What 'Food' symbolize at CNY

As it is still the season of the Chinese Lunar New Year, let me share with you what I've been taught, knew & read about regarding the different types of food & dishes prepared and eaten during this season of the year and off course what it symbolizes. As we all know that Chinese really loves "FOOD", but how many really know why we have to eat certain food during the new year and what it really means???? So, here's to share some of it........

FISH It symbolizes "surplus" or "having additional savings" so as to have more than enough to live throughout the remaining year. This dish is a must during the reunion dinner, but is not eaten completely, as the Chinese phrase "Nian Nian You Yu" or "may there be surpluses every year".

PRAWN Consuming prawns during Chinese New Year symbolizes smiles and happiness.

NOODLES symbolize good luck and longevity.

ASPARAGUS symbolizes the arrival of spring and a good start to the New Year.

PEANUTS symbolize the bearing of offspring and good furtune.

PIG TROTTERS represent a smooth road to riches.

CHINESE LEEK This vegetable is also a must during the reunion dinner, or Eve of the New Year. Consuming it means "you'll have plenty of money to count throughout the whole year".

So friends, enjoy eating during this season of the year, don't worry about getting fat or the increase in cholesterol........ let's deal with that later (haha)......... "Happy Holiday!"

The Year of 'The Ox'

Though today is already the 3rd day of the Chinese New Year, guess....... it's not too late to wish all Chinese friends "Kong Hee Fatt Choy" and may the Year of the Ox brings us all happiness, joys, peace, health & prosperity.

For me and my family, we have been very busy preparing to usher the coming of the Lunar New Year. That's why can't even find time to update my blog.......

As usual, it all started with a reunion dinner at New Year's Eve where members of the family, near and far, get together for a sumptuous meal. In the olden days, all reunion dinners on the eve of CNY are being held at home, but in today's modern world, most families have theirs in restaurants. This year we have our home-cook dinner in the heart of our very own home..........

This 8-course meal comprises of Soup, Tomato Mee, Bake Chicken, Steam Pomfret, Deep-fried Prawns, Asparagus with fresh scallops, Chinese Leek & Yee Sang (purchased from Hilton Hotel).

(The close-up of some of the dishes)

To have the real mood & sensation of this festive season, my husband never miss decorating the house......... here's our decoration for this year.........

Chinese Traditions of 'The Lunar New Year'

As the Lunar New Year is just three days away, I would like to share some of the popular Chinese Traditions.........

Lion Dance is a form of traditional dance in Chinese culture, in which performers mimic a lion's movements in a lion costume. The dance is traditionally accompanied by gongs, drums and firecrackers, representing the descent of good luck. Lion dance has gained fame internationally due to the influx of Chinese immigrants overseas. Lion dances are commonly performed in countries such as Malaysia and Singapore.

Red Packets are given out during the Chinese New Year celebrations, from married couples or the elderly to unmarried juniors. It is common for adults to distribute red packets to children. The red packets always contain money, usually varying from a couple of dollars to several hundreds.

Mandarin Oranges are the most popular and most abundant fruit during Chinese New Year. Mandarin oranges are pronounced as "gan" in mandarin, which symbolizes happiness after going through hard times.

Nian Gao, or Chinese New Year's cake, is a type of food prepared from glutinous rice and consumed in Chinese cuisine. While it can be eaten all year round, it is traditionally most popular during Chinese New Year. It is considered good luck to eat Nian Gao during this time because Nian Gao can also mean "climbing higher and higher every year", symbolising an increment in income, jobs or growth among their children. Nian Gao was previously used for the purpose of worship before it gradually becomes a festive food.

Firecrackers, also known as fireworks, are commonly used in the celebration of holidays or festivals for more than 2,000 years. The lighting of firecrackers were originally meant to ward off evil spirits and attract the god of wealth to people's doorsteps. Nowadays, it is a common activity during traditional festivals, weddings, house moving and other joyous occasions.

Being Malaysians, we are indeed lucky as we all have the opportunity to not only celebrate the festivals of the other races & religions, but we also get to taste the different varieties of nice, tasty foods!! During this Chinese New Year for example, the other races loves buying as well as enjoying eating the Mandarin Oranges and also yesterday while I was shopping at The Spring supermarket, I saw a Malay lady and her daughter buying 'Nian Gao'. The most important and touching thing during the celebration of each festivals is that, all races comes together for visiting, despite their different ethnic groups, cultures, traditions and religions. This should be the real spirit of being 'A Multi Racial Country' - there shouldn't be any bridges between each other so that all Malaysians can live in peace and harmony!!

Thank God for a sunny day

Haven't seen the sun really shines for quite sometime - Thank God for a sunny day today! Managed to get my clothes out to dry, which lately dare not do so cos' even when it did shine, rain will follow suit in a short while.

Hope & pray that it will continue to shine till and after the Lunar New Year (fingers cross)........

Talking about the Lunar New Year, well....... it's just at the next corner. Guess, everyone must be waiting for the arrival of the year of the OX! Hope it will be a great year for all - Let's all hope for the best!!

A unique & tasty 'Arrowroot CHIP'

Yesterday evening, while I was at one of the Everise Supermarket around Kuching, I saw this root vegetable 'Arrowroot' which is extra big in size! Guess, this is the first time I've seen such big ones. Then suddenly I recall that I would like to try making chip out of it, which is as mentioned in my previous blog dated 13th January.

This morning, we (me and my daughter) got it peeled & aired, and in the afternoon I deep-fried it...... to my surprised....... it really makes great CHIPS - it has it's very unique taste!! So this means...... will be buying some more & making some more Arrowroot Chip!!

Here's to share with all friends my Arrowroot Chip........ yummy!yummy!

An afternoon at 'The Spring'........

After a morning of doing some spring cleaning, cooking for lunch, then sending Aaron to Church for Choir practice, me and Karen are trying to relax ourselves, so we decided to spend our afternoon at 'The Spring'. Our main intention is to take photos of the beautifully decorated mall and off course at the same time window-shop........ manage to get some stuffs though!

Sure enough 'The Spring' is the most beautifully decorated shopping mall in Kuching and it's stalls setup are like those shopping centers in KL. So, we can really feel the festival mood. Here are some photos captured by my photographer, Karen for your viewing.......... haha......

We also managed to capture photographs of the Lion Dance in action, well, well..... not one but four of them! Let me share with you all..........

What a 'wet year-end' for the Year of the Rat!

To unwind my memories to the beginning of the 'year of the rat', which is February 2008, rain have been pouring, and now....... it seems we are also experiencing a 'wet year-end' for the 'year of the rat' as well.........

Anyway, there is nothing much that we all can do as our climate is such- it is the 'landas' season!!!! Indeed I am lucky to have a big spacious place to dry our clothes, unlike my neighbor....... am "wondering......" all their clothes must have been hung all over the whole house as the back part of their house is not being extended, furthermore, with two small children and a baby.......

Just now I happen to pass through one of the flood affected area last Sunday (photo captured & enclosed in my blog on the same day)....... well..... it's indeed a pitiful sight!! Cupboards & mattresses which are being caught in the flood are seen thrown outside the house. Worst is if it is a single-storey house, where the owner can't move their belongings at all - it's like helplessly watching the flood water rises and can't do anything!

Let's pray and wish that the rain will stop so that with the next 'King Tide', which is from 25th and will be continuing for the next few days (according to the Sarawak Government Almanac), the water level won't have to rise too high and there won't be any more flood. Let us all hope for the best, especially with the Chinese Lunar New Year round the corner & God Bless!!!

Too many laws becomes 'no law'!

If the older generation care to remember, during their time, the process of obtaining a driving licence as compared to now is TOTALLY different!!

Many processes and laws have changed and it looks like it's becoming more difficult & complicated. This might be the reason in enhancing better & disciplined drivers on the road, especially the younger generation.

However, this is not always so....... it looks more like "too many laws becomes no law" instead!!!! What a waste!!!! Let me quote some example...........

Firstly, if we are in the roundabout or junction, drivers need to give way to the person on the right. Now most of the time, the drivers at the right won't bother to give way. Secondly, if you are driving a bigger vehicle, you are the 'King', so the driver can break any law they wish. Thirdly, cutting queues absurdly in a traffic jam in order to avoid joining the queue. Fourthly, drivers creating their own lane, and driving at speed....... and...... and....... many, many more.......

Why are many drivers nowadays becoming so ruthless, reckless & irresponsible??? It should be the responsibility of all road users to ensure safety on the road for the benefits of everyone. Let us all be responsible citizens of our country!

Just a few hours of Sun!

Was so happy to see the sun shinning brightly this morning....... thought it would be sunny today......neighbors are seen putting out their damp clothes to dry, but I never dare give it a thought! Sure enough........ rain starts to drop, sky turns cloudy!!

During this landas season, it is not wise to put clothes out for drying, unlike normal days when it is sunny, it sure won't rain....... but we can't trust the sun at this time of the year! Instead of wanting our clothes to get dry it gets more wet!! I rather stay indoor and do some indoor chores..........

A Chinese New Year Vegetable......

How many have ever buy, cook and eat this 'root' vegetable which is only available during the Chinese Lunar New Year?????

Most might have seen it in the market or even supermarket at this time of the year, but is wondering how to cook it & how it tastes like, right????

Though I've cooked and eaten this vegetable every Chinese New Year, but I only knew it by it's Chinese name which is 'ya-gu'. Not only until today have I learn that it is known as 'Arrowroot' in Engligh - goodness me.........

I usually cooked it with leek & meat slices and it tastes almost like potatoes, except that it is a bit crunchy. I've heard that it makes good 'Chips'....... maybe if I've got the time, will try to experience making it, who knows it tastes better than potato chip!!

For those who haven't try cooking & tasting it, do buy some home the next time you do your marketing - it's a dish worth trying!!! Remember....... it is only available one season of the year, so don't miss your chance!

A Flooded 'Kuching City'

Though Kuching City is surprised by floods since early this morning, BUT........ it sure is no surprised to Kuchingnites or rather Kuching Folks!!! The continuous rainfall for three days is what we are expecting - FLOOD!!

In actual fact, most of us have been so grateful that with the coming of the new year 2009, the rain finally stops, but three days ago it started raining day and night, and worst is with the King Tide....... this is how it is during the peak of the King Tide roughly about 2 hours ago........

Mind you....... these two pictures & locations are residential areas but with the floods it looks more like a river instead!! It is really a pity that residents have to lost quite a lot of their household items due to being damaged by the flood water, off course not to mention even vehicles are being submerged in the water....... scary to think of it!!!

Notes: Photos captured by Karen

A Marathon Movie Day........

As Chinese New Year is just round the corner, I never miss making my family's favorite food "Ngo Hiang" or Meat Rolls (in English)...........

Home made Meat Rolls are always the best as it's ingredients comprises solely of Minced Meat, Prawn & Fish Meat, Mushroom, Water Chestnut, Red Carrot n......n........

This family specialty is not only a favorite of our family members, but also those of friends & relatives (especially my children's friends who ever stayed with us for holiday).

It is also a 'must bring back' food for my children who work or study in another town or city. That's why we (me and my daughter) spent nearly three quarters of our day yesterday pareparing and making it.

So....... today........ we decided to take a day off for M O V I E S!!! We watch two movies continuously from 2.15 to 4.00 (Beast Stalker) - A Cantonese Movie and........ followed by Australia from 4.15 to 6.50. We really enjoyed watching these two movies and this seems to be the only way to really relax!!

A Great New Year Eve Evening to share.........

In my blog dated 29th December 2008, I did mention about busy preparing for a family New Year Eve Dinner Party! Wow....... just can't imagine, it's all over...... we are already entering the 6th day of the year 2009.

Let me wind back to the eve of the new year 2009 or rather the last day of year 2008.......

On the early morning, I did my final marketing for perishable food items, had breakfast, then go straight home. As it is an 'eight-course' dinner menu, well...... can't waste much time or else food won't be ready when the guests arrive. Luckily, my daughter Karen is around in Kuching, or else I won't even dare to dream of having such a dinner at our home.

What is worth sharing is the FOOD!!! Wanna know what are the dishes in my 'eight-course' dinner menu????

To name the food........ Fried Chicken, stir-fry 'Suan Hua' with prawns (don't know how to call it in Engligh), Brocolli with Pin Mushroom & Scallops, Crab in eggs, Ka Cha Ma Chicken, Lamb Curry, Steamboat & Cottage Pie. Off course not forgetting fruits & Salad (comprises of Purple Cabbage, Lettuce, Red Carrot & Cherry Tomato with Thousand Island Dressing.

To recall, it is indeed a tiring but worthy effort! A New Year Eve Dinner as such, especially with the presence of family guests from overseas really brings my family fond & memorable memories..........
NOTES: Photos specially captured by Karen

Hello & A Very Good Morning To All..........

On this early morning, before I start my busy day of sending off Aaron to his friend's place (as they're having their get-together lunch with a bunch of friends 'Christmas Carolers' from Blessed Sacrament Church), then going shopping with my mum........ just would like to steal a little bit of time to say hello and wish all readers and friends out there 'A Very Good Morning!'

How's the new year??? It's rather quiet and looks like people are moving in a much slower pace compared to the past years.......... Anyway, that's the responsibility of each individual not to over-spent especially in an economic situation the whole world is going through now. Whatever it is......... we can still be enjoying a wonderful time at this season of the year even without having to burst our budget as long as we set our mind in the festival mood with peace, love, happiness & laughter.............

Before I pen-off, I would again like to wish you all............

"Here's hoping the new sun of the New Year..........
Fulfills all your dreams..........
And inspires you.........
To live up to your New Year's Resolutions!"

Happy New Year 2009!!

Hello, hello........ it's another new year, so I would like to take this golden opportunity to wish you allMay everyday of the new year glows with good cheer and happiness and may we all be blessed with good health, joy, love, peace & prosperity!! All the best of everything & God Bless!!