恭喜發財

That year I went to Indonesia. Last year during the same time I went to Malaysia. The past few years I kept thinking of ways and means to flee the festive season. I’m talking about the Lunar New Year. The time when unattached singles run away from their relatives to save any embarrassment from the long-standing subject matter -“When are you getting hitched?” “Are you not tired of receiving ang pows from us?” Few years ago, I probably would be mortified to face this issue. This year I told myself I’m going to stay home, play host and tackle whatever questions graciously.

My grandpa has 3 wives and they left behind hordes of offspring. Imagine the number of cousins I have. I can’t even recognize them if I meet them on the street let alone remembering their names. On the first day of New Year, all my relatives will congregate at my place. All the ang pow money from my uncles and aunties will come in handy for the rising cab fares, increased movie ticket prices, increase in almost everything except the pay. I’m glad I don’t drive coz now you have to pay (the gantry) in order to return to your humble abode. Doesn't matter the din or ruckus they create in my house, just SHOW ME THE ANG POWS!

I’m also looking forward to my mum’s cuisine on the eve of lunar New Year – the reunion dinner. She’s a culinary expert and easily whips up ingenious dishes befitting the occasion. Umm, yummy! Although we have like 4 days of celebration, it’s not exactly a break for me. I foresee myself preparing quotations and writing proposals to submit immediately after the New Year. So by then I’ll be expecting more work. But I’m not complaining.