Still in time to wish everyone a Happy Chinese New Ox Year. Hope the Ox will be a very strong one to pull through the slowing down market by giving an unexpected bull run.
Whatever the economic reasons, during this festive season there is the high spirited celebration of family ties, cultural practices, sumptous of good food and not forgetting the blast of fire crackers even though it has banned in Malaysia years ago. But the sound of fire crackers are heard less this year compared to previous years. This is one of the sign that people are spending only on the necessity only.
This jotting was done at my wife's hometown which is in the state of Pahang. The house is situated in a Chinese new village. Most of the single storey houses in the village are built from wood with zinc roofing although there are some which are already rebuilt with bricks and cement tiles roofing. It is no more a laid back village as expected because town center is just a short walk away. The bus station is also situated nearby.
The usual fast food - KFC, Pizza Hut and McDonalds - are at the town center since few years ago. The old cinema, where an autographed poster of Jackie Chan's movie " Who Am I" was pinned on the board, was teared down about two years ago. Part of the movie was filmed at a nearby primary jungle. On the site now is a block of three storeys shop houses and Guardian Pharmacy already opened it's latest branch in one of the shops.
Whatever it is, what is Chinese New Year minus the "balik kampung" feeling? My kids are having fun re-connecting with their cousins - not through chasing the neighbours chickens but going after the "enemy" with the Play station games. Hmm.... sign of change in the way kids are engaged nowadays. - Loka
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