Thursday, 31 March 2011
DIP FOR CRACKERS
MY NUMBER ONE FEAR
That got me worried and I drove her to consult Dr Bashir, our family doctor. According to the dear doctor, all my mum had was a mild throat infection but she kept insisting that she was having a heart attack or something serious. She even requested for an injection. When he heard that, he joked that even his toes were laughing. She did not have a temperature and her blood pressure was normal. As he has been treating her for years, he guessed that something must have upset her to make her feel depressed so suddenly. Both Doctor Bashir, my Aunt Linda and I felt that it was because she heard the news of the death of my brother-in-law's nephew. My mum gets upset quickly when she hears such news. That is why my sister Li Lian and I never tell her whatever troubles, misfortunes and bad things that happen to us.
I dare not think how she would react if I she finds out about my problem with the housing developer. She would really freak out for my safety and then worry herself until she becomes very sick. For me, my number one fear is my mother falling sick and becoming depressed. She went into depression when my dad died and it took my family at least a year to nurse her back to health. She again became depressed when she found out that my sister Li Mei had some problems and it took my Aunt Linda and I a few months to get her back to her normal self. Also, she gets extremely edgy come the Qing Ming period and keeps dreaming about the dearly departed souls.
To me, my mother becoming depressed is more fearful than all the monsters, ghosts and ogres combined together. Yeah! Hasnin and Kamariah have seen my mum in her depressed state and they can bear witness to what a total wreck she becomes. Even an invasion of the earth by aliens is not so frightful.
MORE AFRAID FOR HIS WELLBEING AND LIFE
Of course my anger subsided after I heard that and told my friends Lai Yoong and Eric that I would like to meet him to settle the problem with my faucets amicably without any need for any drastic action. Furthermore, I found out that he just lost his eldest brother who died from heart attack (I think) just last week. It would indeed be rude and insensitive of me to want to go to the press when people are in mourning. The guy's brother passed away just a week ago.
And so I made enquiries on how I could meet the Boss, Mr Albert himself as I am sure that he would be understanding enough to quickly settle the matter once and for all. But ... I found out that it is indeed difficult to meet him as he is surrounded by bodyguards all the time. Even his relatives have to wait at his house gate to get clearance from the guards to enter his house. Aiyoh! How is this aunty going to get to meet him.
Actually that got me thinking ... for a man to hire so many bodyguards to protect him and also the security to enter his residence, he must be fearful for his safety and life. Furthermore, I was told that there were some housebuyers whose walls have very large and deep cracks and other major problems.
Wow! Their problems appear to be much more serious and dangerous than mine. No wonder, the people at the housing development company saw that my complaint was mild and therefore did not bother to contact me or reply to my letter. The company have also received complaints, lawsuits and threats from their customers. One never knows what an irate house owner would do after his or her complaint has been ignored over and over again. They could be so psyched up and angry so as to lose their sense of reason. Then anything can happen. No wonder the guy needs to have all the bodyguards surrounding him. Come to think of it, he is more afraid for his wellbeing and life than anyone else.
P/S: I am contemplating on just filing my case with the Consumer Tribunal and let the people there handle it first before I go to the press.
SUGARCANES FOR CHING MING
I am wondering why my mum tells me to buy sugar canes to place on top of the tomb of my ancestors when I go for Qing Ming. What I do is to buy one long cane and have the lady cut them into four parts. I'd place two parts on the top of my grandpa's grave and the other two on the common graves of my other ancestors. Since the Chinese word for sugar cane is Kum Chair (literally meaning with gold to lend), I hazard to guess that placing them there would remind the ancestors to bless the descendants with so much wealth luck as to have more than enough to lend to others. Am I right? Anyone knows?
GETTING RID OF FLOWER, LIME AND LEAVES AFTER RITUAL BATH
After reading my post on bathing with kaffir lime and its leaves to get rid of bad luck, I had a comment on how to get rid of the fruit and leaves after one is done. As far as I know one is not supposed to pick the leaves and fruit (flowers too if they are used) with ones bare hands as this is akin to picking up the bad luck again. As to the suggestion of using ones toes to pick them up, I don't think so as this involves touching the skin. What is usually done is to pick them up with a pair of tongs or just let them flow down the drain. Another alternative is to pick them up using a plastic bag covering ones hand. They can be thrown into the dustbin. Some people place them under a tree.
Anyone else has more to share about this? Do comment.
ATTENDING BRIEFING & WORKSHOP
THE FINANCIAL FENG SHUI OF YOUR APPEARANCE
When we see attractive people it’s hard not to think that their looks can’t help but make the road of life smoother and easier for them. But that’s not always so.
Attractive, and, yes, beautiful people, can be just as prone to making dumb mistakes and poor choices as anyone else.
Perhaps it’s their beauty that betrays them and makes people prey upon them or they suffer from narcissism. But what really makes one beautiful – and do our looks affect our wealth?
To the Chinese way of thinking that answer is yes.
The Chinese developed an ancient art called face reading and have categorized eyes, noses, foreheads, even moles and pimples to be an indicator of whether we are wealthy or plagued with financial problems.
The following explains some of the typical facial features and what they mean for your prosperity.
Skin quality affects wealth.
Your skin should have a healthy glow about it and a moist and fleshy appearance. If it's dry and flaky, you'll tend toward bad financial luck. If the face is oily, there is a tendency to lose money. Facial skin should look fresh and glowing, moist and with a hint of red color.
Outward appearance attracts wealth.
You needn’t be a super-model to attract greater prosperity. Merely by holding your face with a pleasant and alert look, the response from others is more positive and it attracts good luck to you. Dour-looking people attract dour situations and circumstances, including financial problems. So change your luck just by planting a smile on your puss.
Moles have meaning.
There are many hidden meanings to moles in the Chinese view. Typically facial moles are not considered good luck, especially if they are dark or black-colored. Red moles are thought to bring good fortune, however.
Moles on the forehead bring power and authority and those on the mouth bring prosperity and speaking skill. Moles on the center line of the face, nose, or cheeks bring lost opportunity and negative circumstances. Surgical removal may be necessary.
Facial flaws draw problems.
No one is endowed with a perfect face, but when your face has flaws, such as extremely dark circles under the eyes (which can cause problems with children) and make you look tired, it can affect people’s perceptions of you – and your perception of yourself.
In the Western view, certain locations of moles can look witchy and will cause people to respond to you negatively. Many times these areas can be corrected by good skin care, clever use of make-up, or even simple plastic surgery. If you have heard comments about your looks, perhaps it’s affecting your outlook on life and maybe even your pocketbook. Consider your options and determine if this is something you’d like to improve.
Pimples foretell expenses.
When pimples arise it seems it’s at the point of something important such as a meeting or important interview, doesn't it? Pimples are thought to be indicators of expenses, however, rather than embarrassment.
When a pimple arises on the nose, it will cause a big expense within two weeks. If the pimple is on the side of the nose, then the expense is unexpected. If it's on the top, then this is a good expense such as a new car or furniture. Pimples on the forehead will give you car and travel problems.
A nose for wealth.
Many Chinese follow the nose for indicating your potential for wealth luck. A large nose often indicates wealth. Large nostrils that can be seen when looking straight on indicate loss of wealth. Skinny, pinched noses often mean loss of wealth, i.e., Michael Jackson.
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© K Weber Communications LLC 2002-2011
Kathryn Weber is the publisher of the Red Lotus Letter Feng Shui E-zine and certified feng shui consultant in classical Chinese feng shui. Kathryn helps her readers improve their lives and generate more wealth with feng shui. For more information and to receive her FREE Ebook "Easy Money - 3 Steps to Building Massive Wealth with Feng Shui" visit www.redlotusletter.com and learn the fast and fun way how feng shui can make your life more prosperous and abundant!
WONG KUM KOR (GOLDEN FRUIT)
Look at the fruit above. Before this I had never seen a fruit like it. It was being sold at the market for RM9.00 a kilo. The lady who sold it to me told me that its name in Cantonese was Kum Chien Kor or Golden Fruit or Cash Fruit.
PREGNANCY TABOO
I was reading this article about the media speculating about the pregnancy of Gaile Lok, Hong Kong model and wife of singer-actor Leon Lai. The reason for their suspicions was that the lady was looking much rounder and well filled out. She is said to be about 2 months pregnant but when asked to confirm, the lady said, ""I wouldn't answer you this time," hinting that she is already pregnant. Link
Why the secrecy? This is because the Chinese have a taboo about pregnancies. According to Chinese superstitions, a lady should not announce her pregnancy until after the third month, that is when the life growing in the womb has become more stable.
Here is a picture of how the model usually looks
BANANA FLOWERS
Look at the large banana flowers above. The large, dark purple-red blossoms grow from the end of a bunch of bananas. Here in Malaysia, the banana is eaten as food. One can cook it or just eat it raw. Either way, it is delicious. In addition, the banana flower has lots of nutrient value - Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Calcium and iron too. It also has medicinal value for a number of chronic ailments including dyspepsia, hook-worms in intestines, menorhoea.
Wednesday, 30 March 2011
NO WRITTEN REPLY. SO, SEE WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
As of 10.57 p.m. this day, I have had no written or verbal reply from the housing developer. They had sent a representative, their maintenance manager last Wednesday but since they did not agree to all 4 of my requests, I declined.
So I went to consult the liason officer, Mr Ting, at the MCA Service Centre in the evening to consider the next course of action. After about half an hour of discussion, I know what I will be doing.
So, keep checking in to see what happens next.
GIVING STUDENTS EXPOSURE TO PARLIAMENTARY STYLE DEBATE
This is a change from the normal teaching in school and while the students were busy studying how a parliamentary style debate was being carried out, Kama and I were busy observing how the whole show was run as our school would be the host for the carnival this year.
We were impressed with the stage decorations done by the school. Really creative!
By the way the finalists for the debate were Convent and ACS. The convent girls emerged the champions and would go on to represent the district in the state levels.
The 5 adjudicators
Convent is on the left and ACS is on the right
The first debater of the opposition team presenting her points
WAH! FRESH SEAFOOD
SEEKING HELP FOR BOY WHO REFUSES TO ATTEND SCHOOL
As an alternative, she is considering sending her son to a religious school in Batu 10. This school is run by a friend of ours, Ustaz Syed Sharim. Since Asiah has never been to the place before, I volunteered to drive her and her sons there to have a look and also to discuss her problem with the Ustaz. The ustaz even called one of the students studying there to share his experiences in the school so that Apit would want to go stay and study there.
The Ustaz spent half an hour talking with us and at the same time he tried to persuade Apit to study at the religious school. The students stay there and go back during the weekends. I have been to Ustaz's place quite a number of times as I have been assisting him during Hari Raya Puasa to collect money to buy new clothes and Raya goodies for the orphans and some poor senior citizens who are also housed there. He jokingly tells all the lady religious teachers in my school that I have been going to his place for more than 5 years but none of them have set foot there even once.
My friend Ustaz Syed is a very helpful person and he said that he would be taking Asiah and her son to meet with another religious teacher in Lenggong soon. The Ustaz there will recite prayers for the boy to help lift his spirit and also to rid him of negative influences.
By the way, Ustaz Syed also wanted to take me along to Lenggong so that the Ustaz there could help me get rid of the negativity surrounding me at present. I was deeply touched but then I had to decline as I have my own sifu to carry out the blessing.
ONE CARING IDOL
Now this guy Show Luo is known in the entertainment circle as a celebrity who cares a lot for his fans. Knowing that his Hong Kong fans waited a long time to finally see him, Show had originally planned to interact with fans, but was unfortunately hampered by the mall staff, who repeatedly requested that he finish early. To accomodate them, Show tried to sign faster and at the same time his manager tried reasoning with the staff but was unsuccessful. This made Show really mad and to show his displeasure, he slammed the table and left, and went to the parking lot to finish signing for the rest of the fans. This gesture of his touched his fans and I am sure gained more fans for him.
Hmm ... he appears to be an idol who really cares for people who have put him where he is today. Two thumbs up for him. Link
BATHING WITH KAFFIR LIME FRUIT AND LEAVES
What you see on the bathroom floor are pieces of Kaffir Lime and its leaves plus pomelo leaves. This picture was taken after I had a bath with water infused with them. Since I am having such bad luck at the present moment, I went and plucked the kaffir limes from school to have me a bath to 'buang sial' (get rid of bad luck). Hopefully, they do the trick.
p/s: By the way, I plucked more kaffir limes today and would again be bathing with them tonight.
RAMIE PANCAKE TO KEEP GHOSTS AT BAY
When I read today's Star newspaper, I found that the people in a small town in Perak believes that a certain pancake made from a herb called Ramie can actually help to keep ghosts away. Want to know more? Then read on ...  |
Ghost repellent: Demand for a certain kind of herbal pancake during Qing Ming in Pusing has its roots in a traditional superstitious belief. Pancakes to keep ghosts at bay Stories and photos by FOONG THIM LENG WHILE offerings of fruits and kuih may be popular during the Qing Ming Festival, the Hakka community prefer their traditional pancakes which some believe can help ‘ward off’ wandering spirits. In Pusing, a former tin mining town in the Kinta Valley, the chuh yip paan (Hakka for ramie pancake) is the ‘hottest’ selling item this year. Kuih seller Lim Swee Moy, 63, said the traditional Hakka pancake was made of glutinous rice, sugar and ramie leaves which gave it a black colour. “Apart from offering such pancakes to ancestors, the locals believe those who eat them before paying homage to their ancestors at graveyards would not be disturbed by wandering spirits,” she said at her house in Pusing, about 20km from Ipoh. Lim said most of the pancakes would be sold out regardless of the number she made, adding she could easily sell a few hundred pieces at 50 sen each a day. She explained that she had cultivated several ramie plants, which many people mistook for weeds, at a plot of land outside her house. “The leaves are also used by herbalists for medicinal properties in treating women’s illnesses and in dispelling wind in the body,” she said. Lim added that a restaurant had recently bought the leaves from her to make a special tong sui (Cantonese for dessert) for customers. She has been making over 10 types of kuih a day, including the chuh yip paan, with her daughter-in-law and three helpers for over 30 years. Among them were dumplings with shrimps and shredded mengkuang, sweet potato balls, tapioca cakes, sago kuih and yam cakes. Her daughter-in-law sells the kuih on a tricycle near the market beside the town’s main road everyday. |
Tuesday, 29 March 2011
STONE MUSHROOMS
If one can afford a house with a big garden, then it would be a nice idea to do a bit of landscaping. One popular decorative item is the stone mushroom. They look cute. The best thing is that they won't decay and last for ages and ages.
WORRIED ABOUT HIS TEACHER'S WELLBEING
This morning, Sharveen went back to school to see how I was doing. He was getting worried for me after he read my Xing Fu posts. He said that common sense told him that it is rather silly to want to harm or kill someone over an issue with a corroded faucet but then he added that one never knows the hearts of people. I told him not to be overly worried as things like life and death are fated. Only God has the power to give life and also the power to take it.
I jokingly told him that should anything suspicious happen to me, then he should help report the matter to the police to facilitate investigation.
NOT READY TO BE HARVESTED YET
My friend Hafizah and I who are the minders of the Herb Garden take great pleasure in looking at the plants we have growing there. We would be extremely delighted to find fruits and vegetables that we have planted beginning to flower and fruit.
This morning we were admiring the Four-angled beans which was planted behind the library. In the Malay Language, this bean is also referred to as Kacang Kelisa. We could see some flowers and beans. However, the beans were not big enough to be plucked. We usually eat it raw with sambal belacan.
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