Chinese new year

I never really like Chinese new year. I know I sound like the proverbial beast 'nian' that roams ancient China during this time of the year. The way to frighten off this beast is the excessive use of red everywhere and the setting off of firecrackers to create loud noises. I must say it certainly 'frightens' me off as well. That is not the most irritating thing to me, since there isn't any firecrackers setting off anyway here (it's illegal to have it). Oh, there's also nothing to eat too except for fast food. Town area is practically zombified. But the worst thing about Chinese new year is the incessant playing of Chinese new year songs. It's like having to listen to someone scratching the blackboard with his nails, except that it's never ending and omnipresent! Imagine you're in a heady daze squeezing through the crowd of people feeling stressed up and frustrated, and in the background, you hear the ever chirpy Chinese new year songs....horrible.



Maybe it's just me. A chinese new year humbug, so to speak. My family doesn't really celebrate it either. There's no sign of any decorations nor even the buying of chinese new year goodies placed at home. It's really just another normal day, except for the reunion dinner where we'll always eat steamboat at home. It's about the only time of the year where I'll be watching more tv than usual (my usual is not watching it). After enduring the fake happiness and fake chirpiness of the actor and actresses singing their usual routine of songs, I'll watch out for the annual chinese horoscope reading of the 12 signs by some master. Not that I really believe in it actually. It's just a ritual, a tradition and as rituals and traditions goes, you don't really want to question why you do certain things, otherwise you'll spoil that magical moment.



This year, however, promises to be different from all the other new years I've lived. Firstly, I've got two reunion dinner to attend to. Thankfully, it's not going to be a pig-out event on Chinese new year eve because I've already 'completed' my side of the reunion dinner on last Sunday. The schedule of different families, each with their own commitments, make it hard to find a suitable time where everyone can be present to have dinner. Hence, to facilitate everyone, it's just held earlier. So, I'll be spending today waiting for the reunion dinner at my wife's home. That's the highlight of the day actually.



Secondly, I've to give ang pao instead of receiving them. I think this is going to be an experience. I certainly don't mind giving them. Hmm, maybe all that would change after this 'honey-moon' period. I never really bother changing the new crisp notes from the bank with the serial number all running consecutively. Money is just money right. (anyway, don't they say it's just for goodluck?) As long as the notes are presentable, I think that should do it. Besides, I drew it out from the atm machine, so these are pretty new. If you drew it from atm near big branches, the notes might even be in running serial number, so you can save yourself the long queue.


Enough ramblings, have yourself a merry chinese new year!