The 9th Day of CNY

Monday was the first day back to work after a whole week of holiday. Luckily you were still sleeping when we left for work, otherwise.. we'd have a very difficult start to the work week. Sigh.. We tried to go home early on Monday because we had plans for the 9th day of CNY. Why it's a very important day for the Hokkiens and since we had leave to take, we planned to make another trip back to Ipoh again.

So we went home, had dinner and got ready to leave for Ipoh. By the time everyone was ready, it was almost 8pm. Just as planned.. we didn't want to leave too early for fear of the heavy traffic on the Penang Bridge. Traffic was quite clear and we were soon on our way to Ipoh. We arrived at around 10pm in Ipoh to find everyone getting ready for the midnight prayers. Kor Poh, Chim Poh and Su Kor-kor were busy unfolding and stacking the paper hats that were to be burnt later on.

We left you to entertain your Chek Kong while we went out to buy milk. Yup, forgetful mummy forgot to bring along the milk that I'd bought. Anyhow daddy's camera's flash also needed batteries *grin*. 4th Chek Kong even gave you another ang pow. Why? Because he wanted you to greet him like this. I forgot to mention on the 2nd day of CNY, he was a little late for dinner because he went looking for ice-cream that he's promised you in the afternoon! How sweet..

At around 11pm, we started to bring out all the things that were to be offered for prayers. Even you helped out. Kor-kor let you help to carry foodstuff that were light and small. You were so happy to help out. And then.. it rained.. and the rain got heavier and heavier! Like I'd mentioned before, it's really strange for it to rain during CNY. In fact, it did not rain when we were back in Penang, but it was raining every evening in Ipoh, and so everyone rushed to pull the table with the offerings nearer to the center of the car porch while Chim Poh rushed to get something to cover the paper hats that were in the middle of the garden.

Anyhow, the prayers went on as usual and you were so excited. Kept asking if it were your turn to "pai pai". At long last it was your turn to hold the joss stick, kneel and pray and give me the joss to be put in the container. Of course, that wasn't enough for you, so you had another go at it.

After everyone was done praying, it was time for us to keep the food. Again, you were a good assistant, helping us carry the foodstuff to the kitchen. We had a feast enjoying the food before you finally decided it was time for bed. You kept telling me "Mummy, let's go upstairs and sleep". Of course before that, you had to do your round of kissing and telling everyone "goodnight" before we headed upstairs. By the time we got ready for bed, you were wide awake again. But everyone else was not. So after a while, you finally went to bed at around 2am!

What time did you wake up today? 9.30am... sigh I really wished that you'd sleep in longer, but you were awake already. We stayed for lunch, which was in the East Ocean Restaurant in Menglembu. The food was delicious. There was another round of lou sang which you got to participate in again (this time you didn't lose your chopstick like the first time). You loved the fish and also the gravy from the prawn that you ate 1.5 bowls of rice (small bowl). On the way back home, you fell asleep and only woke up when we made a stop at a tile showroom.