Coolcat - Critic ...

Cute noodles served at Central. Can you spot the face there?


I missed seeing some of my old chums terribly during the hectic weeks of the production. So tonight, I hung out at Central (next to Klang Parade) with two old friends (Rina and Jenn) and one new one (Pearly). Pearly's a nice person and youthful looking but for some reason that name felt auntie-ish to me. Perhaps some sitcom that I watched during childhood days had something to do with it. I made the mistake of mentioning it to her halfway through dinner, heh.

Also, when the order for drinks were taken, Pearly had no idea what 'Ying Yong' meant. Nor 'Cham'. Nor 'Michael Jackson'. I was in a teasing mood and Pearly seemed to be a good sport, and thus, I went straight for the jugular.

Me: You mean you don't know what these terms mean?

She: Nope.

Me: Wah, are you sure you are Malaysian ah? Those drinks are basic concoctions in kopi tiams* these days. Come, come, let me educate you.

She meekly listened as I explained what those concoctions were made of.

Me: Good. Now you are a certified Malaysian.

And then the conversation revolved around the ideal jobs that would suit our characters. When it came to my turn, Pearly quickly said, "The ideal job for you would be a critic!" And she actually meant that as a compliment!

Of course, my two old chums hurriedly corrected her - saying that my ideal job would be a journalist - because I like to write about things and am curious as a cat.

But aiyo, this is the first time ever someone connected me to being a nitpicker. All because I thought I was livening things up by teasing her about her name (never, ever do THAT!) and her nationality crisis. Serves me right, lor

kopi tiam - coffee shop