2012

Be prepared. The end is nigh.

Just kidding! I don't succumb to such archaic predictions, but it does sound rather exciting doesn't it? Imagine no more traffic jams and no more work. Hasta la vista to all my demanding and lousy clients! Goodbye to bills and loan repayments. Hahahaha!

Well, I am 4 days late but it's still not too late to wish everybody here a Happy New Year! Today is the second day of work for the new year, children are back to school and the traffic congestion on the road is back to normal. For me, it's the thought of driving through heavy traffic that is more unbearable than the thought of returning to work after a long break.

However, fear not! The traffic will clear up soon. There will be a long break coming in less than 3 weeks! It's the most dreaded time of the year for me - Chinese New Year, with hordes of shoppers at the malls, gawdy bright red and yellow decorations hung up everywhere and the annoying repetitive Chinese New Year tunes, exacerbated by the shrill teeny voices of little girls singing. Prices of certain perishables and haircuts go up due to a sudden increase in demand for such goods and services. Even the weather appears unfavourable with very hot, dry and sunny days leading up to the actual day of the celebration. I usually fall ill before Chinese New Year with the usual combination of fever, sore throat and cough. And finally, there's the annual extended family gathering which I am obliged to attend. I will be seeing distant relatives who I only meet once a year, and the place will be buzzing with sounds and activity from the chatter of aunts catching up on lost gossip to the shuffling and knocking of mahjong chips as the gamblers delve deep into their 'gambler's ruins', and the screams, squeals and cries of little children running about the house. It's a war zone to me.

My only consolation to this most dreaded time of the year is that my grandma will always cook up a storm in the kitchen during the family reunion dinner on the eve (this is the gathering I enjoy the most as it is with immediate family members only). I will get to eat some of my favourite foods and Chinese New Year delicacies such as waxed meats, braised mushrooms with clams and abalone, roast pork with pork crackle, stir-fried mixed vegetables with scallop, steamed grouper with soy sauce and ginger and lotus soup. There will also be heaps of munchies and goodies such as BBQ pork slices, cookies, chips and an endless supply of alcohol!

Perhaps it isn't too bad after all despite all my dislikes. The price of putting up with the hustle and bustle of the festivities is good food and spending great time with my family. And I also receive little red packets containing money.