how to celebrate the Chinese year of the rat, Shanghai style.

It’s 18:17 and the eve of Chinese New Year. I am in my apartment in Changle Road and I heard firecrackers blasting from a distant yet not like that loud as in Manila or in any part of the Philippines. This is China and they invented the fireworks here a long time ago and I found it ironic to hear some dead moment and long silence in between boom and bang. Perhaps it’s too early for them to show the lights flying on the night sky. So I will wait. My neighbor in this medium rise dwelling seems to be quite perhaps they were just stuck inside to avoid the freezing outdoor climate. But passing our small corridor note that they have this raw chicken and pork meat left hanging for several days now and I assumed they are going to feast tomorrow. They have a big refrigerator outside to froze the meat imagine that.
Looking from northeast window, most of the building lights were turned off. Perhaps the owners went to province just like most of the Chinese do to reunite with their families at the start of Spring Festival.
In some unfortunate events meanwhile please note that my sink plumbing sucks. For some strange reason, water backflowed from the pipes and flooded my sink and it never stop. Without hesitation I removed the traps from main drain pipe and plug it with rag utilizing rubber gloves to tighten the grip. I really prayed that will hold for long because the amount of pressure coming was strong and I am to give up cleaning the mess. For the record the water is too damn cold. Yes, I’ll call the owner tomorrow to fix this plumbing malady.
Later, I will be going to my friend and officemate house 15 minutes walk from my place. They will have some New Year eve party there and some Pinoy friends would also come there. I am excited to munch for arrozcaldo and my lazy self affirmatively bringing nothing but my hungry mouth. Hope the bakery along Huaihai is still open.
As I end this prose, lights and sound filled the night sky of Shanghai in the eve of the year of the rat or mouse or whatever.
A toast for a better year to China and unselflessly to myself!!!
Xin nian kuai le!