The Chinese all over the world will celebrate the lunar new year on January 26, and it will last for fifteen (15) days! As a Chinese educated in English in the then Malaya, I have little clue on the significance of this festival.
I remember it as a time when as a young child, I got to wear new clothes and shoes. I got to eat chicken, drink Sinalco, Evergreen and F&N (Fraser & Neave). Today, both these seem so ordinary in a more developed country. Back then in the 60s, these two events were not so ordinary at all. It meant an awful lot to me, as this time was about the only time, I got these privileges. Of course, more important was getting the "ang pow" (red packet) containing money, after I greeted my elders with a "kong hei fatt choy" (in Cantonese), meaning "wish you will prosper". At that time, the normal rate was RM1.10, and I did not know why it needed that additional ten cents. To put into perspective, the cost of a bowl of "wantan" (shrimp paste) noodle was thirty (30) cents. Daily pocket money when going to school was twenty (20) cents.
Besides these goodies; there were a lot of biscuits, pastries and nuts to add onto the celebration mode. For me, as a child in a small town (Bentong, with only 3 short streets); going with cousins to my relative house to greet them for the "ang pows" was absolutely a must do to increase the piggy bank balance.
Those days, we had fire crackers, and the noise heightened the excitement and happiness. The Chinese New Year was after all a very important and special event for us.
Today, my world has changed very much. Urban development has made people more wealthy, and buying new clothes is a non-event. For the middle class and above, money is no longer a major issue. With good jobs and investment, they are able to have houses and cars. Many have maids to look after their children as well.
The Chinese New Year festival is no longer viewed with that awaited moment of glee. It has become just another event, like many others. In fact, these days, some will take it as a holiday to leave the country to go elsewhere. Still for most, it remains an opportunity to "balik kampung" (returning home) to spend time with the old folks and friends who have decided to stay back in the small towns than work in the city.
As for me, I will take the opportunity again to return to Subang Jaya and Bentong to spend time with my mother-in-law and mother respectively. I want to ensure my kid pays her respect to them, and honor their position as matriach of the family. It is also a time with my family and friends to catch up on life's happenings. It is expected to be a routine, but an opportunity to laugh together. It is simple, and I like it that way.
On Saturday, January 24, we will be leaving the house by 04:30 to beat the traffic jam at the Second Link at Tuas, Singapore, and will drive for about five hours to reach Subang Jaya. Yes, it will be a simple but a meaningful event for my family to learn to live a good life, respecting tradition as much as we could.
I remember it as a time when as a young child, I got to wear new clothes and shoes. I got to eat chicken, drink Sinalco, Evergreen and F&N (Fraser & Neave). Today, both these seem so ordinary in a more developed country. Back then in the 60s, these two events were not so ordinary at all. It meant an awful lot to me, as this time was about the only time, I got these privileges. Of course, more important was getting the "ang pow" (red packet) containing money, after I greeted my elders with a "kong hei fatt choy" (in Cantonese), meaning "wish you will prosper". At that time, the normal rate was RM1.10, and I did not know why it needed that additional ten cents. To put into perspective, the cost of a bowl of "wantan" (shrimp paste) noodle was thirty (30) cents. Daily pocket money when going to school was twenty (20) cents.
Besides these goodies; there were a lot of biscuits, pastries and nuts to add onto the celebration mode. For me, as a child in a small town (Bentong, with only 3 short streets); going with cousins to my relative house to greet them for the "ang pows" was absolutely a must do to increase the piggy bank balance.
Those days, we had fire crackers, and the noise heightened the excitement and happiness. The Chinese New Year was after all a very important and special event for us.
Today, my world has changed very much. Urban development has made people more wealthy, and buying new clothes is a non-event. For the middle class and above, money is no longer a major issue. With good jobs and investment, they are able to have houses and cars. Many have maids to look after their children as well.
The Chinese New Year festival is no longer viewed with that awaited moment of glee. It has become just another event, like many others. In fact, these days, some will take it as a holiday to leave the country to go elsewhere. Still for most, it remains an opportunity to "balik kampung" (returning home) to spend time with the old folks and friends who have decided to stay back in the small towns than work in the city.
As for me, I will take the opportunity again to return to Subang Jaya and Bentong to spend time with my mother-in-law and mother respectively. I want to ensure my kid pays her respect to them, and honor their position as matriach of the family. It is also a time with my family and friends to catch up on life's happenings. It is expected to be a routine, but an opportunity to laugh together. It is simple, and I like it that way.
On Saturday, January 24, we will be leaving the house by 04:30 to beat the traffic jam at the Second Link at Tuas, Singapore, and will drive for about five hours to reach Subang Jaya. Yes, it will be a simple but a meaningful event for my family to learn to live a good life, respecting tradition as much as we could.
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