Festive Warmth

CNY came and went again this year. Only that this year, CNY was truly special for me. I got to catch up proper with my family and my truckload of cousins whom I grow up so fondly with.

For one, one of my closest cousins who MIAed 7 years ago after she got married and relocated herself in KL with her hubby, made her debut appearance at CNY this year with her husband, and did her married duties of dishing out ang pows to the singles.

And a cousin whom none of us has seen for YEARS appeared with his new wife! With features so different that most of the cousins almost couldn't recognise him... whatever happened man??!!

What makes CNY truly memorable and meaningful for me is the big happy family gathering that gets the whole clan together collectively in a single location. Trying to catch up with EVERYONE is a mind boggling affair as there are countless cousins to talk to, toddlers (my darling nieces and nephews) to play with and babies to carry... This sight certainly overwhelmed a young American male who happened to be visiting my cousin's family during the CNY period.

Some of my cutie pie nieces and nephews that I couldn't get enough of this CNY...







For those who are not close to their (extended) families during the lunar new year, this festive season is usually a much dreaded affair as one is forced to meet up with relatives they only see once a year and do the cursory how-do-you-do talk. For me, the lunar new year is a precious time when we try to get in touch with our traditions to do what we normally wouldn't do, go back to our roots and remind ourselves of the forgotten cultural practices, and get together as one big family to enjoy a little festive warmth and remember the joys of family relations.

Plus all the good food and snacks for all to enjoy... can we truly complain about the festive flab that we pile on during this period? Perhaps... it only takes a week to lose this flab, but we have a lifetime to experience the traditions and family warmth this festive occasion brings every year.

Cheers to a good oinky year ahead!