A Glimpse into the Past

This dim sum restaurant, Yook Woo Hin (read more here, The Star) closed its business on National Day, i.e. 31 August, after been in business for 84 years.  The building it occupied has been sold by the landlord  for the mass rapid train development project.  

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A glimpse into the past ~ Yook Woo Hin Restaurant & Kwong Fook Wing Tailor:

Jalan Sultan

A photography friend urged us to go out to Jalan Sultan in KL (in Petaling Street aka Chinatown area) to capture as many shots as possible. And we were to do this AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.  Reason being some of the buildings will be demolished due to the development of mass rapid train development that will passing through some parts of Petaling Street.

Growing up in Melaka, I enjoy old buildings with history than those new, glass, high-rise types.  But as I can see, in KL particularly, many of these old buildings are neglected or tore down and taken over by new high rise buildings.  It's sad that we let heritage buildings like these being demolished easily.  I wish our government would have more insights to preserve and conserve these heritage buildings so that the future generations may still be able to appreciate the beautiful architecture that will be lost forever, if they are tore down. I wish....I wish.....I wish.............

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In a dire effort to save Petaling Street's buildings from being sacrificed in the name of MRT development, The Petaling Street Community Art Project organized "Light a Lantern, Save Jalan Sultan" event on the eve of Chap Goh Mei this year.  Here is a video of the event:

Ice Cream Man

When I was young, the ringing bell of the ice cream man excites me! I would rush out to the street to stop him before I went to my Dad for some coins to buy ice creams. Cornetto cones ice cream is a luxury that we only get to enjoy during Chinese New Year. That's when we had more cash from our angpow (red packets) to spend.

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Speaking of my Dad, I miss him. I would like to share this poignant video featuring a father and his son. It moved me. I hope you too.

Happy Moon Cake Festival

Today is the celebration of Moon Cake Festival, that is also known as Mid-Autumn Festival. This is the photo of the moon captured tonight. It's a bit hazy these days and today's level of haze is rather high as everything seems blurry and the weather is a hot and stuffy. Not a good day to be outdoor enjoying a parade with lanterns. I am missing my childhood when my brothers and I would be parading around our neighbourhood with lanterns. Oh, how I miss those days!

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Here is an old Chinese poem called Jing Ye Shi by the famous Li Bai:



And a cute animation to wish everyone Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!

Bed & Breakfast

More & more backpackers hostel and B&B are established in Melaka's Jonker & Temple Street area. And this is good as they make accommodation in the touristy part of Melaka town affordable!

This is a mural taken from one of the budget accommodation. It is located just in front of the Jonker Walk stage where karaoke session is held on every weekend. But wonder if one can sleep through the loud noise coming from the speakers?

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Heineken staged a fake classical music concert at the same time as a crucial Real Madrid vs. AC Milan game on October 21, there was no chance that any real soccer fan would be there…except if their girlfriends, professors and bosses convinced them (by any means necessary) to attend.

What happens next is sheer hilarity, and a nice example of a high-budget guerrilla marketing campaign from Heineken. Suffice to say that more than 1,100 soccer fans got swindled, 1.5 million people saw their reactions on live TV, and Heineken received five million visitors to the site devoted to the event — and a great deal of news coverage for their troubles.

Watch the video here!

In Deep Thought

Caught Harvin, the bride, in deep thought during the wedding ceremony on last Friday.
Wonder what she was thinking?

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My friend, Reinhard, who visited my blog mentioned that he enjoyed the photos and videos posted.

Here's a music video by Korea's Wonder Girls with their US Debut Single 'Nobody' that you should not miss out!
The video is hillarious and the song is so popular among young adults in Malaysia.

I was first introduced to this song by two Korean delegates who performed the dance during ASEAN International Buddhist Youth Exchange. They truly brought the Korean waves to the Buddhist youths. It became such a hit among us! In the gym, this song was also played during our Dance Mania class. It's a catchy and nice song! Enjoy it!

Wonder Girls' Performance in New York

Red Amaryllis

Beautiful Amaryllis from the garden of Fo Guang Shan.
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I want to share this lovely video that I watched online called "JK Wedding Entrance Dance". Wish I could attend such a wedding one day! It's fabulous.



To view the story behind this video, please go to: JK Wedding.

A parody of the "JK Wedding Entrance Dance" video, here's the "JK Divorce Entrance Dance". Ha ha..have fun!! This is humorous!

Dutch Square in Melaka

This is a scene taken on last Sunday morning at the Dutch Square in Melaka. The fountain was built by British colonial to commemorate Queen Victoria Regina's 64-year reign from 1837-1901. This is a popular tourist spot in my hometown. It is called a Dutch Square as this square is surrounded by buildings built by the Dutch, i.e. the Stadhuys (where I was standing) and Christ Church.

The Dutch ruled Melaka from 1641-1795. However, in 1795, the Dutch Governor surrendered Melaka to the English East India Company. In 1818, after the Napoleonic Wars, under the Treaty of Vienna, Malacca is restored by the British to the Dutch. The Dutch continued to rule Melaka till 1824. That's why there are many historical remains of Dutch and English that can be found in Melaka, on top of the Portuguese, who first came to Melaka in 1511.

That's a summary of the history of my hometown Melaka.

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I found this video of Beyonce performing her hit Single Ladies during the MTV Video Awards. She looked smashing and her dance was awesome. Shake away and put your hand up with this video!



Single Ladies lyrics
Songwriters: Harrell, Thaddis Laphonia; Knowles, Beyonce; Nash, Terius; Stewart, Christopher;

All the single ladies, all the single ladies
All the single ladies, all the single ladies
All the single ladies, all the single ladies
All the single ladies

Now put your hands up
Up in the club, we just broke up
I'm doing my own little thing
Decided to dip and now you wanna trip
Cause another brother noticed me

I'm up on him, he up on me
Don't pay him any attention
Just cried my tears, for three good years
Ya can't be mad at me

Cause if you liked it then you should have put a ring on it
If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it
Don't be mad once you see that he want it
If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it
Oh, oh, oh

If you liked it then you should have put a ring on it
If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it
Don't be mad once you see that he want it
If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it

I got gloss on my lips, a man on my hips
Got me tighter in my Dereon jeans
Acting up, drink in my cup
I can care less what you think

I need no permission, did I mention
Don't pay him any attention
Cause you had your turn and now you gonna learn
What it really feels like to miss me

Cause if you liked it then you should have put a ring on it
If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it
Don't be mad once you see that he want it
If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it
Oh, oh, oh

If you liked it then you should have put a ring on it
If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it
Don't be mad once you see that he want it
If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it
Oh, oh, oh

Don't treat me to the things of the world
I'm not that kind of girl
Your love is what I prefer, what I deserve

Here's a man that makes me then takes me
And delivers me to a destiny, to infinity and beyond
Pull me into your arms, say I'm the one you own
If you don't, you'll be alone
And like a ghost Ill be gone

All the single ladies, all the single ladies
All the single ladies, all the single ladies
All the single ladies, all the single ladies
All the single ladies
Now put your hands up, oh, oh, oh

Cause if you liked it then you should have put a ring on it
If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it
Don't be mad once you see that he want it
If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it
Oh, oh, oh

If you liked it then you should have put a ring on it
If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it
Don't be mad once you see that he want it
If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it
Oh, oh, oh


© 2082 MUSIC PUBLISHING; B-DAY PUBLISHING; EMI APRIL MUSIC INC.; WB MUSIC CORP.;

My World Tuesday - Spring Roll (Popiah)

For today's That's My World Tuesday posting, here's a photo of the Spring Roll seller on the old street of Melaka. This old man has been peddling his fresh Spring Roll on a tricycle since I was young. He used to push his cart around town in the afternoon. But these days, he parked himself by the roadside in Jalan Bunga Raya. One can hardly find such food pedlar in Kuala Lumpur.

Upon order, the fresh spring roll skin (the white, round dough) will be filled with steamy hot, stewed yam bean or jicama, a piece of lettuce, fried eggs, lard, fried shallots, scalded bean sprouts, cubed fried bean curd with some chilli and sweet paste. It is best eaten fresh! Yummy snack!!

He also sells fried spring rolls. You can see the fried spring rolls placed in the green basket.

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Saw this video of Lee Ann Rimes performing Can't Fight the Moonlight, soundtrack of the movie Coyote Ugly at Hazel of Bangkok's blog. This is one of my favourite movies and songs. Hope you will like it too.

Spectacular Bunaken

Another breathtaking scene of Bunaken island at North Sulawesi. Watching this kind of scenery spread in front of me tends to make me grateful of this wonderful earth that we live in!

Sky Watch Friday returns with beautiful photos of skies around the world. Check it out!

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I would like to share with all of you 2 short films recently released as part of the 15 malaysia short film project. This project was launched on 17 Aug and the project consists of 15 short films made by 15 Malaysian filmmakers. These films not only deal with socio-political issues in Malaysia, they also feature some of the best-known faces in this country, including actors, musicians and top political leaders. You may think of them as funky little films made by 15 Malaysian voices for the people of Malaysia.

The film 'Potong Saga' is a hillarious one that I would like to share with all of you. It is a laugh-out-loud film about a Chinese boy’s misguided attempts at opening an Islamic bank account.

This 2nd film is called 'Halal'. It is a very silly slapstick comedy demonstrating the proper Islamic way to slaughter chicken. Many may not know what it means by 'Halal' food for the Muslims. This film give viewers a better understanding of 'halal'. Laugh away with this!!

Wish you all a lovely weekend!

A Tribute to Yasmin Ahmad

Today I wanna pay tribute to the late Yasmin Ahmad, a highly acclaimed and award-winning film director who passed away last Saturday. Yasmin had directed many award-winning TV commercials for Petronas and that is why I have featured a black & white shot of Petronas Twin Towers for today's Monochrome Monday posting.

Here's a special poem dedicated to Yasmin, written by actress Azean Irdawati, that was published by The Sun paper in an article entitled: Farewell to Yasmin Ahmad by Bissme S.

She was an angel
God sent us
No, he lent us
To be a storyteller
Who spun stories of
Magic, joy and enchantment
Who we often lose sight of
Her fight was brief
Her leaving was a grief
Just like her movies
The end came too soon
But her wisdom remain
like words to a tune
That we will hold dear
Forever you will be near.
I love you Yasmin
I will miss you always.

Below is a beautiful TV commercial that the late Yasmin Ahmad directed, entitled 'Funeral', commissioned by Singapore's Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS). The story portrays a mother's love for her husband who passed away.

Another beautiful TV commercial by Yasmin Ahmad for AirAsia entitled: "Have you flown Air Asia lately?"

Lastly, I present you Yasmin Ahmad, behind the scene during the shooting of 'Funeral' TV ad.

Yasmin, may you have a good onward journey. Your absence will be missed by many fellow Malaysians, more so, during those key festive seasons when we don't get to see anymore of those brilliant tv commercials by you.

Sky Watch Fri - Flags Flying High for Wesak

Tomorrow is Wesak Day and I would like to send my wishes in advance to you and family.

Buddhist flags are flying high at the Subang Jaya Buddhist Association, preparing for this special day that Buddhists around the world celebrates.

Wesak is a day to commemorate 3 important events, i.e. the birth, enlightenment and the passing away of the Buddha. On this day, Buddhists will usually go to temple to offer prayers and recall the teachings of the Buddha.

I am looking forward to going back to Melaka for a Wesak celebration with my family and also celebrating Mother's Day with my mom.

Wishing Buddhists around the world a Happy Wesak Day. May the teachings of the Buddha continue to guide and inspire you in your daily endeavours!

And a happy weekend to all!

Today's posting is also my participation for Sky Watch Friday. Visit the Sky Watch Friday portal for views of skies around the world!

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For a joyous occasion like this, I would like to share with all of you this classic song that was performed at the Central Railway Station in Antwerp, Belgium. A marvellous act! Enjoy!