it's about a day until the new chinese new year kicks in...and it just goes to show you that some people still can be superstitious in times like these. some people can be superstitious even out of respect for superstitions. alright, take into example, the fact that you're not meant to do any cleaning or sweeping during the first few days of chinese new year because that means that you might be sweeping away good luck and fortune for the coming year...and the whole thing about not wearing black to any places that you visit because if you wear black, that basically means you're the harbinger of strife, death and destruction to whoever you visit. i guess that it's all about keeping to the values and the customs of the chinese. old wives' tales are the best, i figure...there was this thing i heard once [possibly from my stout catholic mother] about how it'd rain whenever crows would be flying overhead and in packs. ridiculous? maybe. but it's a belief that's been passed down from generation to generation, and in my hands, if i do get children, i'd probably tell it to my kids because it'd be a fun thing to say [and they'd be all wide-eyed and awed] and because it was an utterly ridiculous piece of news that was passed down to me lovingly. so, why not? everyone needs something to believe in once in a while.

the other day, my grandfather came downstairs [something that he very rarely, rarely does] and asked around if anyone had seen a black cat. correction: he was yelling to us if we'd seen a black cat. in his words, "it's a matter of life and death...a black cat brings out bad luck!" i never knew him as a superstitious bloke, but, oh, well.

chinese new year brings to mind firecrackers, red packets full of money, mandarin oranges, more mandarin oranges, prawn crackers, and...well, stuff. i guess that it's already been pigeon-holed. and here i am, sitting at my computer, typing all this out after having a so-called family dinner. boredom reeks once again. and i have to study. bitch.