters there. They quickly came by, and stared at the litte creature who was still on the floor unmoving. It is defintely not dead, dazed maybe. Well, none of them did anything until the supervisor came by. He proceed to crush the Siu Keong with his shoe and then clean away the mess.
However, despite their quick termination of the little creature, none of them offered an apology to us. Not even the supervisor. Rude bunch of ppl. Dawns to me whether this is a customer should expect from them. There are many flies, rats and croaches in the roadside stall of Penang. Can't they keep the restaurant pest-free ?
I order one of the sizzling dish, and it actually taste good. Too bad i forgot to take a pic. Well it is not the food that I am complaining about. Halfway thru eating, a big cockcroach quietly crawled up my friend's shirt. He instinctly reacted by sweeping that "Siu Keong" (a nickname for cockcroach) away.
Among my other phobias, cockcrach-phobia is one of them. I stood immediately stood up and step back a few steps. Our commotion attracted the attention of the waiters there. They quickly came by, and stared at the litte creature who was still on the floor unmoving. It is defintely not dead, dazed maybe. Well, none of them did anything until the supervisor came by. He proceed to crush the Siu Keong with his shoe and then clean away the mess.
However, despite their quick termination of the little creature, none of them offered an apology to us. Not even the supervisor. Rude bunch of ppl. Dawns to me whether this is a customer should expect from them. There are many flies, rats and croaches in the roadside stall of Penang. Can't they keep the restaurant pest-free ?
Friday, January 19, 2007
Something brewing...
A quiet Friday ... and here is the big news - Jeff Ooi & Rocky Bru being sued by NSTP. Looks like there is real little room for dissent or disagreement here in Msia. Thinking about speaking your mind ? Think twice, and think over and over again. Sad, isnt it ? I have been a follower of Jeff Ooi's blog, and really appreciate the way he opens our minds and our eyes.
Too bad Jeff and Rocky are here in Malaysia, and when they step on someone's toe, they are into trouble. So what if one day Jeff & Rocky migrates to Europe and keeps writing whatever they are writing now, can our government still take action against them ? What I am trying to say is... some arrogant folks in Msia thinks they can shut Malaysians up whenever they feel like it. But with the internet, they can't shut out the entire voice of the world.
I smell something brewing, and I hope bloggers will win against Juggernaut.
Read here for more
http://www.jeffooi.com/2007/01/bloggers_sued_in_malaysia_2.php#comments
Too bad Jeff and Rocky are here in Malaysia, and when they step on someone's toe, they are into trouble. So what if one day Jeff & Rocky migrates to Europe and keeps writing whatever they are writing now, can our government still take action against them ? What I am trying to say is... some arrogant folks in Msia thinks they can shut Malaysians up whenever they feel like it. But with the internet, they can't shut out the entire voice of the world.
I smell something brewing, and I hope bloggers will win against Juggernaut.
Read here for more
http://www.jeffooi.com/2007/01/bloggers_sued_in_malaysia_2.php#comments
Sunday, January 14, 2007
Orange Alert ...
yeeekkss... Orange ALERT ! Frog in the house !!
How in the world did this orange little frog get into my bathroom ? No No, I am no friends with wet creatures. Or rather, i am terrified of toads and frogs and whatever other slimy creatures.
I quickly grab my camera and zoom in on the frog. Hehe... i was very careful to stand far away from it.
National Geography : Rule of the jungle - The more colourful, the deadlier it is ...
Errr.. this frog has a nice orange streak... does it mean it is poisonous ? I am not planning to find out. I lock myself in the room for the rest of the night, and hope Mr Frog will leave my house by morning. What a relieve next morning to find that he is no longer there.
How in the world did this orange little frog get into my bathroom ? No No, I am no friends with wet creatures. Or rather, i am terrified of toads and frogs and whatever other slimy creatures.
I quickly grab my camera and zoom in on the frog. Hehe... i was very careful to stand far away from it.
National Geography : Rule of the jungle - The more colourful, the deadlier it is ...
Errr.. this frog has a nice orange streak... does it mean it is poisonous ? I am not planning to find out. I lock myself in the room for the rest of the night, and hope Mr Frog will leave my house by morning. What a relieve next morning to find that he is no longer there.
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Good guys around...
The world is not lack of guys who are jerks, and I think many can agree to this statement. Having said that, I met two guys who are anything but what i call as nice guys.
I am usually quite an independent person, but i was feeling quite lazy to drive, and decided to get the guys to give me a lift back after annual dinner.
My friend who was the one driving, didn't even blink his eyes when I ask him if he can give me a lift on such a short notice. He didn't ask any questions at all, just a chirpy "Ok, sure". He didnt even ask where i stayed -- ( haha, who knows maybe i stay at the other end of the world). This is such a refreshing for the soul.
Nowadays, some of the normal response would be
- Where do you stay ?
- I dunno that place
- Your place is too out of the way, sorry, find someone else.
A "no questions ask" response is such a relieve.
After the function, both guys send me back to my apartment. As like many of Msia's apartment, when night falls - the two way road would become a single way road when those who don't own a carpark lot begin to park at both side of the road. Practically make it impassable to two cars, when the two cars meet from different direction, one would have to do the reversing. So .. you get how bad is the traffic condition outside my apartment.
I suggest him to drop me by the roadside, coz it is really a short walk from the road to the guard-house. They wouldn't even hear of it and insist on sending me to the doorstep. Dropping off at the guardhouse is the normal way, but the other guy colleague insist on accompany me to walk into the building, accompany me to into the lift, and see me safely go into my apartment. Wow, this is really something... and it is really touching to have someone take such effort to do that. It was not that late, not even midnight yet. See.... that are many good guys out there yet - guys who are truly gentlemen. I am not talking about guys who do it bcoz they have some sort of "personal interest" in you. These are guys who do it bcoz they feel it is the right thing to do.
In contrast, few years back I went clubbing one night with friends and drunk a little bit more than I should. The guy just drop me off at the guard-post without much thought. I struggled and stumbled towards the elevator, and finally managed to crawl back to my apartment. How I wish someone was there to hold me at that time... A simple act at times like this would have meant a lot.
I am usually quite an independent person, but i was feeling quite lazy to drive, and decided to get the guys to give me a lift back after annual dinner.
My friend who was the one driving, didn't even blink his eyes when I ask him if he can give me a lift on such a short notice. He didn't ask any questions at all, just a chirpy "Ok, sure". He didnt even ask where i stayed -- ( haha, who knows maybe i stay at the other end of the world). This is such a refreshing for the soul.
Nowadays, some of the normal response would be
- Where do you stay ?
- I dunno that place
- Your place is too out of the way, sorry, find someone else.
A "no questions ask" response is such a relieve.
After the function, both guys send me back to my apartment. As like many of Msia's apartment, when night falls - the two way road would become a single way road when those who don't own a carpark lot begin to park at both side of the road. Practically make it impassable to two cars, when the two cars meet from different direction, one would have to do the reversing. So .. you get how bad is the traffic condition outside my apartment.
I suggest him to drop me by the roadside, coz it is really a short walk from the road to the guard-house. They wouldn't even hear of it and insist on sending me to the doorstep. Dropping off at the guardhouse is the normal way, but the other guy colleague insist on accompany me to walk into the building, accompany me to into the lift, and see me safely go into my apartment. Wow, this is really something... and it is really touching to have someone take such effort to do that. It was not that late, not even midnight yet. See.... that are many good guys out there yet - guys who are truly gentlemen. I am not talking about guys who do it bcoz they have some sort of "personal interest" in you. These are guys who do it bcoz they feel it is the right thing to do.
In contrast, few years back I went clubbing one night with friends and drunk a little bit more than I should. The guy just drop me off at the guard-post without much thought. I struggled and stumbled towards the elevator, and finally managed to crawl back to my apartment. How I wish someone was there to hold me at that time... A simple act at times like this would have meant a lot.
