恭贺新禧，年年有余，万事如意。（Congratulations on the new year! Wishing you have surplus every year, and everything in life went smoothly as you wish)
Well, today is actually Chinese New Year's Eve. But since China's time zone is ahead of us, you can say it is Chinese New Year already.
To be in line with the new year sprit, I am wearing red and gold today.
Sweater: Anthro Don't remember the name
Top: Anthropologie Floreat Ice Capped Blouse
Skirt: Anthro Field Skirt
Boots: UGG australia
In this foreign land and in the middle week that I have to work, not much celebration is going on, but when we were little, Chinese new year is the happiest time of the year. Each family will cook up a feast. There will be at least 10 course to go around and a fish dish is always included. Fish in Chinese has the same pronunciation as Surplus. So eating fish brings good luck! When we live in the northern China, we always make dumpling from scratch and that is part of must have dinner too. We don't get new cloth often as China was having a shortage in goods that time, but on new year eve, my parents always change me to something new. Children gets extra allowance too, a red pocket (Hong Bao). A big chunk of those money would go into buying fire cracker and firework. At mid-night new year's eve, it is quite a display. There are so many different varieties of firework and fire cracker. None are grand like the ones at the night of Disney, but together the noise and the color fill the night and truly brings out the festival atmosphere. The best part of that is that you lit them yourself and the participation brings out more fun.
Tonight although we can't do much, we will have fish and dumpling for dinner (although the dumpling would be the frozen ones, haha :) I will even let my daughter watch the New Year celebration broadcasted on the Chinese channels even though she is not allowed to watch TV on weekdays normally.
And of course, we all have to call home. My parents are in Chicago right now. They send me those picture this morning. I just saw similar picture at Kim's blog and had a very Deja Vu feeling.
I wish they are near me. Notice the snow is over knee high of my Dad? I wish he hadn't have to do that at his age.
My mom was in a very good mood however. Dad had to cancel his business trip and that means he will stay with her at home :-) There is always a positive side of everything.
瑞雪兆丰年, as the Chinese say, A good snow brings ample harvest next year. For those of you get snowed in, stay warm and May the snow bring you good luck in the coming year!
When I was a little girl, Chinese new year was the happiest time of the year for me too. Living in the States is a 'lil rough during these celebrations as I miss my family and all the festivities back home. I'll be calling my mom, dad, sis, brother and all my relatives tonight too, I've already topped up my phone card! :)
ReplyDeletep/s - you look cute in red and gold! even though I've already said this b4- Gong Xi Fa Cai.
I loved Chinese New Year as a kid too. We'd eat SO much, our house would be SO clean and I'd play with my cousins the whole night while my uncles and dad would just drink! :) I miss it. Tonight we're just going to eat with my parents at a restaurant here that has some good authentic Chinese food. Low key! Gong xi fa cai!
ReplyDeleteHappy Chinese New Year! You look so festive in your gold and yellow. What a great colour combo. Thanks for sharing all the traditions surrounding Chinese culture and new year. I don't know much about it. Oh, and LG is initials, but funny that in chinese it is another work for husband. I'll have to tell him that!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year! I love the golden color of your skirt, it's so pretty. You look cute and cozy considering all that snow. It's barely below freezing here and I've been complaining all day, I don't know how you put up with snow up to your knees.
ReplyDeleteHappy new year Inkmark! You look so "lucky" in your red and gold ensemble. I wore red today to work, with a gold-plated necklace. My non-asian workmates wore red too! hehehe. We had yum cha today and got to see the dragon dance. It's nice that even though we live in western countries, CHinese tradtions are still thriving :-)
ReplyDeleteAnd oh my, the snow looks full on!
Lisa: one can never say Gong Xi Fa Cai too many times :-) Good fortunes are always welcome :-)
ReplyDeleteCindi: Did you get to watch the Chinese New year's Eve show? That used to be a tradition every mainlander had. Even though there are too much propaganda in the show and too much commercial, it is still fun to watch to the re-broacast.
Sweet Laundry: Haha, you will probably pick it up here and there from people like me who is quite proud of her heritage. :-)
Mich: Ha, I couldn't stand snow either. That is why I moved out to SF bay area, paying premiums for a shed. But the weather is good. We had perfect weather this week, not too cold, not too warm and very sunny. My parents are still in Chicago and the pictures are from them.
vintageglammz : Take a picture. I want to see you red-ware :-P My daughter's school has Chinese New Year performance today so I am wearing red again. Stay tune...