Hong yang:
My Chinese New Year experience
Chinese New Year for my family is a very important event and this year we did something unique. We went back to china for a reunion dinner and it was quality time spent. The traveling process was really tedious but the journey was worth it. Our presence was welcomed by my grandfather who used fire crackers to welcome us. The explosions were ear splitting and we had to stay inside the house whilst they burst into flames and giving off smoke. It was a tradition dated back to the dynasties and has been passed down each generation. We had a really hearty dinner,everybody seated under an old light bulb and eating around the table. Not to forget the money I received in the red pockets. Most importantly I met up with my sister who had went overseas to further her studies and my old grandparents in their 70s. Then we played mahjong and enjoyed each other's company. Despite the cold I was feeling warm inside. Spending quality time with my relatives I learnt to appreciate them and look forward to spending more time with them. Not to forget the Chinese goodies which filled me up for 3 days straight. The colour I felt most suited for Chinese New Year would be it's traditional colour red,as it is a colour which dated back to the earliest of Chinese history and still has not died out. The symbol I would feel that has a strong resemblance of Chinese New Year would be the horse as this years zodiac animal is the horse. The image I have chosen is the picture of my grandparents and my sister whom I have not seen in ages,it shows how tightly bound we are and have a sense of belonging in each other's hearts.
Kheng Lon:
Chinese New Year on this year was the same as the previous years. However, more relatives paid our house a visit this year. The usual quiet atmosphere in my house soon changed to a joyous atmosphere as small children, no taller than my waist scattered around the house, shouting and screaming at the top of their voices in joy. Although I was not really used to the noise, my sister and I still had a great time taking photos with the smaller children and playing with them. During this year, our family also paid visits to many of our relatives and even to my parent's colleagues. We get to wear new clothes and we're contented to be able to eat many goodies such as pineapple tarts, sweets, almond cookies and much more. My sister and I were extremely delighted when the adults gave as ang baos and wish us a good year ahead. One of the most important events that happened during Chinese New Year is none other than the reunion dinner. Reunion dinner is important as it is part of our Chinese tradition. During reunion dinner, all of us including my uncles, aunts, cousins and even faraway relatives all the way from Malaysia and China came to our grandparents' house to have reunion dinner. All of us had a jolly good time, feasting on the scrumptious meal my chef-like grandparents prepared. Most important of all, we get to strengthen the bonds between us and also get to know one another better. I get to chat with some of my cousins whom I have not met for years. Sadly, during the Chinese New Year celebration, I could not go back to my primary school as the new principal do not allow us to meet up with the teachers and friends. Nevertheless, I had a wonderful time during Chinese New Year and hope that it will be the same next year.
Gladys:
Chinese New Year is the time where I get to reunite and catch up with my relatives. Its the time where everyone is free and can celebrate this special occasion together. I really enjoyed this festival especially when we toss the yu sheng together. The main colours of Chinese New Year are red and orange. This colours symbolise prosperity and good luck. There is a symbol of the word "福" which is normally placed upside down on the wall. This symbolises "福到" which means the arrival of luck.
Claudia:
Emily:
Chinese New Year this year was the same as previous years. I went back to my primary school after the Chinese New Year concert in school. I met up with my primary 6 classmates and played around in school before going out to eat lunch at macdonalds. We talked for a looooong time and after that I went home to prepare to go for the reunion dinner with my family. Although it was awkward for me in the beginning as the whole family only meet up a few times a year but slowly I warmed up to them and started chatting and playing with my cousins. This year, I think I interacted with my cousins more as I am older now and not as shy compared to previous years. I had fun annoying my cousins and playing Wii and eating and generally hanging out with them. We also bonded over badminton and basketball and other various games and had a movie night where we watched Frozen and Silent Hill. I also had fun and bonded with my parents as we went Chinese New Year shopping for goodies and other stuff. However, the bad thing was that I had to do homework :( I also was not supposed to eat a lot of Chinese New Year goodies as I had and oncoming competition but I still ate them anyways. It was fun bonding and chatting with my cousins and aunts and uncles and collecting Ang pows and I hope that Chinese New Year would be like that every year.
Jing yan:
I had an enjoyable CNY holidays. Like every year, it was a tradition for our relatives to gather at our grandmother's house for reunion lunch. It was quality bonding time to spend with all my relatives, cousins etc. As most of my cousins were already married and have kids, i enjoy spending time with them, sometimes drawing, or playing with their parents' electronic gadgets. My grandmother's prawn rolls were particularly good and she often has lots of chinese new year goodies there for us gluttons. As my grandmother is already 80+ years old, all of us treasure the time we have together and also visit her whenever we are free. Furthermore, chinese new year is the time where we get extra money!!
