First CNY as a wedded couple? Make sure you work out a system to tell each other whether to use the “big” or the “small” packets. Especially useful for Simon since he probably wouldn’t know the ranking and importance, and do-you-care level for distant relatives.

Actually second, but the first I was conspiciously absent.Heh.

I think I already have an idea of how much. I think I will do about 3 levels – strangers, cousins (which I have shitloads) & friends.Immediate family is a problem, have not decided yet. The problem is my mother is fairly annoying in things like this and will say that this person gave me this la, that person gave me that la (like asif I wanted all their crap) so I seem to have to stuff every moving thing with angpows. Seriously, she is like trying to persuade me to buy presents for every living thing as well – shit man, I live here, I’m not on holiday and why should I buy presents for people that I only see on chinese new year! GaaaH! See, family drama has started 4 months in advance

The good thing is, angpow does not increase with inflation, have been getting same figures for about 15 years now. SHIT RIGHT. Well, good for me now , but when I was getting it in I always wonder how come its the same for the past 10 years.Sometimes it even decreases!!!

As long as the exchange level remains the same I think I should be ok kua. Good thing about having large families when you are unmarried = my angpow collection exceeds RM1000 which is a good figure. Now my output is going to exceed that. BLEAH.

if i left it to bacon, everyone would probably get RM1.HAHAH!!

Hahaha RM1! You’d be ostracised by the family!

Seriously though, don’t worry about matching what other ppl give you. If you give them less than what they give you, the next time around they’d more or less match your level. The market will decide itself! Hahahah!

In the mean time, screw the petty politics – it’s a favourite past time of Penangites! I always act blur about it and a bit thick-skinned. Maybe you guys can try it.

3 WEEKS OFF! Man, I’m in the wrong line of work!

Of course if I had to spend 3 weeks with my family I would go insane……….

Hi Mili,
Well, we are heading home for 3 weeks in Feb too. We are having the same family drama as you are facing with our first year being home for CNY and married! We are feeling the pinch now already! Sigh….hope they dont expect 7 times, I will be broke! Who knows, we may probably bump into each other at the Quek’s place next door as well. I cant wait to see Wei Wey’s little one.
By the way, are you facing the nightmare of getting your indefinite leave to remain? Mine is up in July and I cant believe they have increased the fee to like £950.00!!! Thats like extorting man! Do you have to do the ESOL English test and life in britain test? Maybe we can share a book! ) Hope all is well for you and Simon. Take care.

you can put a handbag in a giant angpow packet for me.. i’ll accept it

awwww jealous jealous
looks like i am going to spend another year of CNY in melby again!!!

as for giving angpows, cant really run from that
i have big families here so it is like OMG

hehe good luck to the family drama!

moo: I know…its so….s.t.r.e.s.s.e.d. I usually get into trouble because I don’t give a damn and will ‘taruh’ the people that overdo the backstabbing politics thing..then mommy will cane me..:/

skipps: yours send you to HAWAII.Wanna swap? And yes, already dreading the condensed version of ‘family time’

alicia: Yea its that price. I am studying.Or apparently studying. Honestly, I REALLY CAN’T BE ARSED. Am so going to get into trouble if I don’t pass the damned test..I am planning to start going for tests in the next few weeks, hopefully will sort mine out by xmas.If I pass you can have my book

Oh sorry, just read your question.No, we can do ESOL or life in bloomin britan. Prob is ESOL classes won’t take us when they realize we can actually speak .Test is around £35.

drey: yes I will. Actually, just get u a red handbag la…easier rite.HAHAHA.

natnat: I know.Lucky I don’t have to do it every year. Bleurk.

Just remember to eat an extra portion of Yee Sang for me. Heehee

I never felt homesick until some blogger kept on posting pics of things like Yee Sang, roast pig, spam, etc. Curses to you! You shall be struck down by chopsticks and pork chops!

So am I but a week after for 2 months taking unpaid cant be bothered. Need to replenish on good food !

Hey Mils, you know what? I have the exact same attitude, cant be arsed at all, cant believe they are taking advantage of making a quick quid…..the price is proper ridiculous! Well, all the best to you and I dont think I will be doing mine till we return from KL in March. Do share your experience ok? We should really meet up sometime. Thanks for offering me your book, I will not turn it down, may be good luck for me too! I am sure you will pass with no issues. By the way, have you got your full British driving license yet? I have been putting that off but really need to do that now. Another blooming cost, I tell you what, our husbands better be worth all this hassle in staying here!!! See ya later!

lisa: BUT you make perfectly good yeesang if I recall….:)

sh: Misery loves company. And if you come back as well please let me know in advance, you would be getting an angpow filled with reeses peanut butter cups and pepperami . good deal leh..

alicia: I’ve not taken it as I work in town=pointless driving=parking at £5 p/day. But yeah, I gotta get my test done before end of next month. bleah.If I don’t pass my test by dec, I am not going to be going back anytime soon!

Are you driving on your M’sian license then? Well, I have been putting it off as my hubby drops me off at work on his way as I only work abt 7 mins from home. Since i live in a village in the countryside, buses are few and far between. Price we pay for living in the sticks! I still need to get it done though cos in case I want to get another car in the future. Do you mean you are not going home for CNY if you dont pass this dispicable test? How annoying! Do let me know how you get on. I hope you get to go home to spend some time with your family. I miss the FOOD, do you???