Just Blogging Around

‘Tua Pek Kong’ (Da4 Po2 Kong1) means Big Grand Uncle.
Is anyone kind enough to translate this term further for me , please?

This is one of the  oldest Taoism temple in Bagan Serai.

 

 

It was built back in 1893. I am not sure about the history– who built it? How did it all happen? etc etc.
I know it was an old, unattractive temple. Till back in 1990s, those local Chinese decided to refurbish the temple before celebrating 100 years anniversary in 1993.

 

 

I visited  this temple since I was a little girl and almost every Chinese New Years. The temple is most crowded during 12am at CNY. This is the place where most Bagan Serai Chinese gather, especially for the young folks. *yer know, that kepoh business -ppl checking out ppl*

 

 

 

 

 

I use to like the crowd. I met old friends, I saw some familiar faces. But not anymore. I strongly dislike the smoke. Everybloodysingletime I walk out the temple, my tears wash all over my face. Plus, I haven’t got much friends left that I can really check ‘em out. Cannot kepoh anymore  

 

 

 

 

 

  

I can’t relate myself much with Tua Pek Kong. I wasn’t enjoy going to the temple. But I love my parents company. I know I followed mum, dad to the temple. I helped them to carry all sort of things. We chatted. We prayed. We walked around the block, admiring the paintings, looking at the donation list. We spotted our late grandfather’s name! *yay* It was more like a kiddo game back then.

 

 

My mum told me I ‘was’ Big Grand Uncle’s god daughter. FULAMAK!
You know, the Chinese Taoism thingy: Those Taoism Chinese parents who think they cannot discipline their son/daughter, due to some inner evil spirit. Therefore, they decided to ‘K’ their children to the so-called god. Yep, I was one of them.

OI! I was NOT that bad, ok? I was and I am a good girl.   

 

 

Alas. I don’t care. Really. This is Taoism. I am a Buddhist. I respect what they believe in. I don’t mind what they believe in either. I was one of Big Grand Uncle’s god daughther, so what? It’s not like I have to cut a piece of my heart out for him, right?  I respect my parents too. At the end of the day, a Buddhist shouldn’t stir up shyte in a family regardless what religion(s) they believe in.  

 

Xiang1 Lu2

 

 

From the art and paintings, yer know what we Chinese like the best — happy family, money, world peace (maybe, that’s why most of the Chinese  back home don’t get involved in politic) and ..still  MONEY!!! =)

 

 

I am not a Taoism, but I love the temple as much as I love my hometown. This is the place where I grew up, and all the memories were coming from…

 

 

Let set the emo, sentimental moi aside.
I shall show you some things that Taoisms use for prayers, ok?

These are the bamboo cups filled with some thinly shaved bamboo sticks that engraved with some Chinese wordings.
Upon prayer, Taoism shakes the bamboo cup gently, allowing ONE bamboo stick to fall out.
This fallen out bamboo stick would indicate or tell you about your life.
Cool??
Most of the time, you will get good ones — happy family, good relationship, good finance etc etc.
Tua Pek Kong seldom say nasty things. The worst thing is he advice you to look out for bad thing(s)/accident.
Very much like Chinese. Cool??

 

 

These are cool stuffs! Kidney-shaped tossing bean(?) Anyhoo.. it acts like a coin– tail, head. Yes, no. They come in pairs.
My grandma told me, it depends what you asking from Tua Pek Kong, if both sides facing the same, means NO.
If they facing differently, one side up, one side down. Ah! Good sign. This means you can go ahead with what are you asking for.  

 

 

These are my favourite door paintings.  

 

 

Mum told me they are the ’security guides’ for the temple. Their fear looking scare devil spirits off.  

 

 

Shu4 jing4 (silent) 

 

 

Hui2 Bi3 (please avoid/turn around).
When bad things happend, the cop/judge asked people to turn around, or go home so they won’t get to see what was going on.

 

 

Beside gods, Chinese pray to our ancestors. The four Chinese characters should be read from right to left: Tian1 Di4 Fu4 Mu3. (Sky Earth Father Mother)

 

 

Long1 Xiang1 (Dragon joss-stick).

 

 

Pity. Chinese wants to burn down such a beautiful piece of art. 

 

 

I hope you all like this little trip of Bagan Serai Tua Pek Kong.

For ex-Bagan Seraians.. Hello! again.

‘Jalan Pasar’ simply means Market Road.

Jalan Pasar is another place that I love to show you around in Bagan Serai. Unlike the town, the whole market place itself had a HUGE change throughout the years, sorta.

This sign board placed here symbolises Jalan Pasar starts here:

Years ago, the Council was trying to suck people’s blood by charging for the parking fee. HELLO! This is just a Bagan Serai! People here don’t make millions like those in big city! Give us a break, will ya? ;) The council wanted to charge the people, why don’t they provide a proper parking spaces at the first place? *pui* Anyhooow, the practice didn’t last for any longer because clearly there was lack of consistency in both council and the people, I guess.

 

 

 

This is the beginning of the Market Road. I appologize for the less than perfect view. I reckon the view will be better if the ‘longkang’ (drainage system) was filled up with water. :P  

There were few shops burnt down due to some accident. According to the locals back in 2003(?)*ahem! clear the throat..I’m start kepoh-ing now* I was told by the locals… there was an ‘ah pek’ (old man) who smoked some kind of grass behind the building, left the pot behind unattended, and  the building caught fire. BANG!!! 3 sibilings and mother died in the accident. They were found all hugging each other. Drama eh. *amitaba*

I’m not sure if the ah pek thing is true..but the death is a fact.

 

 

There aren’t many old shops around.  Those that I can recall are the bicycle shop and some chinese grocery shops along the road.

 

 

And of course, ‘Heng Kuan’–one of the old retail shops. Heng Kuan was establised back in 60s, if I’m not mistaken. According to my maternal family, he was the first one to sell bread in the town. Heng Kuan was a generous, kind man. He gave alot to the society; role model of mine. He passed away in 1991. But his name is still mentioned every now and then.

Heng Kuan is my maternal granpa, by the way. :)  

 

 

Seong Seong Club is a social club established back in the old days, where old time businessmen spent their time playing mahjong after work. I tried to take more photos from the inside, heck! the young dude didn’t allow me to do so! what the hell man! And that dude, not even from Bagan Serai! Anyway, I later found out some local witnessed old ghost/spirit playing mahjong..it was pretty scary, eh? 

 

 

Next to Seong Seong Club, there was a coffee shop, which I never remember its name. I was told by the owner, she was going to terminate the business after Chinese New Year 2007.

I pretend to ask her about this painting if she want to sell it to me. Cheecky bugga.

Folks, this caligraphy was written since ~100 years ago!!! It is a piece of priceless antique!!!

She was amazed when I asked about it. And there were plenty of old old old men who were sipping coffee, overheard our conversation, trying to get involved (kepoh) too.

They all wanted to find out how I knew about this ‘hidden secret’, who the hell I am, where I from, some of them were quite offensive, they thought I must be the outsider who was trying to pinch the caligraphy or something. Uh uh ah ah! Too many questions! I ended up have to tell them, I am Heng Kuan’s grandaughter. AHHH! Bring my dead grandpa name..shut their mouth up. =_=||| 

When my grandpa name was mentioned, they treated me super nice and friendly. They even showed me other ‘antiques’ around. Celaka punya Bagan Serai mentality.

 

 

Back years ago, there were plenty of hawkers running their breakfast along the big longkang. However, all of them had been moved to a new location. Ta dah!!!! Bagan Serai has it first eva FOOD COURT now.

Originally, this location was a wet market; it had been transfered to elsewhere, somewhere behind Tong Wah Primary School. I never visited the wet market ever since it was transfered to a new location. 

 

 

There are few hawkers who are still around since my kindy time. My all-time favorite is that middle age guy who sell Loh Mee and Hokkien Mee (noodle). The taste of noodle remain the same thru’out sooo many years, and it is always yummie.

By the way, in general, this is how the hawkers pack soupy noodle:

 

 

The Fried Keow Teow stall is still run by the same person, but I never liked it. I was looking for the lady who fried Fried Kueh Kak..sigh, no signs of her. The stall that sells drinks (recalling from memory, drink available in sequence: pineapple drink, chao keuh (aka leong fun), chendol, bali, soy bean, soy bean jelly) Correct me if I’m not right.   

 

 

Market doesn’t look happening during the day, except breakfast. I didn’t usually grab a bite from market ‘cos mum get most of our brekky done. I usually buy almost everything (from one end to another) few days before I fly out from home, stuffing myself with all the food, drinking freshly made soya milk like no tomorrow…all the ‘hard work’,  just to make sure I don’t miss out any yummie local food.

For most of the Chinese, the highlight is 2 days before CNY, where there are plenty of things going around in market ol’ place. This year this time, plenty of chinese floak back to Bagan Serai from all over everywhere on earth. It is time to check out (kepoh) people…who got married, who got pregnant, who got gf/bf, who become thinner/fatter/long hair/short hair/gay/lesbo….Bagan Seraians will b*tch to the max whenevr they can, this is BS– all can Bull Sh*t mann! Hahhaah. *joke*

Honestly, I don’t enjoy going to night market especially people starring at me, thinking I’m a bloody tourist. Alas, I do carry a camera with me, but it doesn’t mean I am a weirdo. So ’sam pat’ can? Plus, my friends mostly won’t be home till the day before 1st day of CNY..not much fun really.

 

 

Comparing to old days..the  night market is more entertaining. They now even set up a big stage, they do all the dancing thing, singing. All the superstar wannabe..hey! I am not teasing at their skill..to some extend, I sorta look high up upon those young gals who dare to dream BIG, and have the gut to perform infront of dirty oldmen. The gals I saw this yr when I went home was okay. Few years back..seriouly, I had no-eye see. They dressed up so sexy and showed skin all over everywhere until VIP sponsors sitting at the front row wanna vomit blood. It is Bagan Serai afterall, man. Give those oldies a break, okay? They did donate plenty of money, but it doesn’t mean there is a necessity to sacrifice dignity.

 

 

Lotsa housewivies do their last minute shopping here..whereas for the young folks, its more like checking out ppl, acting ‘cool’.

 

 

More food..  

 

 

I didn’t feel eating much when the crowd were jampacked everywhere. However, there is one thing I would never give up trying is : Ban Chang Kuih (Chinese Pan Cake) 111.

 

 

And this Ah Pek..been selling Ban Chang Kuih for many many many years! and he is still ALIVE!  

 

 

Gosh! This is fantastic mannn! 

 

 

Nowhere on earth you can any better Ban Chang Kuih like this…. Nowhere on earth you can find a place like Bagan Serai, too.

 

I have few posts coming; all dedicated to the town where I used to live for about 15 years.

I wasn’t motivated to get those posts done, not until one of the ex-Bagan Seraians (Uncle Ray) stumbled upon my weblog and dropped me a message sometimes ago asking me about Bagan Serai. *wow* And guess what? Uncle Ray happend to be my family close friend’s relo!!! What a small world, eh?

There are few more people who originally from Bagan Serai living in Perth at the moment who get to know me thru’ my blog. They know my parents, my dad’s shop, my family know them, their relos, …. yer know, small-town thing. But, but, I don’t know any of them! *generation gap*

p/s: Uncle Ray is not my uncle. This is how Chinese people call the elderly.

Anyway.. First post is all about the Town, and it is not a long post either simply because Bagan Serai aint no big town.

 

 

 

Nothing much had been changed in the town, except the council build an overhead bridge in the middle of the Jalan Besar (Main Road).

 

 

And yeah! Bagan Serai first ever traffic light! w00t! The traffic light is located the junction toward Jalan Parit Buntar. There was a Shell Petrol Station on the right, remember? It has been demolished years ago.

 

  

The big mosque is located in the center of the town. It has been renovated, and countless air conditioners were installed too. nahbeh 

 

 

Most of the building and shops remain unchanged. The shop owners might probably just put a new signboard , so the shop may look ‘new’ (personal opinion)  

 

  

 

 

 

 

Old name, new business. 

 

 

Old name, old business, new shop  

 

 

sorta brand new  shop and name

 

 

There are few old coffee shops which are still around. Lau Soon Hup is one of them. 

 

 

Every morning, those male oldies gather in this kopitiam (coffee shop), discussing about every bloody single issues aka gossip.

 

 

Over one of the best drink in Lau Son Hup is ‘Charm’ [coffee and tea mix ], these oldies talk about politic like they can rule the entire kingdom, they gossip about everything from whose son and whose daughter getting shortgun married, etc etc Classic eh?   

 

 

There was one time when I was having my holiday back home, I walked in Lau Soon Hup with my brother ..They asked my brother in Teow Chew: OI! jit kai lu kai char bow peng you ah? [English: this is your girl friend?] My brother answered: se ah! ngia boh? (Yes! pretty?) Another oldie:boh lah! kai mek si Hock Chor kai cha bow kia lah! [No lah, that’s Hock Chor’s daughter lah]

Haha! See! Told you! It IS a small town, they know my dad, my brother, me myself, and I don’t even know them! Haha!

There is nothing much could Bagan Serai offer to the people… nowadays, Bagan Seraians are all over the places (and world). If you are one of the Bagan Seraians, drop by and say Hello, will ya?

 

 

I did it again. ;P

 

 

Hey! Guess what? I found out this infringement kept in one of my book, and I mean to pay for it looooong time ago when I was having my holiday back home. How long? That’s like..erm.. FEBRUARY!!

I paid my last infringement over here around Christmas last year. But the one in Taiping huh… Do you think I should bother about it?

I was driving my parent’s car. Erm, yeah. Maybe I should tell my mummy tomorrow when I call home to wish her Happy Mother’s Day. I have to be honest with my parents; and you see, the car is registered under their name, I can’t be so selfish, right? *wink*

Rightio~!!! Call home tomorrow and reveal the truth!! *right timing*

 

 

Erm.. after all it is only RM20.00. Seriously, shall I be bothered? But I still think it is going to be a ideal ‘topic’ to initiate our conversation with my mummy tomorrow..see how she react My mum is funny, and she has very high level of sense of humour. I just can’t wait to hear from her. Haha! I am such a hopeless daughter.

On earth.. This is going to be one of my mother’s day gifts. So… tell me!! what have you got for you mum??

 

 

Claudine is one of my childhood friends. I would say she is the oldest friend (and partner-in-crime) I have eva. I know her before I attended kindergarden. See! That’s how old our friendship is.

We went to the kindy together, primary school and junior high. We used to hang out very very very often when we were young. Our houses just few doors away from each other. That made everything easier-lepak, supper, holiday, school trip, girl guide, camping etc etc.

This is one of the photos we’ve taken. Not quite sure how young we were at that time.

 

 

The one on the left is Claudine, and the one on the right is me, obviously.  

 

 

Oh! This is one of the birthday cards Claudine gave me. I can’t remember how many cards she gave me. She probably just gave me ONE birthday card in my life. Haha! *joking*

This card makes it very special because it was the year when Claudine left Bagan Serai for Ipoh, and it was the first time in my life ( at that time) celebrating my birthday without her. She likes singing ‘Happy Birthday’ in her own version:

“Happy Birthday to you, you were born in the zoo, with the monkeys and donkeys, and the elephants like you!!! “

Of course, I always steal her version of ’Happy Birthday’  and sing it to other people. And every time I use it, it reminds me of her. How cute?

 

  

2007. We caught up again when I was home during CNY holiday. I haven’t seen her in the past few years simply because I am here, she is there. Erm anyhow..22-years of friendship. And it is still counting.

Anyway, today is Claudine’s birthday. I just wanna wish her all the best in everything, everything. As usual.

Happy Birthday, mate!! (in aussie accent)

 

 

 

Hello everybody, please meet my old junior high folks from Sekolah Menengah Alang Iskandar [SMAI] (Alang Iskandar High School) !

In case you wonder, why there aren’t much students in my own race? There were several old friends who can’t make it due to family reason–having baby, spending their CNY with in-laws far away from home. Classic caese when you come to this age? hehehe 

But yeah, we did have very small Chinese population in my junior high. Don’t believe it? See the next photo.

 

 

Ta dah!! 

If my memory serve me right, we had approximately 15 Chinese students in a year, that’s why we always struggle to organise an after-class Mandarin lesson. The headmistress back then refused to organise a class for us provided there were 15 students.

Anyway..do you manage to spot me in this old photo? So many things had been changed since I left my junior high..but one thing for sure, my cute-ness never changed. *ahem* This IS what I’ve been told by my old friends said.  I don’t simply simply make up the fact one, you see. *wink*

 

 

Tze Choong is my brother table tennis friend too. He plays very very well, I remember he represent our state..not just school, our state! He went elsewhere for table tennis competition. How cool!

He met Jacky Cheung and some other super stars in S’pore, he took photo with them, and display them in the house. You know what, I am soooo going to print this photo out, and he is soooo going to display this photo next to other super star!!!

 

 

This is Wei Wei. We both were very competitive back then. His name always come after mine in the top student list. Haha! Not that I am saying I was good academically, he is just being kind to me. He knew I am such a perfectionist that I want to be the first and the Number-1 student in my class– Number 1-shortest, Number-1 loudest, Number-1 talkactive, etc etc.  *sigh! I wish I can stop talking sometimes.*

 

 

Pei See was another gal in my class, sitting behind me. She studied all the time, and she stressed me out so much. Peer pressure is good, I tell you. I  probably wouldn’t make it to these Number-1(s) without her.

 

 

Pei Pei is teaching in a primary school now. She is a school teacher, ie. Hey!!! I have a school teacher friend!!! How cool is that? *p/s: my godmother is my primary school teacher*

I always think teaching is a very very respectful job. I will never see myself standing infront a group of students and educate them properly. I am quite short tempered. I am afraid I would stretch few mucles of my arm and bitch slap the students.

But hey! I did do teaching for awhile in Buddhist Sunday School thou. But again, I didn’t slap anyone there ‘cos they were all good students. And they were nice to me, too. And I think because I am a nice person. *cough*

 

 

Sook Lai. OH! She is very very independent. She is managing a company, and her organisational skill is so damn good. At my age, sometime I wonder how she get to learn so much, do so much….don’t these people need to sleep?  

 

 

This leng chai Boon *whatever* …damn! Boon Wui and Boon Quan are twin. They look so alike that I never get to know who is who after 10 days. Great! Shame on me! I shall run and hide.

 

 

This dude..Zhen Hua. Ah! I always feel very very pleased ’cos he is not much taller than me. :P  

 

 

My old friend Ying Yuen insist me will act cute like her when I take photo. =.=”’ Aunty! I am cute already larrr. Mind you, maybe I should do that sometimes.. Ying Yuen  has a daughter in Year 1, and she is still looking hot and sexy all the time. What a hot mum in town, I call her.  

 

 

 Ah! Is like a big family gathering again…after years and years… ..

 

 

So..my old friends…see you all after sometimes!!!

 

 

 

 

Welcome to Nasi Kandar Naseer Fairos, Bagan Serai!!

 

 

It is the ONLY (I think) mamak which run 24/7. Non stop.

 

 

I went back to my OWN hometown…acting like a BIG TIME tourist! Not much people from my hometown know who I am anymore..They just think I am a visitor from else where. How sad? But not till I mention my dad’s name or Eng Hock Tong, people would like : AHHH!!! I know your father!! So, you are his daughter who live in Australia!! WAH!!” =.=”’ So Bagan Serai, I tell you.

Anyway, I was lucky enough revisiting mamak with Jimmy korkor (brother). Jimmy is their regular customer, and they all treat him very very nice. I am lucky enough too, managed to take some photos without any interferences.

 

 

 

 

The food was absolutely yummie. Oh well, what can I say? it IS Bagan Serai food! You must be good to stay in the business; I haven’t seen anyone selling not-so-yummie food can survive in my hometown. Seriously. I think this is one of the reasons I have fussy taste buds.

 

 

AH!! Favorite food!!! SEE-HUM!!! (Malaysian clams). Apparently not much people will appreciate see-hum due to high risk of Hep A, Hep B; for me, I just don’t care (!!!) I’ve got myself vaccinated before my holiday because I was so god-damn going to eat em’!  

 

 

This is Jimmy korkor. He is my old old old friend. He is father of two cute little daughters. How cool is that?  

 

 

There are few things that you cannot miss out in mamak: teh-tarik (milk tea) and roti canai!!!! I love watching the cook making roti canai.

I stick my head out, open my eyes widely, mouth half opened with 101% fasination. Erm..I am such a tourist of Bagan Serai. OK! I admit it!

 

  

The Roti Tisu  was kindly delivered by Mr. Waiter. He wanted me to take a photo for him, so he can send a copy for his family oversea. I shall get them printed out, and send back to Jimmy korkor. I reckon his family will miss him alot.

 

 

I told him he looks very scary without a smile..he would scare his son off when he send his photos home. He burst out his laughters straight away.

I love seeing people smile…I don’t like people taking things tooooooo serisouly. :)  *depend what we talking here*

 

 

Ta dah~!! This is a super slim and tall roti tisu…but after eating this, plus curry, roti sardin, roti telur bawang (egg and onion) etc etc..gosh! I need to burn my fat seriously. Now, talking about diet eh, this is the thing I need to take it serisouly!

 

 

 

  

 

 

Me and Jimmy korkor.

I don’t know when it will be the next time for me stepping back to this mamak store, having a nice cup of cuppa, middle of night; but I know it was one of the greatest moment from home.

 

 

 

p/s:Thanks Jimmy for the whole supper, I told you I CAN eat alot ! HA!

 

 

 

 

 

Eng Hock means Forever Happiness; my late grandpa named after his medical hall (shop) long time ago. We are the third generation in the family practicing Chinese medicine. But is a lot of thing has been changed when people from my hometown moving from pharmacognosy therapy to western pharmaceutical. In fact, I am ONE of them.

NO! Don’t get me wrong. I do appreciate Chinese medicines. They are beautiful herbs!

 

 

This is my very very cool dad!  

Dad is the second generation. He gained his knowledge of Chinese herb by working as apprentice in Penang Island when he was young. Apprenticeship was very very difficult back then, he said.

 

 

My mum is helping out in the shop. My mum has been helping my late maternal grandpa running retail business at very young of age. She probably doesn’t know much about Chinese medicine, but managing business and staff members in the shop..I would say she is the role model.

 

 

mum is busy ‘counting money’, that’s why she wasn’t looking at my camera. 

Let me present: my baby brothers!!! They both are helping out my parents as well. Running in and out… 

 

 

Making money…and allow me to persuit my dream here in Aussieland. 

 

 

These are classic Chinese Medical Hall storage–drawers. 

 

 

Each drawers is subdivided into few spaces in them, and well labeled. The label is made by high quality metal, the words are engraved and background is painted in colour. 

 

 

Everytime I home, I look at them. It is absolutely breath-taking seeing my parents are keeping these old antiques well. Absolutely fastinating. 

 

 

Plantation is widely used in chinese medicine… 

 

  

so does other insect such as cockcroach, scorpion, etc etc  

 

 

These heavy mortars and pestle(s) are made by very high quality metal. Dad is the only one in our family manage to ‘play some nice rhythm’ out of it while crushing some herbs. At the end of the crushing process, he always use the pestle, lightly hit the edge of the mortar, and “TING”!! (a sound produced). No one, seriously no one manages to “TING” like my dad.

During this trip, happend that my dad need to crush some herbs. I sat next to hit…looking at his familiar movement, and the “TING” … He is the legend!  How cool is that?!

 

  

Running chinese herbs itself won’t survive in Bagan Serai. Most of the Chinese ppl come in for chrysanthemum tea, pepper…*I am pretty sure I know abit more than this * At some occasions, we get prescriptions too, and my cool dad will dispense them accordingly.

 

 

I will be still doing the same job, just dealing with different type of medication. This makes me think..I am as cool as my dad.

 

 

Last very photo of mine for this entry. 

 

 

Me and the antique.