uncles aunties nephews nieces

i still like Chinese New Year.
even though it used to be more fun.
playing mahjong, poker, board games, sparklers and singing karaoke with my cousins.

now that most of them are married with kids, they have other stuff to do on 初一.
give out ang pows, take care of kids, feed kids, entertain kids, show off kids.

so besides receiving ang pows, i entertain kids too (income opportunity hohoho).
since i'm getting better and better at it.
since there's more and more kids for me to entertain.
(seriously, are my cousins baby-producing machines or what?!)

i can definitely foresee my cousins sending their kids to me for Chinese tuition.
HELLO. PLEASE SPEAK MANDARIN TO YOUR KIDS AT HOME.
OR ELSE THEY WILL SUFFER...IN MY HANDS...WHEN THEY GROW UP.

haiz. 3-year-old playing games on iPad. what is this world coming to?!
i would rather play Simon Says or Hide & Seek with them.
at least there's more...human interaction.

thankfully my relatives are not your average irrinoying uncles & aunties.
they still wish me 学业进步 year after year, without asking about my relationship status.
maybe they're afraid to 踩到地雷 (i'm known for my bad temperament).
maybe there's other cousins to serve as distraction (yeah my younger cousins started bringing their PARTNERS this year).
or maybe there's the ultimate distraction: MY BIG FAT ROUND FACE.

so, my dear nephews and nieces:
when you're my age, it's perfectly fine to play with your Android and ignore all those unnecessary interaction.
but for now, learn to mingle and get all your 称呼s right. you can't get away by calling everyone UNCLE, cos there's a truckload of UNCLES in that house.
and i'm one of them.