2010 Chinese New Year

ROAAAaaaaaaar!

This year instead of buying most of the new year cookies, mum and I decided to make some of our own.

I made the chocolate chip cookies and chocolate coated cornflakes.
Mum made pineapple tarts, which was not very successful so no pictures XD


We carpooled back to Terengganu the day before Chinese New Years' Eve with cousin Yik Chuan
(Thank you! I have not traveled back to hometown by car for a very long time ^_^)


Kampung Cina was super happening this year!

They had a decoration competition which attracted a lot of people downtown the night before Chinese New Years' Eve.


Here are some of the pimp-ed up shops XD

Mum and grandma in front of the first shop we saw with an antique bicycle.

This shop had a live fusion band (Western and Eastern musical instruments) playing Chinese New Year songs to make up for their lack of decoration *LOL*

Totally the One Malaysia concept *hehehe*

Baba Nyonya theme ^_^

This was one of my favorite.
There were so many people there during the time this picture was taken because the judges just arrived.
I wished I could have taken a better picture =(

$$$ 财神爷 (God of Wealth??) was there at one of the shops $$$
Note: those are random people in the picture.

The first prize winner of the competition. This picture does not really do it justice.

Your typical floor covered with red bits after setting off the traditional firecracker.
Haven't seen this for a long time ^_^
There were sooooo many different kinds of firecrackers and fireworks that day!!

Two really cool things I saw that day.
A really retro looking red bike and an antique record player that still plays!!!


Since most people came downtown the day before Chinese New Year's Eve, there weren't that many people during the countdown on Chinese New Year's Eve.

However, the temple still kept its tradition of having their annual lion dance and firecrackers.
Unfortunately, this 200-year old temple was burnt down on the 22/02/10.
Hopefully a nicer temple will be rebuilt to replace it =)

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This year's first day of Chinese New Year was a very special day because it was also Valentine's Day.
Other than that, it was also one of my uncle's 50th birthday!!!

picture by cousin Yik Chuan

He never gave us 'ang pau' because he was never married. But since this year was SO special, he gave all of us 'ang pau' ^_^ He was also EXTRA 旺 (lucky??) this year. He won almost all the time during our gambling sessions, and whenever we lost he'd just need to touch us or stand behind us and we'll win!! What a lucky year for him!! Not everyone gets to celebrate the first day of Chinese New Year, Valentine's Day and their 50th birthday all on the same day!!

Here's a video of the lion dance we had at the shop.




I had a really great time this Chinese New Year =D
It felt like ages since the last time I've had such an awesome Chinese New Year with the whole lively atmosphere and everything, especially after what happened last year.

Brother, cousin Chee Siang and me.

Me and my niece Ying Ting and nephew Guan Yu.


The pictures following this are stolen from cousin Ivie XD

Cousin Ivie and me.

Me, cousin Elynn, cousin Ivie and Ah Hua (I don't know her name, but that's what people call her =S She's my cousin Lik Siang's girlfriend).

All of them are wearing cheongsam except me =(

We had an extra visitor this year =)
He's Nicolas, an AFS exchange student from Spain.

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This is a little side note...

On the way back from visiting relatives at Bukit Payung etc., grandpa's car brokedown. There were smoke coming out of the car because the car ran out of water due to a pipe leakage. We had to wait for ages till my uncle came to fetch us because 3rd aunt's car was full when her family came to our rescue -_-''

We had chickens and cats to keep us company while we wait....wait...wait and wait......



This is it for my Chinese New Year's update. I shall do an 'ang pau' awards post later so stay tune =)