Monday, February 28, 2011

What Chinese New Year Means To Me

I've had a 2 weeks gap, from my previous post.
Thinking what should I be talking about next. It's been nothing siognificant or concrete for some time now. Not updating it constantly makes me feel guilty, but I do not want my blog to be a chore. It should always be something that I like to do.

Today is the last day of February. 2 months of 2011 has already flashed by me in the blink of an eye. Chinese New Year come and gone. THe time that passes has no meaning, unless we put something of value to it. So this time, I'm gonna write about wha CNY means to me. Every year, CNY comes and goes, but is it really important to me?



1. CNY is about reunion. The highlight of it has to be the reunion meal. In my paternal family, we have reunion lunch, as opposed to the tradition of dinner, on CNY Eve. This has never been emphasised more this year. Both my paternal grandparents have passed away and this is the 3rd year without them. This is also the 1st time there are only 6 people coming back to stay in my paternal grandparent's home in Triang, Pahang. 3 was from my family: me, pop and mom. 2 was an Aunt and her daughter, and 1 more uncle who came back without his wife and kid.

Just so you know, my paternal grandparents have 5 sons (2 deceased) and 6 daughters. At its peak, my grandparent's house would be packed to the brim filled with aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and etc.

This year, there was just silence. And at the end of the 1st day of CNY, I went back to my maternal grandparent's place in Malacca, and the other 3 remanining relatives went back to KL.
Silence.



2. CNY is about every1 getting together for a good meal, with family or friends. And in Malaysia, this dish is gaining more and more importance. Yee Sang.

Tossing this while saying good things/wishes for every1, is sort of a bonding thing.Sweet and sourish, its a great appetizer before the CNY feast begins.



3. Fireworks. never used to liekt hem since i was a kid. Always afraid of them. But as the years go by, I tend to appreciate them more and more. Not buying and lighting them up, but to enjoy and watch them light up the sky. Me, my sis and cousins have this fond attachment of going up to the grandparents rooftop in Triang, and just wait for midnight to strike. THen, all sorts of fireworks will be lighted up by the villagers. We'd just be there staring in awe...

This year, it was just me and my cousin on the rooftop. And Silence before the frenzy.


4. CNY means gatherings. A season of gathering. Its the best reason u have to meet up with ppl you always wanted to meet but never had the time. I had plenty of those, though there are still ppl i iwshed I met, but I should be happy. I caught up with many people that has touched my life int he past and seeing them makes me happy again!



5. And finally, CNY is about love. Why love? Is it because of Chap Goh Mei (Chinese Valentine / 15th day of CNY) or is it because the Feb 14th Valentines Day falls in between? Or is it the same time of year when all your relatives ask you when you are getting married and etc?

Its all of the above, and more... (to those who know the extras, you guys get to laugh at my expense)

But yes, CNY is about the time you celebrate the love of your entire extended family and friends as well. 15 days is long enough for you to get something done. And there should not be any Silence. CNY is all about noise, cause we believe noise is a sign of prosperity, vitality and overall well being for every1!


Boodyboy, out!!!

1 comment:

snooki said...
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