Happy Chinese New Year
Happy Chinese New Year!!! This is my first time celebrating Chinese New Year in my home soil after being in Perth for two years.

Being away from Malaysia and not coming back for Chinese New Year has made me realised how important the significance of this day is for the Chinese. A time to meet all family members from far away lands, a place to rejoice knowing that the family is always there.

Studying in Australia has shown me the best of both worlds. Many young Asian students like myself would want a "better" future, staying in Australia would be the best way to start one's career and maybe a family even. But even so, the biggest lost would be the community spirit that is seldom found in Western settings. Though Perth still holds a very community environment, but the standard family seems to be losing its importance in society and the i-culture seems to be a stronger force working against even the tiniest of all relational bonds such as the family.

New clothes

Just thinking, if my kids next time were to grow up in Australia, my kids will never ever have the chance to obtain "pure" chinese education. I am not talking about learning the Chinese language but rather the culture that is deeply rooted in the language itself, the sense of self-respect, intergrity, and etc. Though going to a traditionally Chinese school I had my fair share of painful memories of being humiliated in front of the classroom, being beaten with a cane for not bringing my textbook, being shouted at from the front of the classroom for chatting with my friend at the back. But it is preciesly this education system that builds up the Chinese culture that it is today.I feel that the Western Culture has lost all its footing on morality. Now I am beginning to understand why we were taught in such a way during my primary school days.

But alas, Chinese New Year is a time of celebration. A time to usher in the new and be grateful for the past; A time for family members to catch up with each other; and a time to make your tummy happy =)

Happy Chinese New Year

My 5 cents:
Happy Chinese Niu Year!!!