…my cuppa iced coffee…

I remembered being laughed at when I showed my old identity card (IC) to this lady when I wanted to borrow books from my university’s library. That was in 1991, I was 19, the library was at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia and my student card was not yet ready. I didn’t really put much thought about it at that time but after I got my student card a few days later (which looked like our current MyKad minus the microchip), I started to realise that we Malaysians were quite behind in this kind of technology.

When MyKad was introduced in September 2001, there was quite a buzz about it nationwide, particularly since it was touted as the world’s first smart identity card, which can be extended to other uses such as driver’s license, ATM card, passport etc etc, all with the purpose of making life easier for the people.

To current IC cardholders, however, it was just another round of hassle and stress since the process of MyKad application is really a pain in the ass.

Sidetracking a bit, I remembered the hassle I went through to get my replacement MyKad. I arrived at the JPN Taman Maluri office very early in the morning. There were already a lot of people queueing up in front of the door by then. When they opened the door, it took me about one hour to move about 10 metres just to get a number. I was number 80 something if I was not mistaken. Then it took me another 3 hours to get to the counter. Why? Because they only opened TWO counters. It would’ve been much faster if they opened more counters. People didn’t have to waste so much time waiting.

Hopefully things are better now.

Okay.. back to my ramblings…

It is now towards the end of 2007 and based on the efforts of the government to equip everyone with MyKad, I assume that everybody has it already. So, my question is: Why do we need old IC anymore? Most of the time, whenever I filled up forms, I was asked for my old IC number. I don’t get it. If MyKad is to replace the old IC, then what’s the point of asking for the old IC number? Shouldn’t the new one suffice?

I personally think that the old IC should be buried forever and the use of MyKad is enforced fully. What’s the point of having new things if the old ones they are supposed to replace are still being used?

Every year, during puasa and hari raya, we heard news about kids who lost their limbs or were injured because of bunga api (firecrackers). Every year, without fail. And every time I heard about these things, my only comment is “Padan muka!” (serves you right). I have no sympathy for blatant stupidity.

In The Star Online today, “Boy loses three fingers in firecrackers blast.” The bunga api, which this 13-year-old boy creatively strung together, exploded before he could light them. Heh, padan muka! Don’t expect any sympathy from me. My only sympathy lies with the parents whose Hari Raya celebration was ruined because of him.

What is it about firecrackers that turned these kids into geniuses (read, moron) and absolutely had to get creative and did something that invariably made them regret why they did that thing in the first place? Excitement? An annoyingly louder explosion? As if a single firecracker is not loud and annoying enough. Sense of danger? Hah! Danger, my ass!

I’m sure that the parents gave them warnings enough about the danger of bunga api. My parents and siblings were quite vocal about it when my niece and nephews played with bunga api. Naturally, kids being kids, they hardly listened. I couldn’t be bothered, of course. Except when the noise was too loud for my ears. Since warnings are not enough to stop them, then the only thing left is to learn it the hard way. Personal experience is a very good teacher, don’t you agree? Guaranteed 100% effective.

Whatever it is, I’m sure the kid has his mind-opening lesson and will think more than twice about getting creative with bunga api in the future.

Other kids? I seriously doubt it. Somehow they have this absolute sense of invincibility that these things will never happen to them. Until those bunga api exploded right in front of their faces, of course. Almost made me wish I was there to witness it. But then again.. I couldn’t be bothered.

I would like to wish all my friends and readers out there a Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri, maaf zahir & batin. Hope that you will have a very enjoyable Hari Raya with your family and friends. If you drive balik kampung, please drive smartly. We don’t want you to be in the statistics now, do we?

I was sitting on a bench at Isetan Lot 10 last night while my flatmate was looking for some shoes for his niece and nephew. I saw some sandals on display behind me. Simple and nice, I thought. Maybe I should buy a pair.

I had a look at the price tag and my God! I was really surprised. Guess how much for a pair of those sandals?

Man, they’re expensive! Must be of very good quality and a big brand name. Funnily enough, I’ve never heard of it, though. Not in my circle, perhaps.

I dunno. You be the judge. Do you really think those sandals really should cost that much? They’re not that fancy. Nice, yes.. but personally, I’m not willing to pay RM169 just for a pair of sandals like that. Shoes, maybe. Sandals, no.

Besides, when I flipped it over, it says “Made in China” at the bottom. Hmmm…

I had the best buka puasa food last Sunday, thanks to my good friends Eina and Sarah. Eina is undoubtedly one of the best cooks I’ve ever met so far and she never fails to cook up wonders when we asked her to cook for us. Sarah seems to be quite talented as well, although I haven’t had the chance to really taste her cooking.

The menu was sweet and sour fish (anybody knows what’s the English word for ikan bawal? I can’t seem to remember it. Hehehe…), chicken soy sauce black pepper (my favourite), kerabu sotong (squid salad?), broccoli + mushroom + capsicum (3 different kinds) in garlic and oyster sauce.. man, they were just heaven! Not to mention the dessert afterwards. No less than Viennetta ice cream. It was too bad that I’m not a big eater.

Thank you girls. Really appreciate it.

p/s.. Get in touch with me if you think my friends are cute. They are still single and available. Hehehehe…