boon's log 0504.05
Happy Chinese New Year! Day 9
Chinese New Year came and almost gone - like a flash. It is funny, that even though the authorities issued strict laws against fire crackers, fire crackers were released almost every other minute. The other question besides how the people were allowed to release the fire crackers is WHERE did they get them in the first place! :) BUT... hey, I am not against fire crackers. I seriously think that they really create the ambience for the season. I am all out for it, provided that it is done within limits. Some folks decided to release these fire crackers at 2-3 AM in the morning, now... that really is out of bounds. And of course don't go blowing off your hands and legs... Anyways, I really miss those days that where red fire crackers were hung and released in front of people's houses and the floor was red with the remains of the red fire crackers.

Well, in Penang, also one of the major Buddhist-populated city in Malaysia, many people visit the temples during the festive season. One of the more famous ones is the Kwan Yin Temple in downtown Penang. Here are some of the images of that temple...


Kwan Yin (Goddess of Mercy) Temple


Joss sticks


Much bigger joss sticks.


Temple with "incineration tanks" on the fore-ground


Act of charity - this couple came with a trunk load of lunch boxes to distribute amongst the homeless who "hang out" at the temple.


The less fortunate


Chairs of "deity"

All in all, it was a good time to meet up with relatives and friends and exchange news and stories. A good time to reminisce.

"Hey, remember that time where you crashed my motorbike trying to do the willy? The mud guard is still bent because of that.", "Remember that time where we were caught by the headmaster and was called to his office?", "Remember when you used to date TS? I am meeting up with her tonight!".

And then there are newer news...

"Hey, make sure you are available this December, I'm getting married." , "Did you know Steven's got a baby girl?", "How's your son doing in Kindergarten?".

The older news brings you back in time and makes you feel kinda young when you laugh about it... but the newer news makes you feel... old. Sigh... I find that time does fly faster as you grow older. Just this CNY, I met up with some relatives (you know those whom you only meet during CNY?) and their kid is already going to college! It was just like yesterday (just a figure of speech!) when he got himself into trouble, fighting with another kid in Kindergarten.

Well, I guess it is something to thank God for - to be able to sit down with old friends and relatives and look back and talk about the colours of life, and laugh about it. Ain't it?

Then of course, there is the thing that most people look forward to during CNY - gambling. Shhh! don't tell anyone... :) Huh? What gambling? Who's gambling?

Well, how did your CNY go?

boon out...