On the fence

v

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 !!!

We alien

LM's revealation prompted me to this:

Once in college we were in a heated debate on the human existence. Adam and Eve said one. Evolution from the neanderthal man. And if Darwin had been right, have we over the last millenium evolved? Are we looking very different from our ancestors ? With the change in lifestyle, we should be slowly be evolving.

My opnion, we are aliens. It's so obvious. The comet came, kick up a dust storm so thick that the dinosours died. Well, it's mother ship's doing. They were on a mission. Creating living beings. They had to know if these beings could survive. They had to know which trait combinations were best suited to survive. They found earth's atmosphere closest to that of their planet. The drop off location had to be well spread out. A small colony in every climatic and geographical conditions. Some thrived others extinct. Blamed it on bad design or genes in our term. Oh yes, for the 1st few millenniums they came and visited. The pyramids and all those unexplained geoglyph designs comfirned. Should these beings encounter hardship, they were to turn to the heaven above. Many Ancient cultures were sun worshippers It's the telepathic link to the creator. Through the millennium, these beings not only adapted well but thrive and populated earth. More than once the population had to be control via natural disaster. Of course of late the visit has been less as these beings are begining to question their existence in this universe. Are we still in touch with creator? Of course, unless you are an atheist.

Another one bites the dust

Today is the last day of my neighbourhood bakery. It started some 23 years ago when this area here was still a new estate. Today, you have to cruise around the 400 odd lots for a parking. The bakery is run by 4 siblings. The smell the freshly baked bread wafted along the 5 foot way as you make your way to the supermarket. Very traditional no fancy names but the dough is just so old fashion chewy and delicious. I like the walnut bread best. My children, the doughnut. I had to walk in today and make my last purchase before it's close for good. They are getting on with age the oldest brother in his 60s. The next generation has all chosen the career paths. Not in the bakery field though.

Dishonest

Ann has been dating Sam for the last 3 years. An accountant he broke off with his then girlfriend to be with Ann. He could relate better to Ann, so he confided. Though many years her senior, they share the same passion and while Anns loves to listen to him talk about work, he loves the little attention from Ann, a hello call, a suprise gifts when he least expects it.

Conversation over tea:

Ann: He has not been honest with me. He has been seeing someone else recently. When question, he denied and brushed it off as been over suspicious. He hardly calls. And when it does, he sounded cold. Busy. Looking for greener pasture more like it. Time to face reality and move on. When he can leave others for me, he can just do the same to me. ***sigh***

Where have all the flowers gone.

Gentlemen and ladies don't drive. Neither do they take the public transport. I wonder what became of them. Guess they are all in retirement homes. Today is the world of loud 'me first'men and ' it's my right' women. I wonder what the generation would be like.

Changes

In the 40s spend a decade running the household full time . Holding several positions, from tutor to seamstress to mention a few. In the good company of laughters and recipes. What are the prospect like to go for a second career? To once again be part of this fast talking quick paced technology world. Will there be a place for 'back to work' mum? Hmmm.....

Older wiser

Only on tuesday, it has been reported that older women prefers younger younger men for all the wrong reasons. Well I am glad today, Ms Irene Ng an MP has come forth at such apt time to debunk this sillly notion. At 43 she has chosen a 62 year old gentleman to be her life partner.
Older women if I may consider 43 in the region of the very mature women prefers men that are able to hold intelligent conversation. Enjoys the company of a strong yet gentle nature in an older man. The sound and wise advise of an experienced men. Of course this does not applies to all the silly 60s and 70s with biological of a 18 year old!!! Going through their 2nd childhood cos' then they were busy behaving like 30s.


One should grow mature gracefully and not try sooo.....very hard to look and behave like an 18 year old. Your time came and went so enjoy the current status quo and live life to the fullest.

Re-establishing

brr...ing brr...ing
Nurse : Dr Leong's office. Can I help?
Worried:Mrs ...... here. Can I have a word with Dr Leong?

Nurse :May I have your full name and what is it regarding?

Worried: My name is...... and I am his personal friend
Dr Leong: Hello, Mrs .......? Do I know you????
Embarassed: Hi! your neighbour? 20 year ago? Same school.
Dr Leong: Ohh...I remember. St Xavier's Institution. You are Mrs ......now?
Relieved: Actually it's about my dad.......

Transfat, polysaturated, monosaturated......

In short, lets not try to hard to figure out what to butter that piece of toast with butter or margarine. Marmalade or peanut butter.

The best solution is to go back to our asian roots. Growing up at granpa's home had been clear watery porridge with bits of fried ikan bilis and steam fish with a dash of soya is the standard fare. Salted egg and pickled vegetable to compliment the otherwise blant taste of porridge. Once awhile on weekends it's stew port belly with tofu and mushrooms.

Wouldn't this make a healthier choice? Hmm......

Owl time

Her schedule for me to keep in my handbag
Empty nest? It's slowly seeping in. Begining with my eldest. Since school term started, MDD has been out of the house at the break of dawn, 6.15 a.m. and normally not back till the owl goes hunting. Attending JC is more demanding then holding a full time job. And the 'O' level result is not even out yet. Nevertheless, She is enjoying every minute of the schedule.

This is where the mobile phone comes in handy. That is if she turns it on.
A transitional period for me.

Lemon cake

Yes! shan liked my lemon cake. She has given me the green light to make another. Slightly sourish. Shan thought it tasted more like cheese cake. Credit must be given to joyofbaking for the recipe.