2009 Chinese New Year, 26-27 Jan 2009

Happy Chinese Year, folks !

Must Have Foods for Chinese New Year

The Chinese community has always been regarded as the world's most notorious food eaters !

Come Chinese New Year, they have come up with various reasons for laying food on the table. And the food picking have very much to do with wealth, health and happiness :)

A few must have(s) are:

1) Lettuce - lettuce in Chinese sounds like 'making money'
2) Lettuce roll (Spring roll) - the action of wrapping food in lettuce leaves carries the meaning of 'Definitely having a baby soon', good for newly-weds.
3) Seaweed - the special hair-like seaweed sounds like 'Get Rich'
4) Bamboo shoot - indicates 'New Start', also means 'Advancing in Career'
5) Fish - this is a must in every New Year meals as it indicates 'Having leftovers of Money'
6) Prawns - the pronunciation of prawns in Chinese sounds like the laughing sound, and thus carries the meaning 'Happiness'
6) Abalone - carries the meaning 'Definite Good Fortune'
7) Lotus seeds - carries the meaning 'Getting Many Siblings'
8) Walnut - carries the meaning 'Happiness of the Entire Family'
9) Cashew Nuts - its shape symbolises the 'Gold Bar' of ancient times
10) Mandarin oranges - its pronunciation sounds like 'Gold'

Here the Star has a very insightful article ... http://thestar.com.my/health/story.asp?file=/2009/1/25/health/3063686&sec=health

There is mention of the -

1) Yee Sang

2) Mee Suah (Rice Noodles)

3) Nien Gao

4) Love Letters

5) Spring Roll

6) Seafood - Fish, Prawns, Oysters

7) Meat

8) Mandarin Oranges

Bon Appétit, everyone :)

Rank The World's Tallest Tower Contest

Of late my Mummy has introduced yogurt to me and so far, even though with my history with cow's milk allergy, I am doing very well with Fernleaf Calciyum. http://www.fonterra.com.my/

Recently, starting 1 Dec 2008, there is a Fernleaf "CalciYum Rank The World's Tallest Tower" Contest http://offerstation.com/contest-prizes/26489/fernleaf-calciyum-rank-the-worlds-tallest-tower-contest.htm

I guess from the pic which I posted up, you will be able to find the answers to the questions asked in the said competition.

Give the competition a try and what more, your Mummy and Papa will be buying you more of Fernleaf Calciyum to obtain the entry forms. Heh ! Heh ! and Yum ! Yum !

Rain Rain Go Away

Rain, rain, go away,
Come again some other day,
We want to go outside and play,
Come again some other day.


Do you sing this on rainy days ?

The Meaning of Hong Baos

A 红包 (Hong Bao) is simply a red-colored envelope or packet with money in it, and decorated with lucky symbols, which symbolizes life, wealth, happiness and good luck.

During Chinese New Year, red packets are traditionally handed out to younger generation by their parents, grand parents, relatives, and even close neighbors and friends.

Red packets are given as a wish for good luck from married elders to children. And all those who are not married will receive red packets. Those who are still collecting hong baos till this day say “Yay !”

Few helpful tips when receiving a hong bao:
1) Never, never open red packets in front of the elders. It’s a sign of disrespect!
2) Don’t think that you get to keep ALL your hong boas. Sometimes, our parents make us "regurgitate" the money which we received back. They will change the hong bao packet and return the money to the giver. Humph ! Kill joy.

3) Please be smart and keep the bills and not only the coins from your hong baos. My mummy was once so dumb that she threw away the dollar bill that came in a hong bao and kept the coin. Stupid !

Gong Xi Fa Cai. Hong Bao Nah Lai !

Chinese New Year 2009 - Year of the Golden Bull

Chinese communities around the world will celebrate the Chinese New Year on 26 January 2009 this year. And it is said that this new lunar year will be the year of the Golden Bull.

Locally, it has been reported that our shopping malls are coming to live again with lovely decorations of cherry blossoms and bright red lanterns.

http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2009/1/12/central/2976469&sec=central

On the gastronomy side, Chinese folks are gearing up to have "lou sang" or "yee sang" which is raw fish salad. This dish is considered a symbol of abundance, prosperity and vigor, which usually consists of strips of raw fish (popularly salmon), mixed with shredded vegetables and a variety of sauces and condiments, among other ingredients.

To dress the yee sang, sweet sour plum sauce with a drizzle of oil, lime juice, five spice powder and a dash of white pepper will be used to pour over the Yee Sang. Each and every of this exquisite ingredients has a special meaning or a symbol of good meaning -

1) crackers represents happiness

2) peanuts and sesame seeds signify harvest

3) oil represents wealth

4) pamelo stands for good luck

The concoction of red, orange, green, gold, white and brown colour of the Yee Sang makes the dish a colourful feast for everyone to savour.

Then everyone is expected to "lou" high, high and shouting out good things and wishes. Mummy's favorite phrase has "less work and more pay" ... hmmm, would that materialize this year as she has been on salary cut ?

Color My Life

I am into coloring a lot these few days. Have been practising my pencil holding skills; scribbling and doodling a lot.

Various options for me to practise my new skill via paper, scrap book, notes book, magazines, newspapers, books, floors, tables, walls ... errr, and many more.

I like going to Neng-Ngu's house because I can take Khor-khor's and Cheh-chehs' very nice and huge color pencils to draw with. Once I drew on Neng-Ngu's wall and Mah-Mah said that I should thank my lucky stars for not being spanked by Neng-Ngu .... oooooh :>

And by the way, it is said that pencils do not cause lead poisoning. Apparently, there is no "lead" in lead pencils. Pencil "lead"(s) are said to be made of graphite, which is a form of carbon and does not cause any health problems.

Then again, I don't think we should take a slack approach when it comes to China made stationeries. Just be careful la.

Here are some leading brand names of color pencils:
Steadtler http://www.staedtler.com.my/Noris_Club_coloured_pencil_eng.Staedtler?ActiveID=30999

Swan Stabilo http://www.stabilo.com/pages-com/paint-draw/kids.php

Last night I tried being a little more artistic, I tried out Mummy's eye shadow on my eyes :) ... and got chased out of the room ... Adults ! I tell you, you can never figure 'em out ! Huumph ...

A Hidden Treasure - the Cross of Jesus Christ

Mummy got a gift from her workmate today - it was a metal cross similar to the shown picture.

Then Aunty Eng reminded Mummy of a very old song which they sang as teenagers in school - "God Answers Prayers".

There the song lyrics are here:

Did you ever talk to God above?
Tell Him that you need a friend to love.
Pray in Jesus’ name believing
that God answers prayer.

Have you told Him all your cares and woes?
Every tiny little fear He knows.
You can know He’ll always hear
And He will answer prayer.

You can whisper in a crowd to Him.
You can cry when you’re alone to Him.
You don’t have to pray out loud to Him;
He knows your thoughts.

On a lofty mountain peak, He’s there.
In a meadow by a stream, He’s there.
Anywhere on earth you go,
He’s been there from the start.

Find the answer in His Word; it’s true.
You’ll be strong because He walks with you.
By His faithfulness He’ll change you, too.
God answers prayer.

Any Aunties or Uncles out there remembered this song ?

Saving for a Rainy Day

It is important to set aside money. Usually people put aside money for emergencies.

This year however, despite the effects of the global economic crisis, it is still crucial to save.

We are advised to at least have enough savings to cover 3-months of rent and expenses. And if possible, set aside at least 25% of our income each year for emergencies or big purchases, and in my case education.

Although it is not always possible to meet the saving goals above, the best way to start is to start saving a little at a time. So stash aside some money for your savings ...

Do you know that most banks offer a better savings rate for children's savings account ? And interests in Children's Savings Accounts are calculated on daily basis, and credited on a monthly or 6-monthly basis into the accounts.

Here are the offerings available:

- Maybank Yippie Savings Account http://www.maybank2u.com.my/

- CIMB Children's Savings Account http://www.cimbbank.com.my/index.php?ch=subch_personal_dps&pg=pg_dps_cs&ac=3&tpt=cimb_bank

- EON Bank Smart Junior Savings Account http://www.eonbank.com.my/consumer/deposits/saving_smartjunior.shtml

- Alliance Bank AllianceSave ManjaKu http://www.alliancebank.com.my/alliancesavemanjaku_ovw.html and AllianceSave Pendidikan http://www.alliancebank.com.my/alliancesavependidikan_ovw.html

- Hong Leong Bank

http://www.hlb.com.my/pfs/dep/depjsa_f.jsp?flag=depjsa_f

- Arab-Malaysian Savings Account
http://www.ambg.com.my/personal/depositinvestments/savingsacct/ambanksavingsacctcomparison.asp

- Affin Bank Tiny-Tycoons http://www.affinbank.com.my/banking/condeposit/continy.htm

- Bank Raykat Nuri Savings Account-i http://www.bankrakyat.com.my/simpanannuri

- Bank Pertanian Malaysia Simpanan Patriot http://www.bpm.com.my/article.cfm?id=98

- RHB Bank Junior Savings Account http://www.rhbbank.com.my/personal/deposits/junior_acc.shtm

- Bank Simpanan Nasional Kelab Penabung Muda
http://www.bsn.com.my/simpanan/kpmdefinisikelebihan.asp

- Standard Chartered Bank Young Savers Account http://www.standardchartered.com.my/personal-banking/deposits/savings-account/en/

- OCBC Bank Young Savers Account http://www.ocbc.com.my/personal-banking/banking/MY_Banking_Deposit_Saving_YoungSaver.shtm?bcid=M1_C1_S1_P4

- UOB Bank Fun Savers Account http://www1.uob.com.my/webpages/p_deposits_FunSavers_Account.htm

Al-Rajhi Bank Mudha http://www.alrajhibank.com.my/

And of course there is the National Higher Education Fund Corporation http://www.ptptn.gov.my/web/english/savings where you can get your Papa or Mummy to save for you and they can be exempted from taxes of up to a savings amount of RM3,000.00 a year.

The above is just a list of available options, sharing about them in this blog is not to be perceived as promoting them.

Some of these options are also offered in the Islamic Banking form (depending on the banks).

So, please tell your Papa and Mummy to start saving today - "Sedikit-sedikit lama-lama menjadi bukit" :D

What's In a Name

Well I have been thinking and you know what ? Both Mummy and me have food retailers' names ! Heh ! Heh ! Heh!

Wendy's is being brought back. The Berjaya Group has obtained rights to operate Wendy's Restaurant franchise in Malaysia. Wendy's was an attempt in the 1980s which did not work out. Now it is said that Berjaya Group hopes to open 70 Wendy's outlets throughout Malaysia in the next 10 years. http://www.sunwaypyramid.com/tenants/wendy/

As for Denise, it is a very fast growing wine shop chain here in Malaysia. It is said to have its origins in Singapore and now have expanded up here. http://www.denisewine.com/index.asp

There you have it, wines and fast food !

So tell me what's your name ? :P