Surely the Year of the Rat gone off with a big bang. But for me, somehow, the "bang" was just simply missing. Open houses? None. Glorious dinner? None. Gambling?? Haven't for the mean time. Till now, the only places i'd been going for greetings were my grandparent's places.

When i was still a small kid, i would be very eager to celebrate CNY. I would even try to stay up till midnight to listen to the fireworks blasting away. Sadly, since there is a law around, no more such merry experience. Only occasional bangs could be heard. Whats funny though is that i'd been over-hearing conversations that there was a notice passed around stating that a fine of RM50K would be slapped on anyone's notty butt if they were caught "playing" with fireworks. The funny part is that.......................those fireworks were said to be sold by people from Customs itself (?!?!??!?!) This is not my accusations, but just something that i heard of.

On the other hand, there is a taboo that i made up myself, stating "Never go out for Dim Sum anywhere one the first and second day of CNY, and if do so, never late" after some unpleasent experiences from past years. Yet, even though warned by me, my parents never seems to listen. Today we just went out for Dim Sum. I wanted it to be early in the morning, but my mum nagged about it to be late in the morning. Luckily though, she did not opt for Shangri-La anymore like she used to. Four Seasons was the place. Full house, extra tables placed outside, but seated quickly. Yet, the service was terrible. We ordered for steamed stuffs and the waiter kept of ensuring us the it would be brought to our table, until we took a peek at the counter and saw people rushing for those newly steamed stuffs immediately.

But nonetheless, nothing unwanted happened at all during CNY, so might as well happily greet you all out there Gong Xi Fa Cai.