Itchy back

I have been having quite an itch on my back. I went to see the skin specialist and I was recommended to use this lotion (as below). The specialist said that my skin have yet to "recover" or dehydrate from my operation 5 months + ago. Ummm after 5 days using it, my skin looks ok and less itch. I am not sure how much does the lotion cost but the cost of seeing the specialist, includes consultation, the lotion and a cream set me back Rm 120.

CNY eve and all the fun

I think most of us will be on leave and ready for Chinese New Year (CNY). Almost half of the KL people are from other states. They will actually travel back to their hometown to join their relatives for dinner on CNY eve which called “Twin Lian Fund” or reunion dinner. Normally this meant their grandparents or parents home. This is the period we called the “Balik Kampung” period in Malaysia. The fortunate one will travel back on their own car and the unfortunate one will travel by public transport. As this exodus takes place Kuala Lumpur (KL) will be quite deserted. Actually not only the Chinese who celebrates CNY that goes back to the hometown but the other races also take this opportunity to goes back. They take this chance to meet up with their hometown Chinese friends.

Actually what interests me, are the changes in how we celebrate CNY eve. In my days I will travel to my grandparent’s home back in Kajang which is not far away from KL. Over there we will have our “Twin Lian Fund” or reunion dinner. Normally all the uncles and aunties will be back for the dinner. The aunties will be the “chef” that is going to cook the dishes as usual there is a lot of dishes that is connected with prosperity like the “Fatt Choy” which is suppose to bring wealth to those who ate it. My grandfather is a former teacher and he is very strict so we will behave politely, hahaha. We will always call the elders first before we start to eat; of course the first person to call is the grandparents.

After dinner, all the adults will start to prepare for mahjung, when I was younger I will have no choice as I could not drive yet and there is no excuse for me to leave early, hence normally I will stay back and watch the CNY eve programs on the TV, which at that time has only 2 channels, hahaha. So normally after the mahjung session, my family will goes for midnight movies together. When I reach my teens, well that where the great things happen, my mum will drive me back to the house first. I will then get ready for my own midnight movies with the gang. In the old days I have group of “Sei Thong”, we are a group of 4.

I will choose the best looking new clothes, the pant of course is tailor made in Sungai Wang or my friend’s father tailor shop. The shirt is the most “Wei” of the CNY clothes. I will normally take a longer time to bath. As tonight is the night to parade the new clothes to outsider or in other words the girls, hahaha. We normally go for midnight movies also; the place is Sungai Wang cinema. As the eldest said all things should be new, so normally from head to toe including the underwear will be brand new. The only things old will be only the watch, hahaha.

Normally we have booked the movies a week ahead as I think it’s a tradition to a lot of teens to see movies on CNY eve. And normally the blockbuster will show on this day, of course it will normally be a Jackie Chan, Sam Hui or Raymond Wong movies. As we live quite near to Sungai Wang we will normally walk there. When we reach there you could see Cinderella, sleeping beauty, farah fawcet, fennie Yuen, Charine Chan, May Lo (now is Jackie Cheung Wife) already parading around the area of the cinema. Of course we the james dean, Leslie Cheung, Danny Chan and alan tam will be also parading our new clothes. I am not sure why we get a kick out of this, maybe this is the time whereby all the “flowers” gather. Of course there are those “flowers” that has already some “Cow Dung” standing beside them but majority of them is still “single” and “fresh”, hahaha. There is only 2 opportunity to parade ourselves that is before and after the show. Those are the days.

After the show we will normally walks back to our house and in my case my mother has already cooked supper for us as she will normally cooked and prepare dish to invite the god of fortune into the house. All the family members will normally stay awake until midnight to eat. Umm outside you could already hear the fireworks firing non-stops since 6 pm. Now with the electronic and the dog eat dog age, things has changed, I am not sure how is the teens celebrate CNY eve now, I am not sure if its the same, it could be they will stayed home and watch DVD or are in some badly lit shoplot playing video games or surfing the net and ICQ/messenging or sms with friends in other states, even now the fireworks is only sporadic as the government has actually banned it. I guess even the reunion dinner could be at some restaurants as the mums or aunties wanted to rest as they are no longer the housewifes as the old days, they are the working class.

My colleague post shows the hectic time on CNY, its tiring but its fun, http://leecheensiong.blogspot.com

Leuk Tang

Leuk Tang means voting in Thailand. Yesterday is Thailand Election Day; I was back at my wife hometown. In Thailand the parties are represented by number. The thai rak thai party who is favorite to win is number 9 which is an auspicious number to thai like 8 to Chinese.

On the way to my wife hometown I could see polling station was almost in every corners of the street, it’s a temporary setup with clothes to cover the voting place. I followed my wife to the polling station. The law stated that all voters or supporters are not allowed to show any sign or numbers of the parties during Election Day, even shirt with numbers, for example number 9. My wife polling station is in a school. It was less than five minutes drive from my in-laws house. We need to walk across a bridge over a canal. An interesting bridge which also serves as a drive way for motorcycle.

Once reached the polling station you will need to check your name in a list posted on the bulletin board. In the bulletin board was also pasted with the canditate of the area.

As of this morning it looks like Thai Rak Thai is going to swept at least 350 Parliamentary seats out of 500. Its going down in the thai history as it is the first time that "a single party rules" which it’s surprising to some as with all the havoc, problem in the southern thai, Thai Rak Thai still manage a very “Big” win. I guess it’s the decisiveness of Thaksin that won the day.

After prayers you do not need the monk anymore

I have just touched down and have reached the apartment in Thailand safely. Before lifting off from Malaysian soil it seems there is a changed of gates. I did not really hear any announcement but I could see the passengers around the gates start to move further up to another gate. As usual I was sitting slightly further as I do not want to stand among the eager crowd which I think consists a lot of first time and excited visitor to Bangkok.

I took Air Asia to save some money. I have the feeling the way Air Asia is treated in KLIA prompt the recent move by Air Asia to request to operate in subang Airport (the old airport before KLIA). As there is no announcement on the sudden change of gates which cause confusion to the passenger. Luckily I am a bit season traveler if not sure miss the flight.

The new gates also shares with another Air Asia flight which is quite confusing as you could see a lot of passengers line up but it might not be your flight. I ended up being the last passengers; I guess this is the first for me. Most of the time I will not be the last, I will always in the middle. The reason that I am the last is that even inside the gates just before going into the plane, it was shared with another flight. There are a lot of passengers sitting around but it’s for another flight. Confusing?!! Ya! As I thought I could not be the last as there are around 40 more passengers sitting around.

I saw an interview yesterday with the ex MAS president. Most of us remember that there are some issues a few years back whereby certain airlines actually pull out from KLIA, airlines like British Airways and etc. The reason is that normally for airlines to fly into an airport there is always an indicator to show that the airport is good and it’s viable and feasible for the airlines to do so. One of the indicators is the number of passengers per year that landed in the airport. It seems KLIA does not have the numbers hence the offers of free parking and other freebies to attract airlines to use it. Air Asia actually helps KLIA to boost up the figure but it seems KLIA is like in Chinese saying “After prayers you do not need the monk anymore”.

Off Thailand again

I will be off to Thailand again tomorrow lunch. Why? Thailand has been like a second home to me. My sister will be still in Malaysia. I have asked her to follow me but she shrugs her shoulder and said no. I guess after a while if you do not have a target or purpose, Thailand will be the same old Thailand, especially in Bangkok. As Bangkok is more like a shopping haven.

Malaysian ladies will swear to that as their favorite items is the underwear. The brand Wacoal is the brand they chase after as the price here in Malaysia is almost double. However recently I do notice that the prices have catch up to Malaysia prices. Well another items that they do look for is the leather goods especially Guy Laroche handbag, again it’s almost double the price. In my last trip my sister asked me to buy one for her. The price is around Malaysia ringgit 200 differences. As for me my interest is the lollypop. I think only 1 or 2 people will know what I mean, hahaha.

Tentatively I will be back to Malaysia next Friday which is 11th February 2005. The week before the “Day” for lovers that is Valentine days. I think I will continue to post some things in Thailand as my wife will not be taking leave. In Thailand they do not celebrate Chinese New Year (CNY). As Chinese is a minority, hence there is no holidays. Normally the Chinese there is of teochew clan. They will normally take leave on CNY eve as they will offer food to the Buddha and pray.

Cancer Blog and Forum

I have come across an interesting site on cancer and also a forum. Of course this should not be a subsitute for actual medical advice from qualify doctors. I have put this as a link on the right hand side of my blog. So do explore on the archive.

Grease Lightning and 70's shows

Yesterday I saw the TV showing “Grease”, well this is a classic show to me. It depicts what is “Cool” about, of course without forgetting the “Curry Puff” hair styles, the leather jacket, the thunder bird and etc. I did not finish the show; I close the TV after John Travolta or “Danny Zuko” in the movie sang the song Sandy. That brings back some memories. I was in my early teens when I saw it in the cinema and of course after that I always dream of being “Danny Zuko”, the cool one or at least the cool fat one. The one with the eyes that can melt an iceberg and can make a bird fly down from a tree, hahaha. That is the reason my eyes is small now as the birds like to hammer at my eyes. Ouch!

I remember there is also a TV show called Happy Days (http://www.sitcomsonline.com/happydays.html). The Famous Fonzie starred by Henry Winkler, I guess I pass my teens by seeing this kinda of show. That is the reason I am “cool” as got a lot of role model that I can follow.

Another unforgettable group or TV series is of course “Sha Na Na” (http://www.shanana.com/). Umm maybe tonight I can dream back those happy moments of the 70’s, those incredible hair style and let’s bring out the comb from the back pocket and salute to Danny Zuko and Fonzies. I think I will cover my eyes with the pillow for protection........

Sunlight may help fight cancer

I read with interest an article in Star NewsPaper, say that exposure to sunlight may help fight cancer. This is the link

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2005/2/3/world/10074972&sec=world

At lasts a possible natural way of fighting the most dreaded disease. I hope its turns out to be scientifically proven although we should avoid overexpose ourselves which could finally lead to skin cancer.

Live Radio and TV search

This web site provide list of live radio and TV. Most request you to visit the website instead of direct click and play. This means you cannot experience as you need to understand the language in order for you to click and play.

You could search using "the search by"

Radio
http://www.comfm.com/live/radio/

TV
http://www.comfm.com/live/tv/

In the mean time enjoy taiwan radio "Kiss".
http://radio.media.hinet.net/player/cat.asp?radio_id={BFA0A25F-3184-4DC9-9772-5BB70C4E13BB}

Miror mirror on the wall

I just read an article on Star newspaper yesterday; it said that a Malaysian admitted and dies in Singapore Gleneagles Hospital after he has a Liver transplant done in a Malaysia Hospital. So there is this minister said this person should have done this operation in so and so hospital. He says that this hospital has done a few successful liver operation but they do not actually publicize it.

However I am looking at the other angle. Actually all doctor or surgeon or specialist, when they are in practice they should have the sufficient knowledge or experience to perform whatever task needed. They should have done their practical during their studies or residency in a hospital. How does a patient knows who is the best doctor to goes to? Do they need to find out by giving their life to them first? It sounds ridiculous isn’t it?

By right they should have sufficient skills to deliver what is required. I think the minister that spoke out does not really think first. I compare to driving, in general circumstances, a “just passed” driver and an experience driver, if they are going from point A to B, the “just passed driver” might reach point B slower than experience driver. Now we are saying this “just passed” driver crash and the car is a total wreck.

I personally do not have much faith in doctors, I have experience certain incident that left my mouth wide open in disbelief. I hope I do not need to gives my life first to find out. Mirror mirror on the wall who is the best of all ...

Mouse Trail Clock and sell fish

My colleague posts a comment and asks how to get the cute clock that follows the cursor. It is a Java Script that is free and available over the net. That is one of the things that is good in the net is that some good people loves to share their work with others. I think that is a good point in some of us as there are people who just love to keep everything only to themselves.

During my early years in work, we have a phrase that I love to call for this kinda of people, I always said they like to “Sell Fish”, it’s actually meant to be selfish. So when I think that’s someone is doing it I will tell them, wow you like to “Sell Fish” but I do not buy it.

Well maybe one of these days I will post something on the act of “Sell Fish”, in the mean time, I will recharge "my battery" as today is a holiday. It is Federal Territory day, it is only enjoy in 3 places in Malaysia i.e. Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and putrajaya.

I salute to those ladies and gentlemen that actually share their codes with the general public and allows some of us to feel happy in seeing it running in their blog sites. So here is the link. http://javascript.internet.com/clocks/mouse-trail-clock.html

You could also look at the other interesting codes that was post there, you could just goes back to the "home" in the site which is as below.
http://javascript.internet.com/