Days in KL

22nd of January:
My parents came to HCIBS to take me back to KL for the Chinese New Year holidays after school dismissed. My two friends also followed us. Dad called a taxi to take us to the airport. The driver charged $32 for the whole journey. We waited for three hours to board the plane. We spent our time in a café called Asian Delight. The flight took about one hour to reach Kuala Lumpur. When we reached the Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT), my friend’s mother offered us a ride home. It was midnight when we finally reached home. Although I felt tired, I was delighted to be home again. Home sweet home!
23rd of January:
I woke up late, still feeling tired. I visited my friend, Shaun, who was my ex-primary school classmate. We talked about our lives in Malaysia and Singapore since we went our separate ways. Then, more friends came to join us. They were also my primary school classmates. It was such a blessing to have so many old friends gathering together recollecting our primary school days.
In the evening, my dad took my mom and me to our favorite “Fish Head Noodle Pot” outlet in Jalan Pudu. It is operated by an old couple. The boss whom I dearly call “Fei Bak-Bak” started this eatery some thirty years ago. He always scolds his wife whenever business peaks, for not giving him a helping hand quick enough. In previous years, he would close at least four days before Chinese New Year. However, this year upon my dad’s request that I am only home on the third day prior to Chinese New Year, he agreed to close only after the 28th of the 12th lunar month. The big claypot that they used to serve the fish head noodle was filled to the brim with boiling whitish soup and green vegetable on top. Fei Bak-Bak cooks the best “Fish Head Noodle” in Malaysia.
24th of January:
I went to grandma’s house in the morning. I was ecstatic when grandma told me that her dog (Sam-Sam) had given birth. She has seven puppies. They all resemble Sam-Sam with black spots all over the body. She was busy feeding her babies when I took a peep at her. I had my lunch with my grandma and my uncle (grandma’s son). We had “wantan mee”. After that, I did my computer assignment on self-introduction. After dinner, all my four cousins came, two boys and two girls. I am the eldest of all. Later in the evening, my uncle took me to the night bazaar which the locals call Pasar Malam. There were many people browsing through the rows of stalls selling all kinds of food and consumable items. I really enjoy the festive mood at the Pasar Malam with Chinese New Year song blaring everywhere.
25th of January:
Time flies, it was finally Chinese New Year Eve! My uncle decided that we have our Reunion Lunch at Tenji which is a Japanese buffet restaurant. We had to pay for the meal before we started our feasting. We ate as much as we could in order not to lose anything. I was so full that I had to eat my dinner one hour later than my usual time. I looked forward to the next day because it is Chinese New Year and I can start receiving red packets (ang-pow).
26th of January:
Chinese New Year has arrived. Upon waking up, I wished both my parents “Happy Chinese New Year” and they both gave me an ang-pow. I took my bath and wear my new clothings. We had our breakfast at grandma’s place. Since it is the first day of the lunar year, everyone has to eat vegetarian food. Grandma cooked some very delicious dishes for all of us. I received an ang-pow from her too. My dad took us to his sister’s (my “Goo-ma”) house. She gladly welcomed us and gave me two ang-pows, one from her and another one from her son, my cousin brother who is married. By now, I have received five ang-pows. We went home after partaking many fruits and food at Goo-ma’s place.
My mom and I went to my grandma’s house again in the afternoon. Unfortunately, during the journey a Kancil (a Malaysian car) hit the bumper of my mom’s car. There was a dent on the bumper. Mom quickly called the car repairer to get an estimated cost. She wanted to get compensation from the driver but that young man did not have enough money to pay. Finally, mom settled for half the cost. She will have to pay the other half of the repair cost.
27th of January:
It’s the second day of Chinese New Year. We begin the day with a sumptuous New Year lunch. We started off with “Yee-Sung” which is a combination of seven types of fresh fruits sliced thinly, plum sauce, sesame seed, some crunchy crackers, and of course raw fish slices. This specialty is normally served during Chinese New Year. It was absolutely tasty and very colorful too.