Feb12 - Valentine's Day 2011

You read correct. Valentine's Day fell on the 12.02.2011 for us. Why? Because then we don't have to go fighting with everyone else, plus its on a Saturday. Blehhh!! This is our err..hmm...4th Valentine together. Wow, I just made us sound like an old couple =p

KS wanted to try French Cuisine but majority of the restaurants were in KL City Centre. And there's no way he'll go there on a Sat night (unless I drive *roll eyes*). So in the end, he decided at Jarrod & Rawlings in Damansara Heights. The reason, we were looking for Riesling wine for me. Coz recently I found out that that's the only wine I would drink and it cost...alot.

 His sparkling grape with my tomato juice

 Melancholy over how hungry he is (spot the kiddy playground in the backdrop)

Our starter, Cream of Mushroom Soup and Creamy Pea Soup. Mushroom soup was too salty (and this coming from me). Plus Jacket Potato w Sour Cream, Spring Onion & Bacon Bits.

My main dish was Gammon Steak & Parsley Sauce with Boiled Potatoes. The sauce was good. But the waiter didn't ask how I wanted my steak. Came out tasting like...."bak kwa" aka fried pork. KS looved it.

KS main dish was the Fish Fillet w Parsley Sauce, Boiled Potatoes & Zucchini. Fish was tender, sauce added flavour to it.

He clean his plate up while I took my time with the steak. Check out the strips that I cut. It's much easier to eat this way. Plus when I was young, I would divide my food according to portions so that I would know how much more left to go. hahahah

 

Happy & full campers. We didn't get our French food nor my Riesling wine but time spent together was the whole purpose to this nite.

Bill came up to RM140+. J&R Valentine Package is RM220++. So we definitely saved abit.  As for our presents for each other, I bought him a set of New Balance Running apparel (hey, no discounted purchase) and he got me a 2XU windbreaker jacket, which I found at his place a few weeks before. ahahha...surprise busted!!

Feb12 - Ah Yat Abalone Sec19

We all know how expensive abalones are. Like escargot, these things are sea snails. The flesh of abalones is widely considered to be a desirable food, and is consumed raw or cooked in a wide variety of dishes. Similar to shark fin soup or birds nest soup, it is considered a luxury item.

So when my dad said he'll be bringing the family to Ah Yat Abalone restaurant for our family Chinese New Year dinner, I'm sooo IN!!

This building used to be a big warehouse and now converted to a hall, where wedding celebrations can be held. Every evening when u drive pass this area, cars would be parked outside. Even the underground parking is full.

Shark's Fin at the entrance (no, we didn't eat this)

Camwhoring with my bro

Our fish dish was a vegetarian lotus dish. Needed veggie dishes since my mom is a vegetarian. (wow!! i just said the word veg 3 times in that sentence)

The claypot taufu. Yes, more veggie

The only meat dish, the oinkers

Salad prawn...*yummy*

 

The cod fish spectacular. Practically melted in our mouth.

And the dish that this whole dinner was for........

Buddha Jump Over the Wall cost RM160 per bowl

Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, or fo tiao qiang, is a variety of shark fin soup in Cantonese and Fujian cuisine. Since its creation during the Qing Dynasty (1644 – 1912), the dish has been regarded as a Chinese delicacy known for its rich taste, usage of various high-quality ingredients and special manner of cooking. The dish's name is an allusion to the dish's ability to entice the vegetarian monks from their temples to partake in the meat-based dish. It is high in protein and calcium.

Review : don't ask me. First time eating this, so can't compare much. Plus I'm a terrible reviewer unless the food taste really bad. =p

Feb10 - Hokkien New Year 2011

My dad is from Malacca, and my family is Hokkien. We celebrate the Hokkien New Year on the 9th Day of Chinese New Year.

A little history about this day : this day is particularly significant to Hokkien Chinese: on the ninth day of the New Year (it is said), the enemies of the Hokkien tribe banded together to wipe the Hokkiens from the face of the earth. As a horrible massacre ensued, a few survivors hid in a field of sugarcane. The heavens intervened, and the marauders left. Since then, Hokkiens have thanked the Jade Emperor for his intervention on the 9th day, making offerings of sugarcane stalks tied together with red ribbons. -http://goseasia.about.com/od/culturepeople/a/seasiacny.htm-  

 The reunion dinner among family members  is a must for Chinese New Year.

 

 My mom & maid had started folding our paper offerings a few days before hand. 

If you are a busy person & not able to make time to sit & fold, all you have to do is part with your  $$$ and buy readymade offerings from the shop.

Since our offerings are to the Jade Emperor, gold is the most deserving gift. Creations comes out as a gold nugget and gold bar (or try to look like it).

5mins before midnite, my dad would setup the prayer table at the front entrance of our house. Offerings like food eg. apple, orange, pineapple etc. Everything has to have a spot of red on it. If not, you can purchase a red paper, cut small round shapes then place on top of it.

I've been told that the day before this celebration, ppl flocks market purchasing flowers & sugarcanes (read history for explaination).  After the head of the family has done his prayers of lighting of joystick (prayer stick), then followed by others. We make our wish for the new year to the gods for good health and prosperity etc. When I was young, I would wish to pass all my exam, now I wish for me & my family's health & me earning more  money. Hey, just being realistic.

Next up is burning of our offerings to the gods. No, not the food. The gold paper. When we were young, the adults would be doing the work as fire was involved. Now, the next generation has taken over. Our folded gold, the sugarcane plus a paper castle. It's been said that when you see ashes rising up towards the sky, quickly make a wish. It'll be carried up to the gods on it.

I remember when I was in Brisbane, tradition was in my blood till I actually did this process on my own (at a much smaller scale. I setup the table at my balcony, at the stroke of midnite, did my prayers & burnt papers in a metal container (hoping my neighbors wouldn't call the fire brigade).

 My youngest cousin, Khai Vern & my poser, youngest bro

At a larger scale celebration, there are households who offer roast pig as well. We did once, but it seems like a waste unless you wanna have pig for a month. Also the looong loud fireworks. A little difficult at my house since we're located on the main road. The police would love to circle around our neighbourhood & fine us for it (fireworks is illegal in Malaysia unless you have a permit for it).

Last but not least, distribution of the food. After all offerings are completed, it's time to indulge for our hardwork. Food is shared among the family to be taken home as these are blessed meals. The whole celebration ended at around 2.15am. It's definitely a tradition I wanna keep.

Feb3 - Happy Chinese New Year 2011

Somehow I had found a way to upload my photos easily with my iphone to my facebook. But yet to my blog. I guess it's because I've always wanted to apply my signature jpg on the pics before uploading it here.

In the end, it's still just as difficult as I don't have the template in my office computer. I find uploading in the office is muuucch faster due to the access compared to my home digi broadband thumbdrive.

Anyway, a week before CNY, my suppliers eg. hotel & promo items were kind enuff to flourish me with gifts.

One World Hotel & Concorde Hotel

Bagman & NY Advertising 

Giftracoin for promo items

My 3 companions who will bring my luck for 2011

The wonderful thing about this year's CNY is that majority of the stuff that I bought is FREEEE!!! Well, mainly it's because I won like RM210 worth of Jusco voucher from my company's D&D. So I spent it on mandarin oranges, drinks plus CNY clothes. But the problem is, Jusco's apparel are quite expensive plus they aren't that great in fashion.

In the end, I paid a visit to Berjaya Times Square & bought 5 items for less than RM50

Guess which dress i bought from Jusco? *duh*

This year we had our family reunion dinner earlier but no less fun. Like usual, we were divided among the adults & kids. Made the most noise with laugher.

w my 2 couz, Ivan & Coach Maresa (http://maresang.com/)

when you can't finish ur food & the night is still young

Made my sotong into a french dish squid...*whoalah*

I didn't take leave the days before CNY as I was already travelling to HK 2 weeks after the hols. So colleagues & I went to New Paris SS2 for a small CNY luncheon. The only thing I remembered for that meal was the Yee Sang.

A whopping RM35 for 5pax (fine, it incls salmon fish, but stilll...)

First day of CNY

1) Visiting relatives (parents to couz Ivan & Maresa)

Cocker Spaniel Humper, Simba. Poser Cat, Ginger & "I can stand on my hind legs, Snoopy

2) Attended mom's friend's open house in Kepong. Free buffet lunch & lion dance performance

Big garden

God of Prosperity looking awfully thin & unfriendly

Mom exploring the big house

Lions can be posers too

Lion harrassing Big Bird & lion dance performance

3) I believe to my childishness; after I found out my mom threw away the container of protein shake which KS gave me (RM200+), I booked a flight to Alor Star to visit KS's family on the 2nd day of CNY

KS's mom kept my favourite roti jala for me

Meet the younglings : Pikachu & Maddie (pugtzu)

Mustn't forget the ever shy, Mimi

Taking Maddie out for a ride & say hello to Belle (KS's cousin, Melissa's)

4) Dinner with the athletes at SS2 New Formosa

The messiest loh yee sang I had this year

Eventhough the restaurant is small (no private rooms) but the restaurant is famous for its Taiwanese dishes. I admit the food taste great but the portion seems too small for 11pax for hungry athletes. Terrible service though on the final dish, dessert. We waited for nearly 20mins just a for a bowl of Low sugar yam paste with ginkgo nuts & pumpkin. PASTE!!!

After that, adjourn to my place for "open table". The cards & mahjong set came out.

Kelvin giving us a tutorial on mahjong

Black Jack 

Hahhaha...Love Boat

The night ended slightly before midnite as there's work tomorrow but of course with great fun & laughter.

Here's something to end this entry with

Happy Chinese New Year everyone!!!