Hello all! :)
This will be my first report based on my personal experience over the years of attending Chinese New Year gatherings and festivals. Like the oranges on the left? Hahah. HAPPY NEW YEAR to you bloggers! ♥
♥ Being a Chinese mix and brought up the Western way, I found out that even though these kinda festivals were meant to be celebrated with lots of joy, it has changed to something gloomy. God knows why, and I believe things happen for a reason.
The usual thing would be to head over to your elders house where the rest of the family members would be and spend the New Years Eve there. It's not compulsory to be there at early sunrise but at least around the day when the hour strikes noon. :D
So, what would 2009's Chinese New Year have in store for me this time? :)
Well, packing up around 9am we headed to our other home. As usual, arriving there.. dad parking the car, maids coming out to carry the stuff we brought.. we go in, greet the elders etc etc need i elaborate more? Its pretty much the same as any other celebration/festival, only celebrated by different races and cultures. Celebrations like these that happen once a year used to be one of the most joyful times ever. Back in the olden days, every race would be celebrating it together in harmony, smiles on the old folks faces, childrens laughter being heard from a block away as they run around chasing each other.. it's 2009, things have changed. Thinking about this wouldn't change anything. It's better to put the past behind and walk through the new experiences yet to be faced.
Lunch was simple, the typical Chinese lunch with all the necessary dishes to complete a balanced diet. Later that afternoon was just like every other day. Lazing around on the couch, listening to the happy chatter of the folks .. and going into my grandparents room and taking an afternoon nap.. that scent. Old, slightly musty, the smell of the powder they use.. its just something unforgettable. Ever thought about it? :)
Finally, woken up by a familiar voice.. my mother. The very person who brought life to me. That stern yet loving tone, waking me up to have dinner. Crawling out of bed, I edged myself to the corner to regain balance since I was pretty much half awake. Taking a few steps to the bathroom, I hear the shower on and yet again another familiar voice. My grandfather. Singing in the bathroom. Do you find that a classic? Having the old folks singing? It makes me wonder at times, when time passes by.. and nothing but silence surrounds the house that was once occupied with many familiar faces and voices.. heh. The irony of it all. It makes us realize that time and tide, waits for no man. Sadly, not many people know the importance of time well spent.
Well, that aside. Being rather grumpy, my patience wasn't the best of me at the very moment so I decided to grab my bag and head upstairs to my cousins room to have a nice warm shower. That girl, laying comfortably on her bed watching her favourite Korean drama. Teens... they have yet to learn the simplicity of life and the main priorities. *chuckles*
Walking into the shower, letting the water flow while scrubbing myself with my milk bath.. the scent. Mmm.. its fragrance leaves nothing but an unexplainable feel to it that would put you in ecstasy as you inhale more of it after the shower. :p To top that off, lovely Dove and Shiseido shampoo + conditioner. Even more of a girls dream, being lavished with lovely fragrance and moisture that'll make them feel fresh, awake and brand new. Try that without wasting your time filling the bathtub with lemons.. imagine wasting your precious time running to the nearest grocery store to purchase the freshest lemons and then rushing home, cutting them then setting the right temperature in the tub..haha.
Well girls, if you ever want to do it the "old-fashioned" way, be my guest. Just giving my point of view. Fast, easy and works just as good with the exact results and even better. :)
Having done with my shower, I plopped myself onto my cousins bed and watched a Japanese drama. Oh, don't mind me.. I am not into those things like a rabid fangirl but I have to admit I do have my fair share of dramas and animation. This one was different. It involves 2 individuals of the same sex. How's that for a change? Watching something acted by real people and having a mere 15 year old telling you she loves those intimate things? The world.... surely has changed. Seeing a little "chick flick" is perfectly fine in my book and I thank God, that episode I watched was nothing more than a mere "fluff" relationship. However, she has told me stories of the things she's watched and writes with the rest of her 15 year old friends. Now, being way older than her, I have to admit yet another surprising thing about me... I'm open and learn alot. But sorry to break your heart my fans, i'm not a rabid "gay" fangirl.
Finally, dinner. I wonder what we're gonna have? Juggling my thoughts, I though why should I stress in guessing what our new year eve's dinner would be? Might as well sit back and enjoy the surprise. :) So, without further ado, here are some pictures:
STEAMBOAT ♥
Honestly, this was something I didn't expect. It has been a while since we've had a family dinner where everyone would have to chip in a little bit of effort to serve for each other. It was an experience which I realized, even though you have a family with alot of problems, no matter how bad it seems, no matter the differences.. there's always a time where all those feelings, troubles, hatred and dissatisfaction among each other aside and have a form of bonding at a gathering for a holiday/celebration. This honestly is something worth learning and appreciating. These times and memories cherished, bitter and sweet but each year, something new is created and at the very year, on a very special date, time, year and occasion when looking back and reminiscing it will you then realize how annual celebrations really do patch things up for at least a day during the day itself where everyone would share and have the same feelings. Happiness.
Though coming from different experiences and opinions of one another, having tiny spit-fires.. every family would settle down for some desert. :pCheck out the delicious sugee cake on the left hand side. It was given by one of our distant relatives.. though not meeting its standards, it was enough to keep the family happy with a little desert.
And that's what I cherished. The efforts and generosity of each individual. Be it friends, family and even enemies. There's always a common ground, and it usually falls on one of these wonderful celebrations. :)
Before heading back, we had a Red Packet "ang pao" giving ceremony, where the elders/those married would give some money inside a red packet for luck and prosperity, also, another one of the very few things done during Chinese New Year is pray. I managed to catch my grandma doing some preparations for the Chinese New Year prayer. Each family member would take a jawstick and pay their respects and pray to the Goddess of Mercy, Quan Yin.The picture on the right shows how it looks like and yes, those are real fruit which we'd eat after a week.
Having that said, ends my blog regarding Chinese New Year. To those out there reading, make sure you learn to appreciate these moments! You will never know how long and when it'd be your last celebration with your friends, family and loved ones.
Learn to treasure these things and appreciate what you have.
Believe me readers, better realizing it now than later... sometimes it can be too late and you'll regret not trying harder and spending time creating memories and taking advantage of what God has offered each year as a reunion among all loved ones. :)
This is ♥ F ♥ signing off. You know you love me. xoxo