Ah, time flies, as many others are still celebrating their Chinese New Year holiday, I have started work since Tuesday.

But

That doesn't mean that I didn't have some fond memories during this short festive season; and this coming Sunday with Hive account@myach there are going to more epic highlights for Chinese New Year!

So before I hint more about this coming Sunday, let me just quickly wrap up what my highlights were in my hometown.

Behold, my cheekiest little photo-bomber!

My youngest little princess in the family, growing tall and strong and she has always been my G.I.Jane and I definitely will introduce her to Hive account@cikxaijen one day!

She is now the most active one in the family, first gymnastics; now swimming (as she is too old to practice since she can no longer do the arch back bending). Nothing really can stop her if she chooses to be happy and stay happy for the day.

If you are in a bad mood and you managed to be in the same room with her during her cheekier moments, you can't stop smiling.

(Someone who can remember Ephesians better than me! How can she not be cheeky and energetic?)

The Steamboat (hot pot) that worsen my ulcer!

I have been suffering fever blisters way before Chinese New Year, probably due to travelling up and down to check on my parents and lack of sleep. I could keep it at bay, but this was the killer!

It wasn't very spicy, though it looks rather red (the curry!), but my mom added her home made innocent-looking-but-deadly-spicy-chilli into the mix and there goes my ulcer.

(It has now spread across the inner walls of my left cheek . I hope I won't still look like someone punched my cheek this Sunday)

The ultimate 7-hour drive challenge!

Usually it takes maximum 3 hours door-to-door travel with my trusty little car to my hometown / back; but because of 3 major accidents from the North side of the North-South highway and in between, plus some pretty nasty thunderstorms, the journey has stretched till 7 hours.

By the Grace of God I managed to hold my bladder until half way through and had a pit stop to relieve myself (along with an army of Malaysians trying to head South to where they work and reside); and half of the time it is like this; total stand still to the point I can take a nice picture of my windscreen.

And another miracle is that if I continuously change gears for hours I usually have leg cramps; and this time, I am fine and dandy besides being a little tired.

So overall it was pretty good for a holiday . Family meetups, food, dehydration and ulcer (haha). This is an annual thing that despite of all inconveniences and discomfort, many Malaysians (especially the Chinese community) still look forward to embark without fail.

And today is the 8th day of Chinese New Year, where tonight the Hokkien clan of the Chinese community will be giving thanks to God of the Heavens with their unique Nonya kuih, fruits, slaughtered chicken and even seafood (for the Penang-knights they will know) and tons more and have their time of their lives with love ones.

Note: Hokkien community celebrates hugely on this day for a reason; and perhaps one day when I gather all the facts together I will be able to share with all of you here.

Right now as I can remember, it has a lot to do with Sugar Cane, and war.

For those out there who celebrates Chinese New Year, how was your celebration? Maybe I will look at #cny and see if there're any recent post to read.