Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Even though I'm in another continent, the spirit of Chinese New Year is still felt, but in a very very very minor way. I mean VERY minor!!! There isnt much Chinese New Year spirit here but it was a public holiday. Not specially for Chinese New Year but just some how that this year, Chinese New Year fell on the same day as Australia Day. What a coincidence!And it was a long weekend. I mean although its standard. We had Saturday, Sunday and Monday off. So there was a reunion dinner back home. If you didnt know, I'm not alone here. There are 11 cousins over here(2 coming back in February) and 2 pairs of uncles and aunts. Its never too lonely. We had our steam boat with roast pork and duck. Yummmm. Too bad the "muslim" Jamie Cheah did not have a liking for the roast pork.. hahaha... I pity her actually!
Anyway, we even have some of my cousins' boy friends and husbands over. And ofcourse my niece! So the more the merrier! Although I must agree to this very old Chinese saying. Although all, it proved to be true, we normally dont really think of home, but when it is the festive season back home, that is when we miss it the most....
I have a nose dive in ang pow(red packet) number, but not beacuse of the economic slowdown and it is better than none! Agreed?? o yea, I might be jealous of you guys back home, but maybe not as much as if I was living alone or something. Maybe I'm jealous that people back home have a long holiday.
Back in campus, the people there had their own party due to the flock of overseas students mainly comprising of Chinese no matter from which part of the world. But sadly, I didnt make it to that party.
On the actual day of CNY, We visited Jeremy and Theng's Place, not that there was some fancy decoration, in fact, there was none. Just sat there for some talk and games and even the Nintendo Wii.
After that, we all gathered at my other aunt's place. Over there we had another dinner. Just a simple dinner with lotsa stuff. From Beef to fresh prawns and salmon and some fried noodles, curry chicken........
As a tradition of CNY, it was stupid if we did not gamble. oOo... but I didnt do much due to the current credit crunch! Or should I say its not current but long term. Hahahaha
Anyway, today was the first day of school as in for actual class. And only yesterday, I got to know who my class mates are and also my course mates. Before that, I was just making friends with my friend's friend. Didnt really meet anyone who was taking the same thing as me.
On the first day, it was rather boring as it was mostly introduction. Even in the lecture hall, you can see people yawning and getting some shut eye. But I must say, the Maths lecturer was kinda cute and funny, but I'm not sure is she Italian or Russian, because she had this accent.
Not only are the students are from all over the world, the tutors and lecturers also come from different parts of the globe. It is so multicultural. My maths tutor is Irish and due to my name, I kinda got a little unwanted attention. Whats more, he came from the same Village where J.F.Kenndy came from back in Ireland. He's pretty much an old lad, which I must say looked really intellectual to me. With a cranium filled with knowledge.
Anyway, there are some lecturers that had that classic lecturer look. High waist trousers, with big rimmed specs and a neck tie.
My schedule is pretty packed up but there are some long intervals but I dont really go back home. Why? I'll tell you why, I have to travel 1.5 hours to school daily. And that is only for on trip only. Imagine the same time to go back. Two buses, some walks. Have to wake up pretty much early. Sometimes I'm rather jealous that the people staying near campus wakes up only 20 minutes before class... wonder if they brush their teeth. Hahaha
The second day got better as I slowly get to know my classmates. before that I was like a odd ball, sitting alone. Seriously! Unbelievable right? the oh so talkative Seumas for once is sitting alone doing his own work QUIETLY! And the other reason was I went to the wrong class for IT session the previous week if you can recall, that is why most of them already know each other.
It is pretty much a small class, Only 10! But then, it is different in some lectures as other courses join in as well...
Anyway, here are some points to high light that I think Malaysians should practice it, in fact, people all around the world should do it. Back home in Malaysia when the bus comes, everyone squeezes in as though they are all anorexic and are able to fit through one small door! But here, everyone lines up in one nice row. Very nice indeed, and they even try to let other people in before them. Like this "You first." "No, you first." "No, You first, I insist"... "Oh ok!"... even for people like me, in a petite small frame, they tend to let me in first, especially the ladies... I though the guys should let the ladies through first.
The other thing is the "THANK YOU CULTURE" which I have mastered. It is very polite and it really brings up people's spirits and moods when you say thank you. So before alighting from the bus, people here, including me, always does a little thank you shout. At least most of the people, because some foreigners still cant manage to open their mouths.
Anyway.... Happy Chinese New Year!
Gong Xi Fa Cai
silenced at 1/28/2009 10:00:00 PM