Seeing Things In a Different Light: Me as Tourist

16 Feb 2010.

Yes. Me as tourist at my hometown. Hmmm. How does it work?
Simple. Take a camera and look around with a blur face expression and be amazed by everything you see.

Well. Not for me. I know this land where I am standing (or rather sitting as I am in my room now), for more than 26 years. I wanted to re-discover my hometown, in order for me to refresh my memories and getting new experience, of living in my own hometown.

I got nothing much to do, so after my dinner, I went to pick up my cousin. That dinner with my mom and family, which is another round of re-union dinner, but this time more like a "thank you" dinner and appreciation for my family. Not a bad restaurant but they can do much better I think. I waited 1 HOUR for my dinner. I almost walk out of the restaurant, just that I can't as my family is with me. Gosh! Otherwise, everything is just fine.

[Together with Charles & Joel (the naughty one), at the place where I used to call home.]

After I picked up my cousin, Susan. 3 of us went round. Initial plan was to go Sampan but in the end, we end up at Jonker's Street. Yupe, we went round looking for food and drinks, and decided that Geographer's Cafe is stil our choice. After that we continued to walk around and went straight to have some Satay Celup. Nice!

[I like this lattern a lot, very "olden days" feel, but I am not sure what was written.]

[I really like the red lattern decorating the whole of Jonker's Street, very "CNY".]

[Some of the stuff sold @ Jonker's Street. Which I find some, quite bearable and pretty, the rest, please find a dustbin and throw it away. Matter of fact, I have new glasses!]

[The door and deco is simple and nice! Straight to the point. :-D]

And, because my bro havent really eaten anything, we went for Satay Celup. Super nice too!

[Enjoying Satay Celup, re-discovering my hometown, through FOOD! Hahaha! And, I like my new spec!]

regards,

zhumau

1st Day & 2nd Day of CNY - 14 & 15 Feb 2010

1st Day & 2nd Day of CNY - 14 & 15 Feb 2010.

Just like Lynelle, the first day of CNY is all about sleep sleep sleep, eat eat eat, and watching drama series... hahaha! Some call this indulgence, but I call this, laziness. But no harm being lazy momentarily. Therefore, I did almost nothing on the first day of the year!

I had real good time on the second day of Lunar year. My family went over to my relative home and as usual, almost the whole clan were there. Yes, indeed, it was really great to see everyone, and it's a wonderful feat as we manage to do something meaningful; lighting up the "wish lattern" and took (quite a number of) family portrait! Some of our relatives is not in there, but at least most of us is there.

I am most happy to see most of my "batch" generation there. My cousins, oh, how much I miss them, a lot! There's so much ground to cover, although at times, we had some moments of "speechless", possible as we didnt meet with each other for "time too long to remember", we met once a year, BUT I truly believe, we are all very happy to see each other, to cure our "miss sickness" and talk about our past.

More happy for me is that we went our for a movie. Needless to say, we are the loudest crowd Dataran Pahlawan ever had, in GSC. First thought, movie is such a lame "idea" but matter of fact, it is very cool. We never really had "movie time" ever. Therefore, for me to have a "movie time" with my closest cousins is really a "real deal"!

[We should do this more often. Come to think again, once a year wasnt that bad either. I need to be realistic. Haha!]

This CNY, I happy that I am able to meet with my relatives, although it's once a year, but I make it worth while for me. Also, this CNY, it refreshed me of my past, which is good, kept me true to myself and remind me of my family culture and "norm & standard".

:-D

regards & happy chinese new year,
zhumau

CNY Eve... the "pre-day" to chaos and hectic schedule...

Chinese New Year... 13 Feb 2010



Indeed, the year of Tiger!

I decided to start my journey after midnight. With my hometown friend & of course, needless to say, the little monster (she sits behind), we drove back. The journey is a pleasant one (thanks to the very HOT bath I had, and I decided not to take the flu/fever medicine, it make me feel dizzy) and I am smart enough to put newspaper where the little monster are, she vomit 3 times! Gosh, with my "dog" experience, I think I am smart enough to put and prepare lots of newspaper.

I am very excited as I knew I will be able to enjoy my fave Teo Chew Loh Ack (Teo Chew Braised Duck), which may take 4 to 6 hours to complete. Finally, it's my dad who did it, I didn't "go down to kitchen". I just become the "assistance" and help to eat. Reunion dinner is a BIG thing for my family, at least, for my dad (which is a good thing, seems like it's the only time we can sit down and eat together as a family). I was quiet during the dinner, but it doesn't mean I am not happy. I don't know why or what, I just eat quietly. Maybe it's the hot weather, maybe. But I think maybe it's because, I am "old" or somehow reach a point where it's an obligation to be here, however, I appreciate the "opportunity", so I am able to have a time to dine and somehow "chat" with my dad and brother. It's should be a happy thing, since my dad did most of the cooking, why should I be moody, right?

[The Famous Teo Chew Braised Duck, using my family's "formula"]

Earlier, I was at my uncle place for Reunion lunch with my mom. My uncle pull out and hang this 2 to 3 metre long red fire cracker. Well, I am excited! It was very loud! Good to have it, to start the year! I like. Lucky thing, no one really live at that area, so it's quite safe to have it there!

[Uncle is going to "light" up the "pao"... Yeah!]

[Yumiko & Lynelle: Ko is about 3 to 4 times bigger than Nelle. OMG!]

And, yes. Yumiko finally meet up with Lynelle. Thank goodness, both of them work out well, and, to my surprise, Yumiko like her quite a bit. Not too bad, and yes, Lynelle was jumping up and down. I think she is excited to have a dog bigger than her and play around bigger dogs, as she seems "rough" when playing with smaller dogs.

[I like the blue sky and the "tiang" reminded me of, "connecting with people".]

I took the shot when Lynelle was taking a "sun bath" after her bath. I saw this tiang and sky, immediately I went to take my camera and took it. It remind me of why I am here, to stay connected with my friends and family, no matter what, how far or distant we may be. And, it's new year, the time of the year, where we put family and friends priority and the rest, behind us. End of the day, we tell those we meet during this time, "Remember to call me!" or "Keep in touch!" and sometimes, "I am so happy we met up, we should do this more often!", therefore, this photo, says a thousand word to me, which represent and reflect why we are here, to be with our friends and family members, no matter what.

Everyone, who is reading this; Happy Chinese New Year and have great wealth, health, and happiness! Have a GREAT "Grrrrr" year ahead! Happy Tiger Year!

[I look outside, searching for new hope, leaving those bad memories behind. I want start a brand new year with brand new hope and mountain high confidence (well, I always have it, I know.) and of course, new excitement in life. And, to find something so precious now, I want to further explore into this new "adventure".]

regards,

zhumau

Lynelle & Me (inspired by Marley & Me)

5 Feb 2010.

Yes. The title says it all.

Marley, the super cute doggie turn monster (yes...), with its destructive talent, reminds me of my dog, Lynelle - I sense that she is turning to become a destructive monster machine. Gosh! How?!?!?!

With her capability to run fast and strongly build body... destruction seems to be her nickname soon. Haha! I hope she is not that destructive, otherwise it's going to be a very painful experience to my beloved wallet.

There's so much more of her that I haven't get the chance to understand. Maybe time will help a bit. I sound like a father, worry sick about her daughter. Hmmm, Lynelle is such a big girl now.

[Lynelle and her very unusual pose!]