How we spent our Chinese New Year Holidays

Greetings Steemians!

Chinese New Year (CNY) has passed. It has now become memories and histories in our life. During that period of time, I was totally in my holiday mood. No laptop, no email checking especially work related and no keyboard clicking. My fingers were on leave too.
Here I am now, clicking on my keyboard to blog about the week spent during Chinese New Year.

Every year, we will be spending our CNY celebration on my hubby’s @wilsonkoh side. Last year we spent at our home and this year we spent at my Mom-in-Law’s (mil) home. Normally the whole family will gather at mil’s place. Everyone will be coming from Labuan and KL @davidnigelkoh & wifey @jfloke few days earlier.

On the eve of the CNY, we will have a family reunion dinner.

(picture taken before reunion dinner)

(home cook dinner ready to be eaten)

We will do the Chinese tradition of “Yee Sang” before we start with dinner.
There is a legend behind the Yee Sang. It goes like this – Once upon a time….according the Chinese Legend, the goddess Nu Wa spent 6 days creating animals from muds.

(Goddess Nu Wa) source from google

On the 7th Day, the goddess then created humanity. “Ren Ri” is the Day of Humankind, correspondingly celebrated on the 7th day of the Chinese New Year. To celebrate this day, the Chinese enjoy a special dish comprising of 7 symbolic delicacies which we call it Yee Sang. Yee Sang is a symbol of good luck, prosperity, good health and all things auspicious.

When Yee Sang is eaten, the ritual is to toss the mixed ingredients high in the air with a shout of “Loh Hey” which literally means to ‘move upwards’ but normally our family will say “Huat aahh!” out loud. This is the symbolic wish for our fortunes to rise and expand during the forthcoming year.

Yee Sang comprises thin slices of pickled vegetables and other ingredient which are mixed together thoroughly when the dish is eaten. The enjoyment of Yee Sang during CNY is an age-old custom steeped in ancient tradition and culture.

Comes midnight, all the Chinese will burn fire crackers and fireworks outside their respective house. This year I was down with fever, flu and cough so I could not join the midnight fire crackers watching.

(Picture of fireworks and lantern being released on the air)

On the first day of CNY, we will have an ‘open house’. We will be busy cooking and preparing. Friends and relatives are invited to the open house.

(Here is The Bambangan cheese cake I have ordered for CNY)

On second day we went for house visiting at @papanog wife’s side.

(Samuel-15, Hazel-15 @taegwi & Joshua-16)

(Hazel-2, Samuel-2 & Joshua-3)

These are some our family pictures taken over the years.

On our third day of CNY, we traveled to Kota Belud for a getaway day after the hustle bustle of the CNY days. Breakfast spent at Tamparuli, on hunt of the famous and delicious Tamparuli Noodles known as Mee Goreng Tamparuli.

(On our way to Tamparuli - that’s the famous Jabatan Tamparuli)

(The delicious Tamparuli Fried Noodle)

On our way to Ambong Bay we encountered some hiccups. Mil’s car broke down due to flat battery. After changing the battery, we were on our track to Ambong Bay.

We reach Ambong Bay around 2pm.

(These are the scenery at Ambong Bay)

(Activity on late afternoon-snorkeling)

(Night activity-playing cards in between)

After four days of on leave, I returned to work on the 21st February with my brain still on holiday mood and dragging myself to wake up in the morning.

Coming to the 14th day, we travelled to Labuan. This was the Island where I grew up. We wanted our children to experience the ‘Chap Goh Mei’ which is celebrated on the 15th day of the CNY. It is also the last day of CNY celebration.

I have also visited my ex-boss’ office as he usually will do his ‘open house’ on Chap Goh Mei every year. Have not seen him since the day I left my ex-office.

(New office at Kesington Garden-pictures with my ex-colleagues)

(Top-The Secretaries of Mr. Wong - me, Yvonne & Christina-current) & (Below-Mr. Wong & his ex-Secretaries & current Secretary)

It was a pleasure meeting all my ex-colleagues. We were laughing while sharing our old stories and looking back the time at Brumby House! I do miss those days!

Coming to the evening of the Chap Goh Mei, we’re eagerly anticipating to visit the Chap Goh Mei Stations.

(We’re at the 2nd station waiting for the arrival of the procession)

(Giant ‘hiong’ being burnt for prayers)

(Foods offering for the Gods decorated beautifully)

(Fireworks and lighting decor)

(Saturday activity-chilaxing at The Living Room and enjoying chill beer while kiddos spending their time playing at the pool of Grand Dorsett Hotel)

On the evening we had a small meet-up on the SLC, same venue “The Living Room”.

We headed back to mainland the next day. Return to reality on Monday 👀 krik krik krik 👀

That’s how we spent our CNY 2018.
Till next...Happy School Holidays to all parents!

Cheerios!
Sandra 💓