Oh my, i wasn't even aware how did those days flew past.
The Lunar New Year breezed through without much traces, as though the original fifteen-days event was officially refused to four, those that were labeled as public holidays.
On the eve of LNY, i woke up, early enough to give my room a spring-clean and just the book shelve alone, it took me more than an hour.
Not mentioning the drawer chest, the wardrobe and the tv case which by the time i considered it done, three hours had past. Gosh...it was hard labour.
My only consolation was that it's only a once-a-year chore.
I had to get rid of the rubbish to make space for the new batch (of rubbish). My logic. Hah.
Reunion dinner commenced at around six in the evening but it was ruined before we could even tuck in.
As usual, Mum started off with her anger-threats and this time, it included canceling reunion next year and even the visitations the next day.
Shan't go into the details but i concluded it to be a family tragedy when insensible and insensitive creatures exist. Sigh.
I plonked myself in front of the computer after dinner, and unsurprisingly, most of my contacts were offline. But Beng's appearance a while later indeed came as a very pleasant surprise!
Eversince the uber brief farewell and eventually his departure on the last day of January, he seemed to have vanished from earth.
Hence the long (one sided) webcaming chat was good albeit the rush as he literally updated by the days. He also brought me around the house he was temporary putting up in and i didn't expect houses in Perth can be THAT small.
The bedroom can easily be one-third smaller than the bedroom of our three-room flat.
Detailing every aspects of his new way of living, the interactions with his multinational course mates, the uber high ego Aussie tutors, i see everything as an appeal to me.
Gosh...i shan't think too much into it.
He showed me the scones he baked for his assignment and geez...i'm so proud of him. =)
I had to go two hours later as Eric was already on his way to pick me for our annual LNY movie with the rest!
It was our third consecutive year of midnight movie on LNY eve and it has gradually become a tradition we all wish to keep.
To end off the night, we would always proceed for a drink at the prata shop along Bencoolen Street, gazing at the streams of vehicles turning out from the temples, with long thick joss sticks protruding out from their windows.
Considering that service was as per normal the following day, we had to keep the night short(er).
Arrived home at 2am and crashed immediately.
There wasn't a better way to start the LNY with a church service!
It was observed that on special days like this, the attendance could easily be halfed, but i thought this year was actually not that bad. Just a quarter lesser?
Packing up was record quick as everyone had a long day of activities awaiting.
With the aftermath from last night's saga, i deliberated for a while before dialing home and heaved a sigh of relief when Mum said the brothers were on their way and we were heading to Aunt's house. We didn't mention anything about the night before ever since.
I've never enjoyed LNY visitation but yet i think it's necessary. The once-a-year visits somehow become an indication that we are not losing touch. Even though we merely ate and watched television programs which are frequent not of our preference.
That was when iPhone became the best companion! Yes i know it's rude.
I can't stand people isolating themselves into the world of technology when there's obviously a group activity going on. Not even when one claims that he/she is listening.
But since i couldn't comment or participate in their "adult-talk", i guessed it was alright for me to just look up and nod occasionally. :p
After Aunt's place, we proceeded to visit Grandpa at a home.
It was quite sad that he couldn't spend his LNY at home and worse, bedridden.
Nevertheless, i was pretty sure he sensed our presence.
In less than five hours, we accomplished Visitations 2010 under the scorching heat and the killing sun.
Mum and i crashed immediately upon arriving home and got up just in time for dinner.
LNY day two, i met Jac for lunch at Marche and boy, i fell in love with this Swiss-Germany restaurant all over again.
I was devastated after its evacuation from the malls in town and with the only branch remaining in Vivocity, it's considered fortunate if you could beat the queue.
The new establishment at 313 @ Somerset occupies the first level and the first basement with the seating at the later. It's undoubtedly a tad claustrophobic with the low ceiling but the cosy country decor and the delicious spread of food make up to it. =)
After a hearty lunch, we headed to the cinema for Valentine's Day and we left the theatre feeling blissful. =) Strongly recommended, if it's still showing.
Dinner was with Jer and Sejin as they returned from Korea to spend LNY as husband and wife.
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As Sejin had an air-stewardess friend who stopped over here for a night, she joined us for the night and while the two Korean ladies got engrossed with their girls talk, Jer and i were enjoying our Singlish chat as well.
Our night ended after browsing 700 pictures of their wedding and honeymoon.
I crashed immediately when i got home.
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On the third day, i started off to Fen's place and then to Ps LY's.
LNY would never be completed without having a game (or more) of mahjong!!
Like cycling (or swimming for some), it's a skill that you'll never lose once mastered. You would only get better. =)
As the night gets older, i got more dampened by the post-holiday syndrome.
I wished i had taken leave for the rest of the week. Or maybe forever.
Oh wells.
The only thing that i looked forward on the first day back at work after a long weekend, was to end the day.
Seriously, i think i've lost my motivation totally. That's another story altogether.
Anyway, considering that i won't be seeing Jer for the rest of the year, i decided to send them off at the airport this time.
If i recalled correctly, the last time i did that was when he set off to Brisbane for his studies.
For that, i deserved to be suaned. =p
But i also realised that i really didn't like the feeling of seeing my friend, especially close ones, leaving before my eyes. The idea of parting is just too depressing.
I'm so gonna miss him. =(
Thankfully, i managed to convince him to join the iPhoners!With the uber amazing whatsapp application, we can text each other for free, anytime anywhere, and best, we can even send pictures and mark our locations instantly!
Just that i would never know where is he only if i read Korean.
Since LNY started, the sun gets more generous each day.
A temperature of 35 degree celsius is totally unbearable and i wished i carry a portable air-condition everywhere i go.
Even though so, i blast a fan AND my air con every night before i could fall asleep. No kidding!
It was reported that February was the driest month in 140 years, since 1869 and the heat will last till May.
That is it! I'm migrating.
