Sunday, January 15, 2012

Lo Hei, 捞起魚生

Lunar New Year is round the corner and usually on the 7th day of Lunar New Year, which is also known as Renri 人日, Chinese must have this special dish called Yu Sheng 魚生 (some call it Chinese Prosperity Salad).

The trend has been so common that nowadays, even before Renri, most restaurants already started selling them. But do you know the meaning of Yu Sheng? The meaning of each ingredients meant for this dish? Let me share with you..

All thanks to HSBC (= because we received a FREE Auspicious Yu Sheng Plate after charging $120 to the card at Cold Storage.

History: Yu Sheng means 'abundance' and the tossing action called 'Lo Hei', is a symbol of prosperity and good health.

How to eat Yu Sheng: We have to put together these 11 ingredients, each of them also comes with a new year greetings. Do be mindful not to say them wrongly..

1: Fish, symbolising abundance or excess through the year, is being put in the centre. 年年有馀

2: The pomelo, put over the fish adds both luck and auspicious value. shout 大吉大利!

3: Pepper & Cinnamon Powder is then dashed over 1 & 2, hoping to attract more money and valuables. 招财进宝 We love this the most!!

4: Then pour over the oil in circular motion around these ingredients. This is to increase all profits and encouraging money to flow in from all directions. This is the most important for business man cos it represent 财原广进

5: Carrots are added to the fish indicating blessings of good luck. Here we wish for 鸿运当头

6: Followed with the shredded green radish on the fish to symbolise eternal youth. 青春长驻, for ladies especially.

7: After which, we put in the shredded white radish is added – prosperity in business and promotion at work. 步步高升

8: Chopped Peanut bits are dusted on the dish symbolising a household filled with gold and silver. As an icon of longevity, peanuts also symbolise eternal youth. 金银满屋

9: Sesame seeds quickly follow symbolising a flourishing business. 生意兴隆

10: Deep-fried crispy crackers in the shape of golden pillows is added, wishing everyone (literally) filled the whole floor with gold. 片地黄金

11. Sour Plum sauce is being added, wishing all couples/ families 甜甜蜜蜜!

At this moment, you should be on your mark, ready with your chopsticks in your hand. You are encouraged to toss the Yu Sheng 7 times, shouting loudly the 10 greetings mentioned earlier and lo hei (toss with luck) with other auspicious New Year wishes!

Hereby, I would also like to wish everyone Good Health and Have a prosperous Dragon Year! Cheers & *hugs*

Sunday, January 8, 2012

GREAT start for 2012!

Hello people! Happy New Year.. still not too late for greetings right?
We are only into the first week of 2012..

As the old saying goes 'time files'.. Yes indeed, we're in 2012 already! Can you imagine 12 years ago when we were all extremely delighted, celebrating the Millenium? Gosh!! Time really flies, don't you agree with me?

I wouldn't say 2011 was a fantastic year for me, I would rate it 70/100! It was an 'ok' year for me. Of cos, it was also a year that I traveled the most. I went to KL, Vietnam, Malacca and Jakarta, both for work and leisure.

Well.. I'm satisfied with who and what I am now. Of cos it can be better but I'm not going to bind myself with those 2012 New Year's Resolution because I know I won't do it. lol! And my cousin shared with me this:

'People treat New Year's like some sort of life-changing event. If your life sucked last year, it will probably still going to suck tomorrow!'
Truly, I raised both hands and legs to this!

Company's retreat kick start my 2012 perfectly (despite the flu bug which followed me since 27 Dec '11.). We headed to Sentosa Shangri-la for 2D1N retreat. Lovely~

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Mum & me @ our Suite, located at L11..

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Our room. (Dear colleagues, if you're seeing this, please don't be mad at our 'free upgraded room' lol! Cos we waited for 1.5hrs for our check-in.)

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It all pays off as the Head of Event.. Happy me!

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Dinner by the beach. So lomantic... <3

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We're blessed! Rainbow decided to pay us a visit.

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The KDK family!!