Seems like it was just yesterday we were indulged in the red season.
Just when you thought the fear of an imminent recession is plaguing the region, the Chinese New Year Eve countdown in Kuching makes you believe otherwise.
For about an hour before and after the clock struck midnight, the wealthiest in the city paraded their monetary status in the most exhaustive fireworks display of the year. Here in Kuching, Men show off the size of their balls wallets by how long your fireworks display is. And generally, if you opposite neighbour has an endless supply of these aesthetically beautiful explosives, you’ll know he’s doing really well.
The not-so-wealthy ones well, arm themselves with a tripod and camera trained at the sky snapping away non-stop. =)
Earlier on CNY eve we had a simple steamboat reunion dinner among the family.
Nothing beats an awesome steamboat dinner prepared by my Mom and Sis.
The first day of CNY year saw an open house for my Dad’s colleagues. Towards the end of the allocated time for the open house, our long family friend, Ms. Tee came over with her children — long childhood friends of ours. One thing you experience about growing up is that childhood friends drift apart. I’m not sure why, it just happens. When before this we’d go over to play every weekend, we now only meet on CNY visitings.
Later, we followed Ms. Tee and children to Mr. Foo’s place. Another old family friend of ours who’s moving back to West Malaysia soon. It was a brief reunion of old family friends. It suddenly dawned upon me how everyone had grown up, moved on to college, etc. No longer were we playing board games or cops and robbers while the adults chat in the living room.
Now we find ourselves part of the adults’ discussions.
Well, that’s what that makes CNY a time like no other.
Happy Chinese New Year, folks and have an ox-picious new year ahead!
Ooh, I loved steamboats! The leftover soup is very nice!
Exactly! That’s the absolute best part of steamboats — the soup! Damn, you’re making me look forward to steamboats. =D
One thing I adore about the Chinese culture is the reunion dinner. It’s compulsory and it means so much that everyone will try to make it home.
Anyway, I still remain amazed over your shots using the DSLR, and despite you yourself being new to it. The steamboat photo is fantastic.. and the fireworks!! WOW..
Here’s to wishing you a happy and prosperous NIU year!!
It’s a healthy practice, really. Especially now with children leaving their parents to migrate to another city or country, Chinese New Year becomes a great opportunity for families to reunite and strengthen ties. =D
Glad you liked the photos! Well it’s been almost a month since I got my dSLR, so it isn’t exactly new anymore, haha. The Project 365 I’m working on helps with my skills too I might add!
Thanks for the wishes!
Wish you all the luck. Happy CNY!!. 🙂
Thank you! Happy Chinese New Year back to you! 😀
Happy Chinese New Year, dude! Ooh, did you just add the threaded reply function? 😛
Thank you! In a way, yes. =D Threaded comments comes with WordPress 2.7’s default theme, all other 3rd party themes might not support it *yet* — it requires the editing of your theme’s comment.php. Took awhile for me to get a hang of it though. Glad its working now anyway!
I absolutely love the ‘The Selection’ photo *screams in joy* because it just look so perfect! Love the saturation and contrast, and in addition, it reminds me so much of this favourite photo on Flickr. Very lovely indeed!
It’s interesting how people show off their wealth through fireworks. What a great way to burn money (literally) eh? And people like us get the last laugh — not only that we get to enjoy a marvellous display of light and smoke (and some get awesome photos like you), we don’t even have to pay a penny for that (unless they have the guts to paint our windows black and demand a fee to let us out and watch the fireworks).
And the longer the time since you released your theme, the more I’m loving it. It’s just… lovely. The earthy tones and all 🙂
That is my favourite photo too! =D That photo you linked on Flickr is pretty interesting too. I have this thing for real-life parodies of web-based interfaces. =D
Indeed, Teddy! I’ve been their loyal spectator for years and am still more than happy to go on that way, hah!
Glad you’re liking it, hehe. Makes all the effort worthwhile, really. I’m sure you can relate to that.
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i stumble on ur blog while looking for a pretty design on d net~
btw did u know ur blog are in smashingmagazine.com?
LOL,if u know ~den im bringing d old news lar..haha..
but still~ http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2008/05/08/now-more-than-ever-50-more-excellent-blog-designs/
feel free to see..hehe~
pretty proud cuz sum kuching local talent make it there ^__^
Actually there are far more better designed local sites out there — you haven’t stumbled upon them only.
My previous design was featured in Smashing Magazine last year, yes. It was one of my wildest dreams I’d never thought will be possible but yeah, it happened. Thanks for all the effort to notify me though! I appreciate it, really. =)