That was then.....
I was watching some kid while having a mini-reunion dinner at the restaurant the other day. He was probably about 5 or 6 years old. He was walking around, doing the "Buddha Palm Strike" on every inanimate object in his way - mainly the plastic chairs around. This kid must've watched "Kung Fu Hustle" too many times. Or perhaps an overdose of kung fu-themed commercials on the telly (Kurnia Insurance tv-commerical comes to mind).
So this kid goes around, smacking every other chair in sight, making all sorts of sound effects. Then dad says I used to be like that when I was younger. Always in the super-hero poses. Funny, can't really remember that but then again.....
We were oblivious to our actions and surroundings when we were younger. Not a care in the world. The best things about Chinese New Year were the angpows, fireworks and food. The family gatherings, the games and laughter.
Not a care in the world. The fireworks, sparklers, pop-pops, etc. Stuffing our faces with the cookies and snacks.
Ang-pow takings were the highlights. Every single ringgit saved was gold. Back then, a couple of hundred in ang-pow money and you'll be on top of the world.
No pressures, no burdens.
We didn't know the value of money or where it was coming from. Come Chinese New Year, its time for shopping. New clothes and shoes were part and parcel of the celebrations.
This is now.....
Not so much on fireworks and such. We know who to blame for that. But being a health and safety hazard as well - I can't say I'd blame them. Watching fireworks as a kid and as a 20-something - the feeling just isn't the same.
The haul this year? Slightly over RM 250. Pathetic by today's standards. With inflation and all that. Maybe its an unspoken advice from relatives. Something along the lines of "Go get off your useless ass and get married already! You're too old to be receiving ang-pows!"
The only constant thing then and now, stuffing our faces with cookies and snacks!
Frankly, it didn't even really bother me if I could get new clothes or shoes these past couple of years even though it was tradition.
As we grow older, there's added burdens and pressures. We see everything differently now. We're conscious of what people perceive of us and our actions. We think about actions and consequences.
Gong Hei Fatt Choy!
The year didn't start off too well for some, myself included. Down with a flu and was feeling crappy for most of the Chinese New Year. In fact, I hardly went out at all. Probably a case of the blues as well.....
Anyhow, here's to a blessed year filled with happiness and prosperity to all!
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