4th Princess

I'm pleased to introduce my 4th princess Shannelle. She was born on 2nd Apr. So I'm resting, nursing my child every 2 hours and can't cook for at least 1 month.

Should time permit, I hope to share some tips on how to survive the hardest time of my pregnancy (I find it hard compared to child birth and carrying a child) and some confinement food recipes. Until then, wish me well and moo moo away (time to be a milk cow again)...

HK CNY Festive Mood

Year of Moo Moo!

There are many CNY decorations in shopping malls and by the road side in HK during CNY. Naturally, the festive mood is comparatively stronger than that in Singapore.

Hongkongers also love decorating their homes with flowers in the new year.  It signifies "Fa Hoi Foo Khai" (Blossom flowers bring prosperity).  Special festive feeling is aroused by these fresh and beautiful flowers.  However, in Singapore, due to the warm weather,  there are limited choice of flowers here and the flowers would not last long.  A few years back, I tried putting up a big vase of flowers and it really died within 2 days even though I served them with icy water!!! Really not a good sight in the new year!!

Goodies tray: The moment you walk into your friends' or relatives' house, they'll bring this out and offer you to "take gold / silver" from the goodies tray.  The dried melon seeds means "money" while sweets/candies means happiness.  I remember my younger days when my mom used to put preserved lotus seeds coated with sugar to serve all visitors.  Lotus seeds carry the meaning of giving birth to adorable children sooner and the more, the merrier.  Don't think this apply to this generation.

We came across a lions dance performance arranged by a famous HK Chui Wah "Char Chen Tien" in Central.  That was my girls first close encounter with this type of performance.  The lions actually danced through the narrow walkway INSIDE the whole restaurant, that was meant to chase out all the bad things.  And they finally performed "Choi Chean" right in front of the entrance (a lettuce hanging at entrance with a red packet attached to it).  The lions were only a few steps in front of us.  There's a short clip below for viewing!!!

Fa See (Flower Market) can be found before CNY at some public parks in HK, Kowloon and the New Territories.  The biggest and the most popular one is of course located at Causeway Bay.  You could find not only flowers but a lot of cheap household items and toys.  I have not been to one in a decade and am surprised that I went there twice this year with my big belly (I'm 6 month pregnant) barging in front... Once with my hubby at night and once with my 3 girls and maid the day before the first new year day.

It was packed with people and we really had difficulties moving around.  Still I want my girls to experience this special occasion and give them some $$ to choose a toy from the fun fair.  See what Shanice chose???  1 big pile of "PINK" inflatable shit hat!!!  What a sense of humor she has!!  By the way, shit means gold.  Let's have more shit in the new year!

Some young folks will pull funds and auction for these makeshift stalls and have it decorated and sell toys or some funny stuff.  They seems to have so much fun by shouting and yelling to the crowds for their attention and try very hard to sell their stuff.  

Some people go to these fairs for flowers.  When you're at these flower markets, you should walk through all these stalls and chase away all bad luck in the old year and hope the nice flowers will bring you better luck ahead.

"Tai Kiat Tai Lai" (Big tangerine will bring good luck)

It has been a year

Time flies! Today is my 1 yr anniversary of becoming a homemaker. As I ponder and stock take of what I've done for the passed 1 year, "Thank God" are the words that I'll say. He has been the one who's our provider in many areas. I'm still learning many things as a homemaker. As my children grow, I'll need to learn to deal with them every single day and learn how to be patient and love them with all my heart. Although, sometime I fall into a trap of dilemma... on one hand you want to be with your kids, on the other hand, fatigue and anger may set in as they may not behave the way you want them to. You would want to say "leave me alone"... I want to have some "ME" time. Feeling guilty and selfish is a constant struggle in my spiritual journey. May God forgive my short coming and teach me to do things with all my heart.

I'm someone who can't sit still at home nor can I "Ta Han" the household chores and stuff like that. I don't want to "work" but not actually want to be "bored" at home. My answer to this question 'If I am given the choice, do I want to work?" is always a firm "NO". Not facing the "month end closing" nor the stress from work is really a relief. Gosh! During those times, I was really being torn apart. Tough to be a working mom though... need to take care of the office tasks and need to worry about my girls. Having time to think of some issues that you'll never have time to think in the past is also a great blessing. You feel that you've entered into a different dimension now and it isn't like what it used to be. May be I am just contented to be a simple mother who sometimes frantically yell at the kids and hears my voice echoing back... life has been ordinary but fulfilling and it is really full of joy and laughters.

I never thought that I was able to survive it after being a career woman for more than a decade. Thank God once again for my three beautiful princesses that always throw me big hugs, cries and laughters. My dearest supportive husband is also on the thanking list although I feel helpless sometimes seeing him face stress at work. All I can do is cook him good meals, hoping that he can enjoy this simple pleasure after a stressful day of work. It is really a dream that we can start our own business so he can quit..... Let's wait and see. (Dear, you may need to wait long long, but it is on my list!!!)

Although I miss my boss and beloved colleagues who had always been my buddies while I worked. Well, I think I gain more than I lose..... never regret quitting my job and spending more time with my family.

My friends will scold me when they read the first para complaining above: "You can always catch your quiet morning newspaper break at a shopping mall or shopping for grocery and food for the week". Most importantly, now I have more time to find "solace" in the kitchen cooking my favourite stuff... ;>