Home-Cooked

The 15-day Chinese New Year celebration is coming to a close. Feasting has been on the agenda. Eating out has been much fun. But somehow, it is the home-cooked meal that is most meaningful.

My mum is a pretty good cook. She cooks fast and furious. She always over provides; that's her style. Food must always be in abundance for any celebration. It's a Chinese-thing I suppose.

But perhaps the best part of eating at home is the chance to be a bit more laid back, taking time to connect with family and friends, enjoying the simple pleasures in life. Here's to a year ahead of these!

Photo of mum's cooking to celebrate Chap Goh Mei.

Incentive

I visit Penang a couple of times a year, mostly on work. But what makes such working trips so enjoyable, other than being in the company of my friends in the wedding industry in Penang that is, haha, is the food I get to indulge in. The food alone is incentive enough to make my way up there.

I am lucky that friends and colleagues enthusiastically show me round to the best places to sample the best fare, the haunts which only the locals know of. I am a creature of habit and I always tend to re-visit the same restaurants over and over, but my friends have of late been introducing me to hidden gems that are new to me. But alas, my sense of direction ain't that great.

This last trip of mine, just a few days ago, yielded wonderful results when it comes to food. Having the opportunity to try new delicacies is always welcome.

Photo taken at Genting Restaurant in Island Glades, Penang, Malaysia.

Chymes

C Hun, Desmond and Suan Bee are friends of mine from the wedding industry. Together with Kevan, they've recently realised their dream of opening a boutique bed and breakfast. It's called Chymes and is located in Tanjung Bungah, Penang.

I had the good fortune of being invited to stay whilst I was up in Penang for an event this past weekend. I run out of adjectives to describe the place ..... cosy, intimate, creative, chic, quirky, homely. I like the deft touches like the cookies, the mint pillow, the lamps, the rainshower. There are some rough edges but what's there to complain, they've only just opened, so there's much time for further improvements. I for one am looking forward to the path towards the beach!

I could sit the whole day working on the verandah and it would be bliss.

Photo of C Hun, Kevan, Desmond and Suan Bee in The Living Room at Chymes.

More CNY Makan

Auntie Mary, Uncle KC and Lynette hosted a dinner party on the 7th day of Chinese New Year last Saturday. Auntie Mary is a great cook and my cousin Lynette is a Martha in the making with her decor and food presentation attempts! See what I mean in the photo.

Most of the Wong extended family get-togethers revolve around food. We are blessed to have so many good chefs in the family. I suppose some of their skills are inherited from my grandparents who were both wonderful cooks.

Suffice to say, we bond over food!

Photo of a watermelon peacock by Lynette.

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.