Most of my hours go by governed by my human needs, both basic and modern. I work to pay the bills. I work out because my vanity demands it of me. I exchange all my money with big companies for the big boy toys that keep my life organized, in touch and in sync. What […]

Some like their sambal sweet, some like it spicy. Some like their rice starchy and moist, some like their rice in loose grains. Some like their burgers with chili sauce, some like it with mustard. Some prefer chicken, some prefer beef. Some feel pleasure with extreme spiciness, some feel pain. That’s the beauty of being Malaysian. We don’t […]

Once upon a time, back when I was still a student and weight a hefty (read: grossly obese), I found myself in Singapore with my brother, who’s been working there for a while. By tradition, he’d always pamper me with really nice meals (and sometimes gifts) which I could never back then dream of affording, since […]

Christmas used to be a season of excitement for me. As a kid, it meant more toys. Despite the general spend-absolute-as-necessary domestic financial culture which my parents used to practice while I was still living under their roof, Christmas would be the exception, when my parents would spend a lot on gifts for me. Christmas, […]

I’ve never been one to invest heavily in tradition. My birthdays slip by almost before I can acknowledge it, and religious festivities are my excuse to catch up with myself. But when it comes to Chinese New Year traditions, I find myself helpless (read: reluctant) in my attempt to resist. After all, I find very little displeasure […]