My Aims ...

To establish as an successful LAE by 2011
Visit Old Trafford to watch ManUtd's game
Learn Piano

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Ms Chong's house ...

Without realizing, the curtains for Chinese New Year 2010 will be labored to draw a close tomorrow where the Chinese will celebrate the end of Spring, also known as Chap Goh Mei. Many houses I had visited, but, this particular house is where I reminisce all the old good sweet memory in high school, yeah, proud to be a Thomian; my beloved St Thomas School! See, even my teacher, Miss Chong is still wearing Thomian uniform even though she is no longer working in St Thomas. Miss Chong has been an influential person in my life. She has taught me well for the 4 years I had with her in Prefectorial Board. She has groomed and molded me into who I am today. Part of my self-development and career path are shared with Miss Chong; her motivation, her encouragement and her advice have been my treasures to explore the new world after high school. Thanks you Miss Chong ...


We have made a promise to gather at Miss Chong's house once a year, that is during each Chinese New Year. This is the time where everyone get along together under one room; those who study aboard will return home to meet with old friends. Every year, we will share our own story with Miss Chong, nevertheless, she loves to hear our story because everyone has different experience to tell. We cherish the time we had together, our laughter, our joy and our cry; they are all priceless!


Happy Chap Goh Mei
May this Chinese New Year be filled with
abundant of joy, wealth and prosperity!

Cheers,
KeithK :)

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Lion Dance in the Neighbourhood

Today is the 12th day of Chinese New Year according to the Lunar Calendar. In the split of time, Chinese New Year of 2010 is coming to an end. Flashing back, it was as if yesterday when I actually packed my bag; preparing to fly back to Kuching for CNY, and now, I am back here in Subang to continue my practical. Wow, happy moments really passed so soon ... Indeed, this year CNY for me is a boom! I have been enjoying every moment of them; the food, the people, the fun, the laughter and the gatherings. Haha :) Just to re-cap, on the 3rd day of CNY, my best friend, Chung Ann threw an open house with Lion Dance show. Being my bestie, of course, I will attend to his house. Free camera-man for him, what's else can he says 'bout me, yeah? Anyway, thanks for the lunch treat. It was awesome food!


The guy with red and white stripes shirt is my best friend,
Chung Ann.
Look at the amount of food he had prepared;
we had Sweet & Sour Pork Rib,
Thai Style Pork Rib,
Deep Fried Squid, Fillet,
Yang Zhou Fried Rice and more ...


The Firecracker
It will be burnt as the Lion march in later ...
The "bi li ba la" melody of Firecracker will
blast away all the bad omens
and brings in all the best of luck for everyone;
reconciling the legends in olden Chinese history,
where the villagers will burn the Firecracker
during CNY to scare off the "Nian" monster


Here come the Lion team ...
We all have been anticipating since just now,
finally, they arrived after delays
for close to an hour ...
~Phew!~
Well, that's very normal as the Lion team
usually go house to house for performance,
hardly, they can keep the time
accurate due to unforeseen circumstances ...
Haha :)



The twin brother posed in front with the Lion heads


Ready, set, go, go, go ...
~ Dong dong chein ... ~


The Drummers team ...
Rhythmic beat of drums and cymbals enlighten the event
It was just so happening in the
neighbourhood ...


The Golden Lion entered the house, to bless the family


Ready for the blessing ceremony ...
See the Round Cabbage, China Long Cabbage,
Long Bean, Oranges on the table?
They will be used for preparing the gifts later
to the host by the Lion team
Not so sure why these items are chosen;
most probably they represent good signs;
for example; long bean may represent longevity,
mandarin oranges represents prosperity and wealth ...
Haha :)


On the floor, preparing the gifts ...


The Black Lion, nicknamed, "Guan Gong"
is said to bring luck in running business and entrepreneurship.
The Chinese believe "Guan Gong" will bless us for abundancy
for the new year to come.
"Ong lai, Ong lai ha ...!"


A close-up shot ...
I like this picture personally,
what 'ya think?


Putting the gifts back on the table ...



Look!
The Lion had just drank,
did you see the Beer can on the floor?
Lolz :)



... and it is drunk now!
Performing the Drunken Fist for the audiences ...
It was so funny with some
imbalance and humorous acts left and right


The "Guan Gong" was playing with the children
They were all so happy and smiling wide ...
When I was young just like them, I used to be very scare with Lion;
some more with the gruesome and the hard-beating drums,
I was most of time, hiding behind my mum and dad ...
Haha :)



The Cabbage Flower on the table;
to be presented to the host
and the owner of the house ...



The Lions saluted and paid respect to the
owner and host of the house;
marking the end of the performance and blessing ceremony.
Yeah, bye bye Lions,
see you next year again!


Gong Xi Gong Xi ... :)

Friday, February 19, 2010

What CNY is all about?

Chinese New Year! The Year of Golden Tiger kicks off with bright start; firecrackers and fireworks highlight the skyline; greeting every Chinese around the world, "Gong Xi Fatt Chai, Xin Nian Kuai Le!" This year has been so much fun particularly as I have longer holiday compares to previous year where my holiday for CNY was just merely 3days, instead, I have 1 week off - no books, no assessment kits, no exams; more fun, more joy, more holiday, more food, more beer! Ooppss ... :) Oh well, less writing this time around yeah? Ok ...


As the title implies, let's the pictures do the talking yeah?


Chinese New Year Fruits
Mandarin Oranges, Pamelos, Pineapple


Mum's Pineapple Tart
Delicious :)


Everybody, Huat arrr, Huat arrr ...
Money money lai lai ...


Red Lantern
" ang ang bei kia lang "
(red red colour don't scare off people)


Foodies Goodies
Some were made by Mum,
some were given by friends and relatives ...


My first firework shot ...
Surprisingly it came out awesome!
Snapped it during the CNY Eve dinner
with my A200 mounted on Tripod ...
I realize there are more fireworks display
this year despite the economy downturn!
How irony, yeah?
However, I miss out the firework display
with heart shape pattern ...
What a miss!


Firecrackers!
It is a must for every Chinese New Year
Let's blast away all the bad omens,
and bring in all the best of luck!


It's finger lickin' good!


Cute biscuits!
It is called " Soa Tao ",
also known as Longevity Peach ...


When eating "Bak Gua"(Pork Slices) ,
it must come with ...


... with Chill beer on the other hand!
Perfect combo :)

Ang Pao!
How many Ang Pao
have you all collected this year?


Again,
Happy Chinese New Year,
Gong Xi Fatt Chai!

Love,
KeithK :)

Sunday, February 14, 2010

CNY Reunion Dinner 2010

As the Year of Golden Tiger kicks off with colorful firecrackers and fireworks blasts into the sky in the mid of the night, sharp at 0000 hours, the Chinese around the world wish the family and relatives a happy prosperous Chinese New Year, Gong Xi Fatt Chai. The grand event before the Chinese New Year has to be the Reunion Dinner (Tuan Yuen), where every family member from far and near will come home for a get-together dinner with their loved ones. This year, my family and I are well-set and prepare for the dinner since early in the morning of New Year's eve. Apparently, Grandma will be joining us for dinner this year, since she is currently staying with us at the moment ... :)


Mum is cutting Abalone ...
Huge size, isn't it?
An approximate size of this is about
6 inch length to 4 inch width.
Normal days, we don't get to eat
Abalone so often.
Eating this will definitely costs you
an arm or an leg ...
~ Phew ~


Meat Rolls with Smiley Wedges
Mainly filled with meat, the Meat Rolls
are wrapped in Bean Curd (Tauhu) slices,
then deep-fried to golden crispy color ...
Additional ingredients include prawns,
Chinese mushrooms, Onions, Garlic, Spring Onion,
fish slices, so on and forth :)
I love Meat Roll ...


Steamed Chicken
Mum steamed this chicken (so called Kampung Chicken)
with her pressurized steam-cooker which
I bought for her during Mother's Day
celebration.
The Chicken is soft and tender,
juicy and fresh!


Mum didn't cook this one - The Braised Duck
My uncle dropped by my house and gave some to me,
knowing I like to eat Braised Duck ...
~ Sedappp ... ~


Steamed Red Tilapia Fish with Ginger
Fish (Yee), a symbol of abundance in the Chinese tradition
is a must-have dish during Chinese New Year ...


Vegetables, Fish balls, Meat Balls,
Sausage, Meat Slices and Broccoli ...
They are all the ingredients that will be used for Steamboat ...
I prepared all of these,
haha :)
Not too much of work, ya,
just cut them into small pieces and arrange
them into trays ...
Simple yeah? :)


All ready for dinner ...
Hungry now?
Come, come ...
Join us :)


Group photo ...
My Grandma is sitting at the right on wheel chair.
She is already 90 over years old,
hardly can walk now ...
Mum is taking care of her now

What matters most for me
during every Chinese New Year
is not the food, not the "Ang Pao",
not about all the firecrackers and fireworks we play,
but the completeness of our family!
I hope we can get together for a peaceful
and happy dinner.
Forgive each others, appreciate and value
your family members and of course,
the blessing and prayers as we hope
for the best for the year to come! :)

Hereby,
Keith@TheJournals
would like to wish everyone,
Gong Xi Gong Xi ...
May the Year of Tiger brings us
flourishing prosperity, blessings of good health,
fortune and luck to last,
abundance of love, peace and joy in
whatever we do and greater success in
all our endeavor ...

Happy Chinese New Year!

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Chinese New Year - Visit Me!



Today is Chinese New Year eve.
Everyone will be busy preparing with the grand dinner tonight.
Since I came back yesterday, I realized Kuching's traffic
is getting heavier and heavier, people are thronging to the
shopping malls for last minute buy.
There will be traffic jams everywhere. Sigh ...

For all my friends out there,
do drop by my place during Chinese New Year.
Here's the location ...

See you then,
Always,
KeithK :)