Showing posts with label CNY. Show all posts
Showing posts with label CNY. Show all posts
Chinese New Year 2013!
Finally, there's some time on hand for an update! Warning: it's going to be a long post.
The CNY (Chinese New Year) period this year was unexpectedly filled with heavy showers. It was pouring day in day out and it made travelling around really tough. Nonetheless, hope it didn't dampen anyone's festive mood! It sure didn't dampen mine ;-)
Chinese culture has always centred upon the value of togetherness as a family so evidently the reunion dinner is one of the most important meals of CNY. It usually takes place on the night of the eve where family/families (each household has their own traditions) gather together for a hearty meal and countdown. That pretty much explains the massive movement of humans in China during this period as everyone rushes back to the hometown with massive amount of presents, food and goodies for the family and relatives. It signifies reconnection with the loved ones.
My family used to make massive affairs out of the reunion dinner where our house will be packed to the brim with 30 over relatives of ours. My dad comes from a large family of 6 kids from the first mum and about another 5 from the second mum, so you can probably imagine. As my cousins grow up and have their own families as well, we started to downsize the gathering on CNY eve so it's not taxing on my mum who does most of the cooking.
As Hainanese, chicken rice and chicken is most probably a must, together with Hainan mixed vegetables. The rest are just fried stuff that we kiddos love to eat. Hahaha
Just in case there are readers from foreign countries/cultures, this is how a typical ang bao looks like. Ang bao (which means red packet in Hokkien) is usually given by married couples to single relatives. So for example if my younger cousin is married (and I'm not), she/he will have to give it to me. Hahaha. Depending on preference, we kiddos give it to our parents as well, as a form of good luck. It usually comes with money inside as sort of a blessing.
My cousin and his family. Super love this pair of siblings because they are such a friendly bunch and it's amazing how they look out and take care of each other. I mean I probably fought with my sister day in day out till we were post teenagers and we still do. Hahaha.
Super mischievous and always refuse to take a proper photo unless his dad (my uncle) made him do so:
"Smile showing your teeth, Chris":
"I want to play games":
He loves meddling with our phones and cameras and this is his shot of me using my Nikon V1:
"Smile with your eyes open, Chris":
"Take a photo with me, Chris":
Uncle and his family:
The CNY (Chinese New Year) period this year was unexpectedly filled with heavy showers. It was pouring day in day out and it made travelling around really tough. Nonetheless, hope it didn't dampen anyone's festive mood! It sure didn't dampen mine ;-)
Chinese culture has always centred upon the value of togetherness as a family so evidently the reunion dinner is one of the most important meals of CNY. It usually takes place on the night of the eve where family/families (each household has their own traditions) gather together for a hearty meal and countdown. That pretty much explains the massive movement of humans in China during this period as everyone rushes back to the hometown with massive amount of presents, food and goodies for the family and relatives. It signifies reconnection with the loved ones.
My family used to make massive affairs out of the reunion dinner where our house will be packed to the brim with 30 over relatives of ours. My dad comes from a large family of 6 kids from the first mum and about another 5 from the second mum, so you can probably imagine. As my cousins grow up and have their own families as well, we started to downsize the gathering on CNY eve so it's not taxing on my mum who does most of the cooking.
As Hainanese, chicken rice and chicken is most probably a must, together with Hainan mixed vegetables. The rest are just fried stuff that we kiddos love to eat. Hahaha
We ended the night with CNY celebratory programs and re-runs of Stephen Chow's lame movies. Trust me, it doesn't feel like it's CNY when you don't watch his movies! Hahaha.
DAY 1!!
Day 1 of this festive period usually involves visiting the most senior relatives from your dad's side. So we started off with our Grandaunt (who's the sister-in-law of my paternal grandfather). She's already mid 90s!
We started taking random photos of ourselves while waiting for my uncle to arrive:
Cheongsam from was Intoxiquette
I never knew I was THIS pale until my sister pointed out I'm the same shade as my nude heels (got them from Geox - super comfy!). Guess I'll need a tan soon.
Just in case there are readers from foreign countries/cultures, this is how a typical ang bao looks like. Ang bao (which means red packet in Hokkien) is usually given by married couples to single relatives. So for example if my younger cousin is married (and I'm not), she/he will have to give it to me. Hahaha. Depending on preference, we kiddos give it to our parents as well, as a form of good luck. It usually comes with money inside as sort of a blessing.
Camwhoring at home while waiting for the next visiting. Don't mind the mess in the background. It's still a little messy AFTER all that spring cleaning. Don't ask me why.
Then it's off to my Aunt's place to steamboat! She's one of the favourite persons to visit because of the amazing ingredients she always prepare for us. Hahahaha.
My cousin and his family. Super love this pair of siblings because they are such a friendly bunch and it's amazing how they look out and take care of each other. I mean I probably fought with my sister day in day out till we were post teenagers and we still do. Hahaha.
It's been soooooooo long since a baby appeared in our CNY gathering. Age range for the cousins on my dad's side of the family is pretty wide. The eldest cousin is 24 years older than me (which means in her 50s) and the youngest one is probably in upper primary (around 10-12 years old). So you can split us up into 3 categories where you have the much older ones, the middle ones (like my sister and I and some cousins within the 2-3 years age gap who have worked a a few years) and the little ones who are still schooling.
The older ones are all married with kids. My eldest niece is going university next year! :O The horror I swear. Hahaha. Among the middle category, only Kelvin is married. Hahaha. That's why we all counted on him to bring a baby into the extended family. Hahahaha. So so he did - presenting to you, the newest addition to the family, Isabelle!
We usually end the night pretty late on Day 1 as the kids snacked too much and the adults talk late into the night catching up with each other. This year, due to the addition of the baby, we decided to cut the night short so everyone could go home and rest.
DAY 2!
In Chinese traditions, the second day of CNY signifies going home to parents (if you are a married woman) for visitation. So we started the morning at my maternal granny's place.
It's hard for people who are not familiar with a mirrorless camera to help take a proper photo :( Think I'll bring the powershot for next year's gathering! :D
Dress from Love, Bonito!
Some old school photos
It's amazing how time just passed us by and most of those kiddos sitting on the floor are now full grown adults and some are already parents!
Post-granny's place is my uncle (dad's side)'s place. It's usually the most massive gathering we have during this period - involving around 15-20 families at least.
Just to give you an idea how many people we have on this side of the family, here you go:
This was a gathering we had at my cousin's restaurant at M Hotel to celebrate my uncle and aunt's wedding anniversary about 2 years back. Photographer had a hard time fitting all of us in. Haha.
This is my uncle with his family - he has 4 daughters and all of them are married with kids of their own:
This is the household that involves the highest number of ang bao exchanges and it drives most of the givers crazy because it's so confusing!
Situation is usually made worse when kids grow up really fast and you almost can't recognize them if you only see them once a year.
Mixture of cousins and nephews/nieces - they are almost always on the same age group (kids of the older cousins and the younger category cousins), it's most of the time mind boggling trying to remember everyone. Hahaha.
Niece and nephews: The little girl shares the same birthday as me! Hahaha well of course with 20 years of age gap inbetween. Hahahaha.
Nephews:
Cousins. They are my neighbours too! Hahaha
Cousin and nephew: Probably the most musically talented folks within the clan. One's a co-owner of Timbre Group who's a musician himself and my nephew who writes his own songs and recently just won 2nd prize (with Mr Popular to boot!) at a teenage model competition! Sooooo proud of them!
Bunch of nieces and nephews in the games room:
Cousin-in-law (mum of Isabelle) and cousin:
Cousin and sister:
Hugeee bunch of nieces/nephews and it's not even the full team yet!:
We ended the session at around late afternoon with our tummies full of yummies and bags full of money. I'm kidding, blessings :)
While my parents headed over to my Granduncle's place (which is yet another gathering that involves at least over 10-15 families), I paid a visit to 2 of my friend's homes where I was introduced Ban Luck (which is Black Jack) to Inbetween. I've never been much of a gambler so all these CNY games are relatively new to me. Haha. And no thank god didn't lose any money.
DAY 3!
Very seldom do our visitings last till Day 3 since public holiday usually last only till Day 2 in Singapore (China has it for the full 15 days if I remember correctly). Since Day 1 lands on a Sunday this year, Day 3 (Tuesday) becomes a public holiday!
We popped by my grandaunt's place (my mum's aunt) for lunch. My sister and I are big fans of her cooking. Probably more so on my side since she took care of me when I was a kid. Chicken is a must-have for the Hainanese! Hahaha
The age group is a little inverse for my mum's side of the relatives. I have uncles who are 5 years older than me and cousins who still in pre-school. Imagine the confusion when I go visiting every year!
My cousin - Chris. He's my favourite! Mainly because I am biased and have a soft spot for those big round eyes of his. Hahahaha. This little half-Thai boy is already 6 this year!
This is my youngest uncle (the younger bro of above-mentioned uncle). Totally can't tell he's already in his 30s. Hahaha.
"I want to play games":
He loves meddling with our phones and cameras and this is his shot of me using my Nikon V1:
"Smile with your eyes open, Chris":
"Take a photo with me, Chris":
Super cheeky! Hahaha. We always tell his dad he's going to grow up to be a heart-breaker. Hahaha. We'll see.
Chris with his mum:
Uncle and his family:
Kangcheng is now 18 months old! To think he was still a baby who needs to be carried around last year, this year he is a running terror now! Hahahaha.
Love it how he go "Happy New Year! Bao bao bao bao bao.." with his hands reaching out to ask for red packets. Hahaha. Super adorable.
Some people love Chinese New Year, some people don't. I happen to be the former. I aim to be more involved in these family gatherings moving forward! Like what my mum said, it's up to the next generation to upkeep the traditions to ensure all our cousins, kids, nephews/nieces grow up close to each other.
Happy Chinese New Year to all! Can't believe 2 weeks of awesomeness is going to end tomorrow!
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