Never liked it
I never liked Chinese New Year after they banned firecrackers. Visiting relatives aroused anxieties, like riding a tiger. Even as a child and teenager, I found it such a drag. I would rehearse the proper Hokkien designations so I can properly greet the elders and relatives. I would sit, snack, look often at the time and fidget while the older ones talked.
Consolation is red in colour
The only redeeming factor was the red packets of gift money. They were the consolation prize for all the awkwardness. I waited anxiously for the day to end so I could tally the return on investment.
Respect ritual
Now as an adult I find it perfunctory, a ritual to satisfy family and custom. I do it out of duty. My mum used to say the relatives were very old and may go off anytime soon. Have to pay respects. Now she has gone and the relatives are still around. So it means the show must go on. If given a choice, I would rather not go anywhere at all and just hide out at home or in another country or climb Kinabalu or the Hill in the company of singing cicadas. I am an introvert after all.
The important red packets and even more important wife
Every year I see my wife hunched over new crisp dollar notes of different denominations (yea, Presbyterian, Methodists, Anglicans, even Pentecostals, haha), and lots of different red packets of different banks ( OCBC, DBS, POSB, NTUC, Keppel Corp, haha) spread all over the queen sized 
bed. With the seriousness, alertness and focus of a bank teller she puts in the appropriate amounts into the different envelopes. She does it every year without fail, while I watch TV or surf or read. She also distributes the red stuff with precision and knowledge and swiftness. I would be at a complete loss without her! All I need to know is the total that goes out, in fact not even that. I do not have to feel bad if too much is given or too little. That burden is hers exclusively. That is her “karma”….a word used quite often the last few days.
Spring cleaning
Spring cleaning fervour has waned with the years. It’s tiring nowadays just to think about what I used to do. Doing the minimum critical tasks, like re-arranging furniture, dusting, cleaning glass tops, etc., to lubricate family harmony and to present a neat, clean home will have to suffice.
The great escape that never happened
Every year I harbour alluring mirages of going off to some place emerald green or blue to escape all the red and hassle. The mirage evaporates each and every time the full moon smirks. It’s all about obligations, respect, expectations, unique circumstances like CNY being also the study week before exams, or conscience playing tricks.
Spare the singles lah
Singles who are over 30 really have it blue and black during CNY. They don’t need the ang pows and patronizing, teasing comments. I used to have fun with that but I have repented. Some words can rub the wrong way and break the bones, and the clinics are closed. Some of the fractures inflicted on them are by well intentioned uncles and aunties, frustrated mums and dads, and kindly grandparents. We should be gracious to singles and bless them with God’s shalom.
BLOGPASTOR WISHES EVERYONE GONG XI FA CAI 
