迎春接虎

It was the 2nd year of Tiger that I have ushered since birth but none quite eventful and exciting as this year.

1) Departure to my hometown on the eve of CNY eve:
Never been this sick when I had to travel. Generally am a person with quite high tolerance I think? But when I was stuck at the customs with a super runny nose from a terrible flu and rising temperature and dull throbbing migraine at the back of my head, all I had in mind was to turn back and return to my flat in Singapore. On the other hand, somehow something was nagging at me that since I had already endured the super big crowd at the customs, I might as well endure a bit more since I was NOT too far from the regionl interchange at JB.

Hence endured I did. But the bugs in me persisted. The fever remained on CNY eve and the migraine escalated to a splitting pain in my head. Endured till past midnight, but it was really too painful that I started puking several times. My parents had to drive around town to look for a 24hr clinic as most were closed for the festive season.

2) Fireworks:
Hometown authorities have been really strict about fireworks and firecrackers for many years. Hence Chinese New Year have lost some of its excitement over the years since the childhood this because of this.

But glad to hear that the authorities have relaxed the rules as of this year by allowing fireworks and firecrackers on the eve and 1st two days of Chinese New Year! Whee~

Of course, those that we buy can't compare to that at NDP locally or New Year countdown. But it was really cool to watch as my uncles (who are CNY enthusiasts) fervently burned the store that they have stocked up before Chinese New Year. Hearing the firecrackers when the lion dance troupe came during the day and watching the firework display at night when my uncles and cousins light them up at the front of grandma's house definitely brought back memories and some of the Chinese New Year atmosphere! Now that's how it should be like during Chinese New Year!!!

3) Water Rationing:
Because of extremely dry weather this year, authorities at my hometown have decided to turn off water supply for several hours a day during the Chinese New Year period.

It was really an experience washing dishes at the main tap outside our house with an extremely small stream of water from the tap. You might not even call it a stream of water for the city people....

Super thankful to my relatives who had stored gallons of water in advance when they received notice. But all of us used the stored water with care. Haven't showered from a pail and a small bucket (used to scoop water to pour and rinse over yourself after soaping) since my pre-school days when I was still living in my hometown.

This reminded me of colleagues who were trying to teach students Total Defence and the fateful Chinese New Year when local citizens got invaded during the Japanese Occupation. With what I experienced at my hometown, what can honestly be better than experiential learning?

I had learnt to treasure my water more after experiencing REAL WATER RATIONING...!

4) Finding long-lost kin:
Had a cousin as a close playmate during my toddler days when I was still staying in my hometown away from my parents, away from the bustling local city. But due to some reasons, but due to personal reasons this playmate of mine had left home several years ago in pursuit of life that she desired. Nothing much was heard from her since then. All our relatives had been concerned and on the lookout for any news of her since her departure but never to much avail every new year when everyone returned.

However, we are glad to have got wind of her this new year. Seems that my playmate had settled down with a family, leading a peaceful life with her newfound loved ones up in the far north from where we originated.

Daddy was even thinking of springing a surprise visit on my playmate just to give her and her family our well-wishes. Hearing that my playmate is well and happily married made me feel really happy for her. Afterall, she was the one who had been my companion during my toddler years.

Through the years, the family have gotten busy and absorbed with their own lives, only gathering once or twice a year during important occasions like Chinese New Year and Ching Ming. There are times one might wonder if kinship might falter or dilute with time. But the arrival of the news of my playmate made me felt that kinship is always there, deeply etched and buried our hearts.