Happy Chap Goh Meh

Chap Goh Meh represents the fifteenth and final day of the Lunar New Year period as celebrated by Chinese communities. The term is from the Hokkien dialect and refers to the fifteenth day of the first month, which is the occasion of the first full moon of the New Year.

The occasion is marked by feasting and various festivities, including the consumption of tangyuan. In traditional Chinese culture, it is also celebrated as the Lantern Festival or the Shang Yuan Festival. In Southeast Asia, however, it coincides with the Chinese Valentine's Day. It is also when young unmarried women gather to toss tangerines into the sea, in a hope that their future spouse will pick it up – a custom that originated in Penang, Malaysia. In the past, this was also the only day that unmarried ladies could be seen with their partners.

Tags : chap goh meh, chinese valentine's day, throw tangerines

Down with a Cough

Yesterday I went to see an Indian lady doctor in Island Glades and she charged me a very expensive amount of RM55 just for a visit of cough without fever. The normal charges are usually RM25 to RM30 just for a simple cough and sore throat. And she gave me a strong anti-biotic which I don't really need as I don't have fever and charged me an exorbitant amount for it! Previously I did see her before and did tell her some of the medication I already have and there is no necessity to give to me. But still she insisted on me using her medication.

I had originally planned to visit Dr Por of Union Clinic in Jalan Gangsa, which is much cheaper and he doesn't simply charge patients for medication that they don't require. Twice before I went, the clinic was closed... most likely he went for dinner before opening again at supposedly 7:00pm to 9:00pm. It is just unfortunate that the time when I could visit him, the clinic was closed. And I have been resting at home, hopefully my cough will recover soon. I guess I ate too much heaty crackers during Chinese New Year.

The Queue Up Church

Here is a youtube video showing the queue to New Creation Church about one and a half hours before the service starts. Imagine such hunger to hear God's word being preached by Pastor Joseph Prince, a modern day very annointed prophet and preacher. And they are not queuing up for ang pows or some free gifts from Her World magazine.

In fact, one of the shop owners got so curious what people are queueing up for that she decided to join in the crowd and then became a Christian and accepted Christ into her life. That's the living testimony of how people came to know this dynamic church that preaches to the whole world, United States included via satellite TV. And this was my former church when I was still in Singapore. I really missed not being able to attend in person the 4 services on Sundays. If you happen to be reading this and is in Singapore, just check up on newcreation.org.sg for the time of the service and make sure you don't miss it. I promise you won't regret it.

Happy Chinese New Year 2008

Here are some photos taken around this season at various places to whet your appetite. I shall be going to Haadyai from tomorrow morning until the third day of Chinese New Year. In the meantime, there won't be any blogging as I take a break. The van will come and pick us up at around 6:00am tomorrow to Lee Garden Hotel in Haadyai. My parents plan to get lots of cashew nuts which are cheaper there. Happy Chinese New Year to all my readers!


Shop selling all kind of Chinese New Year paraphernalia.


Red pussy willow. Commonly used to decorate homes during Chinese New Year.


Turquoise intricately designed antique bowls.


Pots of kumkuat that resemble mandarin oranges are a hot buy.


What kind of fruit is this?


Large red fans hanging from the ceiling.

Photos taken in Parkroyal Hotel, Penang

The buffet dinner was themed Seafood with slipper lobster, prawns, salmon, oysters and more.




Prawns and more prawns. Nice decoration.


Seafood buffet dinner with meat and veges.




Good selection of dessert with custard, chocolate mousse, etc.


Outside the hotel with tourists resting by the pool.


Beautiful swimming pool lined with palm trees.


Foot Massage in the Hut.


The room that I stayed 2 weeks back in Parkroyal Hotel, Penang.


The room furnishings.


Carpark view outside my hotel room.


White linen covered chairs in the garden for barbeque dinner.

Going to Stay in Equatorial Hotel Today

I have faxed to Equatorial hotel my credit card details to confirm a room for tonight. The price is RM295++ with RM100 credit for food and beverages. This is a 5-star hotel near the air port and is popular amongst executives with business dealings in factories in Bayan Lepas. I have dined and had buffet dinner before in Equatorial Hotel but never stayed there. This is a good opportunity to experience the room ambience just before Chinese New Year.

The air seems to smell of money and ang pows during the Chinese New Year season. And there will be lots of hampers, promotions, deals during this festive season. Also, I shall be going to Haadyai to avoid nosy relatives during Chinese New Year from 7th to 9th February. A van will come to my house and pick us up (me, my youngest sister and parents) and bring us to Lee Garden Hotel in Haadyai. My youngest sister booked online for the hotel while my father arranged for the transport to Haadyai. Wish me journey mercies.

Tags : Equatorial Hotel, Lee Garden Hotel, Haadyai, Chinese New Year

Got Back My Computer

After 8 days in the PC clinic, I finally got back my baby, my computer. It is much faster now and all spywares removed. I still maintain and continue using Windows XP as the Operating System. And tomorrow early in the morning, about 6:30am, my colleague will come fetch me to Melaka for a meeting at 3:30pm. Just hope that we can make it for the long journey from Penang. We will stay 1 night in Subang Jaya's condominium before coming back.

And now here I am blogging. That's because I need to find an excuse to use my 'new' computer. I have yet to install all the software that I normally use. Maybe after coming back from Melaka, I will find the time to load the necessary programs to continue working from home again. In the meantime, I shall enjoy working from home while the opportunity is there.