Of Scurrying Around in The Year of Rat
I worked too hard. Seriously. No time to update this blog although I have tons of materials waiting to be uploaded.
Went back for CNY early this month and even to recall the hurdles I had to go through sent shivers down my spine. It was HORRIBLE to put it mildly.
Anyway, was very happy when I finally reached Melaka. And pengsan-ed for a whole day. As usual, Mama Tju was busy preparing for CNY. Cleaning the house, putting finishing touches to decoration and preparing ingredients for the reunion dinner. This year was the first time we had reunion dinner at home (no more going back to my paternal grandma's house cause she passed away late last year). That also meant we couldn't hang "ang chai" (long strip of red cloth hanged above the door) and less ang pow (red packet containing money usually given to singles from married couples) as the whole family was still considered in mourning.
On the day before new year eve, Smelly came and visited us. I haven't seen him for a whole year and my, he has certainly grown a lot! As usual, Mama Tju was busy pampering him for the short time he was here.
Our favourite boy in the world, Smelly
Mama Tju lovingly fed Smelly cherry
I love new year as I have a valid reason to stuff myself silly with all the nice foods and cookies (although it seems I always have a reason to do so anyway). My favourite dishes are the chu du tang (pig intestines soup) and chun chuen (spring roll), Mama Tju's star dishes.
Our simple but delicious reunion lunch
Chu du tang (Pig intestines soup with ayam kampung,
fish maw and whole black peppers)
Fragrant king prawns fried in butter and oats and
sprinkled liberally with cili padi
Mixed vegetables with shrimps and scallops
Chun chuen (spring roll stuffed with minced pork, fish, shrimps, water chestnut,
spring onions, shiitake mushrooms and carrots)
Lor ak (Braised duck in five spice powder)
Not to forget, kickass super duper spicy cili padi planted by Grandma
(the maternal side one, not the dead one, silly)
Mama Tju also like to camwhore, actually
With Adik Tju - Notice Papa Tju
munching something in the background
On the second day of new year, we balik kampung our maternal grandma's house in Nilai. It is always very festive here as all my uncles, aunties and cousins will congregate and the number is not small. Of course, here we will participate in our favourite pastime - gambling! This year upgrade OK, we even played mahjong in addition to Blackjack. I tried my hand in mahjong (2 cousins were supervising me so I only throw away the correct tiles) and I had very good beginner's luck. In one round, I even had 3 birds, am kong (four of the same tiles) and jie mo (game by self drawing the winning tile). Haha.
Camwhore before going to Grandma's house
Another use for high heels
With Mama Tju and cow and black spotted ball with tail (?)
I told you Mama Tju likes to camwhore
Kaki judi in action
My cousins glued to the television
My super Ah Beng cousin
Went back for CNY early this month and even to recall the hurdles I had to go through sent shivers down my spine. It was HORRIBLE to put it mildly.
Anyway, was very happy when I finally reached Melaka. And pengsan-ed for a whole day. As usual, Mama Tju was busy preparing for CNY. Cleaning the house, putting finishing touches to decoration and preparing ingredients for the reunion dinner. This year was the first time we had reunion dinner at home (no more going back to my paternal grandma's house cause she passed away late last year). That also meant we couldn't hang "ang chai" (long strip of red cloth hanged above the door) and less ang pow (red packet containing money usually given to singles from married couples) as the whole family was still considered in mourning.
On the day before new year eve, Smelly came and visited us. I haven't seen him for a whole year and my, he has certainly grown a lot! As usual, Mama Tju was busy pampering him for the short time he was here.
Our favourite boy in the world, Smelly
Mama Tju lovingly fed Smelly cherry
Our simple but delicious reunion lunch
Chu du tang (Pig intestines soup with ayam kampung,fish maw and whole black peppers)
Fragrant king prawns fried in butter and oats andsprinkled liberally with cili padi
Mixed vegetables with shrimps and scallops
Chun chuen (spring roll stuffed with minced pork, fish, shrimps, water chestnut,spring onions, shiitake mushrooms and carrots)
Lor ak (Braised duck in five spice powder)
Not to forget, kickass super duper spicy cili padi planted by Grandma(the maternal side one, not the dead one, silly)
Of course, new year is not complete without camwhoring for a bit. The Tju sisters (especially the younger one) does it very well.
New year must wear gold/red
Adik Tju and I
New year must wear gold/red
Adik Tju and I
Mama Tju also like to camwhore, actually
With Adik Tju - Notice Papa Tjumunching something in the background
On the second day of new year, we balik kampung our maternal grandma's house in Nilai. It is always very festive here as all my uncles, aunties and cousins will congregate and the number is not small. Of course, here we will participate in our favourite pastime - gambling! This year upgrade OK, we even played mahjong in addition to Blackjack. I tried my hand in mahjong (2 cousins were supervising me so I only throw away the correct tiles) and I had very good beginner's luck. In one round, I even had 3 birds, am kong (four of the same tiles) and jie mo (game by self drawing the winning tile). Haha.
Camwhore before going to Grandma's house
Another use for high heels
With Mama Tju and cow and black spotted ball with tail (?)
I told you Mama Tju likes to camwhore
Kaki judi in action
My cousins glued to the television
My super Ah Beng cousinSee that guy above? Looks very scary right? But he's my partner in crime as he'll always jaga air whenever I need *ehem* oxygen.
With my 2nd auntie (in purple) and 5th auntie (in brown)
When I was young, she always buy clothes and peek-a-boo books
for me from Singapore
Finally, this year, I got to meet up with Mae and Anne. Anne has put off so much weight I could barely recognise her. Seriously. A tad unhealthy, if you ask me. Anne, better put on some weight so your head doesn't look that big and pheeweetttt...you'll look gorgeous.
Standing (L-R): Jess and Cal
Sitting (L-R): Anne, Mae and I
Also managed to meet up with Ken Lee and Jac before going to Jordan for a short holiday with Joanne. Jojo was back as well as she has 3 days off, and we decided to have dinner at Alexis. Jac officially introduced her husband-to-be, Nesh.
Little Amelita's like going to cry any moment - muka kesian
Nesh talking with Kong Kong (Jojo's bf)
My FHM misses me too much
Jojo forced me to take a solo shot of her with Ah Kong
Ken Lee and Siah camwhoring
Okok, enough about the people, let's talk about the food.
Bruschetta
Duck confit
Can't remember what pizza we ordered
Seafood pasta
Chicken and mushroom pie
Mee Siam - Jojo too long never come back
until have to order mee siam in Alexis (??)
Yum char at Black Canyon after dinner
The coffee cannot make it lor
With my 2nd auntie (in purple) and 5th auntie (in brown)
When I was young, she always buy clothes and peek-a-boo booksfor me from Singapore
Finally, this year, I got to meet up with Mae and Anne. Anne has put off so much weight I could barely recognise her. Seriously. A tad unhealthy, if you ask me. Anne, better put on some weight so your head doesn't look that big and pheeweetttt...you'll look gorgeous.
Standing (L-R): Jess and CalSitting (L-R): Anne, Mae and I
Also managed to meet up with Ken Lee and Jac before going to Jordan for a short holiday with Joanne. Jojo was back as well as she has 3 days off, and we decided to have dinner at Alexis. Jac officially introduced her husband-to-be, Nesh.
Little Amelita's like going to cry any moment - muka kesian
Nesh talking with Kong Kong (Jojo's bf)
My FHM misses me too much
Jojo forced me to take a solo shot of her with Ah Kong
Ken Lee and Siah camwhoringOkok, enough about the people, let's talk about the food.
Bruschetta
Duck confit
Can't remember what pizza we ordered
Seafood pasta
Chicken and mushroom pie
Mee Siam - Jojo too long never come backuntil have to order mee siam in Alexis (??)
Verdict? The food is so-so only. We're not even tempted by the cakes.
Yum char at Black Canyon after dinner
The coffee cannot make it lor
And that's how the year of Rat goes scurrying past.
Of This Body Broken
I don't know how they do it, but I just can't stand ultra-long flights. It felt like my body was being smashed into pieces afterwards. It took me 2 days to recover post-flight.
As much as I love KIX, I'm glad I don't have to do it next month.
As much as I love KIX, I'm glad I don't have to do it next month.
Of A Very Dirty Valentine
How did you spend your Valentine's Day?
I spent mine with Joanne covering each other with thick, black mud before frolicking in Dead Sea, taking turns to soap off one another.
Here's a V-Day tribute video from Post Secret, enjoy. Quite touching actually, if you could get over the mushiness.
Now go throw mandarin oranges into some river.
I spent mine with Joanne covering each other with thick, black mud before frolicking in Dead Sea, taking turns to soap off one another.
Here's a V-Day tribute video from Post Secret, enjoy. Quite touching actually, if you could get over the mushiness.
Now go throw mandarin oranges into some river.
Of It Came Without Warning
OK, one more flight to go, Diana, one more flight to go, I keep telling myself. Then I can go back for CNY.
Jac quit a few days back. I was shocked. Nevertheless, am happy for her as I know her hati already melayang back to KL after she came back from her leave early this month. She has packed all her 2.5 years' worth of shopping into 9 boxes and 2 suitcases. Gulp. I hope I don't need as many boxes when it's my time to leave (I came with less than 50kg out of the 120 kg cargo allowance).
Come 31st, apartment 6 will be quiet. No more yoga partner for me. No more drunk antics. Or brownies and chicken wings in honey sauce.
To my cili padi, please I beg you to be less stubborn. Accept that things are not always going to happen or be done "my way or the highway" - give and take a little. Compromising doesn't mean giving in or weakness, it's just another way of telling someone that they mean too much to bicker over the colour of the living room walls with.
I don't believe in modern fairytale. And I pray with all my might that yours will turn out to be one so my faith is restored.
Taken during post Xmas dinner
Jac quit a few days back. I was shocked. Nevertheless, am happy for her as I know her hati already melayang back to KL after she came back from her leave early this month. She has packed all her 2.5 years' worth of shopping into 9 boxes and 2 suitcases. Gulp. I hope I don't need as many boxes when it's my time to leave (I came with less than 50kg out of the 120 kg cargo allowance).
Come 31st, apartment 6 will be quiet. No more yoga partner for me. No more drunk antics. Or brownies and chicken wings in honey sauce.
To my cili padi, please I beg you to be less stubborn. Accept that things are not always going to happen or be done "my way or the highway" - give and take a little. Compromising doesn't mean giving in or weakness, it's just another way of telling someone that they mean too much to bicker over the colour of the living room walls with.
I don't believe in modern fairytale. And I pray with all my might that yours will turn out to be one so my faith is restored.
Taken during post Xmas dinnerOf Thought That Counts
Oh, bummer (shit,played too much Werewolves). The Princess will be working 10 days continuously starting tomorrow. Just received Ken Lee's Xmas and birthday present today.
Thanks, babe! How sweet of her to ask someone to pass the present eventhough we're so far apart. But don't lau kai ok, I didn't purposely ignore your SMS, just that I ran out of credit while in Paris.
By the way, Malaccans, take note. Whoever wishes to hold a wedding dinner in Pay Fong Middle School Hall can contact Joanne. She can easily whip up 7 dishes with 2 big pots, 2 medium pots, her old, trusted Moulinex blender and an oven. Cos she just did that for our post Xmas dinner today.
To quote Lonestar, "I don't know how you do what you do/Baby I'm amazed by you".
Joanne gave me a Learn Spanish pocketbook with CD. Great, more things to remember besides the ever-changing wine list. Mucho gracias, my belle du jour (ok, I'm speaking in Spanish, English and French. Shit, I have a multiple personality disorder like Britney).
Oh, bummer.
Thanks, babe! How sweet of her to ask someone to pass the present eventhough we're so far apart. But don't lau kai ok, I didn't purposely ignore your SMS, just that I ran out of credit while in Paris.
By the way, Malaccans, take note. Whoever wishes to hold a wedding dinner in Pay Fong Middle School Hall can contact Joanne. She can easily whip up 7 dishes with 2 big pots, 2 medium pots, her old, trusted Moulinex blender and an oven. Cos she just did that for our post Xmas dinner today.
To quote Lonestar, "I don't know how you do what you do/Baby I'm amazed by you".
Joanne gave me a Learn Spanish pocketbook with CD. Great, more things to remember besides the ever-changing wine list. Mucho gracias, my belle du jour (ok, I'm speaking in Spanish, English and French. Shit, I have a multiple personality disorder like Britney).
Oh, bummer.
Of Spring Starts This February
Whee...my leave for February is approved, so I'll be back for CNY anyway. Was in Paris yesterday and my, I was fighting my desire to make impulsive buys as everywhere I turn, big, bold solde was staring at me. Tried a few outfits and then the constant taking off of 5 pieces of my clothes (very cold in Paris) kinda put me off eventually. So finally I just went into Printemps and Galleries La Fayette and bought whatever I needed to buy.
Looking forward to going back home and let Mama Tju fatten me up like some chicken before slaughter. Get the playing cards ready, folks, Tju is in some serious mode to gamble.
Looking forward to going back home and let Mama Tju fatten me up like some chicken before slaughter. Get the playing cards ready, folks, Tju is in some serious mode to gamble.
Of Aching Heart
Human's stupidity never fails to confound me.
Take for example, today. A passenger travelling from Beijing was gasping for air and complaining of chest pain inflight. Fearing a case of heart attack, the crew quickly kicked into action. Portable oxygen was administered and a PA for medical practitioners was made.
The victim, a Pakistani girl, seemed too young to be suffering from heart attack. She looked perfectly fine, without all the symptoms associated to heart attack (except for the chest pain and difficulty breathing). So the purser of the flight grilled her.
Stop crying and talk to us.
Have you eaten anything?
No.
Did you just came back from a holiday? Are you exhausted by all the sighseeing?
No, I'm studying in Beijing.
Maybe someone dear to you passed away recently?
No.
Maybe someone close to you left you?
Yes.
You're missing someone?
Yes.
Who?
My boyfriend.
So you're lovesick?
Yes, my heart is aching.
That girl was lovesick. And demented. The best part is, she and her friend were nicely flirting with a male crew after that little episode. Nicely exchanging emails and showing him their photo album. And her friend even wrote that crew a love poem. Yes, a love poem.
Suffice to say they disembarked with smiles on their face.
What lovesick?
Take for example, today. A passenger travelling from Beijing was gasping for air and complaining of chest pain inflight. Fearing a case of heart attack, the crew quickly kicked into action. Portable oxygen was administered and a PA for medical practitioners was made.
The victim, a Pakistani girl, seemed too young to be suffering from heart attack. She looked perfectly fine, without all the symptoms associated to heart attack (except for the chest pain and difficulty breathing). So the purser of the flight grilled her.
Stop crying and talk to us.
Have you eaten anything?
No.
Did you just came back from a holiday? Are you exhausted by all the sighseeing?
No, I'm studying in Beijing.
Maybe someone dear to you passed away recently?
No.
Maybe someone close to you left you?
Yes.
You're missing someone?
Yes.
Who?
My boyfriend.
So you're lovesick?
Yes, my heart is aching.
That girl was lovesick. And demented. The best part is, she and her friend were nicely flirting with a male crew after that little episode. Nicely exchanging emails and showing him their photo album. And her friend even wrote that crew a love poem. Yes, a love poem.
Suffice to say they disembarked with smiles on their face.
What lovesick?
Of Book and Wines
I was bawling my eyes out reading The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, especially the last few chapters. I couldn't wait to finish the book and ended up going to work with puffy eyes.
Set during Hitler's reign in a small town near Munich, the book is about a girl, Liesel, who was sent to live with foster parents and how she managed to touch in some fashion the people around her. Narrated by Death (Death's humour was dark, dry and wry), the first few chapters were a struggle before the book started to grow on me. The worst part was, Death kept throwing hints and I knew what was going to happen and who were going to die and that anticipation of reaching that part when the events finally took place really killed me. And broke my heart.
Definitely one of my best reads this year (OK, so we're only a few days into a new year, but I'm pretty sure this will top my list). Go get and read it, recommended! (Thanks, Siah, for the lovely book).
Neiqy and Jojo accompanied me on my birthday in Frankfurt. Hearts to Neiqy, for the lovely set of lotions and Jojo, for that bottle of wine (You just knew the way to my heart is through alcohol). But most importantly, thanks for the company else I would be contemplating a lone day in cold, cold Frankfurt.
Danke.
Set during Hitler's reign in a small town near Munich, the book is about a girl, Liesel, who was sent to live with foster parents and how she managed to touch in some fashion the people around her. Narrated by Death (Death's humour was dark, dry and wry), the first few chapters were a struggle before the book started to grow on me. The worst part was, Death kept throwing hints and I knew what was going to happen and who were going to die and that anticipation of reaching that part when the events finally took place really killed me. And broke my heart.
Definitely one of my best reads this year (OK, so we're only a few days into a new year, but I'm pretty sure this will top my list). Go get and read it, recommended! (Thanks, Siah, for the lovely book).
Neiqy and Jojo accompanied me on my birthday in Frankfurt. Hearts to Neiqy, for the lovely set of lotions and Jojo, for that bottle of wine (You just knew the way to my heart is through alcohol). But most importantly, thanks for the company else I would be contemplating a lone day in cold, cold Frankfurt.
Danke.
Of Singing In The Wind
Thanks for the birthday song, even though it was months earlier. Singing in front of a professional singer surrounded by rowdy crowds?
It was priceless.
It was priceless.
