I can't seem to remember when Chinese New Year turned from an event that was so eagerly anticipated, to one that is, although not exactly dreaded, little looked forward to nonetheless.
It seems to me that the occasion most excites the very young or the very old. The young because they get to dress up in their Sunday Best, receive
Hong Bao and gorge on a variety of sweet delights. The old because of tradition and the fact that for some of them, its the only time the whole family can sit down and eat together.
For the rest of us in-betweens, its pretty much a 'oh I hate to see those pesky relatives again' affliction. Yes I know. We have 'progressed' to a situation where
Kith takes precedence over
Kin. Blood runs thicker than water? Its more like the red Cabernet Sauvignon you often share with friends that really matters.
Don't get me wrong. I have nothing to hide from the relatives, except perhaps for the fact that we are still without the little tykes that call us Mummy and Daddy. We're a little sick of telling the
kaypohs that we are not really that into
chewren. So I've composed a little one-liner to fob off anyone who irritates me with the question ; "we're going to adopt one from Cambodia just like Angelina". And then proceed to wax lyrical about how handsome Maddox is growing up to be =))
My heart does go out though, to those singles who have to put up with all the questioning, or should I say interrogation, by the Auntie
Kempeitei. All this coming right after Valentine's Day no less. For those who have faked a holiday to the Hilton Maldives, good for you. For those whose ancestral obligations dictate a show-face at some Patriarchal congregation of inquisitive monkeys, condolences. Really. Well there is always the option of over-dosing on Pineapple tarts, getting a real bad case of the runs and seeking the solace of the toilet.
Ok C'mon!, its not that bad
lah. No need to behave like a Lunar-tic during Lunar New Year.
Think of all the good things, the super-long weekend, red is the color of Ferrari,
Bak-Kwa and a ice-cold Hoegaarden, that kewt 2nd cousin who has blossomed into a lanky lass in lace...All is not lost! =))
So try to have a good time this Oink year. Please don't be cynical and say yah, and Pigs Can Fly.
Labels: Musings