I enjoy open houses – the Asian tradition of “opening” one’s house to receive visits from friends and relatives on special festivals.

This is the time when families get together to catch up on news and gossips – and it is fun.

The only issue that I sometimes had when I go for open houses involves shoes. The scenario is this – it’s time to go home, we bade the host our thanks and good byes, walk out to the front porch, look down at the sea of shoes – and draw a blank.

That was what happened to me at one open house.

Fortunately the host had already attended to other thing and there was nobody else leaving when I look down on the variety of styles that would satisfy any shoebuy coupons holder had that been a store – and I could not tell which is mine because I could not remember which shoes I used!

The wriggling baby on my arm made my already stressed mind confused even more and it took several very long minute before I spotted a pair of shoes and remembered at the same time that that was mine.

But while I got mine, I completely forgot to look for the wriggling baby’s shoes….

Impressed with the selections in the drinks menu of a restaurant in small town Keningau (Sabah) last holiday, I decided to order drinks with fancy names.

I was about to choose one, when I realized that I was actually on a COCKTAIL list – which meant alcohol – which meant a NO-NO. Not that I have anything against alcohol – a natural fat burner since it can make you feel full.

At least, not for lunch and definitely not with the kids.

The thing was, living in a dry country, we are so used to restaurant’s menu with no alcohol. Seeing this page, I automatically assumed it was a mocktail menu.

So it was funny that at a time when I was willing to be adventurous when it comes to drinks, it had to be at a place where there are no mocktails.

*Picture : Honey Sweet, Keningau

One Jeremy Clarkson article in my husband’s magazine, caught my interest recently.

On making friends the easy way, he has this funny tip :

“Simply look at what they drive. If you like their wheels, there’s a good chance you’ll like the driver too. If you don’t, you almost certainly won’t” (Top Gear, March 2010)

But perhaps this only works for men?

Because my oldest friends either don’t drive or used to drive cars that I would not touch (because I have been spoilt with automatic cars and would not go manual even if I can or know of any joint pain relief to soothe aching feet from the constant pressing of clutch-brake-accelerate).

And, many whom I chose to be friends with now also do not drive the kind of cars I like…

Perhaps his tip works only for men (and maybe some women) who see cars as an extension of their personality – or style.

So if that is you, you’re welcome to this tip.