New Year's Eve & Reunion Dinner

I thought it would be a R & R day at work. Who knows I was still sweating and rushing out the presentation pack for budget. To make matters worse, I was suddenly called into a meeting with CEO at the eleventh hour and totally unprepared. Needless to say, I was also not quite dressed properly - in dress-down clothes. Fortunately, my CFO was too busy talking through the budget to notice me.

I was only off work at 2 pm. I rushed home for a quick lunch and nap. Then it was time to do my last minute preparation for CNY before the reunion dinner. I also had to iron my clothes for visiting the next day. Since I was ironing, I decided to iron all the other work clothes which were washed for not ironed. It took me about more than an hour to finish ironing. Soon, it was time to go out for reunion dinner.

Dinner was at Crystal Jade. There were 7 dishes.

Lo Hei Yu Sang (raw fish and colourful vegetable salad)

This dish is 'made-in-Singapore' where it is Singaporeans tradition to consume this during CNY after tossing in the ingredients. This signifies 'scooping up' of great prosperity and ushering in the good fortune. The golden crackers bring gold and money to all places. The raw fish slices symbolise abundant supplies. The honey creates sweetness and happiness. The pepper adds spice to our lives.

Fish Maw with Shark's fins

Shark's fins are one of the most expensive delicacies among the Chinese. Together with Abalone and Sea Cucumber, they form the 'heavenly kings of the Chinese new year goodies. The fish maw looks like a bag soaking in the soup. This dish symbolises bags of safety and fortune.

Roast-meat Combination

In the past, the people are poorer. Meat and seafood can only be seen on the dining table during festive seasons. To see the 3 roast meat of chicken, duck and pork (char siew), it symbolises the wealth of the family and the importance of the occasions.

Oysters

Oysters, in Chinese, sound like "good" in Chinese. Everyone wants to begin the new year on the right note with all the well-wishes. Hence, eating oysters will mean that we are receiving all the goodies in our lives in the new year. Similarly, oysters look like bags to hold all our treasures.

Glutionous Rice

Rice is a staple in Chinese families. The stickiness of glutionous rice symbolises the stickiness of the human relationships and the bonding of the families.

Sauteed Prawns with Celery

Celery, in Chinese, is pronounced in the same way as hardwork in Chinese. Hence, eating celeries will mean that we continue to work hard to pursue our careers, our studies and maintaining our home. Chinese believes that hardwork is critical for achieving greater success and wealth. Prawns, in Cantonese read as "Ha", which in Chinese and other languages often associate with laughter and happiness.

Red Bean Dumpling with Lotus

Dumpling is often consumed during the last day of CNY and during the winter solstice. Dumpling symbolises reunion. Red bean's sweetness complements the slightly blend glutinous dumpling. The sweetness of red bean will bring sweetness to the family while the red colour is THE auspicious colour of CNY.

What did you have for your reunion dinner? Did you also eat all the typical CNY food which all have 'hidden' and well-intentioned meanings?