This is a delayed post. Better post this before I forget.
Three weeks back, we received an invitation from a friend to join him and his residential association community for breakfast. We didn't know what the event was about but we were glad to be part of the celebration. This is the first time, DH, kids, my mother-in-law and me experienced a Ponggal celebration up close.
This close-knitted community has initiated a first-time gathering to celebrate Ponggal at their nearby garden. We see preparation of claypots placed on stacks of bricks. There were also some coloured rice decorations on the ground and residents carefully placing wood underneath the pot which were laterlighted to "cook" the rice.
We were briefed by one of the R.A. committee that the Ponggal festival is a harvest festival celebrated by the Tamils. We were told that it is sometimes mistaken as a religious event but it is actually a thanksgiving day and a tradition that has been followed for thousand of years.
Rice were added to the claypots and cooked with milk until it overflows, symbolising bountiful harvest and wealth. We noticed some other stuffs being added into the pot and was told that they were some spices, raisins, cashew nuts, brown sugar and ghee.
It's a brand new year and we are now moving into a new phase as Brendan is entering standard one and I'm starting all our in a career that will be me more time for me and my family. Life is getting interesting.
We didn't celebrate new year eve in a grand manner but went to join our housing area's New Year Eve party, organised by the residents and the association on top of the hill overlooking the township, with tons and tons of hawker food available, and lots of prizes for lucky draw. There were performances by a lion dance troupe, a cheerleading group from some secondary school, lots of other performances including a singing group from some club. Great night and beautiful fireworks at the hilltop and the surrounding township at the stroke of midnight.
We also chose not to have hawker food at the residents' party and opt for our small family dinner at Sakae Sushi and for the kids, it was something fun and interesting, as long as they get to jalan-jalan, as usual.
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2010! May this year bring you lots of wealth, health and joy!
Quite recently, I had the opportunity to meet Boyz II Men up close and personal. I loved their older albums and their songs are part of my favourite collection - A Song for Mama, End of the Road, I'll Make Love to You, On Bended Knee, One Sweet Day.... I don't have any specific favourite singer or groups and mostly go for songs that I like. I've met a few artistes and singers but meeting Boyz II Men is like a dream come true.
Just came back from Adball. This year's theme was "Studio 54" , themed after the legendary famous nightclub in New York in the 1970's It was literally the home of the rich and famous. It was held at its usual place, Shangri-La Hotel. Upon reaching there, I was swarmed with tons of people in Afro hairdos, plastic-framed shades, bell-bottoms, platform shoes and other retro fashions, with glittery neon lights.
AdBall is an annual function organised by MAA (Malaysian Advertisers Association) and being in the media line, you get to see lots of sporting people attending the dinner function.
Anyway, my colleagues and I were there. I think I've reached the stage of getting older coz' my party mood wasn't really there. It was a fun night though.
My colleagues and I came dressed up. One of my colleagues was dressed in an Elvis suit, one in Austin Powers, my CFO came as Dr. Evil, my boss in some retro hairdo. I chose a short white bobwig, with big shades, shiny top and a bell-bottom pants.
It was quite a fun night, but I think I've reached the stage of getting old coz' my party mood wasn't really there. I left earlier while my colleagues boogey the night away.
