Top 5 Questions I don't like during CNY

Question number ONE,

"Eh, you still studying arh? Which uni liao? When graduate ha?"

OS in my heart:

 Auntie, I told you I graduated when you asked me the same question last year - and the year before. 

Diplomatic reply:

Auntie, Gong Xi Fa Cai!! Hahaha... I graduate long time liao lorh. But thank you ha, I every year look so young de!

Question number TWO,

"Got boyfriend or not? No boyfriend meh? Big girl liao mah, daddy mommy don't let ha?"

OS in my heart:

Auntie, I am super available and super single - but I ain't gonna tell you that, who knows what drama you might pull. 

Diplomatic reply:

Ha..ha..ha... ya lorh. Soon. Soon. Got liao bring back let you see ha. I am still very young mah.

Question number THREE, (related to above question)

"When getting married? When your turn to give ang pow ha?"

OS in my heart:

I sibeh young - why Auntie you so stress? My parents ain't getting worried whether I will be getting married-off or not and here you ask me when my turn to give ang pow every year.

Diplomatic reply:

Aiyoh Auntie, I so young mah. Not so early la. Maybe 5 to 10 years more - who knows ha..ha.

Question number FOUR，

“Eii, you now working liao or not? Work where? Salary high or not? Got 2k?"

OS in my heart:

Auntie, I started working after graduating - I remembered I told you clearly for the past 3 consecutive years. Why you so gan chiong whether I'm earning at least 2k or not? Salary above 2k or not doesn't determine whether you are a good or a successful person leh.

Diplomatic reply:

Auntie, everything is good ha. Work is good. Cukup makan lah.

Question number FIVE,

"You got slim down or not?"

OS in my heart:

Wahlao eh! Touchy ... every year same question. Slim down, gain weight, no changes also you ask the same question. Unless you running your own gym and offer me free membership - else you take care of your body shape, I take charge of mine.

Diplomatic reply:

Got slim down ah Auntie. Most importantly, every year I slimmer than you lorh!

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Bumped into a schoolmate and his mother who is the vice-principal of my primary school during New Year eve, Madam Wong commented that I seemed to be not growing any taller as compared to 13 years ago. *sobzzz*

Mom was gleeful upon hearing this. Not only that she agrees with Madam Wong, but she said I pressed the wrong button. Instead of the button "GOING UP"; I pressed the one that says ”GO SIDE-WAYS”! 

The Horse come Galloping In!

Gong Hei Fatt Choi!! Happy Lunar New Year!!
(ke..de..kut..... ke..de..kut...... ke..de..kut.....) Horsey in coming!!
It's the year of the Horse, the Ma (马) - hence, wishing all of you out there,

let's Master the Year of the Ma!! and have a prosperous and fruitful year ahead!!

Chinese New Year greetings/ best wishes creatively done and copyrighted to noneother than Liyin Yeo from Liyin Creative Studio: 'We Make Fresh Ideas Grow',

Artwork is solely copyrighted and owned by Liyin Yeo, the creator and original artiste. 

Any form of printing/ publishing/ copying without permission is strictly forbidden.

For graphic design | caricature | illustrations - you may contact Liyin Creative Studio via email at liyin.yeo@gmail.com

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Once again,

恭喜发财 | 万事如意 | 马到功成 | 生意兴隆 | 富贵安康

Seeking Inspiration at the Mountain Top

Sleeping sun or not, sipping a hot cuppa Black Tea Latte admist the super chilly weather at Genting Highlands was a blissful thing to do! People-watching at First World Plaza's Starbucks while getting inspired for an on-going project and chewing away crispy, hot fried durians was a weird thing to do, but oh-well: IT WAS FUN!!

Tottering around in the chilly and misty atmosphere with a temperature that was below 15 degree celcius without my coat earned me a new title: A Penguin back to its own Habitat! (no, i am not silly Pingu!)

The fog swallowed the First World Hotel Towers! Sejjjjuuuukkkkkk, but nice!

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Movie Review for I, Frankenstein.... 3 out of 5. I was anticipating the movie for some great CG and action but ... um, uh, well, erm ... like that only lorh. When I continuously reach for my popcorn when the show is reeling - it means that the show is not up to expectations. Meh.

Sanity Debate

I must admit, it was an interesting turn of events.

It was a whirlwind of a meet up and the progress was somehow too fast too furious. Confused with the amount of interest shown? You bet. Sanity and clarity barely clung on in that torrential 120 minutes.

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Track record 这回事还得靠时间来证明。
有的人因曝光率就改变了初中，所谓的track record是别人看家本领；
哪怕你如何模仿效应终究不一样 - 因为那份最原始的心态，变了。

(This Tragedy why are you my Remedy, this Sanity why are you my Clarity)

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.