This may sound new to us who got used to “Kung Hei Fat Choi” as a New Year greeting to our Chinese brothers and sisters worldwide. Admittedly, Kung Hei Fat Choi is the most popular one. But do you know that this greeting is Cantonese?
Yes, folks!
And guess what? It does not literally mean Happy New Year but “Congratulations and wishing you prosperity!”
Kiong Hee Huat Tsai!
Here in the Philippines, Tsinoys (Chinese- Filipinos) will hugely appreciate if we greet them in the language they can fully understand; and that should be Hokkien. Most Filipino- Chinese came from Fujian province and they mostly speak the Hokkien language.
In China, Mandarin is the official language where you greet them “Kong Xi Fa Tsai” but written and spelled as “Gong Xi Fa Cai”.
If you want to greet your Chinese friends a Happy New Year, you can say it as “Xin Nien Kwai Le” in Mandarin and “Sin Ni khòai lok” in Hokkien.
There is no greater moment for a family than the arrival of a child. You can just imagine the family’s hoopla when our Morning Dew was born. Being the first nephew/ grandchild in the family, Xyle was undoubtedly everyone’s apple of the eye.
Our Morning Dew crying non-stop
Mom tried to comfort him by giving him his feeding bottle
The joyful moments of his birth till he celebrated his first month were one of the many significant experiences especially for his parents.
Xyle at 1 month
One more milestone in Xyle’s growing up was experienced via a dedication service at Church. His parents showed their utmost appreciation to our Lord God Almighty and through this solemn act, the parents acknowledged God’s sovereign power not only over the child, but to them as well.
The dedication service at Church
A minister led the dedication service through a powerful prayer. He asked for wisdom and grace in carrying out the parents’ responsibilities towards the baby. Most importantly, it was asked in prayer that the baby be given the best opportunity to grow towards faith in Jesus.
Xyle was fast asleep the entire time :-)
After the dedication service, the family posed for the camera.
Morning Dew with parents
Xyle with the doting Tita Mom
We then proceeded to have dinner to celebrate the occasion at no less than Manny Pacquiao’s fave restaurant, Ranchero.
The famous Ranchero
The native piece of chandelier at Ranchero
We feasted ourselves on the sinfully delicious specialty of the house, baby back ribs.
Baby back ribs, delicioso!
One more time- up close! Isn't it so obvious that I am making you drool? Hahaha!
We ordered some more glorious and heavenly foodies.
Roasted beef with pineapple orange
Roasted beef up close
We can't leave this out- the famous kinilaw!
Beef shank stew (Sinigang na baka)
We haven’t had enough of sinigang na baka, so we ordered one more big bowl, hahaha! Believe me, it’s so yum!
Big bowl of sinigang (2nd order, LOL!)
Our Morning Dew also got some dedication souvenirs and oh yeah! The richly chocolate flavored cake from Red Ribbon!
The choco dedication cake surrounded by the souvenirs
Nice smiles for the cam except for Xyle, LOL!
Xyle still asleep with the souvenirs and cake in the background
We tried to kill the time waiting for my Mom to arrive by taking some more pictures at Ranchero’s vicinity.
My SIL and I
Yours truly and my siblings with Xyle
Paseo Del Sol is a garden function area just beside Ranchero. It's here where my friend's wedding took place (TWERLYN)
The night was almost spoilt when it took so long for my Mom to arrive at Ranchero. It was a little late when I realized that I told her the day before that we’re going to dine out at a hotel’s restaurant. It was at the last minute that we decided to change venue. I then looked for the contact number of that restaurant over the phone directory and described what my Mom looked like. The hotel’s receptionist told me that she’s been there awaiting for us for hours!
Mercy!
We have been contacting her to no end but she can’t be reached. It turned out that her phone’s battery died on her and her other phone was left at home. Her face when she finally reached Ranchero can’t be described, haha! She even refused to pose for the camera.
My Mom carrying Xyle with that trademark smirk on her face
The happy mood was restored after a hearty meal. Each one sliced a cake and posed for the camera. You see, I only took Sexy KM’s suggestion, hahaha!
My brother jointly slicing a cake with Cha
My SIL
My Mom's turn
My turn; so excited to have a taste of the cake
Taking a family portrait can’t be forgotten:
A family pose
The night ended up with a silly gesture of my brother imitating Xyle while feeding on his bottle. We found it so hilarious!
It’s the time of the year for Lainy’s Musings, Ladies and Gentlemen – it’s BLOGOVERSARY TIME for Lainys Musing’s. On April 1, 2011, you are invited to join in the celebration that has been a tradition with Lainys Musings.
This is fun time as best as I could conceive it.
And so, before the rest of the 3rd Blogoversary takes shape and form, I am seeking for sharity from my Blogpals who wish to spruce up the fun with their sponsorship.
Your generous support in any form of sponsorship, from cash to kind to credits, perhaps even a free air flight to Libya will be accepted until March 15, 2011, 12 am, +8 GMT.
THANK YOU.
UPDATE: Some of the benevolent-hearted blogpals who expressed their sponsorship are the following, to wit:
When my mother turned fifty years old last year, I planned a huge party for her. I wanted it to be something special and one of its kind.
During the planning process, I was thinking of what could be the best birthday party theme. I was asking some friends what could be the best theme but they could not give me one that appealed to my liking. Since my brothers were to perform at the beach at the time for the reggae beach party, we opted to celebrate in the same venue and chose Hawaiian as our theme.
Had I known that free party ideas and advices were available at Over The Hill, I could have chosen a better deal. I never knew this site existed not until I come across it today whole browsing online. I was amazed at how parties are being organized. You can even shop online for all your party needs!
This just gave me an idea to do my future party plans with the said website. I plan of organizing a nice surprise for my fiance in June for his birthday. For a year, I never sent him my presents via snail mail nor courier. I bought the birthday presents online and I found it hassle free and even more convenient.
I am now thrilled with the idea of getting the party stuffs at Over the Hill. Come to think of it though. The site sounds like Windy’s website. That’s pretty cool
I have always been looking forward for the weekends and how I am loving it so! It was only this January when my routine returned back to normal- no more overtimes at work. It has been work, work and nothing but work since 2008.
I was all too stressed up at work doing overtime till 9pm during weekdays, during weekends and even regular holidays. Imagine how my life was like during those times. Looking back, I couldn’t imagine how I was able to manage writing across my blogs despite the toxic schedule.
Now, I have the luxury of lazing around the house and just simply dilly dally shilly shally That’s only for the weekend though as I still go to work on a regular 8-5 basis.
The weekend enables me to get ample hours of sleep that I felt I have been deprived of for years. To say that I am renewed, refreshed and invigorated is an understatement.
While feeling easy and relaxed, I get the opportunity to catch up with some online activities. I’ve simply lost the zest and passion a couple of months back. It’s probably because of mental and physical exhaustion that sapped me off all of my energy.
Now, I am slowly regaining back the rhythm and I hope I could be more productive and enjoy the passion that I once shared with you all.
I’ve missed writing quite a lot of stuffs during my hibernation period. Now I will be taking the opportunity to share with you that apart from my cousin getting married in December, my very good African blogpals Uncle Che and Baby Noela finally tied the knot last December 21, 2010.
It was two weeks ago when I received an email from Baby Noela sending me the link of their wedding photographs.
The newlyweds
I was overwhelmed to see the couple very happy to have exchanged vows with each other. Uncle Che informed me via IM that there were three wedding rituals that took place as per African wedding tradition. They both got almost 1, 000 guests who were able to witness the exchange of marriage vows. I couldn’t be any happier for them!
I am patiently awaiting for Uncle Che to give a full account of his wedding preparations and the wedding day among others which he told me shall happen only here at Lainy’s Musings. Being once a co-author of this blog, he is most welcome to once again write and share his story for the world to read.
Homecoming is a tradition to almost all universities and colleges worldwide. The tradition of homecomings can be traced back in the alumni football games held at the universities and colleges in the US since the mid-19th century (Wikipedia).
I personally believe that Homecoming is an opportunity to rekindle the bonds and memories with friends from student days. It is a rare but perfect occasion to bring everyone back together after a decade or so of growing apart. It will never be like the old days but it’s always good to reminisce and look back.
College graduation photo
I failed to attend the High School Homecoming last December. Looking at the overflowing photos of my batchmates at Facebook, I just knew I’ve missed lots of fun. I wasn’t able to catch up with everyone
I then told myself I will never get to miss the College Alumni Homecoming. Incidentally, I was earlier informed that it shall take place on the 2nd Friday of January of 2011. The event was exclusive for all graduates of my university who took the degree in Bachelor of Arts major in Political Science from 1988 to 2010.
There weren’t too many of us in the class. We are proud to be the Millenium Graduates There were only 17 of us who took the same degree and graduated altogether with almost the same aspirations. At one point in our lives, we dreamt of becoming lawyers one day. But each of us have tread different paths. Some of my classmates made it to the Law School. We still have to wait though for them to pass the Bar Exams.
Indeed, the University was able to produce quality graduates for over two (2) decades. I was amazed with one of the batches where almost all of them were lawyers! I simply can’t help but admire those bunch of achievers!
My Polsci Classmates with my Polsci Professors
It was notable that our college Professors still can remember all our names. Isn’t that great?
In our batch, there were only five (5) of us who made it to the Homecoming. Most of the classmates I contacted prior to the event had an earlier engagement. Others I no longer have any communication.
Nevertheless, I was overjoyed for having spent some moments with my college classmates. It was a time to update each one of us of what kept us busy all through these years.
At the photobooth
All four of us works for the government- one a Political Science Professor in our Alma Mater, one a University employee, my other classmate is a member of the Philippine National Police, and yours truly working for the National Ggovernment Agency that guards the ballots. Only one in the group works in a private law firm.
The 5 of us in attendance at the University Homecoming
One thing noticeable though in the group is that I am the only one that’s unmarried, LOL! All four of them got married and had children of their own.
It was more than a year ago when my cousin Mystique of Mystique Moments finally got engaged. It was previously blogged H E R E.
Not long after their engagement, I was asked to be the Maid of Honor in her wedding. I did not know what to say and at the same time I felt deeply touched and honored by her request.
I have actually sworn not to be the Maid of Honor again. I have been the Maid of Honor of a friend in 2006 and I was sick and down for a week after the wedding. But well, how can I say “NO” to my cousin dearie? She actually told me that she’s supposed to be the Maid of Honor to my own wedding but since she got engaged first, I have no choice but to be the Maid for her wedding, LOL!
This is an event that I have clearly marked on my Calendar.
The couple had close to a year of preparation. But since they were both working in Manila and the wedding shall take place in the province, they hired the services of a Wedding Coordinator to make things more convenient and hassle-free for them.
December 28, 2010. It was a day that the members of both families, relatives and friends of the couple have been looking forward to.
The bride was stunning in her white wedding gown with some black accent. The groom looked dashing in his tuxedo.
I felt uncomfortable with my hairdo and my make-up. I felt even more uncomfy with my body weight, haha! Windy told me I looked like a barrel. He further said that it wouldn’t take long and my entire body frame won’t fit in the photos, LOL!
Though feeling a bit sick, I did my role as the Maid to the best that I can. I just had to wear a smile the entire time
To the newlyweds, my congratulations and best wishes! May you share your solemn vows forever and cheers to a blissful marriage!
“Kung Hei Fat Choi” as a New Year greeting to our Chinese brothers and sisters worldwide. Admittedly, Kung Hei Fat Choi is the most popular one. But do you know that this greeting is Cantonese?
General Santos Time
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