I am elated!

The launch of my DVD featuring scenes of my estate in the form of a slide show with bright and soothing background music, had been a success. Containing 215 pictures, shot with my Nikon D200 camera, it took me one day to compile the 15 minute show.

I produced 200 copies of the DVD and launched the sale on 14th January, 2008. To date, there are now only about 10 copies left. Unfortunately, many residents do not read the notice board, and are not aware of the DVD until somebody tells them about it.

Lately, I was sought after by Citibank and Credo, for permission to use my pictures. Citibank had their function on Wednesday 27th February, at the clubhouse, where they gave a presentation followed by a buffet dinner for the residents.

I was approached to take pictures for the function, so that they can be made into a special DVD, to be given to the residents. The response was good with a large turn out, but I cannot help to note that some of them attended just for the free dinner. Anyway there was much interest shown in investing money with Citibank.

An earlier attempt by Citibank failed to attract the residents. When they asked around as to what latest event aroused the residents' interest, they were told that my DVD was a hit. So they came to see me for help by using my pictures. I am elated!

The dinner event went off very well, with me shooting pictures of everyone. Many residents recognised me for my DVD, and complimented me. One resident told me that he bought two DVD's. I felt humbled but happy that I brought some cheer to those who bought my DVD.

Towards the end of the function, there was a lucky draw. I stood in front ready to shoot the winners. Lo and behold, my wife won the third prize of a bottle of Dom Perignon Vintage 1989 Champagne! This Champagne is the most expensive in the market and made famous by James Bond, with prices going from a few hundred dollars to a thousand.

What happened next caused me some embarrassment. Announcing the next top prize of a Raffles Hamper, the draw was made and to my utter surprise, my name was called. The lady conducting the draw assured everyone that it was a truly lucky draw. I was dumbfounded and embarrassed. Anyway I went up to receive the prize while someone took my picture instead. The second hamper was won by somebody, so it was not that bad we did not monopolise the draw. But what surprised me most was that, I did not submit my name for the draw. Some kind soul must have submitted for me or it was staged for me to win. I usually do not have luck with draws. Anyway I accepted the hamper in good faith and grace with thanks to Citibank.

My next event is the Credo high tea on 15th March, in which my pictures will again be featured. Credo, who handled our en bloc sale, is giving the residents 'high tea'. My pictures will be featured in souvenirs like key chains, coffee mugs, mouse pads, magnets and jig saw puzzles. In addition, I am contributing 100 of my DVD for sale. All the proceeds will go to the Kidney Dialysis Foundation and the ST Children Pocket Money Fund. A noble cause of which I am in full support. It makes me happy to help out. I am looking forward to this. Watch my blog.

A piece of good news from the lawyers. Our sale will complete by 10 March and the funds will be available on 12 March.

I had reported earlier that I was not able to send SMS. Too complicated! Well, today I sent my first SMS to my son, who is currently in Cuba. Surprised my daughters no end. I also SMS a reply to Citibank. So I am not so dumb after all.

Till then....

A 'Pen Cai' lunch

The Chinese New Year season is coming to a close and to cap it off, we had a family 'Pen Cai' lunch at the Crystal Jade Palace Restaurant yesterday, Sunday 17th February. Except for Jay, who had some visitors in town, everyone was there including Ben. It was also to celebrate the belated birthdays of Karen and Tim.

Several years ago, I saw a documentary on Hong Kong, which featured this dish. The Cantonese call this 'Poon Choy', which literally means tray or basin of vegetables. In Mandarin, it is known as 'pen cai'. Chinese cuisine, among the best in the world, refers to vegetable - 'choy' or 'cai', as a collective noun embodying both meat and vegetables set for the table. So when you go to a Chinese restaurant, the waiter or waitress will ask you what 'choy' or 'cai' you want to select from the menu. It does not necessarily mean only vegetables.

It has been reported that pen cai existed since the Song dynasty (AD 960 - 1279). When the Song emperor fled from the Mongol invaders and arrived at a village in Guangdong, the local folks collected all the best food from each household, and served them in large basins, because bowls were not big enough to hold all the food. Until recently only, has this dish now, been introduced in Singapore.

The Hong Kong documentary showed, how the dish was prepared, in layers of food being cooked and laid inside the basin. The selection of food is left to the imagination and skill of the chef, and is considered to be a one dish meal.

The Crystal Jade version was said to contain 18 varieties of delicacies relating to the auspices of the Chinese New Year. I was not able to itemised them (see picture above). However, I identified the baby abalone, sea cucumber, fish maw, roast duck, moss fungus (fatt choy), yam, Yunnan ham, soya bean sheets (fu pei), white radish, wood ear (moke yee), scallop, octopus body, cabbage, pig trotters, and large black Chinese mushrooms, which I do not eat. They are significant in Chinese food philosophy, for example moss fungus signifies prosperity. The restaurant should have printed a write-up on the dish, itemising the selections and the significance of each item.

The taste was excellent. The Chinese black mushroom did not permeat into the other ingredients, which was a relief to me. I would compliment the chef because each ingredient requires delicate cooking skill. The baby abalone was soft and tender retaining its flavour. Cooking abalone is a specialist skill. Over cook, and it becomes tough and leathery. Sea cucumber disintegrate when over cooked. So it takes skill to combine all the ingredients into one.

The bill was expensive no doubt but I am not complaining. I made some money selling my DVD slide show and I am always happy to share a meal with the family. We spent a pleasant day browsing through the shops and having a drink together. The kids had a great time especially Emma, who was, as always, the centre of attraction. Samantha had her genuine 'har gow', and Tim received a brand new badminton racket with a case as his birthday present from the uncle. When it was time to disperse and go home, Emma was greatly distressed. She turned her face and was about to cry, but held on bravely. Poor Emma.

With all the Chinese New Year goodies and eating, I gained 1 kg. So I now have to get rid of this kilo. I actually have restrained myself, but unfortunately the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.

Till then....

Koong Hei Fatt Choy

A very 'Koong Hei Fatt Choy' to all of you who are reading this. A customary Cantonese greeting for the Lunar New Year.

This is the fourth day, as I sit down to write this new posting. This is also the last Chinese New Year celebration before I move to my new place. There seemed to be an increase in visitors to my estate, as people savour the final celebrations here. Some of my friends told me that they will be showing my DVD to their friends, to show them the beauty of the estate.

I find this year's celebrations to be very disappointing and subdued. Not much of a Chinese New Year spirit.

The eve happened to be Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent in the Catholic Church. At the 7 am Mass in church, I was busy serving Mass and having to gather my Communion Ministers to impose ashes at the end of Mass. Happily everything went off well and my new lady Communion Ministers performed well, this being their first time. Sadly this will probably be my last time as their leader, because I plan to leave the ministry in a few months time.

The family reunion dinner was held at the Golden Pheonix Restaurant at Gillman Heights - the highlight of the celebration. Everyone was there, including the maid except for Ben, who turned up late after he got back from KL. Poor guy had to work! Anyway it was a very pleasant family gathering albeit a rather short one. When we adjourned for dessert at Keppel, Emma had fallen asleep and had to go home.

First day of Chinese New Year began with the 7 am Mass in church. Again my team was on duty and after distributing Holy Communion, gave out Mandarin oranges to the congregation. We were all dressed in red except for the non Chinese Ministers. But it was alright as there was a lot of laughter and goodwill among all the races gathered there.

After reading the newspaper from front page to the last page, it was a long wait for the family to gather at home. As if by a silent signal, everyone turned up at noon, in their holiday togs. Emma looked cute in her tiny cheongsam for the first time. The very much anticipated exchange of 'Hoong Pau' followed, especially by the kids, followed by tea from my children, an old tradition. I used to do that to my parents when I was a boy. So I was surprised when my children observed that.

Soon it was time to set out to Liz and Kip's house for lunch, a practice which we have been doing every year. This is the only house I visit every Chinese New Year. Liz and I have been very close family friends since our school days in Ipoh. Liz had called me one day to remind me that, since our family elders have all gone, we are all that is left. A poignant point when she asked for continued support.

Liz and Kip live in a mansion, which is so big that it required a power sub station on its own. It was unfortunate to see Liz in a wheelchair, because she had strained her hips, when she was in New York recently. It was also nice to see Dick, John and Peter.

There was so much food and the buffet table was loaded with all things nice. As usual, I over ate! Funny when I ate the ham with curry. I tried to 'wolf' down my food in order to feed Emma her milk, but she managed to induce her aunty to feed her. I ended up with an uncomfortable bloated stomach due to the hurried eating.

I also met up with my brother to catch up on his health concerns. After munching on the tit bits after lunch, we finally decided to take our leave, by three in the afternoon. We all dispersed into various directions and had a quiet evening at home.

Second day, Friday, after the morning Mass, I had roti prata in the market with a friend. The market was deserted with a few stalls opened for business, mainly the Indians and Malay and a surprisingly Chinese stall selling nasi lemak. It would have been a mundane day, had it not been for a visit by my wife's niece, nephew and two hyperactive grand nephew, who all stayed for lunch. Surprisingly still, my son had decided to stay at home for the day. I had some heart stopping moments when the two kids tried to finger my Mr. Christmas circus movements. Must think about all this when I move to my new place. How to child proof all of them?

Third day, Saturday, had braised fish porridge for breakfast with my friend Denis in the market after church. I am going to miss this when the market closes for major renovation after 17 February. This porridge is only for fish lovers like Denis and myself, and had always been our favourite. Costing only $2.50, the porridge has two to three pieces of fish stomach, cooked with ginger. The meat is soft and succulent with quite a lot of bones like long darning needles. You can pull them out with your chopsticks or fingers and they are not that bothersome. When the market reopens, I would have moved out already. I will probably come back for it.

My brother-in-law and the wife visited us on the third day. It was good, for we had not seen each other for a long time. After lunch that day, I went down to 'Marks & Sparks' (Marks & Spencer) to buy my cereal muesli. I like this because it helps my bowel movement everyday since I have been taking it for breakfast. I eat a small bowl even if I eat something from the market.

Today being Sunday, it has been very quiet, and nobody visited us. I listened to the radio to the old time favourites and the vintage chart featured the top ten tunes of 1965, when I was still a bachelor in the Air Force. Ahhhhh!

My son stayed at home the whole day and went for evening Mass. He came home just as I was leaving for church this morning. He just went out. What a night person! Had a lot of washing up to do after dinner. I am getting sleepy and tired. So good night to all.

Till then....