The 15 days of Chinese New Year has ended, no more nice food, no more ang paos no more excuses for eating more food than you usually do or gambling more than usual. Although there are things that I like about Chinese New Year, there are certain things I don't like about it. Here is list of the top 5 things I like and dislike about Chinese New Year.What I like about Chinese New Year
1) Receiving Ang Paos
Who wouldn't like free money. Even if the amount is big or small, its still free money. Best Ang Paos (most money) are always the ones from parents.
2) Eating Nice Food
Delicious Meals and snacks available everyday 24/7. My mother hardly cooks, so whenever she cooks in Chinese New Year, its a really special occasion. Her steamboats are the best! I also love eating the Ba Kwas my father buy every year.
3) Buying New Clothes
Chinese New Year is the only time of the year I buy new clothes lol. So its really a big thing for me. I'm sure everyone like this also as it gives them an excuse to buy something new. (Even my dog Kimi (above pic) has new clothes =D )
4) Visiting Relatives
If you have recently slimmed down, cut a new hairstyle, became more handsome or beautiful you would love to wear your new clothes to visit your relatives you see only once a year. Praises will be everywhere and you will feel like a superstar.
5) Gambling Time
No Chinese New Year gatherings will be complete without gambling! Be it Mahjong, Dai Dee, Black Jack, Texas Holdem, the young ones will use their newly acquired ang pao money to try to get more and the old one will try to win back their the ang pao money they have given away.
What I don't like about Chinese New Year
1) Trying To get the Ang Paos
At first its easy, just smile give 2 oranges (which your parents bought) and you receive free money. But after doing it again and again, your smile seems faker and more effort is needed in trying look surprised and happy when you receive the ang pao.
2) The after effects of Eating Good Food
Before you realize it, its too late, you have gained so much weight that it will take you around the whole year to lose it, just in time for the next Chinese New Year. When you are younger, the process of losing weight is much easier and faster but as you get older your uncle and auntie body mode kicks in which is much harder to maintain and you will not be able to lose enough weight in time for the next Chinese New Year, thus adding even more weight to the weight you gained. And the cycle continues ...
3) Realizing that the new clothes you bought ain't as nice as you thought
For people like me who only buy clothes once a year then it sucks cause I will have to either wear the sucky clothes or wear my old clothes for the whole year till the next New Year. Yes I still wear clothes out that I bought 10 years ago. (Kimi's clothes are nice though)
4) Visiting Relatives
If you are those who one way or another become less glam than your previous visit, relatives will sharpen their claws and attack you with mean words. Thats when you think if its worth it to make a trip for ang paos. If you have low self esteem its best not to go as some words may scar you for life.
5) Losing your ang pao money because of gambling
When you win you will feel shiok but when you lose then its shitty. You may lose all your ang pao money or even more, making your visits worthless (money wise). If you lose a lot better eat more snacks at the owner's house to recoup some losses. If its your house, good luck to you.
This is my list, okay my 5 likes are also my dislikes depending on the situation he he .. I'm sure others have their own lists of likes and dislikes, such as for married couple they will hate ang paos because they will have to give them instead of receiving them and maybe grandmothers would love gatherings to see all their children and grandchildren. Maybe in the future my list will change too.... Whats yours???