Soaking those denims...

Soaked the 3 jeans yesterday, its hard work. First, I subject them to a warm temp tap water for about an hour or 2 max to rinse out the starch and so. I did not turn them inside out as I wanna rinse out the excess indigo as well. After that, I turn them inside out and dried them in full sunlight. Luckily it wasn't raining as past few days. When they are about 90% dry, I applied some mink oil onto the leather patches to minimise extreme wrinkling...those Eternal patch are really nice. I applied only a little bit onto the SDA's cordovan patch though. The toughest part was turning them inside out, particularly the Samurai and Eternal which weighted 17 and 18 oz respectively. Imagine soaking, washing those 21oz and above denim....probably twist my dainty wrist for the second time! Heh.

Curiously enough, the SDA, which has the highest indigo dyed counts (at 28 times) was the least darkest post soaking. Samurai and Eternal remains almost the same tone...

Malacca.

Went back to Malacca for the postponed CNY reunion dinner with Esther's family last Sat but unfortunately, I was downed with an incredibly resilient flu bug, basically in near comatose state all the time after being pumped full of anti-biotics....Chloe was down with fever as well, thus we cut short our trip there and backed by Sun morning instead of Mon (being public holiday~Thaipusam celebration).

The Seven Great Singing Stars.

Happened to come across and bought a CD which only cost me MYR 9.90! Titled "Gloden Memories Of 1940 to 1950 Vol.1" (yes, it is spelt and printed that way on the sleeve, which should be Golden, but Gloden sounds good too, like some post modern irony ala cool Ah Pek style) at Speedy Video Store. It featured great Chinese songs from that era, majority from the "Seven Great Singing Stars (七大歌星), who are the seven most renowned singers of China in the early 20th century . Really nostalgic, I am glad to own a copy. In one way or another, I would had come across these songs, either through some black & white old Chinese or HK movies but most via Redifusion which my late grandma installed in her room. Even though I don't read or understand a single Chinese...There are 3 other volumes which I am tempted to get as well... the songstress include Bai Guang aka White Light (白光), Bai Hong aka White Rainbow (白虹), Gong Qiuxia (龔秋霞), Li Xianglan aka Yoshiko Otaka (大鷹淑子 ie 李香蘭), Wu Yingyin (吳鶯音), Yao Lee aka Silvery Voice (姚莉), Zhou Xuan aka Golden Voice (周璇). At one point or another, they also appear in several movies during that period. In particular, it is interesting to note that Bai Guang's tomb is located in this country in Semenyih. It is quite unique from what I heard, as it has a built in piano which plays her music. Whilst I absolutely have no idea about these songstress, I find that Zhou Xuan to tbe the most attractive, followed by Li Xianglan who somehow evoke this femme fatale look to me.

Prayers and observations...

Last Sunday was "Yan Yat", literally means mankind day. Yes, for Taoist everywhere, it is believe that this is the day where mankind is created. I don't know who or the story/myth behind it but I should find out more...one day if my 2 precious ask, I may cook up a story which is totally different! Mom cooked up a sumptious meal for the family. Yes, I usually look forward days like these due to food! Yummy...

The Monday just pass was Pai Thin Kong, which a religious (Taoist) observation held by Hokkiens for the Jade Emperor. An altar is set up and prayers held usually at between 11.30pm and right before midnight. Then, at midnight, the paper offerings would be set alight. It is kinda quiet in the neighbourhood, although several houses down, they would held a grand version annually for this occasion ala held a party for a dozen peoples, setting off grand fireworks, dragon dance and so forth. This year no fireworks from them but a double dragon dance performance was held, very enjoyable.

In places like Penang and Klang, whereby a major cross section of the Chinese population is Hokkien, the occasion would be very grand and merry, with lots of fire works being set off. I missed those times...

Dinner at Sim Yoon and Choo's place.

Choo and Sim Yoon invited Esther and the rest of us for dinner at their place in Desa Damansara. The place without doubt is the enclave of the super rich. Nice dinner, personally cooked by Sim Yoon. Later, we brought Chloe and Dylan to the children's playground for a little exercise.

Dylan ~ Hat.

One of the aunt remarked that Dylan looked like a girl...yeah right. Nice hat bought by Esther for Dylan.

Mee Rebus at Teluk Intan.

Went to this famous place which serves nice mee rebus opposite The Store shopping mall in Teluk Intan. Washed it all down with a glass of syrupy Air Bandung. It is packed to the brim with customers.

CNY 09 pt.6

Day two of CNY is more interesting as married cousins came back as well. My sister and Foo Yu and their 2 daughters arrived in the morning whilst Sasa and Pin Pin came back just in time to join us for dinner, held basically at the same place as yesterday. I am excited for Chloe and Dylan as they will not be as bored as last 2 days, with all the cousins around to play / fight with them. Mom does not usually buy clothing items for Chloe and Dylan but this year, she got Chloe and Suetch a pair of of shoes each. Quite nice.