New Years Day 2010

, it is beautifully drifting with white fluffy snow. The first few hours of the new year, and the weather is pretty mild. But there is a beauty that lingers in the air, that falls and floats with the flakes of snow that descend to cover the world with a blanket of white softness.

The first moments of the new year I spent with some friends at the Old Port of Montreal. The moment came unexpectedly, and suddenly in the distance the crowd began with the countdown. We counted down too, surprised that the year was coming so quickly. We hugged, and according to a Mexican tradition, each of us ate 12 grapes to symbolise the 12 months of the new year. With eat grape you are supposed to make a wish.

I made a wish... happiness and good health for my mum, happiness and good health for my brother, peace for Taiwan, my homeland, peace in the world, happiness and good health to all my friends, happiness and good health to all my family, happiness and good health to all sentient beings in the world, happiness and good health to all non-sentient beings, happiness and good health to my dad...

When I got to that bit, my eyes watered. The firework display above the frozen river and snowy landscape seemed so distant away. I heard the crackle of the fireworks, saw the blinding and colourful exchange of the pyrotechnic display. Yet, perhaps because of the alcohol, I was dazed and overcome with a sudden sense of longing and missing. How I wished dad was there to share that moment... how I wished I could be there with mum to welcome the new year in... all the cheerfulness and laughters and salutations of the surrounding crowd was not enough to overwhelm the sudden pensive mood and sorrow that crept up.

Happy new year... I hope it indeed is a happy one, every single day, for every single person