Auspicious days to start work after Chinese New Year festival

It is exactly a week from today when the Chinese community all over the world celebrates the most important festival of the lunar year, i.e., the Chinese New Year or Spring festival.

Chinese families are busy going about cleaning up their home and shopping for Chinese New Year goodies. The latter includes shopping for new clothes to wear to usher in the new year, decorative items including tangerine plants, pussy willow stalks and other flowering plants to adorn the home, and foodstuff synonymous with the happy occasion.

In Malaysia, more than 30% of the population are of Chinese descent so Chinese New Year is widely celebrated here. If you visit Malaysia this time of the year, you will notice the air of festivity everywhere and a hive of activity all over the country, from villages and small towns to big cities like Kuala Lumpur, Georgetown (Penang) and Johor Bahru down south, neighbour to Singapore.

Another aspect related to Chinese New Year is the annual exodus of people making their way back to their hometown to celebrate the festival with their family. In a few days time, roads all over the country will see more traffic than usual as people begin to make their journey home.

Chinese New Year is celebrated for fifteen days but people start getting back to work towards the end of the week. It is believed that the day one starts work after the Spring Festival will determine whether one will have a good year ahead. What is an auspicious day to start work then?

This article on Auspicious days and dates to start work after Chinese New Year 2013 in Year of the Snake can give you an idea in picking a best day to go back to work.

I wish you all a Happy and Prosperous Chinese New Year of the Black Water Snake!

GONG XI FA CAI!

Sights and sounds of lantern festival at Central Market

The 1Malaysia Lantern Tourism Festival 2012 kicked off with fireworks, LED drum performances and a dance with an amalgam of traditional costumes in front of Central Market last week.

Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen said this year’s festival was different from previous years. “This year’s lantern is bigger and more beautiful,” she said.

If you happen to be in Kuala Lumpur, this would be a good time to visit the many beautiful lanterns on display at the Central Market, a tourist destination in itself where you can buy home Malaysian handicraft for friends and family back home.

More..Sights and sounds of lantern festival light up Central Market

Greetings from Malaysia

Best wishes for a Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri to friends and readers..

It's often said that KL is the best place to be during a major festival such as Hari Raya and Chinese New Year. This is so because most city-folks are actually migrant workers from smaller towns across the country. During either of these two festivals, the exodus begins a few days ahead of the festival leaving the city quite deserted and relaxed. Roads in and around the city are so much less congested providing a great drive for those still in the city.

If you are planning a visit to KL during these festivals, you would be relieved to know that food is still readily available. Fastfood outlets (McDonald's, PizzaHut, BurgerKing, KFC, et al) are open throughout the festival. Malls and shopping complexes stay open, supermarkets, restaurants too are open for business.

As for hotel accommodations and flights, it is wise to make your reservations ahead of the intended time of travel.

National Public holidays for 2012 and MAS extra flights for Hari Raya Puasa

This is seven months late but still good for until the rest of the year. The following are national public holidays observed this year, 2012:

1 Jan New Year's Day
23 Jan Chinese Lunar New Year's Day
24 Jan Second day of Chinese Lunar New Year
1 Feb Federal Territory Day
5 Feb The Prophet Muhammad's Birthday
7 Feb Thaipusam
1 May Labour Day
5 May Wesak Day
2 Jun The Yang di-Pertuan Agong's Birthday
19 Aug Hari Raya Puasa Day 1
20 Aug Hari Raya Puasa Day 2
31 Aug National Day
16 Sep Malaysia Day
26 Oct Hari Raya Haji
13 Nov Deepavali
15 Nov Awal Muharram/New Year
24 Dec Christmas Eve
25 Dec Christmas Day


The upcoming public holiday is the Hari Raya Puasa on Aug 19 and 20. This major festival will again see an exodus of people making their way back to their hometown to celebrate the happy occasion with their family.

Like previous years, MAS will have extra and upgraded flights for Hari Raya.

Happy Chinese New Year!

To All Chinese Friends and Readers,

Best wishes for a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous Chinese New Year..

and may all your dreams and wishes come true in the new year of the Dragon which begins on January 23, i.e., tomorrow.

Auspicious days to start work in the Year of the Dragon 2012

In less than a week, the Chinese community around the world will be celebrating the Spring Festival or more commonly-known here in Malaysia as the Chinese New Year.

The Chinese New Year festival begins on January 23 and lasts for fifteen days, the last day of which ends in yet another celebration. This celebration within a celebration is Chap Goh Meh, literally meaning the Fifteenth Night in the Hokkien/Teochew dialect.

This fifteenth day celebration is also referred to as the Lantern Festival which is also sometimes known as the Chinese Valentine's Day. In the old days, unmarried girls used to toss mandarin oranges into a body of water, a lake or a river, with the hope of getting a good husband. Here in Malaysia, this tradition is still being practised at a lake in Petaling Jaya, though as part of an organized fun activity to round off the Chinese New Year.

Everyone desires for good fortune flowing from start to end of every new year. Some people are proactively adhering to starting their first day of work at a designated auspicious day after the Chinese New Year celebration. Like in past years, this Year of the Dragon has days that are good and bad to start work for every animal sign. Tradition dictates that one can increase one's chances of a better year ahead by picking a good day to start work. You can find out here the auspicious days to start work. If you need help with finding out the animal sign you were born in, Wikipedia can help.


Image:Chinese lanterns in the night sky of Lijiang, Yunnan - Wikipedia

Massive floods hit Kuching, Sarawak

In Kuching, Sarawak, continuous downpour over the last 12 hours coupled with the king tide phenomena has led to heavy flooding in various parts of the city, bringing the morning rush hour traffic to a standstill.

In Kuching, Sarawak, the morning rush hour traffic was brought to a standstill in various parts of the city caused by massive flooding after continuous downpour over the last 12 hours. More..Kuching hit by massive floods

This picture shows a car being caught in flood waters near the former government quarters area in Batu Lintang. Photo by Andrew Voon.

However, over in Kuala Lumpur, the weather is hot with temperatures hovering around 90deg F, blue skies and a gentle breeze, all signalling the approach of the Chinese New Year or the Spring festival which falls on Jan 23 which also begins the new lunar year of the Dragon.

King performs Aidilfitri prayers at National Mosque

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin performed Aidilfitri prayers at the National Mosque Tuesday, along with 15,000 fellow Muslims

Tuanku Mizan, clad in a pink "baju Melayu" (Malay attire), arrived at the mosque at 8.30 am, accompanied by Najib and Muhyiddin. HRH is the gentleman extending his hand to the DPM, Muhiyiddin. On his left is PM Najib. Tuanku Mizan held an Aidilfitri "open house" at the Istana Negara from 10 am to 1 pm. Below are some pictures borrowed from The Star.

Members of the public in the thousands were at Istana Negara for the Yang di-Pertuan Agong's Hari Raya open house celebration. - 30 August, 2011

Watch a video..


Source: The Star

Kuala Lumpur is quiet during festivals

Kuala Lumpur is gradually becoming deserted as more people leave for their hometowns to celebrate Raya. The Sungai Besi Toll, North-South Highway and Jalan Duta Toll saw fewer vehicles on Monday. There will be a three-day holiday from Tuesday through Thursday. Holiday on Thursday is a replacement for the National Day holiday on Aug 31.

May I wish You & Your Family a Selamat Hari Raya!

Image source: The Star

Motorists to get help on the road from Aug 25 to Sept 4

With the Hari Raya celebration just around the corner, many people would be making their way back to their hometown or travelling for holiday. Here is some good news for those who are travelling and may need help along the way. According to The Star:

From Thursday to Sept 4 motorists can expect a quick helping hand in case of auto breakdowns or someone to help traffic flow easily after accidents happen.

Motorists travelling during the festive period will have additional assistance from Civil Defence Department personnel with the launch of Ops Bantu 3

It involves over 1,000 personnel, in bright blue uniforms and orange berets, and over 180 vehicles in every state except Sabah and Sarawak.

First Day of Ramadan, August 1

Today is the first day of the holy month, Ramadan. Here in the city of Kuala Lumpur, eateries are still open as usual though lunch-hour traffic is much reduced.

If you are visiting Malaysia, rest assured that you can still find food throughout the day.

The image above shows Muslims performing the first night of 'terawih' prayers at the National Mosque on Sunday, yesterday. Muslims started fasting at dawn today. Terawih prayers are done every night throughout the fasting month.

The holy month of Ramadan brings out the best in Muslims, with many saying that fasting is about patience, showing compassion for the less fortunate and trying to become a better person.


Source: The Star

Buy Personalized Greeting Cards from FabulousStationery.com

If you are looking for cheap but quality greeting cards, you need look no further. FabulousStationery.com has over 1,500 versatile design choices that can be made into Personalized Greeting Cards for any occasion. If you are thinking ahead for Christmas, now is a good time to start planning for the greeting card for your family.

Cards are available in sets of 20 cards and envelopes or 100 cards and envelopes, all styles have a horizontal orientation (6.25in wide x 4.5in high). You have a choice of cards printed on premium smooth 8-point stock or heavier 10-point stock. Cards printed on recycled paper are also available - select designs marked by the green leaf. Personalized note cards start at only $35 per set!

Planning a celebration or a party? Modern Invitations from FabulousStationery will create the fun and excitement even before the party begins. You would be amazed at the choice of styles and colors available. Talk about being spoilt for choice!

Even cheaper cards are available on Fabulous Stationery. Check out their One Dollar cards. All cards in this range is just $1.00 each. At one dollar, everyone can buy a bunch and have one available on hand whenever an occasion comes along. Sure beats having to look for a card at the last minute.

Other cards are also available. Make a lasting impression with their business cards. Also available in lots of styles and colors, there would be one style that'd meet your fancy and requirement.

Whether you are buying retail or wholesale, Personalized Holiday Cards or invitations, FabulousStationery.com is the place to shop for cards, personalized or otherwise. Happy Shopping!

Celebrate Lantern Festival at Central Market

If you're a tourist to our country and happen to be in Kuala Lumpur, why not head on down to Central Market to celebrate the Mid-Autmn Festival or locally-referred to as Lantern Festival or Mooncake Festival.  Malaysia is a multi-ethnic, multi-festival society with Chinese making up more than 30% of the population.

This Chinese festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th month of the Lunar year and this year, Mid-Autumn Festival falls on Sep 22.  However, for everyone's convenience and to encourage more participation, Central Market is celebrating the festival early on Sep 18, which is a Saturday.

A colourful lantern procession of various shapes and sizes, carried by adults and children alike will be part of the main event. You can also join in the procession.

There will also be acrobatic lion dances, and mooncake-tasting, specially baked for this joyous occasion.

For more information, check out: www.centralmarket.com.my





Source:  Daily Chilli

Happy Diwali

Best wishes,
Happysurfer

Hungry Ghost Festival - the Meaning

The 7th month in the Lunar calendar is the "Hungry Ghost Festival" or "Phor Thor" as it is locally known. This festival is celebrated by the Chinese community and is on a grand scale in the island state of Penang.

The Chinese believe that on this 7th Lunar month, the Gates of Hades will open allowing hungry (thus stray and wandering) ghosts to freely roam the earth, the land of the living. Offerings of food and material items for the afterlife are made to appease and ward off bad luck. Opera performances, stage and puppet shows performed on outdoor stages in neighborhoods are also set up for the entertainment of the roaming beings. Front-row seats are reserved for them.

In Penang, this festival is widely celebrated with scheduled performances throughout the island and throughout the entire Hungry Ghost Fesitval. This year, the 7th month began on Aug 20 and will end on Sept 18. There is much excitement and activity around this festival. These events are held at night.



One important character in this festival is "Taai Si Wong" or "Tua Lau Eaa". He is built to act as the King of the festival to ensure the ghosts are behaving and everything at the festival has been completed properly. At the end of the festival, the effigy of "Taai Si Wong"or "Tua Lau Eaa" is burnt with joss paper to send him back to where he came from until the following year. In Penang, the largest "Taai Si Wong"or "Tua Lau Eaa" is located at Market Street, Bukit Mertajam.

This large scale celebration is normally participated by those who are in business with the hope of a better year ahead at the same time thanking the spirits for success in the current and previous year.

Families who are not in business do their part albeit on a smaller scale. Families who perform this ceremony are only those from the Buddhist faith. Depending on their dialect of origin, either the 14th or 15th day of the 7th lunar month is the day to conduct the prayer.

As they are HUNGRY ghosts, obviously they are hovering outside the home and out there on the streets. So prayers and offerings are conducted outside in public, by the roadside. You might have noticed some praying these few days.

Joss sticks and candles will be lit in a row with offerings of food and drinks, mainly Chinese tea laid out in teacups. After about 30 minutes or so, material things for the afterlife will be offered by way of burning them. They include money, gold and silver ingots (all in paper form, of course), clothes and colourful fabrics. Burning converts the items from our paper form to their legal tender and enable them to be received. Because they are hungry and wandering having no family to take care of their welfare, these offerings would help alleviate a little of their hardship in the afterlife until the next year. (I feel sad just writing this.)

It is because of these spirits wandering around during this one month, that traditional Chinese families discourage their offspring from hanging out too late at night or engage in any water activity. Reminders of being careful on the road, especially driving a vehicle, are often heard. So, be careful out there this time of the year.

This festival of the Hungry Ghost is celebrated all over Malaysia wherever there is a sizable Chinese Buddhist community. Every town and city would be having similar opera and stage shows though puppet shows are a rare treat.

If you are in Kuala Lumpur, head on down to Chinatown for the opera performances and don't leave home without your camera or videocam.

If you intend to visit Penang to witness this annual festival and have memories to take back of a Malaysian festival, below is a list of performances and their venue courtesy of the Penang State Tourism Development, Culture, Arts and Heritage site compiled by Persatuan Tiong Guan Pulau Pinang:.

Teow Chew Opera Shows:

1) 19th - 2nd Sept 7.30pm @ Jalan Pasar, Bukit Mertajam
2) 19th - 22nd Aug 7.30pm @ 1108-A, MK 13, Jalan Paya Terubong, Penang
3) 19th - 23rd Aug 7.30pm @ Vacant land at 24, Lorong Seck Chuan, Penang
4) 20th - 26th Aug 7.30pm @ Vacant land at 1006, Mk 2, Bayan Lepas, Penang
5) 21st - 23rd Aug 7.30pm @ Vacant land at 291, Jelutong Barat, Penang
6) 23rd - 26th Aug 7.30pm @ Vacant land at 618-A Jalan Ayer Itam, Penang
7) 23rd - 25th Aug 7.30pm @ Taman Tun Sardon, Glugor, Penang
8) 24th - 25th Aug 7.30pm @ Tingkat Paya Terubong, Penang
9) 25th - 27th Aug 7.30pm @ 615, Jalan Jelutong, Penang
10) 26th - 28th Aug 7.30pm @ 534A Tanjong Bungah, Penang
11) 27th - 5th Sept 7.30pm @ In front of Block 1, Taman Sri Bunga, Jelutong
12) 28th - 1st Sept 7.30pm @ Vacant land at Brown Estate, Penang
13) 30th - 31st Aug 7.30pm @ 247, Jalan Himat Relau / Jalan Bukit Kechil, penang
14) 30t - 1st Sept 7.30pm @ Jalan Mount Erskine, Penang
15) 30th - 1st Sept 7.30pm @ Vacant land at Lintang Paya Terubong, Penang
16) 31st - 2nd Sept 7.30pm @ Behind market of Lip Sim Lama, Penang
17) 2nd - 3rd Sept 7.30pm @ 663B Sungai Ara, 11700 Penang
18) 4th - 6th Sept 7.30pm @ Jalan Phee Choon and Penang Road
19) 5th - 7th Sept 7.30pm @ Jalan Mount Erskine, Penang
20) 6th - 8th Sept 7.30pm @ 29-31 Lorong Kinta, Penang
21) 6th - 10th Sept 7.30pm @ Inside Pusat Belia, Lebuh Achin, Penang
22) 8th - 11th Sept 7.30pm @ Beside 1028A, Jalan Rambai 1, Penang
23) 8th - 12th Sept 7.30pm @ Jalan Semak Api, Penang
24) 11th - 12th Sept 7.30pm @ Block 6, Lintang Kg Melayu, Penang
25) 12th - 13th Sept 7.30pm @ 74, Jalan Tanjong Tokong, Penang
26) 12th - 16th Sept 7.30pm @ 591, Jalan Teluk Awak, Tanjung Bungah, Penang
27) 15th - 16th Sept 7.30pm @ Block 7A, Lebuhraya Thean Teik, Air Itam, Penang
28) 15th - 17th Sept 7.30pm @ 1, Jalan Anson Pasar, Penang
29) 16th - 18th Sept 7.30pm @ 308, Jalan Jelutong, Penang
30) 19th - 21st Sept 7.30pm @ 725F Jalan Sungai Dua, Penang


Hokkien Opera Shows:

1) 20th - 22nd Aug 7.30pm @ Lorong Selamat, Penang
2) 20th - 22nd Aug 7.30pm @ Vacant land at Taman Free School, Penang
3) 25th - 26th Aug 7.30pm @ Temple Jeutong timor (Pentas Tetap)
4) 26th - 28th Aug 7.30pm @ Tanjong Tokong Laut (Pentas Tetap)
5) 26th - 29th Aug 7.30pm @ Lebuh Tye Sin, Penang
6) 1st - 3rd Sept 7.30pm @ Jalan Osman Bin kadir, West Jelutong, Penang
7) 3rd - 6th Sept 7.30pm @ Lebuh Raya Thean Teik, Farlim, Penang
8) 4th - 7th Sept 7.30pm @ Rumah Pangsa, Noordin Street, Penang
9) 4th - 8th Sept 7.30pm @ Car park of Lebuh Nagore, Penang
10) 13th - 14th Sept 7.30pm @ 32, Lorng Prangin, Penang


Cantonese Opera Shows:

1) 29th - 1st Sept 7.30pm @ In front of Jalan Semak Seni Pelangi, Penang


Puppet Shows:

1) 20th - 21st Aug 8.30pm @ Jalan Lenggong, Pulau Pinang
2) 27th - 29th Aug 2.30pm @ Lorong Samak Api 1, Penang
3) 1st - 2nd Sept 2.30pm @ In front of 192, Carnarvon Street, Penang
4) 1st - 3rd Sept 2.30pm @ Lot 2466 Kampung Jawa, Penang
5) 2nd - 3rd Sept 2.30pm @ In front of 717D Sungai Dua, Penang
6) 11th - 12th Sept 2.30pm @ Tanjung Bungah, 11200 Penang

A Puppet show..














Source:
Penang State Tourism Development, Culture, Arts and Heritage site

Fasting month begins this Saturday

The Muslim fasting month of Ramadan begins this Saturday. This is the month of bazaars and crowds in markets and food squares, even along the roadside.

In view of the H1N1 flu pandemic, Ramadan bazaar traders and patrons are advised to wear masks to check the spread of the Influenza A (H1N1).

Traders with flu-like symptoms are to impose self-quarantine and stay home to avoid spreading the disease to others.

To all Muslims, Selamat Berpuasa.

Penang International Dragon Boat Festival '09

For foreign visitors, if you are visiting Malaysia around the third week of May, you may want to make a trip to Penang where there is the Penang International Dragon Boat Festival on 23 and 24 May at Teluk Bahang Dam.

For fellow Malaysians, why not make a trip to Penang for this international boat festival and join in the excitement.

For more information, visit the Visit Penang site.

Festive Chinese New Year cuisine on MAS flights

If you are flying on Malaysian Airlines to China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan during this festive season of Chinese New Year, you may be happy to note that you will have a choice of Chinese cuisine.

Among the authentic Chinese dishes available on the new menu are pan-fried silver cod served with soy sauce glaze, yong chow fried rice with crab meat and diced scallops, stir-fried noodles with chicken and julienned vegetables, steamed red garoupa yuh siang-style, barbecued chicken pau and Chinese congee with shredded dried scallops.

MAS currently operates 82 flights per week to China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.



Source: The Star

Chinese New Year Street Festival/Open House

If you are in Kuala Lumpur or happen to be here in KL on Feb 7, you may want to note this date as the national-level Chinese New Year open house will be held at Pavilion Bukit Bintang on Feb 7.

The gathering, in the form of a street festival has a theme of "Unity through Festivity". It is expected to attract some 50,000 people. Be part of this memorable event in which Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdul­lah Ahmad Badawi is expected to greet visitors.

The Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry, which is organizing this event, cited the choice of the Pavilion due to its prominence in the city and the area is easily accessible by public transport.

The main event will be from 8.30pm to 10.30pm, followed by the people’s performances which will run from 10.30pm to midnight. There will be lion dances, a drum performance by multi-racial performers, stilt-walking performances and a lantern performance. There will also be an exhibition on calligraphy.

The artistes slated to perform at the festival include Fauziah Latiff, Den Bisa and Lee Mau San.

Source: Open house to be held at Pavilion on Feb 7..The Star

Hari Raya Haji on Dec 8

Hari Raya Haji will be on Dec 8, The Star reported today.

The Keeper of the Rulers Seal announced Thursday in a press statement that the date applied to all states in Malaysia.