Two Foochow Women and a Load of Goodies

When a Foochow woman travels, she sure does not travel light. Look at the goodies Yan brought for Wuan and me all the way from Sarawak. The fresh whole semah fish and a cut of tapah fish she got from the interiors of Kapit are not in the picture. According to Yan, the semah is sought after and rare nowadays. It is also the next most expensive fish after the empurau. The latter can fetch a price of up to RM1,000 per kilo.

Homemade cookies, kuih cincin, kacang and white rice sticks together with a can of clams.
The goodies from Yan minus the two fresh fishes which are in the freezer.

Yan was in the city during the Thaipusam holiday and had arranged to meet up with Jocelyn and us at Mid Valley Megamall. Among the goodies in the bag were cookies that she baked, and a recipe together with a can of clams to cook the white rice sticks with. Talk about thinking of everything. I believe she lugged an equal amount of goodies, if not more, for Jocelyn as well. I would have to be an octopus to travel with so many things.

Homemade cookies and layer cake by Jocelyn
The cookies from Jocelyn labelled with the most interesting names and the slab of layer cake.

Jocelyn, the other Foochow woman, always come bearing gifts whenever we meet. This time, it was homemade cookies that she had been labouring over for the past weeks and a slab of layer cake. For the layer cake alone, she stood by the oven for three hours, painstakingly baking one layer on top of another. I have been teasing her over Facebook for sharing photos of the cookies. I will remember not to do that again next time.

Meeting with Phyllis Wong and Jocelyn Ting at Little Penang, Mid Valley Megamall
One for the memory at Little Penang, Mid Valley Megamall with Phyllis and Jocelyn.
Image courtesy of Jocelyn.

With cookies from Yan and Jocelyn, Wuan and I do not even have to buy any now. I estimate these cookies will last us at least two months. If I make friends with a few more Foochow women, I will be fed for life. Now, that is an idea. Thank you for the cookies and such, you two! And may the new year bring an abundance of prosperity and joy to your family and you. Gong Xi Fa Cai!

With Bryan At Plan B Mid Valley Megamall

Bryan was in town last Thursday to cover a product launch. This busy man is difficult to get hold of even when he is in Penang. After concluding my second day of the Disability Equality Training workshop at University of Malaya, Wuan and I dropped in at Mid Valley Megamall to have dinner with him.


Wuan, Peter Tan and Bryan Soh at Mid Valley Megamall South Court.

Bryan is one of the five bloggers who had shaved his head in support of the Hair for Hospice charity drive. It is always good to catch up with friends whom I have not met in a while. And Bryan always have some interesting stories to share. We had a great time chatting. This must be the season where my baldy friends all converge in the Klang Valley. Wuan and I had met up with Devyne just the day before.

With Devyne And Friends At Chili’s 1 Utama

Devyne and I got acquainted through our blogs a long time ago. When I initiated the Hair for Hospice campaign to raise fund for the Penang Hospice-At-Home Programme, she pledged to shave her head which she did when the target of RM5,000 was met. I am most grateful for her support. The last time we met was when I was in Kota Kinabalu with Wuan in 2007. It has been that long.

We used to be active bloggers
L-R: Dale, Jocelyn, Devyne, yours truly, Desmo and Irene.

She was in town last week and we had a small gathering with a few other friends at Chili’s 1 Utama. All of us are or were bloggers. Desmo was there with his girlfriend Juliet whom we all met for the first time that evening. Journalist turned educator Irene was there with her infectious laughters.


Old friends: Peter Tan and Devyne Koh.

Jocelyn was there with a goody bag of Garrett popcorn and two bars of Hershey’s waiting for me. I must have been a good boy to get a Christmas present so early. And I forgot to return to Devyne the stainless steel bowl that held the khew nyuk her mum made for me to take back to Kuala Lumpur when I was in Kota Kinabalu. Dale whom I have not met since my wedding banquet in Penang popped in a while later.


Grampa and his aunty: Peter Tan and Jocelyn Ling.

I could not join them for after-dinner drinks as I had to get up early the next day but I had a great time catching up with them though. Thanks Dee, for herding us together for this gathering. It would not have happened without you. Come back again soon!


Wheelman and stickman: Peter Tan and Desmo.


The clansmen: Peter Tan and Dale Tan.