CNY 2010 Day 9: Fireworks @ bai tian gong aka 拜天公

At Lunar New Year Day 9, the Hokkien will hold a Jade Emperor ritual (bai tian gong or 拜天公) which incenses are burnt and food offerings are made to the Jade Emperor and also to Zao Jun, the god of kitchen who reports to the Emperor on each family. It was the birthday of the Jade Emperor who is the Taoist ruler of Heaven based on folks culture. In actual Taoism, Jade Emperor governs all the mortal's realm and below. (Information from: Wikipedia) It is a common practice to hold the ritual prayer at late night passing 12 am on CNY Day 8. In Malaysia, prayers usually will light the fireworks during the prayer. The fireworks displayed is of much greater number and intensity compared to the one burnt during the CNY Day 1 prayers. Hence, it is a common perception that the Hokkien people are richer than the others. In my observation, it seem that the fireworks display this year was greater than previous year. The police patrol car already start patrolling my area at approximately 9.30 pm. You know what they were here for right?

The releasing of wishing lantern by my friend, Yen Moi's family

It is a norm for the prayers to release the wishing lantern aka 孔明灯 aka kong ming lantern up to the sky. Prayers will hand write their wishes on the wishing lantern before the candle inside the lantern is lighted.

May your wishes become true

After the candle is lighted, wait for a few minute then release it off. It will then 'fly' up freely to the sky. It is hope that the wishes will be fulfilled. This wishing lantern was invented by 诸葛孔明（即诸葛亮) aka zhu ge liang. Basically, there is a simple science theory on why this lantern can 'fly' up to the sky. When the candle is burnt, oxygen will be used up leading to vacuum conditions (if it is a closed container) and together with the heat produced causes the lowering of pressure inside the lantern. The differences in pressure will push the lantern upwards. Alright, that's all for the history and bai tian kong celebration of my friend, Yen Moi's family. Back to myself, I am not a 'hokkien lang' but a Cantonese Chinese. However, I do share the bizarre and bombastic night by capturing the fireworks display at my housing area. WARNING: The below pictures was captured by the person you known who are noob in photography. Pic 1: ISO 400, 0'3, F8.0 Try click to enlarge the photo. Kind of like the effect. Pic 2: ISO 400, 0'3, F8.0 Pic 3: ISO 400, 0'8, F8.0 Pic 4: ISO 400, 0'8, F8.0 Pic 5: ISO 80, 0'6, F8.0 Pic 6: ISO 80, 0'6, F8.0 Pic 7: ISO 80, 1', F8.0 Pic 8: ISO 80, 1', F8.0 Pic 9: ISO 80, 1', F8.0 Pic 10: ISO 80, 1', F8.0 Pic 11: ISO 80, 1', F8.0 Pic 12: ISO 80, 1', F8.0 Pic 13: ISO 80, 1', F8.0 Pic 14: ISO 80, 1', F8.0 Pic 15: ISO 80, 1', F8.0 Pic 16: ISO 80, 1', F8.0 Pic 17: ISO 80, 1', F8.0 Pic 18: ISO 80, 1'3, F8.0 Pic 19: ISO 80, 1'6, F8.0 Pic 20: ISO 80, 1'3, F8.0 Pic 21: ISO 80, 0'6, F8.0 Pic 22: ISO 80, 0'6, F8.0 Pic 23: ISO 80, 0'6, F8.0 Pic 24: ISO 80, 0'6, F8.0

CNY 2010 Day 7: Bai Nian at Pn Chew's House

For the very first time, Pn Chew invited all her students to her open house via FB. Friends of mine know very well I am virtually idiotic in FB. I once saw the invitation and couldn't able to find back the invitation. To my understanding, I thought the open house gonna be held next week. Luckily, I had met with Chee Fei a day before and he enlightened me on the event. Otherwise, I will be skipping this event due to idiotic reason. Haha.

This was the group picture of my batch which was the pioneer group when Pn Chew first started her teaching at Setapak High School. Not in the picture were Kuan Phang and Yi Pei who attended the open house earlier than us. As usual, when we have Yi Pei, it means a short meeting. Haha. Don't kill me for this. In the picture were Pn Chew and her lovely daughters, Chee Fei, Jian Feng, Chee Boon, Me, Weng Kit, Chern Yung, Wai Hong, Suet Yan and Kar Wai.

Me, unknown, Soon Keat, Eng Tat (eng tau alrdy wor) and of course Pn. Chew. They left earlier before we started the blackjack game. The younger generation of students who kept themselves busy with the playing card in a room. Well, they were just playing cards and 'no money' involved. =P.

The many uncommon faces.

I was told by Pn Chew that the Chinese Society is now active with more Form 5 students. good to hear that. By the way, do you the half ripe banana writing this was once the Vice President of the Chinese Society? Haha.. those were the days when 'chicken talks to duck'. Outside at the living room, it was dominated by more senior students. We do the same interacting to each other through the play cards. There was another group of senior students who do not play blackjack sitting right behind the 'socializing group' and was chatting while watching the TV. Introducing you the Queen of Gamble, San Hui. She just won hundreds of ringgits at Genting Highlands days ago. Nonetheless, she was playing with us to show off her skills and again we did not 'gamble'. =P Those seniors who played the blackjack with the Queen of Gamble took the opportunity to have a photo with her. 'Tar jie, gong xi gong xi'. This was the rapper, musicians, guitarist, chemist and 'MANAGER' --> Chee Fei. Check out the background of the right picture. It was the wedding photo of Pn Chew and her husband which was strategically located at the background of the picture of Chee Fei and San Hui. Good couple? Kingston Wong, this picture was taken by Pn Chew youngest daughter. Through my camera, I actually introduced Jun Jun to her. She was 3 years old while Jun Jun will be reaching 4 this year. Me and Richie Tham. Most of the picture of the uncommon faces were taken by him. Thanks Richie! Not to forgot, instead of steamboat last year, this time we have food catering. There were fried rice, mee hun and curry chicken as well as orange juice. For special drinks, just take it from the refrigerator. Haha.

Weirdo pictures of Chee Boon, Chern Yung and Jian Feng.

Pretty ladies with unknown identity.

Johanson Chew, Hana Chan, Pn Chew, Celvin Igor and Kingston Wong. A year younger than me. Although I will be only reaching 22 this year..shhhh~

Group picture~ I was the cameraman for this photo.

The big family of Setapak High School students comprising different generations attending Pn Chew open house. It was a great day to celebrate the 'everybody birthday' at chor 7. May the year of Tiger bring us lucks, prosperity, wealth and health. Till we meet again next year in a BIGGER house! *You may request for the original photo by contacting me.

CNY 2010 Day 1: Bai Nian

The Tiger Chinese New Year 2010 celebration was held in a super duper hot season. As usual, the Chinese will wear everything newly brought if possible and will give red colour as priority. Some even wear red underwear or bra to symbolise 'ong' or 'huat' or 'fortune and luck'. Me and my family visited older or higher rank relatives as early as 9.30 am. We had our early breakfast before starting off our journey. At each pit stop (houses), we were forced indirectly to drink at least one drink either carbonated or packaged drink and to eat the snack foods of vast variety. I wonder how much sugar and salt that I had consumed. About the 'bai nian' session, it is nothing new but usual chatting, updating information, 3 8'ing for aunties and talking rumours. Perhaps, the new discovery in this time 'bai nian' session is the below family tree photo that I would like to share with my readers.

What is your first impression when you see this picture? Do you think that the family tree is a lot? Then, you are wrong. The above picture is just a part of the whole family tree. It consists of 5 generations with about 70 + people. The number is even more than you can imagine. We were totally shock to discover the number of the family tree upon seeing this picture hanged on the wall.

Nothing much to update for Day 1. Perhaps, my whole body was sweating crazily until I can feel each drops of the sweat. More interesting story will be on Day 2 which I went back to my hometown. Again, I would like to wish all my readers 'Happy Chinese New Year!'.