FEELING BLUE?

Don’t be.

The LUNAR NEW YEAR of the OX is just round the corner.

It falls on the auspicious date of JANUARY 26, 2009.

The radio is belting out this festive MANDARIN song and the lyrics go like this:

“The breeze of SPRING is caressing my cheeks

Announcing the advent of the CHINESE NEW YEAR.”

This  awesome feel-good melody never fails to uplift my spirit  always at this time of the year,

So much for tingly happy memories …..

 I was a gawky teenager just like YOU or anyone else,

We all have to  go through this phase,

I relished sweets, treats, outings and parties,

I have always looked forward to the LUNAR NEW YEAR celebrations.

Loads of ang paos (money packets), new clothes, friend- and- family camaraderie and yummy food spreads,

What else could any youth ask for?

Not forgetting the noisy firecrackers and the bang-bang din to “drive away the evil spirits”.

Firecrackers were used to gloriously usher in the grand NEW YEAR for the CHINESE community all over the world.

Those were the days, my friend.

It was great to be a teenager, as chronicled by a starry eyed kid then.

This kid has grown.

And CHINESE NEW YEAR is no longer a wonder.

Not any more.

And the LAUGHTER?

Long after everything relegated into a memory,

The remnants of LAUGHTER are still very much alive,

Etched deep in our  hearts as a friendly reminder that LAUGHTER IS ALWAYS THE BEST MEDICINE IN LIFE.

LAUGHTER IS GOOD FOR THE BODY, SOUL AND SPIRIT,

LEARN TO RECOGNIZE HUMOR WHENEVER  YOU HEAR IT,

MAYBE IT WILL COME WITHOUT A WORD OR SOUND,

IF  YOU LOOK FOR IT IN ANY SITUATION,

YOU’LL FIND IT AROUND,

LAUGH, OH YES, LAUGH WITH ALL  YOUR POWER,

FOR YOUR LAUGHTER WILL BRIGHTEN EVEN THE DARKEST HOUR,

LAUGH AT ME,

OR LAUGH AT YOURSELF TOO,

LAUGHTER WILL HELP YOU LIVE HAPPIER AND LONGER IF YOU DO,

NOW PRACTICE WITH YOUR HEARTIEST LAUGHTER,

AND YOU WILL GIVE YOUR HEART A BOOST FOREVER AFTER.

This year, let the spirit of CHINESE NEW YEAR cheer heralds the HAPPY LAUGHTER of SPRING!

KONG HEI FATT CHOY, my dear CHINESE friends from all over the world !!

Here a version of the festive song THE GENTLE BREEZE OF SPRING JUST KISSES MY CHEEKS performed by two very popular, very gorgeous actresses from SINGAPORE – FANN WONG AND ZOE TAY. 

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR !!