It is almost the end of the year and it like I have not taken a break at all and I felt like I am mentally drained now.

Yes, I went overseas several times but it did not feel like I had a proper break.

When have I not taken a holiday alone or with my immediate family?

Only 20 months ago! I would have done it again but I will miss my child terribly.

Let me recap. Cruise with the extended family last year which the parents commented it was too fancy. Argh… Asian parents…

June this year to visit the sister with a bad divorce and a court case in Sweden and Bali in August with the sister in law to show that the property we invested five years back is legit.

Upcoming is a trip to China to visit the birthplace of my dad. It has been a chore and all conversations has not moved away from money, prayers and red packets. Damn. I don’t even give the equivalent of two to 300 RMB in Singapore. Aiyah. Just contribute lah.

Given my dad’s old age, it will probably be the first and last time we visit the village with him, so I don’t want to comment so much. If it makes him happy, so be it.

My mum refused to join and made snide comments whenever she can and it is annoying. Her weekly rants on discrimination regarding preferences for boys over girls when she was there runs like a broken record.

On top of it, she will mention things like we will never understand because all of us gave birth to boys.

Well, counting down to the upcoming big family holiday this time. I am not sure how well or how disastrous it will turn out.

I guess next year will be all about keeping my sanity intact and there will be no more big holidays for a while.