PonyTales

These are some of the photos taken during CNY eve and 1st day of CNY in Kota Bharu. We only manage a few pics as we were too busy eating or feeding Zoe…hehehe

OK, this shot is not in KB but I just wanna put it here as Zoe is so cheeky running around the house while we do our final packing on CNY eve. Notice the bouncing hair!

Like Father, Like Daughter - Zoe taking a nap just like Daddy at the living room. Manage to have a power nap right before we leave for Tumpat.

Reunion Dinner in Tumpat. I bought along a pre-packed ‘yee sang’ just to add a little fun to the reunion.

This four season dish was prepared by Zoe’s Grand Aunt.

Great Grandma’s house is half wooden and half brick. A traditional kampung house built on stilt. We are at the dining and kitchen area, which is built on the ground. This might be the last shot of us in the house as there are plans to replace the kampung house with a commercial building.

Zoe with Daddy at the front of Great Grandma’s house - 1st day of CNY. The front of the house is a big wooden platform with 3 wooden day beds for family and friends to sit around and chat or have tea time. Great Grandma usually sits at this area and there will always be friends/neighbours who pass by and stop for a quick chat - that is the way of the kampung life.

Zoe having a feel of the wooden floor…hahaha!

SIL’s Birthday Cake!

We bought a Birthday cake to celebrate SIL’s Birthday which falls on January. SIL insist to celebrate all our Birthdays together since there are 4 of us in the family who are born in January…hahaha! The kids have the most fun!!!

On the 1st day of CNY, I was surprised by Zoe as she climb the staircase by herself at MIL’s house (double storey). Toddlers really learn at lightning speed! I literally spend the next few days (while at home) sitting by the staircase supervising her climbing addiction…

As usual, we went house visiting on the 1st day of CNY and we we served the usual spread of nasi dagang, nasi kerabu and laksam (my favourite!). I can never get bored with this stuff! The home made satay at the 2nd house was to die for. I have never tasted such a delicious and aromatic satay before - can beat Satay Kajang anytime!!! (Sorry, Kajang folks…ehehehe).

Oh, I must also mention that MIL purposely ordered a big pot of home cooked laksam for me!!! Wooohoooo!!!! It tasted heavenly and I ate 2 big bowls within a day (I can eat this stuff 3 meals a day). MIL and SIL woke up early and went to the market to get the raw herbs and veges to garnish the laksam. She also bought the rice noodles for the laksam. I learned that the rolled up flat large noodles (something like chee cheong fun but bigger size) are called Lakso and the thin noodles are called Lakse. Again, I totally forgotten to take photos of this favourite food - simply too greedy and start eating at the first sight of it. Thanks MIL for this unforgettable Laksam!!!

We did not manage to hunt down the Royal Murtabak but since MIL has been cooking so much, the whole house literally smells like tomyam! I would rather stayed at home for all the home cooked meals. I especially love the stir fried pork slices with fried lemongrass and chilli. Yummy yummy!

We did not manage to go to the duty free zone this time as Daddy suggested that we go the next round, as we plan to drive home. That way, we can buy more stuff and not worry about luggage weight too much.

So, in order to ease my shopaholic addiction, we went to Bazaar Buluh Kubu and Pasar Siti Katijah to look for some batik dress for my mom. There were lots ready made baju kurung moden this time around and I was so tempted to get one for myself. The designs are really nice and sexy too (see thru materials in layers) but they were too pricey and I dare not bargain too much. One set starting price is at RM350! I must prepare more cash and go with MIL next round. MIL told me that they are prepared to bargain usually and it will not be so expensive if the locals buy it - I definitely failed miserably trying to look like a local there

Anyway, I’ll be back!!! Hahahaha…

On another happy note! Zoe started calling me "Mameee!" since this CNY . I realised that when she really wanted my attention , she will call me "Mameeee!" but being the cheeky Zoe, she will only call me when she likes it! Anyhow, I am happy la….hehehehe