Lunar New Year ~ a "一年一次" AFFAIR

Lunar New Year ~ a "一年一次" AFFAIR

Chinese New Year in Singapore this year was a long holiday for me. A full 4.5 days of complete rest without compromising any of my precious Annual Leave. As I welcome another week of reality, the only thing I’m looking forward for now is our impending Langkawi trip during the Good Friday Holidays.

No more home visiting for me this year so I’m spared of the “When are you getting married” syndrome.

My uncle who came by this evening did ask me, “How’s your Japan trip? Must be very expensive right?”

I only managed a weak smile and said “还好啦” before sneaking off for my first tennis practice in my 28 years of existence on earth.

The reunion dinner itself was relatively standard steamboat fare but it was good to have everybody sitting down together for a proper dinner. After dinner, it was catching some standard countdown shows on Channel 8. Personally, it was more entertaining this year with the beef up content of new year songs.

We made it a point to visit the 城隍庙 at Paya Lebar on Day 1 of Chinese New Year. This was followed by paying my respects to my late Grandmother in Geylang who passed away 2 years back. Ever since her passing, Chinese New Year has been a whole lot different. No more home visiting during this period.

It appears that with her demise, our whole clan have since gone separate ways.

Fortunately, we found other ways to keep ourselves busy during this period. Such as catching the 功夫罐蓝 (and bumping into my dear friend at the Cinema!) This year, we went to the Sentosa Flowers Festival and it was really crowded with foreign workers. Nevertheless, the flowers on display had a calming effect on our tired souls.

My visit to the Singapore Art Museum (Open House on 8th February) was fulfilling as I managed to catch my favourite 新谣 in action. This was followed by an entertaining Lion Dance Display by the Ngee Ann Alumni. Come to think of it, it was quite sometime since I last caught a live lion dance display and I enjoyed every moment of it.

My 3rd day of Chinese New Year was spent at my friend’s house from afternoon till late. It was lucky that some of my relatives did drop by my place during this period. As we are not particularly close, I was glad that I was spared of entertaining them today.

4th Day of Chinese New Year. It was my first tennis session today and I enjoyed it. I’m looking forward for more practices to come. Unfortunately, my uncle and elder brother’s friends chose to appear today. With their unwanted noise and smoke, they have simply broken the peace of a Sunday evening.

Anyway, its a “一年一次 AFFAIR” for me. It’s already 9.22pm. I just have to tolerate their nonsense for another hour or so.

Will I be around in Singapore for next year's Lunar New Year? I'm not sure either...

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