Long overdue memories in the form of photographs:

Chinese New Year lasts 15 days but we usually celebrate only a fifth of the occasion. So many things have changed compared to how the previous generation celebrate theirs in the past. I'm sure a lot of you hear your parents going on about how they only get to drink Fanta orange (I don't know why only the orange one...) once a year, buy new clothes right before the new year and meet their relatives (and if they're lucky they might have a television at home) only during this festive occasion. I sometimes wonder aloud (with Han), how come we never feel that way anymore? When we were younger Chinese New Year was so exciting. I remember wearing new pyjamas with my brother on the night of New Year's eve and the sleepless nights we have anticipating the fun we'll have for the next few days. Now, we (okay me at least) buy new clothes every other day/week. We eat whatever we feel like eating, drink whatever we want whenever we want. We're surrounded by all the luxury we fail to appreciate at times and that's really quite a pity. I don't know how the next generation will celebrate their New Year but I sure hope tradition doesn't die out because these are all part of our roots.

Tradition at home: steamboat (and this year we've got six hungry pairs of chopsticks!)

My favourite part of the house: the snack-table (still approaching it occasionally today...)

My mom's very clever DIY decorations because she doesn't have much to do at home. During that period I'll come home late everyday to find a new addition to another side of the walls.

This was how day (i) started out: with family.

Siblings.

My favourite-st aunt out of the many sisters my mom has. I love all of them, but I love San-yi the most because she buys me goodies from around the world while she's on her trips and nags at me when she thinks I deserve it.

Mom's side of the family (really love this picture).

Lou-hei

Excited people with their chopsticks already on the abalone.

And at the gambling table (or floor...). I've never been on for gambling because I'm really not interested in cards but I love watching everyone's expressions while they're opening their decks.

The morning of Day (ii) spent in school working on my CT project and thank goodness Han was there with me I wouldn't be able to carry all the stuff without an extra pair of hands.

My dad has this habit of making funny faces while we're taking photos much to my mom's irritation and me bursting out in laughter all the time.

Day (iii) over at Mel's house. We're 3 families who grew up together and went on road trips as one whole. Missing the really good times when we were still kids and so young that we didn't have so much to think about.

Pretty sissyyyyyyyy :')

Only have two brothers whom I adore but I'm sosososo thankful I had these two sisters to grow up with. We've all changed a lot but I'm glad the bond between us haven't.

Sis who knows me so well because we practically spent six months living together. Those were the good old days and I wish we didn't have so much on our plate and I wish we could spend more time together.

Lou-hei part ii

Then it was steamboat back at my place with dad's side of the family.

My parents with qt-pai Joeunn who really has a knack for posing for photographs.

Isn't she a cutie? (youngest and most adorable and most spoilt one in our family) :')