On the fence

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Once again HOTA is in the media, a month after the incident where the relatives of a brain-dead man were involved in a tussle with the hospital staff over when organs could be transplanted. This time, in parliment.

Where do I stand on this issue?

With 541 patients on the waiting list for kidneys, 10 for livers, 2 lungs and 1 heart, it's the greatest gift one can give to another fellow human. A chance for another shot in life.

A seemingly healthy young person,, a filial child, a devoted young father suddenly collapsed, pronounced brain dead. Would a 24 hour delay be enough for the grieved family to let go? It's not easy to accept the sudden departure without hoping against hope or seeking divine intervention for a miracle. A twitch.

To save 5 lives or to wait for a miracle?

A wiff

As the lift door opens, out comes a well-heeled tai tai, I entered , immediately my olfactory was hit by the strong scent of CD poison. I failed to understand why most women like to splashed themselves with the most potent perfume.
Scent should be subtle, pleasant and leaves a lingering euphoria to those noses the scent waft into.
Obviously those who loves their perfume, are suppressing their natural fatal attraction -pheromone.
Would this be one of the reasons most women And men are finding it harder to seek out the ideal partner? Like the old cliche, there's just no chemistry . In every scent of the word. The olfactory still plays a crucial role in smelling out the right spouse.

Chinese

The lunar new year celebration is into the 9th day today.The day offerings are being made to the god of heaven. On the radio the other day, a listener in his mid twenties, commented, he does not know why nor understand the reason for celebrating the Lunar new year. Apart from the all important reunion gathering and dinner with family. This chinese tradition is slowly losing it's significance to the younger generation. However, this listener, felt christmas celebration was more meaningful. Churches hold mass and sermons to commemorate the significant of christian events. While, food and not rituals have always nominated chinese festivals and celebrations. It's now an trend to go off on a holiday instead of coming together with the family clans. The main reason, to avoid facing a barrage of personal questions. The significance of festivals and events should be emphasis more than just eating.

weeping plum tree

You have seen a weeping willow but have you seen a weeping plum tree?

This red apple

In a basket of green apples nestles a delicious red apple

In a basket of green apples devour by worms sits a rosy red apple

In a basket of green apples how long will it last, this crunchy red apple?

Events I miss most during Lunar New Year

Like Chris I too misses the days of old when we celebrated lunar new year with grandma and grandpa. The 5 events I missed most:-

The gathering at Grandpa's home in Victoria St, Penang
At 149, the Tan clan would gather. 2nd uncle will sharpen the knife takes his time to slices the thinest slice of abalone for dinner. 5th uncle the boisterious one never fails to liven the dinner with endless supply of liquor. 6th uncle updating us on the latest hazaard at his work site while 7th uncle the quiet one, would smile and listen quietly as the rest of the aunties and uncles would joke and cajole one another round the dinner table.
All the under 20 will sit round the mable table in the kitchen tucking in the steamboat in the traditional charcoal pot.

Aunt's delicious stew of all the left overs.
On 1st day For lunch, 1st aunt would stew a big pot of chye buai (Which literally means left overs in hokkien) together with dried bamboo shoots , vegetable and assortment of I don't know what. It's so yummy just thinking about it.

Ang Pow
Lined in a row around 12 to 15 grandchildren from the eldest to the youngest to receive our ang pow from grandpa. A man of few words, he would smile and nod. To see us all his grandchildren in front of him. In those days, anypows usually consist of $2.

Gambling
On the 1st day of the lunar new year, we, the cousins, would make small bets on card games namely poker. 6th and 7th uncle would always be so sporting to join in. And of course at the end of the day the winners.

Firecracker
Towards night fall, eldest cousin Choon Howe, would lead the way. We would congregate at the five foot way, watching as the neighbours and the boys as they swiftly light the crackers and scamper away before it burst into bangs of colourful hues and deafening noise. Into the night, fire crackers can be heard.

Sadly that has been 25 years ago. Except for weddings, the Tan clan has hardly come together as they are scattered in every corner of the earth. Even then, there has never been a complete reunion of all the 7 uncles 5 aunts and 27 cousins.

Exodus

Tata... going back to Selangor, Ulu Kelang for the reunion with my in-laws. Shhh...... don't tell the rest, but MDH has decided that we will set off at 4a.m. to beat the jam.

Watch out here comes the boar!!!!

The results

All her hard work, studying late into the wee hours of the mornings and skipping family outings missing out on many many of her favourite telly programs have paid off. She earned herself 8 As. I am very proud of her determination. It's not about the rewards not about the praises but it's all about the satisfaction that hard work pays.

A lie

A lie is information given to hide the truth of the matter.
It's a lie when information is distorted, manipulated, withheld or incomplete.
Reason for telling a lie usually for various reasons.
The most common being fear.
Fear of being reprimanded.
Fear of hurting a loved one.
Fear of rejection
I have been lied to.

Against the tide

Going against the tide.

Does that makes us different from the rest?

Does that makes us stronger in character?

Does that makes us stand out from the rest?

Or is it just plain stubborn, rebellious !!!