Chinese New Year - 1st Day At The Wongs

We always start the first day of Chinese New Year with a gathering at the Wong family home serving tea to our elders, exchanging auspicious greetings and sitting down to a vegetarian breakfast. It is a familiar practice but no less enjoyable year after year.

 

This year's celebration is made extra special with the return of my cousin Suk Leng from Sheffield, England, for the festivities. She has been away on studies and work for a number of years but made it a point to come back at an opportune time to join us in the celebrations.

 

There has always been talk of getting our other cousins who are scattered in Singapore, Australia and the United States to return en masse for a Chinese New Year gathering in the years to come. When that eventuates, it will indeed be a celebration to be reckoned with. Here's to that happening sooner, rather than later.

 

 

Wong extended family in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.

Cousins

I have quite a number of cousins from both sides of the family and since childhood, our elders have instilled in us the value of family ties and kinship. Due to the wide age range, I am closer to some than others. Still, all of us get along well, particularly those who reside in Malaysia as we often get together for family gatherings and celebrations on an almost monthly basis. For those further off - in Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, England and the US - we try to keep in touch via Facebook and Whatsapp as often as we can.

 

Going on holiday together is a great way of bonding, especially with cousins who live abroad. Such holidays are never long enough. We spend time reminiscing about our childhood, getting up to speed on the latest in our personal lives, and planning for the next vacation. We chill, we indulge in food, we get up to silly antics. To a certain extent, many of us have remained young at heart, even those who are now parents. That's what makes such trips enjoyable.

 

Here's a photo of Siew Yoong, San, Kiat Ken and I, together with my nephews Tian and Jin. This was taken during our reunion trip in Koh Samui earlier this month. A fab time we had indeed.

 

 

Photo shot at Intercontinental Samui Baan Taling Nam, Thailand.

28 June 2010

Dad would have been 69 today. We made it a point to observe his birthday by having a family meal of all his beloved dishes, prepared by Mum naturally.

Dad, a great fan of football, would have enjoyed the ongoing World Cup, although he would have been dismayed with the English team's performance. Mum and I have been watching some of the matches on his behalf, rooting for his favourite team but alas England is out!

We think of Dad from time to time, mostly of his humourous anecdotes. He'll be happy to know that we're all doing well and enjoying life to the fullest.

Photo taken with Thai students in Phnom Penh during our last holiday together in June last year.