Chap Goh Mei- "the 15th night of Chinese new year"

Although CNY has already passed, allow me to blog about the last day of Chinese New Year which the Hokkien people call Chap Goh Mei(literally means 15th night of Chinese New Year) because this was actually the first time I celebrated it here in Hawaii!!!yay!!!

Usually in Malaysia,there will be another huge round of celebration to mark the ending of another auspicious occasion for the Chinese. What fun right? Can you imagine, 15 full days of celebrating!!! For those who have never experienced it, please do come visit me in Malaysia during Chinese New Year.

I was basically researching on this particular day and found that Chap Goh Mei actually coincides with Chinese Valentine's Day where young unmarried women gather to toss tangerines into the sea in hopes that their future spouses would pick it up! Cool eh??? So....for those women who are single and would like to try some traditional ways of getting a husband...you can possibly try this? hehehehe........

As for me, Auntie Janet and Uncle Art were kind enough to invite me to celebrate the last day of CNY with them at their house...When I heard she was cooking, I just couldn't turn it down......(my parents will be embarrass by my greediness, I just can't help it!!!sorry!!!!). This time however, I brought Kendra because I know she loves Malaysian food and I wanted to introduce her to Auntie Janet. This girl could definitely pass of as a Malaysian because she loves Malaysian food, and knows our culture too...hehehe.....and..she says -lah(occasionally)

Still feeling festive:)

We were asked to dress "Chinese" which means alot of red or maybe a cheong sam??? I had a cheongsam top!!heheh...and Kendra was really red!!!! with the Chinese ornaments once again...I realize...we just really like to pose with Chinese looking stuff.....hehehe...

Great food!!!

You don't know how excited I was about this Vegetarian dish!! It is because it soooo reminds me of Chinese New Year at home where both my grandmothers cook this on the first and second day.......Although Auntie Janet couldn't find some of the ingredients here, she improvised and it tasted really authentic! two thumbs up :)

Auntie Janet in her beuatiful blue Cheongsam ;)

Desserts!!!!!! Chocolate pizza, Apple crisps(my fav) and ciku's!!!!yummmmm!!!

My first ever ang pau in the USA! Woo hoo! I have been here for four years but have never gotten an ang pau during Chinese New year and this was my first.......For me, it was just the experience of being able to experience little Chinese traditions here, thousand miles away from home that made me feel all warm and fuzzy  inside.......I have come to realize...............I am a sentimental being......hehehe

It was a fabulous Chap Goh Mei celebration for me because it was basically my first ever since I came here. Thank you Auntie Janet and Uncle Art for making this Chinese New year special! Felt like a part of home was here for once.....:)

xoxo

Meiz

P.S: For those who are away from home, what did you guys do for CNY???? Care to share?????