Dragon Boat Festival

The Wong side of my family recently got together for dinner to celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival. It is a tradition that we have upheld for as long as I can remember. Those of us in the Klang Valley make it a point to gather for a good meal and to catch up.

 

When my grandparents were still around, all such festivals will be celebrated on a big scale in terms of the food served. A minimum of 8 dishes would be on the menu. We still try to keep up, although sometimes what is served now may lack in a bit of sophistication when compared to before. Still, I can't complain since I don't cook. Instead, I appreciate and am grateful for the effort that my extended family makes.

 

There are a number of festivals to celebrate yet this year, and I certainly look forward to each of them.

 

 

Dinner during the Dragon Boat Festival.

The Simple Things In Life

Tuesday, 30 June 2009, was the 5th anniversary of my paternal grandma's passing. As in previous years, the entire family gathered for a meal at the family home to celebrate her life and to remember her. The Wong family is known to be avid eaters and we have a party whenever an opportunity arises. A further boon is the fact that we have great cooks in the family, a legacy left behind by both my grandparents. We are therefore always spoilt for choice when it comes to dinner parties, from the most fancy of dishes to the simplest home cooking that equally satisfy our voracious appetites. And it is sometimes the latter that is most enjoyable. For many, it was the 'Curry Chicken eaten with Bread' that stood out. Unpretentious and lip-smackin' good, though a bit too fiery for me, I guess it also brought back memories for my parents, aunts and uncles, who now often reminisce about 'those good ol' days'.

Indeed, the simple things in life sometimes bring us the most joy. I have a friend who spends quality time by himself every Sunday morning with a coffee, a doughnut and a good book. Another, rides a bus round Penang every weekend with his toddler daughter. For me, all I need is a travel magazine and either a pool or a beach.

In our harried lives, we often fail to slow down and smell the roses. Perhaps it's time to start doing so, one step at a time. Teh tarik anyone?

Auntie Mary's Curry Chicken.