Tip 87: Immersing into daddy's cultural roots

Being away from one's home country means that there are many cultural activities and holiday celebrations not practiced. Yet, it takes some determination and diligence to make things happen. Even when we are home and close to our parents and relatives, it does not stop the laziness in each of us to just sit back and relax, instead of making that long drive home, gathering friends and relatives for the traditional Thanksgiving Dinner, spending hours stuffing the turkey, or getting the kitchen messy with flour kneading Tangyuan. Peter Parker in Spider-Man 3 said, "We always have a choice." These choices we make now as daddies to a certain extent shape our children too. I for instance, wished my dad would have made a little more effort to share his Hakka roots and have closer bond with my paternal grandmum so I may get to know my mainland Guangdong roots better. I know a classmate of mine whose dad and uncles made it a family event to make regular trips to their home village in mainland China and still keeping close ties with their Chinese relatives. It adds to the fun when we do enjoy these choices we make, yet at times, a little extra determination is required.

Before coming to Japan, I did spend quite some time building my network. Later with Facebook, it was a breeze to create a Malaysians in Tokyo group. We organized a cheering convoy for the 2008 Yonex Open Japan where our Malaysian women doubles and Lee Chong Wei went to the Semi Finals. One of the students even had 2 large Malaysian flags. Our cheering probably contributed to both of them advancing to the finals. Though daddy spent 7000 yen (USD$70) for 2 tickets for daddy and mummy. Haruka also did not blow her baby trumpet that daddy took along. Other activities include a Hari Raya feasting at a Malaysian restaurant open house and a good chance to exchange greetings and chat about the things we miss about Malaysia. I do miss lots of my Cantonese cultural activities though and it is pretty difficult to coach Haruka on the Cantonese dialect on my own. Though, I do have some plans in the pipeline that I would share later if it materializes. Choices, choices. At least from this blog, my kid(s) can read about them and know the core of my heart since how things turn out and its results can deviate, yet its important that they know I love them.

Are there any fun cultural activity you make efforts to get involved in? Do share. I may be getting out of touch and need rekindling of some fond memories to kick start them myself.