Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts
On being Hainanese
Being a Hainanese hasn't always been something special to me. Most of my friends don't belong to the dialect group and somehow picking up Hokkien was always a lot cooler back in school. Nonetheless, I've grown up to countless stories of how "pure" my bloodline is as a Hainanese (both my parents are pure Hainanese, which yes translates to having 4 grandparents who comes from the dialect group) and how embarrassing it is that despite growing up in a household where both parents and relatives converse in the language whenever they meet, I can't even complete a proper sentence.
The only time I would excitedly talk about my dialect group would be when my friends rave nonstop about Hainanese chicken rice. "Hey my ancestors came up with this!". Hahaha.
I never understood why my parents were always excited to meet another fellow Hainanese. It happened all throughout my childhood and into my adult years. Sometimes basing just on my friend's surname, they would go "Hainanese?" and I usually go "Really does it matter???"
Well until my sister decided to google around famous Hainanese in Singapore and came across this article. I identified alot with the writer's sentiments. That throughout our childhoods, we were constantly reminded of our heritage. And how our parents and relatives insist we must visit Hainan Island at least once in our lifetime. Education was also something that was emphasized strongly within the clan. "We came from a family of provincial government officials and scholars, and that is why most of your uncles are professors or teachers", was what my mother used to say.
This article brings up the conversation I had with my sister, about saving up to take the whole family to Hainan Island sometime this year or next. Our parents, are after all, growing old and we had barely traveled much together as a family.
"You know, we would go back to the island and find out more about cousins and uncles we never knew. And maybe find out why we look pan-asian!" my sister said. Hahaha. All we know is our dad got his pan-asian looks from my grandma. She passed away when he was 10 years old so we never saw her before except in old faded photos. He mentioned she doesn't know much about her roots either as births weren't as well documented back then.
Alas, the mystery of our roots!
The article reminded me I came from a minority dialect group and I have equal parts duty to ensure I carry on as much of the culture as possible. Maybe it's time I pick up the language from my parents and also plan that trip to Hainan Island! :)
The only time I would excitedly talk about my dialect group would be when my friends rave nonstop about Hainanese chicken rice. "Hey my ancestors came up with this!". Hahaha.
I never understood why my parents were always excited to meet another fellow Hainanese. It happened all throughout my childhood and into my adult years. Sometimes basing just on my friend's surname, they would go "Hainanese?" and I usually go "Really does it matter???"
Well until my sister decided to google around famous Hainanese in Singapore and came across this article. I identified alot with the writer's sentiments. That throughout our childhoods, we were constantly reminded of our heritage. And how our parents and relatives insist we must visit Hainan Island at least once in our lifetime. Education was also something that was emphasized strongly within the clan. "We came from a family of provincial government officials and scholars, and that is why most of your uncles are professors or teachers", was what my mother used to say.
This article brings up the conversation I had with my sister, about saving up to take the whole family to Hainan Island sometime this year or next. Our parents, are after all, growing old and we had barely traveled much together as a family.
"You know, we would go back to the island and find out more about cousins and uncles we never knew. And maybe find out why we look pan-asian!" my sister said. Hahaha. All we know is our dad got his pan-asian looks from my grandma. She passed away when he was 10 years old so we never saw her before except in old faded photos. He mentioned she doesn't know much about her roots either as births weren't as well documented back then.
Alas, the mystery of our roots!
The article reminded me I came from a minority dialect group and I have equal parts duty to ensure I carry on as much of the culture as possible. Maybe it's time I pick up the language from my parents and also plan that trip to Hainan Island! :)
A month in summary
The last few weeks have been a whirlwind of dinners, meetups, more dinners and well you get the idea. It's after all MY birthday season! Hahaha. Well everyday is supposed to a celebration anyway, isn't it ;)
It's already (gasp) December 16! 9 days to Christmas and 15 days till a brand new year. Time is jetting me by at crazy speed and I'm pretty sure it's the same for the rest of you :)
The view at Level 33 is amazing. The skies were clear that night and the view of Singapore's skyline was breathtaking. That being said, the microbrewery's beer (so much for being a brewhouse!) is not quite up to mark. Well I guess with a view like that, it doesn't really matter! Hahaha.
It's already (gasp) December 16! 9 days to Christmas and 15 days till a brand new year. Time is jetting me by at crazy speed and I'm pretty sure it's the same for the rest of you :)
I actually have yet to do a proper update for a month! Well minus the filler posts inbetween. Hahaha. People who knows me well have full knowledge that I'm terrible at remembering anything. So I can only look through my iPhone photos and try to remember what happened to me in the last few weeks.
Dinner at Fika (Swedish restaurant) @ Arab Street with the girls! (Oh remember the day I met my Angel who appeared right when I needed her to shelter me with an umbrella).
Absolutely love this bunch of girls - we have been through 10 years and its amazing we are still the same bunch of crazy people. Love you girlies! :) And yes, I cannot wait for Hidayah and Joyce to get married :)
There was the ultimate KFC/Pizza gathering with the JC folks at Evelyn's house. One year on and so much have changed! Bro has proposed to his long time girlfriend and Evelyn and Jeremy are now parents! :)
Don't mind the candles - it was a very feeble attempt to get all romantic and stuff. We ended the night with Argo and major plans to hike Mt Kinabalu next year (together with Fireflies forest and river rafting). Cannot.wait.man!
Don't mind the candles - it was a very feeble attempt to get all romantic and stuff. We ended the night with Argo and major plans to hike Mt Kinabalu next year (together with Fireflies forest and river rafting). Cannot.wait.man!
There was the dinner at RedDot Dempsey and drinks at Level 33 with an excellent view of Singapore.Food at RedDot was good. Or maybe the crowd was great and hence overall everything was great. Haha.
I actually can't remember in details what I ate there, except for pizza, a really delicious salmon avocado salad (you know how I hate salads but this is really nice) and too much spicy wings. And you should be able to tell by now I would fail terribly as a food critic or blogger or whatever. Eating is one of my core skills, writing about them is not. Hurhur.
The view at Level 33 is amazing. The skies were clear that night and the view of Singapore's skyline was breathtaking. That being said, the microbrewery's beer (so much for being a brewhouse!) is not quite up to mark. Well I guess with a view like that, it doesn't really matter! Hahaha.
And then there was the dinner at Keong Saik Snacks:
It's a nice quaint little dining place off Keong Saik road and serves.. well really good food but in super small portions. I don't deny the food tasted good, but it's so overpriced for its serving size! That cup of fries (to be honest tasted OKAYYYY) cost $6! Pretty sure I could have polished that off in like under a minute. My Jason's Very Hotdog is probably the most filling thing on the menu and costed around $19. I probably won't visit again unless I feel like I have a lot of spare cash to spend.
We moved over to the bar, which is just next door. It's called The Library and you would need to get password of the day from Keong Saik Snacks. I presume they share the same owner since they share the same menu for bar snacks. The password for the day was Candy Cane but I first heard it as Tender Gay. I repeated it (loudly may I add...) like 4 times before the server realized I got it wrong. It was really awkward. Hahaha.
After verifying you and your group of friends have the right password, the lady will point to the bookshelf and you are supposed to pull the shelf open. Alas! Behind the bookshelf is a tucked away bar (sits around maybe 20-30 people?). It's really dark so be careful when you first enter and give your eyes some time to adjust. They have really some really cute drinks (which are quite overpriced as well). I had a non-alcoholic one called Daddy's Pink Shirt - taste like pink lemonade.
Juju came home last weekend and threw a party at Grandma's. It's been some time since we had a celebration at Grandma's. Ever since Grandpa passed away 5 years ago, she didn't want any form of celebrations at home, not even her birthday.
Thanks Juju for making the effort and it was a really good get-together with everyone in the family and extended family :)
I'm pretty sure there were a few more dinners like the one at the Ramen place in Raffles City (I can't even remember the name..), La Cantine (their baby quich and truffle fries are to die for), L'opretta (will write about that soon!), copious servings of desserts at Canele, drinks at Harry's (mini fish and chips are awesome), lunches at Wee Nam Kee (god I can never get tired of eating chicken rice) and many more.
It's a miracle I can still fit into my clothes.
Inbetween all these meals, I caught Argo twice, had a free ticket to SPH's preview of The Hobbit, had too many office parties and put my hand up to be Wendy's helper on the ROM day. Now I just hope my new gown gets delivered on time. If not, I will wear my second choice(s) - the purple Geek goddess dress or the pink short toga one. HMMM. Choices choices! No harm storing that many gowns in the wardrobe since I have tons of weddings coming up. Hurhur.
Now I have to go work on my year end post (so many things to reflect on and so many resolutions for the coming year!) and many more stuff to clear off my table for work.
Life has been really really good to me and there are so many things to be thankful for every single day. Thank you all the lovelies in my life and a huge thank you to the higher powers above! :)
F1 Weekend!
This is such a belated post. I'm totally up to my eyeballs with work on weekdays and catching up with my friends on weekends (lest I become friendless by the end of the year haha). Healthy lifestyle is me these days - sleeping before 11pm on weekdays and sometimes even earlier on weekends! Hahaha. The downside is I end up waking up really early and annoying everyone at home that is. Hurhur.
Maybe I will pick up cycling soon (besides my crazy Yoga and Pilates classes) so I can take my overwhelming energy levels elsewhere. Hahaha.
Okay, back to the F1 weekend.
As discussed earlier, I was extremely lucky to secure some room nights at one of the hotels along the F1 track for free! Well actually it is for work but who cares haha. The only downside is we have to change rooms every night but seriously small price to pay! Hurhur. Decided to bring the family over since it's always better to share the fun right :)
Maybe I will pick up cycling soon (besides my crazy Yoga and Pilates classes) so I can take my overwhelming energy levels elsewhere. Hahaha.
Okay, back to the F1 weekend.
As discussed earlier, I was extremely lucky to secure some room nights at one of the hotels along the F1 track for free! Well actually it is for work but who cares haha. The only downside is we have to change rooms every night but seriously small price to pay! Hurhur. Decided to bring the family over since it's always better to share the fun right :)
View of the track from our room:
The nightview is amazinggggggggggggg. Such a blessing to be able to fall asleep to this view :)
Brought the parents out for dinner at Jack's Place (one of those restaurants far away enough to avoid all that F1 noise hahaha). It's always nice to pamper your parents:
We went out for a nice stroll around the Marina Bay area after dinner and spotted some nice locations which had great view of F1! Haha who need tickets! Haha.
Our room for Day 2! It didn't have a great view of the track like Day 1 but nonetheless! Still a nice room hurhur:
Decided to bring the parents out for Thai dinner (oooo how we love Thai food) at Siam Kitchen. Suntec City was so quiet for such a happening weekend! :(
As my mum put it: "One day you are just going to regret all that ugly shots of yourself". Oh well.
Went wandering around Marina Square and caught crowds of people trying to capture F1. I guess it's just me but it's always so much more fun being outside the circuit (well unless I get pitstop tickets!) just having fun with random strangers trying to catch the best view of those crazily loud cars :)
Even with earplugs, the noise proved too much for my parents to handle so we made our way back after loitering around the area for almost an hour.
Started Day 3 with a nice breakfast with my sister at Coffee & Toast (sadly this whole area has a rather depressingly small number of options for breakfast) while my parents ate breakfast in the hotel. I'm honestly quite sick of hotel breakfast because of the nature of my work so I'm happier eating something OUTSIDE. If only they serve fried carrot cake in the morning! GAH. I made do with chee cheong fan and my sister had mee siam. Haha.
We sent our parents home after breakfast as my mum missed her plants and goldfishes and my dad misses his own bed. Hahaha. So I followed them home to grab some working clothes and went back to the hotel again. Had the room all to myself! As the renovation team has yet to release the last batch of rooms, I requested to stay in the same room I had for Day 2. It's still much nicer to watch F1 on TV (with all the birdeye views and stuff) I guess.
Okay that wraps up my awesome F1 weekend! :) Can't be more grateful for those free room nights and precious weekend spent with the family. It was a short staycation but hey it was so so so fun :)
Just an update :)
Hahaha my friend asked if I'm playing the low profile thing these days. NOOOO. Just really busy. Hurhur.
How's everyone's weekend? Mine was the bomb.
Mainly because I get to spend the F1 weekend (it's in Singapore this week) at one of the hotels along the track FOR FREE!!!! It's actually a work-related stay but I had to bring my parents and sister along so everyone could have a little F1 craze and enjoy the newly renovated rooms of this hotel!! It sure is icing on the cake that the parents really enjoyed this little staycation :)
Will post up photos and write more about it next week! :) It's really tough browsing through photos without a damn mouse. Shall spend the last bit of Sunday to soak up the city's awesome skyline and enjoy the all the cable channels before the hectic week at work commence again next week (another round of budget review!).
Till then :)
How's everyone's weekend? Mine was the bomb.
Mainly because I get to spend the F1 weekend (it's in Singapore this week) at one of the hotels along the track FOR FREE!!!! It's actually a work-related stay but I had to bring my parents and sister along so everyone could have a little F1 craze and enjoy the newly renovated rooms of this hotel!! It sure is icing on the cake that the parents really enjoyed this little staycation :)
Will post up photos and write more about it next week! :) It's really tough browsing through photos without a damn mouse. Shall spend the last bit of Sunday to soak up the city's awesome skyline and enjoy the all the cable channels before the hectic week at work commence again next week (another round of budget review!).
Till then :)
7th month
In the Chinese culture, 7th month of the lunar calendar (generally one month behind the Gregorian Calendar) signifies the Hungry Ghost Festival. It's a month of many taboos and parents will tell you scary stories of consequences of trimming your nails late in the night, staying out late, wearing red underwear and many more.
One of the things my family does during this month is the burning of joss papers. It has always been one of my favourite activities for the month. Besides it being a bonding thing, like how we would chat while burning all the stuff that my mum painstakingly fold, personally I love burning things a lot. HAHA.
One of the things my family does during this month is the burning of joss papers. It has always been one of my favourite activities for the month. Besides it being a bonding thing, like how we would chat while burning all the stuff that my mum painstakingly fold, personally I love burning things a lot. HAHA.
I asked for permission before taking the shot. Just in case ;)
Glorious Sunday
Happy Monday everyone! Hope the weekend was awesome for all :)
The cousin (Juju) came back from Australia over the weekend, and damnnnnn it's good to know her new environment hasn't changed her a single bit. LOL. Ok except for her skin, it sure has gotten better ever since she moved down under.
The cousin (Juju) came back from Australia over the weekend, and damnnnnn it's good to know her new environment hasn't changed her a single bit. LOL. Ok except for her skin, it sure has gotten better ever since she moved down under.
Good food is always the main focus of our family gatherings, best if it involves Juju coming back home. Hurhur. It would usually mean REALLY good food. LOL. Nothing beats a table of awesome dinner (Singaporean style) with your very loved ones:
Juju is now back in Australia - I'm sure she will be missing all this real soon. And we should really all consider visiting her down under and have a holiday at the same time. Hurhur :)
Elephants in my wardrobe
My sister just got back from her Bangkok trip. And she got me 2 elephant shirts.
Coupled with the other elephant shirt she got me from Phuket a few years back, I now have 3 elephants in my wardrobe.
Coupled with the other elephant shirt she got me from Phuket a few years back, I now have 3 elephants in my wardrobe.
Blogged from my iPhone
Grandma's love
My cousin is leaving to Australia for good next month :( So granny cooked all her favourite dishes yesterday! We also came to the realization the whole extended family hasn't sat down for a full round table dinner for at least a decade!
Blogged from my iPhone
Curry Love
One thing good about nua-ing at home while hunting for jobs - I get to spend more time with my parents.
I had an enriching afternoon with my mum over afternoon tea and dinner preparations. Chat so much while onions were chopped and potatoes peeled!
I had an enriching afternoon with my mum over afternoon tea and dinner preparations. Chat so much while onions were chopped and potatoes peeled!
End result: Absolutely delicious curry chicken!
Blogged from my iPhone
Labrador-inspired love
Cousin J: Anyone wants to 养小狗!
Cousin J sends an image
Cousin J: They are less than 3 months old.. Needs a lot of love and a good home.
Sister: So cute
Sister: Bring to Grandma house!
Cousin XW: Where are they from?
Cousin J: From Jurong Island. Healthy, cute and can develop your daughter's 爱心.
Cousin B: We atas, no champion breed, we not interested hor.
Me: HAHA.
Cousin J: KNS leh all of them look like Labradors ok!
Me: Cousin B elitist.
Cousin J: It's Labrador-Inspired ok!
Me: LOL!
PS: The little black one in the second picture is called Sirius. Apparently, they have been abandoned by their mommy and really needs a home. They risk getting crushed by to death by big trucks at Jurong Island as they are left unattended. Anyone interested? :)
Cousin J sends an image
Cousin J: They are less than 3 months old.. Needs a lot of love and a good home.
Sister: So cute
Sister: Bring to Grandma house!
Cousin XW: Where are they from?
Cousin J: From Jurong Island. Healthy, cute and can develop your daughter's 爱心.
Cousin B: We atas, no champion breed, we not interested hor.
Me: HAHA.
Cousin J: KNS leh all of them look like Labradors ok!
Me: Cousin B elitist.
Cousin J: It's Labrador-Inspired ok!
Me: LOL!
PS: The little black one in the second picture is called Sirius. Apparently, they have been abandoned by their mommy and really needs a home. They risk getting crushed by to death by big trucks at Jurong Island as they are left unattended. Anyone interested? :)
Chinese New Year 2012 - Reunion Dinner!
Besides Christmas, Chinese New Year has got to the other festival that I look forward to every year! I know, you are going to say I'm saying it because I haven't got that famed "When are you getting married?" question. Wrong! I do. Hahaha.
Just that I've been telling my relatives since years ago it will take a longgggg time so don't bother asking me. Hahaha ;-)
I love it when my mum makes her awesome chicken rice every year! :))) Salivating just thinking about it! Love the fried prawns too!! :)))
Just that I've been telling my relatives since years ago it will take a longgggg time so don't bother asking me. Hahaha ;-)
I love it when my mum makes her awesome chicken rice every year! :))) Salivating just thinking about it! Love the fried prawns too!! :)))
I was too hungry to take photos of all the food. So that's it for now! Hahaha
Happy Chinese New Year everyone! :)))
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