wafting incense

The Chinese New Year Mandarin mass was really meaningful. Supra and me were delighted that the mass readings had English translations projected and that Father Philip made a special effort to explain the ancestral commemoration rites in English as well. I wonder which other church would have a Chinese traditional rite of lighting joss sticks and offering flowers, fruits and wine at the altar for Chinese New Year. It was an awesome warm feeling participating in the rite and appreciating its significance. `Twas also exactly how I felt when I noticed Atah lighting joss sticks for Amah at the ancestral altar upon entering Second Uncle’s house in Muar when we went visiting.

I’m also thinking of the little bible quote in the angpow I got from that lovely mass last weekend. It’s from the Proverbs and goes something about being wise and letting my heart be directed in the way. Evie says that according to Chinese astrology, this year spells good career prospects for those born in the year of the Sheep. I sure hope so. So I need to be wise. My heart needs to be wise. Heh.

This year is indeed heralding the beginning of the water cycle in the lunar calendar. It rained on the eve of Chinese New Year, on Day Two, Day Three and daily evening showers everyday since. Today on Day Seven, it rained all day long. Not that I’m complaining because the weather’s really nice and cool but it is still weird, because the last time it was a rainy Chinese New Year was too long ago for me to remember. Perhaps like Atah said, the pig really wants a bath!

Chocolate chip, macadamia and peanut cookies sit in three plastic containers in front of me, all sudah dirasmikan happily by me. Half of the rendang and all of the meat spring rolls that Mama and Atah packed for me were already gone. I’m trying to ration Supra’s delicious carrot cake with cream cheese frosting so that it will last another two more days. I miss watching Miami Ink with Supra at 2 a.m. in the mornings, baking cookies with Mama and going bowling with Atah. I miss hanging out with the beloved gang. I miss being silly while chatting with Sugeo and seeing Aalen’s toasty snow-less winter from his window via the webcam.

The wind carries incense smell from burning joss sticks into the hall, along with the fragrance of wet grass. I am reminded of so much that I’m missing. Oh, I’m really missing home…

keong hee keong hee

All things gold and red, auspicious Chinese characters, honey mandarin oranges, all kinds of sweets and cookies, reunion of kindred and loved ones, commemorating our ancestors, celebrating our heritage and ushering in the year of the pig… 新年快乐, 恭喜发财!!

angel kitty and her clown

The four of us are standing in front of 7-11, laughing with tears in our eyes and trying very hard not to spill the cups of Slurpee in our hands. The hawker guy from the mobile lok-lok stall looks on in amusement. My stomach aches from having dinner, second dinner, and immediately some lok-lok for supper, all in the span of just three hours. Halfway through my Slurpee that tastes like blackcurrant Sugus/Fanta Grape, now my bladder threatens to burst from the hysterical laughter.

All because Lish excitedly mistook a pregnant lady wearing a helmet, standing in front of KFC across the street, for… a clown!

beeboo the water babe

to love, luck, travel, adventures and piggin’ times ahead!

melangkau ufuk

Knowing what you don’t want is as important as knowing what you want.
The former gives you perspective, the latter gives you focus.

Sometimes, I surprise myself…