Ya Would If Ya Could

As I'd promised, further updates are in order after the month long slow down in my blogging. Without further ado, I'll kick off our list of activities that you know ya would if ya could!

Leng got us a sweet deal to celebrate in a VIP room at a friend's joint. The place was huge with awesome facilities. Everyone was hyped up for the celebration... But who's that in the background?
Being the ever dedicated mech and workaholic, Fer was using the free internet access to search out some tech specs whilst we partied outside.

Kai Xing was having a ball on stage along with our dancer for the night...

Mr. Daniel "the horny" Civic!Cake cutting is always warranted no matter the location, and being the dedicated people us Northern Touge kakis are, we even included our sponsors list in this pic.

Leng was our silvertongue for the night... This dude could belt it out all night and still keep his voice! Kudos buddy!

During the CNY holidays, Soon had already opened shop to kit an Innova as his initial customer depsite the festivities.

Beautiful job done... Note the red crackers still on the ground as part of the Chinese festive tradition.

A spoiler was later added to complete the look.

Soon was still doing final checks on fit and finish as we were closing up. Diligence ultimate!

On the fourth day a bunch of us decided to have an auspicious touge + makan2 trip in the afternoon. As usual, we met up at Relau Shell, whom graciously allowed us to park and pose for some pics.

We then pushed off for the first stop at the peak of Jln Tun Sardon where we met up with an old friend from Balik Pulau (Blue KE70) and to get some refreshments and "jeruk" (pickled fruits).

We then traversed Balik Pulau and on to Teluk Bahang, through all the beautiful scenery and ending up at the Tropical Fruit Farm for some ice kacang and rojak. Plus, the scene there was awesome and the atmosphere serene.

After a refreshingly relaxed pit stop, the gang continued downward to the Teluk Bahang dam for a photo op.

It was a bright and sunny day out so I thought WTH, why not take a silhouette pic with all the beaut water and scenery surrounding us.

We ended the trip with Daniel (Civic), Soon (Wira GSR), Ewejin (Satria GSR), and Kenny (Wira 4G91) going for a cooling dip in the beach just down the road. Leng (KE70) and Pin (Wira 4G91) traversing back through the Balik Pulau way, and Fer, Joven (Wira GSR), and myself going for a light dinner before leaving for home.

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An awesome end to an awesome Chinese New Year. I'm now back in the office... So happy working all! Cheers!

Happy Chinese New Year~!!!

Xing Nian Huai Le... Chinese New Year is just around the corner and I was never really into the whole spirit and excitement berdering this celebration and its auspiciousness until I found that it affects so many people in such diverse ways.

Decorations and lightings will be put up, providing a demand for products and services which aid manufacturers and laborers alike. Unlike other cultures, the Chinese occasions were all designed to keep money flowing within its country. *Do you realize that Chinese have occasions on every month of the year?*

But aside from the monetary standpoint, I've grown to respect and enjoy the Chinese New Year as its a time when the entire family gets together and share their year's endeavours. Its also a time to watch traditional lion and dragon dances which grow to its prominence around this time of year. Their costumes flashing with a gazillion sequinnes and bright colours, along with their fluid and mimmicking movements enthrall the crowds.

Streets will be packed full of shoppers and shops will have a chance to raise their offered products to festive prices or to offer bargains to rid their old stock.

Not only does this culture happen only in the Asian regions, but a worldwide rush for all things festive are going on and preparations throughout the world will kick off for the Chinese New Year.
I was especially delightfully awed when a search of mine yielded me a picture of downtown Chinatown in London where, although not as packed, festivities and deco do not lose out to the Asian countries.

After the family gets together for the traditional hot pot (steamboat) reunion dinner and as the festivities progress, the "yee sang" is a meal not to be missed. It is a dish of sweet and sour taste, a little zing to perk you up, with cabbages, cucumber, carrots, some other greens and the ever significant fish that simbolizes the bringing of good fortune for the year ahead (Nian nian you yui).
As for the children (or anyone not married, like me), nothing excites us.. er.. them (the children) more than the ang pau (red packets filled with $$$).
What's a Chinese celebration without wine and song? So see below to better understand how we get drunk and intoxicated.... It's my public service to you to *ahem* avoid getting into this situation. Drink (ir)responsibly and keep safe y'all!
On a final note, I'd like to wish all my readers and buddies out there a thoroughly enjoyable new Year's celebration and a wonderful year ahead with health without despair, wealth to share and prosperity to spare!

Cheers!

First posting of the Oxen year!

The Chinese New Year is undoubtedly the most anticipated event in every Chinese' calendar and it has come and past just as quickly. It is a week's worth of gatherings, having quality family time and its also the longest holiday in any Chinese owned business.

Mine was spent with my family, immediate or extended alike, at our ancestral home mostly and visiting friends all over Penang. It has been a fantastic week and I apologize for the lack of updates on this little corner of the world wide web I call my own.

It is the second day of CNY and I woke up super early, being well rested and all, and just decided I'd take a drive up to the Teluk Bahang dam rather quickly :) I arrived there to be greeted by a rising sun, fresh air and not a person in sight. The view is just breathtaking under the soft light of the waking sun.I then took a slow drive back down to Gurney drive to capture some views from there. The tide is out and the mudflaps are teeming with life!

Penang IS beautiful~!!!
Then I went for a carwash and got ready for more house visiting and ang pow collection :P