OF CHINESE NEW YEAR AND VALENTINE'S DAY

Tuesday, 2 February 2010

OF CHINESE NEW YEAR AND VALENTINE'S DAY

I could not remember but if my memory serves me correctly, I have never lived in a situation where the first day of Chinese New Year would fall on the 14th February which is also Valentine’s Day.
This would be interesting and I am sure many of whom are looking forward to Valentine’s Day have to either celebrate early or later as most would need to make their way home for the reunion dinner.
I went to Joey Yap’s Feng Shui talk a couple of weeks ago. Just wanted to know what the difference is with Lillian Too’s which I went yesterday. What came out was very refreshing. Joey did not push for the sale of products but more of the use of knowledge. He claims that he is not a feng shui master but a destiny analyst.
The year of the Metal Tiger. This would be a year which will be quite challenging, I would think. I was around mall hopping these few days and saw that the decorations have been muted. Most do not give a feel of celebration. Announcements and recent developments did not help with unity or respect.
I wonder how this Chinese New Year would pan out. Joey said that the actual start for Chinese New Year based on the analysis is 4th February 2010. I am curious as I have a feeling that something big will be happening soon.
As youths, most would take this opportunity to start booking tickets to go back home either by road or by air. Highways will be packed as usual as with the airports.
But I still lament the lack of urgency in the government’s stand to make the express buses safe. I have travelled many a time along the North South Highway and saw buses overtaking me when I am at the speed limit. Of course they would need to go faster to overtake me, but the question is why? So many accidents have happened yet the government has not done enough to effectively regulate the industry.
The reunion dinner on the eve to all Chinese would be very important. This would be the day where everyone would gather. This is a noble cultural attribute. Most Malaysians shamefully do not know the difference between cultural and religious festivals. Let me state again. Hari Raya, Christmas, Deepavali and Wesak are religious festivals. Chinese New Year, Hari Keaamatan and Gawai are cultural and thanksgiving festivals respectively.
Perhaps the education system needs a kick in the rear. I suggest the youths Google more as the information is better found in cyberspace and not in some inaccurate school materials.
Anyways, love birds would look forward to Valentine’s Day nevertheless. Somehow, love dovey feelings will conquer all. Flowers will be bought as with chocolates, cute bears and dinner reservations. Throw in a movie or two and hope that something happens.
Valentine’s Day is a day of love. I am sure many religions also have love as the focus. Love between two persons can be very magical. I am sure one will be able to relate the feeling of increased happiness as well as a spring in one’s step just by having to hear another’s voice or receiving a tweet, a superpoke or sms.
Social networks like facebook and twitter as well as better interface with handhelds make this all the more easier. Youths should look at love as a start of something better. If love does not work, it does not matter. Love does not know age or colour or beliefs. It is pure in its own true form. It is between two and not many.
Most would start falling in love seriously when they go to college or university. However, many would just be infatuations. The criteria used at such time would be different when one graduates and starts to work. Criteria then would be so much different. No one can tell you what love is. It is a feeling.
Coming back to Chinese New Year. I do hope to see some cool lion dances this year. I hope many shopping centres have these as the dances do not seem to be anywhere else except shopping centres. It is sad as when I was young, lion dances would also be in our neighbourhoods.
We would scamper in search of these lion dances and throw some firecrackers too. I am not sure but I have not seen the old man with a beaten up fan dancing with the lions anymore. He has this huge smiley face and as kids, we all loved to see this old man as he taunts the lion.
Of course, not forgetting the Ang Pows. This was one of our objectives. Go to as many relatives and friends as possible and wish them Happy Chinese New Year, Gong Xi Fa Cai, Kong Hee Fatt Choy! Collecting Ang POWs.
I am going to miss that. I have to give them out now. I have to get used to this!
Subang Jaya would normally be quiet when Chinese New Year comes. The residents would start sending the Balik Kampung Rumah Selamat forms to the police in the hope that some would patrol their place a little more. There would be more guards I think or the guarded and gated communities. Funny is it not, we have to now resort to our own paid security.
In any case, I think all Subang Jayans should take care of themselves and do not hope for the authorities to do this wholly for you as they have mentioned that they do not have enough personnel. We must understand that they have many places to also look after and we should do our part with security and safety.
I would like to wish all readers a very PROSPEROUS GONG XI FA CAI! Do drive safe, respect one another and keep safe!!!!!