Chinese New Year 2009

As I tried to think of a clever title for this post, I realised that almost every permutation involving things bovine had been used in the mass sms-es, and just about every headline in the papers, when talking about the advent of the new lunar year. So, we shall stick to a plain, dull and simple title, but straight to the point.

I vaguely remember parts of this little ditty from kindy:

[forgot the opening lines]
Cow Tow first to papa, mama, then to uncles aunties too,
How I love the chinese new year,
Everyone loves too....

Not big on rhyming, these chinese songwriters.....




Like all the other events, I am amazed at the speed with which they reappear, in the blink of an eye, I seem to be handing out the familiar "hoi kong" angpows to my office people, and there's the massaging for playing cards, and the familiar yelling of "PIKCHER, PIKCHER"....Reunion dinners at my place are a fairly sedate affair, most of the older generation need to be in bed by 10.30 or so, and there are no cousins my age, to indulge in a spot of gambling. In the days of yore, when my grandmother was alive, at least the older generation would make an effort to play some mahjong and the younger set would at least try to play some blackjack while waiting.

Chinese New Year morning seems like any other morning.... the sun rises, (duhh), we get ready for the tea ceremony. I don't remember when this tea pouring tradition started, coz we certainly didn't do it when we were kids.

Every year, we string up the collective chinese new year cards we receive. Seems to be a lot less this year.....


Who said only Christmas Trees have decorations?


Strange flowers bloom apparently only on chinese new year.


Hmmm, Exodus 32:2 comes to mind.....


We usually have a vegetarian lunch at the in-laws place, with my all time favourite MUTTON CURRY. Yummy, I have instructed the wife to ensure we get to eat it more often. Afterall, its not like vegetarian mutton is seasonal....






The mandatory Lion Dance performance at the in-laws. For the longest time, Kid no 2 has been terrified of Lion Dance, and it wasn't until last year, when he was about to turn 7, that he faced his fears and conquered it.









The MIL has really green fingers. Look at her pomelo tree with red pussy willows at the back. Are they called pussy willow? I'm not sure. Or is it wussy pillow? But yeah, she has a veritable orchard and herb garden.



Kajang Satay,...... in its finest form.



Then there's the grand dinner on the night of the 1st day. No prizes for guessing where THIS chocolate fountain is from.



Apparently these pink flowers are Cherry Blossoms.... not a florally inclined person, I wouldn't know a Cherry Blossom from a Dying Strawberry, but I thought they were quite pretty....is this the famed Sakura that the Japanese rave about?



On the 2nd day, after hosting a small gambling session for my "1st generation friends" as they now call themselves, and managing to intoxicate myself on Johnny Walker Green label, I had to make my way for another in law dinner in Sg Chua, Kajang. A new restaurant called Xin Lin Tong or something laidat.





There's something beautiful about the whole concept of tossing salads communally.
Such a sense of camaraderie, and esprit de corps. Oh, and family, of course. I like my yee sang the traditional style, none of these new fandangled fusiony yee sang.... so this was good.



Hmmm, my stand on this is, try not to order it, but if its already there served, don't try to be too dogmatic about it. Very controversial stand that.





Various tapas.....


Luscious suckling pig....mmmm, lovely crispy skin. I still think the chinese suckling pig trumps them Western versions.

My favourite fish, Pomfret. Tai Tou Chong...the meat was firm, and sweet. Perfectly steamed.


Tasty prawns, dunno done what style, but thankfully not doused in butter or overly oily.


The lap mei fan...rice with waxed meats. A great filler.....


Mmm, I loved this fah lam with the prosperity vegetables and oyster. Tender slivers of belly pork, melting in your mouth and coagulating in your arteries. Very good.

I would like to try this restaurant again, as the food seemed pretty good. Anyway, its in Sg Chua...as you exit the SILK Highway into Kajang Town, its the first right turn after the highway, and you cant miss it. It is humongous.

And so the feasting continues..................... sigh. Minimal exercise too, for the last one week.