Long Live the Tradition

Darian Yeap

A tradition that lasted for centuries has now become a five-year tradition of our own. Chinese New Year has been a significant tradition for all Chinese around the world, but a group of us from the class of 2017 has set aside a day for our own reunion.

On the third day of CNY, an event has been hosted at Jarrod Chang’s (12) house since eighth grade. Now, we, the brothers of the class of 2017, have entered our senior year. This year, however, Jarrod’s brother, Jordan Chang (9), decided to bring along his friends to share the love. Freshman Grace Moon (9) was interviewed for a slim summary of the event and she screamed, "IT WAS FUNNNNN! FOOD, FOOD, FOOD, FOOD!" This year, we continued to make the best memories and hope these freshmen will resume this tradition of ours.

We met up in the afternoon and went straight to the table to play some cards. We chatted and had fun together knowing that this is the last of our CNY together. Mrs. Chang prepared the steamboat, and we rushed out because most of us had starved ourselves in preparation for this meal. We ate for well over an hour as more people, freshman and seniors, joined. We had a short break as everyone was full and watched some television.

The clock approaches 6pm and everyone was hyped for the main event of the year. Every year, Jarrod’s father would buy the red, long firecracker from Kuala Lumpur and bring it back for our event. Our tradition involves us laying it on the side of the road and making dumb decisions while lighting the short fuse. The radius in which the firecrackers fly is quite massive, which enhances the challenge.

This year, in respect to our new freshman, we decided to do one cooperatively. We sat ten tiles away from the strip and faced it while the freshman mirrored us. The final firecracker, the biggest one, flew straight to Jarrod and exploded around his left rib. Words are difficult to describe the feeling, but Woo Young (12) accurately said, “Mate, that hurt so much.” Well said, my friend, well said.

To conclude this Senior Scribble article, the man, the myth, and the legend himself, Jarrod Chang, would like to shed light on his thoughts: “It was a bittersweet moment. I'm going to miss the Chinese New Year traditions that I've always experienced growing up, but I'm glad I got to spend my last one with the people I love and care about.” His words truly brought me to tears for Jarrod himself holds a reason why some of us are united; he’s a true friend and a true brother for life. I wish our freshmen will resume this tradition we’ve started. LONG LIVE THE TRADITION! As for me, miss Celestine Teoh (9) quoted my personal summary of that day, “GAU TIAM!!!!!”