MUTANT VEGETABLES

The vegetables below have sort of mutated into shapes that remind us of other things in nature.  Try and see what the vegetables below look like.

Some do look naughty, don't they?  Kee! Kee! Kee!

COIN FOR GOOD LUCK AND HAPPINESS

Chinese people believe in using charms to bring good luck to them and their families.  Charms and amulets are also used to dispel evil influences.  In ancient China, many of the charms are in the form of coins and it is noted that these Chinese charms include four or eight character inscriptions (legends) that wish for good luck, good fortune, wealth, longevity, a large family, and success in the imperial examination.

Below is a coin charm which is supposed to bring Good Luck and Happiness "According to the Wishes of the Bearer".

The coin above is a very interesting four character charm with the subject of good luck and happiness.

It has four characters written in ancient seal script.

The legend is read top to bottom and right to left as ji qing ru yi (吉庆如意). The first character is ji (吉) which means "lucky", "happy" or "auspicious". The second character is qing (庆) which means "good luck" or "congratulate". The last two characters are ruyi (如意) which means "according to your wishes". The entire inscription can be roughly translated in English to mean "may your happiness be according to your wishes".
Source: http://primaltrek.com/auspicious.html#kuixing

Hmm ... I wonder if I can get my hands on an original coin charm instead of those reproduced for Feng Shui shops.

BRILLIANT STUDENT, HAPPY TEACHER

The young man sitting next to me in the first picture is Daniel.  His mom is my colleague, Puan Asiah.  When Daniel was 7 years old, his mom had asked me to tutor him in the English language.  Once a week, Daniel would go to my house for his lessons. 
Fast forward to present day and Daniel has already completed his secondary school education.  He recently got his results for his SPM examinations and scored straight As, a total of 11.  His mom is very proud of her son and so is his former teacher.
I am pictured with Daniel and two of his siblings at a Fast food restaurant in Manjung. I was giving a treat to him for his examination success. I had called him on the day of his results and promised to treat him to a meal for his excellent results. 

SPRING TIME IN SERI MANJUNG

When flowers bloom profusely on the Tecoma trees in Seri Manjung, then it is really a sight to behold.  I enjoy looking at the flowers on the trees and taking pictures of them to share with you.

AIYOH! LIKE THAT ALSO CAN AH?

It is really morbid and sick that there are people out there in this world who would try to make a quick buck out of others.  In this case, Chinese celebrities.  These people lack sensitivity and can be considered sickos.  How could a Chinese enterpreneur be so insensitive and crude as to 'marry off' the dead to a living celebrity.  My heartfelt sympathies to the celebrities who were unfortunate enough to be included in this morbid arrangement.  I have reproduced the article below, so please read ...

The replica marriage certificate of a man and Maggie Cheung

'Marrying' a celeb in the other world

Qing Ming festival (the Chinese All Souls Day) is around the corner!

A creative businessman in China has come out with a replica marriage certificate for the afterworld, endorsed by the 'United Nations'.

For only 50 yuan (RM25), one can marry off a dead family member or friend to a celebrity.

A copy of the replica marriage certificate, containing names, particulars and photos of the couple, would be issued.

The certificate will then be burnt to the departed "bride" or "bridegroom".

According to Chutian Metro Daily, the document was seized from a stall selling paper replicas for the dead in Hubei.

It was among other paraphernalia including bungalows, cars, mistresses, personal doctors and nurses, displayed at the stall.

The daily's reporter observed that the stall had prepared a list of "celebrity brides" for their customers. Among them were Maggie Cheung Man-yuk, Jolin Tsai, Lady Gaga and Britney Spears.

China Industry and Commerce Law enforcement officer said the stall was raided for intellectual property infringement.

Published March 29 2010

Source: http://www.dailychilli.com/news/3064-rm25-to-wed-a-celeb

GIVING CHILDREN TO KUAN YIN FOR 'ADOPTION'

There are some Buddhist and Taoist parents who give their children to the Goddess Kuan Yin for 'adoption'. This simple ceremony of 'adoption' is performed in a temple dedicated to her with the offering of flowers and fruits, and burning of candles and incense-sticks. The mother humbly and with the greatest of veneration requests Kuan Yin to accept the child as Her godchild, to shower Her love, mercy and compassion and keep the child always in good health. Children who are naughty and who are frequently sick are usually offered to Kuan Yin for 'adoption' in the belief that through Her compassion, mercy and love, the children will grow up strong, healthy and upright adults.

VERY MUCH BETTER ...

This is the second time I am attempting to make the egg pudding custard on my own and I must say that it is much better.  See the heart shape came out fine.  The only glitch is the extra blob of egg on top.  The texture is also thick and smooth.  I will be making more until I get it right.

HUNGER MEAL

Hong Kong veteran actress, Lee Heung Kam, does a lot of charity work and the most recent one that she participated in was the World Vision Hunger Meal.  At 78 years of age she does put quite a lot of people to shame with her enthusiasm and willingness to help others who are less fortunate.  I guess that is why she is blessed with good health and happiness for all her good work.

Lee Heung Kam misses out one meal for charity

Monday March 29, 2010 Hong Kong
Lee Heung Kam (李香琴) attended World Vision "Hunger meal" (饑饉一餐) activity yesterday. Kum Jeh revealed that she often misses a meal when she is working, therefore she is used to it. She is going to miss out one meal and donate the money to charity. Kum Jeh said she is grateful for living a good life in Hong Kong and enjoys all the material things. She urges everyone to support this "Hunger meal" event to help those poor children.
World Vision "Hunger meal" activity commence on March 28. The organization invites everyone to miss a meal any day in April, and money saved to be donated to poor families with children all over the world. This activity aims to donate money to World Vision based in Bangladesh, Nepal, Kenya, Uganda and Sierra Leone as well as to help rebuild Haiti following the devastated earthquake.
Source:Takungpao
Translator: R.E.D @ http://www.asianvn.com
Source: http://asianfanatics.net/forum/topic/717156-lee-heung-kum-misses-out-one-meal-for-charity/

YUMMY PAKODA

I bought some of these delicious Pakoda from an Indian lady at the Pasar Malam on Sunday.  They were crispy and yummy.  That was why I looked up the recipe to see if I too can come up with such a delicious snack. 

Here is the recipe:

Pakoda/Pakora

Ingredients:

1. Besan flour (Gram flour) – 2 cups
2. Onion – ¾ cup (finely chopped)
3. Red chilli powder – ¾ tsp or to taste
4. Salt – to taste
5. Curry leaves – 10 (finely chopped)
6. Coriander leaves – few (finely chopped)
7. Oil – for deep frying

Pakora Preparation:

1. Take a large mixing bowl and add gram flour, onions, curry leaves, coriander leaves, chilli powder and salt.
2. Without adding any water mix well.  If necessary add very little amount of water to make a thick paste.Leave it for 10 mins.
3. Then take a deep pan and heat with oil.
4. Drop the mixture in the form of un even sized pieces.
5. Deep fry till they turn into golden brown colour.
6. In-between stir well.
7. Remove from heat and drain the oil completely.
8. Serve warm with green chutney or ketchup.

Preparation time 20 mins
Cooking time 15 to 30 mins
No. of Servings 6 to 8

Source: http://www.easy-indian-food.com/pakoda.html

PART OF OUR HISTORY

I showed my cousin and his son the way to the Gopeng Museum after we went for Ching Ming at our ancestors' graves during the weekend.  My, my, I didn't realise that my cousin was so into antiquities.  He took time to examine the things at the museum and said that he would be back again next time with his video camera and wife in tow.  Perhaps, the interest is because Gopeng was where our ancestors lived and is part of our common history.

RUN DOWN NOT TORN DOWN

Mu cousin and his son, Ivan, are pictured outside the old dilapidated house that our ancestors once lived.  The place is run down now.  When I mentioned that it was run down, Ivan thought I meant torn down but I told him that the place was definitely the former and not the latter.