Lunar New Year, 新年快乐！

Our usual practice of visiting my grandmom's place at Depot Rd on the New year day where my uncles and aunties gather to exchange New Year Greetings and best wishes to one another.

Greenery great views from my grandmom's place can be enjoyed since my childhood times.

Yummy and traditional Hokkien dishes served by my mum, uncle and auntie. My grandmom being the chief-commander-cook. My fave favourite would be the Hokkien noodles!!! Eating my day away...y...y

Eating and giving compliments were the easiest part. The greatest would be the labours of love put into the food preparations, even days before our day visit to grandmom's.

I wish my Grandmom best of health, that she will always be there for us, pampering us with food...

New year days would be quite different or meaningless without our elders and older folks around, they are the binding force in the big family.

Reunion Dinner

My family simple annual reunion dinner of steamboat.

As the family got together for the many preparation works for the festival, argument dues to diverse ideas and personalities were unavoidable.

But the important thing is no one keeps their rage in heart; and do not let the sun go down on your wrath, for blood is thicker than water.

Ultimately, it's not about the good food or $$ that goes into the dinner. It's about the people you're with and how meaningful their company is. Praise God.

归心似箭

This Chinese idioms, or set phrase truly illustrates the strong emotions of one's heart longing to return to a place (mostly to the side of your loved ones).

Skipped lunch at office today to reach home earlier; and chooses to take a long walk back from the MRT, keeping in mind the many rich food i'm going to load myself with this new year holiday.

As i was walking, i couldn't help quickening my steps, anxious to get home where my mum and sister would be busy with the New Year food preparations and decorations.

I longed to get into the mood fast, the mood of the Chinese Lunar New Year - REUNION!!

This was when this Chinese idiom struck me; clearly how i felt.
It also reminded me of the millions of China people stranded at airports, railway stations and bus depots in their worst winter weather in 100 years.

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/afp/20080204/tts-china-weather-transport-a73cdd6.html

Night Trip to Chinatown

Mum's favourite place, a MUST visit for her during the season of the Lunar New Year every year. It's a place where you can 'soak' into the New Year mood she says. This is also a place where she grew up in; filled with childhood memories.

And she's happy like a kid when she gets a seat at 味香园 that serves traditional desserts; its specialty being their mango dessert, 芒枝甘露. Mum loves to sit and watch the crowd buzzing around for the New Year shopping :) i like that too.

Miss Clarity Cafe, Katong

After my brief walk at the Lunar New Year florists at Thomson, we visited this much blogged about Cafe with reasonablely priced great food and friendly lady boss.

My life's first try of the 'black pasta'; squid ink linquine topped with braised oxtail and squid ($14.80). Flavourful and delicious...

The BLACK ANGUS prime sirloin steak ($15.80) nicely done in middle rare, with a nice pinch of burned grilled taste, awesomely good.

All food served warm and hot from the oven, as i always like it.

Full Moon at Labrador Park

Probably this the first time i view the moon that seems so close... it's beautiful

The night has been breezy.
The view overlooking the World Trade Center, Jewel Box of Mount Faber and cable cars to Sentosa.

Brings back much memories, both of happy and sad...