Chinese New Year 2010 - Singapore River Hongbao 2010 (Part 1)

Time passes fast. Today is the 4th day of Chinese New Year and is also known as the birthday of sheep. Sheep was the fourth animal that the Goddess Nuwa created for earth according to Legend.

Last night, I visited the River Hongbao at Marina. There were so many people and it was so difficult to take good photo without any people getting in the way...lol.

Once I stepped into the venue, I could see the future Integrated Resort still under construction. The roof top looked so interesting. It was built according to fengshui. There will be a roof garden with F&B outlets there and some water features too. I hope to go up there once it is completed.

There will be a casino too in the Integrated Resort with musuem and exhibition halls. The other casino that was opened few days ago was in Sentosa with Universal Studio. Universal Studio will only open next month or so.

There was a china fair too at the Singapore River Hong Bao. Singapore River Hong Bao is a yearly event to usher in the Chinese New Year. Oh I love these cute pandas.

Some short videos showing the surrounding area. Just look at the crowd around me.

The below video is a little shaky at the beginning as I was hurriedly trying to catch the dragon dance in action. My first post on dragon dance in my blog...lol. There are two dragons in the video. At the end of the video is everyone's favourite, the God of Fortune. I will post about it next week, there's something funny going on at the foot of the God of Fortune. I will tell you all about it next week in "My World Tuesday".

Chinese New Year - 3rd Day of Chinese New Year

Today it is the third day day of Chnese New Year. It is also the birthday of the Pig. The third animal that the Goddess Nuwa created for earth according to Legend.

On this day, it is considered inauspicious to do any visitings. So we normally do not visit our relatives nor do we expect any visitors to come on this day. But nowadays people do not really be bothered by this tradition. They will go visiting on this day or wear black instead of red. But I never like wearing black during Chinese New Year.

The above photo was taken at my sister's house. We have so much food, most cooked by my eldest sister...she really can cook very sumptous food. Sometimes, I really prefer homecooked food then going out to eat.

Going to a chinese family's for a meal is the best. The host is always very generous with food. The table will be filled with lots of food and your host will keep asking you to eat...lol. The host will always make sure they have more food then you can finish. And oh I forgot to take photo of the dessert and fruits with free flowing wine and chinese tea.

Chinese New Year 2010 - Huge Chinese Lantern

Today is the 2nd day of Chinese New Year. As mentioned in my earlier post, the Goddess (Nuwa) created earth with seven animals. On the second day, she created the dogs.

Therefore second day of Chinese New Year is also the Birthday of Dog. People will be extra kind to dogs in respect of the occasion.

I have not completed my rounds of visiting. Today will be visiting my family's side of siblings. We will gather at my eldest sister's house to exchange greetings, oranges and giving out of ang pows (red packets containing gifts of money) . And of course, there will be a sumptous lunch waiting for us at my eldest sister's house. She is a great cook. :)

Saw this huge lantern in Heeren Shopping Mall. It is so beautiful. A short video to show exactly how big the lantern is.

Happy Valentine's Day

Today is the first day of Chinese New Year and also Valentine's Day.

Here's wishing everyone a very Happy Valentine's Day. :)

Chinese New Year 2010 - Year of the Tiger (First day of Chinese New Year)

Today is the first day of Chinese New Year. We welcome the year of the Tiger.

The first day of Chinese New Year is known as yuan dan (first morning of the new year) or yuan ri (first day).

According to Chinese legend, Nuwa, the goddess who created the earth over a seven-day period, also created different animals on specific days, which is why each of the first seven days of the New Year is also known as the birthday of a certain animal.

The first day of the new year is the birthday of chicken. Today, I must not sweep the floor cause it is considered bad luck as if to sweep away all the luck...lol.

The day begin with visiting to the oldest and most senior members of the family. I will be visiting my hubby's brother and his family. We will then have lunch at his place.

This year is very special to us cause we did not celebrate chinese new year for the past two years because my father in law and mother in law passed away, one after the other during the past two years.

Chinese New Year is a very important festival so if there is death in the family, one cannot celebrate Chinese New Year for that year. We have to mourn for one year. Therefore, it is important that we do not wear black during Chinese New Year, which is associated with death.