We had our Grad Night dinner on 6 Feb 2009. It was supposed to start at 7.30pm but we couldn't go early because we had Automation & Robotics test before that (5-7pm). Potong stim only. Anyway Sarah n I have no class on Fridays so we studied for the test. I tried, at least. Just memorizing whatever the lecturer emphasized in class. But still I think only 50% entered my brain cause I was not in the mood to answer questions (when am I ever in the mood??)
Basically we were taking pictures most of the time...and since our table was at the side we weren't blocking or distracting anyone when we took pictures. Excessively. haha! =P To see pictures just go to Facebook. I'm sure you've seen them by now anyway...hehe
Today is Chap Goh Meh (15th night of CNY), which is also known as the "Chinese Valentine". Why am I so semangat to blog about this? It's because "Wa Si Hokkien Lang!" (I am Hokkien) =P Yeah its mainly a Hokkien thingy...so read on to know what's it about =)
Taken from Wikipedia: Chap Goh Meh or Tzap Goh Mei (Chinese: 十五暝; pinyin: shí wǔ wěi; literally "fifteen night") represents the fifteenth and final day of the Lunar New Year period as celebrated by Chinese migrant communities. The term is from the Hokkien dialect and refers to the fifteenth day of the first month, which is the occasion of the first full moon of the New Year.
The occasion is marked by feasting and various festivities, including the consumption of tangyuan. In traditional Chinese culture, it is also celebrated as the Lantern Festival or the Shang Yuan Festival. In Southeast Asia, however, it coincides with the Chinese Valentine's Day.[1] It is also when young unmarried women gather to toss tangerines into the sea, in a hope that their future spouse will pick it up – a custom that originated in Penang, Malaysia. In the past, this was also the only day that unmarried ladies could be seen with their partners.
Are you cynical and single? Think that Valentine’s Day is a day made for couples at best and a marketing gimmick at worst? Well, cast your jaded thoughts aside and put on those rose-tinted glasses for a while. There is a day made just for you.
That day is Chap Goh Meh - the 15th and last day of the Chinese New Year. It was normally celebrated with family dinners, prayers and firecrackers just like the 1st Day. That is, until some romantic soul back in 19th century Penang decided to make something more out of it.
Back then, marriages were mostly arranged. Society was such that unmarried girls could not hang out nor be seen with guys. There were no Speed Dating, Lunch Actually and Match.com.
So, what’s a 19th century single to do?
Congregate around bodies of water during Chap Goh Meh – the only day where single girls were allowed to walk about the streets, that’s what. Hopeful guys and well-dressed single girls complete with their chaperones will come by the droves to the Esplanade in Penang. The unattached will cast coy glances and shy smiles at a cute member of the opposite sex when the chaperone is not looking. They will also throw symbolic items such as oranges and apples into the sea. If the thrown item is fished out of the sea by someone, it is a sign that the ‘thrower’ will make a good match.
This tradition of throwing something into the river grew like wildfire until it is widely practiced wherever there’s a lake, river, sea or jetty to be found at various parts of the country.
Chap Goh Meh Arsenal
Anyone, married or single can celebrate Chap Goh Meh and dunk in something into the water body. No one is left out (unlike Valentine's Day which can make the most stout-hearted single depressed!). But to partake in the festivities, you need to be equipped in one or most of the following. Remember, these items are specially chosen for their meaning in Hokkien, in the hopes that what you will reap what you throw into the water. They work best if the appropriate Hokkien rhymes are chanted as they are thrown. As to why the all the names of the items are in Hokkien, it is because Penang is predominantly populated by Hokkiens.
Item
Hokkien Word
Rhymes with: Hokkien Chant
Mandarin Orange = Kam Husband = Ang
Tim kam, chuar hor ang (Throw an orange, get a good husband)
Apple = Ping Kor Wife = Bor
Tim ping kor, chuar hor bor (Throw an apple, get a good wife)
Banana = King Chio Lottery = Bei Pio
Tim king chio, gia hor bei pio (Throw a banana, get lucky in lottery)
Stone/rock = Chio Tau Bangalow = Ang Mo Lau
Tim chio tau, gia tio ang mo lau (Throw a stone, get a bungalow)
Peanut = Thor Tau Old age = Lau
Tim thor tau, chiak lau lau (Throw a peanut, you won’t starve when you are old)
Modernity Sets In
These days, the more assertive ones would even scribble their name and contact details onto the items before throwing them into the water. For that, permanent markers are recommended as they are water and smudge-proof. And while they are at it, they will also light up some hot-air lanterns with scribbled name and wishes. However, due to the potential danger these hot-air lanterns pose to aircrafts and being fire hazards, they are now banned in Malaysia. But this doesn’t detract from the joys of celebrating Chap Goh Meh.
This one of the bands that performed at our Graduation Night last Friday (will update on that soon)...acoustic jazz local band! Not bad...hehe..I like! You might have heard this song on the radio.. simple n nice =)
D C#m Sound straight from the twilight, Cm/Bm Has me up all night, A I can't fall asleep 'cause I keep thinking of you, D C#m Cm/Bm A And I saw a shadow outside my window and it's you.
[CHORUS]
D All my sorrows flew away, C#m Hush, keep quiet, hear me say, Bm I don't ever want you to go, A Please stay.
D With the moonlight dancing free, C#m And there's no one but you and me, Bm There's no reason to go astray, A Please stay.
[RIFF]
D Making up a story, C#m It's the way you're looking at me, Bm If you think that this is funny, A it's just you.
Try and think about it, If you're heart is closed don't lock, Keep your keys back in your pocket, Think this through.
I never thought designing and ordering custom t-shirts can be so hard. First to find a shop also took so long. Then after getting the t-shirt they didn't follow to design exactly. It's like they re-did the words and some fonts. Weird. And then they forgot to print the logo at the back. Summore weird. Supposed to take exactly like what I send to them right? Were they doing their job with their eyes closed?? Sigh... anyway emailed the t-shirt uncle d...hopefully can get it fixed soon and easily...worst part is, the t-shirts have been distributed...aih..must do t-shirt recalling....fail la...its like when car companies recall their cars because of some problem...:S
Next time I'll make my own t-shirts! I'll print them myself..n then start my own business! It's not too difficult to do screen printing.
Hello everyone, I'm now blogging from a PC in our hotel in Songkhla, Thailand. Resort is called Haad Kaew Resort (very nice place!) and honestly, there's nothing to do here but to relax. Which is not something I'm good at though. Especially when there's assignments and tests and the thesis to worry about...haihhh...hmmm...anyway went for a swim this morning and maybe will go again this evening.
Been travelling so much on Friday & Sat:
Friday: Uni-Home:3 hours Home-Penang: 3 hours
Sat: Penang- Hatyai: 3 hours Hatyai-Songkhla 40 mins
Craziness! But thankfully me and my sis have our own room so we don't have to suffer sleeping on the floor like we used to! hahaha...going back home on Thursday only, after spending 4 days here and another 2 days in Hatyai. Yay! Shoppingggg at Hatyai!!
Happy Chinese New Year from me and my family! If you wanna come over to Chemor (which is where I'm staying which is near Ipoh) come on Friday/Sat/Sunday. Have a great holiday! =D
Are you an environmentally conscious person? Do you separate your trash like paper, glass, aluminum cans, plastic? Yes? Then good for you! No? Then do something!
Read about this guy in TheStar the other day and it's a really interesting project. Click here for his blog on 365 days without throwing anything away! He's also got great ideas on how to help save the environment...it's not that hard! Especially since these days (almost) everyone's talking about sustainable development.
In my apartment, I think I'm the only psycho one who forces everyone to separate the trash like paper, milk cartons (those tetra-pak cartons can be recycled!), aluminum cans n glass bottles. Those cereal boxes you throw away can be flattened and then put together with the pile of newspapers and papers to be recycled. Aluminum cans and glass bottles can be collected to be sold later on, or left in a bag for the cleaners to take for recycling. Sometimes it makes me wonder if it makes any difference. If everyone in uni recycles at least paper, it would make a huge difference!
I feel kinda guilty when I pack back food from shops with those styrofoam boxes...although this semester I hardly packed food, because I'll either be eating sandwiches or cooking in the apt :) Next time I gotta bring a nice lunch box when packing food..:)
I wish we had a center for collecting recycling stuff in uni..or near uni...like at least outside the main gate or something...hahaha...but I have a feeling that center will be vandalized anyway...sigh...
We've been supporting Sao Paolo (Gary's team) for this year's Uniten Cup, and its too bad they lost in semi finals =( But tomorrow they'll be having a match to decide 3rd & 4th placing...all the best guys!! =D
Sao Paolo Rocks!!! =D
Today supported Edwin's team Ajax Amsterdam but unfortunately they lost too =( No don't blame us!! But it was great fun cheering them on! =D I really need to practice screaming...not used to making a lot of noise so when I do it sounds weird...haha...like its gonna crack....=S
Have you ppl seen Beyonce's video for 'Single Ladies (Put a Ring on it)'? If not, click here!
Warning: Do not attempt to dance like her...you might injure yourself!
Sorry there's not been much updates...got lots to say, but no time to type it out! Maybe this weekend, after I've finish crapping in my progress report...aaargh I don't like FYP!!!!
Yep...I miss my car, even though I hardly drive anywhere because Christmas Night is over :( :( Now I only drive to French class in COIT :)
The other night I had a dream that my parents came down to KL for something and then we exchanged cars and I got my car back + spaghetti sauce that my mom made (which I forgot to bring back the other day)
Sigh...will be getting it back only when I go back for CNY...2 weeks + more!!!
Went for New Year's Day celebration dinner with my homies. It was a sudden decision, but we have always planned to go somewhere glamour to eat, and also to dress up a little. Agnes wanted to go to TGIF, but they were fully booked, so she made a reservation at Victoria Station @ Jalan Ampang. I don't think I've dined there before, and it was a nice place. We sat in a section that is a train car (?) and it was kinda nice =)
Sirloin Steak! Rm47 =_="
The food was average, in my opinion...nothing to be amazed at...and I wasn't full after dinner! So...that's a big no-no for me! The ambience was nice though, and that's probably the only great thing about the place.
Sparkling Red Juice to go with the steak...RM50! =_="
Location map
I just realized....our bottle of juice cost more than the steak!! Next time (if it ever happens) must bring own water....haha!
First day of the new year and terus bankrupt d...sighhh
Oh ya Agnes found this website when she was looking for a place for us to go: www.hungrygowhere.com Now I see that this place got a measly 4.5 for its rating! Should try some other place next time...the restaurants in Great Eastern Mall look interesting...
Oh since Sarah didn't update her blog yet this is her new phone, her mom and Agnes got for her for Christmas...its pink! She had to get a new phone because her old one kept on dying...and it was quite impossible to talk to her on the phone because it kept dying! So now anyone can call her and talk for a very long time...until the battery dies maybe! Anyone wants her number? =P
10am: Went to Lowyat with WZ because she had some problems with her wireless router. Had breakfast at a coffeeshop nearby after parking in Times Square and then only went to Lowyat 1pm: Went for Econs replacement class 3pm: Sent back trays that were used by the caterer for Christmas Night Thanksgiving Dinner 4.30pm: Short nap 5.30pm: Contemplating going for French class because so sleepy but had already missed 3 hours of class so decided to move my lazy bum 6.00pm-7.15pm: French class =D 7.30pm onwards: Clean the apartment, sort out my stuff, wonder what to eat for dinner, watch TV series, reply New Year's sms-es, bum around 12am: See fireworks from room at 7th floor =D
Yep, that's how I spent my New Year's eve. I could see 2 different locations of fireworks but I don't know where it is exactly. I also could see KLCC clearly but I didn't see their fireworks. Maybe I was too slow. Hahaha!
I bought a new mouse because my old one likes to double-click when I command it to single-click!
Left: New Logitech Laser Mouse, RM49. Right: Old Blaze Mouse, Price unknown, lasted 4+ years
It's a pity, I prefer the old mouse. It doesn't make any noise when I scroll. =( But the new mouse is tidier because when I pack it, I can wind the cord around it and then snap on the USB port to the base to protect the laser part.
Now I have to remember to write dates correctly, with the year as "09"....
A girl. Active imagination. Always hungry. Loves classical music. Loves chocolates. Loves movies. Loves mystery books. Enjoys playing the piano. Wishes she could play the violin. Some say she's a PC freak. She begs to differ. She's just fascinated by the internet and what it can do. She's the PC technician within her 10-m radius.
