Tradition.

"Pai-lin" is a practise of house-visiting, be it among family or friends, during the 15 days of Chinese New Year celebrations. For a gang of secondary school friends, it has been a tradition kept since 1997 and still going strong. But as with any other traditions, it seems like even this one will be suffering a similar fate, gradually and eventually, dying off. The session last year were still able to garner positive responses and attendance but the same couldn't be said for 2007...

Reason behind the dwindling attendance, work. Some had to slave it away that Saturday, while others had to begin travelling back to their respective work locations. No choice but to leave them out as it's impossible to cater to everyone's timetable, hence, democratically, the date receiving most votes would have to be it. If all things does not go that well, beginning next year, it would better to hold a dinner instead, less work for the organizers, less hassle for the participants, but also less the fun.

Picture courtesy of Smashpop. Thanks dude!

One thing for sure is, less houses to visit equals to more time to catch up and gamble, of course. All in all, we still manage around 10 houses, from Cheras to Ampang, skipping Sg. Long, and things ended with a Koren BBQ dinner outside of Smashpop's house, after kena owned by his dad in Blackjack, which happens every year. Must be the ice-creams... Compared to last year, it ended quite early this year around, with us heading back around 12 plus (fyi, last year was 3am, haha).

Needless to say, it was loads of fun and hopefully, it'll still run next year and the years to come. May the tradition live on...