In the past when I used to work, I really did not have to worry about purchasing provisions and stocking them in the freezer. There were times when I seldom ate at home and occasionally shopped. Bu after becoming a full time house wife, it was rather a different story.

Since the Chinese New Year would last for 4 days, I bought meat, vegetables, fruits and dried stuff a day before the holiday would commence. I thought these huge scales of food would last me throughout the holiday. During this festive occasion, the temperatures plummeted to 11 degrees and somehow lower in the New Territories. The colder the weather, we tend to eat more compared to the warm humid weather. On 15^th February, through my window I could see Local Supermarket, Kai Bo open its door. So, I hurriedly sent my husband to purchase some dairy goods. In the usual days it only took him 5 minutes the most, but on that day it took him something like 40 minutes. Entering the house I enquired why it took him ages. He answered the queue was unusually long.

Then on the last day of the New Year, my fridge was technically empty. So having had no choice, I ran to the vegetable market. I had 100% hope that the businesses have resumed back to normal. Carrying my shopping bag and the shopping list, I stepped out of my flat. Few people were seen on the street and to my dismay 98% shops were still closed. Some hungry shoppers like me were eyeing here and there if they could get their luck for whatever purposes they have dragged themselves out of their beds on this freezing windy morning.

I desperately needed something to make chicken soup, so I went shop to shop. Unfortunately none of these shops were opened. I finally found one vegetable store, run by the Indian. He had a very few selection of vegetables. So I thought I would go for Choi sam.  Since there was no price tag, I asked the price for a catty of the vegetable.

He said, “$20!”

I said, “What?” He said

“Well, it is $24 but then you can buy for $20.”

Having had no choice I bought a half catty damaging $10.

Oh god, I said. Only a day before this particular holiday, a catty of choi sam cost $5, now the price has hiked to $20. I thought it was ridiculously expensive.

While heading home, I found another shop has just opened. And to my surprise the prices there were much cheaper rather like usual day when compared to the Indian guy’s. It occurred to me that the Indian has taken advantages of the hungry shoppers who would buy for any given price. I repented buying from him. Since only one or two shops were operating, I could not buy everything that my list contained.

Seeing the Kai bo’s door opened, as I was about to enter, my eyes caught a very long queue. “Oh no, if I buy anything from there, it meant queuing for an hour to get to the cashier. Forget it!” Then I turned my back and  forwarded my steps towards my flat.

God I had started to hate holidays. Holidays means shops closed. When the shops and malls are closed there is no point to go out. So you are left with only one choice – stay-at-home or alternately fly to somewhere outside Hong Kong. Stay home, watch television, browse net & yes eat and eat. A couple of years ago when the Chinese Lunar New Year came it was time to rejoice. The good thing about the New Year was hefty Lai see. And yes holiday meant relaxation. Waking up at any time of the day and eating whatever you wanted that the restaurants & the fast food centre catered. I did not have to worry about what to eat and what next to buy. Now as a devoted housewife and a mother, my life is complete & fulfilling.  But now holiday has become something that I strongly loathe. Sorry to say this to the people out there who hugely love the holiday season.

“Nothing lasts for ever” this old adage is applicable in everyone’s life whether happiness, sorrows, joy, fear or any other physical & emotional traumas. But then life has to move on despite of whatever/where ever fate takes us.

A salient whisper in the midst of mind

It touches my periphery

A sweet emollient breeze bypasses

And crops up

A fragrance of a sheer medieval

In the spectrum of best reflection

And in the monument

Of the world’s ever rejoiced landscapes

I put forth in the eyes of many people

I simply tackle

Whatsoever the best they

Reveal before me

They waddle to

My will to venturing

What my father advocates

Many tantrums

Of becoming

A worth living in the world

I can reside for they mean to me

And it adheres within me

The spirit of its endowment

It just lay on me and

Begin I have started

To gallop in the journey

The spirited gift

That be in my run

It jostles in a panic

Shocking with

An incredible alarming

A vinegary bow down

Smelling the scene of

Many lopsided run

Is it really swayed?

It startles me severely

In the bleak

Of being in a glittering height

I once reminisce

For what I could be

Really among my friends

They dream about me

And I justify

Without any effort

I weave

To be in the height

I play them

Forgetting myself despite

So many strive in my run

It’s all gone, scrunched up

And I slowly try to make

A difference for paying

So many troubles

And, I find

An incredible picture amidst

Those shrouded glimpse

I smile and, freshen alive simply

Keeping away

From my feeble hands

Faded in my songs of flawless tone,
Love is but all my reasons of scorn.

Imbued with the ecstasies, passion that did too.
Yea! That resembled to cause the wildly woe.
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Sunlight peeps through my window
My eyes shine with optimism
I stretch and rub my sleepy eyes
then bow to welcome fervently

Morning, the begining of the day
 fills my heart with glory
gladdens my four chambers
and showers me with joy

The joy that is not a momentary
it feels like for eternally
like a sacred flame
that never dims

Thinking ahead my face brightens
serene, peace, soft breeze hums
The birds chirp on the nearby tree
Hearing them, I feel so free.

Far in the ocean
A bunch of children are seen
playing merrily
 their faces beaming happily

That scene is so playful
so spontaneous
I am lost in reverie
without nothing to worry

* Whole-heartedly dedicated to all Nepali youth *

I have been walking a long way

As I believe, Life is a Journey

Difficulties in every step, one must face

We have no choice to refuse this race

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