As it so happens, I have a family who is keen on family gatherings ? granted, they are keen on family gatherings of a small scale, but on the whole, we rather like having family gatherings. At family gatherings, we get to catch up on each other's lives, rib each other about our studies, jobs, and love lives (and oh dear, it seems that I'll be the hot topic next time, since I recently got myself a love life), or maybe just plain debate and comment on what's happening in the world.

Let me tell you, more often than not there will be raised voices with regards to the topic of a show like, say, Project Runway, or even debates on the merits of movies like The Dark Knight. We would be arguing about property, whether or not it would be wise to invest on undeveloped land. Heck, we would even get into philosophical discussions with regards to our plans for the future (which I am yet to have; a fact that drives my rather corporate grandfather mad).

To us, a is a good way of understanding each other, getting to know each other in ways that go way beyond the blood. Because let's face it: no matter how many times anyone could say that blood is thicker than water, it is possible that water would over power blood if the blood proves to have no particular emotional attachment to you (or vice versa). More often than not, I would hear people say things like ?Oh, of course I love him ? he's my dad ? but that doesn't mean that I have to like him.? And maybe it's true. Maybe it isn't. But I prefer liking my family, and the best way to do this is by getting to know them ? and the best place to do that, is through a family gathering.