ക Chinese Idiom ~ AN OLD HORSE KNOWS THE WAY ~ 老馬識途 {Lǎomǎ shìtú}

"An Old Horse Knows the Way" ~ 老馬識途 

This story is about Duke Huan from the State of Qi, a battle over the State of Shanrong and Gu Zhu in spring and autumn period (770-476BC) which was a distance away from Qi. By the time the State of Shanrong and Gu Zhu was defeated winter sets in a little early. Duke Huan and his army lost their way back to Qi. His minister, Guan Zhong suggested to him, "Why not let the old horses to lead the way, they have excellent animal intuition". Sure enough the army followed the old horses and arrived home safely. Thus the Chinese idiom "An Old Horse Knows The Way" is to praise an experienced person who knows his job and role functions or his way very well. (Special thanks to Jeannie, my newfound Chinese teacher 老師 { lǎoshī } for her kind assistance, please click HERE to visit her blog and learn this idiom in Chinese/English with pīnyīn).

However on the other side of the coin if the idiom is misused it could be disastrous. This is a true sharing  by my optician, Mr AP Chong, about his observation if you were to add in certain Chinese words it could be fatal. Besides the two most popular words  of "Yam Seng" (bottoms up) at dinner functions, another four words that is notoriously hazardous to drinkers who frequently uttered 不醉不歸 {bùzui bùguī} (literally means 'no drunk no home'). Some mindset have not been changed as the idiom "An old horse knows the way" cannot be applicable in this instance anymore, it is obsolete. Those ancient days you can depend on your faithful old horse who knows the way home even when you are dead drunk but not in this new millennium. You either kill or be killed when you are driving under influence of alcohol, in short DUI. Drink all you can provided if you have someone to send you home.

Thanks to Irene Hoi for the email which many may have seen before but needed to be reminded regularly. It is very timely and related to the highlights of the danger of DUI as you can see below how devastating it could be to a lovely teenager where her future is totally wrecked by a freak DUI accident. (CAUTION : Graphic images maybe gruesome to some).

Jacqueline Saburido was hit by another car that was driven by a 17-year old male student on his way home after drinking a couple of hard packs with his friends. This was in December 1999. Jacqueline was caught in the burning car and her body was heavily burnt during around 45 seconds. After the accident Jacqueline has needed over 40 operations. Not everyone who gets hit by a car dies.

(Click on the picture for full details)

This picture was taken 4 years after the accident and the doctors are still working on Jacqueline, whose body was covered with 60% severe burns. Let's make as many people as we can to be aware of the consequences of drinking & driving.

Her traumatic condition moved me to tears as I was doing up this post. Let's pray for her speedy recovery. May she be well and happy, may she be free from mental and physical suffering and also to all the victims of DUI as well. Please have a heart, "DON'T DRINK & DRIVE".

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ക Blogthings: what color should your blog be?..

Your Blog Should Be Yellow

You're a cheerful, upbeat blogger who tends to make everyone laugh.

You are a great storyteller, and the first to post the latest funny link.

You're also friendly and welcoming to everyone who comments on your blog.

What color should your blog be?

Took a quiz on my blog's color,  voila... its yellow, have a go. Thanks to Levian

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ക WE'VE ONLY JUST BEGUN

Before the rising sun we fly

So many roads to choose

We start our walking

And learn to run

And yes! We've just begun

Yes this is part of the lyric from the song "We've Only Just Begun" by the Carpenters. The "Bridging" has just begun and hope to pick up Chinese/Mandarin with more practice. Bear with my thoughts as they are merely my personal opinion and kindly spare the whip. During my younger days, life can be so complex and confusing as a minority "RARE" Bananaz growing up in a majority 'Chinaman' environment which I often wonder whether I am trapped in the wrong peel or the wrong shell?

Let's begin with me the green fresh Bananaz struggling to reconcile as a minority where  Nanyang Siang Pau and Sin Chew Jit Poh occupied the coffee table, neighbors speak Hokkien and Teow Chew, Mama's friends conversed in Cantonese and Mandarin, Papa spoke broken Hokkien30/Hakka70 however English was silent at home and spoken in school only.

Now the Bananaz Blues where the confusion just begun: 

Blunder #1 ~ Cannot understand why all Chinese medical shops have the same last name - Chong Choon Tong, Pak Ho Tong or Ho Chin Tong? The 'Tong' kept  bugging and tong-ing me each time I passed by the sign prompting to ask myself, "Is this a must to name their children with 'Tong' when they operate a medical shop?" [The Truth: The "Tong" 堂 is actually a Chinese word in Hakka (not related to the Haka of All Blacks) referring to Medical Hall (most of the bosses are Hakka then) and not a name of the person, aiya wrong thoughts for many long years, how wrong could I be].

Blunder #2 ~ Mama used to say Hoklo this Hoklo that, when referring to neighbors which I thought was a nasty word dare not asked for the meaning. [The Truth: Only lately I stumbled over the internet found the real meaning of Hoklo ~ it's the 'Chaozhou' {Mandarin} people 潮州人 aka Teow Chew people.]

Blunder #3 ~ When you think you are Bananaz and can get away with English on old folks right? Nope, we were walking home after primary school with a classmate and approaching right in front of us was a huge lady. My friend spelled out the three letter word in English ~ F.A.T. to me. Seconds later we heard machine guns rattling, got shelling from her left and right.."You 'AngMohSai' think very clever used English thought I cannot understand huh..ta..ta..ta..#%&**)+*!~@&". Oops 'Padan muka betul'! (serve us right).

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ക Name Calling

Before peeling of Bananaz thoughts begins, probably need to quantify & qualify the Bananaz People into various condition to evaluate the severity of 'white thoughts'. Need to go back three generations, how about classifying them into three categories by way of sizzling steak ~ "RARE, MEDIUM and WELL DONE" BANANAZ. For easy reference "Chinaman" refers to those educated in the Chinese medium and "Bananaz" refers to the English educated.

The RARE - First (Grandparents) and Second generation(Parents) are 'Chinaman' and the Third generation are Bananaz. [Gen1.Chinaman, Gen2.Chinaman, Gen3.Bananaz]. This is where I belong, I'm the Rare Bananaz.

The MEDIUM- First generation (Grandparents) are 'Chinaman' with the Second generation (Parents) and Third generation are Bananaz. [Gen1.Chinaman, Gen2.Bananaz, Gen3.Bananaz]

The WELL DONE - All Three generations (Grandparents/Parents/Children) are Bananaz. [Gen1.Bananaz, Gen2.Bananaz, Gen3.Bananaz]

So where are you? TRAPPED in the wrong peels or the wrong shells meaning an Egg, white on the outside, yellow on the inside - referring to mixed marriages with Westerners. This is very common in Hong Kong and click HERE for more related details on Eggs, which I have borrowed some of her thoughts. This does not take into account of those mixed marriages between the other races, religion or nationality as not to complicate matters.

Have to make my point very clear that this blog is not meant to ridicule any "Chinaman" to be worst off or the "Bananaz" as better people will keep my level best to remain nuetral with no malicious thoughts intended. Back to the real purpose of this blog is towards the sharing of the thoughts of Bananaz without fear or favor. I have mentioned earlier to post on names calling between the two sides, here you go..

The battle of the Titans : Name Calling

Bananaz: are referred to as "Xiangjiaoren" 香蕉人 [Mandarin] {BananaPeople} or sometimes "Wàng běn" 忘本 [Mandarin] {Forget your roots} and the "AngMohSai" [Hokkien] {Caucasian sh*t}. How this "AngMohSai" came about is people presume and take for granted Bananaz will do everything the Caucasian way eat,sleep,talk,think and whatsoever inclusive of the sh*t. Sticks and stones may break my bones but not name calling. Come to think of it I've got used to whatever names being thrown at over the years.

Chinaman: Bananaz hit back at them calling name like "Shì bù shì" 是不是 [Mandarin]{YesNoYes} or simply Chinaman.

Just out of curiosity (no offence intended) any idea what will people call an Indian who is educated in English and knows nothing about read and write Tamil?

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ക T.G.I.FRI-ed Bananaz

Chinese Names - Annie Wan (Anyone)

Caller: Hello, can I speak to Annie Wan?

Operator: Yes, you can speak to me.

Caller: No, I want to speak to Annie Wan!

Operator: You are talking to someone! Who is this?

Caller: I'm Sam Wan. And I need to talk to Annie Wan! 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 that our brother Noe Wan was involved in an accident. Noe Wan got injured and now Noe Wan is being sent to the hospital. Right now, Avery Wan 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 Ree.

Caller : Yes! You should be sorry. Now give me your name!

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