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!!

A word from the 'editor' of this blog.........

Well..... well...... it's been four days since my last blog and also Christmas!! Roughly in about two days time, it will be history for the year 2008, and all mankind in this whole wide world will be waiting to usher the coming of another new year 2009!!

I wonder what will be my new year resolutions, as well as all you great people out there????? As it's only about two short days for us to think, we really have to give it a fast thought, or else....... guess, we'll be out of the race! Another thing about resolutions is........ we can have many, but can we really achieve it, that's another thing.

Have to admit that this is always the busiest time of the year, so have to slow down my writing and hope to catch up later, which most probably will be after the Chinese Lunar New Year. Know what???? Am busy preparing for a family New Year Eve Dinner Party, so lot's of shopping and marketing to do - it sure will be a great & memorable evening for us all, especially having some family guests around during this season of the year.

Till then, regards to you all and have a wonderful year end for 2008.........

Merry Christmas!

Finally, Christmas is here........ Though it's rather quiet, but having and experiencing the peace and joy in my heart makes me feel great! This has been the time of the year that most of us are waiting for, not only a time for celebration, but also the birth of Christ, which makes us to be renewed in Him! Praise the Lord!!

"May this Christmas greet you all......
With all it's good tidings
&
Warmth!"

Have a great holiday ahead & God Bless!!

Baptism before Christmas......

When Alice, an old, close friend called me one day, I was wondering - what 'wind [chinese translation]' makes her to call??? especially, after being silent for quite a while???? Met her & family since last Christmas Open House.

Being told that she is in for the 1 year RCIA program in Holy Trinity Church, and she is badly looking for a 'God Mother' or now known as 'Sponsor'. Finally, she thought of me......... upon asking me, I accepted it out front without giving it any consideration, as knowing very well that I have all the time I need. Second reason being........ this is my first time being a God Mother, that is experiencing something new - so...... why not!!! I still remember from the tone of her voice how happy she is when I told her 'YES'!

Finally, the group of 35 people were baptise on 13th December 'Praise The Lord!' It is indeed a great experience for me, especially being a "First Timer". Wanna share some photos taken during the ceremony at Holy Trinity Church, Kenyalang Park, Kuching @ 6.30pm, Sunset Mass.

Congratulations to all & welcome to the Catholic family!

A 'Christmas Tree Light Day!'

A Christmas Tree without lights is considered incomplete!! So, let's all ensure that it's lights are up, though not earlier but at least must be by today, 22nd December. You might wonder why????

Well....... today is 'Christmas Tree Light Day!' What a day indeed!!!! Guess, decorating the Christmas Tree with sparkling lights is a beautiful part of the entire Christmas celebration........ no one would want a tree that is dark or without lights.

Let me share with you my home Christmas Tree for this year...........

Left: Before the decoration & lights
Right: After decorations & lights

On Christmas Tree Light Day,
Here's wishing..........
Your Holiday Season:
Glows with joy......
Sparkles with smile.....
And glimmers with merriment!