CNY 2006

Some people I only meet once a year and so little says so much. Like this cousin of mine whom I find the cutest of the lot!

I do envy big families who get together several times in a year, be it celebrate someone's birthday or take a boat to some kelong or just chill at someone's place, because I don't have such a close-knitted extended family.

I used to have the privilege of being part of such a gathering and it really amazes me how a group of adults can all find the time to bring their kids and fix up a time to have supper at Jalan Kayu or some cafe along Upper East Coast. Distance really pose no boundaries with this group of people because they would go anywhere just to get together. And getting together is always a big affair because there will be three, four cars full of people, looking for parking places or just liasing with one another where the place is.

On these outings, I've never at any point felt awkward or out of place. I've never been treated like I'm some super-star celebrity, (maybe because they've got a bigger star in the family) nor do they treat me like I don't belong there. Sure, once in a while, they are concerned about my line of work, but it is more likely out of courtesy that they're asking rather than curiosity. So honestly, I've always enjoyed myself.

If it was a gathering at someone's place, the adults will play mahjong or some card game that involve as many people as possible, and the kids will find some ways to entertain themselves. It's always full of fun, laughter and cheer. That is not to say every member of this family have no misgivings against anyone else. Every family will bound to have siblings who don't particularly like the attitude and style of another, but it has never been a major issue in this family.

Every CNY, I spend more time with them than my own extended family. This year's CNY has unfortunately toned down to a much quieter affair for me. On a deeper level, I wished I was in Beijing as I had intended to, instead of being reminded of what CNY was like in previous years and missing all the hype and noise.

I'm not sure I'm going to look forward to CNY in the coming year if it is going to be a repeat of this year because really, it is almost just another public holiday, with the exception of being treated with ang pows and new year goodies.

Nonetheless, I hope it's been good for everyone else.