Well. Uhm. Yes. As some of you may already know, I have been awarded a Thinking Blogger award by the ever-radiant Ruby Ahmad, herself a Thinking Blogger and surely a far worthier one than me. I’m certainly in a state of gush now, to be in the same company as other awardees as Dina Zaman, Yang-May Ooi, Kak Teh and Bibliobibuli.
Most unusual since I don’t really think of myself as a thinker; certainly not one in the leagues of the aforementioned bloggers. But here’s what Kak Ruby said:
I find this very young man, as a person full of life. He writes on various issues and interests (books, people, events, health, art, anything and everything). He is versatile, creative (look at the attractive posters he whips up here and there in his entries) and leads an active life. He is very interested and connects well with people from all stations of life and that is reflected in his entries. Keep loving life!
And I gush some more.
And blush. And mush. And all things -ush.
But then I read the fine print:
This award was started here. You have to award five others whose blog you think deserve this award. Should you choose to participate, please make sure you pass this list of rules to the blogs you are tagging.
The participation rules are simple:
- If, and only if, you get tagged, write a post with links to 5 blogs that make you think.
- Link to this post so that people can easily find the exact origin of the meme.
- Optional: Proudly display the ‘Thinking Blogger Award’ with a link to the post that you wrote.
Please, remember to tag blogs with real merits, i.e. relative content, and above all — blogs that really get you thinking!
Ah, dear. Apparently winning one involves actual thinking. Darn. Guess there’s no free lunch after all. But hey, I’m anal enough and I love making lists (though, for some reason, I abhor tags & memes, this being my first, sort of, in a long, long time), so how hard could it be?
Kenny, never ask dumb questions like that. You suffer ever the more in the end. Still. After much deliberation, sleepless nights, throwing of dice, here’s what I came up with. Five blogs I love reading, and the even lovelier people behind them:
(in the order in which they appear on my Bookmarks page, i.e. alphabetical, mostly)
I first bumped into Zewt at Lydia Teh’s book talk, which I happened to be moderating and interviewing the author. Nice guy, came with his beautiful fiancée, Julia. His blog is a completely different matter. (But in a good way, don’t get me wrong.)
Irreverent, controversial, brave, very ballsy. These are words that come to mind. He’ll talk about anything from Mat Rempits and Mat Sallehs, the connection between KFC and phantom voters, even the drudgeries of gainful employment. His readers will debate his posts most furiously in the comments section.
(I remember one particular entry about the ABC types of Chinese where I defended us “bananas” to those who may stereotype us as cultural/racial/linguistic inferiors — yes, it’s that exciting, ahem.)
During both our early days of blogging, I shared with him my ideal blog — funny, informative yet touching, all at the same time. When his mom passed away recently, Zewt’s reflections and tributes to his beloved mom showed great character and filial piety on his part. He’s moved us all. A good blog by a good son.
Fatty Poh’s Kopi Tiam feels just like that — a coffeeshop where friends and strangers can come together, mingle round, gossip and yak about the most mundane of news or the deepest of subjects, slurp on some good kopi O or Milo peng before saying goodbye till the next round of yum cha. Only, you know, online, in a blog.
Her generous and friendly nature makes her the perfect coffeeshop owner, cajoling us into relaxing and spilling our daily beans. Each of her regular visitors has a “stall” in the kopi tiam. Mine is Kenny Mah’s Super Satay Celup (what to do, Malaccan boy at heart still). Very together gather, if you get my meaning.
And it’s exactly in this neighbourly and open atmosphere that we do share our quiet thoughts, without fear of ridicule or embarrassment. The best ideas come from happy minds, methinks. Which is why I feel Fatty Poh is more than just a Thinking Blogger, she’s one who makes bloggers think, without them even knowing it. We just think we’re having fun, you see.
Oh this Fatty Poh, she’s a sneaky one, she is. 
Otherwise known as The Blog of the Not-So Little People in Leen Nation. Just in case you aren’t aware that she’s one big hot hoochie mama and professional drama queen (DQ) to boot. Her readers are insane rabid creatures who flock daily to see if Leen has fresh rantings for them. I should know, I’m one of them.
Weird thing is, we both knew each other for years before we realised we both blog. (See, we do have lives outside of the blogosphere!) That’s why when she waxes lyrical about The Cranberries, I have the dubious honour of actually having seen her headbang to their hit Zombie live on stage. This babe rocks!
Such a catty, gossipy blog it is too. Half the time, the characters in her kisah benar (real stories) wear pseudonyms, e.g. Catwoman, Psychogirl & Snots. Scary thing is, I know some of these people. (There’s even photos of these pseudosuperheroes on the blog — mine, not hers. Guess who’s who — O glorious fun!)
Be careful of Leen’s wit: it’ll bite you, and then proceed to make fun of you some more.
Sharanya is my Literary Idol.
She’s talented, gorgeous, tough, brilliant, independent, streetwise, and have I mentioned talented? Superlatives fail me. Travelling back and forth between Malaysia, Singapore and India, Sharanya has managed to become a full-fledged poet, one who performs sensual, dramatic pieces at lit-events all round town in these countries.
She’s also a dancer, painter, actress, journalist, photographer, activist and currently writing her first novel, Constellation of Scars. But what really draws me back to her blog is some of her socially-conscious pieces, like Water, in which she discusses the film and India’s ahsrams of widows and former child brides who are often forced into prostitution merely to survive as they cannot remarry. (Unless one is keen on one’s brother-in-law.)
This is one sassy lady: she may be petite but she’s a fighter with a loud voice. Babe has balls. (Yours, if you’re not careful, guys.) Hear her roar.
5. Stream in the Hip Desert 新沙漠甘泉
My sweetest Thinking Blogger. I always get a warm and fuzzy feeling after visiting mrshbt’s blog. It’s a comforting mix of stories about her raising a family in Portland, home-cooked meals and restaurant adventures, and her daily journal with God.
This is a woman who has settled into her own skin, I thought, eased into it through spirituality and family, and now seeks to share her sense of peace and contentment with the rest of the world.
Of course, this is simplifying things somewhat, as she also worries about getting angry at a disobedient child, worries about passing on her legacy (culture, recipes, beliefs), worries about… well, she’s a mom, after all! 
Reading her blog makes me feel as if all is right with the world; and if it isn’t, we’re not too far off, so long as we have people like her. Positive, faithful, brave and constructive. People like you, dear readers. And that’s a thought worth pondering, O merry bloggers.
And in closing…
I wish I was a better writer that I could describe truly how wonderful these blogs are, and how, despite my natural inclinations otherwise, they make me think, and think fruitfully always. I guess there’s no better way than for you to go visit their blogs yourself, if you haven’t already, and see exactly what I’m talking about.
Congratulations, guys — you deserve this! And Kak Ruby, many thanks again for this award. At the end of the day, it’s you, beloved readers, who warrant this award — looking at the comments, surely you do most of the thinking! Okay, I’ll stop gushing now…
54 Comments
Kenny,
Nowadays there’re all sorts of bloggers award out there eh? haha! “Thinking Blogger Award”… Next time I should have, “Rusty Brain Blogger Award”… haha!
Ahhh I first one here to grab my award, lucky no queue (fan oneself, phew, deep breathe, deep breathe, dun faint, very excited here), never tot Kopi Soh can get this kind of award. Eh Kenny if you got award ceremony dinner, I can cater food , cheap, cheap, I throw in karipap free of charge, okay.
Oh soli soli, grab award ady forgot to say thank you, thank you, kam siah chey chey.
Congrats…may you always continue to make us think too…
Hi Kenny,
What a fabulous job you did. What a labour of love. I am bowled over by the beautiful photos. Splendid.
I love the 5 you picked. What an interesting and quirky mix..really nice. Can’t wait to hop over their blogs. Will soon. Too late a night now.
Thanks for the lovely PR exercise you did on me. So sweet indeed. I must say this meme has been the best so far. It has made us connect with more people in an intellectual way and fun too at that. Again, thanks for your lively participation and being so sporty. Cheers.
Thanks for the award Kenny, I will certainly do some thinking over the weekend.
Can I award you too?
Kok,
You should probably win the “Good Big Brother” award, if wonda has anything to say about it. She’s looking to you to provide her son with a great role model to emulate. And who can blame her?
You are independent, fun-loving, helpful and supportive of charity/social causes. You delight us with your food-related shenanigans, of the hungry student living abroad variety.
I wish I only had half the fun you’re having when I was at university, but hey, it’s never too late to start now.
FireHorse,
Your Fatty Poh’s Kopi Tiam is a sure best meet-and-makan-and-yakyak place one. Don’t rush, don’t rush, plenty of time. Take it easy, soak up the glory first before getting your hands, er, mind, down-and-dirty figuring out who to nominate for your personal choice of Thinking Bloggers.
But only if you want to lah. Got no time, never mind. I know you just did like a whole row of tags/memes, so I’ll understand if you’re tired.
Maybe we’ll give you another award — Blogger-Who-Does-Most-Tags!
wmw,
Thanks. I’m not sure if I’m even making any of you think right now, since I blog about so many seemingly unrelated things; maybe you guys are thinking, “Why isn’t he more focused, ha?”
But blogging is supposed to be about what comes to mind, what comes from the heart, so here it is.
Which reminds me of your blog title: “You Get What You Give….. Sometimes…..” I think the best part about blogging is the things I learn, in turn, from all my blogger friends.
Just waiting for you to win the “Best Makan Blogger” one of these days, my dear.
Kak Ruby,
Beautiful photos? I nick here, nick there; Photoshop here, Photoshop there — can’t really call it my work. Well, other than the one with me and the ladies…
Yes, these are a good mix, I think. A balance of funny and serious, covering all the things I love to read and blog about, with the exception perhaps fitness, but then I only have five to give out, so…
Let’s hope we all get to know each other better… If we can end distrust and segregation on the web, then doing it in the “real world” will be that much easier. Thanks again for thinking of me.
Zewt,
Don’t think too hard, brother. Weekend is for fun, friends and family. After all you already work 10-11 hours a day during the week, don’t stress yourself some more on Saturday and Sunday.
But if you’re up to it, I’ll be more than delighted. Very curious as to which five you’ll award. Our tastes don’t always match, but your choices are always interesting, which to me is tons better than reading a blogger whose opinions matches mine 100%.
That’s why you’re a Thinking Blogger — you make me Think!
P.S. What are you going to award me — Biggest Banana Blogger? Hahaha…
P.P.S. “Banana” in the previous postscript refers to English-educated Chinese, i.e. “yellow on the outside, but white inside” — a rather ugly term, but something I wear with pride now. Don’t get the wrong ideas, you people!
congrats kenny! and may i say, the intro to the tags made were done beautifully
kenny, congratulations! I like the picture of you and the three belles! and a word of advise, let’s not hope that after getting the award, you dont go all silent, like me…i stopped thinking. I think the bad back went to the brain department.
sc,
Thanks for dropping by. Shy only. I think not so much I did the introductions beautifully so much as these are beautiful blogs, not superficially I mean, but in terms of their content and the bloggers behind them.
It’s really nice to have met them and so many other wonderful bloggers like yourself through one and another — it’s like a network of nice and interesting people.
And while I won’t ask anyone to hold their breath, I might just blog about food soon too. After all, I LOVE makan, more so than books, BodyBalance or design anyway (don’t kill me, O fans of the three, but hey, how do we survive without food?), so what better topic than this to blog about? Can’t believe I haven’t done it properly yet…
Dear Kak Teh,
Yes, I was a bit concerned when I noticed you haven’t been updating much of late. Didn’t realise your bad back condition is so serious. Have you taken any measures, besides seeing a chiropractor? Sometimes traditional remedies work even better, in their own mysterious ways.
Perhaps when you’re much better, you can consider taking up a bit of yoga, if you haven’t already. I’m addicted to it, and probably Dina Zaman too, after our own fashion. Hope you get well soon, get well lots.
As for me, I’ll continue blogging, no worries, in my two-or-three-times-a-week manner. (See, no promises of regularity equals a whole lot less stress!) Not gonna say if it’d actually any thinking though…
well, doesnt mean i cant award you with the same award right? oh… since someone else has already awarded you… does it mean i cant award you anymore?
you’re right brother, weekends are for fun, friends and family… no no to blogging
let’s pop the champagne
maybe then i will redefine and let you know?)
(ok, you’re harmless until i actually, you know, meet you
would love to bring pom poms and cheer you at ‘readings’ but i have a final paper to sit for. oh well, you’ll blow them all away anyway, with or without pom poms
Zewt,
Well, I reread the rules twice over and it doesn’t say you can’t and I’ve noticed some of the Thinking Bloggers have awarded bloggers who have already been awarded. So I guess the answer is Yes, if you want to.
The spirit of the award, to me at least, is for you to award the five bloggers who make you think. Decision is yours, bro.
No no to blogging? Amen to that. I have so much fun planned for tomorrow, I’ve been waiting all week for it!
Pat,
Uhm, maybe just sparkling wine. Can’t afford real champagne, you know.
(Okay, now that you concede I may not be harmless, I must admit I’m totally harmless. A day-old puppy is probably more dangerous; it could puke on you, for example. Me, I always conduct my barfing rather discreetly.)
O I’m gonna miss you at “Readings” but hey, I’m sure I can finangle my way into another event or two. Or I could stand in the middle of one them shopping complexes and just read. Is there money in spoken words?
Pom poms would have been nice though, haha…
I enjoyed hopping over to your 5 nominated blogs (and Ruby’s!) - yes, lovely intro. Have a lovely Live It Up! kinda weekend and do barf discreetly!
I enjoyed your cheeky chappie picture very much
kenny,
I don’t think I’m worth to grab that “Good Big Brother” award. I’m not as good as you all think, ok? Hmm..Wonder how to clarify this. Maybe have to destroy the world to do so. haha!
Wah, you are advertising me eh? So, any single girls out there who wants this fatty? hahaha!
You can also have fun at work like what I’m doing now in uni. You can join some sort of organisations out there, helping out and have fun! But I guess, your life now is pretty much enjoy eh? At least, you’re doing what you like. Correct me if I’m wrong.
I learnt a new word from you today! “shenanigan” = “mischief”. Reading your blog can improve my vocab.
Seribu ampun, how could I forget to congratulate you, also.
Can nominate you again or not?
Kenny, was traveling but was tipped by Msiangirl to check out your picture…wah, you have that “I-can-sort-it-out” look and pose…muahahaha.
Hey Kenny, congratulations! Just because you’re surrounded by 3 lovely ladies doesn’t mean you’re not thinking . . . just not thinking straight! Ha, ha!
Kenny, you deserve the award, and thanks for reminding me of Leen Ashburn - it’s been a long time since I visited her blog and I had always enjoyed her writing (and especially her rants!).
I should be awarded a ‘blogger who cater for people who don’t want to think’ award.
Zewt reads my blog, so I am a thinker……!?!?!?! =_=”
Msiagirl,
Cheeky chappie? Yup, that’s me, alright.
I’m delighted you’ve hopped over to these five blogs and Ruby’s — that’s really the best reason to do this, a chance to introduce some of my favourite blogs. They all have their readers, but I love the idea of a mixed crowd. We all should take a chance at something we aren’t normally exposed to.
Having a lovely weekend so far, but now got to get to some work online. But I’m next to best friend and she’s got “The Wedding Date” DVD on. So, hey. I’m living it up! (Sorta.)
Kok,
Haha, I’ll auction you off to the mommies as a “good brother” and to all the sweet young things as a “good boy-boy boyfriend”… And the girls would just love having a bit more to snuggle and huggle with.
(Note: Huggle isn’t a real word. I use a lot of not real words here in my blog. So, be careful what you pick up here, ya. Did I just make my blog sound like a venereal clinic? Ugh.)
I think it’s brilliant how active you are with your university organisations. And while nothing’s perfect, yeah, I’m pretty much enjoy right now.
FireHorse,
Tak perlu ampun seribu, puanku. Seeing you happy and having more people blog-hop amongst us.
May more of them join your Kopi Tiam as new stall owners! So many different food choices we haven’t encountered yet from all over the country; and some may even bring exotic delicacies from abroad. Makan Sentral deh…
As for nominating again, refer what I told Zewt above. The spirit of it is to award the blogs you enjoy…
Rasa Malaysia,
Thanks for dropping by even though you are travelling. Do I really look like that? I wonder who I shall sort out next? Hahaha….
Tunku,
Hahaha… well, let’s just not get into what I’m not thinking straight about…
Eliza D,
Yes, Leen’s a gem, ain’t she? Uncut, of course…
Andrew Ho,
Then let me award that to you, sir! I don’t want to think, so must hop over to yours right away, haha…
Kenny, you are brilliant! Yes, that James Bond pic suits you to a tee! Congrats
James Bond? James Bond? I think I can now die and go to heaven.
Xeus, you sweet-talker you…
Hallo! So many award ahhh!! What is the price for winning this award?? Sadly I think I am not qualified for any award as I believed I just don’t known what catagoric I am in???!!So what do u think?? Have a nice day.
Hey there, Horny Ang Moh,
Dude, you seriously have the best name of any of my commentators so far… Quite self-descriptive ya.
Where got many awards one? This is first award I give out ma… also, because got awarded in the first place.
I believe you deserve a Very Horny Blogger Award. Talk about computer hardware also can connect with body parts one…
Hi! After talking to you today over the phone (sorry about that, but WMW was driving and didn’t use a handsfree kit…tsk tsk), I was VERY curious about your blog. Very interesting work here(but of course! you’re a writer…duh!), so it makes sense that you’re now a Thinking Blogger. Looking forward to meeting you this friday…;-)
congratulations.
Lyrical Lemongrass,
It was actually quite fun talking to you on the phone today and initially mistaking you for wmw. Wish I had been able to make it to Klang, even if only to catch you guys for desert. Was the duck good?
I’m actually not a full-time writer, nor am I a qualified BodyBalance instructor (yet, baru trainee) or even a professional designer. I guess I put all my passions on my blog and people naturally assume that’s what I do. If only…
Anyway, definitely looking forward to Friday — bringing a guest with me (she’s appeared on this blog before). Makan makan!
enar,
Thanks, dear!
Kenny, you are the LUCKY one during movie nights! got 3 chicks to accompany you! never mind if your are just watching it out of a 27″ TV!
Does movie preferance determine our level of intelligence? hmmm i wonder….
what kinda films do you like?
Kenny,
There’s only 1 Kok in this world. How are you going to auction me for so many times? haha!
Yea, “shenanigan” isn’t a real word too. At least, I learn some vocab in this blog rather than, have my English floating in the middle of the sea. haha!
Actually, it’s a bit late for me to get active in uni. I only started late last year. I was thinking that time, “If I didn’t join any clubs in uni, I will regret forever”. That’s why I end up quite active this year.
Kenny,
You have given each one of us the best gift on earth and that is your TIME. You have an amazing writer’s talent to be able to reach so many different souls in this world, myself included.
I love reading the comments that people leave on your blog but what I enjoy more, is your reply to each blogger.
You have indeed put your talents to good use; comfort, advice, and encouragement to all walks of life. In my case, you have inspired me to be myself and write.
You definitely deserve a Blogger’s Award!
sulee,
Hahaha, I’d say that’d be the reward for having to watch the film. It was at a cineplex, actually. The second chick flick was the next day, at home with a guy friend and a girl friend. But ya, I get what you mean.
“Does movie preferance determine our level of intelligence?”
Dangerous question that. Let’s just say intelligence in reading a film isn’t something I’m particular about. So often, friends avoid certain films because they are worried they have to think (which is another problem altogether), or worse, leave the cinema not knowing what happened.
At times like these, I tell them not to worry about the thinking but to ask themselves if they felt anything while watching the movie. The feel of the movie, the emotions raised by it, that’s very important to me.
One of my favourite movies is Wong Kar-Wai’s In the Mood for Love. Many of my friends tell me they just don’t get it. Did they, or…? The story isn’t important here. The atmosphere, the palpable tension, the electricity beneath, that’s what moves me.
(And Maggie Cheung in those cheongsams, but, uhm, yeah.)
I suppose this is my answer then: I like films that move me, make me laugh, touch me and make me wonder, even after it’s all done and over.
Kok,
Can one, auction for one time only… every night of the week, ma! The response will be overwhelming! But don’t forget, ya… agent collect commission 10%, okay?
Your English is floating in the middle of which sea? My Geography isn’t too good, hahaha….
It’s never too late, brother. As they say, better late than never, right? Now that you are so involved, there won’t be much chance for regrets. Carpe diem, old boy, carpe diem!
mrshbt,
I think you’ve rendered me speechless. Me! — at a total loss for words. Unthinkable…
Thanks, my dear.
I’ll only add this: I hope we will continue to make use of this wonderful medium to reach out to each other, and make another person’s life that much brighter, even if only for a moment. Like, for example, the way your writing on your blog did for me.
hey Kenny, cool blog. Been coming accross your profile from Bedtime Stories, Unkaleong, etc. Guess you going on Friday too. Hoping to meet up with you then.
Nigel
oh yes and from tunkuhalim as well
Nigel,
Welcome and thanks for dropping by! Yes, I see we do read some of the same blogs, and good ones they are too. We are fortunate indeed to have this platform to learn new things, share ideas and make new friends.
Count me in for this Friday — my first Food Blogger gathering though I’m not much of a food blogger, yet. It’d be great to see some of you in person at last. But before that, let me hop over to your blog and say Hi.
Sorry, but I had to tag you for a meme because I dont know anyone else Hee hee … find out what it’s abt by going to my blog and reading the post Weird Sister.
Daphne,
Hmm, you’re the second person to tag me for this after Bibliobibuli. Can’t promise anything what with my schedule the way it is, but will do utmost best. Six weird things, huh? I wonder if the final count wouldn’t be nearer to six hundred…
Thanks, Kenny!
Will put up my own 5 soon.. once I think about it.
You know, this isn’t the first time that someone has alluded to my powers of emasculation. Hmmm…
Sharanya,
Well, my dear, so long as you don’t apply those powers of emasculation on me, I’m a happy boy…
Can’t wait to see what five you came up with. Don’t forget to post up the list of rules as well, ya?
I seriously think I am falling in love with you your blog I mean.
I have been seeing you commenting actively at Kok, Firehorse (Kopi-Soh) and if not mistaken CC’s blog too. All I wanted to say is that, there are many times that I had the urge to hop by your site… of which I did one time, but didn’t exactly get the chance to devour your writings or get to know your personality sufficiently at that moment due to time frame constraint. So now I am back and I am hooked.
I knew you would be great from the first time I dropped by, but I had to save you for later for a better get-to-know-you session of which I am doing now at this very moment. And I am glad I came back for more of you, for your drive and passion in life and awareness of self is very beguiling and addictive. I seriously could become addicted to your blog… or I already am and not knowing it just yet. I had always loved and admired bloggers who has the ability to project their personality and uniqueness in their entries (post) – you are certainly one of them. And that to me is a precious find. This is also why I am a stalker of Kok, Firehorse and CC’s site, I must confess.
By the way, I have just downloaded your new book, “Broken Mornings.” Thanks for sharing it with us.
Kleio da Muse,
Heya! Thanks so much for dropping by and for letting me know how you came about reading my blog. Your “story” really touched me and reminded me one of the best reasons to blog — to connect people with each other and to share our stories with each other.
I’m in the middle of my “time-out” now to handle two big projects but can’t wait to be back blogging and leaving comments at wonderful blogs, inc. yours!
Incoming Links
Leave a Reply