Melaka

I headed down to Melaka with my friends and wedding industry colleagues Cindy of Beauty Haven and Calvin of Mphotoo, for work early March. Having recently secured Hotel Equatorial Melaka as a client, we were there for a brainstorm and to get to know the hotel's team. An added bonus was the opportunity to catch up with my Melaka-based buddies Ming and Mayang.

 

I first got to know Mayang in either 2000 or 2001 when she was a journalist with The Star. In fact, it was Mayang who gave That Special Occasion our first major feature in the papers, a catalyst that helped propel the business at the onset. As for Ming, I first met her when she was with Hilton Petaling Jaya, a few years after I became acquainted with Mayang. I remember presenting weddingsmalaysia's credentials at our initial meeting. We kept in touch over the years and developed a friendship.

 

Both Ming and Mayang had been pestering me to visit and when work finally provided an opportunity to do so, I had no excuse to delay the trip any longer. Indeed, great conversation over good food was the perfect way to end an evening in Melaka. I should visit again soon.

 

 

Dinner with Ming, Mayang, Cindy and Calvin at Restoran Pak Putra Tandoori and Roti Naan Melaka, Malaysia.

Happy Birthday To All

Making a small effort of ordering a cake for the 7th day of Chinese New Year created an even more festive atmos-phere when the extended family got together for a dinner to celebrate 'the people's birthday'. Indeed, we even sang ourselves a birthday song.  

 

Sometimes, a little gesture as such is what makes a celebration that more memorable. Having worked in the wedding industry for 15 years, I have learnt to appreciate the personal touch. The little things that one ought to appreciate and be grateful for.

 

Most of the time, we go through our days at a blurry speed, trying to accomplish all that needs to be done in the vastly stretched amount of time we have. Perhaps we ought to make a conscious effort to stop and smell the roses sometimes and to do a little good deed every now and then.

 

 

Dinner on the 7th day of Chinese New Year in Sea Park, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.

Chinese New Year Together

After having been friends for 27 years, it may come as a surprise that lunch on the 4th day of Chinese New Year this year was the first time all of us have spent the celebration together. This would not have been possible had Ken Lin and Sally not come down to KL from Penang. We then managed to convince our Hong Kong friend Elsie to fly in for the weekend from Kota Kinabalu where she was having a holiday.

 

As this was only decided in the week leading up to Chinese New Year, thanks also has to go to my friend Emily who secured us a table at Oriental Pavilion, Jaya 33. Suffice to say, the restaurant was extremely packed but that made the festive atmosphere even more enjoyable. Most importantly, it gave us all the opportunity to embark on the Year of the Goat together, carrying with us the aspirations that we hope to attain individually and as friends.

 

It is pretty rare for a friendship to have survived almost 3 decades. Much effort has been put in to nurture the relationships that we all share as a group, and while we may have gone our separate ways somewhat after completing our studies, the dedication and commitment to keep in touch have enabled us to remain good friends. And this one ought to appreciate.

 

 

Group shot at Oriental Pavilion, Jaya 33 in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.

Chinese New Year - 1st Day Movie With The Thoos

My extended family on my Mum's side is a sporting one. When a cousin suggested we head to the movies on the evening of the 1st day of Chinese New Year, all gladly accepted the invite. Tickets were pre-bought the evening before and eighteen of us gathered at the just-opened TGV at Jaya Shopping Centre.

 

I am not an avid TVB serial fan but some of my aunts, uncles and cousins are. So they chose 'Triumph In The Skies', a movie based on the same TVB series. Four love stories that end well, what's there not to like about the movie, especially when we wish for all good things in life during this festive season.

 

The last time we went to the movies as group was five years ago, also during Chinese New Year. There may be more such regular movie nights just yet haha.

 

 

With the Thoos at TGV, Jaya Shopping Centre in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.

Chinese New Year - 1st Day At The Wongs

We always start the first day of Chinese New Year with a gathering at the Wong family home serving tea to our elders, exchanging auspicious greetings and sitting down to a vegetarian breakfast. It is a familiar practice but no less enjoyable year after year.

 

This year's celebration is made extra special with the return of my cousin Suk Leng from Sheffield, England, for the festivities. She has been away on studies and work for a number of years but made it a point to come back at an opportune time to join us in the celebrations.

 

There has always been talk of getting our other cousins who are scattered in Singapore, Australia and the United States to return en masse for a Chinese New Year gathering in the years to come. When that eventuates, it will indeed be a celebration to be reckoned with. Here's to that happening sooner, rather than later.

 

 

Wong extended family in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.

Chinese New Year - Reunion Dinner

I always look forward to the extended family reunion dinner on the eve of Chinese New Year. Although my family gathers practically every other month for some sort of celebration or other, the reunion dinner still has special meaning as it is a tradition that I have enjoyed since childhood.

 

Typically, my Mum, sister and I will have a simple reunion lunch at home, and then later join my late father's side of the family for dinner, followed by a visit to my Mum's side of the family thereafter. Since my grandparents' passing, the reunion dinner has been a potluck, ensuring that the tradition of having an abundance of dishes remains intact. My late grandparents, particularly my grandfather, were great cooks and would cook up a storm every Chinese New Year, but nowadays, a potluck seems a much better way of contributing to the merriment.

 

In all, twelve dishes were had, testament to the Wong family's penchant for food.

 

 

Reunion dinner at the Wongs.

Chinese New Year Greeting

May the 'Year Of The Goat' bring you all that you dream of, all that you aspire to achieve and love in all its many forms. May we all also enjoy happiness, prosperity, good health, success, good fortune and peace.

 

Gong Xi Fa Cai!