We made our way to Jakarta this late afternoon to celebrate Chinese New Year with the family in Jakarta. We left Bandung at around 18.15 and went our way through the rain that continued pouring almost halfway to Jakarta. Despite the rain that slowed down most of the traffic, the trip itself was surprisingly quick. We made it to our family home in less than three hours. 

We said hi to everyone, had a quick dinner, and as usual waited for the midnight hour that defines the transition to the new year, Chinese New Year that is. Just as how the traffic was, the atmosphere was also quiet. There are only 5 people gathering. Usually, this is a special time of the year where most of the big family gathered and waited together for the new year to come. In chinese tradition, we had a midnight meal where we eat glassnoodle (soun) which simbolizes long life and prosperity. In more traditional family, they light up firecrackers, light up all the lights in the house and make sure that the doors and windows are wide open. This tradition believes that the firecrackers, the lights and the noise it creates invite the gods that brings about all the goodness that we hope for throughout the year. The gods would then enter the house and blesses the family with good fortunes and longlife. There are many other chinese cultures that I myself do not understand anymore. 

The next morning we usually wake up, take a bath and dress up in new clothes and greet everyone - the younger ones pay respect to the older generation. The older generation (married couple) gave the younger ones (unmarried ones) small envelopes with some money inside in hoping that they may have good fortunes coming their way as well.  

Well, anyway, it is so quiet tonight. We barely hear the firecrackers banging loudly and light up the sky. I heard some far away from where we are staying tonight. Yes it is very quiet. Hopefully we all can still feel that we are in high spirit to welcome the new year, something we definitely need in these times of uncertainty. While this new year is the year of the Tiger, the tigers are unusually very quite tonight 😁. So yeah, Happy Chinese New Year everyone. May all the blessings and goodness come to you wherever you are, whoever you are.