1st day of CNY was a really HOT day, in my context. We went 3 temples with my PIL. Phew! Sweat man with the smoke and the heat, think hubby almost kena heat stroke.
1st temple that we went to.
Temples were crowded but the most crowded that we encountered was the Guan Yin temple at 4-horse road aka Si Ma Lu. There were long queues at both side of the entrances. Imagine people standing under the hot sun waiting for the turn to get into the temple. You know what it reminds me? It's like secondary school days where you have assembly in the open parade ground under the scorching sun at mid-day. We queue for about 10 mins and gave up.
Took this pic while queuing up. Can u see the opposite side queue?
It almost seemed like a procession when the queue got moving.
3rd temple that I went to. Having lotsa Lion Dance.
Did lotsa visting. My CNY tradition (before knowing Allan) is that I would go to my 3rd uncle house for steamboat dinner on 1st day. After the dinner, my dad side relatives would come to my house at around 8pm. Then after my house would be my 2nd uncle house which would be the last stop for the day.
2nd day would be my mum's side gathering starting from lunch till late afternoon followed by dinner gathering at my "gu-gu" aka dad's sister side. this would last till very late too... cos we would play Black-jack over there.
If 3rd day no need to work, then I would go to my eldest cousin (my dad side) for a gathering.
Sounds busy? hee... used to it. Allan don't really like visiting relatives. I think he visits 2 relatives each year so he is used to that. So CNY is always stressful for me and... for him. My tradition and his clash terribly =( . Previous year, he will always be reluctant to go. And usually his face will be abit sian on the way there. So I heartache when CNY is here.
On New Year's eve, Allan was talking to his mum. He was 'complaining" about my tradition to MIL. Then I told her that my dad reminded me to visit my 2nd Uncle(who is currently the eldest in my dad side family) cos he's the eldest. The she replied "Ya, you must go and visit Kailing's elders relatives. You both just got married. Must go and visit as a show of respect." hee hee... v(-_-)v
I'm not sure whether is it MIL's words that changed Allan's attitude towards relative visiting or what. But this year round, his attitude has changed quite alot and it's for the better. =) We visited quite a number of my relatives and he's not upset like previous years. I reckon it's a good start to the New Year. At least we didn't quarrel because of relative visiting. still pretty lovey-dovey on the journey. haha...
The place where we placed the pig container at Chinatown. Below is a close-up shot.
My cousin's kid Javier on his "car". He was all ready to pose when I took out the camera. but it's hard to capture nice pic of him. He's very active!
Me and my cousin Pauline at my cousin's place today.
My sis and Pauline.
After today's visiting, I have given out all the necessary angpows. hehe... I realised something kinda tough. The scenario is like this. You begin giving out angpows and you realise some kids are gone missing. they might be playing somewhere else for that moment. So I must remember who and give them when they are back. really test my memory. Maybe next year should give when all the kids are around to avoid this problem. haha...
I like this shot with the colourful flowers blooming in the background! Picture below is MIL and me! Allan's family seldom takes pic. abit unlike my family. We like to snap snap at big big small small occasions. haha... but I just went ahead and want to take pic with MIL. =P
Here comes the Year of Pig! This is actually the mother pig with her piglets next to her! Isn't it cute?
