Dear Pipsqueaks,
With an 8am call, I was downstairs ready to go by 8.30am only to find out mama hasn't finished preparing breakfast and le sister was still asleep. So I watched TV for an hour before anything was actually happening. Don't get me wrong - I'd love to help out in our tiny kitchen. It's just the belief that every kitchen can only accommodate one chef, so better I just stay out of her way for her to go turbo. At least I helped with the washing...
After we finished breakfast, we began our traditional walk every New Year's Day - a visit to the 4 temples. The literal translation is "walk spring", which to others and in ancient times be treated as a walk to greet other family members and friends. Just a way to start the new year. There are tons of other traditions we do during this holiday season, which unfortunately I doubt I'd be able to completely pass on to my children. I note a few every year, but just the food preparation itself is enough for a full term university course. Don't even start on the rest!
Anyway, the walk ended at a cafe shop (we would normally never go to this one except all the previous 5 were closed), and we clocked in at 7000ish steps. That was enough for us to call it a day...at 1.30pm.
Of course not. We quickly went home and packed for the trip down south. It didn't take me long to do mine since I came in a luggage, but the rest of them...all I can say is, I've found a group that'd match the 'mou-ness' of my housemate. 'Mou' meaning to take an excessive amount of time to do something. So we didn't leave the house until close to 5:45pm. I even hung the clothes and took out the trash while waiting. This is when I thank the inventor of the modern TV so I could be at least somewhat entertained.
The drive down to midlands was surprisingly clear despite all the road reports of 30km/hr speeds. We even stopped by a rest area for dinner and still managed to reach around 8pm. Not bad eh for a new year's day drive that normally takes around 3~4 hours.
When we reached the old house, you could see how the weeds have grown into the drive way down into the valley. The place, which used to house the family business, has been in this obsolete state for more than a decade. Around the same time when grandpa passed away, if I remember it right. I suppose that's what happens when the head of the family leaves? The rest loses their sense of unity, even if it's only by a slight. That's enough to widen the already existing gap caused by the family business.
All the change could be seen by looking at this family house. This amazing 4 floor, 14 rooms, 11 washroom, and 5 living room space family house was a proud product of my papa's creation. I still remember the first time we visited when the building was in construction. Every corridor hinted a new adventure. And how each space was connected to one another, it really made a house into a home.
It was a magnificent view during its golden days. Like a fortress, it holds well many of my childhood memories. Many firsts here. But like us, this home aged...and not in a good way. Cracked tiles, broken doors and clogged pipes. A sad condition for something that had once been such an inspiring place.
Maybe it's a good thing we're going to revamp the whole valley. It doesn't deserve how it's being treated now, so better let it go. At least the memories remain cheerful.
A quick chat with my cousin, we called it a night at 2am. Early wake tomorrow to meet up with mama's side of the family.
Happy New Year!
