Its that time again. Another year has come and flew by. It was at the back of my head that CNY (Chinese New Year) was round the corner but over the weekend, I didn't feel like I did when I was younger and with immediate families. Then, the festive mood starts few weeks before CNY with adult shopping and gathering of ingredients for the CNY eve's dinner(major event) and exchange of gifts mostly fruits, liquor and gift basket goodies like chocolates, western cookies and my favourite chinese 'pork jerky'.
It was very exciting to receive 'ang pow' (red packet filled with $$$$) from my parents. The money was always brand new and smells so good. My father always gave me two ang pow, one for my savings account and one for 'gambling'. Its the only time of the year we were allowed to gamble. Eventhough it was only small bets of 10cents to 50cents, it was still exciting and fun to win. I remember dragging my heavy purse filled with coins whenever we go visiting relatives so we cousins and friends could have a friendly game of cards. I learned how to have a poker face and to lose gracefully (no crying allowed). I remember when I was out of coins, I would digged into my 'received ang pow' from relatives and asked my father for an exchange of more coins. Being highly favored by my father, he would sometimes give me extra $$$ and tells me to keep it between us (I have 5 other siblings). My father and I had alot of this 'just between us' moments and I miss him dearly.
DH went to the bank in ChinaTown and got me some new money for CNY. They were running low on supply of new money and red packets. I love to handle new money and the smell of new money. Normally when I go shopping and I am handed old or worn out dirty bills in return, I would give it to DH. I can't stand touching them or putting them in my purse. It just feels better to touch new money. It marks the beginning of a new year, new life ahead, new energy, and somehow makes me feel good when I touch them.
Kong Hee Fatt Choy 2012.
It was very exciting to receive 'ang pow' (red packet filled with $$$$) from my parents. The money was always brand new and smells so good. My father always gave me two ang pow, one for my savings account and one for 'gambling'. Its the only time of the year we were allowed to gamble. Eventhough it was only small bets of 10cents to 50cents, it was still exciting and fun to win. I remember dragging my heavy purse filled with coins whenever we go visiting relatives so we cousins and friends could have a friendly game of cards. I learned how to have a poker face and to lose gracefully (no crying allowed). I remember when I was out of coins, I would digged into my 'received ang pow' from relatives and asked my father for an exchange of more coins. Being highly favored by my father, he would sometimes give me extra $$$ and tells me to keep it between us (I have 5 other siblings). My father and I had alot of this 'just between us' moments and I miss him dearly.
DH went to the bank in ChinaTown and got me some new money for CNY. They were running low on supply of new money and red packets. I love to handle new money and the smell of new money. Normally when I go shopping and I am handed old or worn out dirty bills in return, I would give it to DH. I can't stand touching them or putting them in my purse. It just feels better to touch new money. It marks the beginning of a new year, new life ahead, new energy, and somehow makes me feel good when I touch them.
Kong Hee Fatt Choy 2012.
3 comments:
I loved reading about your traditions. I think it is great to be the highly favored one. My dad used to slide money in hand when mom wasn't looking.
@McMGrad89....thanks, I've got lots to tell....my classmates used to envy my pocket money. They asked me where did I find my father....:):):)
Yeap, it is that time of the year... Happy CNY to you and your DH...
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