LONGEVITY MEE AND RED COLOURED EGGS

25/2/2015
Wednesday

Today is the Birthday for everyone. It is the 7th day of the Lunar New Year.

According to Chinese legends, the Goddess of the world created the animals on different days and human beings were created on the 7th day after the creation of the world.  The list is as follows:- 1st day Chicken, 2nd day-Dog,  3rd day- the Boar, 4th day- Sheep; 5th day-Cow; 6th day -Horse and 7th day- Human. Since these days are considered the "birthdays" of the different animals, Chinese avoid killing them on the respective "birthdays".  Hence the answer as to why we should go vegetarian on 1st day of Lunar New Year.     

The lucky food we prepared for our "birthday" dinner... 

longevity noodles, red-coloured eggs and rainbow yee sang!

How to dye the eggs red colour......

These are soft boiled eggs - only 7 minutes in simmering water.  Remove and dip in solution of red food colouring and water  plus a few drops of rice vinegar.  

setting up the Rainbow Yee Sang - 

Brilliant hue -In China, red colour symbolises good luck and represents happiness and prosperity

Lucky food - Rainbow yee sang 

The significance of tossing (upwards move) of  the yee sang is for our fortunes to rise and expand during the coming year.   The variety of vegetables associate with all things auspicious and fish is added for abundance as the word "fish" in Chinese is similar to the word "surplus".  

Longevity noddles 

Received a box of longevity noddles from my sister instead of the usual mee sua.   In Chinese birthdays, noddles are eaten for a long, happy and healthy life.  The strands of the noddles are normally left uncut.  However the noddles were broken by the time I blanched them.   I just mixed them together with the fried dried prawns (pre-soaked with chinese cooking wine), shallots and lots of spring onions, sesame oil and salt and pepper.   

May the year brings you a long, happy and healthy life.... 

I AM OFFICIALLY A SENIOR CITIZEN NOW

15/2/2015
Sunday
Today I am official a senior citizen. It is my 60th birthday.  Yep, I am a goat alright.

Finally got my rabbit card...

and it took me 3 trips to the LRT station at Pasar Seni.  The first time was just after the New Year Day since I figure that I am 60 in 2015.  I was greeted by a surly customer service staff, who after looking at my IC, rather rudely told me  that I need to bring along photocopy of the IC and come back on the month of my birthday. Ok it was my fault, I don't have it  and maybe she had a bad morning but was she not taught to respect her senior?  The 2nd visit was after the City day holiday and I made sure I had everything require.  By the time my waiting number was called, I was told by the counter staff that I can only apply for the card on the  exact date of my birthday!!!.  Now, I have been paying half fare (senior's rate)  since the beginning of the year through the purchase of the special token at the counter each time and I just had to  show my IC.  I just cannot understand the logic that while you can pay cash for the special rate and yet cannot have the card (its a reload card by the way)!  Anyway, forgive my rambling .... must be "senior" in me.....

   

my very special birthday present from the girls

They compiled a scrapbook for me.... its my treasure now!

This photo taken during my late mother's 80th birthday.  There are many other photos taken together on certain occasions and travels.....which I am not sure where they got it from....... Looking at these photos, I realise how much fun and joy  we have growing  "old" together. Thank You girls. you both are my wonderful daughters, sisters and  friends!

  

Both of them woke up early and took me for breakfast at...

Tommy le baker.

Ever since I saw the episode on Axian Food series about this baker, I had wanted to visit his bakery and try his breads.   I admire his determination to bake "true bread" and how he demystify  the notion that "bread must be soft and fluffy"   and he bake such wonderful loaves of sourdough and chewy breads etc.      

the shop/cafe is located on the ground floor of the Viva Residences in Jalan Ipoh. Table seating is rather limited but being a Sunday, they have extended a few tables along the corridor.  

Many customers drop by to buy their sandwiches and breads. 

He employed differently-abled staff, whom I do not find them any different maybe except for  their friendly  service and helpful  attitude which often are far lacking in other "abled bodied service staff " elsewhere.

  

We have found our favourite croissants,financier and lemon tart.

We ordered a Rib-eye Beef sandwich, a smoked salmon and tuna and chicken sandwich and they are yummy ... full of fillings!

the truth is in the eating.... all gone... and we even taipo more croissants.

photo with our favourite baker .........

Since we were in the vicinty, we went over to the KLpac.

I love this place as I find  it quiet and peaceful..... except this time we were started screaming and running as a huge monitor lizard suddenly came scampering towards us ...... I don't know who is more frighten... the lizard or us... hahahaha. What a day to remember!

More presents from overseas:

A Wedgwood set  of lovely 

of "Sarah Garden" plates from my sister Vicky and hubby Bill...

A "goat" luck  toy from Sister May and angpow and 

this very anti-aging  gift..... eyebags be gone soon! 

Last but not least from my son and daughter-in-law, and also the trip to Korea which they had planned for me.

A BIG thank you for everyone for their blessing and greetings!

GOGOSSING KOREA TRAVEL SEMINAR

14/2/2015
VALENTINE'S DAY
SATURDAY

Picture this:  Cherry Blossom petals drifting down in the gentle breeze as you walk hand-in hand with your belove- so romantic on Valentine's day too!

Wake up... there is no cherry blossom drifting around and yes today is Valentine's day. Time to get ready for the Gogossing Korea Travel Seminar: Cherry Blossom Romance in Korea. The event was held at the Korea Tourisim Information Centre at Menara Hap Seng. This is to introduce to the travellers the coming Flowers Festival that will be happening around Korea during the Spring Festival.  We were treated to numerous videos as the MC explained each Flower Festivals that were being organised at the various parts of Korea. 

The Korean Tourisim Centre at Menara Hap Seng

I heart Korea.... 

Registration counter and we were given a goodie bag... 

2015 calender,  pamphlets on transportation, maps etc. 

Showcase of all things Korean that you can  get as souvenirs 

getting ready for the seminar....most of the participants will be going to Korea this year....

The MC explaining the various Flowers Festival - how many types of flowers festival.... the most prevalent one of course must be the Cherry Blossom and there is the Azaleas and Royal Azaleas (difference being the colour, the size and the shape), Maehwa (apricot flower); Sansuyu (yellow cornelian cherry flower);  Forsythia, Rapeseed (canola) flowers (especially in Jeju Island)  and also a Boseong Tea Plantation. 

 What an enchanting eye-opener. She also gave a brief introduction and tips  on the transportation, the hotels and the best way to stay connected during the trip.  After the lucky draws and quiz, we were treated to some light refreshments.

gimbaps.... 

kimchi pancakes. 

Japchae - stir-fry sweet potato noddles aka Korean glass noddles

and of course Kimchi. 

Enjoying our light lunch.... I enjoyed this event as this will be a prelude of the Korean trip in March.  

 After the event, we made our way to Pavillion to get ourselves in the Chinese New Year mood....

The 30 foot tall Golden Goat in the concourse area

the entrance way  

Ring the bell for good fortune with Meneki-Neko Lucky Cat.

The day  ended with more Korean food at the Cafe Korea in Sri Petaling.   This cafe has been advertising their meat-free dishes at My Kindmeals.my

A rather limited food menu and they seem cater more for drinks and their bingsu (shaved ice) including a bingsu bibimbap 

Citron hot tea 

Tuna bibimbap - large portion of rice but overall tasty- served a small plate of pickled radish. Could prefer some kimchi instead!

their  signature dish - Jajangmyeon- noddles in black bean sauce.

Sarah also ordered their Jujube Milk tea...  

Korean Fried Chicken...

Spark my excitement for the coming trip to Seoul, can't wait for it......  A big thank you to my son Jeremy and daughter-in-law Eunice for arranging this wonderful birthday present for me.