HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR SUBANG JAYA

IT’S almost that time of the year again for families to get together, catch up on latest gossips and happenings in the bigger family tree, share a reunion together and bid each other a prosperous and happy new year.
An exodus home will be happening in the next one week, giving respite to others in Subang Jaya to enjoy some peace and tranquility in the neighbourhood.
New dresses and new clothes are the fashion of the day for many Chinese families who will be greeting the Year of the Tiger on February 14. This year however, Chinese New Year’s day will also be special for those who are in love and want to show their affections for one another on Valentine’s Day.
My annual trip home to Penang for the ritual family reunion this year will have to wait. Due to work commitments, my family and I will be one of those staying behind. I will surely miss the good spread at the reunion dinner back home and the little excursions to the hawker stalls (Yes. Penang hawker stalls are now open even during the festival) to tuck in some local delights.
But all is not lost. Staying back means having the fun of running to the market to get what we need for our mini-reunion dinner at home in Subang Jaya. What shall we be having? Hmmm….let me check our recipe books and decide. Perhaps some home-cooked vinegar pork stew, our very own Fook Chow rice wine chicken soup, steamed fish and perhaps some Yee Sang? Hope my other half reads this so she knows what I would like to dig into this February 13.
Subang Jaya should slow down a little I assume during the long Chinese New Year weekend. School is off for a week. The banks are closed for a few days. Many non-Chinese residents and shop owners would also probably take the opportunity to take a break and go for a short holiday.
So, who’s left behind? One group is for sure around – the police. They have a tall task ahead of them every time there’s a long festival break. While we are away, the police have promised to try their level best to keep an eye on our homes and to keep them away from the creepy hands of burglars.
The Balik Kampung, Rumah Selamat campaign where residents are encouraged to sign up with the police before they leave home for the holidays was just launched by Selangor Police Chief Deputy Comm Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar last Sunday. Policemen on patrols will visit the homes registered at least once a day to ensure owners will come back to a house that’s not broken into.
Subang Jaya roads will also ease up a little with less people around to congest them. It’s probably the only time in the year where we can drive easy or cross a road without a car heading in our direction at breakneck speed.
Shopping malls around have lined up a whole string of activities and events during the Chinese New Year. Many, if not all of them, have lined up lion dances, dragon dances, acrobatic shows and many more to keep shoppers happy and entertained.
On February 21 when many would have come back from their long holidays, Subang Jaya residents will have another event to attend – the first of its kind for many years since, a Chinese New Year Carnival and Concert. This promises to be a grand celebration with lots of participation from the community as well as some special appearance by local artistes.
All in all, it is our hope that the Year of the Tiger will give us all a roaring start to a good year ahead. May everyone be blessed with Good Health, Good Luck, Prosperity, Good Fortune and Peace across the country. May we be able to share our good fortune with the less fortunate, help those who are in need of help and smile always.
If you are traveling home this coming Chinese New Year, rest well and drive safe. Enjoy your reunion back home (don’t forget to tah-pau some for those of us who are staying behind) and we shall celebrate together when you are back in Subang Jaya.
KEONG HEE HUAT CHYE to everyone!!  Here’s wishing everyone a ROARING START in the Year of the Tiger.