Eve

Tomorrow is Chinese New Year eve!!! I am excited abt the trip to Kuantan. Ever year without fail, I will dress prettily, sleep throughout the four hour journey or listen to radio bleating out CNY songs….uncontained excitement to reach my destination!

I shall be going home to my grandmother’s house, excited to hear the squeal as relatives run out to greet me. It is a wonderful feeling to come home to some carefully prepared scrumptious reunion dinner – simple food laid out in a makeshift table sitting fifteen people or so.

Life is not perfect and I don’t like everyone in my large extended family. My eldest uncle is a bore. His wife no better. I don’t get along with his children. I am uncomfortable amid my last uncle’s presence. But I will love the noise, my grandma’s solid presence and my auntie’s laid back presence. I will love hiding in the back room - laying down in a double bed, the fan on five and chatting abt nothing and everything with my cousins. Such joy does not come all the time. I cherish every such moment.

Going for solidarity walks by the beach, sorting out my thought …listening to some classic love songs…

Waking up to eat nasi lemak with my cousins….home cooked lunch …..curry puff for tea break……drinks in late evenings with cousins at my all time favourite place, Tjantek. Five days of such bliss is an event not to be missed.