心想事成, 笑口常開

It’s the first day of the Lunar New Year and we’re off spending time with loved ones. I love the festivities and rowdiness of the new year, hanging out with my tribe and making merry. The great thing is that there are enough people to fuss over the baby so I can enjoy my dinner and be all “Ah sure, you’re welcome to carry him for as long as you wish. In fact, no, I insist, OK JUST TAKE HIM.”

On the downside, I. Can’t. Stop. Eating. Bakkwa. When I pick up the first piece, I have a mental cap in my mind of 10 small squares (my mom cuts them up into harmless-looking little 2 inch squares) but I usually exceed the limit by 25.

And that’s just the bakkwa. There’s also the pineapple tarts, love letters, almond cookies and kueh bangkit just sitting on my kitchen table calling out to be eaten. I can go a whole year without eating them but during the new year, it’s like a tradition to stuff my face with sugary treats. There are like entire generations of Chinese people counting on me to eat more bakkwa in order to continue this proud tradition.

Guess I’ll oblige.

But before I resume my merrymaking ways, here’s wishing you guys a Happy Chinese New Year. May 2013 be the year that all your dreams come true and I hope it’ll be one filled with love and laughter.