Happy Chinese New Year 2007
Yes it is 4:07am... and I am still awake.

I have just finished watching the 15th episode of The O.C. season 4. That show really has a feel good... feeling to it. It has lots of good values contrary to what I assumed about the show before watching it. I just found out that it is the second last episode before they permanently stop producing anymore episodes. They are ending it at the 16th episode because the producer thinks it is time to stop. Like quitting while he is ahead or something. I just think he is lazy and satisfied with the money he has made. The 15th episode did not even look like it was going to end in the next episode. A lot of expectations will be riding on the final episode of the last season...

Anyways beginning of this week, I thought that this year's Chinese New Year would be a less than satisfactory one. Given the situation whereby since my grandmother passed away last year, it gives my dad all the more reason not to go visit his siblings and in turn nullifies to opportunity for me to go visit my relatives. My mother's side of the family is not really that great off either because everybody is doing their own thing this year. So I am left all alone this year with no 'ang pow's (rough direct translation Red Packets).

Chinese New Year involves families and friends getting together and spending time with each other to make up for loss time over the years. Since none of that was going to happen for me, I decided to make my own 'reunion dinner' with my friends. Apparently that did not work out as well due to some reasons which I would not really care to explain. So yeah today was disappointing. Refusing to admit defeat, I suggested to my mom that we as an immediate family should have our own family dinner because that is what most families do. Much to my newly found information, my mom never knew that during Chinese New Years the immediate family or a house would have their own dinner which was separate to the one where the entire extended family would attend. My dad does not care for such kind of events. He does not like to socialize or go out of the house unnecessarily. I think I am like him; only going out of the house on a need-to basis. However I am not as adamant as my dad.
So I suggested to my mom that we go have dinner somewhere a little better than the ordinary regular places we usually have our dinners.

The only place that seemed enticing was Nando's at Atria at Damansara Jaya. The meal there was better than I had expected and it was one of those rare occasions where we actually had no unpleasant conversations at the dinner table. It may not be much to some people but it meant a lot to me.

Another thing I would like to add that, usually around Chinese New Year in Malaysia, the weather usually is hot and dry, it gets unbearable and also makes it difficult to sleep at night for those of us who still cannot afford air conditioners. This year though was different. It actually rained quite heavily and I am very happy for it. I am sorry for those people who dislike rainy seasons. To me, whenever it rains, it is a sign to me that God remembers us and I see the rain as a blessing from Him.

To all who celebrate Chinese New Year, may yours be a great one!