The Ninth Day of C.N.Y.

The ninth day of the Chinese New Year (16th Feb.) is a very auspicious one indeed as this is the Jade Emperor's Birthday which is widely celebrated by the Hokkien community here.  The Jade Emperor is also known as the Lord of the Heavens and is regarded as the supreme deity in control of everything.  Prayers usually begin at around 11 p.m.with a colourful variety of offerings such as roast pork, sugar cane, "kueh", fruits, etc.  When Mum was around, we would do the prayers at around midnight and let off a few crackers. The next morning, we would wake up late after having stayed up the night before.  Mum was always the last to go to bed and always the first to get up the next morning!  Wonderful woman, she was!