Happy Chinese New Year

Every year, me and my family would celebrate CNY together.

I would help with the CNY decorations, spring cleaning and tidying.

I would sometimes help my mum with the CNY cookie baking.

Help my dad fill the Red Packets with money.

On, CNY eve, we would have family reunion dinners with relatives.

Then, sleeping late that night due to endless gambling and mahjong sessions.

First day of CNY, we would all put on new clothes.

Have a little Tea Ceremony, wish my parents, then receive Red Packets.

Our dining table would be occupied with a bowl of oranges with empty red packets, some vegetable or items that would have significant meanings in Chinese. Meaning we had to eat out the whole day or probably eat at another smaller table.

Ever since my grandfather passed away, celebrating CNY was very much different than before.

When he was around, we would go back to his house in a small town at Pahang.

The whole night would be filled with firecrackers firing away and there would be no way one can sleep through the explosions.

In town, there would be performances, lion dances, and the much anticipated fireworks display.

Now, we would either celebrate CNY at home or back at my grandmothers' place back in Penang.

There would always be an issue of transport since the 6 of us could not fit into my dad's car.

This year, I celebrated CNY away from home, at the UK.

It really is a different experience and atmosphere.

First it is cold, not the usual warm feeling back at home.

Secondly, instead of family members, we celebrate with friends.

We had our own steamboat "reunion" dinner.

Although our house was relatively small, but we still managed to have fun and enjoy ourselves.

The company, the food and the warmth of so many people cramming into one small living area, wonderful.

Me and Huey Shin helping to decorate the house

There were a total of 4 rice cookers

MAKAN!

Marilyn and me. Pictures credit to her.

Hissssssssssss

Me, Vivian and Andy

FEAST ON!

No red packets to receive, no fireworks to play, no CNY cookies to eat, no CNY visits.

I finally understood what it felt like when my eldest brother was also studying at the UK.

We still had to attend lectures the very next day, while we scroll through facebook or whatsapp to see pictures of our friends and family celebrating CNY.

My family and relatives

Nevertheless, I really enjoyed the little get together session held that day.

Happy Chinese New Year! May this New Year of the Snake bring everyone prosperity, health, wealth and whatever your heart desires.

新年快乐! 恭喜发财! 万事如意! 步步高升!