Ang Pows: Reason #233 for Staying Unmarried Another Year.

It was another Chinese New Year celebration at the Leong residence. As if on cue, our Chinese-ness will rear its shiny red head once a year. Hence, the lanterns, family reunion dinner, purchasing illegal fireworks and ANG POWS!


Every year, the lucky unmarried individuals 'kow-tow' to the 'Marrieds' to get those lovely red packets filled with moolah. I know it's a whole fun deal for the kids but for mid-20 to 30 year olds who are still collecting the ang pows, it's like getting paid for staying single another year!


As the years pass, my eldest brother doesn't find it so amusing anymore...




Of course, the ang pow collection time is always followed by cries of "Aiyah, bila la you all want to kahwin?!" What, and give up these every Chinese New Year???
Me and my cousins flaunting our earnings for the year. Find us a guy worth marrying and we'll give these up. Of course the aunties and uncles are making it tougher each year. It used to just be kisses on both cheeks and bowing down three times in respect. THIS year...I actually had to mimic a lion dance. So hilang glamour. That Leong sense of humour is both a curse and blessing, i tell you.



So what do you do once you receive these auspicious red packets? In the true spirit of Chinese New Year, there is only one thing to do:

GAMBLE!




All in all, it was festive, loud and prosperous Chinese New Year spent with flesh and blood. On the eve, we all gathered at our kampung in Papar (just a 40-minute drive from home) and let the good times roll. Me and my cousins pictured below (incomplete as some are far far away and one particular one in the jungle) :

I like this photo of my bro and cousin Brian (right). But spot the monkeys:


Ding ding ding! We have a winner!