During my days in KL, only two things reminded me that the Chinese New Year was around the corner. The first has to be McDonald's Prosperity burgers where a year's wait is forgotten the moment I sink my teeth into those black-peppered beef patties . The second was getting golden coloured ang-pows every time I had a meal at an Old Town outlet. There was nothing special to differentiate that one festive day from other days.
Having moved to Penang, it is evidently clear that when it comes to celebrating CNY, the Penangites are heads above their KL counterparts. Although Penang is a predominantly Chinese state, that fact didn't spare me from a constant state of awe at the magnitude of their revelry. For a person who's only used to seeing few houses with (tiny & inconspicuous) red lanterns, I am now literally seeing red everywhere! This morning, I was greeted by a giant red cloth hanging on my neighbour's door. I drove to office and the normal roads I regularly take are dotted with humongous lanterns. Even the temples found a sense of renewed joy, if that can be concluded from the brightly coloured lighting decorations adorning every parameter of the hallowed grounds.
Judging from the amount of honey ponkans I've received so far, I'm now stuck in a very difficult dilemma. There was no way I could reject the mandarin oranges from well-meaning friends and colleagues. So, when I fly home tomorrow night, I may just have to utilise my hand carry and transport these ponkans to Subamg. At the very least, I know my mum and sisters will devour these sweet oranges (but a source of hell for coughs and phlegm) over the long weekend. The only problem is to consider how I'll manage my luggage, the ponkans and whatnots on the public bus to the airport!
While some may be eating their kangkungs in the new year, I wish on each honey ponkan that we eat that this year brings new beginnings, prosperity and a prayer that our Government stop themselves from making the average Malaysians suffer. The sweetness of a honey ponkan, no matter how good, is no match for a bitter aftertaste of subsidy cuts, increased rates and growing unemployment statistic.
Wishing everyone a very happy and prosperous Chinese New Year!
