Christmas Day 2004

Christmas holidays have been bland for me these two years. While I used to go out with my friends and exchange pressies, our traditions ceased as most of them have relationship and family committments now. I didn't even receive any present from Mr. Gecko this year! :( I gave him a Nokia 2650 - makes me happy to see him fawning over his gift though. It was more an effort gift as the mobile is free. I signed a corporate plan for him with my name; and that only makes him happier. Silly boy.

Spent the holiday watching Stephen Chow's Kung Fu Hustle with Mr. Gecko's family as his dad and mom are staying put with us. Kung Fu Hustle was very entertaining, Stephen Chow's show had graduated so much from the usual slap-stick, laugh a minute gags he's so famous for. I was quite skeptical initially if he could produce another movie with similar substance akin Shaolin Soccer and I say, he's doing alot better!

Other than an unexpected good movie, my day is practically nothing-to-talk-about.

My day aside, Chirstmas always make me remember my Dad's childhood story on how he used to spend the Ho Ho Ho hols. He came from a really improverished family and there were a lot of mouths to feed - a typical chinese family in any Malaysia kampung those days. My grandpa was a lorry driver working for the British military in Malaya and because he also possessed known culinary skills, some Brit families would engage my Grandpa to roast the traditional turkey for them on Christmas Day. Grandpa's recipe was simple - mostly potatoes and butter but still, lots of patience was needed as roasting the turkey took almost one day.

My dad was a happy boy whenever Christmas beckoned as this meant Grandpa would get to bring back portions of the turkey meat and the greasy gravy dripped from the roasted bird, considered unsavoury for the british family. But how my dad's whole family welcomed this treat to them every once a year. Dinner was eaten with aplomb as the treat was rationed carefully and none was wasted. Grandpa had since passed on many years ago but back in KL, my relatives gathered together to make this passed-on traditional recipe almost every Christmas Day (only my uncle knows how), remembering and relieving those days when little things meant much. :)

This story perks me up and reins in the festive spirits for me always! Merry Christmas to all!