Reflection on Chinese New Year

Everyone seeks to find an identity of their own. Today I want to share about my identity as a Singapore Chinese simply because I just had a great CNY celebration. A festival that amplifies and shouts loudly that I am a Chinese and a Singapore one.

For the record, I've celebrated CNY 28times. Do the math and you'll realise it doesn't tally with my age! Yes, I missed 2 years of CNY celebration in 2007 and 2008. I think it's good that I missed those 2 years. Because of that, I find that this years celebration was especially sweet.

My family CNY traditions are these-
1) We overhaul the house AKA Spring Cleaning. This year as I was in Melaka most of the time, I only clean my room. Mom and Jasmine did the rest of the cleaning

2) New year new cloths. Yes, wearing new cloths is a must, undergarment included.
Side track a little, Fang and Dionne accompany me to buy a pair of pants. Under their persuasion, I bought a pants which is slightly tight. Thinking that I have a month to lose weight. Lo and behold, to my disappointment, it was still as tight as ever. I still wear them anyway. Thruout, the day I didn't feast on the snack as there were no more room for expansion.

3) Reunion dinner. New tradition this year. Traditionally, reunion dinner will be held at home with all my married sister and their respective husband and children. This year, reunion dinner was me and my younger sister Jasmine, and mom and dad. All my married sisters have reunion dinner with their own family. Instead of having it at home, Jasmine found a restaurant at Suntec City. The food selection was not bad. After reunion dinner, I brought my family to Marina Barrage. We love the city view from the barrage. Dad shared stories on how he witness Singapore transforming from a Kampong to a world class city. All in all, it was quality family time. I really cherish the time we spent together as a family.

4) Ang Bao. (Red packet). In singapore, Children and the singles received Ang Bao from the married. From my family alone, I've already receive 4 (Parents and 3 married sisters). As I get older, I felt less and less excited about receiving them, it just reminds me how single I am.

5) House visiting and games. Besides visiting my uncles and aunties and meeting all my relatives, I also visit friends and they came over to my parent's house too. New game introduce this year is BANG!!! It's a hit among my sisters, brother-in-law and my bible talk. Thanks to the disciples from Vancouver church who introduce this game to me. I miss them actually.

Sidetrack again. For the first time in my life, I visited Fang at her place. Together and Dionne and JT, we gatecrash her house. Using JT as a decoy, I told Fang that we will gatecrash JT's house at 8pm, however by 7pm, JT, Dionne and I were already at her void deck. I call Fang to tell her I need to use her toilet. It didn't take long for her to unveil the decoy.

I wish to write more but I have to go. Talk to you later....