Chinese New Year is here again for 2007. This year will be the year of the boar/pig. Who amongst you are born in the year of the boar/pig? I know my uncle is. Do many of you believe that your character is determined by the animal year you were born? I don't, but sometimes if you really observe my uncle, I do. Not that he eats like a pig. He's just as slow as a pig! No offense intended of course. Just that my uncle has no time management. He's always late for everything. Without fail! But I digress.
My mother had actually wanted a grandchild born in the year of the boar/pig. I don't know why, and I didn't want to bother finding out why, coz I don't believe in it. So she got a grandchild born in the year of the dog instead. Haha! But if you ask her now, I'm sure she will tell you it doesn't matter, as he's real cute! Haha!
This is Joshua's first Chinese New Year celebration and he got to meet most of his relatives from both my paternal and maternal side. I think he got to meet too many new faces, and he couldn't really take it. Most of the time he was tired and cranky. So most of today I had to rock him to sleep and usually before he sleeps, he gets fussy and cries a lot. And he ain't getting lighter. His feeding was also a problem, as he always doesn't want to finish him milk. More headache for me. And me poor arms!
I also couldn't help thinking. When he grows up, will the Chinese New Year tradition continue? Will he still practice the tradition of visiting his relatives? I really hope so, as I am already observing the next generation not bothering to follow their parents to "pai lin" (visiting of relatives), opting to stay home or to go out with their friends instead. Not wanting to follow their parents is one thing. They can even ask their parents to collect their 'angpaus' for them on their behalf! And some I know who do follow their parents just want to get angpaus. Their motives are not to spend time with relatives they haven't seen in a while. All they see are the red packets. Some will compete to see who gets the most angpaus.
How sad.
For me, I am always excited for CNY as this is the time I get to meet all the relatives that I get to meet once a year only. I get to catch up with them, getting to know how they have been getting on and what's new in their lives. This year is especially special for me, as they get to meet my son for the first time.
Today is the second day of the new year. 13 more days of wonderful food and catching up with relatives and friends. So, to everyone who is reading me, GONG XI FA CAI!! May this year brings your happiness, prosperity, health and joy!
6 comments:
I didn't go pailin this year, was having uhm girlyhealthissues... so didn't go visiting but takde le sampai ask my mum to take angpaus for me. also means this year I didn't collect any angpaus
Well...you have a reason, val. Those people I'm talking about are those who are healthy and have absolutely no reason not to go pai lin. :)
I think parents need to MAKE their kids go visit relatives and stuff. Like say on the 1st day, you hafta go visit Auntie A, B & C. But after that, you're free to do whatever you want! A bit of give and take should fix the problem...but if it doesn't, I think there was some spoiling done during the upbringing!
moo you are so right! Will make sure Joshua doesn't lose the tradition.
Erm.. I have a nephew called Joshua.
Anyway, it's not about forcing anyone to do anything. It's about family closeness and the bonding and all that. If you can instill these idealogies into your kid, they'll appreciate it more when the need arises. I was kinda devastated when my grandma's old pre-war wooden house was torn down for "progress upgrades". I was kinda raised there. Every CNY it was there.
Anyway, point is, it's not about forcing the tradition, it's about instilling the importance of it to our children.
Well, I won't exactly force it onto Joshua. Just want to instill the tradition into him, so he will know the joy and importance of keeping in touch with his family. Coz, after all, it'll be your family who will be there for you in times of need.
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