Chinese New Year’s Eve 2018. Conclusion of spring cleaning, reunion dinner, and River Hongbao fireworks in replacement of late-night gaming.
Spring Cleaning
Couple of days ago, while reacquainting with an old friend, I joked about me having a self-imposed Chinese New Year spring cleaning ritual.
My friend remained cordial but you could tell from her brief silence that she was appalled. In her mind, she probably wondered whether I had slipped into OCD in middle age.
Couldn’t blame her. In hindsight, I regret my overly colourful choice of description.
But then again, it is still very much a ritual; that part was true. It’s a ritual that I force myself to repeat every year in the weeks leading up to Chinese New Year’s Eve.
Not that I anticipate a lot of visitors coming over for the festival, mind you. Actually, there wouldn’t even be any. (Which self-respecting otaku would welcome brawling kids and nosey aunts into his den?)
The ritual is entirely because I live alone and I’m revolted by the thought of a maid going through my things. Moreover, being, well, somewhere near OCD behaviour, I have particularly stringent requirements when it comes to cleaning. I used to regularly snap toilet brushes during enthusiastic scrubbings.
Since I have no wish of being prosecuted for maid abuse, I’ve long concluded that I just have to do everything myself. While at it, I console myself by spreading the task over weeks. I also constantly remind myself that this is a very good, extremely great way to re-familiarise myself with my junk.
…
Re-familiarise. For example, with all the boxes I keep in the storeroom. Boxes for things which have long gone kaputt.
Those of you with reliable contacts for psychiatric counselling, you might want to share your information with me. 🙂
Chinese New Year’s Eve 2018 Reunion Dinner
Since, I don’t know, ten years ago? My immediate family has been having reunion dinner “outside.” I.E. at a restaurant instead of mother cooking at home.
There are various reasons for this, foremost being to save mom all that work. To be quite honest, and I’m not humblebragging here, most of these “outside” dinners were either outrageously overpriced or extremely regimental.
For the latter, don’t you agree it’s really quite the turn-off to be reminded in the middle of dinner by a gentle, “Sir, your session is ending in one hour’s time. Would that be okay? Hmm?”
Would that be okay? As if I had a choice.
This year’s dinner at Makan@Jen was surprisingly pleasant, though. Other than the splendid variety of dishes in the buffet, no one came to “highlight” my depleting time. No one remotely rushed us too.
Have to say, I appreciated the choice of cakes in the dessert selection too, many of which were colourfully themed to celebrate the Lunar New Year. In short, this is easily the reunion dinner that I enjoyed most in recent years. It was a great start to the festive celebrations ahead.
Makan@Jen Chinese New Year 2018 Buffet Dinner
River Hongbao 2018
Thanks to this blog, I now have a standard post reunion dinner excursion each Chinese New Year’s Eve. I.E., to River Hongbao at The Float @ Marina Bay.
This will sound pathetic, but before taking up this hobby/pastime of featuring festive celebrations in Singapore, I used to return home right after reunion dinner and spend the rest of the evening playing World of Warcraft. (Then waking up at 3 pm the next day, i.e., when half of the actual holiday is over)
Well, I’m still going to be waking up at 3 pm, I’m writing this post at 2 am, but at least it’s a much more energetic start to the New Year. What’s more, I enjoyed this year’s lanterns at River Hongbao more than last year too. I DEFINITELY enjoyed the fireworks far more compared to the soaked ones on January 1st.
Last but not least, the fireworks at midnight!
To all who are celebrating, Happy Doggy Year 2018!
Read my other Festive Celebrations in Singapore posts.
Aw..this is soo beautiful and funny..we can be ocd friends i think
The food looks amazing and i love the look of your place…
There is so much … unspeakable joy in viciously scrubbing toilets, yes? 🙂