HAPPY CHAP GOH MEH!!!

Today is the 15th and the last day of CHINESE NEW YEAR. It is said as "Chap Goh Meh" a term in hokkien dialect meaning fifteen night. In Chinese custom, this is considered as Chinese Valentines Day whereby unmarried girls will write their names, contact number or whatever else their creative mind allows on an orange and throws it in a river or pond or lake and perhaps for the more desperate, a drain (though i wonder who's going to pick those up) in hopes of their MR.RIGHT picking their particular orange, contact them and the typical fall-in-love-and-live-happily-ever-after scenario.

I, however, never had to resort to such an occasion even if in the name of fun as I have a bf. When people asks how long we've been together and i say since mid 2000 (you do the math) they'll start exclaiming that it's a really long time to be together and how we should get married etc.

Naturally, i feel happy that we're still going strong and perhaps stronger than before despite all the super DOWNs and of course the UPs. It has been a long journey of learning to understand each other better, to compromise and meet half point (although somethings just cannot be compromised at all ok) to learn to be a magnanimous forgiver. Forgiving is not easy but forgetting however, is even harder!

Of course, there have been many regrets or i have wished we had perhaps made certain decisions differently but what is done cannot be undone. We can't travel back into time like "Back to the future"or wish ourselves back to change the past like "13 going on 30 starring Jeniffer Gardner". But as we move forward into the future, we can only try to make amends, learn from past mistakes to make better decisions for a happier and healthier future.

Meeting up with high school mates whereby one of the guys commented if the girl it too much of hassle, then just break up. Well, no offense but with such mentality, no wonder divorce rates are shooting up sky high. If that person is worth it, if you value the good memories that you had and should have, then do something about it. I mean, there must have been something to have attracted you to that person in the very first place. Don't just give up. Don't just let things be and sweep them under the carpet. If i had done that, then I won't be with him anymore. For all i know, i might be with bf no.2.

I mean, being this long with my bf was not a smooth ride. We are 2 complete opposites. He's more optimistic, carefree and outgoing. Me, on the other hand, tend to see the dark spots in life, inflexible and am more reserved. He comes from a family that is open to drinking where else mine flies off handle just seeing beer bottles/can sitting in the fridge even if it's someone else's. I am thankful that i have him even if we had serious, mad, angry arguments. Sometimes i think with everything that i have and am going through, God couldn't physically hug me, so he gave me my bf to hug me on His behalf.

Well, for those who have a partner, cherish and love them enough to bear with their nonsense, their silliness, their good and their bad, in good times and especially during the bad times cos this is when they need you most! Valentines day is less than a week away. However, don't just treat your special one and show them your love ONLY on Valentines day. Life is short, so make everyday a valentines day!!

For the single people, fret not, chill with your girl/guy pals. Show people you love and care that you do!! Does not have to be just couples day! Hope this is not what most of you people will be doing on Valentines day!!!