Lately, I noticed I’m increasingly craving for Malaysian food and delicacies. I suppose Chinese New Year is drawing near. It's the same thing with international phone calls. I tend to call my family more often lately. I am really trying not to do that this time as I don't want to incur any more extra expenses. After all, I'll be able to talk to them in person soon. If I tell myself that often enough, I just might be successful this time.
From memory, when I first arrived at Melbourne I was very excited to be on the "greener pasture". Everything looked, smelled and tasted new and different. I grazed on the new grass like a newborn calf, just hungry and thirsty for the new life. Coming from a relatively small city, I was overwhelmed and impressed by the sights and sounds of Melbourne. There was just so much to take in all at once. I didn't have time to miss home at all. I was too busy exploring and experiencing the Australian life. That's not to say that I didn't miss my family at all. I was just totally immersed in the newness of everything that I didn't have room to be sad and mope around. I made a conscious decision to leave home so I dealt with the repercussions my own way.
However, my first Chinese New Year away from home…… I found myself dealing with bouts of homesickness. I missed the festive feeling back home, I missed the cookies and Chinese foods back home and I definitely MISSED the red money packets back home!!
Steven was kind enough to company me down to China Town Melbourne for the CNY celebration. Celebration in Melbourne was a “different” experience. Lots of westerners around, lots of food stalls, lots of fire crackers, lion dance, lots of Chinese deco items ….while hanging around, I see familiar faces in search for the foods that taste like they're back in their mother's kitchen. They are the faces of people determined and eager to take home a piece of that old life. The sight, taste and smell of our local cuisine are what bind us to our homeland and families…
Well, it definitely an eye-opener to experience a CNY celebration in a foreign land.
Missed the celebration back home, but being here has been absolutely fabulous as well!! HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR to everyone!!
