It was super hard having to drag myself out of bed at half past five in the morning. I guess jet lag takes some time to be rid off when you're 'old'. KL is a breeze when there's no traffic in the wee hours of the morning.
The scenery that morning made me realise how much I miss driving down the Karak Highway at 6:00am. The lush greenery and the mysterious mist that garnished the rainforest made me imagine busloads of tourists stopping to get their perfect postcard angle. What they find extraordinary, we drive past without thinking twice.
The drive also made me realise that I've not experienced Qing Ming for quite some time. I've missed a total of 5 Qing Mings in a row!
Uncle Fatt, Samuel and Samantha were there waiting for us. As the maintenance of the cemetery had improved over the years (for a measly RM10 annually), we've stopped bringing our tools to hack tree branches and to cut grass. The place was clean and there were additional parking lots for vehicles.
When we arrived at Gong Tai (grandpa's dad)'s grave, we saw that Suk Po (Grandaunt) had been there before us. If we had been slightly earlier, we could have caught them for a chat. Suk Po left for Gong Tai a box of roast pork with rice! Haha! The same went for Po Tai (grandpa's mum)'s grave. Love the attention paid to ensuring they eat well even after death.
But what I loved more was what I observed: the people around me. Families of different generations, from all walks of life, observe this sacred day. Why is this day sacred? It does not hold any religious significance. Instead, the cultural importance of filial piety and respect shines through. It is the one day in the entire year whereby family members from far and near come together to say hi to those before them. It is to say thank you for all the hard work and perseverance and for bringing us into this world. It is to let them know that we have not forgotten them and neither shall we forget our place in this world.
The spirit of Qing Ming; the atmosphere of togetherness. The celebration of life. The respect for the past and the betterment of the future.
A reminder to appreciate what we have and to not lose our heads should we achieve success.
Showing posts with label Temerloh. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Temerloh. Show all posts
Monday, March 30, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
CNY inTemerloh
CNY is not complete without a trip back to Temerloh. Yea, grandpa, grandma and greatgrandma may not be around any longer but that doesn't mean that I can't pay a visit to my dear uncle there, right? Besides, there are added incentives - Siew Chi and Chee Sing are back in Malaysia!
Yup yup, so in addition to seeing my beloved cousins and smelling fresh air again, my second cousin Siew Chi (who is always away on assignment) and my Sydney friend Chee Sing are back in Temerloh and Mentakab respectively.
After having steamboat lunch at home with the family and bringing Samantha to her friend's place, we went over to granduncle's house to pay our respects. I was delighted to be able to catch up with Siew Chi again after 2 years. Actually, I don't even remember when was the last time we saw each other.
Chee Sing came slightly after 4pm to the house to bring me out for a cuppa. It was great to see him again, as well. It felt slightly weird though, as I am used to seeing him in Sydney, not in Malaysia and in MENTAKAB for that matter! He took me around Mentakab for a drive including Bukit Bendera where the rich and affluent people live. As Temerloh and Mentakab is famous for its timber and rubber industries, there are many 'unknown' millionaires living there. The garden of one of the houses was so vast, we literally had to drive from the back door to the front entrance!
Initially, we wanted to have a drink at Old Town but it was packed with people! So, we ended up at a Chinese tea house diagonally across the road. It wasn't too bad really. We also spoke the Angeline who was alone at home (God knows doing what).
Chee Sing then brought me to his house and there, I met his mum whom apparently knows who Dad is! To be exact, she knows the entire family! I found out that her family used to rent a room from grandpa when they were living in the new village. Also, Chee Sing's dad use to be First Aunt's classmate back in high school. What a small world this is!
Chee Sing, no wonder you're so good-looking ler, your mum is so leng lui!
We stayed on in Temerloh for dinner after which we detoured to Mentakab to stroll at the pasar malam. Not many stalls were open mainly due to the Chinese still being on holiday. We left after Bro bought some apam.
It was totally dark on the highway as we set off on our journey back to KL. Pitch black, really. Luckily, I chickened out from the driving before we hit the highway. Otherwise, I think I'd be petrified. Halfway through our journey, it started to drizzle. Mum was telling us that it was raining dogs and cats in KL. Pretty unusual phenomenon for CNY. The effects of global-warming, perhaps?
Right before the last toll, bro just had to make a stopover at the rest stop for his favourite tidbit...
... lemang! There was also some sambal and petai for sale at the stall manned by a young Malay man, a pakcik and a makcik. It was late in the night but business is as usual for them.
I like this pic I took. To me, it is a picture of perseverance and hard work, something we, the young do not seem to fathom. And if we, the young Chinese forget our roots, we will not be able to hold on much longer to the luxury and wealth we enjoy now.
Yup yup, so in addition to seeing my beloved cousins and smelling fresh air again, my second cousin Siew Chi (who is always away on assignment) and my Sydney friend Chee Sing are back in Temerloh and Mentakab respectively.
After having steamboat lunch at home with the family and bringing Samantha to her friend's place, we went over to granduncle's house to pay our respects. I was delighted to be able to catch up with Siew Chi again after 2 years. Actually, I don't even remember when was the last time we saw each other.
Chee Sing came slightly after 4pm to the house to bring me out for a cuppa. It was great to see him again, as well. It felt slightly weird though, as I am used to seeing him in Sydney, not in Malaysia and in MENTAKAB for that matter! He took me around Mentakab for a drive including Bukit Bendera where the rich and affluent people live. As Temerloh and Mentakab is famous for its timber and rubber industries, there are many 'unknown' millionaires living there. The garden of one of the houses was so vast, we literally had to drive from the back door to the front entrance!
Initially, we wanted to have a drink at Old Town but it was packed with people! So, we ended up at a Chinese tea house diagonally across the road. It wasn't too bad really. We also spoke the Angeline who was alone at home (God knows doing what).
Chee Sing then brought me to his house and there, I met his mum whom apparently knows who Dad is! To be exact, she knows the entire family! I found out that her family used to rent a room from grandpa when they were living in the new village. Also, Chee Sing's dad use to be First Aunt's classmate back in high school. What a small world this is!
Chee Sing, no wonder you're so good-looking ler, your mum is so leng lui!
We stayed on in Temerloh for dinner after which we detoured to Mentakab to stroll at the pasar malam. Not many stalls were open mainly due to the Chinese still being on holiday. We left after Bro bought some apam.
It was totally dark on the highway as we set off on our journey back to KL. Pitch black, really. Luckily, I chickened out from the driving before we hit the highway. Otherwise, I think I'd be petrified. Halfway through our journey, it started to drizzle. Mum was telling us that it was raining dogs and cats in KL. Pretty unusual phenomenon for CNY. The effects of global-warming, perhaps?
Right before the last toll, bro just had to make a stopover at the rest stop for his favourite tidbit...
... lemang! There was also some sambal and petai for sale at the stall manned by a young Malay man, a pakcik and a makcik. It was late in the night but business is as usual for them.
I like this pic I took. To me, it is a picture of perseverance and hard work, something we, the young do not seem to fathom. And if we, the young Chinese forget our roots, we will not be able to hold on much longer to the luxury and wealth we enjoy now.
Friday, November 07, 2008
Because of you...
... there was laughter everytime you were around...
... I'd have a free drink when I am in the city...
... there was someone to talk 'Desa' stuff with...
.. I have someone to mamak with when I go back to Temerloh...
... I listened to more Hokkien...
... I could continue dancing, performing and networking...
... there was a Stingray connection in Sydney...
... I had someone to walk everywhere and eat stuff with...
... life in DLC wasn't so boring...
... and for all of you whom I did not post photos of, I will definitely meet up with you guys when you come back to KL.
Sydney was great because of you! Muaks!
Sunday, February 26, 2006
A CNY to remember
Quick, faster, why so slow one? Hurry, if not we will be stuck in the traffic jam! We couldn't wait to go home, to be with the family. It took us around 2 hours to arrive. As we drove into the driveway, we could see a white tent. We disembarked. Grandma was glad that we were home. Youngest Aunt (Aunt Yeen) was already there with Eunice, Youngest Cousin. So that meant that 4 of the 5 siblings are home - Dad (Oldest Son), Aunt Ying (Oldest Daughter), Uncle Fatt (Youngest Son) and Aunt Yeen (Youngest Daughter). The missing link was Middle Daughter (Aunt Hong), who lives in Melbourne. Uncle Aaron was said to be arriving the next day enroute to Melbourne from Beijing, and he would be representing Aunt Hong.
It was quiet. We could see that Grandma and Dini (their long-serving Indonesian maid) were tired and sleepy. Even Granduncle and Grandaunt were there. Heck, there were even family members I've never seen or don't recognise. Scary feeling indeed. It was a time to gather, to reintroduce, to tell our stories that would have evolved from the last time we met. It was a time to bond. And trust me, having spent one CNY away from family is enought to make you really appreciate all the small talk and 'Wah, your daughter ar? So big awleddy? Good girl or not? Oh, study in Ostehlia ar? Wa, must be very clever one's.
We (the younger generation) were left to our own devices. With such a huge house and the lot of us, there were many things to fiddle with. Eunice fed the fishes while Samuel watched and instructed.
We had lively discussions at the dining table, which had us resorting to using the cordless phone as a 'mic' - the person who wishes to speak shall speak into the phone and everyone else must keep quiet to listen. That was really entertaining! Uncle Fatt was the only one who didn't need to 'mic' as he had to take care of his sparrow hawk. Unfairness.....
And yes, let me introduce you to the other female Voon of my generation: my cousin who is 10 years younger than I am - Miss Voon She Ying (see the resemblance in the names?). She's a little ripe for her age, I reckon but nobody says that it's a bad thing. =) She's pretty and chirpy. She seems to be very creative (like me!) - she makes things out of paper, plastic, ribbons, just everything she gets her hands on. And she's very into Channel [V] and MTV and everything rock. She's into black and red stripy stuff, rap and over the eye hair fringes (which drove grandma nuts when I had the same hairstyle!). And yes, she's hot with the fellas.
It was quiet. We could see that Grandma and Dini (their long-serving Indonesian maid) were tired and sleepy. Even Granduncle and Grandaunt were there. Heck, there were even family members I've never seen or don't recognise. Scary feeling indeed. It was a time to gather, to reintroduce, to tell our stories that would have evolved from the last time we met. It was a time to bond. And trust me, having spent one CNY away from family is enought to make you really appreciate all the small talk and 'Wah, your daughter ar? So big awleddy? Good girl or not? Oh, study in Ostehlia ar? Wa, must be very clever one's.
We (the younger generation) were left to our own devices. With such a huge house and the lot of us, there were many things to fiddle with. Eunice fed the fishes while Samuel watched and instructed.
We had lively discussions at the dining table, which had us resorting to using the cordless phone as a 'mic' - the person who wishes to speak shall speak into the phone and everyone else must keep quiet to listen. That was really entertaining! Uncle Fatt was the only one who didn't need to 'mic' as he had to take care of his sparrow hawk. Unfairness.....
And yes, let me introduce you to the other female Voon of my generation: my cousin who is 10 years younger than I am - Miss Voon She Ying (see the resemblance in the names?). She's a little ripe for her age, I reckon but nobody says that it's a bad thing. =) She's pretty and chirpy. She seems to be very creative (like me!) - she makes things out of paper, plastic, ribbons, just everything she gets her hands on. And she's very into Channel [V] and MTV and everything rock. She's into black and red stripy stuff, rap and over the eye hair fringes (which drove grandma nuts when I had the same hairstyle!). And yes, she's hot with the fellas.
Friday, January 27, 2006
Goodbye
It was 5:30am. The phone rang. I was wondering if I should get up to answer. It rang thrice. My mum answered the call. Or was it dad? Not sure. Mum opened my door and stormed in, saying, 'Your gong gong passed away'. I literally jumped out of bed. I asked, 'Are we going back now?' I came out of my room to see dad still standing at the phone. 'Sigh, he's such a naughty man, isn't he?' I smiled.
It will be the first day of the new lunar year on Sunday and he couldn't make it. Oh, how true the old Chinese saying is - they will not make it to see the next celebration.
I will be going back with dad (if he wants me to, that is). Bro is still sleeping, oblivious to what has happened. Mum is rushing to pick Jeffrey and Angel.
Hence, there will not be updates until I return from Temerloh. Until then, take care and Happy Chinese New Year.
It will be the first day of the new lunar year on Sunday and he couldn't make it. Oh, how true the old Chinese saying is - they will not make it to see the next celebration.
I will be going back with dad (if he wants me to, that is). Bro is still sleeping, oblivious to what has happened. Mum is rushing to pick Jeffrey and Angel.
Hence, there will not be updates until I return from Temerloh. Until then, take care and Happy Chinese New Year.
Thursday, January 26, 2006
Family bonds
Blood is thicker than water.
For all that has happened
For all that will happen
You are still family
Family accepts
Family forgives
Family teaches
Family will always be there
No matter how far
Or near
When in need
We will be there
Sydney
Melbourne
Temerloh
Kuala Lumpur
Distance is no barrier
Family bonds will never be broken.
Monday, December 19, 2005
Sadness
We went back to Temerloh again yesterday. Yes, to visit grandpa. I was hoping that he would be better than last week.
We were welcomed by grandma. Aunt Ying was already having lunch with Aunt Yeen and Eunice, my youngest cousin (dad's side). Samantha was sick. She claimed that she had food poisoning as she has been purging and throwing up. Grandpa was sleeping. He slept for most of the time that we were there.
Uncle Fatt came back late in the arvo. It was his birthday so we all wished him. Samuel (his son, my cousin, Samantha's bro), didn't even know! Haha.. we had a good laugh. We had an even better laugh when Aunt Ying told us the story of how she and Aunty Mercy (her maid) were taken down by a rat they found. We all laughed till we cried. Coincidentally, I heard a noise coming from the back of my right ear. They heard it, too. We guessed that it was a baby bird or something. We looked, we stopped, and we looked. Dad found that it was a rat hiding in between the front tyre of the motorcycle and the mudguard. Aunt Ying quickly moved away.
After dinner, I went into grandpa's room. I held his hand and I called him. He looked at me hard but he didn't seem to have the strength to maintain his gaze. He tried to say something but he couldn't. I'm guessing that he was trying to say my name. At that moment, I felt really sad. Aunt Ying said he hasn't spoken for 3 days. He couldn't feed himself anymore. He doesn't even have enough strength to keep his eyes open.
My grandpa loved me dearly, as I was his first grandchild. I enjoyed my time with him. To see him in such a helpless state is painful. Dad thinks that his time is near. It would be any day now. I don't know how grandma is taking it but I am certainly not holding up as well as I did when greatgrandma passed away (and that was also the day Josh broke up with me).
I will be hanging out with Yin Lee and the rest of the volleyball gang tomorrow. Hopefully, that will take my mind off grandpa for a while. In the mean time, I can only pray for his well-being and happiness.
We were welcomed by grandma. Aunt Ying was already having lunch with Aunt Yeen and Eunice, my youngest cousin (dad's side). Samantha was sick. She claimed that she had food poisoning as she has been purging and throwing up. Grandpa was sleeping. He slept for most of the time that we were there.
Uncle Fatt came back late in the arvo. It was his birthday so we all wished him. Samuel (his son, my cousin, Samantha's bro), didn't even know! Haha.. we had a good laugh. We had an even better laugh when Aunt Ying told us the story of how she and Aunty Mercy (her maid) were taken down by a rat they found. We all laughed till we cried. Coincidentally, I heard a noise coming from the back of my right ear. They heard it, too. We guessed that it was a baby bird or something. We looked, we stopped, and we looked. Dad found that it was a rat hiding in between the front tyre of the motorcycle and the mudguard. Aunt Ying quickly moved away.
After dinner, I went into grandpa's room. I held his hand and I called him. He looked at me hard but he didn't seem to have the strength to maintain his gaze. He tried to say something but he couldn't. I'm guessing that he was trying to say my name. At that moment, I felt really sad. Aunt Ying said he hasn't spoken for 3 days. He couldn't feed himself anymore. He doesn't even have enough strength to keep his eyes open.
My grandpa loved me dearly, as I was his first grandchild. I enjoyed my time with him. To see him in such a helpless state is painful. Dad thinks that his time is near. It would be any day now. I don't know how grandma is taking it but I am certainly not holding up as well as I did when greatgrandma passed away (and that was also the day Josh broke up with me).
I will be hanging out with Yin Lee and the rest of the volleyball gang tomorrow. Hopefully, that will take my mind off grandpa for a while. In the mean time, I can only pray for his well-being and happiness.
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