Chap Goh Mei

We had a Chap Goh Mei reunion dinner at U.Beng's place one day before the actual day. Dan and Patty joined us.

As usual, food was in abundance. I was so tempted to eat like a pig but I had to restrain myself because I was planning to go on the Ledang 2 climb the next day.

It was David's birthday and we sang him the birthday song. We left shortly after that because I had to sleep early that night.

Chinese New Year - 2nd Day

On the 2nd Day of CNY, we gathered at Uncle Alan's place for lunch. It's another Yeoh tradition.

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Aunty Alice cooked all the dishes. Because of the heat, I didn't feel like stuffing myself. I only ate 2 pieces of fried chicken (simply can't resist it) and the traditional turnip dish cooked the Hokkien way. David insisted that the "hum choy" soup was simply delicious. I took half a bowl because I was already feeling so warm and didn't want to sweat too much. David was right! Soup was GREAT... err... a little too salty (hmmm. maybe that was why I liked it so much) though. Soup, according to David, was boiled overnight and when I scooped it into my bowl, it was still boiling. I burned my tongue drinking it. And that gave me the excuse to eat more of Aunty Lily's agar-agar. :) I also drank a little of the "tong sui" because Sharon said that it tasted good.

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We "lou sang" after lunch - children and adult alike.

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Someone bought firecrackers and lit it. This used to be a norm in almost every Chinese household until it was "banned" because a lot of people burned their fingers while lighting it.
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Eunice and I went to KL a week ago and bought this shirt for Dad for CNY. When Dad saw Jaden, both realised that they were wearing the same shirt.
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Here's a picture of all the younger generation - candid shots because most of them didn't want to pose for me.

Hospital Visitation

For the second part of the 1st day of CNY, we went to Tesco to get some toiletries. We were at the parking lot, about to leave Tesco when Esther called to ask if we wanted to go to the hospital to visit MCTC's mother and MinChee grandmother. We weren't pressed for time, so we agreed.

picture curtesy of Eric H

It was 5.30pm! And you know what I forgot? I forgot all about the solar eclipse!!! Garrgh!! My friend Eric told me about last week and I really wanted to see it. Hmmm... funny that I don't seem to realise that it was a little dark when I was out at the parking lot. Eric said that it would take place at 5.30pm Malaysian time!

Anyway, we left Tesco, picked up Esther and my mum (who found out about our plans and wanted to tag along) and went to the Seremban GH. There were a few parking spaces - which is a miracle because sometimes it takes an hour just to find a spot. Eunice told me that it was a public holiday and visiting hours are more flexible.

We went to see MCTC's mother first. She was on ward errr... I can't remember. Probably 6B or something. We walked right to the end of the ward and saw her lying down on the bed, looking weak. Her breathing was laboured and for a lady who is 73 years old, she looked really frail. We chatted with her for a bit. Mum witnessed to her. We prayed for her.

And off we went to see MinChee's grandmother.

We found her in the toilet, on a push chair. She didn't look sick at all. After she brushed her teeth, she attempted to wheel herself back to the room but Esther insisted on helping her. Once on the bed, she talked to us. It was like as though she was not sick at all. Now, get this. She is 85 years old and she was pretty animated when she talks. She's got a very strong voice. Yes, indeed she's a pretty strong person.

We left the hospital at 7.30pm and went straight back.

That night, we went to Uncle Ah Ba's place - another place we'd normally visit every year. This year, so many of us turned up. Swee Lee, Alisa, Ai Lee, Peter, Ethan, Boon Leong and Kathy were there for the first time. Indran was sick, and therefore was absent.

So there .... the 1st day of CNY proved to be quite fruitful. We got so many things done.

Chinese New Year - 1st Day

We always go to my parents' place for breakfast on the 1st day of Chinese New Year. Two reasons : one is to fill our stomachs and the other is to get all those exchanging of ang pows over and done with.

The day before, David messaged my sisters and I the following :-

So, according to the message, mum will be going to Kuala Pilah at 10.30am. I figured that if we got there by 9.30am, we'd still have time to eat and give out the ang pows.

Little did I know that early meant 8.30am. So, whose fault was it that Rajen and I got there at 9.30am?

En greeted us. She was carrying Molly Bear. Probably trying to teach Molly manners.

There was quite a spread on the table : Eggs, cocktail sausages, fried luncheon meat, chips, baked beans and of course, bread. A good hearty English breakfast. I forgot to bring cheese from home but the baked beans more than made up for it.

After breakfast, we gave out the ang pows. Rajen went around singing "Gong Xi, Gong Xi, Gong Xi Ni" and saying "Sun Nin Fai Lok" - both probably means "wishing you good luck in the new year" ... or something like that.

Everyone was in a CNY mood. Some wore red. And that included Molly, who wore her new dress which Tusi made. Yeah, yeah, I know! Molly looked older than me but hey! she's a bargaining chip between En and her parents!

Reunion Dinner

We ALWAYS (ever since 1988) have our reunion dinner at U. Beng's house on CNY eve. Everyone brings a dish. Err... everyone meaning the "older" adults. The younger adults would sometimes (ha! depends on our mood, actually) prepare or buy desserts.

We have a variety of food laid on the table. Each year, it's slightly different.

But one thing's for certain, we always have lettuce and a cooked turnip dish. Mum's side is Hokkien and this dish is a specialty. We have it every CNY.

The correct way to eat this is to place the turnip onto the lettuce, fold it and eat it.

Yee Sang is also another dish that we normally have during CNY. I don't really like the taste but most of them like it.

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It was also mum's actual birthday. We bought her a cake and sang her a birthday song.

Gong Xi Fa Cai

Wishing you an oxpicious and bullish year.

May you milk all opportunities that come your way and discover new greener pastures along the way.

Gong Xi Fai Cai to you and your family in the year of the ox.

Cherry Blossom in Malaysia

Well, to be exact, cherry blossom in full bloom in my parents' place.

The ambience of my parents' home changed practically overnight the moment they took down the Christmas decoration and put up the Chinese New Year deco. Mini trees (bonsai) were pruned and atificial flowers added onto it.

The living room - red throw pillows coupled with pink cherry blossom in the background makes this place cosy and oriental

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Another section of the living room. Personally, I think the TV spoils the ambience

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Even the lights were decorated with some hanging stuff

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The dining room - more pink stuff

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This tree welcomes people into the house
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And at the side near where the garden is, mum had two bonsai trees placed on the tables

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Here's a picture of dad adding the flowers onto the tree by using a brown floral tape. Mum supervised.

Chinese New Year 2008

The scorching sun

The rustling leaves

The wind in my face

The sound of fire crackers

The clash of cymbals

The thunderous sound of drums

The gathering of families

The abundance of food

The giving and receiving of ang pows

The begining of the lunar year