Eclipse day and an update!

Today 3 Nov 2013 is the last eclipse of this year. Whenever there is an eclipse it is a very auspicious day for prayers and doing everything positive in order to create merits. This is because on eclipse days, whatever merits you create is multiplied by thousands or millions times. For today the solar eclipse is between Singapore time 6.05pm to 11.28pm. The eclipse peaks at 8.49pm. 

I had such a restful Sunday, recuperating from very bad shoulder pain for the past few weeks. It was so bad that I could not turn to my right or left when sleeping. I had to sleep face up. Luckily my sleep was not compromised. Anyway I feel so much better today. I even mopped the floor and packed my room. By the way I have a new room layout again. Whenever I feel the need for change to improve the energy of the room, I will rearrange my furniture again. Diehard hobby. 

I did not consciously intend to be vegetarian today. However, coincidentally my brunch was fried black carrot cake and that lasted until dinner and my mom cooked Sayur Lodeh (curry mixed vegetables). So in the end it turned out to be a non-meat day which is just right for today. 

Happiness is sending little blessed gifts by post to a friend in Norway, whom I just got acquainted with online. Feels like the old days when the only way to keep in touch with pen pals is writing long letters and sending by snail mail. Today I received a message from her that the parcel has arrived!  Although the gifts do not cost much but they have been consecrated and blessed by the Rinpoches, thus each item has special significance, they are priceless. My friend said she was both overwhelmed and touched. :)

In the late afternoon I went to run an errand and to buy some necessities from Parkway Parade. I am so happy Daiso the $2 shop has opened an outlet there. Managed to get some stuff to 'revamp' my personal altar. I need to do up the 'ceiling' of the altar. Also to finally get the lights on the altar fixed once and for all. The previous colorful lights had stopped working yesterday. So I finally found a solution to the type of lights I like, ie. flat LED light in the form of a wand-like stick instead of those in strips which I was eyeing. Again I did all these without knowing today is an eclipse day until a Dharma friend sent me a sms about it.

So I got home, fixed the lights and 'ceiling', cleaned my altar thoroughly, and rearranged my precious dharma books and cabinet. Since my personal altar is so small and I have many beautiful blessed photos of Buddhas and holy objects, it is often a tussle in deciding which ones to put up. Apart from Lama Tsongkhapa statue, the photos sometimes change. That is why my altar 'design' is always slightly different. Haha! Here's a glimpse of the latest arrangement.  I always feel very blissful looking at all the holy objects in my altar. 

So on this eclipse day, after dinner at 8pm I started to do an extensive session of my daily prayers followed by extensive dedication. I feel so good and extremely happy afterwards. And here I am blogging about it.

It has been hectic for the past 3 over months (in fact come to think about it, hectic this entire year). In addition, this year is officially the year of death. I did a count. Since the end of last year 2012 until last week, there is a total of 11 people that I know of passing away. I hope there is no more for now. 

Just last week, an aunt of mine passed away suddenly, and that was really a shock to everyone. Last Sunday, as she was bathing, she fainted and just passed away. The scan showed it was coronary artery disease. Something ruptured near her heart. My 75 year old aunt was very health conscious, very healthy with no prior sickness. She had a very healthy diet, and the food she cooked was always very bland with no oil. She exercised daily and she could walk faster than any of us youngsters. Although we did not meet often, I know my aunt doted me. The last she called me was in late August when I was busy at the Grand Puja. I missed her call and I forgot to return call. So I am feeling quite guilty now. May my aunt have a good perfect human rebirth as soon as possible and continue to practise the Dharma again. 

That is why I termed this year as the Year of Death. I have learned a precious lesson on impermanence within such a short period. By becoming aware of impermanence, by observing it and by understanding it, we can then find a suitable remedy for the sorrow of human life and achieve liberation the quickest possible from the process of impermanence. Om mani padme hum.

Forest Dew Vegetarian Restaurant

A friend and I usually like to have our vegetarian meals in this place located along Bendemeer Road with the nearest MRT station in Boon Keng. Occupying 2 units below an old flat alongside a few other shops, Forest Dew Vegetarian Restaurant is air-conditioned and has a modest decor, cozy lighting with a few tables. 

They have a very comprehensive menu and many choices for unsuspecting patrons, and that says a lot for a vegetarian restaurant. Here are some dishes we tried on our different visits.

Monkey Head Shrooms

Our usual must-have item in the menu - Monkey Head Shrooms - my friend's favourite. Never had I tried mushrooms which have been flavoured with black pepper and actually tasted a little similar to mutton, but more chewy, light and addictive.

Fried 'Prawns'

This is one of my favourites - Fried Prawns. Suffice to say, when I am on a vegetarian diet, or just having a vegetarian meal, I am those who actually like selective mock meat dishes.  Yes they may be mushroom or tofu or beancurd equivalent or just flour, I love fried stuff. These fried 'prawns' remind me of my mom's actual fried prawn dish. I remember she used to prepare this dish when I was younger, when there was some anniversary for prayers at home.

Curry 'Chicken'

The 'chicken' in this curry dish tasted great on first try. However, we find the Curry Chicken gravy was a little over powering and they used curry powder instead or different actual curry ingredients. I love the eggplant and lady fingers.

Stir Fry Kai Lan

The only healthy vegetable dish we ordered, haha! And my vegetarian friend only likes Kai Lan. What an irony! The Stir-fry Kai Lan was pretty normal and quite crunchy and done just the way I like it, topped with strips of carrot, sesame seeds and shallots. The sauce is just right to go with rice. 

Healthy Brown Rice

Friend chose brown rice while I usually prefer plain rice.  I know brown rice is healthier with loads of benefits, but I eat brown rice at home everyday. Hence when I am dining outside, I prefer plain white rice.

Fish Slices & Seaweed Soup

We tried a few types of soups on our different visits.  This has to be my favourite soup - Fish Slice and Seaweed Soup. I usually do not really like vegetarian fish which is made from beancurd sticks.  In fact we did not touch the 'fish'.  However the taste of the soup is great, very flavourful and quite similar to real fish soup. I like it that they added milk and seaweed to the soup.

Water Cress Soup

The Water Cress Soup was pretty normal. I do not like the mock meat they use for this soup.  I feel that the water cress could have been boiled longer, and if with the right ingredients, the soup would be very refreshing even without the mock meat.

SzeChuan Vegetable Soup

On one of the visits, we were craving for SzeChuan Vegetable Soup.  It is very appetising, with the sour tangy and peppery taste from the szechuan veggies.  Again, I feel they need not have added the mock pork, because cooked in soup, the taste of the mock meat has already become 'bland' and soggy.

I think we would still go back to try the other zillion of dishes which we have not tried, including fried noodle dishes. Also I have yet to order their desserts, which are eggless. We are usually quite full with our dishes which are quite big in portion.

Here are some reviews of other Forest Dew dishes from fellow bloggers: 
- Hungry Ang Mo
- Living Vegan 
- Missuschewy

Forest Dew Vegetarian Restaurant

Blk 23, Bendemeer Road, #01-523 Singapore

Tel: +65 6293 9579

Yogi House @ Fu Lu Shou Complex

Recently I went with a friend to Yogi House in Fu Lu Shou Complex to try out the organic eatery, which is MSG-free too. My friend recommended this place which was simply decorated with a few tables, and also stocked with organic food stuff all around on shelves for purchase as well.  It was a very nice and healthy experience, a change from our usual daily diet. When we were there, we saw a local celebrity and friends lunching there as well. 

This is their Salad which was so beautiful, colourful and gorgeous at first glance. There were many types of vegetables put together, a very interesting combination; like dou miao, capsicum, tomatoes, carrots, alfafa sprouts, radish, sunflower seeds, raisins, beetroot etc...  The salad was sprinkled with plum sauce.  It tasted so simple yet appetising, so crunchy, so healthy for the system. Both my friend and I love it.  

My friend ordered their Healthy Rice Set Meal - another dish delightfully decorated. It was brown rice, with nai pak, a radish/carrot salad, a mushroom and veg combination, as well as simply steamed ocra with special sauce.  Each different dish was cooked and prepared differently, with a right combination of different tastes. This was an eye opener indeed. 

I tried this Ocra aka. Lady Fingers and quite like it. It was simply steamed and dribbled with a special sauce, which tasted like prune sauce. It was very delicious and crunchy, and totally no stickiness associated with ocra. 

In comparison, my choice looked very normal at first glance. It was the Basil Vegetarian Bee Hoon. If you notice, the vermicelli has a tinge of green colour together with the different vegetables. The special ingredient was of course Basil. There was a slight taste of Basil in the dish, and quite earthy taste, very different from our usual Char Bee Hoon, and totally not oily at all. 

Here was my drink, Honey Lemon Vinegar, quite sour but very appetising, thirst quencher and just nice for a hot afternoon.

Here were the simple dishes we tried in Yogi House, the salad all tossed up and our meals came with soup too. It was such a healthy meal and the stomach felt so light yet filling. I have no qualms of going back again to try the other dishes. Do try their beautiful salad when you visit. 

Yogi House
149 Rochor Rd. #02-08 Fu Lu Shou Complex. 
Telephone: 6297 1220
Opening hours: 10am-7pm

Earth Hour 2012 - let's unite and save the planet!

Today, we are going to switch off the lights at 8.30pm in support of Earth Hour ! 

This year a record of 147 countries are going to participate in this global message to take action and save this planet. In Singapore alone, 370 organisations have pledged their support.  

There will be a Earth Hour Celebration at Orchard Road.

Date: Saturday, 31 March 2012
Time: 6.30pm – 10.00 pm 

Venue: Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza 

Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Environment and Water Resources, will be the Guest of Honour and officiate the lights-out ceremony at Orchard Road. Many malls and big brand names will switch off their lights too. 

Join the lovely Nadya Hutagalung (WWF Earth Hour Official Ambassador), Tung Soo Hua, Pan Ling Ling and Huang Shinan who will be there to share what Earth Hour means to them.  Nadya and her husband Desmond will be cycling to the event. As part of the challenge, more than 100 Nadya's twitter followers have pledged to be vegetarians for a month prior to this event.  

Click here for more information on Earth Hour.

     

A meatless diet in Singapore - it wasn't that hard, is it?

Yippee! I have just completed almost 4 months of a meatless diet, 115 days to be exact. I made the decision for health, spiritual and personal reasons. I do it once a year or sometimes more frequently with shorter periods. Suffice to say, there is always the misconception that it is very inconvenient to be a vegetarian in Singapore where it is a food haven. 

To me it was not so much of a problem compared to when I was doing a non-carbo diet, which meant no noodles, no rice, no bread, no cookies etc.... only meat and veggies. Aaarrghhh! That diet was tougher than this meatless diet. I was very encouraged to go vegetarian this time. Even though I have completed this diet, I may just continue being meatless (or almost 90% vegetarian) as I found that taking too much meat cause me to feel too full and bloated all the time, and not to mention, involving the act of taking the lives of animals. 

Here is a guide to being meatless in Singapore, based on my 4 months of diet.

Breakfast

Usually for breakfast at home, I have bread, toast with peanut butter or eggs. Breakfast choices outside at the hawker centres are: (clockwise) Chee cheong fun, roti prata from Mufiz, black carrot cake from Kim Lee, and famous chwee kway from Bedok. Or other times, I go for kaya toast with half boiled eggs.

Vegetarian hawker food

Yes there are many stalls that are out of touch, for example, bak chor mee (minced pork noodles), prawn noodles, chicken/duck rice stalls, fish soup stalls etc... However there are vegetarian options to chicken rice and wanton noodles too (check out my earlier post on Onn Vegetarian).  At chai fun rice stalls, I choose dishes like mushroom, stir fry veggies, eggs, tofu etc. At yong tau hoo stalls, there are many items without the meat paste too, like lady fingers, mushroom, radish, kangkong, yam, fried beancurd stick, tofu, fried tau kwa etc.. 

Indian vegetarian food

I am lucky that I enjoy Indian food and they have lots of vegetarian options.  From clockwise, I love butter and garlic naan with 3 types of vegetarian gravy (from Ananda Bhavan), masala thosai (potatoes inside), vadai is a snack, and dishes like aloo mutter and mushroom gobi (from Mustafa) and so on.

Western vegetarian options

There are fast food options which does not cost a bomb. From clockwise, the delicious vegetarian Chicken Chop from Ci Hang (see my earlier post), Egg Mayo from Subway, Potato Croquette Burger from MosBurger, and Vegetarian Delight pizza from Sarpino's Pizza.

Vegetarian Tze Char

Sometimes I have the craving for steaming hot stir fry noodles from tze char stalls which are cooked on the spot. From clockwise, delicious bee hoon from Eight Treasures stall, customised vegetarian Thai fried kway teow, vegetarian bee hoon /noodles, and hor fun. 

Desserts/Snacks

Most savoury dessert options such as curry puff, chicken pies, otah are out. However there are many types of sweet snacks which vegetarians can enjoy, like cakes and ice cream. From clockwise, deep fried sweet potato balls from Rochor Hawker Centre, sweet tang yuan soup (homecooked), and a malay snack, Kueh Lopes. If I feel like having something savoury, the sweet corn or french fries from McDonalds is always welcome. The choices are endless.

Muslim food

Ayam Penyet or muslim dishes like sambal sotong and ayam merah are out. But you can still have sayur lodeh (curry veggies) and (from clockwise) Lontong, mee rebus, vegetarian nasi lemak topped with yummy sambal petai, or rice with muslim dishes like sambal kangkong, fried bean curd with long beans, fried egg or bergedel. 

Homecooked vegetarian food

The most flexible would be cooking vegetarian dishes at home based on your preference.  Here are some of the vegetarian dishes I cooked.  As I love all kinds of vegetables, it was easy peasy. For example, I cooked lo han zai, egg with gourd, nai pak with mushroom, and potatoes tofu. There are so many variations.

Homecooked porridge/soup

When I am sick of everything else, porridge usually does the trick. We have our usual veggies dishes, our special braised beancurd sticks, or dark sauce tau kwa, and fermented cai sim, olive veggies, nuts. I also had vegetarian dumplings soup to go with rice or noodles. 

Homecooked pasta

I like variety. When I get sick of chinese dishes, I would cook pasta in different methods. Clockwise, stir fry curly pasta chinese style, cream spaghetti with broccoli and mushroom, or tomato sauce pasta with potatoes and mushroom, or vegetarian lasagna. Yummy!

And when I am really in the mood, I make Tofu Burger (check out my previous post). This is my Tofu Burger, with lettuce, sauteed mushroom (and dribbled with a little of its sauce), alfafa sprouts and some mayonnaise. I topped the piping hot grilled potato with a little butter. The Tofu patty was so juicy and tasty that it could easily substitute the pork patty, in my opinion. 

So, being on a meatless diet is quite doable in Singapore, isn't it? Have a great weekend!

In her own quiet world

I have always enjoyed meeting people during big events, especially Dharma events, because people from all walks of life appear before my eyes. And I always like to think they have to be connected to me somehow in previous lives and in this life, we are making the connection again.

Over the weekend, while helping to raise funds for the monastery, it was very heartening to have met several kind and generous souls offering to donate some money to help the Sangha and the various merit-making projects. Most importantly, I am so glad they made the connection with the Triple Gem.

One old lady left such an impression on me that I had to put this down here. Just after the puja, before dinner, a very old lady approached me. She was such a small built, thin and fragile-looking lady with hair almost all white. Her face and hands were very wrinkled. She was wearing a checkered blouse which was over-sized and crumpled, in fact quite shabbily dressed. Speaking in Mandarin, she said she wanted to donate some money to feed the monks and she fumbled in her bag for a long while and finally took out a couple of tens. She told me she could not hear what I was trying to say, and I too, at the same time, realised she was quite deaf on both ears. I had to shout on top of my voice so that she could hear me. Even then she did not seemed to understand and we had to resort to using sign language. She said it had been a long while since she had stepped out of the house. 

After she made her donation, she walked off, only to come back within seconds to ask if there was any place nearby she could find vegetarian food. I told her I was not sure. She was coming back after dinner for that evening's blessing initiation. She said if she could not find food, then it was ok, she would just skip dinner that night. As she walked away I was feeling very uneasy. I went to check the corner where they usually put volunteers' food. Our dinner for the evening has not arrived yet.  However I saw a few devotees eating packets of food which were leftover extra packets from lunch time, and which were offered to them. I also saw some trays of vegetarian dishes, also leftover from the afternoon lunch for the monks. So I quickly ran to chase after that old lady. She had almost reached the gate. I asked her if she minded some leftover vegetarian dishes  (there was no more rice though...) and brought her to the table.  She vehemently refused and said it was meant for the volunteers. I had to assure her that there was enough food. Those few younger devotees sitting around the table eating our volunteers' food did not even bother to offer her their rice or chairs. I scooped up some dishes for the old lady (she kept telling me 'enough, enough') and had to lead her somewhere else on the cement floor landing to sit down. I also gave her a packet of mineral water. 

She left such a deep impression on me and really humbled me. Compared to the many younger, well-dressed devotees who came and asked lots of questions and did not make a donation, I could feel this old lady's sincerity, even though she was definitely not well-off. She reminded me of my own grandma who is also hard on hearing. I wonder if she could hear the prayers chanted by the monks or the announcement made by the compere during the sessions. I was quite sure she could not.

Anyhow I am so happy she came to participate in the prayers and initiations, and to receive blessings from Rinpoche. I am grateful to her for teaching me yet another precious lesson/experience in life. She touched my heart. May this beautiful old lady with the biggest heart be in great health as long as she is alive and may she be blessed by the Three Jewels in all her lifetimes. 

Onn Vegetarian

Since I am currently on a vegetarian diet, I am always on the look out for nice vegetarian stalls or shops. I am not really a salad person, so I still prefer local food as far as daily meals are concerned.

I have visited this stall, Onn Vegetarian, in a Upper Boon Keng coffeeshop many times and tried almost all the items. There is quite a variety of rice and noodles dishes but they do run out pretty fast by late afternoon and they are closed on Sundays. 

Bak Chor Mee - this is one of my favourite because seldom can you find a vegetarian stall selling this vegetarian version of Singaporean minced pork noodles elsewhere. Their version of crispy 'pork lard' was good and the noodles were bouncy and well mixed with the sauce and generous portions of mushroom, minced 'pork' and fried beancurd tofu.

Chicken Rice - I was surprised that their vegetarian chicken rice is actually quite good, almost the same as the real thing, from the rice to the 'chicken' meat. One integral thing was they added a black sauce similar to black soya sauce and chilli which gave the dish the necessary kick. 

Wanton Noodles - my father was so taken with their wanton mee that he said, "假到很真!" (almost identical to the real version). I am more particular when it comes to Char Siew. Theirs look nice and authentic but with a slight rubbery taste still. 

Curry Noodles - they added a lime to this dish.  The gravy was light and not so 'lemak' (heavily accented with coconut). The only difference from the usual curry noodles is that they added long beans and lots of vegetarian fried beancurd items. They did not need to add mock chicken, which was quite a relief.  

Mee Tai Mak - a very light soupy meal with the usual culprits of vegetarian ingredients. I wished they had given real chinese mushroom or enoki mushroom though.  One saving grace was they were generous with the green veggies. I tried their dry version too, which was well mixed with dark sauces and ingredients from Bak Chor Mee, although it was a little too oily. 

Braised Sea Cucumber Pork Noodles - this was my favourite and they serve it only on special days.  There were mock sea cucumber and pork belly with big portions of chinese mushroom. The slightly starchy sauce was indeed well braised and permeated the noodles.  I love the taste so much that I did not really care for the mock sea cucumber. With the 'pork belly' and mushroom alone, this noodle dish was complete. 

Onn Vegetarian
Blk 5, Upper Boon Keng Road,
#01-01 Singapore 380005 
(Nearest MRT - Kallang)

Take up Nadya's challenge for Earth Hour 2012 !

This year, Earth Hour is happening on Saturday, 31 March 2012, at 8:30pm. 

Each year, hundreds of millions of people, businesses and governments around the world unite to support a meaningful cause, which is the largest environmental event in history – Earth Hour.

For Earth Hour 2011, more than 5,200 cities and towns in 135 countries around the world switched off their lights to send a powerful message for action on climate change. Without a doubt, it has been proven how great things can be achieved when people come together for a common cause.

Nadya Hutagalung with her husband, former national swimmer Desmond Koh.

Nadya's I-Will-If-You-Will Challenge

This year, World Wildlife Fund's Official Earth Hour Celebrity Ambassador, the beautiful Nadya Hutagalung takes on a challenge close to her heart!  Nadya, the former model and face of MTV Asia, has been Singapore's Ambassador for the WWF's Earth Hour for the past 3 years. She is a well-known eco-activist and champion for the green cause.

This is how it is going to work. Nadya has pledged to cycle to the Earth Hour event at Orchard Road on 31 March if Desmond Koh, her husband (former national swimmer), can get 6 of his friends to go vegetarian for a month. Similarly, Desmond also issued his I-Will-If-You-Will challenge. He will cycle to the event if 60 of Nadya’s Twitter followers go vegetarian for a month.

I am helping Nadya to spread the word.  I have already pledged my support since I am currently on a 100-day vegetarian diet anyway. In fact, my meatless diet is supposed to end on 24 Feb but I had the intention to extend it because the Tibetan New Year (Losar) starts on 22 Feb for 15 days.  Any virtuous actions within this period will multiply merits by 100 million times! So, why not? Join me @STUMPBO in this 30-day vegetarian diet challenge (to end before 31 Mar 2012). 

 
If you are keen to participate in this meaningful cause, please follow Nadya (@Nadya_HutaGalng) in Twitter and inform her you are taking up the 30-day vegetarian diet challenge!

  

 
Add your name to the Earth Hour community! Pledge your support and switch off the lights at 8.30pm on 31 March.

Gather your family and friends to sign up as Earth Hour Ambassadors and celebrate Earth Hour 2012 at Orchard Road! Join in the festivities with a live concert and eco-carnival, witness the first 60+ SINGAPORE human formation and count down to the lights-off event at 8.30pm.  Closing date for registration is 18 March 2012.  Sign up today!

Click here for more information or email earthhour@wwf.sg or check out their Facebook page for updates.  Ready. Get set. Let's do our part to save the Earth!

Eight Bliss Longevity Noodles

One day, I had to cook dinner in a jiffy, and preferably meatless.  So I ransacked my kitchen for ingredients. Luckily I found what I wanted.  So I whipped up this noodle dish in less than 30 minutes. Easy peasy. Since it is CNY period, I present to you... "Eight Bliss Longevity Noodles". 

The 8 ingredients used (serves 4 portions):

1 pack of Enoki Mushroom

1 pack of Straw Mushroom

1 palm full of Beansprouts

1 small bunch of Chives

Half a Carrot (thin strips)

2 Eggs

4 cloves of Garlic (chopped)

One packet of Ee Mian (Noodles)

8-step Instructions: 

1. Add oil in wok and add in chopped garlic.

2. Add strips of carrot, straw mushroom, enoki mushroom and stir fry for a minute

3. Add chives and beansprouts with the other ingredients and continue to stir fry.

4. Add condiments: oyster sauce, sesame oil, light soya sauce, salt and pepper (to taste).

5. Add 2 small cups of water.

6. Add in eggs and mix everything thoroughly. 

7. Mix little corn flour into a bowl with little water and mix into noodles. 

8. Optional: Fried onions as garnish.

Easy enough?

CNY gifts and blessings to welcome the Dragon year

Today is 人日, the 7th day of the lunar new year. According to Chinese customs, it was the day human beings were created.  On this day, I would like to share some of the gifts I have received prior or during this Chinese New Year period. I am grateful and thankful for the kindness shown all around.

This cake was given to me on one of my past birthdays, drawn by my niece when she was younger. So happy birthday to everyone, every human, as well as all sentient beings! It's everyone's birthday!

This CNY banner is 5-storey high in Takashimaya. May everyone meet and achieve success in the highest possible auspicious conditions in this new year. This is my wish to you.

Early in the morning of the first day of the CNY, a monk approached me and gave me this little Buddha. I cannot think of anything more auspicious than this to herald in the new year.

An aunt from Thailand gave this 'pot of gold' frame. Again so auspicious. May our pockets be filled with overflowing wealth, may we huat ahhh!

I love this fried 'chicken wing' made of delicious beancurd skin and fried with a very crispy satfisfying batter. Mom has been buying special vegetarian food for me, because I am on a 100-day vegetarian diet. As I am not able to take some of the usual CNY dishes and goodies, this is a little blessing I am grateful for.

Mala rosary, a gift from Sarnath, the place where the Buddha first taught and turned the Wheel of Dharma. So blessed!

A special hamper full of blessed goodies and wealth, to create auspicious conditions and for a bountiful successful year. Every year, I spent my CNY eve at Gaden Shartse Dro-Phen Ling to welcome in the new year with pujas and loads of blessings from Dagyab Rinpoche and the Three Jewels.

Received the 8 Auspicious Objects gold coin from dear friends, thank you!  Again so auspicious!

Ang pows from the Jade Buddha, as well as from many loved ones. Thank you so much!

Blessed precious jewels from Bodhgaya, the place where the Buddha became enlightened. So auspicious! I am very touched, thank you very much!

This CNY, I am very grateful that I have the chance to create mountains of merits  by volunteering my time at the Jade Buddha Exhibition, organised by Amitabha Buddhist Centre, especially on the first and second days of the new year. Thankful of the blessings from the gurus, those here and those far away. This photo is a poignant reminder that I have my gurus literally next to me and the Buddha above me at all times.  

Today especially, we 'lo hei' and have yu sheng to celebrate our birthdays. Last but not least, I am grateful for my family, who stood by me for so long, and for our little cosy reunion dinner at home, with some of my favourite vegetarian dishes too. 

I share here Gandhi's 10 fundamentals for changing the world. Well, it is actually changing and transforming our mind first before changing the world.... something which I am still learning.  May you have a blessed CNY.