Prosperous New (Tiger) Year ...

Firecrackers had been blasting since yesterday evening! Yesterday's evening the neighborhood streets were polluted with smoke, noise & papers as the firecrackers (albeit illegal) were lit all over the town! Some minor fireworks light up the sky - just gorgeous! So colorful! If only they would do it systematically, then the sky would be lit throughout the night! I love the fireworks!! As I am writing this blog now, the firecrackers & fireworks are blasting away & the occasional lightening of the sky!

The children love Chinese New Year; not so much due to the food but more to the 'red' packet or angpow distributed. The culture is to distribute to children or unmarried adult! ahmmmm ;)

Anna & her family with us. Ladies 1st & 3rd left are my staff & her daughter.

Early this morning at about 10:00 am, off I go to my bff house! I always enjoy visiting her, and I usually spent about an hour, testing all her food! Yeah, I am always the FIRST one - I am her food tester; and as usual - all my and Val's favourite food are served!! Unfortunately, I didn't take a picture of the food! Her satay was GREAT and of course we were silently served with some special dishes!! I always forget to take pictures; but I did remember to take a group photo - when half of family were already out the door!

The next stop was the SUPP or Visionary Team Open House at the Civic Center. My Sarakup ladies joined me there at about 11.30am.

Lion Dance .. mmm where's the Tiger?

The Rabbit watching the Lion! :)

Meeting of old friends.

Group picture with YB Dato Sri & Datin Sri Wong Soon Koh, YB Datuk Tiong Thai King & YB En. Vincent Goh & Sarakup EXCO/Members.

There were plentiful of food (Malay style) served in stalls - Beef in Black Sauce, Curry Chicken, Fried MeeHoon, Mandarin Oranges (a must fruit) and packet drinks. Just delicious! I didn't take much because I already had my fill at Anna's place! The disappointing thing for the children was that no ANGPOW was distributed! I wonder why? It reduces the festival mood; the amount is not important, but its the tradition/culture of the angpow that is what the children are looking for!

Thereafter, Val & I make stops at several other friends house - and we had to stop at one girlfriend's house because she always served the BEST cakes!! We visited her family for about 1 hour also; and I think we probably almost finish the entire serving of the cakes!! YEAH .. expect 1 kg of weight gain!

Tomorrow ... another round of visits!!