Gong Hei Fatt Choy

It's the first day of Chinese New Year - although here in Auckland, you really wouldn't know any better. There are no loud crackers going off at all hours, no mad rushes from one family/friend's house to the other, no dressing up in red, no gorging on the variety of food and snacks available only on this special occasion; nothing at all really, to remind me of the festivities I so enjoyed back home, apart from the reunion dinner last evening with my aunt and her friends, which she so kindly invited The Husband and I to. 

It also happens to be Auckland Anniversary day, which means it's a public holiday. The sailboats and yachts are out racing, the sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and the crickets, cricketing. It is a perfect summer day, but really, what means more to me is that The Husband is around, which means I don't have to celebrate this day - significant to the Chinese as a time of family gathering - by myself. 

If there is one thing Auckland lacks, it is the celebration of festivities - any festivities. I understand that there's no reason for it to go all out during Chinese New Year. Nevertheless, it is still the quietest, most laid-back city I have ever lived in, when it comes to celebrations. Even more so when milestone events are happening, such as Christmas and New Year's Eve. Not only does everyone leave the city to go on a vacation, or perhaps in search of more excitement elsewhere (as The Husband and I will probably do this year), the city itself does not do anything to make itself an attraction to tourists or locals. The best word I can use to describe Auckland at times, is simply staid.

So today, on what has always been one of the most noisy, festive, chaotic celebrations for me and many other Chinese, the Husband and I will have a quiet breakfast at home, and then perhaps pack a picnic, and head to one of the surrounding hills or parks, to watch the boats sail past. 

I don't miss the firecrackers, and I sure don't miss having to give out ang pows, now that I'm married. But I do miss my big, noisy, loud family, the visiting of family and friends, and the glorious feast of food, on this special occasion. And this year, for some reason, I miss my grandpa, most of all. 

Here's wishing a very festive and prosperous New Year to all of you out there. 

And before anyone asks, yes, I do have a red dress on.