Long Ago and Far Away

My residential suburb lacks having accessiblity to buy Nyonya Kueh (Straits Chinese snacks) and Char Kueh Kak (stir fried savoury radish cake)- but makes up in other things which I should not take for granted. I just came back home having as takeaway, freshly made soy milk made by nice middle aged China lady, a Vietnamese salmon fillet claypot pack, a Bahn Mi made beautifully by an expert baguette maker and a goat curry serve ( all from Eastwood in north west Greater Sydney). There can be this inherent longing for things Asian when one has migrated long ago and far away. It can all come back intensely during celebrations for the Lunar New Year. In Singapore and Malaysia, it is called the Chinese New Year, in Vietnam, Tet and in Korea, Seolall. What are the things for this festive season that are no longer done around the world, or less of it? The customary duty and joy of giving red packets with cash inside to those younger than you, handed over with encouraging blessings. The visits to each other's abode on the first day of the 15 day long celebration. The sending of greetings on cards posted through the government run mailing system. The vocalisation of traditional and well crafted greetings when meeting up with each other. The obvious absence of fruits with good omen and meaning, when one lives in the hemisphere opposite to that of East Asia. The increasing disregard for several things one must avoid doing during the New Year period - for example, taking brooms out, using sharp implements, wearing clothes of unfortunate colours, gifting of items like clocks which can signify negative things and cutting your hair. Buying and cooking with tight schedules for the reunion dinner on the eve of Lunar New Year. Many reunion dinners are now taken outside the home at commercial eateries. Not coming back to the family home for the New Year's Eve reunion dinner, especially when there is no public holiday, when it is a school night and when one is overseas. The careful choosing of which lucky direction to face and what indicative time to first step out of your abode on the morning of the first day of the New Year. To not visit each other on the third day of the festive season, to obtain a much needed restful time after the hecticness of socialising during the first two days. To not honour our best four legged friends on the second day of the Lunar New Year, for it is said that dogs were created then, earlier than human beings, who came into existence on the seventh day. At the same time, new practices are emerging in this contemporary world of over 8 billion human beings. Online electronic transfers of money are the preferred method of delivering good luck and blessings instead of utilising the traditional red packet. The over commercialisation of gifts that are given to elders, family members, business clients and politicians. People are becoming more health conscious and discerning when consuming particular traditional festive snacks. People leaving the city or country of residence to go on overseas holidays "just to get away from it all". The Lunar New Year coincides with the earnest start of mainstream business, school and corporate execution in Australia and New Zealand. So celebrations can get low key when the Lunar Year begins on a week day. Celebrations are therefore moved to the nearest weekend. What has not changed throughout the years are increased consumption of hard liquor and lobster; increased traffic jams; airport congestion and rising air fares; significant wifi use, video communication and app clicks; and opportunities to catch up. Acrobatic lion dances, dragon parades and fresh blooms continue to rise in popularity. The use of fire crackers and fireworks in public and private places is decreasing, as drones and AI imagery get more sophisticated. More individuals find themselves working on festive days in societies that do not close for the holidays. It may be convenient to purchase goods and commercial services during Chinese New Year, but prices asked do spike up. Festivals are a significant occasion to reaffirm political, commercial.and personal relationships. There are addresses by national leaders to their people. Bosses throw a sumptous meal and gathering to reward their staff. Bonuses are given. I do not take for granted that we can celebrate festivals in a relatively peaceful world - and also acknowledge the suffering of our fellow human beings in continuing unresolved conflicts. The Lunar New Year is best celebrated by seriously reflecting what truly counts in life. #yongkevthoughts