Chap Goh Meh

TODAY, the Chinese community will congregate in celebration of the last day of the Lunar New Year, known as Chap Goh Meh – a Hokkien word which simply means 'the 15th night' of the Chinese New Year.
On this day, prayers are offered, sometimes on a grand scale, while families gather for a special dinner to wrap up the celebration.

Chap Goh Meh is synonymous to its age-old significance .....as the Chinese version of Valentine's Day.

In the olden days, this night was one of the few occasions when eligible young women, were allowed out of their homes. Virgin girls often had strict curfews. ...and these damsels would grab the opportunity to come out on this auspicious night of Chap Goh Meh.

However, the men folks could only watch the dolled-up damsels from afar.
The women would then cast oranges into the sea in the hope of finding a prospective suitor or husband. .........Make a wish before you throw the orange.

I was in Pg this afternoon...and noticed that there would be a mini concert of sort along a few streets on the island. The chinese community here had came up with this cultural gatherings..with the hope that the younger generations would not forget the significance of this auspicious day.

Happy Chap Goh Meh ....and may those oranges that you deposit into the sea... bring you the best returns.

Four Days in KL

Hooray...I'm back to "HOME SWEET HOME". No place is better than my humble abode. My four days in the city was 50-50 pleasant and unpleasant.

Tired la....you know lah...sit and listen to endless dialogues thru out the day.

I attended a boring seminar and I don't know whether it was due to the fact that the speakers were dealing with a topic which was certainly of no interest to me or because these guys kept on droning on and on for hours in a monotonous tone. I had deliberately lost him in the first 30 minutes of his talk. I nearly dozed off on many occasions even though I had cups of caffein just before the seminar. It's not my norm to consume coffee.....but because I'm dead bored...

Don't ask me what I gained from this seminar...I asked a friend sitting next to me if she understood anything. She had been listening attentively (or so I thought). She shooked her head. Guess I wasn't the only one who feel this way. I felt relieved when I noticed a few guys in the rows behind me dozing off.

It's funny but I suddenly realised that a lot of renowned academics have such poor presentation skills. Then I thought to myself "Am I this boring as well when I am with my own students ?". I don't think so but it is something I have to watch out now as I am on the way to become a successful academician as well. hahahaha

Now..back home....I'm just too tired and needed some rest badly. I often experienced "insomnia" when I'm out of town. I can't get used to the new environment. I need at least a month to do so..which is rediculous if I need to be away for short duration...like holiday or courses.



I simply hated boarding at hotels...I just can't tolerate the bedsheets, carpeted flooring, narrow bathroom....etc. The enclosed environment with hardly any fresh air often drive me up the walls. . And usually, participants get to eat 5-6 times per day. Too much food with no form of movements @ exercise tend to make my tummy goes haywired. Food goes in but not the other way round....may cause lots of discomfort. (U know what I mean here...hahaha). Air cond isn't good for the skin as it dehydrate the body fluid..so gotta drink plenty of liquid daily.
OK....I'm ain't a health specialist..so don't wanna brag too much. hahahaha

Thru out my 4 days in the city..I only get to tour KL on the final day as our schedules were pretty tight. You see...we stayed at one hotel which sat right at the heart of KL...and I got the chance to see KLCC from my room each nite...but are unable to set foot there. hahahaha.



I admired the beautiful concrete jungle over there..as I don't get to see them back in Pg. Therefore..I usually stay late till midnite starring at the window like a "jakun lady". My room mate whom is from another sch in PG was not as 'kampung' as me...coz she frequent to KL. As for me....5 years baru visit KL sekali.. hahahahahahaThose picturesque of night scenes of the Klang Valley was indeed breathtaking. Beautiful neon lights wrapping the high rise towers....and mind you..KL people never sleep. The streets are always busy even in the wee hours of the morning. Wonder why huh...? Everywhere is crowded. Traffic heavy. Everyone is moving at such a face pace....unlike Pg..where we could still take stroll along the beach admiring life that comes by.

But city dwellers..guess they don't get the chance to do so....! That's one thing that these people are lack off....they don't have the time to admire nature. PITIFUL huh..esp for young children....whom are forced to grow up in such environment. Guess these youngsters don't get the opportunity to see a real cow or buffalo, paddy fields or even shaddy fruit tress in their surroundings. Everywhere is full of buildings and pollutions. Perhaps some don't even see a coconut tree b4...except for those coconut fruit they could obtain from the shelves...!

So....living in the city has it's pros and cons....which ever lifestyle you choose.....depends on you...yourself. What say you...any comments..!!!!!

Kuala Lumpur

Hi...dear frens,

Yours truly managed to reached the capital city after almost 4.5 hours of bus ride. Well the entire journey was pleasant. Arrived at KL city at ab 8.45 pm.....left Pg at 4.15 pm.
The driver manouver the bus perfectly well......quess he's an experienced kind. He's rather careful and controlled the steering well.

Will write more when I return.

Hello Kuala Lumpur

Your's truly will be away for a couple of days starting today. I had to attend a course in KL. Can be considered a biz trip....hahaha...Cikgu also has this kind of trip...! No ..la...I've got to attend a course pertaining to "Pengurusan Pusat Sumber" @ Managing the School Resource Centre. I hope the organisers would allow us some time for recreational activities like shopping and visiting places of interest along Klang Valley. It has been a a few years since I last set foot at the capital city.

Meanwhile enjoy your weekends. I'll be back with bag of goodies on Tuesday.

Pray that I have a safe journey down south ....especially so, as I'll be travelling by bus. Amithabha.

Valentine's Day

All she wanted that day,

Was someone to write her a card,

Telling her how special she was,

How she was the most beautiful person in the world,


Instead, that girl got nothing,

Hardly any candy from her friends,

No secret Valentine,

No romantic rose.



She watched silently

as other girls recieved presents,

Some from boyfriends,

Some from secret admirerers,

Some from friends.

But that girl,

She sat there,

Slowly eating her lunch,

Wishing for a card,

Something that would let her know

that people love her.

That night, she laid there,

On her bed, She cried silently,

Tears falling gracefully.





Valentine' Day seems to be pretty commercialize nowadays. And I don't acknowledge today as something special and extraordinary.

Someone send me the above poem....and I felt that it's incomplete. Perhaps..I shall add a few lines to it..



As drops of tears streamed down my cheek,

I know there's Him,

whom had been with me for many years.

I don't need those gifts of roses, cards nor candies

For I have him by my side.

He protects me, guides me gently;

He never leaves my side.

He is watchful, defensive of me;

He is passionate; trustworthy, too.

He loves me purely,

For his deep, dark eyes are kind.

He never fails to emerge when I needed him,

And here he's sworn to stay.

He is my guardian,

He lets no harm befall me.

He will hold me, not let me fall;

And best of all

Never will we say our good-byes.