She once asked her Auntie Yan Shueng,” Is cancer contagious?’
‘That, you will have to worry until you are old.’ Was her reply. 'Maybe when you're Yan Ming's age.' (Yan Ming is Hoi Ting's father. Auntie Yan Shueng is his elder sister)

This was the routine Hoi Ting took daily after school for the past two weeks. She would come alone and her hands would be empty because the day at school was so busy. Usually, she would study in the ward until the visiting hours were up. And it seemed that this routine would continue for a long time to come. Her father’s condition was not improving. However, her father was not complaining. The few hours of conversation with his only child was warm enough.

‘Hoi Ting, your mid year examinations are coming soon. Stop visiting me and spend more time studying at Auntie Yan Sheung’s place.’
‘Why? I’m doing fine in school. And… And the hospital is still along the way to her place. It’s convenient for me right?”
( Hoi Ting is lying. Both Auntie Yan Shueng and Hoi Ting stay in the same block at Wong Chuk Hang estate. Hoi Ting studies at Rosaryhill school in Wanchai. A visit to the hospital is a major detour.)

‘Just do as I say…’

Tears started to roll down her face.

“Come on…don’t cry…’ he patted her head gently and passed her a box of Lotte Koala Biscuits (樂天熊仔餅) ‘ You like them don’t you. Remember not to eat them in one go! If not you’ll get a fat and you won’t be pretty!’ he joked

Hoi Ting wiped the tears off her face and broke into a bitter smile.

‘mm!’ she nodded.

This box of Koala biscuits would last her a long time. Auntie Yan Shueng had been working hard to foot her brother’s hospital bills. Despite the government subsidies she still struggled to make ends meet.

‘Auntie Yan Shueng!! Do you want some Koala Biscuit?” Hoi Ting said cheerfully as she entered the door of their apartment.
‘Keep them for yourself. It’s been some time since you last ate them.=)’
‘Yes Auntie!’

Hoi Ting popped the first biscuit into her mouth. The biscuit layer cracked open as soon as they came into contact with her teeth and the chocolate oozed out, spilling out all over her mouth. Within a few milliseconds, the sweetness filled her mouth and all her senses. She had never felt this good for a long time. Images started to flash back into her mind as she stared out of the window.

Imperfection

Hoi Ting never knew how it felt to have maternal love. She never had it in the first place. The only love she knew was from her father. He used to work as an administrative officer at the immigration department. Life was not so bitter. Everyday, her father would pick her up from school and take the bus home together. Ever so often, he would buy her a box of Koala biscuits from the store below their apartment block. She also made it a habit to pop a few biscuits into her mouth before she started studying. She believed the sugar helped in her concentration. Most importantly, it made her happy. That was when she was in primary school.

Even at the age of fourteen, her father still loves her. But life became more bitter ever since he was diagnosed with colorectal cancer and heart disease. His cancer made it impossible to work and he was forced to retire. The cost of his medical bills started to pile up and soon their wealth started to dwindle quickly. His sister, Yan Shueng saw their plight and offered to look after Hoi Ting while he received treatment. (Yan Shueng is single) However, Yan Shueng was not rich either. She worked as a journalist for a magazine and her pay was not sufficient to carry the burden

The Sin

The stress of examinations was taking its toll on her. Hoi Ting’s performance dropped partly due to her routine. She used to be the top ten in her level. She dropped to the top twenty-fifth. She had finished her box of Koala biscuits faster than expected. The desire for comfort was irresistible. Unfortunately she had run out of cash.

After school, she passed by the store again. Knowing she did not have money, she still went to the shelf, and took a box of Koala biscuits. She cheekily walked up to the store owner, Ming Suk (Uncle Ming).

‘Ming Suk! How much does one box cost?’ She smiled.
‘Six fifty.’
“ Oh no.. I think I did not bring enough cash. I’ll put it back then..’
‘Alright..’

She walked back to the shelf. But instead of putting it back on the shelf, she placed it into her bag. Ming Suk did not spot her because his vision of the shelf was blocked by the refrigerator.

Back in her room, Hoi Ting popped the biscuit into her mouth. The taste was the same but there was one more additional flavour to it- guilt.

Forgiveness

Six months have passed and Hoi Ting’s father was finally discharged from the hospital. He was still weak but he could at least perform most of his daily functions. This also boosted Hoi Ting’s morale and her grades improved. Her level position went back to the top ten in her promotional examinations to Form 3.

On the last day of school for the school year, Hoi Ting saw a silhouette she had not seen for a long time at the school gate. Her father stood there, no longer as strong as he used to be, but still the same person that brought her up.

‘Daddy!’ she shouted. She did not care about how other people thought she looked. Her childhood sprang back on her and she jumped on him and hugged him. It was embarrassing but that was the warmest feeling she ever had.

The pair, father and daughter walked pass the store again. On the front of the store hung a sign which said: Last Sale-Closing Down on 16 Jul 2004.

This moment in time brought back a flavour she did not want to taste again- guilt. The two walked into the store and her father headed for the shelf and handed a box of Koala Biscuits into her hand. Upon reaching the counter, Hoi Ting promptly handed fifty dollars to Ming Suk.

Ming Suk stared at her puzzled. ‘One box is only six dollars. Why fifty?’

Silence…

‘Ming Suk… sorry….did you remember the other day I asked you how much one box cost? I did not put it back on the shelf…I took it…so…here’s my compensation for you’

Her eyes turned red.

‘If you want to report me…please do so…’

Hoi Ting closed her eyes and stretched out her arms as if they were to be hand-cuffed. Tears started trolling down her cheeks.

Ming Suk broke the silence and laughed, ‘Ah….silly girl…actually the last time I knew what you were up to. But all the while you have not been troubling me like the other kids so I took it as a treat for you.’

Ming Suk handed Hoi Ting a tissue..

‘Good that you have the strength to admit your mistakes! Here, take back $38 change as a reward for admitting your wrong-doing.’

‘Just make sure you don’t commit this sin again. You were really brave.’ Her father patted her head. ‘You are really like your mother.’

Back in their apartment, Hoi Ting popped the biscuit into her mouth. This time, the chocolate was pure and untainted.

Simple pleasures can be an indulgence if your mind is free.

Chocolate and Biscuit

Tenth July 2009. The summer sun scorched the HKU (University of Hong Kong) campus. Hoi Ting strolled dreamily down the steps outside HKU student’s Union. Her bag was full of presents from her friends and her face was oily after all the whipped cream that went on her face during her birthday bashing inside. She had done exceptionally well in her HKALE and was given a scholarship at HKU. Preparations for O-Camp were underway and her duties as an OGL were just beginning. But the afternoon of her birthdays are always reserved for something more personal. This year had a double amount of importance.

The vibration from her hand phone woke her from her daze.

Labels: warmth

7:57 PM

Monday, September 07, 2009

I Survived Thai Express Spicy Yellow Ginger Chicken

The following is a first hand experience from Jia Xian and Jack over the Thai Express spicy Yellow Ginger Chicken. How spicy is it? Just look at how much chili they use. And I can guarantee the hotness will make even the most 'proficient' in spicy-ness release their tears. Trust me...my tears flowed like siao after swallowing one piece...and it was not because of BGR...=(
Here is a pictorial account of how Jack coped with the spice. =D
Note: This guy swallowed a piece of cucumber soaked in the chili paste. So his effects is more jialat than JX and the rest who tried the chicken.

No hot leh.... yea...wait a while first...wait till you swallow the whole thing first...

Ah!!! Now you feel it!! (Same thing goes for HongKong's Curry Fish Balls!!!!=D)

Woah!! Somebody's eyes red already!!!!

Awwwww!!! Tissue anyone? See? Told you!!!!=D

Anyways....
Happy belated Birthday Asher!!!

Hope you enjoyed yesterday!

Labels: Asher, Daniel Chu, Jack, JiaXian, Thai Express

5:17 PM

Sunday, September 06, 2009

Happy Birthday Siyi!! (2 weeks in advance)

Since everyone is soo busy, we've decided to meet at every first Saturday of evry month to catch up and do something. This week, we're celebrating Siyi (aka Play-girl)'s 19th birthday. So this means somebody now no longer 3 years old (self proclaimed) already! Time to grow and and mature....although I doubt so.. XD

Anyway, we just did what we always do..play bridge..cuz the guys can't play in camp (arrrghhh..all the stupid restrictions!!!! Where's all the dignity of 'serving the nation' ?!?!?! Ok..before I start ranting again )

And asking of alot of stupid questions. Hmm...like Jun Kang?? Go and ask something so 变态. I wonder where he goes shopping in the department store? No prizes for guessing XD But I'm sure it's a 'no men's ' territory..you get what I mean.

We had the golden opportunity to bash Siyi...but..too bad....why wste such a good cake?

And yupp..the card I designed =D By now I'm starting to use a new slightly modified set of eyes for my characters. But most people I draw in future will still look like their previous counterparts. I'm still sticking to my 1:2 ratio and I'm not ready to move into the 'mutants' style..that is to draw the super big head and small body..yea..the cute kind..

Then we played UNO stacko + Tureth or Dare. So heng I kena-ed only once XD And they did not ask the really 'stupid' questions. In brackets because they are VERY difficult to answer.

他们问的问题是:

在你的画册里出现了一位我们不认识的香港小女子.而且不止一次,还画了她从七岁到二十岁的样子. 她到底是谁?

呒...很好的问题..答案是-她不是来自MJ的. 所以她不是SiuYin 或Wan Yee或 Kathy.而且她从来没来过星加坡.答案大家到时自有分巧. 小提示:她是1989年出生的.=)

Labels: Clarice, Daniel Chu, Edison, Jun Kang, Leon, Samuel, Siyi, some lame ideas

12:34 AM