The Year of the Water Dragon

Ah.. Chinese New Year - the only time of the year where I feel obliged to go back home, even though I yearn to take a trip out of Malaysia during that festive period. Alas, family traditions never die, and well ... I don't really want to receive a bundle full of nagging the next time I head home.

ANYWAY, it has always been great going home, somewhat. This time, in particular, I am extremely glad that I have Ipoh to call my home town. If you were born and bred in a small town/valley surrounded by mountains and greenery, then have to spend 4 years (and counting) in a chaotic concrete jungle of shopping malls, too-many skyscrappers and mad traffic, you will empathize with my need for Nature (or not).

I can't help gazing at the clear blue skies with marshmallow-candy floss clouds and the sight of limestone mountains every time I drove around town or look out my window. Where I stay right now in the Klang Valley, I see a shopping mall right outside my bedroom window - pain in the eye!

However, I am pretty agitated by the newly built hotel on the left of the road, at the junction exiting the highway near Bercham. Imagine this, you are enjoying the wonderful scenic view, doing a 180° panoramic scan from left to right, when all of a sudden this tall building stands out awkward from no where, obstructing your sight. #$*@&$# !!!

My younger sister came across this article and linked on my wall - Our Perak MB wants DCA to lift the ban towards construction of tall buildings in Ipoh. What the dickens? *protests* I say, do NOT lift the ban. Preserve Ipoh's natural beauty.

-Post diverting back to CNY-

In a nut shell, CNY for me is family time, food, and 6th Form Class Reunion (if a group of them is available). I am not really into routines, and I doubt my sisters are too; hence we utilize every single brain cell to brainstorm ideas to keep ourselves constantly entertained. At our relatives' house, we only have a camera and five natural-born entertainers who are working/studying in the wrong field.

Playing with our cousin's camera's panoramic feature 

Not forgetting, the signature 'jumping shots'. Though, we might be doing and impromptu dance routine in these photos (below), you never know.

 

 

 

 

The first two days of CNY were spent eating, visiting, eating, watching the Australian Open with the family, and eat again. Yup! I hardly took any photos because there were two cameras snapping away, so I was technically just plain L.A.Z.Y.

One will reach a certain age when receiving red packets/money do not matter much during CNY. Maybe for the majority, that happens when they get married (and have to be the one giving out ang pows instead. haha!). The only significant thing for me during CNY is seeing the whole family around, and taking our annual (paternal) family portrait.

Outfit Day #1: Lace-top (OB Couture), Tank (Cotton On),
Red skirt (Tailored/Mum's), Flatforms (Vincci),
Necklace (Bugis), Bangles (flea market), Sunnies (MBK)

Dinner Outfit Day #2: Retro-lace Dress (Kitschen),
Flatforms (Vincci), Necklace (Bugis)

Tip on shopping for CNY: Avoid buying tight-fitting clothes. It may look good on you before purchasing; but after three days of reunion luncheons/dinners, you might notice some unwanted bulges. Best option is a loose-fitting dress or top. Works every time, even for Christmas! Ace!!

Family photo

Paternal Family

Grandmother and her Grandchildren

Ate so much during the course of two months (this includes Yogyakarta and Vietnam) that I got so sick of food yesterday. Plus, I need to get back my lean body in time for our dance concert scheduled in July. Blah! Liquid diet all the way, and yoga - anyone?? Some weekend hiking will do too!

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Every year since I left high school, my 6th Form classmates will gather at least once to celebrate our 'reunion'. Got to thank our ex-monitor, Jared, for putting in extra effort to get everyone together (even though our last gathering had 3 turnouts!). I am secretly glad that my classmates are quite grounded people themselves, and there were no crazy party reunions - my liver might suffer from alcohol intoxication! We had lunch, and pai lin-ed at Yan Hua's house, ended with some card game that got Jun Bon soaked in his own sweat. Whao!

The Crew @ William IX