Happy Chinese New Year 2013 - 团圆饭 (Reunion Dinner) on 9 February 2013

Happy Chinese New Year 2013

The Year of Water Snake

Here are my family menus for the reunion dinner and the meaning.....

:: Spring Onions Fried Fish ::

Spring Onions Fried Fish - Fried fish with spring onions, carrot, and chili slices in salted soy sauce is my Daddy's favorite hehehe (Muaccckkkzzzz Love Daddy and Mommy).

The pronunciation of fish in Chinese is yú (魚). The fish represents remains or surpluses every year and the carrot represents good luck. 

Fish must be served as whole fish but is not eaten completely during the reunion dinner. The fish head and tail will be left overnight to signifies the completion in everything we do. There is a beginning and an ending for the things we do.

:: Chinese Broccoli in Rice Wine ::

Chinese Broccoli in Rice Wine - It is cooked with a bit of pork slices. Fresh green vegetables symbolizes close family ties.

:: Fried Winter Noodle with Egg ::

Fried Winter Noodle with Egg - Winter noodle or any kinds of noodle represents longevity for the family. Eggs represent fertility.

:: Home Sweet Home Treasures Soup ::

Home Sweet Home Treasures Soup - sea cucumber, pork ball, button mushroom, spring onions, and bamboo shoots in soup is also Daddy's favorite :D . It represents treasures..... a lot of treasures and goods for us.

:: Arrowroot Bulbs in Spring Onions Soup ::

Arrowroot Bulbs in Spring Onions Soup - Arrowroot bulbs or some people call it Duck Potatoes cooked in 3 layers pork and spring onions in soup. Arrowroot bulbs symbolizes good life and prosperity in the family.

:: Mommy's Special Menu - Braised Pork Leg in Dark Soy Sauce ::

Braised Pork Leg in Dark Soy Sauce - Until this second, everyone who ever tasted this menu cooked by my Mommy will say "The braised pork leg cooked by your mom is really great!". Thanks to them to give such impressions on this dish and thanks to MY SWEET CHEF MOMMY (...for everything, not only for food :D ). And this is not only Daddy's favorite, but FAMILY FAVORITE.

Pork symbolizes strength, bless, and wealth.

:: Salted Soy Sauce with Chili - Chopped Garlic ::

:: Home Recipe Chicken and Potato Curry ::

Home Recipe Chicken and Potato Curry - Family favorite too. Chicken and coconut milk symbolize togetherness of the family. Chicken symbolizes prosperity and joy.

:: Stewed Pork Leg with Dried Vegetables ::

Stewed Pork Leg with Dried Vegetables - dried vegetables represents harmony, happiness, and prosperity.

:: The drinks hehe ::

12-12-12

Today's date 12 December 2012, which people make it short as 12-12-12. Today has a very nice date combination. Even better if my fish Purpy is here now.

Last night, I browsed the internet and read some articles about Betta fish. One statement says that if betta fish makes bubbles, that means they are happy, happy with the environment and with the owner. This reminds me about Purpy who made a lot of bubbles when he got his new tank with me. That time I never knew that when a betta fish makes bubbles implies that they are happy. Now I know this and this really makes me regret. I am regret to know this too late for him. But another side in me, I am glad that Purpy ever be happy with me. "Thanks for the bubbles, Purpy". I still miss him so much. His empty tank struck my heart, feel so empty just like the tank. I still don't know what to do with the empty tank until this minute.

Now left 4 other betta fishes, Purpy's friend. I should care them even better. Trying to make them live even happier with me. Love my fishes.... *kiss*

Fish Fish Purpy

:: Purpy ::

He is my Purpy, a male betta fish with red + pink + a bit purple in color, and wide tails. On 6 October 2012, I got him from a fish seller. I knew he loves boiled prawn from the seller, cz he always get the boiled prawn slice as his food. 

I changed the water regularly. I put plastic purple plant inside his tank. But one day, I saw his tail got a bit of broken part because of the plastic plant. So I decided to removed it to ensure his safety.

He became kinda inactive, not really swimming around like what he always did normally. But honestly I didn't know the reason. Is it because I removed the plant? or any other reason?

About one week after the plant removal, He was getting inactive. And he had lost his appetite too. I feed him the prawn but he stopped eating. So I tried to give him common fish food and exactly the same result, he won't eat. Another week passed, his color is getting pale and he is getting weaker. This made me sad. I wished he can be healthy back like before.

Saturday, 8 December 2012, I went to my sister's place and stay over night there. But before I went out, I add a drop of anti-whitespot liquid into his tank. I know he is already so weak cz he didn't really eat for 1-2 weeks.

Sunday, 9 December 2012 around 10pm. I came home to check my Purpy. I found that he has left me. Purpy left me and 4 other bettas. I didn't know what happen to him actually but I'm sorry that I can't take good care of him. I still miss you, Fish Fish Purpy.

:: Purpy ::

:: Purpy ::

:: Purpy ::

:: Purpy ::

Sabah :: 22 August 2012 :: Lunch @ The Cottage Hotel

From Poring Hot Spring.... now we were back to The Cottage Hotel again for lunch.... Here are the menus...

:: Appetizer - Egg Drop Soup ::

:: Sweet n Sour Fish Fillet ::

:: Chicken Curry ::

:: Mixed Veggie n Mushrooms ::

:: Stir Fry Cabbage with Garlic ::

:: Dessert - Watermelon and Pineapple slice ::

Sabah :: 22 August 2012 :: Poring Hot Spring @ Ranau

At around 9.30am we reached Poring Hot Spring @ Ranau.

:: The shops opposite Poring Hot Spring's entrance ::

:: The view from the parking area ::

:: The entrance ticket ::

:: below the bridge, the entrance bridge ::

Finally reached the hot spring area..... There are so many "open air" hot spring tubs around... 

Soaking our legs....