Standing at Attention

Thousands of Chinese were be celebrating the Lunar Chinese New Year, beginning 26th of January to the 9th of Feb. Of course, like any other holiday occasions it gives the Chinese the reasons to eat, drink, gamble and to go overseas for a holiday. During these days the Chinese were "light" eaters. The first of of light they will eat.

One of the dishes that all Chinese will have is the "lou sang." It is a Chinese concocted salad that made up of flour crackers, sour pomelos, sliced salmons or any other fish, slimmed red carrots, radish, mixed with sour plum juice and olive oil.

Usually, it is the first dish of the course. The ingredients were laid out in a big plate placed in the center of the table. The eldest or the one paying will give a signal for everyone to start eating. Here, where it is so funny. The Malaysian Chinese that will hesitate to stand for the national anthem will rise with one accord, armed with their chopsticks start to attack the dish. Chopsticks are raised with their fruitful catch of the mixed salad, shouting "lou sang" meaning, "Thriving in Prosperity." I am sure everybody just love that and we need that for this year 2009!