I received this today via email and I do agree that Chinese names can be confusing. I've heard of other (vulgar) jokes involving Chinese names in fact. As for my own name, Anna Tham, it' been mistaken as an Indian name once when I spoke to "Sam Wan" (someone) over the phone and gave him my name. He subsequently sent me a fax addressed to "Anatham"! I remember I had spelt it out for him but I guess he didn't listen carefully enough.
Confusing Chinese Names
Caller : Hello, can I speak to Annie Wan (anyone)?
Operator : Yes, you can speak to me.
Caller : No, I want to speak to Annie Wan (anyone)!
Operator : You are talking to someone! Who is this?
Caller : I'm Sam Wan (Someone). And I need to talk to Annie Wan (anyone)! It's urgent.
Operator : I know you are someone and you want to talk to anyone! But what's this urgent matter about?
Caller : Well... just tell my sister Annie Wan (anyone) that our brother Noel Wan (no one)has involved in an accident. Noel Wan (no one)got injured and now Noel Wan (no one) is being sent to the hospital. Right now, Avery Wan (everyone) is on his way to the hospital.
Operator : Look if no one was injured and no one was sent to the hospital, then the accident isn't an urgent matter! You may find this hilarious but I don't have time for this!
Caller : You are so rude! Who are you?
Operator : I'm Saw Lee (Sorry).
Caller : Yes! You should be sorry. Now give me your name!!!
Monday, February 11, 2008
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Back from the hols
We had a long weekend for the Chinese New Year and tomorrow Eugene goes back to work. Caitlin goes back to school on Tuesday. This year, the festival was a little quieter. This means Caitlin's 'angpow' haul was smaller too, heh heh....We spent it with both sides of family in Klang and Seremban. We made a day trip down to Melaka to visit my grandmother, uncles, aunts and cousins.
I didn't do very much the past four days except eat and laze about. I didn't have access to the Internet too and am surprised I did not suffer any withdrawal symptoms! I only checked email using my mobile phone. The Internet speed was very slow via the phone so no point surfing any sites. Moreover, the screen of my phone is just not wide enough to comfortably view any pages.
I cleaned the floors of our apartment the minute we arrived home as I couldn't stand to feel the dust on my soles and see the bits of stuff like hair and eraser dust (courtesy of Caitlin's constant use of the eraser while doing her homework!)on the floor. Thankfully more than a year ago, we invested some thousands of dollars on a super duper machine that sucks up dirt, dust, and dustmites very efficiently. It leaves the floor almost squeaky clean that you don't really need a wet mop after that. Later, I unpacked most of the baggage and did two rounds of laundry.
Eugene, meanwhile, cleaned and changed the water for Caitlin's fish tank while Caitlin supposedly kept her five goldfish company while they were isolated in a temporary basin. He then changed our bedsheets.
Now, Eugene has just helped Caitlin shower and is trying to get her dressed while she is escaping his clutches by riding around in her toy scooter in the nude....This comical scene happens pretty regularly in our household.
It is my turn now for a shower before we figure out what to have for dinner. I certainly am not in the condition physically or mentally to cook dinner tonight!
I didn't do very much the past four days except eat and laze about. I didn't have access to the Internet too and am surprised I did not suffer any withdrawal symptoms! I only checked email using my mobile phone. The Internet speed was very slow via the phone so no point surfing any sites. Moreover, the screen of my phone is just not wide enough to comfortably view any pages.
I cleaned the floors of our apartment the minute we arrived home as I couldn't stand to feel the dust on my soles and see the bits of stuff like hair and eraser dust (courtesy of Caitlin's constant use of the eraser while doing her homework!)on the floor. Thankfully more than a year ago, we invested some thousands of dollars on a super duper machine that sucks up dirt, dust, and dustmites very efficiently. It leaves the floor almost squeaky clean that you don't really need a wet mop after that. Later, I unpacked most of the baggage and did two rounds of laundry.
Eugene, meanwhile, cleaned and changed the water for Caitlin's fish tank while Caitlin supposedly kept her five goldfish company while they were isolated in a temporary basin. He then changed our bedsheets.
Now, Eugene has just helped Caitlin shower and is trying to get her dressed while she is escaping his clutches by riding around in her toy scooter in the nude....This comical scene happens pretty regularly in our household.
It is my turn now for a shower before we figure out what to have for dinner. I certainly am not in the condition physically or mentally to cook dinner tonight!
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Gong Xi Fa Cai
Today is the first day of the Chinese New Year of the Rat. To all my relatives and friends, we wish you "Gong Xi Fa Cai" (Congratulations and Be Prosperous) and Caitlin says "Hong Bao Na Lai!" (Please give me red packets!)
'Hong Bao' or red envelopes containing money are traditionally given to children/younger generation, and unmarried relatives and friends during the Chinese New Year. It is a symbol of good luck and wealth! Yup, we need as much blessings and wealth as we can get!
Hope you enjoy the festivities and the holiday!
'Hong Bao' or red envelopes containing money are traditionally given to children/younger generation, and unmarried relatives and friends during the Chinese New Year. It is a symbol of good luck and wealth! Yup, we need as much blessings and wealth as we can get!
Hope you enjoy the festivities and the holiday!
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
My English teacher
One of my childhood friend's mother passed away yesterday morning after living patiently with Parkinson's for the past 12-13 years. I was blessed to have known her as my English teacher in Standard 6. My friend, Ann Marie, was my classmate from Standard 2 right up to Form 5 and we became very close friends, together with a few other girls in our class. Till today, 23 years after leaving Form 5, we are all still in touch with each other.
Ann Marie's mum, Mrs Chandy, was a good English teacher. She made learning English interesting. I remember her as firm yet patient. She helped us put up a Hansel and Gretel play for our year-end concert and was one of the teachers who guided me, Ann Marie and another two girls when we participated in the inter-school choral recitation competition. She was also very kind and always gave me and a few other girls (Siew Lin and Elaine) a lift to school together with Ann Marie when we had extra-curricular activities. I also got a ride from her for piano lessons when Ann Marie and I shared the same teacher when we were in secondary school.
After Form 5, Ann Marie's family moved to their hometown in Klang. We still kept in touch and wrote to each other. Mrs Chandy continued teaching. Over the years after she was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease (PD), Mrs Chandy continued resolutely to live life as normally as she could. Even as PD 'progressed', she travelled overseas for holidays, wrote an autobiography, and visited me at my new apartment nine years ago with Ann Marie and her two kids. She even attended my wedding and visited me when Caitlin was born.
In the recent years, her mobility became limited and a few friends and I would visit her occasionally. I visited her and Ann Marie a bit more often in the past few months when her condition deteriorated. Although she could not move or talk, I could tell she still had that kind and motherly nature in her, especially when she responded to Caitlin asking her how she was.
Today, Mrs Chandy will be on her final journey home to be with the Lord. May God welcome her into His arms and reward her for her patience and perseverance with PD, and for being the wonderful person and teacher she was here on Earth. I'm sure many of us who were privileged to have known her have been touched by her one way or another.
Ann Marie's mum, Mrs Chandy, was a good English teacher. She made learning English interesting. I remember her as firm yet patient. She helped us put up a Hansel and Gretel play for our year-end concert and was one of the teachers who guided me, Ann Marie and another two girls when we participated in the inter-school choral recitation competition. She was also very kind and always gave me and a few other girls (Siew Lin and Elaine) a lift to school together with Ann Marie when we had extra-curricular activities. I also got a ride from her for piano lessons when Ann Marie and I shared the same teacher when we were in secondary school.
After Form 5, Ann Marie's family moved to their hometown in Klang. We still kept in touch and wrote to each other. Mrs Chandy continued teaching. Over the years after she was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease (PD), Mrs Chandy continued resolutely to live life as normally as she could. Even as PD 'progressed', she travelled overseas for holidays, wrote an autobiography, and visited me at my new apartment nine years ago with Ann Marie and her two kids. She even attended my wedding and visited me when Caitlin was born.
In the recent years, her mobility became limited and a few friends and I would visit her occasionally. I visited her and Ann Marie a bit more often in the past few months when her condition deteriorated. Although she could not move or talk, I could tell she still had that kind and motherly nature in her, especially when she responded to Caitlin asking her how she was.
Today, Mrs Chandy will be on her final journey home to be with the Lord. May God welcome her into His arms and reward her for her patience and perseverance with PD, and for being the wonderful person and teacher she was here on Earth. I'm sure many of us who were privileged to have known her have been touched by her one way or another.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
A Fun Sunday
The family had fun last Sunday. It started out with Caitlin having fun with her cousins Isabelle and Katrina at their home. They played, went swimming, watched TV and did some art and craft together.
Dinner saw Eugene and Anna meeting up with some old friends. It had been just too long that we had not got together for a meal to catch up. We enjoyed the good food and company at Delicious at Bangsar Village II (I recommend their pasta, lambshank marsala, and chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream).
Dinner saw Eugene and Anna meeting up with some old friends. It had been just too long that we had not got together for a meal to catch up. We enjoyed the good food and company at Delicious at Bangsar Village II (I recommend their pasta, lambshank marsala, and chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream).
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