Pusing Traditions

The week ending 30-Oct was spent with loved ones. Celebrated dad's birthday on 29-Oct. Bart and Angie baked a rich date cake for dad. Had dinner with uncles and aunties at Fulim Restaurant, Menglembu. Met Chin Moi, who was there to celebrate her mom's birthday. Chin Moi was my mom's babysitter.

Mom harvested rice wine. Brewing rice wine has been passed down for generations and mom is doing her part to keep the tradition alive. The result was a medium-bodied, semi-sweet, beautiful light orange-red coloured wine with delicate hints of apple and cereals.


Had a family gathering in Pusing. The Cheah brothers senior had a "barley water" party. Innocent me thought, "What on earth got to these people, suddenly becoming health freaks!". Alas, it was revealed that they were having toddy! Uncle Crab's favourite is Guinness-Toddy mix. This is the seniors' way of male-bonding. Naturally the juniors (Bart and yours truly) follow in their footsteps.

Enjoyed Pusing's forgotten favourites: Veggie Dumplings and Prawn Cakes. Not forgetting the refreshing all-time favourite drink: "Mun Tau Long" herbal jelly with syrup and coconut milk drink. Also indulged in roast pork on the rocks, yam cake, glutinous rice and "Pengat" a sweet dessert made of banana with gula melaka and santan.

Everything Rounded

The past weekend was Mid-Autumn Festival or Mooncake Festival. The Chinese community celebrate by indulging in "less sugar less oil" mooncakes and kids participate in lantern processions round the neighbourhood. For the two of us, we went in search of bigger celebrations on the eve, in the heart of Georgetown and Esplanade to our disappointment. We however made a discovery of Penang Island's latest landmark, the fountain with a 4.8m high metal replica of the pinang fruit. It is located at the end of Beach Street, near the clock tower. For our nightcap, we had "Tang Yuan" - balls made of glutinous rice flour served with ginger-flavoured syrup. This stall serves 2 big ones stuffed with roasted groundnuts and about a dozen small ones. I kind of like the idea of 2 biggies and a dozen minis - one big family. At the stall, father, mother and daughter were busy rolling balls amid chattering and laughter. The family that rolls together, stays together.

Cappy

Cappy belongs to Ying's sister, Chui Li. She was adopted since Mar-04. This Shih Tzu-Pekingese mix is really adorable and never fails to bring smiles to family and friends with her antics. Below is a list of commands she understands:

1. Sit: Lie down
2. Tie Hair-Hair: Lie down and let you tie her hair
3. Go In: Go into the cage and wait for you to say "OK" or "Good Girl"
4. Meow-Meow: Run to the gate and look for cats
5. Water: Look into the drain and run after the gush of water
6. Push: Push object placed on a stool
7. Fetch: Look for toy and bring to you to play fetch
8. Sleep: Close eyes when tired
9. Mum-Mum: Open eyes big and excited
10. Don't want you: She will bark

Guessing Game

Come take part in this game. I'll provide clues along the way.
Clue #1: I live in tropical climate.

The Rattlesnake

This is Goldie a.k.a. the Rattlesnake, a nickname given by mom. Goldie was abandoned in December 2004 at our vacant neighbour's house in Menglembu. She was found with pups and her vulva was swollen. The area where she laid was smelly from the serum and rotten food. Mom tried to chase her away. Goldie ran but later retaliated when mom crossed her territory. Mom was taken aback by her protective instinct. She took pity on her and got a vet to examine her. Goldie was diagnosed with cannine V.D. Dr. Lim, the vet, took care of Goldie till she had fully recovered. After Goldie was given a clean bill of health, mom was hesitant on keeping her, and enquired from SPCA Ipoh. As SPCA was already full, mom decided to adopt her. Goldie, probably a Daschund-cross, now lives in Batu Gajah. When she's happy, her docked tail "rattles", albeit silently.

Fruit of Enduring Faith

This is the fruit of Cycas revoluta. We have 2 trees growing in front of my house in Batu Gajah, Perak. A gift from my dad's godfather, the sapling was planted around the time when we joined the Catholic Church (c. 1990). After 15years, the healthy trees are now bearing fruit.