Ma ma's Sheng1 Ri4 Kuai4 Le4

Today is Ma ma's B-I-G D-A-Y and also known as our culture's Ghost Festival. I never gave much thought on this day... probably my own family hardly mourn this occasion unless all of us were in my hometown. Usually it's my grandma who would be attentive to any traditional, law abiding occasion which sprung my brief knowledge on such occasion. My mom only mentioned to avoid going out at night during this time of the year. Hehe...

Did some research on Wikipedia. In Chinese tradition, the 7th month of the lunar calendar (Chinese calendar) is known as the Ghost Month, on the 15th day of the 7th month is known as Ghost Day. Ghosts and spirits (deceased ancestors) come out to visit the living.

On this day, the 3 Realms: Heaven, Hell and the Realm of the Living are open and both Taoist and Buddhist would perform rituals to transmute and absolve the sufferings of the deceased. (taken from Wikipedia)

In Dolzer's family, we practiced two types of rituals

• Offerings to our ancestors in the house/ compound of the house: food offerings, burning incense/ joss papers/ paper-mache (in forms of goods, clothes, gold and etc)

The altar table

Food Offerings

More offerings to ancestors

Chicky with Ma ma

Chicky wants to help

Sexy feet

Curious Porky

Another pair of sexy feet (Ye ye's slippers)

• Offerings to all deceased that passes on the street: burning incense/joss papers/paper-mache

Street Offerings (Stray Kitty eating offerings )

What distinguishes "Qingming Festival" from "Ghost Festival"?

• Ghost Festival : Paying respects to all deceased (inc. same and younger generations)

• Qingming Festival : Paying respects to older generations (our ancestors)

Alright, back to Chicky's & Porky's beloved Ma ma's Grand

B-I-R-T-H-D-A-Y

On the previous post, I mentioned we be taking a break until Dolzer fixed the PC. It had been shutting down upon occasion, DVD ROM kept ejecting for no reason and blue screen kept appearing stating hard disc failure or something etc etc... ~

Dolzer already got all the necessary hardwares and softwares to give a fabulous makeover essentially for blogging and gaming purposes and also the GOOD NEWS is, our P1 WiMAX is up and running. Performing better than all the months before and hopefully it's a KEEPER. Therefore started to continue our anime download marathon but I limit to 1 download per day in case the entire hard disc blackout!

Dolzer encountered some problems during the weekend (cable malfunctioned) and decided to delay fixing to the coming weekend. The thing is, I wanted to bring the boys to some place nice for a break before Ngau ngau arrives but Porky has not fully recover yet. Wait... I haven't even prepare baby's checklist and my 'little' project is still pending!!! ~

Anyway, the day started off with Chicky and Porky fighting amongst each other while waiting for Ma ma to get ready for lunch outing.

Chicky bumped his head

Smackdown Porky

Porky got pissed

Ran away from Chicky

Plotting... Plotting...

Not fast enough. Chicky got up.

A fight till the end

Not really. I had to intervene before both ended up with bloody nose and there be hell to pay when Dolzer finds out. The brothers already started to bond strongly with each other: be it playing, eating, sleeping and now this! Both inherit very strong fighting spirit and neither would give in.

Then later in the evening, we waited for Dolzer to come home for the...

S U R P R I S E !!!

A happy SURPRISE!!!

Beaming Ma ma

It was getting late so we quickly get into the car and head for another surprise: D I N N E R

WARNING
Photos galore ahead...


THE DECOR...

The most terrifying experience for me but Chicky & Porky love it so I had to. ~

In all four corners

Initially there were 6 balloons. 2 terrifyingly burst while setting up and luckily I brought the entire pack so the waiters helped me to put up more. ~

Added several strips of rose and red ribbons and realized the plain red ones ran out so one corner I added an extra rose ribbon. Luckily for me no one noticed such things. shoo~

Failed attempt

The pump was broken and I wanted to purchase helium for the animal shape balloons. Last Sunday had dim sum at Connaught and saw a man selling helium balloons at the junction of the road. The balloon man says he will be selling balloons on Wed night pasar malam. Settled the price for RM2 for each animal shape balloons (total of RM16 for 8). Very very happy.

Soon after the boys nap, I stealthily left the house. Since it's on the way, I stopped by at the pasar malam first to search for the balloon man but the traders said he hasn't arrive yet. Bummer.

Continue on to collect the cake and on the way back I parked at the opposite side of the road. Took the overhead bridge over and still no sign of balloon man. Walked almost half of the long stretch of the road (most traders already set up stalls) and finally gave up the idea as it was getting dark. Extremely disappointed and tired. &

Quickly drove to the restaurant, left the cake there and set up a little decor for the night. Kindly reminded the manager we be late since Dolzer is usually late on Wed and quickly drove home. Praying boys awake and well behaved.

Chicky & Porky were still asleep.

Dolzer came home soon after.


THE DISHES...

Four Hot Combinations

Braised Sharkfin Soup w Crab Meat

2 Varieties Salad Chicken & Steamed Fresh Pomfret

Sweet & Sour Pork Ribs

Ma ma enjoying the pork ribs

Pan Fried Prawns

Braised Mushrooms w Gluten & Vege

Longevity Noodles

Stuffed Dolzer

Ice Longan w Sea Coconut & Crispy Pancake

The dishes were presentable. I personally enjoyed the 2 Varieties Chicken Salad. The skin is light and crispy and the meat, tasty.

Additional Superior Stock Spinach soup was ordered for both Chicky and Porky. Both brothers finished a bowl of rice before the main dishes were brought out.

Tonight's menu was chosen by Dolzer and Aunt Kallen. ~

THE FAMILY...

Hellz's & Dolzer's Family

Both parents busy chatting and catching up with news and gossips.


THE TERRORS...

Running around

Stepping on things

Chasing one another

Porky playing Peek-a-Boo

Chicky the Emcee for the night

Started singing HAPPY BIRTHDAY prematurely

Making loud noises

Porky playing Ultraman balloon

Fooling around

This was when TRUE TERROR reigns. It may looked harmless on the pics but actual event was exactly all hell breaks loose!!!

Screaming at the top of their lungs.

Chasing one another around the table without end.

Knocking chairs around.

Destroying restaurant property: mic (*joking).

Bumping into things. Porky's forehead suffered a minor scratch from bumping into the window blinds' rod. ~ Pull up the blinds, which explains one of the window was ungraciously exposed.

More screaming! Fighting. Crying. Running around again, screaming. You get the picture...

Dolzer suffered terrible migraine from the NOISE but both grandparents were proud of their grandsons' ability to reenact CNY atmosphere on this day. ~

THE CAKE SESSION...

Waitress getting the cake ready

Aunt Kallen counting candles

It says, "Ma ma, Sheng Ri Kuai Le"

Chicky all excited

Finally...

To be honest, this is not exactly the cake I saw some months ago while window shopping with Dolzer and the boys. I remembered the peach comes in a pair (different sizes) and it is a 3D sculpture. Very unique. Beautiful~

Can imagine:
HAPPY FACTOR for Ma ma would be 100% though EATING FACTOR would be like 0.01% (Ma ma has dairy intolerant).

When THE DAY was nearing, I went back to the place (KL Pavilion) I thought I saw but failed to find the shop. Perhaps it was in The Gardens since both Concourse setting were almost similar. It's not there as well but The Bread Story Shop had a peach shape cake.

Peach (Tou) = Chinese Symbol of Longevity

Time was running out. Decision Time.

The rest was history...

note: Please don't mention this to Ma ma. I'm thinking of saving it for next year

Po po helping Chicky to get ready

Chicky testing the mic

Porky practicing his vocal

An excited Ma ma

Almost ready

Singing HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Giving Ma ma a BIG KISS

Blowing candles

While everyone was focusing on Chicky...

Porky was neglected

Made up to Porky. Porky felt so much better

Taking candles out

Dolzer and Porky

Eldest grandson got to hold the knife of honour

Chicky having a grand time but...

Porky wanted to cut too!

Porky's turn to cut

Ma ma loves~

Chicky's turn again

Dishing out the cake

Gong gong admiring the cake

Everyone enjoyed the cake

Especially Chicky...

...and Porky

Chicky went missing

Chicky became the Emcee again

Wishing everyone had a great night

Wishing Porky had a great night too

Chicky: Daddee~ Sing gin...

Porky got down and walked around to Ma ma

Changed his mind

Successfully caught!

Chicky sang a song to Daddy

Finished singing. Clapping hand (mic)

Chicky: Let go Daddy~ Why Daddee? Why?

Hellz: Say CHEESE~

Porky: Yeeeee... Yeeeee...

Hellz: Say CHEESE again~

Porky: Yeeeee... Yeeeee...

Dolzer getting dizzy

On the night (Ma ma):
HAPPY FACTOR: 95% (Judging on the pics)

EATING FACTOR: 0.00% (Maybe because it's not the initial peach I had in mind so it's not 0.01%)

The inner cake is made of fruit and vanilla sponge. Dolzer complained TOO SWEET. ~

note: Remind BAKER to bake it less SWEET in FUTURE!

LATER ON...

Chicky & Porky helped Ma ma to open presents

Chicky's gift had a Chicken tag

Open open...

Open open open...

Porky's gift had a Pig tag

Porky too busy exploring around

Finished opened all presents

It was already 11+pm by the time we came home. Everyone was exhausted except for Chicky & Porky. They were still an abundant of energy. So, we decided to open the prezzies since it's still Ma ma's DAY (not yet midnight).

Oh... One last thing. Another Chinese custom practice.

Ang Paos

Each of us got something in return (including Ngau ngau) from Ma ma for luck. ~

:: THE END ::