Went to Tiong Bahru for makan last Saturday evening. The new market is vastly different from the old, some say it has lost its old character and charm. but it is definitely bigger, airier, less crowded and drier. carpark lots are still hard to come by, the chwee kuey is still the same, except the stall is smaller and the gigantic steamer has disappeared. couldn't find the old zhu za tang that i so loved when i was still wearing the pleated blue uniform.
As I learn about everyone's plans to welcome the Golden Tiger Year, the more unhappy I become. Although it was a conscious effort on our part to avoid being home for the Lunar New Year, I cannot help but feel left out during this all-important holiday. On this island, we have all but 1 so-called Chinese restaurant. Every year, they would put up the red banner a few weeks before CNY. One red banner compared to the numerous ones back home. How pathetic eh? There is no atmosphere whatsoever. With the "influx" of Chinese kids, 4 in total plus 1 soon-to-be-born, I made myself pack some red envelopes from home, so that the kids can experience a little of the festivities that I am so used to. WHAT IS CHINESE NEW YEAR WITHOUT THE RED PACKETS? This year, we've upgraded our celebration to include mahjong! yes, the mahjong set and table arrived last weekend. hao-e couldn't stop himself from ripping the plastic cover off those ivory -coloured tiles and we ...
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