CNY Review

There are times when mixed feelings struck you and you are helpless. There are times as you gaze upon the sky shooting through the stars and you mind goes floating.

It's the 6th day of the Chinese New Year. Vividly this year everyone can sense that the atmosphere of celebrating the festive season had gone down the hill. Shopping wasn't that frenzy anymore. Miraculously the traffic was quite smooth and clear. No severe traffic congestion. For the past years, there are a few indicators telling you the momentum.

1. Traffic. Registered number plates tell you where they are are returning from.
2. Shopping attitude. Number of buyers and sellers.
3. The greatness of fireworks and firecrackers. The economic downturn does not pose a significant effect on this.
4. House visitation. Or even renovation works.

I talked to a few people. Some said they slept in during new year. Some cut down their annual house visitations. Few friends went travelling with family. We used to call that "避年/Avoid Celebrating New Year". I will say the economy influences the way it is.

10 more days to go. I have been back for almost 2 months. Time flies. Indeed! Friends bidding adieu, back to their own reality. All the best to you all. Wherever you go, wherever you are, remember God is with you, watching and taking care.

That's the Way

Blessed Chinese New Year everyone!

Lunar festive season has always been one of the major events that I look forward every year. Personally, it is the atmosphere, the process of preparation and just by looking at the effort being poured out by every household to conduct a tedious overhaul, spring clean and perhaps making some renovations to further titivate the house. Apart from being the precious moments where relatives and friends gather together to savour over the reunion dinner, you gotta have fireworks and firecrackers to light up the day! Albeit being illegal, setting off fireworks and burning fire crackers has always been the tradition of the Chinese. You never lose your root, you keep it tight and strong. Therefore, there are still many who take the risk of being caught by the law keepers to spare a specific amount of money to further boost the celebration atmosphere. Keep it the way Sibu-ans.

Visitations can be mental draining and exhausting. But definitely, it might be the only chance in a year to meet up someone. For years down the journey, my family's schedule of visitation and welcoming has mostly been the same. Perhaps just being used to it.

Reflecting the past few days, apart from the awesome fireworks and deafening bombing, I overheard some conversations and witnessed some scenarios or scenes that are worth to be pondered about.

1. What do we actually live for? Is it just about birth, getting old, illness and death? Or just striving the best to earn the top earning career, buy big cars and houses, or to marry successful husband or woo some beautiful gals? Who is Christ to you?

2. One superstition and old thinking or perhaps never gotten to read and understand the bible - If Jesus is great, how come he (a pastor) died in the accident while the passenger was alive? Who is mortal?

Out of all the visitations so far, I was impressed by this lovely family where all the children and grand children gathered together having joyful moments with their parents/grandparents. Wonderful catch up over the dinner table, watching the 50th Anniversary video clip of their parents/grandparents together in the living rooms. Kids and teenagers having close kinship.... I reckon it is hard to find many of this family.

It warms your heart when the host shows great hospitality, either the adults or the children. Oh lovely kid - Wilson and the charming teenage girl who served me! =)

Be grateful. Be thankful. Count His blessings!