Nobody writes blog posts anymore these days. I certainly haven't been writing. The space was originally created for me to voice the things that I haven't been able to say to some of the most cherished people in my life.
Today, I am writing again for the same reason.
Have you ever felt like you're somewhere so familiar, yet so unfamiliar? It's my first time coming home for Chinese New Year since I started working. I have almost forgotten what a huge event it is... The atmosphere, the fireworks, the ang pows, the countless mahjong and card games, the eating, visiting, and most importantly, the catching up.
I saw my first acrobatic lion dance performance of the decade. I went shopping with my family in a mall on Chinese New Year Eve, to buy new clothes - a little tradition that we grew up with. You're meant to wear new clothes on the first day of the new year! We had our own reunion dinner at home, just the four of us. We went visiting relatives on New Year's Day and I gave ang pows in KL for the first time.
I visited old friend who are now parents!
How life has changed and time has passed for all of us. But some things, some things remain. My dearest, oldest friends who have known me, and loved me despite and inspite of my flaws and imperfections. My friends who have been there for me through some of my happiest and lowest moments of yesteryears.
The past week has brought me back to a place long long time ago. A place filled with valuable memories. Memories and thoughts that perhaps, nobody else understands. A place called nostalgia.
It made me realise that, in order to achieve something... Sometimes, you have to sacrifice something back. And you may not realise exactly what that sacrifice is, until years or decades down the track. Perhaps then you'll look back and ask yourself, is it all worth it?
