was discussing reunion dinner with my parents last night. they thought we might have it with my mother's relations this year, but i was adamant that we should have it with my uncle and aunt, that is the ones in number 52, sarah's and ariel's grandparents. i miss them the most when i am away - i've lived all my life with them - and they're my closest and best-loved relatives. and my uncle has been struggling with cancer for the last two years - i am told he has trouble moving now. in normal circumstances the three of us have about equal say in things, with the parents' decision having a little more weight, but nowadays i find that because i'm so seldom my vote suddenly counts for more than their two combined vote. i know they tend to accept all kinds of social invitations this time of year and i'll come home and find we're fully booked for all fifteen days, and i've gotta "chope" quickly. my mother says it'll be steamboat though. to tell the truth i don't much like steamboat, but it is, my mother says, traditional mah. of course it is lovely for your ancestors in china to have something hot and steaming in the middle of winter but i can't think how people ever enjoy steamboat in the tropics. i just get hot and bothered and i'm always losing my fishball or quail's egg in the pot and someone else would swoop in with their little netted thingami and pinch it. ai.