A typical bow of curry mee will comprise :-
- Yellow Mee
- Bean Sprouts
- Bee Hoon
- Tau Hoo Pok
- Prawns
- Fish Ball
- Jew Hoo
- Pig Blood Curd
- Mussels
- Long Beans
- Mint Leaves
- Curry Soup
- Special Curry Mee Paste
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Penang Hawkers Food : Penang Curry Mee
Just before noon, I suddenly had the urge to eat Penang Curry Mee. I was in the Pulau Tikus area and walked into the New Cathay Coffee Shop opposite Belissa Row in Jalan Burmah.
A typical bow of curry mee will comprise :-
A typical bow of curry mee will comprise :-
Monday, September 21, 2009
Penang Hawkers Food : Endangered Hawkers Food
Whilst there are plenty of stalls selling Hokkien Mee, Char Koay Teow, Wan Tan Mee, do you know that certain Penang Hawker Foods can hardly be found such as :-
Traditional Nasi Lemak
There seems to be 2 basic versions of nasi lemak that is easily available in Penang
Up to the mid-70's, you can buy a packet of the real Nasi Lemak as peddled by itinerant Indian Koay Sellers. This simple but very delciious Lasi Lemak comprises
Satay Babi
This yummy hawkers food comprises
This boy is now an old man known as Tung Ah Chun selling Satay Babi on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at Bangkok Lane. Apparently, no one is going to take over from him. He uses to also sell delicious Hoon Chiang but does not do so anymore and it is simply too much work. :-)
Previously, there was a woman selling almost the same version at Penang Road beside Kampung Malabar. but since the Rent Control Act was repealed, she has moved away and I have not been able to locate her since :-)
Traditional Nasi Lemak
There seems to be 2 basic versions of nasi lemak that is easily available in Penang
- Nasi Lemak Bungkus (curry with ikan billis or fish plus boiled egg) that is commonly sold by the roadside
- Nasi Lemak sold at coffee shops and food court (pandan rice + a selection of add-ons)
Up to the mid-70's, you can buy a packet of the real Nasi Lemak as peddled by itinerant Indian Koay Sellers. This simple but very delciious Lasi Lemak comprises
- Delicious Pandan-flavoured Rice cooked with Coconut Milk
- Assam Prawns or Fish
- Belachan Sambal
Satay Babi
- Stick of marinated alternating pieces of lean meat and fat
- Pigs Intestine (Hoon Chiang)
- Traditional satay sauce (not peanut sauce)
- Slices of cucumber
- Toasted bread (optional)
This boy is now an old man known as Tung Ah Chun selling Satay Babi on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at Bangkok Lane. Apparently, no one is going to take over from him. He uses to also sell delicious Hoon Chiang but does not do so anymore and it is simply too much work. :-)
Previously, there was a woman selling almost the same version at Penang Road beside Kampung Malabar. but since the Rent Control Act was repealed, she has moved away and I have not been able to locate her since :-)
Penang Hawkers Food : My Favourites [First posted in 1996, Updated 2nd Dec 2009]
I know...I know... There is bound to be better places which I may not aware of ! Anyway, one man's meat... another's poison and these are my favourite hawker food :-
Traditional Nasi Lemak - Updated 21 September 2009
Traditional Nasi Lemak - Updated 21 September 2009
- Cantonment Road, opposite Supermarket (Morning only)
- Bangkok Lane (Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays Morning)
- In front of Sisters Char Koay Teow in Macalister Road (Saturday/Sunday Morning)
- Along Pahang Road & beside Padang Brown (At Night only)
- Lorong Seratus Tahun
- Corner of Tavoy Road/Burmah Road (At Night only)
- New Cathay Coffee Shop at Pulau Tikus (Morning only)
- Perak Road, opposite Padang Brown
- Coffee Shop at junction of Moulmein Road and Burmah Road (Usually finished by 9.00am ! Not opened on Thursday)
- Gurney Drive Hawker Centre (Starts in the Afternoon)
- Near Union School, Burmah Road (When he feels like it :-) )
- New Cathay Coffee Shop at Pulau Tikus (Morning only)
- Along Pahang Road & beside Padang Brown (At Night only)
- Lorong Selamat, most expensive but very tasty
- Coffee Shop before Tanjung Bungah Market (Tuesday - Sunday Morning)
- Jalan Burmah, opposite Police Station
- Behind Pulau Tikus Market (At Night)
- Bee Hooi Coffee Shop in Pulau Tikus
- Bangkok Lane
- Gurney Drive (formerly Edgecumbe Road)
- Behind Pulau Tikus Market
- Bee Hooi Coffee Shop , Lorong Kuching, Pulau Tikus opposite Haagen Das (At Night)
- Bee Hooi Coffee Shop , Lorong Kuching, Pulau Tikus opposite Haagen Das
- Next to Kuan Imm Temple at Pitt Street
- Corner of Jones Road/Burmah Road
- Carnavon street (Afternoon)
- Bee Hooi Coffee Shop, Lorong Kuching, Pulau Tikus opposite Haagen Das (At night only)
- Hutton Lane
- Anson Road
- Tanjung Bungah Market (Morning only)
- Air Itam market
- Balik Pulau market
- Summer Cafe, Jalan Lembah Permai
- Kampung Malabar, off Penang Road - 7:00 pm onwards (At Night, Please be prepared to wait at least 45 minutes)
- Junction of Macalister Road/Lorong Selamat
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Reminiscence : Chartered Accountants are very powerful...
It was on an evening and we were a bunch of neighbourhood boys sitting at the drain side at Immigration Road, Georgetown. I asked him why ? He replied that Chartered Accountants have the power to go into any bank or government office to check their books ! Wow, I was properly impressed by what he said.
Moving forward to 1978, I started my Accountancy career with M.S Ahmad Abdullah and Goh Certified Accountants and qualified as a CPA in 1983 and became a member of the Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA) in the same year as a PA(M). Guess what ? Some years ago, the MIA after a restructuring redesignated me a Chartered Accountant :-)
Why Hokkien... Hokkien... Hokkien ?`
I was born, bred and will probably die in Penang where Hokkien is the predominant spoken Chinese dialet. Penang Hokkien is quite different from the Hokkien spoken in the rest of Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan and China in that it is sing-song in nature and contains quite a number of Malay words.
Being born a Hokkien would probably make you assume that I am very proficient in Hokkien. Believe it or not, English is my native language in that I think, dream and have nightmares in English ! I only realise that I hardly speak any Hokkien when in the early 1980's my "Jee Tneoh" i.e husband to my Mum's 2nd Sister asked why I reply in English when he asks me in Hokkien !
The crunch came somewhere in the mid-1980's where I was involved in assisting Bank Negara in raiding a major deposit-taking co-operative during the "deposit-taking crisis". After the investigations, the Accounting Firm where I was working was appointed the Receivers and one of my task was to go on a road-show to almost all the co-operative's branches in order to return part of the money deposited. That is when I discovered my handicap in Hokkien :-(
I clearly remember trying to tell a depositor that the quantum of the deposit to be returned has yet to be decided as follows :-
Depositor : Lu eh heng wah jua cheh
CCH: Ah boi choo teah (translated as It has not been fated !)
What I should have said is "Ah boi kuat teng !
That's when I decided to try to learn and speak better Hokkien !
This blog basically documents what and how I am teaching Hokkien to my 2 daughters living with me i.e Kimberley and Krysle who are both studying in a Chinese School after 3 years in an English Pre-school.
More at http://cch4hokkien.blogspot.com
Being born a Hokkien would probably make you assume that I am very proficient in Hokkien. Believe it or not, English is my native language in that I think, dream and have nightmares in English ! I only realise that I hardly speak any Hokkien when in the early 1980's my "Jee Tneoh" i.e husband to my Mum's 2nd Sister asked why I reply in English when he asks me in Hokkien !
The crunch came somewhere in the mid-1980's where I was involved in assisting Bank Negara in raiding a major deposit-taking co-operative during the "deposit-taking crisis". After the investigations, the Accounting Firm where I was working was appointed the Receivers and one of my task was to go on a road-show to almost all the co-operative's branches in order to return part of the money deposited. That is when I discovered my handicap in Hokkien :-(
I clearly remember trying to tell a depositor that the quantum of the deposit to be returned has yet to be decided as follows :-
Depositor : Lu eh heng wah jua cheh
CCH: Ah boi choo teah (translated as It has not been fated !)
What I should have said is "Ah boi kuat teng !
That's when I decided to try to learn and speak better Hokkien !
This blog basically documents what and how I am teaching Hokkien to my 2 daughters living with me i.e Kimberley and Krysle who are both studying in a Chinese School after 3 years in an English Pre-school.
More at http://cch4hokkien.blogspot.com
Reminiscence : Ah Hock Ko, I don't think your son can walk...
So, how did I go from I place to another ? Apparently, I moved around on my bottom i.e by Cheh Lai Cheh Khee (in Hokkien).
So, when I did I actually start to walk ? The story told to me was that one day, I saw my your sister Alice (then about 2 years old) started to walk and I just stood up and started to walk :-)
Reminiscence : Going Up the Roof
It had a large hall and going to the second hall, I notice some steps that seems to be going up the roof. As far as I can recall, I asked my mum whether I can "Khee Choo Teng" as I have never been inside a double-story house before and was amazed that one can go up the roof :-)
I was about 3- 4 years old then that was the beginning of a 16 years stay in 3 rented houses at Immigration Road, Penang.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
PFS : facebook [Updated 25th Sept 2009]
21 June 2008
Just joined facebook out of curiosity in Apr 2008 and added Goh Boon Hoe (PFS Class of 74) as the first friend.
Got a confirmation request from Tan Gaik Cheng (PFS, 1975-1976) to be added as a friend. From Gaik Cheng's profile, I found Chin Teng Lum (PFS Class of 74) and Ding Kec Chuan (PFS Class of 74)
From Boon Hoe's profile, I found Tan Ban Leng (PFS Class of 74) & Boon Sin (PFS Class of 74) and guess what, Yoon Kwai Lok (PFS Class of 74) requested to be added as a friend this morning :-)
The point is that I think Facebook is a great way to rekindle links with old friends.
Updated on 20th September 2009
As at today, more than 25 members of our PFS Class of 74 have facebook profiles including :-
Sukumar Mahesan is the latest addition to facebook and was found via Simon Yeoh Eng Huat's facebook friends list.
Just joined facebook out of curiosity in Apr 2008 and added Goh Boon Hoe (PFS Class of 74) as the first friend.
Got a confirmation request from Tan Gaik Cheng (PFS, 1975-1976) to be added as a friend. From Gaik Cheng's profile, I found Chin Teng Lum (PFS Class of 74) and Ding Kec Chuan (PFS Class of 74)
From Boon Hoe's profile, I found Tan Ban Leng (PFS Class of 74) & Boon Sin (PFS Class of 74) and guess what, Yoon Kwai Lok (PFS Class of 74) requested to be added as a friend this morning :-)
The point is that I think Facebook is a great way to rekindle links with old friends.
Updated on 20th September 2009
As at today, more than 25 members of our PFS Class of 74 have facebook profiles including :-
- ABC (was online for a while and since then removed :-( )
- Chan Hock Aun
- Charles Fong Chin Tuck
- Chee Chong Hwa
- Cheng San Tan
- Danny Quah
- Ding kec Chuan
- Eng Khoon Chuah
- Goh Boon Hoe
- Jan Lim
- Jefffey Tang
- Keith Yeoh
- Lim Kean Huat
- Michael Yap
- Po Seng Yuen
- Ricky Chng
- Simon Yeoh Eng Huat
- Siow Jin Keat
- Steve Teoh Hoy Chee
- Sung Boon Leong
- Tan Ban Leng
- Tan Gaik Cheng
- Tan Geok Leng
- Teng-Lum Chin
- Teoh Boon Sin
- Veiven Goon
- Yeoh seng Hooi
- Yeong Mun Leong
- Yoon Kwai Lok
Sukumar Mahesan is the latest addition to facebook and was found via Simon Yeoh Eng Huat's facebook friends list.
Astronomy : Deep Sky Objects [Originally posted in 1996]
Deep sky objects are celestial objects including nebulae, star clusters, galaxies etc. Astronomically speaking, they are classified as Messier's Objects or NGC (New General Catalog) objects
These objects are best observed at Dark Sites. Due to light pollution in the city areas, the best place to view such objects are in the rural areas or open fields with no street lamps around.
A bit of history, a long time ago, an astronomer by the name of Charles Messier started to catalog a list of celestial objects to assist amateur astronomers to avoid confusing them with comets. the result is the catalog known as the Messiers's Objects
These objects are best observed at Dark Sites. Due to light pollution in the city areas, the best place to view such objects are in the rural areas or open fields with no street lamps around.
A bit of history, a long time ago, an astronomer by the name of Charles Messier started to catalog a list of celestial objects to assist amateur astronomers to avoid confusing them with comets. the result is the catalog known as the Messiers's Objects
Astronomy : What can you see in the Malaysian Skies ? [Originally posted in 1996, Updated 20 Sept 2009]
Although generally cloudy, there's lots of things that you can see in the Malaysian sky.
Personally, these are the celestial objects which I've seen using my naked-eye, a Vixen 7 X 50 binoculars and a Celestron Schmidt-Cassegrain 8" Telescope from my front garden in Prai, Penang.
Personally, these are the celestial objects which I've seen using my naked-eye, a Vixen 7 X 50 binoculars and a Celestron Schmidt-Cassegrain 8" Telescope from my front garden in Prai, Penang.
- Comet Hale-Bopp in April/May'97
- Comet Hyakute, a spectacular sight in 1996
- Moon, with its craters, mountain peaks etc
- Jupiter, with its moons dancing around it
- Mars
- Saturn, with its famous rings
- Venus, bright but featureless
- Orion nebulae, a Messier object
- Constellations including, casseopia, scorpio, orion, tauraus...
Astronomy: Star Parties [Originally posted in 1996]
What are star parties ? In the USA, where astronomy is popular, Star Parties are held on the annual basis or when a major celestial event is due to occur.
Annual or regular Star Parties normally held to observe :
In Penang, there are star-gazing activities held at the USM every Friday and supervised by Dr. Chong Hon Yew.
I used to join Dr. Chong on a very infrequent basis at USM. What I am really interested is to gather a group of enthuasitic star-gazers to join me to obseve major celestial events.
The latest event which I observed was the Great Comet Hyakute at Telok Bahang on March 25, 1996 together with CCH Web's Webmaster, Choong En Tet and my brother-in-lay Francis Phoon.
Annual or regular Star Parties normally held to observe :
- Messier Objects
- NGC objects
- Major planets etc
- Jupiter Crash of 1994
- Persid Showers
- Comet Hyakute, 1996 etc
In Penang, there are star-gazing activities held at the USM every Friday and supervised by Dr. Chong Hon Yew.
I used to join Dr. Chong on a very infrequent basis at USM. What I am really interested is to gather a group of enthuasitic star-gazers to join me to obseve major celestial events.
The latest event which I observed was the Great Comet Hyakute at Telok Bahang on March 25, 1996 together with CCH Web's Webmaster, Choong En Tet and my brother-in-lay Francis Phoon.
Astronomy : Guide on buying a Telescope [Originally posted in 1996]
When buying a telescope, you should consider the following:
- What do you intend to observe ?
- Focal Length
- Aperture
- Reflectors versus Refractors
- Availability of lenses
- Telescope mounting
- Telescopes can be classified as either refractors or reflectors.
- Reflectors, which are generally cheaper than refractors include :
- Dobsonians - cheapest
- Newtonians
- Schimdt-Cassegrain - most expensive
Palmistry : Mixed Hand [Originally posted in 1996]
The mixed hand occurs once in a while. Several characteristics are combined on one hand. You could have a couple of spatulate fingers, two conic-shaped fingers and perhaps a tapered finger on the same hand !
This is fascinating because it denotes a complex character with several interests. In fact, if you have a hand that is mixed, you may well have so many interests you just don't know what to focus on. But your greatest asset is the adaptability and resilience that accompanies a hand like this. You can meet all the demands made upon you by fate,
with chameleon-like ability. And you don;t just change, you accept and make the best very best of every situation. As for me, fortunately or unfortunately, I have mixed hands and most if not all the above is absolutely correct !
This is fascinating because it denotes a complex character with several interests. In fact, if you have a hand that is mixed, you may well have so many interests you just don't know what to focus on. But your greatest asset is the adaptability and resilience that accompanies a hand like this. You can meet all the demands made upon you by fate,
with chameleon-like ability. And you don;t just change, you accept and make the best very best of every situation. As for me, fortunately or unfortunately, I have mixed hands and most if not all the above is absolutely correct !
Palmistry : Spatulate Hand [Originally posted in 1996]
The Spatulate Hand is characterised by fingers that splay out at the tips rather than tiny spatulas. The palm tends to be on the broad side and all in all, this sort of hand is curious enough to warrant a remarkable owner.
If you have spatulate hands, you are remarkable in many ways. You are restless and brimming with energy, you bubble with enthuasim and high spirits. Musicians, surgeons, sculptors, mechanis, etc often possess spatulate hands.
You are highly independent and most likely a non-conformist. Your mind is original, inventive and you may be well on the way to being a genius in your own field. You love exploring and adventure and you will always be a total individual no matter what.
You will probably make a success of whatever you turn your mind to, and you will bring to it your own special brand of origiality. If your palm is broader at the base of the fingers than at the wrist, you are more practical than the pure spatulate type. The reverse, ie with a palm that is broader at the wrist than at the base of the fingers, could indicate a really bright career if you aren't there already.
If you have spatulate hands, you are remarkable in many ways. You are restless and brimming with energy, you bubble with enthuasim and high spirits. Musicians, surgeons, sculptors, mechanis, etc often possess spatulate hands.
You are highly independent and most likely a non-conformist. Your mind is original, inventive and you may be well on the way to being a genius in your own field. You love exploring and adventure and you will always be a total individual no matter what.
You will probably make a success of whatever you turn your mind to, and you will bring to it your own special brand of origiality. If your palm is broader at the base of the fingers than at the wrist, you are more practical than the pure spatulate type. The reverse, ie with a palm that is broader at the wrist than at the base of the fingers, could indicate a really bright career if you aren't there already.
Palmistry : Conic or Creative Hand [Originally posted in 1996]
The Conic or Creative Hand is medium-sized and has a slightly tapering palm. The fingers are fuller at the base and narrow at the tip, giving a cone-shaped effect.
Women with conic hands tend to be impulsive and act on instinct. If your hands are conic, you are likely to be charming, imaginative, enthusiastic, creative and entertaining. You are clever and quick with ideas and will excel in areas like advertising or acting, art or writing as you have an honest-to-goodness zest for life and living and a brain that moves speedily.
Trouble is, of course, that you end up with little patience and a rather fickle nature. You run the whole range of affections, blowing hot and cold in such a short space of time, that your current man or woman will find it hard to believe you when you say you love him or her ! Moreover, you are quite capable of falling in love several times, too !
You are flexible and you absorb much from your surroundings, even the people you move around with. This means that you are easily influenced and you can switch moods and change your mind rather frequently. You could rave about someone or something today and be completely turned off by tomorrow... However, your generosity and your sympathy make up a good deal for what you might lack in dependability.
You are the one that comes up with bright, bold, exciting plans for so many things... but unless you have someone around, driving you to the finishing line, you simply don't have the discipline to get there on your own.
Women with conic hands tend to be impulsive and act on instinct. If your hands are conic, you are likely to be charming, imaginative, enthusiastic, creative and entertaining. You are clever and quick with ideas and will excel in areas like advertising or acting, art or writing as you have an honest-to-goodness zest for life and living and a brain that moves speedily.
Trouble is, of course, that you end up with little patience and a rather fickle nature. You run the whole range of affections, blowing hot and cold in such a short space of time, that your current man or woman will find it hard to believe you when you say you love him or her ! Moreover, you are quite capable of falling in love several times, too !
You are flexible and you absorb much from your surroundings, even the people you move around with. This means that you are easily influenced and you can switch moods and change your mind rather frequently. You could rave about someone or something today and be completely turned off by tomorrow... However, your generosity and your sympathy make up a good deal for what you might lack in dependability.
You are the one that comes up with bright, bold, exciting plans for so many things... but unless you have someone around, driving you to the finishing line, you simply don't have the discipline to get there on your own.
Palmistry : Psychic Hands [Originally posted in 1996]
The Psychic Hand is a very beautiful hand to look at. It is long and slender, well-shaped and smooth. The fingers are long, tapering or pointed at the ends, and the palm is narrow nad elongated. The skin is generally paler in tone than usual.
The instant impression this type of hand gives, is one of refinement and elegance. There is something fragile and spiritual about the physic hand and the owner is a person (likely to be a female) who loves beauty in every form and shape.
You are a dreamer...impractical, emotionally susceptical, and sensitive to everything...words, atmospheres, gestures and even looks.
You have no business head at all but you are gentle in manners, and placid in nature. You show little or no temper although you can suffer from acute depression at times. Your friends have probably told you countless times how impractical, unpunctual and undisciplined you are but it hasn't really changed this side of your nature.
You are just not cut out to face the harsh realities of life. You are idealistic and a 9 to 5 job would cripple you unless it happened to be really creative. Otherwise, you would e happiest in something that would allow you to express yourself fully without binding you down to office hours and office routine.
Painting, sculpture, drawing, or any other creative career is right up your alley. You could be a decorator, color consultant, designer or architect because you love colors and nature in the most positive way and you react fully. You instinctively like and trust anyone who is kind to you and this is something you will have to learn to be more selective about, or at best, you could end up being more depressed than happy.
The instant impression this type of hand gives, is one of refinement and elegance. There is something fragile and spiritual about the physic hand and the owner is a person (likely to be a female) who loves beauty in every form and shape.
You are a dreamer...impractical, emotionally susceptical, and sensitive to everything...words, atmospheres, gestures and even looks.
You have no business head at all but you are gentle in manners, and placid in nature. You show little or no temper although you can suffer from acute depression at times. Your friends have probably told you countless times how impractical, unpunctual and undisciplined you are but it hasn't really changed this side of your nature.
You are just not cut out to face the harsh realities of life. You are idealistic and a 9 to 5 job would cripple you unless it happened to be really creative. Otherwise, you would e happiest in something that would allow you to express yourself fully without binding you down to office hours and office routine.
Painting, sculpture, drawing, or any other creative career is right up your alley. You could be a decorator, color consultant, designer or architect because you love colors and nature in the most positive way and you react fully. You instinctively like and trust anyone who is kind to you and this is something you will have to learn to be more selective about, or at best, you could end up being more depressed than happy.
Palmistry : Knotty or Philiosophic Hands [Originally posted in 1996]
The Knotty or Philosophic Hand is usually long and thin. A long palm and long slender fingers with long nails, more often than not. The general impression is one of the of boniness and length; its an angular hand and the unmistakable features are the well-developed, knotty looking joints A thinker.
If your hand is long and narrow and knotty at the joints, then you are kind-hearted, incredibly faithful and a true friend. You are happiest as a student of odd subjects and not just any old subject. You would perhaps study mankind, people and the things that make them tick, mysterious philosophies and culture and you would be attracted to mysticism, transcendental meditation or yoga. Famous people with this type of hand include the poet Tennyson.
You are inclined to be reserved and almost secretive but this is because you tend to sit on the sidelines and observe the players rather than plunge uinto the game yourself. You make a few friends but these are really close friends and with them you are warm, open and totally unreserved. The rest of your circle consists of
fun acquaintances whom you treat lightly.
You don't take any notice of what people think or say of you. Once you have made up your mind that you are going to do something a certain way, its because you believe in what you are doing and nothing else matters. You must have been the originator of the do your own thing philosophy.
You say few words but each one means a lot because you have given them much thought in the first place. In extreme cases, this can make you a rebel or innovator but one thing for sure, you are certainly an interesting and original sort of person.
If your hand is long and narrow and knotty at the joints, then you are kind-hearted, incredibly faithful and a true friend. You are happiest as a student of odd subjects and not just any old subject. You would perhaps study mankind, people and the things that make them tick, mysterious philosophies and culture and you would be attracted to mysticism, transcendental meditation or yoga. Famous people with this type of hand include the poet Tennyson.
You are inclined to be reserved and almost secretive but this is because you tend to sit on the sidelines and observe the players rather than plunge uinto the game yourself. You make a few friends but these are really close friends and with them you are warm, open and totally unreserved. The rest of your circle consists of
fun acquaintances whom you treat lightly.
You don't take any notice of what people think or say of you. Once you have made up your mind that you are going to do something a certain way, its because you believe in what you are doing and nothing else matters. You must have been the originator of the do your own thing philosophy.
You say few words but each one means a lot because you have given them much thought in the first place. In extreme cases, this can make you a rebel or innovator but one thing for sure, you are certainly an interesting and original sort of person.
Palmistry : Square Hand [Originally posted in 1996]
The Square hand has obviously a square sort of look about it. Square palms, blunt fingers of about the same lenghth, squared off at the top, and even nails, that are generally short and square.
This is a highly practical type, and if your hand is square, you are likely to be a down-to-earth person who loves punctuality, order and discipline. You are easy to get along, inclined to be precise and conservative.
You are likely to be a conformist and have a respect for authority.. You use your brains rather than your intuition, you work out things logically rather than fly off the handle and you are seldom quarrelsome or argumentative.
Your element is earth which makes you solid and reliable. You are determined without necessarily being stubborn or unyielding. Your power of reasoning is excellent and your judgment is sound.
You are a tidy sort of person who keeps a neat and orderly home. You might find it difficult to demonstrate affection. A spontaneous hug or quick tender kiss is not something you do easily but you love well and is sincere and true in your feelings.
As a friend, you're loyal and a staunch supporter due to your honesty and reliability. You would do more than merely signing your name to a cause and would likely contribute more of your time and ability.
This is a highly practical type, and if your hand is square, you are likely to be a down-to-earth person who loves punctuality, order and discipline. You are easy to get along, inclined to be precise and conservative.
You are likely to be a conformist and have a respect for authority.. You use your brains rather than your intuition, you work out things logically rather than fly off the handle and you are seldom quarrelsome or argumentative.
Your element is earth which makes you solid and reliable. You are determined without necessarily being stubborn or unyielding. Your power of reasoning is excellent and your judgment is sound.
You are a tidy sort of person who keeps a neat and orderly home. You might find it difficult to demonstrate affection. A spontaneous hug or quick tender kiss is not something you do easily but you love well and is sincere and true in your feelings.
As a friend, you're loyal and a staunch supporter due to your honesty and reliability. You would do more than merely signing your name to a cause and would likely contribute more of your time and ability.
Heliconias... Heliconias... Heliconia
On 3rd October 2008, I started a blog on growing Heliconias, an exotic plant not native to Malaysia. All pictures shown are digital photos of the actual species in my garden such as Rostrata,
Dwarf Jamaican,
Latispatha and several psittacorums such as Andromeda,
Lady Di, Fuschia,
Strawberry & Cream and hybrids such as Golden Torch
and Alan Carle.
Heliconia are close relatives of gingers, bananas, birds-of-paradise and traveler’s palms. There are more than 200 (350 including cultivars) documented species of the single genus, with the bulk of them originating from Central and South America such as Guyana, Costa Rica, Berlize, Ecuador, Peru and Brazil. You may be interested to note that about 6 species have evolved separately in the South Pacific and Indonesia, and typically have green inflorescence.The name "heliconia" actually comes from Greek mythology after the great Mount Helicon, the abode of the muses of the arts and sciences.
The beauty of the heliconia lies in the brightly coloured bracts that are mistakenly called the flowers. The actual flower is the tiny little flowers that emerge from the large showy bracts. Each stem can only flower once, after which the entire stem deteriorates, drives up and collapses. As such, it is recommended to cut at the base of 'flowered-out' stems.
More at http://myheliconias.blogspot.com
Lady Di, Fuschia,
Heliconia are close relatives of gingers, bananas, birds-of-paradise and traveler’s palms. There are more than 200 (350 including cultivars) documented species of the single genus, with the bulk of them originating from Central and South America such as Guyana, Costa Rica, Berlize, Ecuador, Peru and Brazil. You may be interested to note that about 6 species have evolved separately in the South Pacific and Indonesia, and typically have green inflorescence.The name "heliconia" actually comes from Greek mythology after the great Mount Helicon, the abode of the muses of the arts and sciences.
The beauty of the heliconia lies in the brightly coloured bracts that are mistakenly called the flowers. The actual flower is the tiny little flowers that emerge from the large showy bracts. Each stem can only flower once, after which the entire stem deteriorates, drives up and collapses. As such, it is recommended to cut at the base of 'flowered-out' stems.
More at http://myheliconias.blogspot.com
Palmistry : Texture and Colour [1996]
Examine the skin at the back (not the palms !) of your hands or even the wrists.
If the skin is coarse and has a rough sort of feeling and large pores are visible, then you are full of strength and vitality. This is more common in men rather than women. If you possess such a skin texture, you are likely to be naturally charming, full of a heady animal like magnetism and has strong material ambitions.
If your skin is smooth, delicate and fine, it indicates a sensitive person who is by nature shy and timid. If you have this kind of skin, you are likely to love beauty and things of the mind. In addition, you are likely to enjoy poetry, music and tends to be moody. You are less excited by materialistic or worldly gains.
The colour of your hand is lso significant. Besides your natural skin tone, if your hand is slightly pink or reddish, it means that you are a full-blooded person who is warm-hearted,impulsive, quick-tempered and passionate. But watch out for people with very red hands (i.e if the redness is not due to sheer hard work) as they tend to possess violent tempers.
If you possess pale or almost white hands that lack healthy colours and appear almost translucent, you are likely to be introverted, shy, docile, inclined to depression and moodiness and very hard to provoke.
If the skin is coarse and has a rough sort of feeling and large pores are visible, then you are full of strength and vitality. This is more common in men rather than women. If you possess such a skin texture, you are likely to be naturally charming, full of a heady animal like magnetism and has strong material ambitions.
If your skin is smooth, delicate and fine, it indicates a sensitive person who is by nature shy and timid. If you have this kind of skin, you are likely to love beauty and things of the mind. In addition, you are likely to enjoy poetry, music and tends to be moody. You are less excited by materialistic or worldly gains.
The colour of your hand is lso significant. Besides your natural skin tone, if your hand is slightly pink or reddish, it means that you are a full-blooded person who is warm-hearted,impulsive, quick-tempered and passionate. But watch out for people with very red hands (i.e if the redness is not due to sheer hard work) as they tend to possess violent tempers.
If you possess pale or almost white hands that lack healthy colours and appear almost translucent, you are likely to be introverted, shy, docile, inclined to depression and moodiness and very hard to provoke.
Palmistry [1996]
I am an amateur palmist who unfortunately could read his own palms and see unpleasant & painful events occurring. However, I tend to focus on the positive points and try not to worry about the negative events. This article is based on a booklet which was published in 1974.
Language of the hands
Palmistry is a belief so old that its origin are lost in time. Records in the West date it back to Aristotle's time, but we know that it flourished unrecorded, long before that. There are two main aspects to palmistry i.e Chirognomy and Chiromancy.
Chirognomy focuses on personality and character traits while Chiromancy which concentrates on fortune-telling and preditions.
In order words, your left hand shows your inherited positive and negative points while the right records the way you shape your life. The opposite is ture for southpaws.
In reading palms, you should look at both the type of hands and the major lines on the palm. Before studying the lines and features of your own palm, categorise the shape of your hands.
There are six main type of hands :
Language of the hands
Palmistry is a belief so old that its origin are lost in time. Records in the West date it back to Aristotle's time, but we know that it flourished unrecorded, long before that. There are two main aspects to palmistry i.e Chirognomy and Chiromancy.
Chirognomy focuses on personality and character traits while Chiromancy which concentrates on fortune-telling and preditions.
Which hand to read ?
Take a look at your hands and notice that there is a big difference between both your right and left hands. It is generally agreed that the hand to study is the the hand you use most often. As such, we should study the right hand for right-handers and the left hand for southpaws. The late Cheiro, the celebrated palmist states that your left hand shows what you have been born with and your right shows what you are today !In order words, your left hand shows your inherited positive and negative points while the right records the way you shape your life. The opposite is ture for southpaws.
In reading palms, you should look at both the type of hands and the major lines on the palm. Before studying the lines and features of your own palm, categorise the shape of your hands.
Type of Hands
There are six main type of hands :
- Square hand
- Knotty or Philosophic
- Physic
- Conic or Creative
- Spatulate
- Mixed
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Reminiscence : Saved by My Brother
One day, we are playing in front of the house and I was sleeping on a foldable canvas bed (Pang Poh Ee in Hokkien) and for some reason or another, my brother Alvin asks me to wake up and shifted the Pang Poh Ee to another location.
Guess what ? A short while later, a coconut tree just fell down and would have probably crushed me to death if Alvin had not moved the Pang Poh Ee.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Reminiscence : My Earliest Recollection as a Child
Speaking for myself, my earliest recollection was being carried by my Dad who was standing on a road and seeing ships passing in the horizon. I knew that I used to stay at a single-story house in Choong Lye Hock Road, Penang and some years ago, I actually stopped by at this very house.
Guess what ? Standing on Hock Hin Terrace, just beside my house, I could see ships passing by in the horizon !
Now, when was that ? Well, I remembered seeing cars plastered with pictures of sailing ships going around. Now what does that mean ? Well, in August 1959, there was a Malayan General Election and the symbol of the Alliance Party was the Sailing ship ! Given that I was born in 1957, my earliest recollection was at 2.25 years old :-)
It may be relevant to note that the next Malaysian General Election was in 1964 and by then I was already in Standard One and living at Immigration Road in Georgetown.
Durians : What tastes like heaven but smells like hell ? [1996 & Updated 15th Sept 2009]
I love durians !
There's no two ways about it. I will not hesitate to pay for a good durian. My earliest recollections as a kid was that once or twice a year, my maternal uncle, Tan Eng Chuan would drop a basket of assorted durians for us to feast on.
During the early 1980's when I was squatting at the MACPA Student Library whilst studying to be a Certified Public Accountant, myself and a couple of fellow CPA students namely Liew and Marina Tan used to drive to Sungai Pinang to taste durians.
In the last few years, my daughters have grown to love durians after our trip to the Tropical Fruits Garden. Kimberley just loves the cheesy D11.
The durians which I tasted over the years include :
Hor Lor
Check out this video of someone eating a Hor Lor
Ang Hwa
- not nice
Lit Pan
- Very nice
Durian Ong
- small but one of the best but unable to find the last few years :-(
Koon Poh
- overrated
A15
- fleshy but coarse & no kick , not recommended
Ganja aka Theeng Tangkai
- long stem, a bit on the dry side
D11
- best so far, make sure you try this last
D600
- good
D604
- very good
Bak Yu aka Capri
- whitish but very good, not a clone
- best at the durian store near the Chap Kaki Stall
D2
- an old favourite but very difficult to open
D24
- a new favourite
Cheh Cheeh
- Don't quite like it
Ang Heh
- Over-rated
Ling Fong Chiao
Updated 26th August 2009
A new favourite (available at Jalan Chain Ferry entrance to Chai Leng Park) is the Sultan, yum yum !
Interesting Durians Links
Penang Durian
The King Reigns at Bao Sheng
An intereresting article on thornless Durians !
Penang Durians
Divine Durain
Smells Like Hell, Taste Like Heaven
Disclaimer
Nb. I do not claim copyright over the various pictures of the Durians as they were extracted from various Durian-related sites (including from the links above) and placed here for the convenience of the reader :-)
There's no two ways about it. I will not hesitate to pay for a good durian. My earliest recollections as a kid was that once or twice a year, my maternal uncle, Tan Eng Chuan would drop a basket of assorted durians for us to feast on.
During the early 1980's when I was squatting at the MACPA Student Library whilst studying to be a Certified Public Accountant, myself and a couple of fellow CPA students namely Liew and Marina Tan used to drive to Sungai Pinang to taste durians.
In the last few years, my daughters have grown to love durians after our trip to the Tropical Fruits Garden. Kimberley just loves the cheesy D11.
The durians which I tasted over the years include :
Hor Lor
Check out this video of someone eating a Hor Lor
Ang Hwa
- not nice
Lit Pan
- Very nice
Durian Ong
- small but one of the best but unable to find the last few years :-(
Koon Poh
- overrated
A15
- fleshy but coarse & no kick , not recommended
Ganja aka Theeng Tangkai
- long stem, a bit on the dry side
D11
- best so far, make sure you try this last
D600
- good
D604
- very good
Bak Yu aka Capri
- whitish but very good, not a clone
- best at the durian store near the Chap Kaki Stall
D2
- an old favourite but very difficult to open
D24
- a new favourite
Cheh Cheeh
- Don't quite like it
Ang Heh
- Over-rated
Ling Fong Chiao
A new favourite (available at Jalan Chain Ferry entrance to Chai Leng Park) is the Sultan, yum yum !
Interesting Durians Links
Penang Durian
The King Reigns at Bao Sheng
An intereresting article on thornless Durians !
Penang Durians
Divine Durain
Smells Like Hell, Taste Like Heaven
Disclaimer
Nb. I do not claim copyright over the various pictures of the Durians as they were extracted from various Durian-related sites (including from the links above) and placed here for the convenience of the reader :-)
Bowling: How to play a perfect game ? [1996]
To be honest , I don't really know the answer to my own question !
I have read about our national bowler, Karen Lian striking it rich after she scored a perfect game in Singapore. I even personally know of a Penang Bowler, Mr. Eddie Lau who won RM 10,000 and a Volvo after a perfect game during one of the International Pesta Bowling Tournament held at Penang Bowl.
As for me, the highest I have ever achieved was a 279. Actually, I did played a perfect game in 1989 and all I got to show for it is RM 50 as it was during a 9-pin Tap tournament !
Anyway, although I am far from being a perfect bowler, I have been bowling (on & off) since 1984. I have read quite a number of bowling books and is quite competent on the technical aspects of the game. So here's some tips to help you bowl better.
How to Strike
If you are a right hander, you have to roll your ball into the 1-3 pocket over your favourite arrow from the right side of the lane. Conversely, if you are a left hander, roll your ball over the said arrow from the left side of the lane to hit the 1-2 pocket.
If your ball is on target over your selcted arrow into the 1-2 or 1-3 pockets and you leave a Pin-5, it simply means that your ball is FLAT ie by the time the ball reaches the pocket, it is sliding and not rolling. The solution is to put more LIFT into your delivery.
I have read about our national bowler, Karen Lian striking it rich after she scored a perfect game in Singapore. I even personally know of a Penang Bowler, Mr. Eddie Lau who won RM 10,000 and a Volvo after a perfect game during one of the International Pesta Bowling Tournament held at Penang Bowl.
As for me, the highest I have ever achieved was a 279. Actually, I did played a perfect game in 1989 and all I got to show for it is RM 50 as it was during a 9-pin Tap tournament !
Anyway, although I am far from being a perfect bowler, I have been bowling (on & off) since 1984. I have read quite a number of bowling books and is quite competent on the technical aspects of the game. So here's some tips to help you bowl better.
How to Strike
If you are a right hander, you have to roll your ball into the 1-3 pocket over your favourite arrow from the right side of the lane. Conversely, if you are a left hander, roll your ball over the said arrow from the left side of the lane to hit the 1-2 pocket.
If your ball is on target over your selcted arrow into the 1-2 or 1-3 pockets and you leave a Pin-5, it simply means that your ball is FLAT ie by the time the ball reaches the pocket, it is sliding and not rolling. The solution is to put more LIFT into your delivery.
Bowling : About Bowling Balls & Grips [1996]
Most bowlers, especially girls, choose a ball
which looks pretty ! Actually, there is a number of factors which you should consider in buying a bowling ball including the weight, surface type, grip etc.
1. Weight
Generally, the ideal weight for a hook bowler is 10 % of your body weight. Spinners prefer light balls in the 10 lb range.
2. Surface Type
Buy a hard ball if your favourite alley has slow lanes ie hooking lanes. Penang Bowl is such an alley.
If the lanes are fast, a soft ball is preferred to counter the oily lanes. Top Bowl generally has oiler (faster) lanes than Penang Bowl.
3. Grips
There are 3 basic types of drilling :
Conventional - straight ball for beginners
Semi-fingertip - Hook Ball
Full Fingertip - Hook ball for advance bowlers
To know more about bowling balls, you may want to click on this link...
Bowling : How to Spare Consistently ? [1996]
By instinct most new bowlers looks at the target pin when attempting a spare. There is a better and more scientific way !
3-6-9 System
This system assumes that once you have found your strike position, remember it . For a right-hander, the strike position simply means the position ( say the centre dot at the approach) which you start with & bowl over the the target arrow (typically the 2nd arrow from the right gutter) to roll your ball into the 1-3 pocket.
The 3-6-9 sparing system assumes that you will fix your target arrow and move your starting position left to spare pins on the right or move right to spare pins on the left
To spare :
Pin 3 & 9 - move 3 boards left of your strike position & bowl over the target arrow
Pin 6 - move 6 boards left of your strike position & bowl over the target arrow
Pin 10 - move 12 boards left of your strike position & bowl over the target arrow+ 5 boards to the left
Pin 2 & 8 - move 3 boards right of your strike position & bowl over the target arrow
Pin 4 - move 6 boards right of your strike position & bowl over the target arrow
Pin 7 - move 9 boards right of your strike position & bowl over the target arrow
2-4-6 System
This system also assumes that once you have found your strike position, remember it . For the right hander, the strike position simply means the position ( say the centre dot at the approach) which you start with & bowl over the the target board (typically the 10th board from the right gutter) to roll your ball into the 1-3 pocket
The 2-4-6 sparing system assumes that you will fix your standing position and shift your target board left to spare pins on the left or shift your tarfet board right to spare pins on the right.
To spare :
Pin 3 & 9 - stand at the strike position & bowl over the target board-2 (i.e 8th board from right gutter)
Pin 6 - stand at the strike position & bowl over the target board-4 (i.e 6th board)
Pin 10 - stand at the strike position & bowl over the target board-6 (i.e 6th board)
Pin 2 & 8 - stand at the strike position & bowl over the target board+2 (i.e 12th board from right gutter)
Pin 6 - stand at the strike position & bowl over the target board+4 (i.e 14th board)
Pin 10 - stand at the strike position & bowl over the target board+6 (i.e 16th board)
3-6-9 System
This system assumes that once you have found your strike position, remember it . For a right-hander, the strike position simply means the position ( say the centre dot at the approach) which you start with & bowl over the the target arrow (typically the 2nd arrow from the right gutter) to roll your ball into the 1-3 pocket.
The 3-6-9 sparing system assumes that you will fix your target arrow and move your starting position left to spare pins on the right or move right to spare pins on the left
To spare :
Pin 3 & 9 - move 3 boards left of your strike position & bowl over the target arrow
Pin 6 - move 6 boards left of your strike position & bowl over the target arrow
Pin 10 - move 12 boards left of your strike position & bowl over the target arrow+ 5 boards to the left
Pin 2 & 8 - move 3 boards right of your strike position & bowl over the target arrow
Pin 4 - move 6 boards right of your strike position & bowl over the target arrow
Pin 7 - move 9 boards right of your strike position & bowl over the target arrow
2-4-6 System
This system also assumes that once you have found your strike position, remember it . For the right hander, the strike position simply means the position ( say the centre dot at the approach) which you start with & bowl over the the target board (typically the 10th board from the right gutter) to roll your ball into the 1-3 pocket
The 2-4-6 sparing system assumes that you will fix your standing position and shift your target board left to spare pins on the left or shift your tarfet board right to spare pins on the right.
To spare :
Pin 3 & 9 - stand at the strike position & bowl over the target board-2 (i.e 8th board from right gutter)
Pin 6 - stand at the strike position & bowl over the target board-4 (i.e 6th board)
Pin 10 - stand at the strike position & bowl over the target board-6 (i.e 6th board)
Pin 2 & 8 - stand at the strike position & bowl over the target board+2 (i.e 12th board from right gutter)
Pin 6 - stand at the strike position & bowl over the target board+4 (i.e 14th board)
Pin 10 - stand at the strike position & bowl over the target board+6 (i.e 16th board)
Monday, September 14, 2009
Penang : Round Island Trip [1996, Updated 15th September 2009]
Going round Penang Island especially during the Durian season is fun. There's quite a lot of places to stop by :-
- Start at Esplanade, Georgetown
- Stop at Gurney Drive
- Visit the pool at Chin Farm at Batu Ferringhi
- Spice Garden, on the way to Telok Bahang (Updated 6th Sept 2009)
- Stop at Telok Bahang Beach
- Visit the Butterfly Farm at Telok Bahang
- Visit the Rimba Rekreasi also at Telok Bahang
- Have some delicious durians at one of the durian estate before Titi Krawang
- Visit Titi Krawang at Sg. Pinang
- Laksa at Balik Pulau Market
- Visit Gertak Sanggul
- Delicious seafood at Batu Maung
- War Museum at Batu Maung (Updated 6th Sept 2009)
- Aquarium at Batu Maung (Updated 6th Sept 2009)
- Visit Snake Temple
- Kek Lok Si Temple (Updated 6th Sept 2009)
- Cable ride to Goddess of Mercy Statue from Kek Lok Si Temple (Updated 6th Sept 2009)
- Heritage enclave at Armenian Street, Inner Georgetown
