Of cars and roses

On Xmas eve, I woke up early to follow my mum to the morning market. There was this tea leaves stall and being that teaholic, I went and check out that stall.

R: Rene
T: tea seller

R: so what's the difference between this two rose buds?

T: one is BMW and one is Proton Saga.

His answer was really clear. I wish that I have that ability in explaining things!

Why do people smoke?

Was digging my old blog to see if there's anything worth reblogging and I came across this conversation I had with Clair about 3 years ago.

"Why do people smoke?" she asked

"Um, it makes them feel happy, relaxed?"

She wasn't convinced with my answer so I gave her an example.

"Think of a food that you'll feel happy and satisfied after eating it."

That seems to work and she starts calling her favorite food as cigarettes.

A pair of chopsticks

Chopsticks to me is something very natural/absolute? When I was younger, no one forced me to use the chopsticks the proper way but I would observe how the adults use it and mimic their fingers.  Today, I wouldn't say that I'm a pro in using chopsticks but I do think that my chopstick skills are above average.

I've always thought that chopsticks are one of the best invention the previous generation left behind. It's a simple tool and yet it has a great purpose. There's no rocket mechanics behind it and it has made eating so enjoyable. I don't really know how to explain this but because chopsticks play a huge role in my life, I was under the impression that chopsticks are as essential to other Chinese. 

One day while I was having lunch with my friends at a Taiwanese restaurant, my friend asked for a fork. I was really surprised and I asked her 'why can't you use the chopsticks?'  

She replied ' I don't know how to use the chopsticks' 

Another friend replied ' I don't know the right way of using the chopsticks too but at least I still can use it' 

I asked her 'why don't you learn how to use it? I can teach you.' 

To my surprise, My friend replied 'it's okay, I don't see the point of learning. It's not like I will use it next time' 

I was really stunned by her answer. It felt like a culture shock.  It never occurred to me that chopsticks is something that you need a reason to use it.  Like I said chopsticks are something so natural for me and I find that hard to accept, at first. 

But on a different note, chopsticks, thanks for reminding me that my world would be very small if I to be blinded by my own opinions. After all the world is not ruled by only one discourse or believes. 

Killing me softly

A random conversation I had with an elderly man at the soy bean milk stall while waiting for the cobbler to fix my heels.

Elderly man = E
Soy bean man = S
Rene= R

E: Drink soyabean, it's good for your health.

R: Ya ya, one without sugar please.

E: I cannot take sugar. I am diabetic.

R: Do you eat rice?

E: Not really. I have to control my intake.

S: So you can't eat durian?

E: No way man! I'll die!!(goes on and tell about his friend who passed away after consuming durian)

S: I see.

E: You know sometimes children will buy durian for their parents, thinking that its an act of love, sayang their parents...

R: Uh huh.

E: It's actually an act of murder!

Guess what I had for dins last night? Hahah

Have a little faith

One day while Dad and I was on the way to pick my sister up from the train station, we drove past this restaurant around the neighborhood and there were barely any customers inside.

R = Rene D= Dad

R: Its not easy to be in the F&B industry nowadays. Its a housing area and not many eateries here and yet, this restaurant fail to take off.

D: Look at the restaurant a couple of streets away. Their food is just average and yet, full house everyday. What kind of dog poop luck did the boss stepped on to?

R: I want to step on dog poop too.

D: I'll find some for you tomorrow.

R: Where to find?

D: You'll just have to follow that elderly man who walks his dog every morning. And ask him where do you bring your dog to excrete.

Of course I did not step on dog poop. If it gives you faith or confidence, go ahead and step. But keep in mind to not waste your thought on superstition. Not while there is still real shit out there that can actually kill you!