Worst. CNY. Ever.

o O O

What is Chinese New Year (CNY) to me? Reunion dinners, 初一拜年s and buffet with friends/family in the days that follow.

As you all might have expected, I'm spending CNY2010 all alone in a foreign land. No reunion dinners, no 初一拜年s, no buffet spreads and inviting friends. Zilch.

I thought it might be okay, seeing that I've routinely managed to avoidmiss the 初一拜年s with extra duties back at PLAB (with some added 'perks' heheheh). It didn't really matter much to me anyway. To me it was the unwanted relatives prodding into personal affairs, unsavoury interactions, seeing the same old tired faces that you'd only encounter a few times each year, the formalities, niceties, the lot. I'm pretty sure most people share the same sentiment, although my relatives are much milder than most extended families out there.

Reunion dinners, however, are a whole different affair. I've never missed a single one (so far) in my 20-odd years of existence. Every single one was a memorable affair, the good, the bad, the 遍地黄金. So, missing this year's is a pretty big thing for me, seeing it's the c-c-combo breaker. Just thinking of the seafood my family's having at 小红楼 makes me yearn for the trip back home, but that's crazy talk. I'm here to do my time.

This is my Darwin.

To end this on a lighter note: (Warning, the following video might induce nausea. People with weak hearts and pregnant women are advised.)

Happy CNY all.