No CNY will be complete in Sibu without the fireworks and firecrackers, and this year was no different.
The first round usually starts around dinner time on New Year's eve, and the main event would usually start at midnight. In the olden days when supply was plentiful and cheap, the din could last up to 45 minutes!
One favourite fireworks was parachute, where a rocket would shoot up, explode, and a parachute with New Year's greetings would be released. Another was a stick which shoots up to 10 colourful fireballs.
I still never fail to feel the surge of excitement and fear when the fuse sizzles as it lights up.
Hopefully one day the government will legalize them again :)
For quite a few months, we were worried about how Cynthia is going to cope with making the plane trip back to Sibu. A pharmacy friend even suggested giving some cough mixture to make her sleep through the whole journey.
at KLIA airport
In the end, we decided we will take the risk of letting her cope naturally with the flight. PTL, she slept through most of the journey going back to Sibu. Coming back to KL, she was more naughty, but luckily she didn't throw a tantrum or anything. We breathed a sigh of relief as we touched down in KLIA.
Today as I was packing to get ready to go back to Sibu, I was suddenly overcome with homesickness. I usually don't think about my hometown much, but today my memories just came flooding back.
It's been two years since I've been home.
I only stayed in Sibu for eight years, but I spent my most of my childhood and teenage years there, so I've always had the most affection for it.
During my Belfast years, I used to hear this song called Caledonia on tv and on radio. Every time I hear it I'll get homesick. It was a song that speaks of someone's longing and love for the place where he came from. Although the song was referring to Caledonia (Scotland), the sentiments expressed in the song is universal.
You can hear Lisa Kelly's version below, although I personally prefer Frankie Miller's version (here).
Caledonia
I don't know if you can see The changes that have come over me In these last few days I've been afraid That I might drift away So I've been telling old stories, singing songs That make me think about where I came from And that's the reason why I seem So far away today
Oh, but let me tell you that I love you That I think about you all the time Caledonia you're calling me And now I'm going home If I should become a stranger You know that it would make me more than sad Caledonia's been everything I've ever had
Now I have moved and I've kept on moving Proved the points that I needed proving Lost the friends that I needed losing Found others on the way I have kissed the ladies and left them crying Stolen dreams, yes there's no denying I have traveled hard with coattails flying Somewhere in the wind
(Chorus) Now I'm sitting here before the fire The empty room, the forest choir The flames that could not get any higher They've withered now they've gone But I'm steady thinking my way is clear And I know what I will do tomorrow When the hands are shaken and the kisses flow Then I will disappear
