It’s been aeons since we last had our CNY Eve dinner at a restaurant. In the years that we were back in Ipoh on CNY eve, dinners were always homecooked by my papa. And in years that we stayed put in KL, the MIL would cook. So this year’s CNY eve dinner was a breeze and stress-free at a Chinese restaurant. The best part is there’s no massive prep, washing and cleaning up after dinner. Totally my kind of reunion dinner 😜
As hubby booked the table only a week earlier, there were no more tables inside the air-conditioned restaurant for us and we had to accept sitting alfresco in the super hot and humid weather, which made the dinner a tad uncomfortable. After our meal, everyone was drenched in sweat 🥵
After dinner, hubby sent the mil and I home as we wanted to pack our bags for our trip to Ipoh. Hubby and his three girls then headed to Mid Valley Megamall for a super last minute shopping for new clothes.
Here’s our CNY Eve set menu dinner, which cost RM1k+. In fact, the restaurant dishes on Chor 1 and Chor 2 in Ipoh were 95% similar to the ones that we had on CNY Eve in KL and we started to get blasé of those dishes on the second day of CNY.
As the final moments of 2023 fade into the past, it’s time to reflect on the year that was—a year marked by swift transitions, unexpected turns, health scares, and a myriad of experiences.
The passing of 2023 seemed almost like a blink of my eye. In the ebb and flow of life, our family encountered moments of triumph and challenges, creating a mosaic of experiences that shaped the year. Despite the ups and downs, the overarching sentiment is one of gratitude. Gratitude for the lessons learned, the strength discovered, and the love that held us together.
Welcoming the first day of 2024, my heart is filled with hope—for brighter days, for new opportunities, and for the chance to create more cherished memories with those I hold dear.
My greatest wish for the new year centers on the cornerstone of well-being—good health and safety. I pray for robust health and safety for myself and all my loved ones. May each day be a gift of vitality, strength, and well-being.
For my husband’s catering business, I wish for its continued success and prosperity. May the coming year bring new opportunities, satisfied clients, and the continued growth of a venture that brings joy to our family and those we serve.
Academic success is a beacon for my three daughters. As they navigate the halls of education, my prayer is for diligence, resilience, and the attainment of academic goals. May the new year be a chapter of learning, growth, and accomplishments for each of them.
I pray for God’s blessings to encompass every aspect of our lives—for guidance in moments of uncertainty, strength in times of weakness, and grace that abounds in both joy and challenges.
As I pen down my reflections and wishes for the new year, I extend the same sentiments to you and your family. May 2024 be adorned with blessings and good health, days filled with joy, and marked by prosperity. May your journey be guided by love, strengthened by resilience, and illuminated by the light of hope and God’s blessings.
In closing, let’s step into 2024 with hearts open to possibilities, minds attuned to gratitude, and spirits anchored in faith. Here’s to a year of abundance, growth, and the unwavering presence of love. Happy New Year to all my readers!
We had our first brunch of the year at UO Shin Japanese Restaurant at Millerz Square today, followed by coffee and desserts at HWC x Quack Quack Bakery.
Christmas 2023 unfolded as a day of joy, reflection, and, of course, indulgence in the finest festive feasts. From morning church service to a heartwarming family dinner, the day was a celebration of love, togetherness, and a culinary feast that left taste buds tingling.
The day kicked off with a Christmas service at 9 a.m. at the Trinity Methodist church. Post-service, our stomachs were treated to a Malaysian classic – catered food by our church comprising of Nasi Lemak and coffee from Ali, Muthu & Ah Hock Kopitiam. Sherilyn and Cass couldn’t resist digging into a plateful of Nasi Lemak crowned with a generously portioned whole fried chicken leg. I opted for a cup of instant 3-in-1 coffee (less sugar) just to try this particular brew from Ali, Muthu & Ah Hock.
Following the church festivities, we (our family and two of hubby’s aunts) ventured to our favorite haunt, Red Kettle Café, for a sumptuous lunch where we waited for over half-hour wait for a table. Hubby, true to tradition, ordered an array of our preferred dishes, including chicken chop, pork burger, three spaghetti styles, and a special Christmas grilled pork rib dish. Everyone enjoyed the sumptuous lunch at Red Kettle.
Dinner was once more at Aunty Wendy’s house for our annual Christmas dinner party. The table was a spectacle of homemade festive indulgence, boasting roast chicken, baked ham, prawn salad, roast potatoes, roast veggies, roast lamb leg, piggy in a blanket, minced pies, Stollen, Panettone, fruit cake, and a delightful addition—Sherilyn’s masterpiece, a Charcuterie board.
With so many rich and delectable treats gracing our table throughout the day, the joy of Christmas feasting was undeniable. With Chinese New Year just less than two months away and the excess calories consumed in December, I now have a renewed commitment to exercise even harder 🏃♀️🏃♀️
Christmas dinner came early for us this year. Hubby roasted turkey at his kitchen for us and his staff on 22nd December, on Winter Solstice Festival.
The girls were all busy today – Alycia was at her weekend part-time job, Sherilyn was at a dance competition and Cass was out the entire day, so I took over the Christmas gift-wrapping task this year. When Alycia got home from work, she helped a bit. Hubby wasn’t pleased with the gifts that I bought earlier and we made an impromptu plan to shop for new gifts this afternoon 🤨.
Tomorrow will be a long and busy day for me. I’ll be up very early to complete some chores, then leave the house by 8.30am for Christmas service in church. Then we’ll be having lunch, followed by the annual Christmas party at hubby’s aunt Wendy’s house in the evening.
I’d like to wish all my amazing blog readers, friends and loved ones a season of warmth, joy, and happy moments. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a wonderful holiday season. Thank you for being a part of my journey ❤️🤟🎄🎅
The past week has been a busy week for our family – busy with celebrations, eating and late nights.
2 December 2023 ~ we attended the wedding of our very good friend’s daughter at Noble Mansion.
7 December 2023 ~ we had an early birthday celebration for the MIL at Ming Room, Bangsar Shopping Centre. MIL’s birthday falls on 9th December but we have a relative’s wedding to attend, thus we celebrated her birthday earlier. My SIL from Hong Kong came back for the celebrations.
8 December 2023 ~ pre-wedding dinner at the groom’s house and the menu’s theme was Hakka dishes. I indulged in all my favorite Hakka dishes from black vinegar pig trotters to rice wine chicken, Hakka braised pork and much more.
The couple registered their marriage in 2020 and the wedding banquet was booked for 2020, but had to be called off for 3 years before it finally materialized, no thanks to Covid. The entire family from New Zealand came back for the wedding banquet. The groom and bride and their super cute 2-YO baby girl flew back from the USA for the celebration.
9 December 2023 ~ We got up early to attend the tea ceremony at the groom’s house. In the evening, we were all dressed up to the nines to attend the grand wedding at the EQ Hotel (previously Equatorial). By the time we got home and showered, we only got into bed at 2 a.m.
10 December 2023 ~ with only 4 hours of sleep, I got up at 6-ish a.m. to do the usual house chores before sending Alycia to the cafe for her weekend part-time job. Before I could even have a short nap, we headed to Ming Room @ BSC again for dim sum lunch with hubby’s cousins from NZ, Taiwan, England and KL. I conked out at 9.30 p.m. and had a good 7 hours of sleep.
Wedding lunch at Noble Mansion on 2 December 2023:
MIL’s 78th birthday dinner at Ming Room, BSC on 7 December 2023:
The next gathering of the Yaps will be on Christmas Day for the yearly Xmas dinner at aunty Wendy’s house (just a few floors below ours) for another feast! I’m already 1.5kg heavier! 🤪
There’s a certain magic in revisiting your hometown – a place woven with memories of your past, where every street corner whispers stories of your upbringing. This sentiment came alive as I took a short trip to Ipoh, my hometown, with my youngest daughter, Cass, to celebrate the birthdays of two of the most important people in our lives – my dad and mom. Our journey was filled with cherished moments, delicious treats, and a delightful blend of nostalgia and new experiences.
On Monday, 28 August 2023, Cass and I hopped onto the 3pm ETS train and we arrived just in time for dinner with my parents, setting the tone for a heartwarming reunion.
After dinner, Cass’s craving for ice cream led us to an impromptu decision that turned out to be pure joy. We found ourselves at Inside Scoop, a haven for ice cream enthusiasts like Cass and my papa. It was the perfect way to kick off our celebratory journey.
Our second day began with the promise of exploration and new memories. Breakfast at a coffee shop near my parents’ house set the stage, offering a range of sumptuous dishes that satisfied both our taste buds and our souls. Cass’s fancy fizzy drink and my jelly on shaved ice were the cherry on top of a fulfilling meal.
Our next stop was at Qing Xin Ling Leisure & Cultural Village. The village’s charm unfolded before us as we stepped into a world where history and nature intertwined seamlessly.
For a nominal entry fee of RM12, we were transported to a place of wonder and serenity. Tandem bicycles, rickshaws, and trishaws awaited, ready to be ridden through the village’s vast expanse. Every corner seemed to hold an Instagram-worthy backdrop, inviting us to capture the essence of this magical place. A journey uphill took us to a street by the hills that mirrored the vintage stores of old Ipoh, evoking nostalgia and a sense of homecoming. I shall write a separate post on our visit to Qing Xin Ling Leisure & Cultural Village.
As the sun set, we gathered to celebrate my dad’s 80th and mom’s 77th birthdays. Sushi Zento, our favorite Japanese restaurant, hosted this joyful occasion. The table was adorned with a lavish spread, a testament to the love and care we hold for one another. The food was as usual very delish and satisfying. The service was very prompt and top-notch too. Most importantly, the price is very affordable.
After the scrumptious feast, Inside Scoop once again became the highlight of our celebration. A waffle adorned with three scoops of ice cream took center stage, crowned by a cake topper and candles. With smiles that radiated love and happiness, my parents blew out the candles, marking a joint birthday celebration etched in our hearts forever.
As Cass and I departed from Ipoh on Wednesday, 30 August 2023, I held onto the hope of celebrating many more birthdays and creating countless new memories with my parents.
Cass turns 15 today! This girl has come a long way to where she is today. Cass’ journey has not been easy from day 1, as she’s born with a rare congenital disorder in her urinary tract but she has persevered through countless hurdles along her way. I credit her strength, resilience and stubbornness to her unwavering determination, optimism, and unbreakable spirit.
Hubs surprised both the birthday girl and me with a hotpot dinner at Haidilao Hot Pot @ Bangsar Village 3 today, just the three of us – hubs, Cass and me. Alycia and Sherilyn are in Ipoh with my parents and the mil is currently in Hong Kong.
As we entered the restaurant, we were greeted by the friendly staff who welcomed us and led us to our table. The ambiance of the restaurant was warm and inviting, with cozy seating arrangements and tasteful decor. The menu offered a wide selection of hotpot ingredients, including meat, seafood, vegetables, and noodles, all of which were fresh and of high quality. While patrons wait for their tables, packet snacks, titbits and drinks are available in abundance at the entrance of the restaurant for patrons to munch.
Our dining experience began with a selection of dipping sauces and condiments, including peanut sauce, sesame sauce, and spicy sauce and a wide selection of condiments such as spring onions, parsley, chopped raw garlic, fried minced beef, etc, These sauces added an extra dimension of flavor to our yummy meal and were the perfect accompaniment to the hotpot ingredients.
As we waited for our hotpot to arrive, we enjoyed a variety of appetizers, such as wakame seaweed and fried peanuts. For the two choices of soup for our hotpot, hubs chose golden fish maw soup (RM47) and peppery pig stomach + chicken soup (RM20).
Part way through the meal was show-time for us (and for every table as well). A noodle performer came to our table and showcased his skill in the art of noodle-making while dancing. A minute into throwing the flying noodles, a part of the dough touched the floor and the performer quickly went into the kitchen and brought out a new wedge of dough and started the performance again. After the noodles were churned out by hand, the staff gently placed them into our hotpot of two variety of soups.
What really came as a big surprise to Cass and me was when the Haidilao staff came out with a slice of birthday cake, along with a birthday banner and lo and behold, sang ‘Happy Birthday’, vociferously with clappings and all!
Cass who doesn’t like to be in the limelight, have her photos taken, or people singing birthday song to her in public was gobsmacked, stunned, embarrassed, and yet happy all at once 🤣
The delicious food, exceptional service, warm atmosphere and loads of freebies made for a perfect evening of enjoyment and birthday celebration.
To cap off the meal, we were given complimentary chilled Roselle drinks, which was very refreshing and soothing for the throat after a hot meal.
Luckily we went early as when we left the restaurant, there was a long queue outside.
Then we went to Sports Direct @ Bangsar Village 3 for Cass to get her birthday pressie from her dad, which is a hoodie sweater for her to wear at the skating rink.
Congratulations to myself on reaching the milestone of being half a decade young! This is certainly an occasion worth celebrating and reflecting upon.
Turning fifty marks the end of one era and the beginning of another. It’s truly a significant moment in my life. I think I have gained a great deal of wisdom and experience over the course of my life thus far.
For the next few decades to come, I hope I can start to travel, take up a new hobby (yoga, here I come!) and eat an even healthier diet. Without having to cook for the girls that often, I can start to cook my kind of simple and healthy meals, which would be a lot of one-pot meals and steamed veggies kind of meal.
The moment the littlest brat turns 18, I will let go of her even more. Being the youngest and born with some health issues which are still unresolved, I’ve not been able to let go of her like how I’d to, like how I’d let go of Alycia and Sherilyn when they were Cass’ age years ago.
Turning 50 is just a number. I still have many years ahead of me to make the most of my life and pursue my dreams. On my 50th birthday, I took some time to celebrate this milestone with my loved ones and embrace the opportunities that lie ahead.
Alycia and Sherilyn treated me to a sumptuous lunch at Red Kettle, my favorite fusion restaurant. Too bad Cass couldn’t join us as she was in school.
Two days later, I received a surprise bouquet of flowers!
I hope everyone is enjoying the Chinese New Year holidays with your family and loved ones. And for those of you who dread CNY and can’t wait for it to be over because it’s just so frigging exhausting with non-stop cooking, cleaning up, entertaining (hello nosy and insensitive relatives!), and traveling (darn the traffic congestion), hang in there. It will soon be over.
This CNY we’re staying put in KL as Sherilyn will be sitting for her SPM exam a few days after the CNY holidays and wishes to spend more time revising.
Alycia had planed to follow her grandaunt back to Ipoh by car on Thursday but on the morning of departure, she was down with food poisoning, fever and cough. She literally camped in the loo the entire night. The previous night Alycia had dinner of Moo Kata with her colleagues and must have eaten something that’s undercooked or contaminated that caused her food poisoning with persistent diarrhea. Thus, she had to cancel her trip back to Ipoh.
This CNY, there’s been quite a bit of ‘massive’ cooking by the mil for three days straight. While she enjoys all the cooking, I certainly don’t enjoy doing all the aftermath-cleaning up, especially the greasy stove, counters and floors 🤪
We invited some close friends over for lunch today (Chor 2) for ‘Hoi Nin Fan’ and it was another massive cooking and cleaning. I was so busy cleaning up the kitchen that I forgot to snap photos of the dishes. On the dining table were fried fish, fried prawns, steamed village chicken, lotus root soup, stir-fried snake beans, beef rendang and leftover vegetarian dish from yesterday.
I’d like to wish everyone a very prosperous year of the Rabbit. May you and your loved ones enjoy the heavenly favors of good health, wealth, and fortune all year through. Happy Chinese New Year!
With 2022 almost in the bag, I want to thank you all for reading my blogs. Some of you have been long-time readers of my blogs. A few of you have been reading my blogs since you were just teens and now are parents yourself. Wow! I really do consider you all friends, even if that’s a little weird, especially if we have never met in person before.
The school holidays are now into the third and last week. I was back in Ipoh with Sherilyn and Cass to celebrate Christmas with my parents. We took the night ETS train on Christmas Eve and arrived Ipoh at close to 10 p.m. It was our first time taking the night ETS. We got back yesterday after spending three glorious days in Ipoh with my parents and younger brother who also made a trip back to Ipoh. Missing our reunion were my eldest brother in Singapore and his family, hubs and Alycia.
On Christmas Day, we had ‘chap fan’ for lunch as the girls woke up late and had a late breakfast of Chrismassy cakes, cookies and pastries. When lunch came, we wanted something light as we were going to have an early dinner. So dad brought us to their favorite economy rice stall to get takeaway ‘chap fan’. The dishes lined up at the stall were all my favorite and looked so very appetizing! I wanted to get like 10 dishes, but chose 4 meat-free dishes. Dinner was at my parents’ favorite restaurant nearby. We didn’t want to venture out to town as the entire Ipoh city was jam-packed with tourists with horrendous traffic jam everywhere.
As I was typing the title of this post, the date suddenly hit me. It’s the month of May and the anniversary of Cass’ surgery and our 3-week nightmarish stay in Gleneagles Medical Centre (GMC), Penang exactly 13 years ago. The days spent with Cass at GMC were so overwhelming that it’s hard to repress the memories of the 21 nightmarish days spent with her in the hospital. Seeing my baby in pain with tubes sticking into her nose and body and not knowing what was wrong with her after the first surgery, the feeling of hopelessness and misgivings and finally the shock of seeing the 5-figure amount on our final bill when we were finally discharged left me in a complete funk – these feelings are sometimes still raw and impossible to palliate even with time.
Back to our Mother’s Day celebration this year!
Brunch was at Feeka Coffee Roasters. It’s our family’s first celebration at a restaurant since two members of our family recovered from Covid over a month ago. Finally there’s a little semblance of how our lives used to be pre-Covid days.
Our verdict on the food? Just mediocre. Plus we sat outdoor at the courtyard and it was humid in the current sizzling heat.
Our Mother’s Day lunch ended with a ‘saman’ ticket from DBKL! Hubs had parked right opposite Feeka thinking that it was a Sunday and it was a pretty quiet street with low traffic. But the DBKL officers (who were supposed to be on Raya holiday and not working on a Sunday!) were out to hunt down unsuspecting parkers like us! We didn’t even notice them though we were seated al fresco. About 20 diners who parked there were all greeted with the long ticket after their lunch 😑
Our littlest darling turned 14 last Saturday – 9 April 2022.
She has definitely come a long way. For those of you who have been following my blogs way before Cass was born would know her medical history. She’s not 100% out of the woods yet and we’re still trudging slowly, but in no real hurry.
Cass has made great progress in how she manages her own health, fitness, wellness and studies. And I’m proud that she’s finally quite independent at 14, though still needs me to nag at her to do what’s really important. Because of her medical condition, I’ve always mollycoddled Cass, to which she absolutely hates. She doesn’t like it that I give her preferential treatment and still do things for her even though she can do it herself (she’s a dawdler which I’m not and this pisses me, the Super Impatient Mom). She also doesn’t like hugs and kisses or cuddling up in bed with me anymore. But she likes to blather and prattle to me about everything that happened in school, especially when I’m busy with work on the computer.
It’s chucking down heavily now as I’m typing this post and Cass just sent me a photo of where she is outside the school. She can’t find her van again. And she’s going to be drenched again! 😞
OK, I’m going to get her a foldable umbrella from Mr DIY tomorrow! The girls don’t like having an umbrella in their bags as it’s an added weight to their already super heavy school bags (>8kg) but Cass doesn’t have a choice now as it’s currently the rainy season.
Coming back to Cass’ birthday!
She got a big surprise birthday present from her dad, which I didn’t even know about it. It’s a brand new mobile phone!!
In this Covid era, having a phone is a necessity. Cass’ school requires the students to check into the school via the MySejahtera app every day. Students without a phone must print out a form to fill out every day. So having a mobile phone is not only a necessity now, it can be a life-saver too. It gives me a peace of mind too as I know where Cass is. After Cass sent me the photo just now, I called the van driver and he found Cass, with an umbrella in hand for her.
Did I tell you that after hubs got Cass’ previous phone repaired last month, she dropped the phone again the next day? The cost of the repair was over RM300 and after the second damage, hubs gave up and thought it’s more practical to get her a new phone.
Sherilyn turns 17 today! She’s my Chor 8 CNY baby. Her birthday fell during CNY in most years but this year, it’s a day after Chap Goh Meh.
Used to be the most challenging and willful child of my 3 daughters, Sherilyn’s grown and matured so much over the years. She’s no longer my most challenging child now but the most independent and talented. She still needs me to nag at her to shower early and sleep early though. She has now passed the ‘most challenging child’ baton to her youngest sister 🥴.
Sherilyn’s birthday dinner was held at our family’s favorite café, Red Kettle.
Happy birthday, Sherilyn! I hope that the year ahead will be filled with many blessings from God. Know that you are loved today, tomorrow, and always! ❤️
The Yaps had an early Chap Goh Meh dinner on Sunday. The host (hubby’s aunt) requested all the attendees to do a Covid self-test a few hours prior to the dinner.
Our buffet spread of Hakka dishes, whipped up by the Yaps who are all great cooks.
And this marks the end of Chinese New Year! Now it’s time to eat clean before my yearly blood screening. My appointment with my gynae is next Sunday and I am already feeling the jitters – my once a year anxiety before the screening. 🥶
Li Chun, which signifies the beginning of Spring, is the first day of the Chinese solar calendar. Li Chun is considered an auspicious day for the Chinese. Li Chun falls on the 4th of February this year. In Asia, it has become a tradition to deposit money into your bank account during this day to garner good wealth and fortune for the new year.
People also try their luck to see if they can make eggs “stand up” on this day. If they succeed, he or she is believed to have good luck throughout the year.
We tried making eggs “stand” today and my egg “stood” in less than 5 minutes of trying! The second egg “stood” effortlessly too! Cass tried and made about 4 or 5 eggs “stand”. Sherilyn made one egg “stand” 😆
After making our eggs “stand”, I went to the bank to deposit money, just for the fun of it. If my luck is good this year, I can then safely tell everyone that this traditional practice is somewhat bona fide. So wait for my follow-up post in a year’s time, yeah.
I’d like to wish all my readers a very merry Christmas! I hope your Christmas will sparkle with moments of love, laughter and joy. May the year ahead be full of contentment and joy.
Happy holidays and stay safe and healthy everyone!