Chinese New Year Day 3 (Shuang Lin Monastery - Toa Payoh & Sushi Buffet)

Well, on the third day of Chinese New Year, together with my DBT, Reagan and KeRen we went to Shuang Lin Monastery (Toa Payoh) to pray.

In the year of Dragon, people with zodiacs of Dog and 3 others which I have forgotten are having tough luck. This is because they Chong Tai Sui 冲太岁 (also known as "Dui Chong 对冲", clashes with Tai Sui). In order to pacify the Tai Sui (fierce god), most chinese would go to the temple to worship Tai Sui 太岁   (Grand Duke Jupiter). This religious practice is typically known as An Tai Sui 安太岁.

DBT, Reagan and KeRen are here to 安太岁 while I am here on the behalf  on my brother and pray for my family too.

Here is the booth where you can "enhance your luck". The registering time is  from 8a.m to 4p.m.

You would be given a piece of paper to write down the names of people whom you wish to pray for.
So come prepared with Chinese Characters of the names that you want to filled it in with.

After which, you have to queue and wait for your turn and enter this area for the chanting session. Be prepared to wait. At a point of time during the chanting, a monk would walk by and gives his blessings to each and everyone.

The rows of cushions are for kneeling during the chants, not for sitting mind you.

Because of the long waiting time while standing before entering here, as typical Singaporeans, most of them sat on the cushions immediately when they have entered. Well, it is ok to take a seat for awhile while waiting for everyone to gather in there but don't be so stupid to sit and face in the same direction as the Gods are facing at. A guy came in and told these dumb people off. He said "Please face inside, there are people who are paying their respects to the Gods." Common sense isn't it?

During the chanting, I was super pissed by some people kneeling behind me. Throughout the whole chanting, there's this uncle and auntie who kept talking (not whispering) non-stop, talking about Mac Donald's and other stuffs. Totally disrespectful! I did not expect such a behaviour from people who are in their 40's.

After that, we proceed to burn the offerings.

After that, went over to the place just beside the temple with DBT as he wanted to pay his respects to his late Grandparents.

The place is so serene!

Unlike all the hustle bustle in the temple, this place is quiet and with a sense of  calmness.

(ok, as you can see, this photo was taken when I was at Loyang Tua Pek Kong. LoL)

After praying, our tummies were rumbling loud for food.

Me, DBT and Reagan went over to Kallang Leisure for Sushi Buffet as dinner!

Just nice caught that droplet of lemon juice...

Salmon Sashimi is my favourite!

Next, it is this beef! Super delicious I'm telling you!

I was like stuffing only the Salmon Sashimi dipped with plentiful of Wasabi. NICE~

Ended up super satisfied and bloated of course.

That's all for now! Adios! 

Chinese New Year Day 1 (Loyang Tua Pek Kong)

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR!

Wish everybody huat ar!

(Wish you make a good fortune)

At about 2a.m, went to Loyang Tua Pek Kong Temple to pray.

It was damn crowded. Basically, you have to queue to pray.

Super duper smokey~

At this tentage, there's this gigantic God of Wealth commonly known as Cai Shen Ye, where you can pay your respects to.

You can find out fortunes of different zodiacs in the year of Dragon here.

I don't know what is this for but apparently, I saw a woman touching all of the green and gold ones.

This display is made up of....

This!

This look sooooo.... breakable?

I have forgotten what is the purpose of crossing this bridge. Unfortunately it was closed when I wanted to cross it too.


We ended up donating money and offer our respects only as the queues were mad long.
Each time I go to a temple, I always pray for my loved ones for the following basics:



(Wishing every happiness will always be with them)



(Wishing them safe and happy)



(Wishing them to be happy and cheerful)



(Wishing them for all their wishes to come true)


Went to my maternal Grandma's place in the afternoon to 过年.

It is a tradition whereby the juniors offer their well wishes to their seniors while receiving red packets from them. But I felt that the younger generations are losing it with just a mere "Thank You". Anyway, my Grandma and aunties cooked vegetarian meal to kick start off the day. DELICIOUS!

I love the way how everyone is gathered together dressing in their best with all smiles, while doing some catching up.

The seniors play mahjong while the juniors huddled together in the room to play games or to just crap around.

My uber cute baby niece!

Chubby chubby! 

She look a bit grouchy. Maybe it's because she just woke up la. LoL.

Here is my another niece, Xinyi.

I have got 4 nieces in total but only managed to take photos of Chelsea and Xinyi.

Can't imagine when each of them turn at least 10 years old, I'm already in my 30's. OMFG!

One more thing! I don't know if it is just me or what?! I feel that the festivity mood is getting weaker as years passed by, particularly in Singapore. It wasn't the same  as when I was way younger. Something is missing but I just can't pinpoint it out. Is it the lack of firecrackers or is it the hectic life that we have here? I miss playing with fire crackers. Basically, Chinese New Year seems to only last for 3 days here as compared to that in China. Kind of sad isn't it?