Lunar New Year's Eve 2013.

As the ever confusing and contradictory 2012 or 壬辰年 of Water Dragon draw to its finale, 2013 or 癸巳年, the year of Water Snake is pretty much all set to unfurl (or perhaps uncoil since it's the zodiac year of snake. Just for the spring season) in a matter of hours. While the supposedly fiery dragon of 2012 is pretty much tempered by the water element (even though in Chinese legend, the dragon do control the weather especially rain), the crafty, calculating snake on the other hand is pretty much at ease with its element of water thus bringing in harmonious energy to everyone especially Dragon-born because snake is considered as a sort of mini-dragon by Chinese folklore.

...or so the yearly auspices for Chinese zodiacs that fills up the front corner of bookstores, air times on special Lunar New Year edition chat shows on radio and television and Lunar New Year Eve's features in newspaper. Inescapable.

Pardon my absences for the past two weeks. Life's has been pretty much uneventful with occasional dive into drudgery and tedium. Except that particular small car accident involving the ever unlucky family Kenari being rammed on the front passenger side at a back alley by an dishonest, thieving, snivelling bastard of an uncle and auntie and its Kelisa. Accident being accident, we're not exposed to the usual SOP (don't tell me it's a common knowledge because accident being accident, is supposed to be rare) handling small car accident before thus being bamboozled by the couple by being given a fake car plate number as well as refusing to pick up the phone after knowing the price of compensation he have to pay. Fuck him and I hope his Kelisa ended up under a trailer and my jinx will reach his prostate, arteries and kidney. It's as if whatever residual misfortune by the water dragon has been unleashed with full force.

...*cough* pardon for the tangent but yeah, my holiday back in Kuching is pretty much uneventful. Especially on the part of outing of hanging out with friends. Where is everybody? Wait, they're all working and/or not in Kuching. *sigh*

As it is usual of weeks leading up to Lunar New Year, helping out the family in preparation is a staple from extensive grocery shopping, spring cleaning, helping out mom making biscuits and cakes, and other miscellany, such as packing the red packets for the guests (or guests' children).  As I observe the spending trend of my family's Lunar New Year grocery shopping however, I can't help to notice that this year's celebration is going to be more subdued and restrained, reflected the austerity of my family current economic state. While the general economic slump and rising costs has to be taken to account, I can't help to think that I being in a glorified extended state of productive (supposedly) unemployment yet to enter the grinding wheel of tax and loanpaying workforce does add up to the slight reduction of life quality. (Though there is another recent NEET in this family...)

But what am I to complaint when I am back to where I am most at ease, the land of endless skyline and undulating clouds, so much so that I want to call it Aotearoa. As usual of Lunar New Year in Kuching, it is always preceded with frequent torrential downpour interspersed with occasional sunshine with clear blue sky. The frequent rains during midnight cool down the weather so much that air-conditioning is unnecessary! Kuching, being true to the accolade of being the rainiest city in Malaysia. And since (at least according to the auspice) that year of the water snake will be an incredibly fruitful one, let's have some hope about good things while steer away from potential bad things.

...and talking about good things ahead, here a sneak peek of things to come... OMNOMNOMNOM

-Updates continues!-

The most important event of Lunar New Year for every Chinese family is of course the reunion dinner and weeks of preparations, numerous shopping trip and Dad toiling away for the whole day in the kitchen ultimately culminates in a sumptuous banquet comparable to any professional restaurants reunion dinner package (for the same ingredient of course.), a feast for both eyes and tastebuds.

Dad delivers again this year. Ten dishes spreading across our dinner table. Top row from left: steamed prawn doused in liquour (醉虾 lit. drunken prawn), spring onion with sea cucumber, spiced stuffed meat (五香肉). Middle row from left: sea cucumber and chicken strip soup, curry chicken, sour pork leg (猪脚酸) and mixed vegetables. Lower row from left: Steam pomfret, steamed chicken, braised duck. It's so good, the photo has to be shown in extra large size.

....and our reunion dinner is served. 爸, 妈,吃饭。

僕のお勧め: Dad's Signature Curry Chicken and Dad's SINFULLY DIVINE Sour Pork Leg. Here's an important announcement for any prospective visitors to my house: Dad's signature curry chicken and sinfully divine sour pork leg will be served to any visitors coming on the very first day of Chinese New Year. Of course, while stock last since there are a couple of prolific glutton within the Liew's household itself! Like me. *sheepish snigger*

After dinner, three quarter of the Liew's household went to the temple for the usual routine of paying devotion to deities complete with rounds of brain-numbing scripture reading and walking around dodging crowd from one altar to another while holding burning joss stick precariously. Apparently putting joss stick on the first day of the lunar new year will bring blessing to self and the whole family. While I am definitely unwilling to participate religious activities (partly because I am totally clueless about things like which altar to go first or reading the scripture.), I am doing this for my mom and I could definitely use whatever auspicious aura that such events emanate, hoping godspeed will actually happen.

Meanwhile as the clock inches closer and closer to 12 midnight, fuses marking the beginning of a war involving fireworks has been lighted across the city leaving the city drowning in continuous explosion and vibrant splendour of exploding colour across the skies. While the drizzle might have dampen the spirit of firework somewhat, it's still didn't stop most of the public for burning up millions of ringgit in a matter minutes.  The fumes from exploding fireworks combined with the cool night air have created thick sulfuric fog shrouded across any neighbourhood reducing air quality and visibility in a instant. Worth it.

It might not be obvious but my neighbourhood is up in smog

As customary of marking the beginning of a new lunar new year, the very first angpow/red packet of the year from our parent after we wish them a happy new year and good health ahead. Good health is definitely a very well-needed greeting as one ages.

Since we got ourselves satellite television capable of picking up channels from P.R. China, this means we'll be able to witness one of the grandest, most watched Chinese New Year countdown show in the world namely CCTV New Year's Gala...except since we spent the previous couple of hours in temple, we're only able to catch the few last performances including the usual closing finale, 难忘今宵 (Unforgettable Night) this year featuring a couple of foreigners (presumably students and/or celebrities.).

As everyone tucked into their bed, the last day of dragon year has finally ended and a new year, the year of water snake begun with all the bang and chintzes it can get. Looking forward for the lion dances, visitors and visiting for the next couple of days! Good night everyone and Happy Lunar New Year 2013.

Hiss. Oh last tangent before wrapping up: snake 蛇 being snake, it's pretty hard to come up with a catchy auspicious slogan to mark the new year especially the lack of homophones for she2 in Chinese. Astro's solution however is what I consider as smart: Ulala, combining the Malay for snake (ular) and Ooh La La!