Entourage

Sometimes it is the most unexpected events that create lasting memories. My cousins from my mum's side of the family decided to organise a night out at the movies for the entire extended Thoo family. Somewhat of a Chinese New Year outing to an apt movie - 72 Tenants Of Prosperity.

22 of us headed to GSC in Tropicana City Mall last evening for coffee followed by the show. Imagine an entourage of aunts, uncles and cousins, with ages spanning decades. We were all game which is what made the night so memorable.

Much thanks to my cousins who initiated the outing and who took pains to get tickets and coordinate the evening. Here's to more in the future!

Photo of the extended Thoo family.

Xue Shen And Hongbo Zhao

I've watched Xue Shen and Hongbo Zhao skate at 3 previous Winter Olympics and it was with great anticipation that I watched them skate this morning, in their 4th Olympics in Vancouver. Leading after the short program, I was willing them on in their free skate, keeping my fingers crossed that the 2-time Olympic bronze medallists and 3-time world champions would skate clean and capture the Olympic gold that they had come out of retirement from to chase.

Approximately 4 minutes was what it took for them to capture the only major title to elude them in their illustrious career and I was as happy as can be. Theirs is a story of commitment, daring, an aspiration to reach the pinnacle. We can all learn a thing or two from their endeavour.

To witness such an historic moment 'live', even when it is via satellite TV, causes goosebumps. One can relate to the hard work, sacrifices and positivity required to achieve such a milestone. Much congratulations!

Photo of the winning couple.

2nd Day Of Chinese New Year

A day that started off with a visit to the temple ended with a meaningful family get-together at our home, interspersed with a 'hoi-leen' brunch at the Wong family home in SEA Park and dinner at one of our all time favourite restaurants, Formosa in SS2.

Although not all were present for the family portrait, it was still meaningful in many ways. For my immediate family, it was our first without Dad but we draw comfort from the fact that the extended family, well most of us anyway, still cherish and work hard at maintaining the bonds that hold us together.

The sense of festivity at our home last evening I hope, will kickstart many more happy occasions to come after the melancholic past few weeks. That is what Chinese New Year signifies, a new beginning with new hopes and aspirations, new journeys and renewed trust in life.

Photo set up by my sister Suk Harn.

Temple Visit

I pay a visit to the Thean Hou Temple every Chinese New Year. I went early this morning to avoid the crowds. There is much to pray for. My friends who have been to temples with me whilst on holiday will know that I take my time as I have lots to ask for! My prayer list is a pretty long one.

Naturally, it is extra festive at Thean Hou this time of year. Lanterns are in abundance, so are the various Gods and Deities to pray to. Sincere and thoughtful requests will hopefully be answered in time.

I come away from such a visit with a sense of faith, a sense of hope. A certain level of serenity, a certain amount of acceptance. And a belief that there are only better days ahead.

Photo shot outside the prayer hall at Thean Hou Temple in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

1st Day of Chinese New Year

We all dressed in yellow. Apparently yellow and white are auspicious colours for the year of the Tiger. Mum, Suk Harn and I had a hilarious time trying to get self-portraits of the 3 of us together in the morning before heading to the Wong family home in SEA Park for breakfast.

The extended family gathered for a vegetarian breakfast as we do annually. Auntie Anne's vegetarian dish is getting better by the year. A session of Black Jack ensued and then mahjong. You see, we are not going visiting this year due to my dad's recent passing. Still, we had an enjoyable day with the rest of the family.

A simple dinner was then followed by one of our favourite pastimes, talking about holidays that we intend to go on. We often travel the world when we get into such dialogues and what so fun about it is that we all get terribly excited and enthusiastic, which will hopefully lead to the realisation of such trips at some point.

Photo of Mum, Suk Harn and I.

Reunion Dinner

It was a fun reunion dinner with the Wongs. As always, we stuffed ourselves silly. For a change, we had steamboat this year. The weather was pretty hot and humid but like we always do, that didn't deter us from enjoying the food and camaraderie.

17 of us in total - those of us who are still in KL that is - gathered at the family home in SEA Park in what will be the start of many gatherings this Chinese New Year. More meals and activities have already been planned for the days ahead.

But the reunion dinner was all about cementing family ties. We are close knit and it is so important that we cherish the bonds that hold us together as a family. This is a valuable lesson that I have been taught by my dad all these years.

Photo of some of us at the reunion dinner.

Reunion Lunch

It is tradition for my family to have a reunion lunch at home on the eve of Chinese New Year before joining the rest of the extended family for a reunion dinner later in the evening. This year is no different.

Mum cooked a simple meal of steamed chicken, deep fried pomfret, stirfried lettuce with garlic and abalone soup. The 3 of us enjoyed each other's company and had a laugh or two about some of my dad's funny remarks of New Years past.

Next up, reunion dinner with the rest of the clan!

Photo of abalone soup.