(Written by a student at Macao University)

          Heavy snow made it impossible for thousands of Chinese to be able to celebrate the Chinese New Year with their families as transportation lines were paralyzed, but the enthusiasm for the holiday didn't die out.  It followed its usual track of eating, watching CCTV programs and setting off fireworks.  Without relatives around, feelings obviously weren't perfect here at the university, but almost everyone enjoyed themselves with a few friends.

          I leaned back on my sofa - immersed in the happy times our family had had with the grandparents on my father's side.  My father's little brother had also usually been there on the evening before the holiday.

          Glancing at the clock as I sat up, I noted that it was already 10:30, and I began imagining another scene in the home of the grandfather on my mother's side of the family.  Grandmother had passed away nine years before, and festivals had become the roughest times for the 78-year-old man.  Each of his two daughters celebrated that holiday with their husband's families as was the custom.  Only his son was there for him on some of the years.  It would have been better if my uncle had married so that more warmth could have been provided grandfather as he aged.

          It's true that the rate of increase in the national population is decreased by the strategy of permitting only one child for each family, but how will people deal with its negative affects.  It's unknown how many grandparents and even middle-aged couples will have to eat and watch fireworks on CCTV by themselves.  It's apparent to me that personal happiness will decrease and the harmony and balance of the society may be broken.