Observing Ordinary Orang at the Kopi Tiam

Was at the Kopi Tiam the other morning for a wholesome breakfast before heading back home for a quiet weekend.

It was a public holiday for the Thaipusam celebrations, needless to say, the Kopi Tiam was crowded with merry folks of old and young.

After having a hearty good meal of Kopi Bing gao gao and Chu Yuk Fan (pork noodles), I decided to start people-watching while waiting for my companion to finish up her meal.

"I like people like that. Making an honest living. Kan bagus." My friend raised her eyebrows at my random thoughts (rants, more like.)

The stall selling my favourite Chu Yuk Fan is run by this middle-aged Chinese couple. The husband huffs and puffs away frying Yong Tau Fu, mincing onion stalks and boiling soups. The wife, a petite lady supporting a ponytail will help to serve the dishes and collect money from the customers. It was when I glanced up, saw a satisfied and happy smile on the lady's face upon collecting the payment from one of her customers that I realized - people who make an honest living like this are worth all the respect. They might not be in tailor-made pants and suits working in air-conditioned rooms behind LCD screens, but they are definitely part of the strong pillars that hold up the society.

Bien salute.

Then, this macho and ruff looking man who sat at the next table caught my attention when he started talking on the phone. From his paint-tainted coveralls, worn boots and very tanned skin, I am guessing that he is either a construction worker or a plumber or an electrician. When he spoke, the voice and language was gruff and awkward but the conversation certainly brought a smile to my lips. A rough and tough man, asking the person at the other end of the phone conversation whether he/she has recovered from the cold; putting on a tough demeanor while chastisising the person to take their medication on time, to rest and to take care of themselves etcetera etcetera.

Despite looking all burly, tough, and manly - he certainly is sweet and sensitive. His tan covered up his blush well, I must say. Caring guys are a rare find nowadays eh.

There's also stall owners who are the best gymnasts with superb balancing acts with their pots, pans, containers, trays and ladles.

There's waiters who took orders with clear, loud and sing song voice that can be heard through out the whole restaurant. Whatever beverage you ordered - be it Milo Bing, Teh C, Cham Bing or Barley Suam - everyone in the restaurant is informed as the waiters shout their orders from different corners.

I like Kopi Tiams. Food is good. The crowd and buzz is always there.

Round 2 #tehtarik

For the past three days, #kangkung (water spinach) made its special debut and jumped to fame thanks to Mr PM. 

We have,

• "Keep Calm and Eat Kangkung" shirts
• "Kangkung Remix ft. PM" songs and phone ringtones
• "Kangkung Burger Set" by Smashies Burger

and even Artisan Roast Coffee is offering their customers to buy black coffee with kangkung during a limited time sale. Kangkung is certainly trending not only in the virtual platforms like Twitter, Facebook and Instagram - but also the talk of the town in coffee shops, offices etc.

Source: Malaysiakini.com

Now that people are getting tired of the overrated kangkung, round two is certainly coming. Bet on it people! Will it be #tehtarik or #quail ? Personally, I put my hands down for the former!

Related news article can be found at Free Malaysia Today.

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Kangkung is never my favourite. I prefer kobis, sawi and peria. (Saje nak beri komen jugak!)

Stay Real

Ever had THAT one dream that made you feeling so happy and fuzzy that you woke up with a sheepish smile - then you would roll over and pretend to fall asleep again, secretly wishing for a part two/ continuation of the dream?

After 3 excruciating years did the feeling surface itself again. And though it's gnawing away my senses, it's not so bad after all. Scritchy, scratchy ... something furry pawing away, the feeling itself is bittersweet.

Source: Google Images

Die also Not Cheap!

With the price hike and escalation in Malaysia - it is of no surprise that coffin prices also joining the bandwagon.

A friend's grandfather passed away recently (RIP grandpa!) and his Facebook post mentioned the funeral service fees that also went on a rampant hike.

And then, one of Malaysia's Chinese dailies is seen reporting this,

Source: China Press

Price tags on coffins used for cremation purpose is going up as well. From what used to cost between RM200 to RM300, now it costs between RM300 to RM400.

Another friend commented this on her Facebook:

现在么都起连死都难逃一切劫
(Translation: Everything going for a raise, even die we also can't escape)

All in all, die also not cheap nowadays.

The best thing one can do if we are really poor is not to die, but eating kangkung is a better option.

Wahlao! #Kangkung

Vege of the Day: KANGKUNG!!

PM said kangkung's price dropped.
But everything else going up.

The video is now spreading like wildfire, it kept resurfacing on my Facebook home - I am not surprise if the hashtag #kangkung is trending on Twitter.

So yay, a toast to KANGKUNG!!
Am not a big fan but if you are suffering from price hike, kangkung seems to be a better option.

For those who don't know what is kangkung, nah! lai wa ho lu kua (hokkien: come i show you!)

Fresh kangkung, not yet cook.

Stir-fry kangkung, with chili and belacan.

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Creative Malaysians, you just have to love em' all!

Source: Lowyat.net

Related news article at, The Malaysian Insider

Nah, don't play play with #kangkung! On BBC News.

Even #kangkung has it's own Facebook page with over 14,600 LIKES!
Da' kangkung fever yo! Nice kangkung jokes they have ...

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So far, this is the best!

That Effing Show #99: Let Them Eat Kangkung

PerKaSa: Persatuan Kangkung SatuMalaysia
MCA: Malaysian ChoiSam Association
MIC: Machas Institute of Cucumber

Talk bout being creative? For me, its definitely word play! Hahaha!!

Captivated by the Brazilian Mojo

Heard this got featured on Capital FM's weekend segment - Global Passport. And, the effect was instantaneous. I fell in love.

Ela Partiu sung by Tim Maia

Ela partiu
Partiu e nunca mais voltou
Ela sumiu, sumiu e nunca mais voltou Se souberem onde ela esta
Digam-me e vou la busca-la
Pelo menos telefone em seu nome
Me deumflex; uma dica, uma pista, insistaEi! e nunca mais voltou
Ela sumiu, sumiu e nunca mais voltou Ela partiu, partiu
E nunca mais voltou
Se eu soubesse onde ela foi iria atras
Mas nao sei mais nem direcao
Varias noites que eu nao durmo um segundo
Estou cansado
Magoado exausto
E nunca mais voltou

(Translation)

She's gone
Gone and she hasn't come back
She disappeared, disappeared and hasn't come back if you know where she is
Tell me and I'll go and find her
At least call me up on her behalf
Give me a hint, a clue, I'm begging you She's gone
Gone and she hasn't come back
She's gone, gone
And she hasn't come back
She disappeared, disappeared and will never come back
If I knew where she went, I'd go and look for her
But I don't know which way to turn
So many nights that I can't sleep even for a second
I'm tired
Hurt, exhausted
And she hasn't come back

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Old school? But me like!

Cupid's Arrow: Past, Now, Future

Says Alicia to me,

I have never heard of a person who is love-struck but unhappy.
You are the first.

*looks down, twiddling thumbs*

Insecurity issues of the past? Indeed. Without letting go of the past, there's no looking forward to the future.
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And I could use a little distraction. Or so I thought.

A road trip to commemorate and relive the past. A conclusion to be drawn.

The upside, insecurity issues are in the past - that's to be sure. A new face replaced the old, ill-feelings are no longer harbored. There's so much to look forward to! Uncharted waters, yes; but endless opportunities too.

The downside, not much progress with new face. Que sera sera? I wonder.

Money-spending in Malaysia, today vs. a week ago

First week into 2014 and we decided to have our dinner at the hawker stalls. And that was when I really felt the pinch. Okay. Pinch is an understatement. A wild, painful twist. Gory? Not quite... but brutal.

Chicken rice was RM6.50. I felt like tearing up.
A week ago it was still RM5 to RM5.50?

Leungsui and a fruit juice cost RM4.80. Am totally baffled.
Leungsui used to be RM1.20 and fruit juice, RM2.50?

And I told Alicia (a good pal, she will be one of my frequent mentions in the blog!),

When we dine at Chili's, TGI's, or Nandos - though it's pricey food but the hike don't really hit us because we anticipated the price tags that come with the brand. Plus, it is usually a celebration or a gathering when we do dine at classy restaurants. You have already anticipated the bill and would have slap a RM50 note when it comes.

Realisation hits HARD when we actually eat-out at hawker stalls.

Source: http://savemoney.my/

And after seeing this, my thoughts are:
Start planting potatoes at the balcony and cultivate some hydroponic bayam at the living room. Somehow, I get the impression that my landlady would not be too pleased with my suggestions.

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Scratching head at the relevancy of (No.2) Selangor's state EXCO salary and (No.9) Temperature in the chart.