.....times of refreshing.....

My CNY was a bit different than previous years and it's another first. Due to my kid who needed to attend school last Friday, my wife and I decided to spent the reunion dinner at my in-law's place. This is my first time spending CNY away from my parents as well as at my in-law's place.

I started my journey only on New Year's eve around 1pm. It was not a good start as I was stuck in the jam for almost 3 hours from Skudai till Ayer Hitam, where usually it took me 1 hour. And after the jam, heavy rain started pouring for a while till after Yong Peng. Then, it was a smooth drive all the way as the highway started to lesser and lesser vehicles. Probably it was late and majority of the folks were back home. We reached Seremban around 6pm+.

It was quite rush as I didn't really take a bath for the reunion dinner and once we reached, and rested for a short while, we are on our way to the restaurant. The food was so-so only and quite humble. Anyway, it was a great night.

Yee Sang...of course the first dish in the menu and a must to have....

after mixing all the ingredients...

and toss.... huat ah...

The appetiser

'Shark fins'  ....

Mushrooms and vegetables

The first three dishes....all came out together. Probably, the restaurant wanted to rush a bit...hehehe

Steam fish

Fried prawns

Glutinous rice with gingko nuts

Longan dessert

I was quite tired after the dinner but then, I stayed up quite late, as my in-laws usually does that during every CNY. I will be back Ipoh soon for a short while before going home to JB to wrap up my CNY celebrations.

Family portrait on CNY's eve...

Happy Chinese New Year, folks!

Happy Chinese New Year everyone!

May the year of the snake brings you good health, prosperity, opportunities, joyfulness and an abundance year! This is always a good time for reunion and catching-up with friends and relatives from all over the places as most of the folks will be back in their kampung. I guess the all-year quiet, smaller places would turn into happening places as folks were back home from the bustling cities! How wonderful!

Decor at City Square, JB.

Have a good time with your friends and loved ones! :)

Wow.... CNY is just one week away!  I will be looking forward to this year's CNY as I will be back in Malaysia again, and especially Ipoh, where I never went back for almost two years! However, I will only be back late, probably on the first or second day of CNY due to kids' tuition. Do drive safely if you are travelling and I always believe it's better be late and safe. Speeding may bring you and your loved ones back earlier but then, you are risking yourselves and their lives. Have a good rest before driving and occasionally stop for short breaks. Plan your trip well!

Back in Singapore, I always loved those franchise food stalls here like Aston grills, Botak Jones, Hot pepper lunch, Komalas and etc...which operates in food malls or food courts. This helps to keep the cost down I believe, besides bringing the franchise food chains nearer to the heartlands. I especially love the sirloin steak from Aston Grill, which has a stall at a food court in Bedok central.

Sirloin steak with mushroom sauce

The sirloin steak was juicy and it comes with two side dishes. This cost around $S12+.

Back in JB, I just had nasi lemak with mutton rendang, at one of the Tea Garden outlets in JB. I always like the rendang there, having tried their chicken rendang some time ago.

Nasi lemak with mutton rendang....

OK, I need to go for a jog now... :P