Friday, February 15, 2008

Chinese New Year: A Visit and some Factoids

Josh's sisters, Janella (and her husband and 3 kids) and Joanna, came for a visit over Chinese New Year. We said goodbye to them this morning after a fun-filled two weeks. Here are a few favorite pictures from our time together.

Firefly Tour in Desaru, Malaysia

The Pulai Resort, Desaru, Malaysia

Singapore Zoo

Palawan Beach, Sentosa Island, Singapore
(Sign says "Southernmost Point of Asia Continent")



Here are a few interesting things I learned about Chinese New Year:
  1. Taxis charge extra.
  2. If you go to California Pizza Kitchen on Orchard Road, they give you an $18 voucher for your next visit in the traditional Chinese New Year "red envelope"
  3. Chinese New Year is determined by the first new moon of the new year. It starts on the first day of the first lunar month of the new year and ends on the 15th day.
  4. We are now in "The Year of the Rat"
  5. In traditional Chinese culture, if it is your year (the same animal of the year you were born) you are supposed to wear red every single day for the entire year.
  6. On CNY Eve, families gather for a "reunion dinner." Typical dishes include fish and dumplings.
  7. A few superstitions:
    1. Don't sweep your house during CNY or you will sweep away the good luck.
    2. Don't cut your hair during CNY or you will cut away the good luck.
    3. Don't wash your hair on New Years Day or you will wash away the good luck.
    4. Don't cry on New Years Day or you will cry ever day of that year.
    5. Do wear red on New Years Day to ensure a bright and happy future.
    6. Don't lend anything during CNY or you will be lending things all year long.
    7. Do open your windows and let in fresh air. This will blow in the good luck for the New Year.

8 comments:

Elizabeth said...

haha i love caleb's huge grin in the midst of serious peers in the elephant picture!

Sharon said...

Looks like you had a great time. How fun!

not2brightGRAM said...

Sure are a lot of things to do -or not do- to keep your "good" luck! What a bother...

I was surprised to see one of my favorite bushes in the Singapore Zoo picture; 'Laughter' with the little purple blooms. I think it is also called 'Mexican Heather'.

Great times, great memories!

christianne said...

fun pics! i love the one with the elephants in the background. are those ones real or just statues?? they look like statues, but since it's the zoo, i wasn't sure.

Jess(ica) said...

Do people really wear red all year if it is "their year?"

This and That said...

you all look so tan!

Anonymous said...

I think our way of life would be a lot more simple...I don't look good in red!!!

kirsten said...

fun pics! i'm with christianne, you all look so tan & healthy & happy! looks like it was a fun time. ;o)