Hee-ti

The other morning I was at McDee’s with a half asleep friend, flipping the pages of The Star to keep myself amused while he was slumped over the table, when, somehow or another, he said something that sparked off an interesting discussion on this topic:

HEATY
or in cantonese yit hei

I’ve heard so often phrases like, “Oh, I’m feeling heaty” and “Eh- don’t eat so much of that la, heaty!” or “I’m heaty edi, going to fall sick soon.”

So my question is, what is Heaty ?!?

Now, many out there will be saying , what do you mean what is heaty, heaty is heaty la ! The problem is- I do not get heaty. Yup, I don’t feel this indescribable internal combustion that I think all of my Chinese friends seem to get, and they get it quite often I must add. So, because I do not get heaty, I do not get heaty. (hur hur, bad pun) But it’s true! I always ask those who feel heaty, what is it? Rubin tried answering by saying it’s when you eat something and it raises your body temperature. Well, perhaps… but no, I don’t thing that’s precisely it. It’s not about the body physically going up a few degrees centigrade, I mean, people don’t put the thermometer under their armpits and 2minutes later declare themselves heaty. Most can’t put their finger on it or explain it exactly, but this is the best part: They can’t tell me what it is, but they can most confidently tell me what food is heaty and what is not…

Heaty: Peanuts, durian, Milo, langsat, milk, eggs, chocolate, all fried stuff, mutton, honey...

Cooling: Cucumber, kangkung, winter melon, Cincau, fruits like watermelon & honeydew...

(anything else? this was what i've been told by Heaty believers anyway!)

I remember the last time this heaty issue was brought up, I was laughing myself silly cause Jon said he couldn’t eat the Famous Amos cookies cause he was feeling like he might be falling sick. I was defending the cookies, saying no problem la- go eat it! And he was saying, no, heaty!…In the end apa jadi? He didn’t succumb, stayed away from the cookies and guess what? His family ate them. Muahaha...



<--Evil!









Getting back to my not getting heaty, possibly it’s a Chinese thing, and since my Chinese blood has been ‘enriched’ with Scottish blood, maybe that’s the answer to why I don’t get it. By saying that though, that'll be concluding it’s a hereditary thing, passed down through the generations from those who were building the Great Wall many, many moon cakes ago, and only to purebloods. When I say purebloods, it’s when mommy and daddy both are Chinese, not getting into whether both are Hakka or Hokkien or Cantonese or … ah!you know what I mean...

So I my recent discussion, “heaty” was seen as a possible medical thing. Clearly, as an English Language and Literature undergraduate I am an expert on the matter. Medically, if a heaty believer ate a whole bag of cookies, and fell sick the next day, it would be blamed on the cookies. But for a non-heaty believer, if he ate the same bag of cookies and fell sick, he’d say it was because there’s a bug going around, or someone passed him the flu…In no way would he associate getting sick with the cookies. Then again, is it a psychological thing? I mean, is it possible that this heaty concept, having been drilled into the brains of most Chinese kids by their Chinese mothers, they grow up believing in this thing called heaty. Could it be mind over matter?

So to test this theory, we need 3 subjects- Subject A is a typical Cina-pek, totally in tune with the philosophies of the mighty Heaty (he’s the control subject), Subject B is a pure Cina but does not believe in heaty (would be very hard to find) and Subject C would be me la- a heaty agnostic. We are separately placed in a bacteria-free zone, and we devour fried chicken, milk, eggs, chocolate and of course….cookies! If we all fall sick, then heaty is real! If A and B fall sick, means it’s a Chinese gene thing. And if only A falls sick, then it’s a psychological thing.

I still don’t believe in heaty. It’s hard to believe in something you don’t experience. Kinda like God i guess.

But next time anyone tells me they feel heaty, don’t be surprised when I don’t nod my head in understanding…




...and happily finish all the Famous Amos cookies.







ps: is it just a chinese thing though?

Whats in a name

I cant quite believe it. 7954 days after i'm born, just when i think i'm too old to be given soft toys... I got a soft toy.


Meet *-----* (hasn't got a name yet)


















First reaction was oh my gosh, so cuuuuuuuuute! The fella is made outta the new in thing to replace beanie babies, softer beanies bits, so its really comfortable and squishy.

i have always, absolutely 100% detested it when i get soft toys as gifts. I mean, i dont see the point for them anymore. You dont expect a 20year old to still be playing with toys. If i put them on my bed, they'll fall off somewhere in the middle of the night, and in the morning i've gotta pick up all the suicidal dolls. If i mempamerkan them on a shelf they just end up getting covered in dust, get yucky and i'll feel bad for neglecting them. I think i started disliking soft toys as gifts when i was about...10? 11? Somewhere there la.

Hmmm, now that i think about it, back in primary school, no one gave soft toys as gifts. I always got nice, cool things things like pencil boxes, notebook, stationary sets, games... Only in secondary school, with the discovery of Memory Lane and Lovely Lace did the trend of getting small fluffy things take off. I never knew exactly what's the best reaction to give- if i show my true feelings, it'll hurt the nice person who took the trouble of giving me something. If i act too happy and excited, others might think "ohh, she seems to love getting soft toys. Now i know what to get her next time." =/

When i was a young wee lass, i had a doll named Suzanna. She was my best friend, and i'd seriously do all the things the movies show little girls doing with their doll- tea parties la, play dress up la, share secrets la... =) I had a little push-chair for her, and everyday i'd walk up and down my street, pushing along Suzanna. Yeah, i used to treat her like a real human. Currently she's stuffed into a cupboard with some other toys i cant bring myself to part with.


Now i have him-











Dunno why, but he looks male to me. Suria says his shape reminds her of a cockroach.

Oh yeah...

*Sidetracked* Monday night, there was a bloody cockroach in our room. When Suria opened her top cupboard doors, she screamed, slammed them shut and jumped off the chair to the other side of the room. I knew what that meant. Both armed with sprays we hunted down the roach and sprayed about half a can onto it. The worst thing is it was a flying one! Again, our screams and shrieks had no result, no one came to our rescue. We've concluded that if ever a rapist comes in, we're better off jumping out our window than expecting help.

Anyways, he's supposed to be my guard dog and remind me of what i've got to do. Having a reason behind a soft toy is what makes it valuable.


**Bloody Robbie Williams canceled his Asian tour citing health concerns. So who's gonna reimburse my mom of the so called non-refundable tickets? Huh?!?! i'm so pissed **

Beach Street Nasi Lemak

Ahh...Just the thought of it is making me have a craving for it already. I first was introduced to it when Samuel came up to Penang in May on his eating spree. His UM friend, Wil Sen (Penangite) told him about it and so it was one of the items on his list of Things To Eat.















The stall is located right smack in the middle of Beach Street, which is somewhere in town. Town is not Gurney Drive. The road got its name because in the 1900's it was the only proper street that lead to the beach. Everyday people would use it to go to the seashore early in the morning to buy fresh fish and squid from the fishermen. The street was lined with pokok Pinang on both sides, making it the most state-riotic street of the whole island. However, one morning when the governor's favourite nephew was walking along it, one of the buah pinang dislodged itself and fell directly on his head. The boy was not much hurt, but made such a fuss- moaning and groaning, till his uncle used his White Man power and ordered all the pinang trees to be chopped down.

For many years, the street was bare but as time went by, and the old people died, the prejudice against the tree slowly decreased and eventually was forgotten. To make up for the injustice done against the poor trees, the Penang government decided to make the roundabout at the end of the street have great big buah pinang decorating the centre, shining in silver glory. The pinang that is split open, symbolizes the fallen ancestors of yesteryear, and the water that flows representing life.


Well, that would be how I'd tell the story.















Back to the nasi lemak. There's nothing particularly obvious about it that makes it wow. It's a typical, normal nasi lemak – rice, egg, sambal. But its just really good stuff....















The rice has just the right amount of santan in it to be there, but not overly there.
He gives half an egg- half! Not a puny little quarter of a quarter that most give as if hens were on strike.
I'm normally very fussy about anchovies, well, fish in general. I've got a problem with their eyes looking at me. Anyway, what I like about the ikan bilis in this one is it's cooked with the sambal, so the fish is not dry and hard, but nice and chewy.
Level of spiciness is about a 6/10. Not that hot, but there's a kick to it la. Possible to finish the whole thing without needing to gulp down water at intervals.

I went there last Saturday after the combined CG outing to Youth Park. I agak-agak remember the way from the last time I went in May, but since I was in a Penangite's car, following behind another Penangite who said he knew the way- I figured we'd get there quite fast, using the shortest route. Below is the route we took. Remember ya, two people born and raised on the island were driving.
















I tell you, the amount of times we ended up back at the roundabout- I really got a chance to examine and admire the metal pinang from all angles.

Doesn't matter, means I arrived hungrier and managed to whack 3 of the glorious green mini-pyramids. One is not enough to fill, 2 is just nice, 3 is being greedy. =p




















As you can see, we all ate it (except Daniel, but he's local so not counted.)



















So if you're ever in the area, please think of me and ta-pau one (or two) back.

I give it a 5 out of 5.

(i heard he's sold out really quick)

Calling all sad songs....

Woo hoo!
I've finally managed to get Nick Lachey's What's Left of Me.
Downloaded it from some site www.4shared.com (what kind grammar are that?!) I dont know if its a safe site, but- i got what i wanted.

I don't care if some people think the whole split with Jessica Simpson was fake or a ploy to make suckers like me fall for this song- i think the song is real. As in, i truly believe that they were seperated, and Nick was actually very hurt by the whole ordeal. Just cause many celebs dont give two hoots about marriage/divorce, doesn't mean they're all like that.

Oh! i can hear the pain in his voice.
The suffering.
Agony.
=)

Some other wonderfully depressing songs i've been listening to and recommend are:

• Gabrielle - Out of Reach
• Rascal Flatts - What Hurts The Most
• Glenn Fredly - Januari
• Ungu - Demi Waktu
• Dewa - Pupus
• Carrie Underwood - Starts With Goodbye
• 3 Doors Down - Here Without You
• Sheila On 7 - Berhenti Berharap

Can really get me in the emo mood if i feel like it.
No, i'm not in some emotionally unbalanced state at the moment, i just cant post what i'd like to without the pictures from Cheryl (who said she'd send them to me, but that was on Saturday and i've not got them yet....)
=/

Any other super sad songs you suggest i listen to?


*yucks...this entry seems like Obi Mun's one when he went through his phase*

Short and sweet

he came and went.

i should be happy for the little that i had.

and i am...

but for the moment i'm just sad.

Musings

Thing about being back and not having an internet connection at my fingertips at all times makes it annoying when i wanna blog about something but cant, and then i get fed up cause the moment has passed. Kinda like when i wanna sneeze, and i get all ready and expect a satisfying *ah-chooooo!* then it never happens and i'm left feeling super tak syiok.

The other day i did something so stupid and childish. And i'm not even sure i know why i did it, cause i knew it was stupid and childish. It resulted in someone getting angry at me, and i deserved it. Although the person didnt scold and kept his cool, i felt so bleh. Its something i've gotta work on i guess, not being so impulsive, having more self control. Which i think i usually have, but obviously it slips away from time to time. I just hope what was done in hopes of making something better, that then became worse- will all work out in the end. If you're reading this, again- i'm sorry.

Its kinda odd when friends aren't so friends anymore. I suddenly had the urge to contact Anand, and yet i felt to unworthy of doing so cause i've been such a lousy friend. I even wrote a letter few months back which i couldn't bring myself to send, and i ended up throwing it in the bin. Never have i been able to do a good job of the whole "keep in touch" thing. Not when my old friends left, not now that i've left. Its not that i feel they're any less of a friend, but i cling on to the memory of what good friends we were and great times we had, in hopes that when we do meet up again we can just pick up from where we left off.

I think i'm getting old. Last night before i fell asleep i was walking down memory lane, telling Suria about my form 6 life. The ups that were really up, and the downs that were so down. Thinking about Dom, cause the cilaka radio was playing Wonderful Tonight. The feelings that were hurt, and the pain caused. The time when Shannon suddenly was not talking to me. The confrontation in the girls toilet, where there was crying and strong words exchanged. Ironically, i was sitting quietly and i also got scolded- "Dont give me that look!". I left BB with ill feelings towards some people because of how the end of upper 6 was, and how they made it hell. Now that time has passed, i'm not bitter anymore, and i know if i met these people on the street i'd get so excited and happy to see them. I wonder how everyone's doing in their respective places, Arts class:16, Physics class: 17 and Bio: 27- 60 of us all scattered everywhere.

I'm so loving Nick Lacheys What's Left of Me. Hear it almost every morning on Fly FM.

Oh, on a lighter note- my thumb drive flew out the window in the middle of the night, and i watched helplessly as the stupid thing (i swear, in slow motion) fell 5 stories down. Dashing out of my room,i frantically got in the lift and ran towards the area it fell. In the process, i disturbed a couple that were pak-toring on the stairs. Not by choice, but they were sitting less than a foot apart, so obviously my pixie sized frame couldn't squeeze unnoticed between them. Thankfully, it landed on grass and is still working fine. So yeah - Buy Kingston!

oh what could it be

I'm back in Penang.

And there's a problem.

My friend had an argument with her boyfriend last week, which resulted in the phone being slammed down. Well, it was through handphones so technically cant be slammed down, but i'm sure he pressed the red End Call button with all the force in his thumb.

That was last Monday.

Next day she tries calling him but cant get through and suspects he's changed his sim card. Its been a week of trying now.

What could it be?
Is he merajuk-ing? Does he have someone else? Wants to end it?

Or is there a possiblity that there's a simple explanation. (but its been a week!)

I hope it's resolved soon, i hate seeing her so sad.

-

Things i ter-left at home: Blood donation card, running shorts, Selangor flag, Mills and Boon, seahorse necklace, red sandals...

Gah! i've gotta be more organized when i pack.

-

Everyone is telling everyone else that Steve Irwin (aka Crocodile Hunter) is dead.

Its sorta like when Christopher Reeve (aka Superman) died.

Mourners should go to the funeral wearing Crocs... Hyuk hyuk...

Happy Photos!!!!

Was going through my stash of pic's i've took over the few years...Really got me laughing. Here are some that brought back memories, and i'm only halfway through. (sorry in advance to some ppl =p )

Worth it

It was really good.
Only got Friday & Sunday left to catch it.
For review, go read Jon's blog.
But its a sad ending- i wasn't prepared for that.












Random Junk

The world is so small that its freaking scary.

My dog is on heart medication.

I should wear skirts more often.

The kok-eyed waiter in Williams naik pangkat already. Before this he was the one ordered to wipe tables. Now he gives orders.

Its much longer to go to the KL Pac via Federal Highway compared to Jalan Duta way.

I hate the super sleepy feeling and yet when in bed, cant sleep.

There was a full rainbow in the sky today. Usually only see half.

Feel like a midnight snack and eating like a pig, but cant knowing i'll end up looking like one.

My burnt skin is gonna start peeling soon.

I've got less than 3days left here. =(

I dowanna go back to Penang.