Dried Shrimps Fried Mini Popiah, my all-time favourite Chinese New Year snack. I bought this for AUD$9 / RM27. I bought them from Wing Cheong local Asian grocer in Chinatown. I know it’s crazy, every bite of it makes me forget how quiet CNY is in Melbourne.

What’s your favourite Chinese New Year snack?

This is very Chinese indeed, most common to share dishes laid on the table in front of us. Everyone gets to dig into the dish to have a bite. Usually, for cleanliness sake, there is a spoon for every dish. This is good for variety and it is quite an interesting concept (not many Westerners can get used to) to establish communication within the big round table.

Something I crave for very often, is seafood because it’s generally more expensive in Melbourne. Whilst Josiah is not within my vicinity yet, I quickly savoured some before I get deprived of seafood as Josiah’s not a fan of seafood!

Of course I had to “attack” the head first. I know it’s kind of gross to have the head sitting on your plate of rice like that, but to me it’s really yummy!

Herbal steamed chicken.

Fried Kailan.

Egg Yolk Crabs.

Thankfully, I’m going for a pole-dance session here tomorrow so I get to exercise off the seafood in me!

Honestly, I’ve never had tangyuen before. It’s never been a family tradition.

Oh yum. Josiah, there are still some left for you!

Traditionally, the Dongzhi Festival is also a time for the family to get together. One activity that occurs during these get togethers is the making and eating of tangyuan (湯圓) or balls of glutinuous rice, which symbolize reunion. Tangyuan are made of glutinuous rice flour and sometimes brightly coloured. Each family member receives at least one large tangyuan in addition to several small ones. The flour balls may be plain or stuffed. They are cooked in a sweet soup or savoury broth with both the ball and the soup/broth served in one bowl. It is also often served with a mildly alcoholic unfiltered rice wine containing whole grains of glutinous rice (and often also Sweet Osmanthus flowers). (Source: Wikipedia)

My immediate family members and I went to support a charity organisation called Ray Of Hope, a joint social project of St.Peter’s Church, Ipoh and St.Augustine’s Church, Buntong, Ipoh. It is a nonprofit centre (since 2001) to train and help children with learning disabilities within the age group of 6 – 19 years old.

The charity dinner was in collaboration with Marche Restaurant at The Curve, PJ (Malaysia). 20% of sales for the day went to Ray Of Hope.

European market-style, you have a passport and you stamp whatever you order from stalls and pay at the checkout. Self-service.

The ambience is great with lots of Christmas decorations!

In fact, why is it that Kuala Lumpur has better Christmas ambience than in Melbourne? I wonder why!

My sister the poser queen Spent my last few days with her.

Everything is fresh!

You can queue up and wait 5 minutes for your food.

Food’s yummy, of course!

My family members.

Grilled salmon, mashed potatoes and some salad.

Garlic bruschetta and pesto.

Donations in exchange for balloons, anyone?

Love the waitresses’ cute outfits!

Ohhhhh scary!

My Godma, Datin Mary Yeoh, founder of Ray Of Hope.

She also led the carollers.

Joy to the world!!!

Bishop Ng Moon Hing.

Us sisters with Godparents Datuk Dr. Yeoh Beng San and Datin Mary Yeoh.

Love family dinners. Missed them a lot while I was in Melbourne. Though my sister and I are both married, we still come  together as a family once again like old times without the husbands. We’re mummy and daddy’s little girls once again.

My last two weeks had been quite hectic. I was rushing to get all my office work done. A week before I left for Malaysia, I had already packed. I didn’t have clothes on me, knowing that I would be doing massive shopping back in Malaysia since the time was right. My luggage was filled with Xmas presents for my immediate family and friends getting married.

On Friday, I rushed for a client meeting, and returned to the office at 3pm, rushed off work at 5pm to start getting made-up for a pole-dance performance (Xmas showcase) from 7pm-9pm before rushing off to the airport right afterwards for 1am flight.

On flight, I did not get much sleep because the little kid behind me kept kicking my seat, screamed and cried like mad and took turns with this old guy on my right who snored. It was an orchestra, while this other Chinese kid kept clearing his dry throat. In fact, the baby sitting right next to me was so good (phew).

I reached LCCT Malaysia looking like a zombie-brought-to-life!

Rested at my sis’s for a bit before having the ultimate chilli garlic pan mee!

Then, rushed for a make-up session with Su Ying for CT’s Hen’s Night.

On Monday, my parents and I chilled out and had a full body massage. I still have bruises on my back from the much effort put into releasing my muscle tension. Gosh!

Today, it was just my sister and I, just like old days. We invaded Kota Damansara boutiques, apparently cheaper than those you can find in Bangsar. I believe so!

Just like old times.

What’s ahead of me. One more day to relax before a full on two-weeks including Josiah’s media engagements, Josiah’s award ceremonies, one more hen’s night and two weddings for me. We’ve got more errands to run too like check-ups and etc.

We’re trying to meet all our friends but family comes first and the last I remembered from early this year – exhausting myself and eventually falling sick. Not going down that path again! If I couldn’t meet my friends, surely it’s not the end of the world.

Good night. I hope you are well and in the Xmas mood.

Coming up:
- CT’s Hen’s Night
- Pole Divas Prahran Xmas Showcase 2010