Valentine’s day special

Happy Valentine’s day!!! I know, it has passed already. Well, showing your love to your either parents, husband/wife, gf/bf, friends etc does not fall on just Feb 14th. Hehe….Well, talking about Valentine’s day, this is our 2nd Valentine in 9 years, most of the time were spent apart, so thus it was exciting and new?

We wanted to go the new Jamie Oliver’s restaurant but when we went to enquire, the first available table is after 9:45pm! That’s just crazy! So instead of giving business to the restaurant, might as well buy some food from the supermarket. Bought some steaks, potatoes, carrots etc and went back to cook.

I must say I’m really happy how it turns out. The rump steak only cost £2.50, so overall the cost of this dish is only below £5! I made potato mash with peas. I’m not a peas lover myself, so I thought why not mash it up! Turns out well! The gravy? Just throw in some shallots, garlic, mushroom and of course the beef juice!

Shern manage to buy some red roses for me too! What is Valentine without roses! mohohoho….

I think Valentine is over hyped! But nevertheless, it gives business to the restaurants and florist. Here are some of the ways how other countries celebrate this special day:

1. Japan- Women are supposed to give chocolates to Men! I find this interesting! Men are expected to return gifts that are at least two or three times more valuable than the gifts received in Valentine’s Day. (Not bad!) Not returning the gift is perceived as the man placing himself in a position of superiority, even if excuses are given. Returning a present of equal value is considered as a way to say that you are cutting the relationship.

2. In Finland -Valentine’s Day is called Ystävänpäivä which translates into “Friend’s day”. As the name indicates, this day is more about remembering all your friends, not only your loved ones.  ( I guess this is where the ‘friends’ day come from)

3. In Malaysia -Islamic officials warned Muslims against celebrating Valentine’s Day, linking it with vice activities. Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said the celebration of romantic love was “not suitable” for Muslims. Wan Mohamad Sheikh Abdul Aziz, head of the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim), which oversees the country’s Islamic policies said a fatwa (ruling) issued by the country’s top clerics in 2005 noted the day ‘is associated with elements of Christianity,’ and ‘we just cannot get involved with other religion’s worshipping rituals.’ Jakim officials plan to carry out a nationwide campaign called “Awas Jerat Valentine’s Day”(“Mind the Valentine’s Day Trap”), aimed at preventing Muslims from celebrating the day on 14 February 2011. Activities include conducting raids in hotels to stop young couples from having unlawful sex and distributing leaflets to Muslim University students warning them against the day.

-Extracted from Wikipedia

Very interesting! At the end of the day, it depends on how you look at it. Everyday could be a Valentine’s day, just like Christmas. For some other people, it’s just an extra special day to show your feelings, your emotions to your love ones. If it does you no harm, join in the fun and take time out to cherish your love ones (that includes your parents, your siblings, your….you know what I mean!) What do you think?

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