Penangboy

"Dai Sung Sek Fun"

noreply@blogger.com (David_Cheong) — Tue, 17 Oct 2017 02:31:00 -0700

“Dai Sung Sek Fun”, if you are a typical Cantonese especially those born in the 50’s will understand what these means. For the non-canto, its literally means while at meals time – conserve some dishes for others not eaten yet. It also meant that “leave some dishes/food” for the next person/s at the table.

For the current generations, you will seldom hear these words as the new parents of the present generations would encourage those at the dinner, especially their children to eat to their heart contents.

Sad but true, these parents are willing to sacrifice their share of food portion when they (the parents) would continue to adapt the “DSSF” on themselves.

These scenario happened at all level of class segments, whether rich or poor. For the rich families, no issues. Food can be easily replenished and eat to their heart’s contents. For the poor ones, too bad – one had to go hungry till the next source of income comes along to put food on the table.

“DSSF” plays an important parts on the up bring of the younger generations into the adulthood. Its make them realise the value money to put food on the table. Food on the table is also meant to be shared, not selfishly consumed almost all by oneself and not thinking of others within the table, especially in a large families.

I still remembered my mother words ringing in mine and my siblings’ ears ...”Dai Sung Sek Fun”

Post Graduation and Incidental Job Replacement

noreply@blogger.com (David_Cheong) — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 23:51:00 -0800

Much had been said about the past on my memoirs. I guess now is to take sometime off to talk about the post graduation and job placement

So what have I been doing these years, after completion of my formal primary / secondary educations? Well, to be precise after graduation from the vocational school and armed with an Electrical City & Guilds certificate, (those day cannot afford to extend college or further paper chase as Dad has only his pair of hand to feed the whole family of six).

Employments are hard to come by in the early days (circa 1974). With no luck in the electrical / electronic vacancies along the FTZ on the Penang island. Went for many job interviews but was not successful even as an electronic operator along the framed electronic factories (this post/s was much reserved for the lesser gender).

Those days the monthly salary as the electronic operator was RM160 with some allowances thrown in. A take home pay would comes to approximately RM200, a very good income in those days. A Honda club, 600cc would only cost RM700-900. A new Datsun 120Y takes approx. RM7k plus. A packet of Benson & Hedges of 20 sticks take you back by a dollar and a small packet of 6 sticks take 0.30 cents though.

So what job have I landed in myself?. Well, I started as an incidental car mechanic – Cantonese call it the “che fong chai” , (garage boy, paying a good rm40/ month) - following dad’s footstep into the automotive world.

This job calls for dirty manual works, with all the greasy, black oily and dirt ground works with the old automobiles. One has to lie underneath the undercarriage of the vehicles to get things done.(no availability of ramp or the 2 / 4 lift post in those days). On many occasions, my face was so blacken by grease and dirt and upon reaching home; my mother could not even recognize her own son.

In the year 1976/77, my big break came when I chance upon an opportunity (recommended by one Ah Cheng – a spray painter) to join Universal Cars (Ford / Bedford) as a contract workers. My contract work is mainly to check for water leakage in those new Ford vehicles. As I am able to read the car service manual and speak manglish with the gwai-lo (Workshop Manager has noticed this) I was quickly absorbed permanently into this organization as a Trainee Trades man – a feat in those days. I was also quickly promoted to Class 3 mechanic, later to workshop administrative and Service Advisor as my career progressed.

Within a span of 5 years (circa 1980 – 1985) I went through Champion Orchard / Federal Auto and BMW which takes me to states like; Selangor, Johore Bharu and Kuantan and finally landed on job with the newest and hottest auto dealership / distributor at that time – EON.

At that time (3^rd quarter of 1985) EON was recruiting service personnel from all over the motor trades. During the interview with Mr, K.C. Ho, I was asked two most simple and easy question. A) How much do you want? And b) When can you start work?.....

On 14th September 1985, the 1st Penang Bridge was official opened to traffic, And around this time, I am posted to Butterworth Service Centre. This make my travelling from the island to the mainland very much easier. Commuting during the first few months on the almost deserted lane of the Penang Bridge is also a memory. Not like these days where the traffic on the bridge is almost choked and jammed to the brink.
A 2nd Penang bridge is now in progress.

I'm back !!

noreply@blogger.com (David_Cheong) — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 03:01:00 -0800

Well, after a lapse of 3 long years, I'm back.

Many things have changed then. Was inactive for couple of years. Part chasing a long favorite dream and part chasing a satisfactory job.

After a short stints with some small timer workshop, I have finally landed myself in an established Insurance company which permits me to utilize my expertise.

My the other love on watches has yet to fade, still going strong as a matter of fact. Now had joined a public forum, Malaysian style to actively promote the watch poison to the younger members. Eventually, a recovered 70% watcholic as to say.

Meanwhile, took up cycling to keep fit with my newly purchased Oyama folder bike.

More to come.....

My Memoirs (Part 7)

noreply@blogger.com (David_Cheong) — Wed, 14 May 2008 00:40:00 -0700

Continue from My Memoirs (Part 6)

Today is 14 May 2008. 39 years ago (yesterday), my memory lingers on.... especially for the following episode.

May 13th, Year 1969, the unrest came. It was the state of emergency and the darkest part in the history of Malaysia where many Malaysian would like to forget. I could still remember that Mom and Dad, whom had earlier went to an outstation trips to Kuala Lumpur had just managed to reach home a day earlier at Sungai Ujong Road,. They were in a state of panic and went into action buying up provisions and foodstuffs.

I was 12 years old then, and without a care in the world affair, when the radio announced that curfew would be enforced and school will be closed for a definite period. For the first time ever, everyone,(5 families and more than 32 tenants) stays in the house at Sungai Ujong Road, with the iron rail at front gate and windows pulled shut during the weekdays. The roads were deserted for a couple of days and nights and the Gurkhas were patrolling the streets. Those who defy the rules and ‘peep’ out onto the streets were responded with tear-gas fired by the Gurkhas. Our opposite neighbour was actually fired at with tear-gas, when they mischievously went onto the balcony.

I vividly remembered between one nights; our whole neighbor hood had a bad scare. Everybody is shouting ‘they are coming’. All able men in the household are ready on stand by for any eventualities. Dad armed with a thick bamboo stick together with Ah Hor’s father and many others stood guard outside the house on the five foot way. Many others men folks from the neighboring houses also came out in full force and stood guard. Fortunately, nothing untoward happened that night.

In between the non-curfew hours, the elders would run out to near by sundries shop to stock up the food stuffs while brother and I would seek over to Woh Hup Motor to enjoy our ‘swim’ in the bathtub. The curfew went on for a couple of days until the situation return back to normal and thus resuming school

To continue....

My Memoirs (Part 6)

noreply@blogger.com (David_Cheong) — Mon, 12 May 2008 01:31:00 -0700

Continue from My Memoirs (Part 5)

Another popular past time for us boys, is to cycle all the way to Macalister Road to buy comics at the many second hand book dealers, found scattered just in front of the present day Red Crescent Building. Of course favorites comics are the Beano and Dandy, DC & Marvel comics; Superman, man of steel and of course, Batman & Robin.
Reading comics those days helps improving our oral and written English. No, we do not have pre-school then. Those days, only the well-to-do families can afford. Elder brother and I only get to learn our ABC alphabet at Primary One

We teens have our fair of mischievous adventure altogether and it takes us one step further – disturbing girls, Yes, to the sweet young things (SYT) lived in the next door , unheard of in those conservative days. How? By singing the blues (one of Beatles famed song) in Cantonese version, to Mei Chan* and her siblings. Remember the lyrics; matchmaker, Sam-ku reports that ‘Ah Chan is already married to someone else’.

Come Chinese New Year, we would help the workshop gang workers (staying opposite at Woh Hup Motor) to build giant fire cracker or Looi Kong Pau, twice the size of the present day shuttle cork holder. The workshop gang worker would supply the normal size fire crackers in bundle, and we start to peel them off to recover the gun powder. Usually, two giant fire crackers would be made. One fire cracker is to light up for the 1st day of the Chinese New Year (Nien chor-yat), and another for the chap ghor-mei. Families with small babies are advised to cover their ears at specific time in the evening. The time is set. The main producer is usually given the honor to light the fuse. Well, if you ask me. Yes, the ground did really shake and the lemonade glass on the table did actually vibrate. This scenario lasted for a few years till our Government banned the fire cracker.

To continue.....

My Memoirs (Part 5)

noreply@blogger.com (David_Cheong) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 23:08:00 -0800

Continue from My Memoirs (Part 4)

After a year, Dad had shifted the family to Sungei Ujong Road, just opposite to his working place. Together with some uncles, they had formed a Motor repair shop called Woh Hup Motor. During the school holidays, elder brother & I used to learn the trick of trade from father, He also give us joy ride when ever he test drive the Fraser & Neave (F & N) lorries, which was contracted to him for repairs. After repairs, Dad would ask elder brother to ‘hoi tan’ (invoice for billing) to F & N for the services rendered
A stone throw away from Dad’s workshop is the framed Great World Park (This is where the Komtar stand now).

We had to pay 25 cents each for entrance into the Great World Park, which housed an opened air theater, brightly lid carrousel and an entertainment park (a sort of a Disney land in small scale in those days). Elder brother would piggy-back me to catch glimpses of the show shown at the open air cinema. The Royal Theater is also housed here. I still remembered at one time, an Indian movie titled “Elephants my Friends” had a more than hundred days running (a feat & a box office hits in those days) Take note, that there is another New World Park, near the Swatow Lane.

The New World Park then housed the annual carnivals affair for many years to come, for which later, these carnivals affair shifted over to a bigger site, now stand the Pesta Ground at the Bayan Baru

We stayed for a good number of years in that house at Sungai Ujong Road. There are all together 4 tenanted families in the house. We, elder brother, I and Ah Hor, an old childhood friend (also school mates & house tenant), have had our fair share of mischievous adventure.

We called ourselves the 3 musketeers. The three of us would run from one junction to another (kai-tau / kai mei) to seek out the best view on the black & white television owned by neighbors. Best running series in those days are episode on ‘Batman & Robin’. No, we don’t have a TV then, not even a radio. For entertainment, folks used to listen to rediffusion (a paid cable radio on monthly rental basis). Story teller likes, Lei Tai-soh telling novel stories on a daily basis.
It was only many years later, that Dad bought home a TV, a 21 inches black & white National (a marvel in those days).

To continue......

My Memoirs (Part 4)

noreply@blogger.com (David_Cheong) — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 16:48:00 -0800

Continue from My Memoirs (Part 3)

Those days, my siblings and I like to enjoy our ride in Dad’s Hillman. I can still recall the smell of heated leather from the seat cushion. In the sixties, Cars were not installed with air conditioning then. The best comfort we have to make do is with a blowing fan – fitted onto the middle of the dash panel. And as time progressed, these seat materials would slowly evolves to other fabrics, such as vinyl and synthetic leather which do not usually emits the kind of aroma smell of the seasoned leather of the yesteryears.

Speaking of the aroma of smell, I could still vividly remember the smell of complete freshly fried chicken, which elder brother had won as a consolation prize at the fun fair. The fun fair was an annual affair held at the Pesta Stadium along the Perak Road at that time. Our whole family has had a fantastic meal that evening. At today standard, these meals are nothing to shout about. But during those days, having a whole fried chicken for meal is a rarity, which is only served on special occasion.

The shout of ‘koay ta lum’ (dessert made from pandan leaves, coconut milk and flour) and smell of ‘assam laksa’ always linger in memory during my younger days. These are the two signature desserts, that vendors carry and balance their wares on a long bamboo stick, who ply their trades on the five foot ways. They ply their trade by wearing a sort of ‘turban’ (head cloth) and use it to balance a big basket over their head and with a long bamboo stick over their shoulder to carry one pot of ‘laksa’ soup burning over a small stove at one end while the other end carries 3-4 layers of bamboo basket containing varieties of dessert. You cannot miss them for one can smell the appetizing aroma blocks away.

In the sixties, ten cents (10cts) can still buy you a big chunk of ‘koay ta lum’ and a bowl of ‘assam laksa’. As time progressed into the present age, that piece of one ‘koay ta lum’ and a bowl of ‘assam laksa’ takes approximately sixty cents (60cts) and three dollars (RM3.00) respectively. Nowadays, these vendors peddles their wares on a three wheel scooter and instead of shouting the traditional way, they would honk out their sales. However, one could hardly had a chance to enjoy these desserts nowadays as you would probably missed these vendors as they would be miles away by the time you come out of the five foot way. Sadly, this is the disadvantage of evolution. Nowadays, these desserts are sold under their actual names as ‘char-koa’ and can be found selling at ‘pasar malam’ or the night market.

Other vendors, like the ‘hum-chin peng’ (fried flour dumpling) man together with his ‘hong-tau sar’ (signature red bean dessert) is a must try in those days. He used to sell his stuff as he pushes his four wheel wooden cart all along the narrow streets of Georgetown. Those who are now in their 50’s and 60’s could still remember him. We actually miss his ‘hum-chin peng’ when we shift away from Chulia Lane.

Another must try street hawking stall in those days is the ‘lor-bak’ and ‘hei-si’ (minced meat in roll and fried prawn cracker in mixture with flour). This man is more up to-date, as he plies his stuff on a tricycle stall. So as he fried the prawn cracker, the aroma from this prawn mixture flour will sure entice your appetizer. And also with the sleight of his hand, he can cleanly cut a century year egg (fermented egg) into six equal pieces. Being young and native, we were curious as to how he could perform this magic. Later we found out that this vendor had hidden a tough thread (cloth string for slicing through the eggs) in between the utensils for this purposes.

As for ‘junk’ food, we have had our fair shared of ‘ting-ting dong’ (hard rock candies), where the vendor would chip away with his small hammer and chisel like tool to ‘cut’ away your cents worth of candies. Usually, this same vendor also sells the ‘mug-ah tong’ (maltose honey slurps) where a thick bamboo stick is dipped into a clayed jar of honey slurp and twirled around to scoop up your five cents worth of portion. So as brother and I had a total of ten cents (10 cents) between us, we would buy both and shared the items altogether. And yes, we sometimes fought over on who will get a bigger portion.

As much as our mouth water and yearn for all the above simple savory food at that young ages, we could not bring ourselves to sample these food often, as our budgets or so called allowances were limited to five cents (5 cents) on a well behaved day and nil when we play taunt.

To continue.......

My Memoirs (Part 3)

noreply@blogger.com (David_Cheong) — Tue, 1 Jan 2008 00:41:00 -0800

Continue from My Memoirs (Part 2)

Grandma’s two daughters, where the elder one, whom I called Ku-cheh (elder aunty) had a string of failed courtship which left her a very depressed person. As she always keeps to herself, communication breakdown was the norm, especially towards her immediate families. However, she was kind and helpful to most strangers who drop by to chat with her. She spent the later part of her life at the family house along Chulia Lane.

The younger daughter, Lai-ku (younger aunty) marries her sweetheart who lives next door. Lai-ku has 3 off spring of her own. While her children, lou-piu, (my cousins) are in constant contact with us now, lou-piu’s children could now hardly recognize us or vice-versa. And this is so-called generation gaps.

Dad, being a young mechanic in those days, used to repair and trade used cars for a living and he would sometimes drive a Hillman or a Chevrolet home, the ones that has protruding tail lights. Being young and native, my brother and I called them the ‘Fei kei’ car

Dad used to drive the family to the ‘kow-mar tou’ the Esplanade, at the Fort Cornwallis and the ‘san-mar tou’ at the Gurney Drive, where we used to enjoy the ride on the ‘merry-go-round’ carrousel, the swing and the ‘ king-kong pan’ (see-saw)
A type of horizontal platform with centre pivoted and balanced, where each person sits at both end, with own legs to push up and down, making ‘king kong’ noises when platform’s end touches the ground
Mind you, I believe this is the only place where you can find such a playground in those days.

At the age of five, I remembered shifting house, away from Chulia Lane, away from Grandma, away from the neighbor hood buddies where we had our fair share of playing games together. Brother and I missed our favorite games of glass marbles, top spinning, water gun battles, green unripe berry (for bullet projectile by elastic band) on wooden gun battles, hide and seek (where you can even hide blocks away) and yes, flying kites.

We stayed put for a year at the corner house situated at the end at Counter Hall which connected the Terengganu Road (just a stone throw away from the now framed P. Ramlees’ house). In front of the house is a small little steam where the children from the neighbor hood spend their time catching ‘peacork fish’ (guppy fish) with their bare hands.
Of course, there are a lot of greenies in the ‘san deng’ area, which gives us another pastime – catching fighting spider. We would carefully ‘scan’ through the wild berry hedges that usually grown along the fences surrounding the house. We would pick up and consume those wild but red ripen berries! How native we will then, without considering the facts that these wild fruits could be poisonous. But we lived through.

Those days, as Counter Hall is consider ‘out-of–town ‘area or ‘san deng’ (small village), was also a flood prone area.. Coming down town from the ‘san deng’ in those days, one must always drive through the big hump along the Perak Road which is just in front of the Penang Stadium. Only then after the big hump, the area would only consider as down town. (At least, this is what dad told us).

To continue......

My Memoirs (Part 2)

noreply@blogger.com (David_Cheong) — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 19:09:00 -0800

Continue from My Memoirs (Part 1)

I used to remember Grandma telling us that she had four sons and two daughters. Two eldest sons were taken away during the Japanese occupations to work on the ‘Death Railway’ of the infamous ‘The Bridge on the River Kwai’.

Forced labour was used in its construction. About 200,000 Asian labourers and 60,000 Allied prisoners of war (POWs) worked on the railway. Of these, around 100,000 Asian labourers and 16,000 Allied POWs died as a direct result of the project. As history goes, my two ‘Ah Pak’ are two of the many Asian labourers perished during that period. (Later, some young man came back alive to report to Grandma – that they had seen her two sons being held at the death railway)

The third son dies of malaria – due to lack of health care between these periods. During the occupation, the Japanese solders came for the ‘chok ching’ (to capture) young men at various part of George Town, and along the Market Lane / Chulia Lane. And at that fortunate time, his fourth son (my dad) was having diarrhea in the toilet and thus ‘miss’ him. Fate or miraculous escape, as you would call it. My dad grew up to become a handsome young man, whom the neighborhood addresses him as ‘Sie Khor’ or the fourth brother.

This fourth brother met up with my mom one fine day – through the introduction of his colleague (an uncle, I now called ‘ah Jeong’). Mom is the younger sister of uncle’s wife (now whom I called ‘tye yee’). And after a whirlwind courtship, both Mom and Dad were married.

I can still vividly remember Mom telling us siblings that on her wedding day during the tea ceremony, one of the ‘ah mah cheh’ suddenly went into trance and started to speak in some strange Cantonese, which later interpreted as one of the ‘Ah Pak’s spirit (Grandma’s other lost sons) desired to adopt the newly wed couples’ offspring as ‘their’ children. ‘They’ even presented her with 3 Russian diamond rings for the tea ceremony. These rings were later found (interpretation from the trance) in one of the hidden drawer at one of the many ancient cupboards. Strange as it may sound but till to this day, I have one of this Russian diamond ring in my possessions. Myths or Facts?

Hence, with the above strange incidents and in the memory of Grandma three lost sons, I and my siblings are taught to call both Mom and Dad as “Ah Sum’ and Ah Shok”. But as time progressed well into our adulthood, we fine tuned into calling Mom and Dad as ‘Lou Mou’ and ‘Lou Tau’ in Cantonese, which literally means Mother and Father in plain language

To continue.....

My Memoirs (Part 1)

noreply@blogger.com (David_Cheong) — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 00:57:00 -0800

How times flies!

My memory flashes through just like yesterday. It was in the late 1950’s, in my earliest childhood, then staying along Chulia Lane, a row of pre-war houses – sandwiched between Tong Kong coffee shop and the Sin Keng Onn , a Hainanese restaurant. I still remembered pedaling the tin made 4 wheel toy sedan through the corridors on the upper 5-foot way pavement and hooting away the rubber stud horn to all those who stands in my way. It was also during this period, this ‘lang ting tang’ man comes around singing your fortune for a few cents. (Many also known him as Tan Tong Tong)

I guess, I was then 4-5 years of age enjoying my childhood and without a care and worries in this much materialist world. Born in the Independence year, it was during the curfew period where my dad had to bring mama to the maternity hospital for her delivery. I had 3 other siblings. Being second in the family, I had an elder brother and two younger sisters

During this time, Piu Pak (Grandma’s brother-in-law) used to buy toys for brother & 1 almost every other night. Always buy two toys at one go, for if not, brother and I would always fight over for it. Be it a toy wooden sword or a mechanical wind up toy car. To this day, my brother can still vividly remember me crying over the broken toys murmuring ‘mou nan mou need’ (in Cantonese) which virtually translated like ‘not cracked, not broken’.
Our toys buying day’s ends abruptly when Piu Pak announced that he wanted to go over to ‘Park Hoi’ (Butterworth) to look for work and that is the last we heard of him.

Grandma (Dad’s mom) used to sell bananas to vend away her time, pushing her 4 wheel wooden cart to the near by Central Market at the Carnarvon Street and Campbell Street junctions. Her favorite site is in front of Ghee Heong, the dim sum shop, by the road side (Campbell Street) just opposite the Market. As a kid, I like to trot along together with her to the Market. And many a times we used to ‘chow kwei’ to get away from the council officers who came running after the traders and Grandma, being considered an obstruction traders along the ever busy market place.. In the afternoon, Grandma would shift to another site down the road near the Boon Wah textile shop. At night, she would sell her fruits along Chulia Street, which is the main road. Those days, I can still remember, the City Council bus (Tram) still run on rail by Double Decker which later evolves to free driving by single Decker bus.
Grandma, being illiterates would show the same exact amount of coins to the passing sailors, who asked ‘how much’ when pointing to the bunch of bananas they wish to buy.

To continue.....

Old Penang / SXI

noreply@blogger.com (David_Cheong) — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 18:28:00 -0800

Photographs , a photo session.

If the page could not download, try this link;http://www.flickr.com/photos/21375019@N06/

Note: Pictures of Old Penang - Courtesy of Kevin Cragg / Geoff

50 years Anniversary Bash at SXI

noreply@blogger.com (David_Cheong) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 01:35:00 -0800

50 years Anniversary Bash at SXI
The big Five-0 had finally arrived for many of us whom was born in the Independence year. The National day celebration was just yesterday and today being 1st September 2007, many of us ex-Xaverian have had gathered for the big bash at the main entrance of our beloved school, The St Xavier Institution.

Yes, being a bit lazy to drive back alone, I have managed to catch hold a NICE bus ticket for this trips back to Penang. At 1100 hours sharp, my bus departed from the KTM old station. The bus journey was smooth and comfortable and arrival on Penang Island four hours later. To kill time, I drove my brother’s Kia Carnival over to Campbell Street / Kg Malaba to bite on some hawker’s fare.

Yulp. That Woo Hing shop is just round the corner and being a true WIS, not stopping over to browse is not my nature. And before I know it, I was staring at one Tudor Chronograph (pre-Tiger) with black tachymeter; black dial with 3 sub white dial comes with bracelet. Boy! How my heart race that very moment. Did I say; ‘I always wanted one’. No? They have one last piece left and the price is fair and even more attractive than that pre-owned Tudor Chronograph, I had last checked at the Times Square. So what’s now? Yes. You guess it right! About 10 minutes later, I proudly walk out with the watch on my wrist to source for my ‘chow-down’. After a tasteful plate of ‘yin-yang’ (Hor-fun) at the coffee shop next door, I proceed to drive over to my old school.

I arrived at school early, an hour before the big bash starts at 1900 hours. Noticed that no one else had show-up as yet, I took the opportunity to do a quick de-tour around the school vicinity. Armed with my Fuji Finepix digital, I went about capturing a few good shots of my beloved school..

A few guests, I mean - classmate has arrived by then. We were staring at each other, we recognized each other but could not recall names. We shook hands, exchanged greetings and no, we did not shed any tears. We are men, remember. Of course, the guest of honor is our Bros. Charles. And my! He looks very fit, a man in his nineties. (I believe) We shook hands, exchange a few preliminaries. Bros. Charles is the man, whom many had admired from afar in the schooling days, but have not had the guts to approach the great man to say a simple ‘hellos’. Well, you know, those were the Principal – students’ days back then.

By now, our group had grown larger by the minutes. Facial recognize amid the grey, bald and spare tyre features comes in various shapes of body’s misfit are for all to see.

Our groups were then taken on a tour down the memory lane through the school corridors by our organizer – Mr. KS & M. We make straight to the school canteen compound, where everybody who is anybody seizes the opportunity to take snap shots. I, of course, take this opportunity to be photographed with Bros. Charles.

Without much ado, we then proceed to walk over to the E & O Hotel on the next block. It was a nostalgic walk, as a matter of fact – with all the old buddies tagging along. Reaching the E & O Hotel, we went straight to the sea front. The sun was about to set. Beautiful picturesque scenario, I would say with air of nostalgic feeling.

Bros. Charles was given the honor to give the opening speech. And after that our school song;
Here goes; (For those who know the chord / lyrics, come on let’s sing along)

1. All through our college a voice is resounding,
Promptly respond to your duty's sweet call,
Hearken you all for the trumpet is sounding,
Your Mater's proclaiming her watchwords to all.

Chorus :
Forward her children dear, ever with hearts sincere,
Render with joy to your Mater her due;
All that is vile reject, Heaven will e'er protect,
Sons of St. Xavier's, valiant and true.

2. Labour will conquer your motto still bearing,
Forward with courage in ways that are just,
True to your standard be doing and daring,
As faithful Xaverians in Heaven your trust

Free flowing of beer around here and plenty of good food on the buffet spread. So as many of us buddies switching tables with plenty of ‘boozing’ around. The same goes for photo shoot session.

I must say; ‘Yam-pau, sek choi’ (Cantonese translation; Drink till get drunk, eat till enough). And we merry around till the cows come home. So as the cows need to go home, so do us. We bade goodbyes to everybody who is anybody and promises to meet again but the question is when……

My special thanks to Mr. KS and M for making the above big bash a success.
Cheerio……

P/s; Let me absorb this system to post some photographs……see flickr

Watch Hunting - Malaysian style

noreply@blogger.com (David_Cheong) — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 06:40:00 -0700

Hi to all. Recently I was in the market for an mid-market watch for my wife. I promised her one - which was quite long overdue (promised her, last year till this year, still haven't bought any as yet). I have offered her my Date-oyster, but she declined - commenting it as a "ah pak" watch. She wanted a "big" dial watch (not any small girly dainty pc), our objective. An understated, yet fashionable mid range watch.
Armed with a long annual leave (December/last year), we went watch hunting (Malaysian styled)in the Klang Valley. First stop, we were at the Bintang Walk (heart of KL) went into the Star Hill. Whew! What a sight. All the watch affectionarios would surely loved this place. You could spend countless hours browsing around here. This is a up-market boutique with all the big names in watch making.
I was wearing simple - cowboy jean with t-shirt and wearing my Seiko 5, thus making us not a potential customer in a would - buy scenario. One of the sales people did actually approaches us (no-smiles) that’s it, and went on his way. We make a quick exit and went over to Sg Wang Plaza. Here, we stop over at Rolex AD, exchanged a few 'hellos' (whom I knew - with my years of window browsing/shopping on watches).Check out some sport model/s...nil, only GMT11 (Pepsi) is in stock. Price increased yet again (annual affair-lah)
Still in the same complex, I stopped at a Grey outlet for Panarai/s. Ahem, you would not have believe this, this guy stocks various model (aplenty)of Panarais and he is quick enough to bring out a few models for me to check out. (now, this is what I called service orientated). The models are all new in box (NIB) with papers, quite fairly priced, I would say. Interested, but a big NO for my wife taste -too big for her dainty wrist.
My next stop?. Many would not have agreed with me - the Central Market. Here is a shop that sells many pre-owned Rolexes. A piece of advise here, you have to know your wares in order to shop here. But anyway I have known this operator well, and have his goodies from his 'safe' to be displayed in front of me. Well, the pc that caught my wife attention is the Cartier Pasha - dual time with silver dial. Not too big and yet not small for her wrist, she quietly tele-message me with her eye contact (the kind of communication where only wife/husband understands). And after some hacking, bellowing and hard bargaining, we settled for a fair price. and she is one happy woman. You might say, why buying pre-owned?. Well, she just told me, she eyeing and is up-grading to another model next year, if our pocket/s permits Thank you for your time reading this episode of mine. Hope you not getting bored by now. Just my 2 cents worth. DC

Watch Owning Experiences

noreply@blogger.com (David_Cheong) — Wed, 1 Aug 2007 07:04:00 -0700

Over the years and after having 'owned' many models of the Rolexes family, I still love my SD and GMT11. The feeling for these two models still stands - very close to my heart. The GMT11 is the everyday watch, while the SD is the switched over watch depending on mood swing. But then, I have my Seiko sport 5 and the recent (purchased) Swatch Irony, which is of a sentimental pcs - gifts from my dear wife.
The rest, I have sold them to regroup my bank balance. The model that I did not touch is the Daytona (not my budget, anyway).This model is superficial inflated along with the market trend I have also experiences 'other' brand make, such as Jaeger Le coultre-reverso,(solid 18k rose gold) Breitling - old navitimer (two toned)and 'other' lesser known make. Of all these 'makes', the Rolexes still came out (tops)the very watch for its practically, durability and functionally. Its a go-anywhere watch No, I did not 'baby' my Rolexes. You don't have to. Just send it in for a full service after a 5 - 6 years interval. After all, in my country (Malaysia), there is practically an AD in every major town
For the first timer (who wanted to own a Rolex), it is advisable to purchase their first pc (new) from an Authorised Dealer (AD). If the bug bites in, go pre-owned. go for the sport version (you won't regret) Buying pre-owned would slash away the initial losses and after a few years down the road, who knows, you may want to sell and up-graded to other model/s - with minimal losses. Just my 2-cents worth. Happy rolexing! DC

Rolex Owners, Beware!

noreply@blogger.com (David_Cheong) — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 23:44:00 -0700

A fake Rolex with Swiss movement?. What are they? These so-called fakes are flooding the market these days; look so real, so much so that an ordinary guy on the street could not tell them apart from the real McCoy.
These "kam" engine or "Swiss" movement in those fakes Rolexes are actually ETA based movement install in a near identical Rolex case comes - with all the serial and model number 'engraved' on, not only that, its also come present with authentic looking paper and box!!. These fakes could now easily con the newbie and even the die-hard. And these scenarios are scary!! These fakes are the "AAA" grade type that commands a big price.
Another grade comes in form of Japanese / Chinese movement, still looking great and the lower grade comes in quartz movement. And who are the people who buy these fakes?. Well, these people could be the collectors - buy certain model to replace or make up for the gap in their collections that could not replenish financially, or the particular out-of- production model that could not easily obtainable.
Others would just buy a certain fakes (model) to see if the watch really excites him/her for a genuine buy later, and also at the same time to kill the urge of a future buy of the same model. And some buy it to deceive others. Just my 2 cents worth. DC

Rolex owner, a wannabes

noreply@blogger.com (David_Cheong) — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 22:23:00 -0700

During my younger days, watches with Cyclops lens were always assumed /or thought to be as Rolexes. Then, only a handful few watches come along with the Cyclops. These Cyclops lens represent an unique way at reading the date.
Those days, I am one of the wannabes - who wanted a real Rolex but could not afford one. So, I bought myself the nearest look alike watch - the Titoni, ComosKing which comes completely with look & Cyclops. In my primitive mind set, any watch that comes along with these lenses - would look grand like a Rolex.
In my country (Malaysia), Rolex owners proudly but discreetly display their time pieces at any given opportunities. From a distance, many (people) would recognize their Rolexes - thanks to the reflective glare emitting from the small but distinctively & unmistakably Cyclops lens. They can smell your Rolexes miles away. Take away the Cyclops, the very same people won't come near to you, and would reject the watch altogether. Air King doesn’t appeal to them. So do a Sea Dweller.
Innocently, they would ask "Is that a Rolex"? Why NO lens ah ?!!” Their comments, traditionally, Rolexes must comes together with Cyclops...without it...it’s NOT a Rolex.
Wearing a real Rolex, has that kind of feeling great, an achievement (but not proud), whereas, wearing an imitation would not have the same feeling as wearing the real thing!. Wearing a fake Rolex is after all...cheating on oneself. Just my 2 cents worth.

Simple steps to build and attach your Google Adsense

noreply@blogger.com (David_Cheong) — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 21:40:00 -0700

Upon posting my blog on the Internet, I have received numerous message in my private email enquire on how to include an Adsense account on the blog.

As many of you people and friends out here knows that I am neither internet savvy nor an expert in any of this field but a newbie. Nevertheless, here I shall do my best to share with you my humble and limited knowledge.

All the gurus out here please guide us along should you feel the following steps need to improve and your comments are appreciated.

Simple steps to build and attached your Google Adsense.

Steps:
1) You need to go to gmail.com to create a Google Account
2) Done, your new email is ready
3) From the email page , go to more and click (top row)
4) Go to Blogger.com
5) Follow the simple steps to create a blog account, under create your blog now.
6) Enter your gmail username and sign in
7) A page will appear, Sign up for Blogger
8) Insert your display name; eg; Penangboy and click continue
9) Name your blog, enter your blog title and blog url (eg:http;//yourname.blogspot.com) click continue.
10) Choose a template for your new blog.
11) Now, your blog has been successfully created
12) Start posting!.
13) Once posted, a page – JoPet – Log appears; your blog post published successfully!
14) Notice a box on the right saying “Earning money from your blog” (There you are!). Click on it
15) Sign up and wait for approval from Google Adsense
16) To insert Adsense to your blog, go to template (top of your blog control panel), then click.
17) A page ‘add and arrange page elements’ appears.. Click at add a page element (top right box)
18) A new page appears, choose a new page element. Then click on ‘Adsense; add to blog.
19) Sign up for an Adsense account page will appear. Just follow and fill all required information.
20) Configure adsense, you can change ad block to display in your blog. After done click ‘save change’.
21) Next, add and arrange page elements will appear. The adsense block will display on the right side. To change the position, use dray and drop feature
22) Subject to approval, Adsense will send you email to confirm your registration.
23) Once received and upon approval, open the email and click on the verification link. Register and fill in personal information. Start posting on your blog.
24) It may take approx. 48 hours before your application to be approved. Good luck.

Pay Per Post (PPP)

noreply@blogger.com (David_Cheong) — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 00:36:00 -0700

I stumbled upon this page when exploring the Internet for the reason to blog. Out of the blue, this page came along when I actually wanted to find more on paypal account.

After reading through the simple-to-follow contents, I was fascinated and readily to learn and understand more of this PPP. After the necessary registration and viola! came the reply that I have already been accepted as confirmed registered member.

True to its words, PPP has created an opportunity to bloggers and alike to earn extra cash during their spare time. I am not too sure , how I would fare on this particular blogging for PPP. But I am sure of one thing, if this blog is reviewed and approved by PPP.Then, this is the very first dollar I would earn vie the Internet and thats for blogging too.

Something that I learned from PPP, is that you are actually being paid to blog.
Thank You.

Penangboy trip back to Penang (Part 2)

noreply@blogger.com (David_Cheong) — Wed, 4 Jul 2007 08:30:00 -0700

3rd Day

Well, after dropping wife at her office in the Thean Teik Estate, I went next door to a coffee shop to ta-pow a packet of steamy hot char mee hun and kopi-oh with the intention to pray my late father at the nearby temple in Ayer Itam

After setting up the plate and burning of joss stick at the altar, I proceeded to the next block to burn some joss stick to my late in-laws which take but some minutes for the whole process.

Upon my return to my father's altar, I was taken back and shocked to discover that the packet of char mee hun had gone missing! with only the plate and the kopi-oh intact. Whew! this is daylight and strange things do not happened with the solar sun brightly shine on.

Not satisfied and out of curiosity, I look into the dustbin for the missing mee-hun...none and gone without a trace.....and there goes my breakfast too. After staying for a while for the joss stick to run its course and telepathic informed my late father that I shall be leaving, I then left the temple.

After praying, my initial plan was to run up the Kek Lok Si Temple (never been there since the eighties) after the light breakfast but now no more, change of plan. Instead I drove straight to Kwong Fat Lee coffee shop (junction to Melayu Street) just in time to enjoy my bowl of duck meat koay teow along the Carnarvan Street. This same stall would sell the koay chap after 11.00am. I was lucky enough and manage to ta-pow another packet of this duck meat koay teow for my the other half. (her favorite)

In the afternoon, I spent my time taking a stroll along the upper end of Penang Road, a five minutes walking distance from my hotel. First stop is Tatt Ming, the watch shop. You will be surprised at the merchandise in their inventory. A mixed blend of antique and modern time pieces, limited and special edition and a huge collections of mechanical operated of wall and table clocks. I was in market for a mechanical alarm clock and the only ones on display are made from China. No, I did not make any purchase, says thank you to the shop assistant, left and proceed to the camera shop next door.

Browse around the camera shop for a while, while eying the latest model from Olympus, a ultra slim type incorporated with 7.1 mega pixels comes with free 1 GB picture card. Checked out the price quote (wife is in market for a slim camera) but left without any purchased done. And thats is window shopping, my style.

For dinner, we went over to my sister-in-law (wife's sister) place which is very near to the Waterfall garden. Nephew (chef-to-be-in-training at a local 3 star hotel) is cooking something good for us to try on our taste buds. Before that, I went early to their place, parked my car and drop wife with them and proceed to jog all the way to the waterfall.

Reaching an hour before the waterfall garden closes its gate at 8.00pm. I did a quick detour, as usual joining the many joggers whose main itinerary is keep one blood pressure down and heart working good, all in the name of keeping fit to ones health.

Nephew cooked up something nice, Japanese style - complete with soup soba and fish fillet on terayaki sauce. Yummy. After a hearty meal, we sat around to chat and wind away time for a little while before waving goodbye

Before going back to hotel, we headed toward the Kimberly Street to check out the hawker wares. Yes, the soya bean stall is there, so is the char mee hun and many others that makes your mouth watery. You guess it right, we ta-pow both food stuff back to hotel. It is our supper...mah.

Penangboy trip back to Penang (Part 1)

noreply@blogger.com (David_Cheong) — Mon, 2 Jul 2007 22:44:00 -0700

I begin to wonder what to write about after drifting for some days and after creating this blog. As you see, I was down with a bad sore throat and a sprained ankle and this had put me off the inspirations to blog. The sore throat came about with eating too much nasi kandar and the sprained ankle resulted from my daily jogging and all this in the name of keeping fit
Also stressed out on preparation with time and journey traveling back to Penang this week for some work assignment. However, not to be mistaken, I am not on any work assignment but my the half is.

As a happy go lucky guy (I am now on semi-retirement, remember?) I am now the bodyguard and driver to my the other half. Simply put it, I am on a small vacation back to hometown.
Once a Penangboy, always a Penangboy, right?.

1st Day
For starter, once on the island and without much adoo... we headed straight to Green Lane at the Genting Coffee shop to chow down my favorite wan tan mee followed by the curry mee.
I would have tucked in another bowl of char hor fun but my stomach would not allow me to.
Together, my wife and me had walloped 4 different kind of penang food (chee cheong fun and java mee) on the first night out. How satisfied we were.

For accommodation, we put up at the Sunway Hotel along the New Lane. Why here??. For Penang food..mah. Staying and eating here is so convenient!.

2nd Day
My role as a driver comes into effect the next morning.. fetching wife to her office branch and after dropping her, I make my way to the Penang (Botanic) Waterfall Garden. What to do here??.. jogging mah.. To be realistic, the last time I ever came to waterfall garden is some.....20 years ago!. My, and how times flies!.
What a change! jogging amist the greeny compared to the apartment blocks back home (Subang Jaya) is alot fresher, I mean the air. Yes, the lily pond is still there, and so is the tracking path.The pond near the waterfall where we used to swim and play is there but now filled with much trapping of leaves and not so deep now. Small peacock fish still exists. the wooden bridge now replaced with a concrete one. The rounded shape shelter is of course still there. All so still and calm and very much different away from the hustle and bustle of the city life we faced daily. And I tell myself, I have to come here often.

After a change of fresh t-shirt, I drove down over to Carnarvan street to enjoy my lor-mee at the Sintow. Then dropped by at Woo Hing to say hello to Mr. Robert and also take this opportunity to check on the latest price quote on a few sport time pieces. Say good-bye to Robert and left.
Drove through the Esplanade, passing by the Fort Cornwallis and yes, the antique cannon guarding the fort is still there too. Nothing changed though.

In the evening, we (I and wife with her colleagues) dropped by the padang (field) along the Anson Road to tuck in - the king of fruits, yes - durian (particularly the so-called grade wu-lou and hung-ha) where the fruit vendor swear by their words that guarantee to satisfy your appetite with their fruits galore.
Not really filling, we went over to Pregraves Street (Sar-teow loh) to check out the Hokkien mee and the Wan tan mee and washed down together with the ice kacang. After with all these fantastic food and feeling satisfied, we carry our belly and left for our hotel.
Too full on any supper for tonight