新年快乐 ! | Sunday, April 7, 2013 | A comment maybe? |
蛇年快乐! It's the time for the Year of Snake~
Yeah, I know it's time for Ang Bao (red packets) !
I was so unlucky. I had to fall sick, on a week right before Chinese New Year. A bad start!
CNY ain't getting any better after each year. I don't feel the vibes of it at all. Moreover, with my sore throat, I can't even enjoy the goodies. It was so torturing with all the good foods in front of me, and i can't touch any of them.
Like everyone else..
We would have our reunion dinner on 初夕, a day before CNY. For our family, we would always have our usual steamboat. Me being the eldest of the third generation, I was there to help with the preparations, not forgetting my aunts too. This year, we had to have it for lunch. So, everything was quite a rush. Luckily, lovely grandma got some stuffs prepared beforehand.
This is the only time of the year, that everyone would be able to gather together. The First, Second, and Third Generation !
After the lunch, Nicole(second sis) and I head down to town to do some last min shopping for CNY.
We ended the day with some spring cleaning !
Yeah, I know it's time for Ang Bao (red packets) !
I was so unlucky. I had to fall sick, on a week right before Chinese New Year. A bad start!
CNY ain't getting any better after each year. I don't feel the vibes of it at all. Moreover, with my sore throat, I can't even enjoy the goodies. It was so torturing with all the good foods in front of me, and i can't touch any of them.
Like everyone else..
We would have our reunion dinner on 初夕, a day before CNY. For our family, we would always have our usual steamboat. Me being the eldest of the third generation, I was there to help with the preparations, not forgetting my aunts too. This year, we had to have it for lunch. So, everything was quite a rush. Luckily, lovely grandma got some stuffs prepared beforehand.
This is the only time of the year, that everyone would be able to gather together. The First, Second, and Third Generation !
After the lunch, Nicole(second sis) and I head down to town to do some last min shopping for CNY.
We ended the day with some spring cleaning !
Chinese New Year, Day One
Outfit Of The Day
Cat Top/Dress: Bugis St Lvl 3
Leggings: Random Store
Boots: Far East Plaza
Clutch: H&M Orchard
The Three Princesses Of My Family !
Spending extra time in the morning to get ourselves prepared ! Not bad~
Just like every year, we will be heading to our grandparent's house to greet them, and get our ang-baos $$$.
Our Lovely Grandma & Grandchildren ❤
Girl Gang of Tan's Family ! (Part of it)
Grandma will always be prepared with the longevity noodles, and desserts for us to enjoy ~ Yum Yum!
It's gambling time!
Smallest Sis; Shirlene
Outfit Of The Day
I didn't have a photo with the whole family in it. Such a pity~! Should have asked for one.. Maybe next year? On a side note, big aunt (paternal) said I look like a cat. Meow~ >.<
Basically, Day 1 is a simple start of lunar new year to spend at my grandparents' house with my cousins, and moved on to a relative's house nearby. With more people there, means more ang bao! We stayed til night, and an impromptu visit to my big aunt house (maternal). Just some chit-chat sessions, and mahjong between the guys. Slept at almost 3am in the morning, and had to wake up early for Day 2.
Let's move on to the 2nd day..
Outfit Of The Day
Tube Pephlum Top: Online Store
Cut-out Bow Jeans: Online Store
Boots: Far East Plaza
Clutch: H&M Orchard
Necklace: CuteLittleStrawberries (Online)
Necklace: CuteLittleStrawberries (Online)
I guess I am still feeling tired.
2nd Day Outfit was more of a boyish look, short of a leather jacket. But, the weather is just too hot for it. Start of the morning with an official visit to big aunt (maternal) house, unlike the night before. Everyone from my maternal side would gather there for steamboat, and gambling. Mahjong & Poker.
We used to celebrate at grandma's house (maternal) before she passed away. Come to think of it, we will always have shark fins' soup for the reunion dinner, and a lot of ingredients for the steamboat. I miss the past, and definitely miss her a lot!
Okay, I am out of the topic. Back to it..
I didn't get much photos with them. Just some with my sisters..
Second Sis; Nicole
Sun was so bright ! But, we are glad of the natural lighting. These are all the photos for day 2.
I left early to my boyfriend's house, after grabbing some bites. He came all the way from Jurong to fetch me. Ohwell, I don't get that special treatment, unless on special occasion.
What did i do over my boyfriend's house?
I wasn't able to get any ang bao from his mum because his paternal grandma just passed away not long ago. So, we went over to his maternal grandparents' house to visit. Rather an impromptu one, but since it's just a block away.
Played mahjong with the elderly.. Won some $$ at first, but lost quite a bit to his mum in the end. :(
In the end, we decided on starting with card games; poker, etc... Didn't have any luck in gambling that day. The game lasted quite long, and since the night had fallen. I stayed over at boyfriend's house. Dragging my tired body from his grandparents' house back..
All the way to the 7th day, 人日.
"人日, literally Human Day. refers specially to the 7th day of 正月, the first month in the Chinese Calender, According to Chinese customs, 人日was the day human beings were created."
Our paternal relatives; my small aunt family, grandparents, my family and my boyfriend came together for another dinner, and to lou hei !
"鱼生, or Prosperity Toss, also known as lo hei (Cantonese for 撈起 or 捞起) is a Teochew-style raw fish salad. It usually consists of strips of raw fish,
mixed with shredded vegetables & a variety of sauces and condiments,
among other ingredients. Yusheng literally means "raw fish" but since
"fish (鱼)" is commonly conflated with its homophone "abundance (余)", Yúshēng (鱼生) is interpreted as a homophone for 余升, meaning an increase in abundance. Therefore,鱼生
is considered a symbol of abundance, prosperity and vigor."
The Sumptuous Dinner
鱼生 Yusheng
Nicole, My Second Sister ! My Grandma & Small Aunt ! Jerry, youngest boy in the third generation! Nickolas, Big Brother of Jerry ! (In clockwise direction).
Outfit Of The Day
Top: Online Store
High-Waisted Shorts: Flea
Sandals: Charles & Keith
Black bag: H&M Orchard
This marks my end of CNY celebration.
It wasn't as happening as it used to be. Maybe it's because everyone are growing up. But, it's a great day for everyone to reunite, to have fun with each other. Once in a year, when everyone is free from their own busy schedules, where everyone come together as a big family, to celebrate this festive period, to enjoy and relax themselves.
In Stitch Language, OHANA!
It means family.
Family means no one should be left behind, and we shall stay together til death separates us.