Happy Chinese New Year

I went out with 2 girlfriends tonight for our own version of Chinese New Year's eve dinner.

The initial plan was to join this dinner party organised by another friend, but we changed our minds in the end. We decided to have something small and personal, instead of spending the night socialising with a table of strangers.

I was feeling a bit low earlier on today. Homesick and all. It didn't help that I was/am feeling under the weather.

But my mood was instantly brightened when I saw lion dance and firecrackers going off practically in front of every Chinese restaurant in China Town. I even called up Bee and let him listens to the sound of firecrackers.

How ironic is it that I get to enjoy firecrackers in ang-moh (translation: Caucasian) land while they're heavily banned in my own home country? And yes, I had every intention to show off to my boyfriend who wanted some of those red firecrackers REAL bad. Haha.

The dinner was simple, but me and the girls had lots of fun catching up. We moved to Crown for drinks and more girl talk after dinner. It's amazing how we can just chat and laugh for hours about anything under the sun.

I came home a little after 12midnight over here in Melbourne. Bee called me to wish me Happy Chinese New Year on my side of the world. *Hugs*

Then I called home to talk to mum. I felt bad for rushing off this evening when she called me to check on me. The girls rang my intercom earlier than I expected them to.

As usual, I was teh'ing mummy dearest on the phone about me spending Chinese New Year away from home. Then, in a casual voice, she told me that for the past few weeks she's been feeling really bad about me having to spend another CNY alone. She only felt a bit better when she found out earlier on that I was going out for dinner with friends.

I suddenly realised that all these while, my selfish focus was only on my exam stress and my homesickness, and I totally neglected the feelings of my loved ones, who would much rather to have me home with them during this festive season.

They won't be reading this blog, but I hope they know that I do love them very much, and I wish them all the happiness in the world.

Okay, I'm starting to not make much sense, the nostalgic feelings are overwhelming.

Anyhoo, Happy Chinese New Year!