Of Tigers and Six Cycles

You know the cliches – the inflation, balik kampung traffic jams have taken the meaning out of CNY celebrations, CNY is only enjoyed by the very young and very old, etc.

But Chinese New Year is still Chinese New Year. Everyone still goes through the motion of travelling across the country (or city, depending on where you’re from), buy the requisite cookies and meats, swap token red packets, endure the family dinners without cringing too much, and the loud gambling (this one is rather enjoyable to most), etc.

I guess we Chinese are creatures of habits. We call it tradition, but above anything else, we go through the motions, and at the same time we try to keep our aging elders happy (or rather not p!ss them off). I’m not being cynical, really. For a change I’m looking forward to this year’s holiday, maybe because its a reprieve to the alternative, i.e. working.

So to all, Happy New Year.

P/s the first day of new year is also my dad’s birthday, he’s completed six cycles of the chinese zodiac. No mean feat for a guy who used to dump 2 packs of seasoning into his maggi mee…