Wednesday, February 02, 2011

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!

13 comments :

Createwealth8888 said...

Last time as kid, you don't like collecting hong bao?

PanzerGrenadier said...

Hi LP

Yes, the transition to married life and having to give out red packets versus receiving them is a very interesting phase.

Actually, if you go to a bank that has fewer people (i.e. not in heartlands or city/town area), can withdraw new notes quite fast. I did mine at one of the Stanchart branches and took me 15 minutes inclusive of waiting time so was pretty smooth.

Wishing you and your family a Happy Lunar New Year 2011!

Be well and prosper!

Singapore Man of Leisure said...

Have a super Chinese New Year!

And "jao shen gui zi"! :)

AK71 said...

Hi LP,

Gong xi fa cai! Hong bao yi ge lai! :D

I am still eligible to collect red packets, you know. Hehehe ;p

Dividend Tech Warrior said...

Hi bro LP,

Wishing you and your family a Happy and Prosperous Chinese New Year. ^^

Gong Xi Fa Cai !

Jeremy said...

Dear LP,
Here's wishing you and your families a very Happy Chinese New Year! :-)

Anonymous said...

Hi LP,
I gave hong bao for 12 years before having one kid to collect back some.
Hope you will collect back some earlier than me. Ha! Ha!

新 年 快 乐.

la papillion said...

Hi bro8888,

I do get ang bao as a kid, but chinese new year means my parents would be extremely busy. I have to help them out in their work too and this lasts from primary to perhaps JC. It wasn't 'fun' in the normal sense at all, during CNY.

With regards to ang bao, I get them but I'll need to return the portion that my parents gave away to others, so my parents won't 'make a loss', so to speak. So, in retrospect, I think having a long holiday filled with tons of homework during CNY is the best thing that comes in mind to me during this festive season.

la papillion said...

Hi PG,

Haha, indeed interesting :) Okay, I'll heed your advice and do such things during off peak hours in off peak areas. I'll be interesting experience just to queue up for new notes, ahah :)

Wishing your and your family a merry new year too :)

la papillion said...

Hi SMOL,

Aiyo, it's zao shen gui zi :) Haha, chinese cannot make it already :)

However, the message is still sent through with much appreciation from me :) Thanks!!

Have a merry new year!

la papillion said...

Hi AK,

Haha, still want to get ang bao from me :) A very merry new year to you and your family!

la papillion said...

Hi Dividend warrior,

Thanks! Wishing you a merry new year - may your goals of savings and investing come true!

Huat ah!


Hi Jeremy,

Thanks! Wishing you and your family a merry new year as well :)

la papillion said...

Hi Temperament,

Haha, giving is as important as taking :) Thanks for your well wishes! I wish you a merry new year for you and your families :)

Good health and prosperity!