We were all busy preparing for New Year's eve (snga chap mei) dinner most of the day. The steamboat dinner was to be done outside at our porch this year instead of in the dining because the weather was totally cool. Peter's family were the last to arrive at 6.30 pm. We tossed the yee sang at 7.30 pm with rain pouring down gently. As we were setting up the steamboat, the dogs started to fight between the 2 tables and Peter got bitten on the arm by All Black in an attempt to separate the dogs. Dinner ended at 9.30 and we all started to clear up. Peter went to the hospital for a jab.
In the midst of dinner, Frankie called from USA. He talked to all of us. That was nice. We all stayed up past midnight, including Joey as the boys played with fireworks and crackers.
Monday 26th was a windy day (CNY 1 is always windy). Staffan, Mary, Peter and I sat outside under the rambutan tree to chat in the morning until Daniel and family came by for a visit. We sat outside most of the day except for the boys who played on the computer. We witnessed the solar eclipse from 4.30 to 6 pm. Monday dinner was ala Malay. Then it was fire cracker time for the boys.
CNY 2 was still windy but not as windy as CNY 1. Again most of us sat under the rambutan tree after breakfast til afternoon when it got too warm, drinking and snacking. Dinner was prepared by Siew Kee. After dinner and fire cracker time for the boys, we decided to stay indoors and watch TV as the now hot weather had attracted lots of mosquitoes.
We packed this morning to leave Muar and left at 11.30 am. The highway was not as bad as Derrick had anticipated as today is a work day. We got home at 2 and found most of our fish had died. I cleaned up the 2 fish tanks and buried the goldfish and flower horns. The catfish is very much alive and happy. The garden looks nice.
All in all, we had a nice time in Muar.
