miss savealittle: Immediately after 20111231

20120106

Immediately after 20111231

20111231

A few minutes before the clock struck 12, my family and I lit and released sky lanterns into the night sky. It was breathtaking. It was, dare I say, a meaningful moment in my life - right there.

I remember, like ages ago, our whole family used to celebrate New Year together - and I mean, the WHOLE family. My uncles would buy incredible amount of fireworks and booze. The tables were overflowing with food. And the kids, us, were running all around the house playing and excitedly waiting for the main event. We were all giddy excited for the clock to hit 12 because that's when everybody will show off their loudest, most insanely dangerous fireworks. We know that come midnight, the whole sky will be filled with shooting fireworks, the giant spheres of fountains on display, whistles, horns and bells all ringing, and the mighty Sawa (a long thread of fireworks) cracking non-stop for at least 5 minutes (maybe even 10 - I can't remember). Ooh, alongside that, there were a lot of superstitions that we used to follow too, from keeping coins in our pockets, to jumping to our heats content (in hopes to grow taller). Those were the days...

And yeah, we did grow taller - and older. The family grew bigger as my cousins got married and had kids. And somehow, together with that, we also slowly grew apart and moved away from that big family tradition to a more intimate way of celebrating New Year. Somehow, everybody felt the need to focus on their own little families and, really, to create a 'family' tradition to call their own.

So, from crazy loud gatherings, we have all been spending our New Year's separately and in peace (no fireworks, not too much booze and mainly in front of the TV). I could not complain, really. Through the years, this setup gave me the chance to plan my life bit by bit - for the next year at least.

It may sound funny or weird, but New Year's always have this effect on me to plan and organize my life. I guess, it's because of the promise it brings. It offers a clean slate that I can't refuse.

Anyway.

Fast forward to the 31st of December 2011.

Unexpectedly, there we were, the remaining unmarried/newly married kids of the family, quietly celebrating the New Year together - with the parents.

It was weird fun. It was like before - but not exactly. Like we were like the kids that we were - but not really.

I mean, this time, we can now drink the booze. We don't have sticky rice but rather we have shabu-shabu on the table. No coins in our pockets because we were wearing leggings. No fireworks, but rather we have gone green and went for the eco-friendly sky lanterns.

Beyond that, it was like how it was 15-20 years before. We are together, happy and excited to celebrate the New Year.

This year, I realize that, really, whatever happens, family will always be there. It is reassuring to know and just with that - I am truly happy. :)