little miss may

My family (on my Mom’s side) has been making love letters, or locally known as kuih kapit, for as long as I could remember. The recipe is one which we’ve used year after year since my great grandmother’s days. Even the stove and the moulds we use are older than me by at least 10 to 20 years. Yes, they are that old! Maybe someday they’ll become the family heirloom of sorts, but not just yet. Still a long way to go before we put them away for good.

The recipe is half standard and half by feel and experience. 1 kg of flour, 1 kg of sugar. That’s the standard portion. The other half is measured by “holding up a wet finger in the air”. 15 to 20 eggs, depending on how tasty (or heong) you want the love letters to be. Milk from 4 coconuts or more, depending on how old the coconuts are. The older they are, the more milk they produce, the less you need.

The amount of coconut milk added to the batter of flour, sugar and eggs is another thing that’s based on feel. My uncles who are pro at this always go by the consistency of the batter when they mix and stir it around a little. Too thick, just add a bit more milk. Too runny, and you’ll be in trouble.

While the batter is being prepared in the kitchen — it takes about 2 hours to get it just right — outside at the indoor garden, the stove is prepared. Charcoal pieces are placed into the stove (see how rusty it is? Now, that’s a really well-used ka-chang!), and left to burn till they smoulder nicely on their own. The perfect “fire” for barbecue.

The moulds are heated up to melt the layer of coconut oil that was applied the year before to keep them from rusting. Now, this is the “secret” — only use coconut oil to coat the moulds before, during and after making those love letters. We’ve tried all sorts of other cooking oils, but they don’t preserve the moulds well enough compared to coconut oil.

Once the moulds are cleaned off of the old oil and recoated with a new layer, the love-letter making begins!

Now, this is one thing I admit I’ve never really tried. Handling the moulds themselves over the stove. I’ve beaten the flour, sugar and eggs, squeezed the milk from the coconuts, mixed with a spring beater till my arms are all tired, folded the thin biscuits till my fingers are almost blistered from the hot oil. Those things, I’m good at.

Cooking the love letters themselves, no. One needs to pour batter onto the mould, put it over the stove to cook for awhile, scrape and clean the edges halfway through, put on the stove again till biscuit turns golden brown, peel off from the edge and toss to the designated letter folder (which is usually me). I’m ok with burning my fingers on the folding, but too chicken shit to try the actual cooking which probably might be less taxing on my fingertips. I’m afraid that I might burn half of the biscuits before they even reach the folding stage. Maybe next year, eh? Or the year after that… Or I’ll just stick to folding…

Even though we make these almost every year, it’s only my uncles and my aunt who really put a lot of effort into getting it done. There’s no one else except my brothers and I to so-called carry on the tradition, but I somehow doubt that it’ll happen. From the days where my great grandmother and family would make them by the dozens of tins to sell, to the significantly fewer tins for home consumption now, I think that tradition might fade with my generation…

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Many many moons ago, almost 9 in fact, I was tagged by Kat on “10 Things I Miss of Mom’s Cooking”. I never got around finishing it, I’m not sure why. Now that I’ll be going abroad, I’m already thinking of what I’d like to devour before I won’t have a chance to for a very long time. Ten is one too many for my lazy brain to think of now, so I’ll stick to five.

5 delectable home-cooked dishes I’ll miss, in no particular order:

1: TungKu Kai Keok
Translated: mushroom & chicken feet. I love the way my Mom cooks this, just makes me drool for more. I always have to remind myself that I can’t eat the whole pot and I need to share it with the others. I think she’ll be cooking a pot of this tomorrow, yippee!

2: Ching Pai Kuat
Translated: steamed pork ribs. There’s garlic, a bit of bean sauce, and shuen mui added to marinate the pork ribs before it goes into the wok for a steam bath. I had this once from a fast food joint in Beijing, and it reminded me so much of Mom’s version, it almost felt like home. Almost. Just… not quite. Made me miss home at that moment.

3: Lor Mai Fan
Translated: sticky glutinous rice. She does this very well too. I’m not a fann tong (rice eater), but whenever she makes this, I’d whack in a couple of bowlfuls. Absolutely love the pieces of lap cheong (Chinese sausages) she adds into it as well, which makes the rice sweeter. Could you just taste it? Could you? Could you? Bring your bowl, the queue starts here.

4: Onion Soup
No need translation here. It’s a very basic soup dish — loads of red onions / shallots, some chicken meat (though chicken carcass is the best for flavour), bring to boil and simmer for a couple of hours until the onions turn transparent and soft and all the yumminess goes into the soup. Yum yum yum… Slurp!

5: Shuen Kai Choy
Also known as shuen choy keok. I’m not sure what kai choy translates to. Anyone know the English name of this vegetable? Typically slow cooked with leftover meat, lots and lots of dried chili, dried slices of assam, and anything else you want to throw in. I noticed that each time my Mom cooks it, it always turns out slightly different depending on what ingredients she added. The best when there are pieces of lap cheong in it, which adds a bit of sweetness to the overall dish.

Ok, I just made myself really hungry writing up this post. Almost dinnertime too, and Mom’s not cooking tonight! Sigh… Maybe just some instant noodles with an egg. And some Ritter Sport chocolate after that.

What are your 5 favourite home-cooked dishes? Remind me what other yummilicious dishes I’m missing out on…

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I owe Chen and Sin Ling a few first times. Having such a poor memory to begin with, I really can’t remember many… not even my first date! Must’ve been quite insignificant for me to forget that easily… Anyway, I do remember one which, although it’s not really my first (since as a baby I would’ve received quite a few), it kinda stuck to my mind. I do recall…

My first injection as a child.

Usually in Malaysia, when we’re about 7 years old, we’re all given BCG jabs in school. Being Mummy’s girl, and having nightmares of nurses looking like they’re perpetually having a bad day, I didn’t get my shot in the arm with the rest of the students. Rather, my Mom took me to a clinic to get that jab. I remember feeling a little smug too, when I didn’t have to be one of those crying kids standing in the corridor looking miserable after their shots.

I thought I’d get a gentle one in the arm (since done by “pro”, mah) but no-o-o… the Doc (not to be mistaken for Chen, of course) pulled down the right side of my shorts and gave me a jab on my heinie. Ouch! It stung a little, and later on it swelled up quite a bit because I kept scratching at the tiny, itchy scar. The swelling stayed a few days too, and it certainly wasn’t pleasant at all. So much for being more “privilege”, I certainly didn’t feel all that grand after what happened to my bottom post-jab.

And that’s the last time (I hope) I got a shot on my arse.

The end!

Is ignorance truly bliss?

Would you rather go on not knowing about something that would affect you for the rest of your life, and live a carefree existence? Or would you rather know as much as you could, even though it’s not good news and potentially life threatening?

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Right-o.

Finally got my flight tickets sorted out and issued this week. Ordinarily, it would’ve been a very simple one-way ticket Down Under (since I don’t know when I’m going to come home next, might as well not do the round trip purchase). However, my new job required me to spend 3 days in Singapore to meet the regional client, which meant I had to do a business trip even before I landed my arse in the Sydney office.

For those who’ve been asking, “When are you leaving exactly?”, I’ve been giving rather complicated answers, having to explain that although I’m leaving for Sydney on 18th February, I start work on the 14th and have to do a trip to Singapore, but will be leaving for Oz from KL. Eh?

Itinerary 1:
MH607 13FEB KUL/SIN 1930 2025
MH614 16FEB SIN/KUL 1805 1900

Itinerary 2:
OS1 18FEB KUL/SYD 0600 1655

And above all that, there’s the “last day on 31st but I won’t be around after that until the 11th” plan thrown in. So although I seem to have a couple of weeks before I join the workforce again, I’m not exactly available for comment.

In short:

• 31st January: My last day at work. Bye-bye to good folks at my current workplace.
• 1st - 10th February: I go far, far away. Personal time. Do not disturb.
• 11th - 13th February: I’ll be home packing like mad for three days. I fly down to Singapore in the evening of the 13th.
• 14th - 16th February: I officially start work on 14th for my new Co. Three days of induction and meetings with the new client. I fly back to KL on 16th evening.
• 17th February: My very very last minute packing session, CNY Eve dinner, last round of angpow collections, and goodbye to my family.
• 18th February: I fly South for Winter in the early morning. Well, almost!

From now till the last fly-away date of 18th February, there’s still a little time for hugs and kisses and a few makan sessions. But hey, don’t worry about not being able to meet up. Don’t feel bad! Seriously and honestly speaking, don’t feel obligated. I might not even have the time to spare, looking at what time I have left.

Ah, but there’s still plenty of time to send me that card! Chinese New Year, Valentine’s, early birthday… So should I be expecting a few deliveries from Mr. Postman in the next few weeks? *wink!*

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An almost self-proclaimed cheong hei kung L B passed on the torture torch for answering 70 questions. I know it’s been awhile since it was bestowed upon me, but at long last, I’m done with this meme! Took me 3 days to put the answers and photos together. Try not to fall asleep, ok.

1) Are your parents married or divorced?
Married.

2) Are you a vegetarian?
On the first half of the first day of Chinese New Year, I am.

3) Do you believe in Heaven?
I’m a sceptic. There’s no proof that Heaven exists, or Hell. Just Earth, which is where I should be making most of my time on rather than worrying about the afterlife.

4) Have you ever come close to dying?
Near car accidents and some sprained limbs are as close as I could get. And thank goodness for that.

5) What jewellery do you wear 24/7?
My bling-bling diamond earrings I bought for myself in March 2006. I take them off when I shower and when I go to bed. I wouldn’t mind Tiffany & Co.’s Loving Heart pendant as well. One on my wishlist… *hint* *hint*

6) Favourite time of day?
When I’m relaxed with no worries on my mind.

7) Do you eat the stems of broccoli?
Yes. They’re actually nice when skinned and cooked soft.

Do you wear makeup?
I love a clean, makeup-free face, but I use makeup on occasion. Lip gloss, blush & brow liner some days, mascara when I want to fatt hau, and semi-full colour palette when I need to fit in with the rest of the Glams at some dinner. Otherwise, just facial moisturiser is my favourite.

9) Ever have plastic surgery?
No. I’ll stick with my ugly nose for as long as I live.

10) Do you colour your hair?
Home dye, many times. At the salon, once last March. The highlights are all gone now.

11) What do you wear to bed?
Long PJ bottoms and a sleeveless / spaghetti-strap tee. Most times.

12) Have you ever done anything illegal?
I shoplifted once, a small hairpin, just to see if I could. Pinned it onto my head and walked out of the store. I made it, but I felt really bad. Never shoplifted since. Then there are the illegal U-turns, running red lights, yadda yadda yadda.

13) Can you roll your tongue?
Yes. Want me to roll it on you?

14) Do you tweeze your eyebrows?
Yes, though I can never get them in the perfect shape that I want.

15) What kind of sneakers?
I used to like Nike, now I prefer the Adidas lifestyle range. My current favourite is the Okapi, I just love the pink logo on the side!

16) Do you believe in abortions?
If it’s an absolute necessity for the right reasons, yes.

17) What is your hair color?
Black.

18) Future child’s name?
Thought about it on and off, never the same as the years go by.

19) Do you snore?
No, but I’ve been told that I do softly when I’m totally zonked out.

20) If you could go anywhere in the world where would it be?
I’ve always wanted to go to Nepal and see the mountains at Annapurna. I almost did too, 5 years ago. Now I think I’ll have to settle for seeing the magnificent scenery on National Geographic. Coming in a very close second would be Bora-Bora, with its luxurious, private chalets on stilts above crystal clear sea water.

21) Do you sleep with stuffed animals?
No. My woofs are moved off the bed when I snooze.

22) If you won the lottery, what would you do first?
Did I win First Prize or Consolation?

23) Gold or silver?
Silver. But only because I look better with it compared to Gold. I’ll wear the Silver, keep the Gold.

24) Hamburger or hot dog?
Both are good.

25) If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Maybe my Mom’s lormaifan. Either that, or salted butter on toast, with occasional kaya.

26) City, beach or country?
City + Beach = Sydney!! Best of both worlds.

27) What was the last thing you touched?
Other than this keyboard and mouse, it’ll be my hair and face.

28) Where did you eat last?
At home. Absolutely satisfying dinner of pak cham kai, long beans, shuen kai choy, and some vege soup with fishballs.

29) When’s the last time you cried?
I could be quite emotional and cry just by watching a sad movie. Which wasn’t too long ago. But the one I remembered most would be the time I had the last straw and broke down in the shower, feeling defeated.

30) Do you read blogs?
I’d be blatantly lying if I say I didn’t.

31) Would you ever go out dressed like the opposite sex?
Sure, if the occasion calls for it. A woman dressed like a man doesn’t look as weird as the other way around.

32) Ever been involved with the police?
Does almost bribing count? It was for going against a No Entry sign an onto a street my my friend lived. I ended up getting away scott free after pleading that it was my first time in the neighbourhood and I didn’t see the sign.

33) What’s your favourite shampoo conditioner and soap?
I keep changing shampoos, since I read somewhere that it’s recommended. My favourite to date would be L’Oreal’s Elsève range. I use shower gels instead of soap; as long as they have a fresh scent like Body Shop’s Tea Tree & Lemon Oil Body Wash, or Oceanus, they’re ok by me. The Mango shower gel is another favourite.

34) Do you talk in your sleep?
No. I’ve heard quite a few mumbles through the night from others, though.

35) Ocean or pool?
Ocean if I want to go diving. Pool if I want to relax and not taste like salted fish after I’m done.

36) So, who has the original missing questions? #36, 37, 61, and 62.
Tried to trace it back from Simple American’s meme. Looks like it’s a dead end at YL’s. The replacements are interesting enough.

37) Who would you take on a ménage à trois for a dirty weekend?
I haven’t decided yet. Would you like to apply for one of the positions? Judge’s decision is final, no appeals would be entertained.

38) Window seat or aisle?
I used to love window seats, but these days I don’t have a preference especially when the flights are short (e.g. to Singapore). But if it’s more than 5 hours… hmmmm, window. No, wait… aisle. Oh, toss a coin!

39) Ever met anyone famous?
Ian Wright, from Discovery Travel & Adventure’s Globe Trekker series. Rick Price, when I was 17 and won some contest to dine with him (and 11 other winners).

40) Do you feel that you’ve had a truly successful life?
Success to me is very much on how satisfied a person is with his or her life. A mother of three wonderfully well-mannered children is equally successful as the owner and CEO of a gazillion-dollar company. I’m fairly satisfied with the way things are going in my life, though there’s always room for improvement. I try not to be complacent.

41) Do you twirl your spaghetti or cut it?
Twirl. That’s the classic way of eating spaghetti.

42) Ricki Lake or Oprah Winfrey?
Oprah, but not by much.

43) Basketball or Football?
I’d take football. Not the American version, but the one where 22 people chase after 1 ball.

44) How long do your showers last?
A 5-minute quickie in the morning, and about 10 to 15 minutes at night, since I wash my hair then. Much longer if it’s with someone else.

45) Automatic or do you drive a stick?
Manual. I’ve always wanted to switch to auto, but never got around to changing my car.

46) Cake or ice cream?
Ice cream. I don’t need to chew, and it’s nicer to slurp and suck. Ahem.

47) Are you self-conscious?
On occasion, yes. Especially when attention is turned on me.

48) Have you ever drank so much you threw up?
Uh-huh, I have. But funny thing is though, I could never get drunk. My tummy rejects the alcohol — thus the throwing up — before it goes to my head. I’m always sane before and after spewing.

49) Have you ever given money to a beggar?
Yes. These days I don’t much, though. I’d rather donate to WWF and other animal welfares. They don’t have two hands to help themselves like we do.

50) Have you been in love?
Yes.

51) Where do you wish you were?
There, together with you.

52) Are you wearing socks?
Right now, no. Bare-footed.

53) Have you ever ridden in an ambulance?
No. I hope I never need to.

54) Can you tango?
No, but I could pretend to if you don’t mind me stepping on your feet.

55) Last gift you received?
A small package from Simple American for Christmas! A very unique cookie cutter as promised, in the shape of Texas. Also a pack of 2-Alarm Chili Kit, a State of Texas charm, 2 postcards and a card. Thanks very much, Cowboy!

56) Last sport you played?
I don’t really “play” sports, if you’re talking about games like tennis. The last time I rock-climbed was sometime late last year, if that’s considered “playing a sport”.

57) Things you spend a lot of money on?
Food, gadgets, shoes, bags, clothes, girly stuff, everything. Soon it’ll be furniture for my new place.

58) Where do you live?
Now, Petaling Jaya. Very soon, Sydney.

59) Where were you born?
Petaling Jaya.

60) Last wedding attended?
My second brother’s in December 2006.

61) Spit or swallow?
Saliva? Swallow, of course. Unless I need to spit out phlegm. If it’s something else, then…

62) Favorite position?
Spork is best. Spoon + Fork = Spork.

63) Most hated food(s)?
Petai. Not my kind of vege. I’d pick the prawns or ikan bilis or lotus root out to eat from the petai dish if it’s stir-fried together.

64) What’s your least favourite?
Least favourite of what?

65) Can you sing?
I could carry a tune, sometimes out of tune. Best to just shout out my lungs in karaokes.

66) Last person you instant messaged?
The copywriter on YM, telling him that I need more copy for a site we’re working on.

67) Last place you went on holiday?
Singapore for Christmas, with angel, Winn and sengkor. Had a jolly good time too, with carcar, JV, michael, mistipurple, and seefei!

68) Favourite regular drink?
Water wins hands down, despite my love for coffee and green tea. And Ribena, too.

69) Current Song?
You Give Me Something, by Jim Morrison. Heard it in one of Astro’s ads, and I thought it so groovy. The beat’s almost like Maroon 5’s Sunday Morning, another favourite of mine.

70) Tag 3 friends:
Thank you, a^ben, velverse and sengkor for volunteering to be cheong hei.

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