One week of suffering

I spent the entire week in bed, coughing my lungs out and rubbing my nose sore. I have no idea how but I contracted the worst three combinations (fever, cough and flu) last Monday. I strongly suspect that it could be because my extended family made their yearly visit to my house this week.. Extended family overload- three generations under one roof is enough to make even the Incredible Hulk crumble like Lego bricks..

Every year during June, I celebrate the Chinese New Year. You come down to the living room and there's a HUGE group of your Chinese relatives congregating around the coffee table which is FILLED with snacks, food and drinks. And there's always some Chinese programme playing on the T.V. Plus the older women (your Mom included) are always gossiping about who got married to whom and what happened in the latest neighbourhood drama. The kids are running around amok like headless chickens and you find yourself hiding in your room after you've come down and said the obligatory hellos and listened to them talk about you right in front of you, but of course, they don't acknowledge that fact, it's like you've suddenly gone invisible. Sound familiar? That's Chinese New Year alright. Except you don't have the lion dances and the noisy firecrackers.

Well, it's finally Friday. I've just about recovered from my bout of sickness and the relatives are scheduled to leave tomorrow afternoon. The house is going to be really lonely and quiet, especially minus the brats, BUT I am going to welcome the nice silence and the break of my hibernation.

Hello again, World.