Happy Chinese New Year!
Technically, it’s not belated since it’s supposed to last 15 days.
Last night, I went to the Singapore Malaysia Association of Ontario’s Chinese New Year dinner party. The whole restaurant was packed with ‘aunties’ and ‘uncles’ – that’s what younger Singaporeans/Malaysians call middle-aged women and men. The whole room was speaking in Singlish/Manglish or what’s left of it. It felt like I was transported back to Asia.
It was a refreshing experience. It reminded me of how forgiving my countrymen are. Singaporeans and Malaysians have always been a really easygoing bunch that’s not too caught up in pretenses – as compared to the West or even East Asia. Nothing is ever too embarrassing. No one is too judgmental. I’m not sure if they are the exception or the rule, but I’ve met many that have fallen in this category. So, I felt like I could hang loose, and be at home.
As much as I feel at home with my countrymen, I can’t deny that I grew up in an American school. My lens to the world is very Westernized, at the same time, very Easternized. It irks me when ignorant Americans think that Singapore is a city in China. It equally irks me when Singaporeans still preserve that colonized mentality that Whites are superior to Asians.
It seems that I can’t feel completely at home… anywhere.
Pictures after the cut!
Ruby Restaurant
Hungry chopstick-wielding college kids ferociously digging into the first course.
Me and friend playing around with the cameraphone.
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Leyla • February 10th, 2008
happy chinese new year to you too. I’m a rooster… I think…. so yeah.
=]
Cynthia • February 10th, 2008
I actually don’t have any kind of audio on my site, unless my new counter was doing it? I personally hate any kind of audio. :p It’s a waste of coding for me haha.
Simply Precious • February 10th, 2008
Happy Chinese New Year to you too! Woah, it lasts a couple of weeks?! Uh, I didn’t know that… LOL… Our’s just lasts a couple of days…
Hehe, nice pictures! I got hungry looking at that plate of food… LOL.
Sorry that you don’t feel at home anywhere… =/ But I do know what you mean…
katy • February 10th, 2008
Happy new year!!
Aw I missed out on the big dinners this year because I was too lazy.. LOL.
Ivy • February 10th, 2008
@SP: Yeah, Chinese New Year traditionally lasts for 15 days.
Sara • February 10th, 2008
Happy chinese new year! The pictures are beautiful! ^^
k • February 11th, 2008
happy CNY!!
새해 복 많이 많이! *^^*
Michael • February 11th, 2008
Happy Chinese New Year!
Most Koreans also celebrate it, though not for 15 days.
lainey • February 11th, 2008
happy chinese new years <3
Barron • February 11th, 2008
Happy Chinese New Year!
Manoj • February 12th, 2008
Why do the Chinese clebrate their New Year in February? The West does it in January, which is the beginning of the Augustan calender. We, the Assamese celebrate it in April, i.e, spring, when the trees are draped in new foliage. Let me know about the Chinese culture. It’s very interesting!
Manoj • February 12th, 2008
OMG!! I haven’t wished you yet! Happy New Year to you!!! The platters look irresistible. I’m already feeling hungry. Let me grab some Sui Mai!
Toni • February 13th, 2008
Cool..it’s Ruby! I used to go there for dim sum like every weekend growing up
Happy (sort of belated but technically not) Chinese new year!