Chinese New Year 2010

Yesterday was the first day of the Chinese New Year (also known as Lunar New year or Spring Festival). CNY is probably the most celebrated Chinese holidays and there are many traditions that people do for it:

Families give their home a thorough cleaning because it is believed the cleaning sweeps away the bad luck of the preceding year and makes their homes ready for good luck. Homes are decorated with paper cutouts of Chinese auspicious phrases and couplets. Children play with firecrackers and card games. Everyone wears new clothes to welcome a brand new year.

I definitely remember doing some of those things when I was a kid living in Taiwan!

But here in the US, CNY is just like any other day. No cleaning, no firecrackers, no new clothes.

We did go over to hubs' parents' house on the eve of Chinese New Year for dinner. We went in the early afternoon and snacked until dinner. Then had a huge dinner with noodles, fish, veggies, and roasted pork. After dinner came dessert. Needless to say, I suffered a very bad food coma.

We also received red packets! Yes, hubs and I married and in our 30s and we still shamelessly accept the money and wish it will never end.

Happy Chinese New Year, everyone! Good fortune to you! Have a prosperous year!