CNY '10

While Chinese New Year means lohei, angpows and oranges for most, CNY means something entirely different for me. It means going to cousins, aunties and uncles to ask for donation. It's almost the same every year. The only change - last year was donation for breast cancer, this year was the donation for NJ.

According to my 3o plus years old cousin, NJ is a "neighbourhood school". I admit I was rather taken aback initially. Only after conversing for a period of time did I realise that by "neighbourhood school" he meant it as literally a school in the neighbourhood. So that makes NJ a "neighbourhood school" in Bukit Timah and RJ a "neighbourhood school" in Bishan? Well, I certainly learnt something from CNY this year. Then I popped the question. "Would you like to donate to my school (hehehe)?" First victim of the day. Nonetheless, it was successful. A closed deal. I got 12 bucks from my cousin. Instead of signing the 10bucks and 2bucks column, I got him to sign 6 of the 2 bucks column. We all know why.

Unfortunately, that was just the tip of the iceberg. The donation card was still relatively empty. So business went on the next day. This time, it was no longer in the comfort of my home, the feeling of privacy and warmth was lost. It was in my grand aunty's house overflowing with relatives.

Gone was the hustle and bustle of CNY greetings. All I could see was a chess game before me. Every move was strategically made and a silly mistake could lead to horrendous consequences. So with eager eyes, I observed my key targets carefully. When the time was riped, my mind declared, "Now!"

I presented the donation card to my cousins (one of which was an ex-NJ student). She whipped out a ten dollar note from her wallet and another gave me a two dollar note. My other cousin donated 10 bucks as well. Another 11 columns filled. I was satisfied but taking a closer look, the card still seem relatively empty. Nevermind, it was another successful deal so I went ahead for my scrumptious meal kindly catered by my grand aunty. Meanwhile, I was trying desperately to erase that memory of the glare from my aunty when her eyes rested on the card I had held on to.

The ordeal was not over. After dinner came mission two. Now to conquer my not-so-close cousin. I grinned inwardly when cousin A turned to me and started a conversation about school. "So you're in NJ. How is it?", she asked. "Oh it's okay. Just living up to the reputation of being a mugger school", I replied. Silence, an exchange of awkward smiles. "Don't miss this chance - hurry before she turns back to the TV!" I thought frantically. So without further hesitation, I popped the question, once again.

"Sureeeeeeeeee!!!" Cousin A replied in what I saw as over-enthusiasm as a result of the actual lack of it. How I cringed. Of course, the grateful smile remained intact on my lips. Another 2 bucks. Enough, I told myself. Collecting 48 dollars was definitely no mean feat. So before I made a faux pas, I hurriedly went back to watching television and playing with my ever so cute 4 year old cousin. The rest of the night passed on eventfully while the festive mood hung high.

Thinking back, CNY is not as horrible as it seems after all. Donation cards aside, CNY is a update-your-profile time. A time to tell your stories. And of course, a time to indulge in CNY cookies. CNY will never be CNY without cookies and generous relatives!