2007 Lunar New Year

As we head into the year of the hog we must remember that Chinese New Year is not only celebrated by Chinese worldwide but also by other Asian races like the Indo-Chinese and the Japanese.

Here in Australia we prefer to call it Lunar New Year because it is celebrated by not just the Chinese but also by the Vietnamese, Cambodians and other ethnic groups all across the country.

But whatever our races are, we are all Australians and proud to be celebrating our heritage which makes us who we are today. Though a big occasion, Lunar New Year will never be as grand as is celebrated in Malaysia as of right now.

Especially in my hometown of Sibu where firecrackers is a definite must on New Year's eve tonight when the whole town will resembles a war zone. There will be none stop firecrackers going off and smoke choking the whole town for hours leading up to and past midnight.

At least that's how I remember it to be and I'm quite sure it's still the same! It's been 17 years since I was back in Sibu for Chinese New Year and sadly I've lost that yearning for it after such a long absence from the festivity.

But not to worry, I shall try to make an effort to spend Chinese New Year in Sibu one of these years but timing is never right. But that's ok coz there's always next year...and next year...and next year. Have a safe and prosperous New Year people!