Gong Xi Fa Cai

Chinese New Year just seems to be getting a lot quieter here in KL. Gone were the days where it resembles a ghost town 10 years ago. Though the streets were free of the usual congestion, you could still tell many didn't leave the bustling city.

But this will be the final year where I thought I could earn my riches like I used to back when I was young. And boy has 2008 been a bountiful year for me. Up till today, which is the 11th day of Chinese New Year, I have shamelessly received 24 red packets.



With 4 more days to go, 24 is on the high side. The amount doesn't matter much, but with each passing year, the "When are you getting married?" remarks seems more frequent.

Well, fret not everyone. For this shall be the last year I am to be on the receiving side. So, line up everyone; nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and friend's children. I heard it's a tradition to give 2 red packets during the inaugural year and someone even told me it's fun to give out them out. I just hope she wasn't lying to me :P hahahahah

Let's Settle This

It happened right in front of my very own eyes.

A : Beginilah, ikut pendapat kami dan gambar ini, memang mesin kamu terkena kabel kami
B : Jadi, macam mana?
A : Kalau nak buat repot, boleh, tapi kurang-kurang kena bayar pampasan RM20,000. Itu sebab saya datang nak tanya, sama ada nak buat repot or nak settle kat sini.
B : Kalau nak settle kat sini, berapa?
A : Kalau settle, lebih kurang 3-4 ribu saje.
B : Bos saya kat luar negeri, saya tak boleh buat keputusan.
A : Kalau gitu, saya kena balik dan buat laporan kerana isu kelmarin melibatkan ramai penduduk.
B : Biar saya cuba telepon ofis saya

A moment later

B : Mintak kurang lagi boleh ke?
A : Nak settle berapa?
B : Seribu boleh?
A : Tak boleh lah, lebih kurang dua ribu ok lah.
B : Saya mana ada duit banyak tu sekarang? Ada pun lebih kurang RM1,500.
A : Takpe lah, tunggu saya telepon bos saya dulu.

Soon after

A : Bos saya minta RM1,600.
B : Begitulah, kalau dalam dompet saya ada duit sebanyak itu, saya bagi lah.
A : Jadi, ada berapa?
B : *korek korek* RM1,5xx lebih sahaja
A : RM1,500 jadi lah.
B : Ok, terima kasih
A : Gong Xi Fa Cai

WTF!!!!!!! $#@@*&?! Too bad I didn't take any video of the conversation. Otherwise, he'll just say, "It sounds like me, it looks like me, but I cannot say it is 100% me".