Feast of Gathering

Few days ago, all of us will be celebrating the day of 'Chap Goh Meh' that signified the 15th day of the new Chinese calender, that mark the end of Chinese New Year. When I was a child, Chinese New Year is a festive season that create excitement for a child who has just gone in to the elementary school. I often relate this festival with the red packet that contain a small sum of money, which Chinese believe it as a blessing that we receive during this new year.  As a kid, apart from getting the red packets from our parents and relatives, having fun with other children become an important task for us when we get to meet each other. fire crackers will be our toys for that festive season and we will enjoy it and screaming around at the compound of our house.

As we grow older, Chinese New Year is not merely about getting lots of red packet or burning fire crackers around your housing compound. I start to realized this festival as a festival of gathering. Now, family members and relatives will be gather around to chit chat. We might be meeting some long lost relatives as well. Due to the busy life that most of us are facing now, sometimes we can hardly meet our relatives or even talk to them. This also happen among our friends which we are closed to. Chinese new year is a great opportunity for us to meet up and gather around.

Besides meeting, we got a chance to taste different nice food that prepared by our parents. As Malaysian (Me), food is part of our life. We always say: No Food, No gathering!!! Always foods are the main character or host, perhaps some might describe it as a soul for the whole party.

Gathering is a wonderful event that we can meet with people whom we perhaps do not keep in touch with them often.  Besides having a wonderful gathering, I have also enjoyed the food throughout this new year. Oppss...Gaining more weight now. Time for exercise !!!