#happy cny eve to all who celebrate!
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3 pages of HLVRAI doodles of the team celebrating Chinese New Year.
Tommy contemplates a big bottle of Orange Fanta in a supermarket aisle. His attention gets drawn to Benrey when he hears him call out "Tommy!" excitedly.
Benrey holds out his precious find - a pair of orange-patterned socks - and grins: "nice, eh?"
Separate Scenario: Halfway through new year spring cleaning, Tommy whips out his phone, hit by sudden inspiration to look up rabbit-themed new year phrases fitting for the Rabbit Year.
Meanwhile, Benrey, who is on dusting duty, finds a spider and promptly eats it.
The house is decorated with Chinese New Year decorations, including a potted Pussy Willow plant, small lanterns atop the shoe cabinet, and a chinese "fu" (good fortune) wall hanging decor with a bunny face on it.
Separate Scenario: The Science Team, who were invited to celebrate the new year, lounge in Tommy's living room.
Tommy's Golden Retriever, Sunkist, watches as Joshua, Gordon's son, hangs himself over the edge of the couch gleefully, his shirt riding up over his belly.
Gordon keeps hold of one of his son's ankles to keep him from falling off while he chats with Bubby, the old man standing behind the couch with his weight leaned into the side of it and a hand on his hip.
Benrey, wearing his orange-patterned socks, is slumped over half of the couch with a leg hanging over the back of the couch and the other over the armrest. The back of his head is pressed up against Gordon's back like a headrest as he snacks away at the chocolate coins from a plastic bowl on the coffee table next him. Apart from chocolate, there is also a container of pineapple tarts, a prosperity tray of goodies, and a couple of mandarin oranges on the table.
Meanwhile, Darnold shows off a new potion in a test tube to Dr Coomer, who studies it curiously. Sasha, Darnold's Spore Launcher, sits politely in a front-facing baby carrier worn across Darnold's chest.
As Tommy looks at his friends, he is hit with a sudden realisation.
Wait, did I prepare enough? he panicks internally, thinking about the single red packet he'd prepared for Joshua, the only kid of the bunch. Per tradition, red packets are usually gifted to single family members and children.
All of his friends are unmarried.
End ID.]
Chinese New Year (Eve) be upon ye. Happy CNY to celebrating folks and everyone else :O!!
#self indulgent cny doodles babey#not sure if the orange fanta thing is universal but eh#tommy got benrey to buy a new set of the same clothes so he'd at least be wearing new clothes#hlvrai#hlvrai tommy#hlvrai benrey#hlvrai gordon#hlvrai joshua#hlvrai bubby#hlvrai coomer#hlvrai darnold#hlvrai sunkist#cny#snail's art#id
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ENTRY 3
Gong Xi Fa Cai
Happy Chinese New Year! 🧧
Chinese New Year, one of the biggest events celebrated in Malaysia. On this very occasion many chinese will gather around with their families to eat dinner, drink, bond , gamble and most importantly for us youngsters receiving red packets. I really adore Chinese New Year, I think it’s such a wonderful celebration where all family members and relatives are gathered together as a whole after not seeing each other for some time due to the different locations we’re at. It is such a beautiful culture too, with the lion dances, lanterns, flower markets and so on.
Within my own’s family tradition we would clean up our house a week or so before the actual week of CNY. On “除夕” chinese new year’s eve my parents would wake up early in the morning to pray. They’d usually prepare some fruits, teas and biscuits, and since it’s chinese new year they’d also prepare flowers that will be offered to our god. After making the offerings, my mom would take the flowers and soaked them in a bucket water for us to shower. It is said that showering with flower water helps to cleanse out the bad luck within our body.
*ੈ✩‧₊˚ *ੈ✩‧₊˚ *ੈ✩‧₊˚ *ੈ✩‧₊˚ *ੈ✩‧₊˚ *ੈ✩‧₊˚
CHINESE NEW YEAR EVE, 除夕
Like many other families during the eve we will gather around to have a reunion dinner. My family would go to my dad’s eldest brother’s house for the reunion dinner. We usually stay there till 12 counting down towards “年初一”. While waiting, some of my older relatives will play mahjong while the kids will play with firecrackers outside. Now that i’m older I don’t really play with firecrackers instead I look after my nieces and nephews that are playing.
𖦹⊹ ࣪ ˖✮ 𖦹⊹ ࣪ ˖✮ 𖦹⊹ ࣪ ˖✮ 𖦹⊹ ࣪ ˖✮ 𖦹⊹ ࣪ ˖✮ 𖦹⊹ ࣪ ˖✮
FIRST DAY OF CHINESE NEW YEAR, 初一
The official start of chinese new year, CHOR YAT. On this day itself, my dad would wake us up really early to get ready. Every year we would pick a color theme to match, this year was red. We put on our new clothes and proceed to take pictures for HOURS. After posing for hours, we will once again go to my dad’s eldest brother’s house to gather. Usually on chor yat we are not allowed to eat meat until at least noon, thus they will cook vegetarian meals for us. When all the relatives arrive, that’s where the fun begins (angpao!/j) Each relatives will take turn giving angpao while we wish them. This year we had a newlywed, they made us dance for them in order to get the angpao. Once more, we gather around to take a “全家照” family picture.
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*ੈ✩‧₊˚ *ੈ✩‧₊˚ *ੈ✩‧₊˚ *ੈ✩‧₊˚ *ੈ✩‧₊˚ *ੈ✩‧₊˚
2ND DAY OF CHINESE NEW YEAR, 初二
JAM. I’m so glad I’m not the one driving! It’s always so jam, thank god I’m seated at the back of the car, chilling my way back to Ipoh. Ipoh is not my hometown but my grandfather’s. Every year we’d go back to Ipoh to eat dinner with our relatives. On the way to Ipoh, we would stop by a small town to pray at a temple. By the time we reach Ipoh, it would already be lunchtime. My grandmother and a few other relatives would have already prepared food for those who were arriving later in the afternoon to eat. It usually includes a variety of Hakka Cuisine, two of my favorite dishes are "Kai Choy Fan" and "Haam-Kai". If you ever have any leftovers and don't know what to do with them, make "Kai Choy Fan" however we make them fresh from scratch. This dish is quite versatile I'd say, the choice of meat can be any kind but my family usually either use roasted pork belly or duck. The other pertinent ingredients are "Kai Choy" mustard greens, dried chillies, and dried "Assam Gelugor" tamarind slices. As for "Haam-Kai" its literal translation is salty chicken. If you consider water as one of the ingredients then only 3 ingredients are needed to make this dish. All you have to do is marinate the chicken with salt for a few hours then steam it and voilà it is done. Around 3pm we would check in to our own respective hotel to rest for a bit. However, unfortunately for my dad, when we were younger, me and my sister would always ask to go swim at the hotel pool. Due to this, my dad was not able to take a rest even after the long drive from KL to Ipoh. At 7pm, everyone will gather at a restaurant to eat dinner, when finished we will go back to the "main house". Some of us would gamble, drink, play with firecrackers while others sit around chatting with each other.
*ੈ✩‧₊˚ *ੈ✩‧₊˚ *ੈ✩‧₊˚ *ੈ✩‧₊˚ *ੈ✩‧₊˚ *ੈ✩‧₊˚
3RD DAY OF CHINESE NEW YEAR, 初三
On "Chu San", we will once again jam our way back to KL. For some reason, I always feel like going back to KL took a shorter time compared to when we're going to Ipoh. But in reality, the jam for going back to KL is much much more than going to Ipoh. Nothing much really happens on this day, after unpacking all the stuff when we reach home, my parents would rest a bit before going out for dinner. If they're feeling quirky, we would visit Tian Hou Gong to walk around and pray.
From Chu Si onwards, nothing really goes on anymore. Most of the time we just go to some mall to chill and shop around or we would go to Bentong to pray. Occasionally, we would go to some of our parents' friends' house to "bai nian" and eat dinner. Other than that, we pretty much have nothing to do. That sums up how i celebrate Chinese New Year every year. Although it is not as lively and bustling as other families, I still enjoy it very much and I hope this 'tradition' carries on in future generations.
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Chinese New Year! 新年快乐!
*please note that the information below isn’t celebrated by everyone in the same way. Some customs are more common in northern China rather than southern China and vice-versa.
How to wish someone a Happy Chinese New Year:
1. 新年快乐！Xīnnián kuàilè! - Happy New Year! (This can be used one the first day of the lunar calendar as well as the Gregorian calendar).
2. 新春快乐！Xīnchūn kuàilè! - Happy Spring Festival!
3. 新年好！Xīnnián hǎo! - Hello! (This is how you greet people during Chinese New Year).
When greeting or wishing someone a Happy Chinese New Year, many Chinese people wish their family and friends things like: “I hope you have a happy and healthy family,” “I hope you get a job promotion,” “I hope you have good fortune and pockets overflowing with gold.” Here are some examples:
4. 恭喜发财！Gōngxǐ fācái! - Wish you a successful and prosperous year! (This saying is known well because of this Chinese New Year song you can watch here).
5. 阖家幸福! Hé jiā xìngfú - Wish you a happy family!
6. 事业有成! Shìyè yǒu chéng - Hope you have a successful career!
You can watch this YouTube video or read this article to learn more about how to wish someone a Happy Chinese New Year!
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What is Chinese New Year?
Chinese New Year, also known as lunar new year or the spring festival, celebrates the first day of the new year on the lunar calendar. In 2021, this holiday falls on Friday, February 12! This holiday is the most important holiday to those who celebrate this - its importance can be comparable to how Americans celebrate Christmas.
People have been celebrating Chinese New Year for about 3,500 - 3,900 years. It’s exact origins are unknown, but this tradition is believed to have started in the Shang Dynasty (1600-1049 BC) when people would make sacrifices to the gods and their ancestors towards the end of a year. However, the tradition was recorded and official during the Han Dynasty (202 BC - 220 AD) when Emperor Wu began using the lunar calendar. He chose to follow this calendar because it would let him know when second new moon after the winter solstice was.
Now, many Southeast Asian countries and people besides the Chinese celebrate Chinese New Year such as: Koreans, Vietnamese, Tibetans, etc. However, it is common to not see Japan celebrate Chinese New Year.
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Why do I keep hearing about the Year of the Ox/Cow?
Just like in western culture, there are zodiacs in eastern culture that the Chinese follow. There are 12 zodiacs, and these zodiacs follow a cycle of 12 years. Each new year represents one of the zodiacs.
In order, they are: Rat/mouse, Ox/cow, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.
2021 is year of the Ox/Cow - 2020 was year of the Rat/Mouse - 2019 was Year of the Pig... and so on.
Because each zodiac has its own characteristics, they define a year. Chinese zodiac scholars have said in 2021, Year of the Ox, will be a flip-around positive change. They believe this year will be lucky and that it will be a good time to focus on love and relationships. People who are born in years of the Ox are known to have a lot of endurance, be calm and confident, but are also stubborn.
Just like in western culture, these zodiacs are believed to affect personality, fortune, etc, and instead of getting your zodiac by your birth month, you get your zodiac by your birth year. If you are interested in your Chinese zodiac, you can type in your birthday on this calculator and read about it.
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What happens during Chinese New Year and how long do you celebrate it for? Lantern Festival?
On average, Chinese New Year is celebrated for about 15-16 days (from about New Year’s eve to the first full moon). Preparations start seven days before New Years because stores and restaurants close and people travel to be with their families. Most students are also on their big break during this time - they get off from school around the beginning of january and go back after Chinese New Year. It should also be noted that Northern China and Southern China celebrate the new year differently.
During the preparation period, people go shopping for food and decorations. They also clean the house very well. If living in a different city than one’s family, many people will travel back to their hometown to celebrate with family.
During the New Year’s Eve period, the house is decorated with New Year’s decorations, and there is a reunion dinner with family at the host’s house. Out of all the dinners you have during the year, it is incredibly important you don’t miss this dinner, which is why there are so many issues with travelling during this time. At this dinner, you eat many lucky foods such as dumplings and fish. Also during this time, the older generations will give younger generations something called 红包, which translates to “red envelope.” These envelopes are filled with money and are only given on very special occasions such as new years and weddings. Friends give these to each other, but it is not common at all for a younger generation to give one to an older generation person. There is a custom where families stay up late to “watch over the new year,” which is called 守岁. Late at night, people also like to go to temples to hear the first bells of the new year ring because they believe it will drive away bad luck.
On Chinese New Year’s Day, fireworks go off, families cook and eat large meals together, sacrifices are made to ancestors, etc. (Fireworks are especially important because they believe it will make your business more successful.) One popular tradition you might know of is the dancing lion/dragon parades where people wear a dragon costume and parade through the city. Dragons are very representative of Chinese culture and are thought to bring luck to a community. Lions are a symbol of protection.
For about a week after the first day, most people go visit family and friends. A lot of times people will visit the other side of their family. For example, someone will spend most of the time with their mother’s side of the family during the new year, then during this week, they will go visit relatives of the father’s side.
After that week, most people go back to work. This is around day 8-10. Businesses, restaurants, and stores reopen, and many people leave their hometown to go back to jobs in the city.
Day 15, the final day of Chinese New Year, is the Lantern Festival. On this day, the first full moon of the new year happens. To celebrate, people will light more fireworks, revisit family, eat sweet dumplings (called tangyuan), and participate in the Lantern Festival. People release lit lanterns into the sky to honor dead ancestors. This is called 元宵节.
You can read more here.
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What foods are eaten during Chinese New Year, and what do they represent?
During Chinese New Year, many special foods are eaten, and these are foods that are considered to be lucky and to bring fortune into the new year.
1. Dumplings - represent wealth. Dumplings take hours to make and involve family help. They’ve been eaten for at least 1,800 years and are especially popular in northern China. It is said that the more dumplings you eat during the new year, the more money you will make.
2. Fish - represents prosperity and success. The word “fish” in Chinese sounds like the word “surplus” in Chinese.
3. Glutinous Rice Cake/Nian gao - represents success in your work (more money, better position).
4. Spring rolls - represent wealth. They get their name because they are most often eaten during the Spring Festival which is CNY. This dish is more popular in eastern and southern China.
5. Oranges, tangerines - represents luck and fortune. This is originally a Cantonese custom, but many people grace their tables with citrus fruits. The word for “tangerine” sounds similar to the word for “good fortune” in Chinese.
6. Longevity noodles - represents longevity. These noodles are longer than usual to represent a person’s long and happy life. This is more commonly eaten in northern China. *It should be noted that these are mostly eaten on birthdays but can be eaten during the NY as well.
7. Sweet rice balls/tang yuan - togetherness in family. This food is eaten during the Lantern Festival, the last day of Chinese New Year. The shape and pronunciation is associated with closeness of the family.
8. Snacks - represent a sweet and pleasant life. Any sweet snack like dried fruit, candy, tanghulu is eaten during this time.
When it comes to food during Chinese New Year, there are superstitions about how foods should be prepared and what makes them lucky. You can read more about them here as well as here.
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What kinds of decorations are put up in houses during the new year? What do the colors represent?
1. Spring/door couplets - These couplets originated in the Shu era. As seen in the picture below, you post these on doors in couples - in Chinese culture, even numbers are seen as good luck. On many of these couplets are written wishes or poems for the new year. Each couplet should have the same rhythm and the same number of words.
2. Paper cutting - Translated as “window flower,” these intricate, red paper cutting pieces are placed on windows and often represent the zodiac of the new year or other symbolic animals such as fish, dragons, and phoenixes.
3. Upside down characters/Fortune - Many Chinese people during the new year hang up positive characters such as Fu, which means happiness and good fortune. It is written in calligraphy on a red piece of paper and then put upside down on doors and windows. It is hung upside down because the people want the good fortune to fall down onto them.
4. Red lanterns - These lanterns push away bad luck and are seen during both the Spring and Autumn Festival. They can be hung on trees, outside houses, etc. There are also many styles - they can come in many shapes and have symbols written on them.
5. Kumquat trees - As said before, citruses represent good luck and fortune. People place kumquats and citrus fruits on their tables or decorate their homes with small kumquat trees.
You can read more about decorations here as well as here.
Common colors seen during Chinese New Year are red and gold, but green can also be found.
The color red is not only dominate during Chinese New Year, but it is also very representative of Chinese culture as well. Red signifies fire, good fortune, and happiness. It is representative of good luck, keeps the holiday very joyous, and scares away bad spirits.
Gold or yellow is considered to be a very beautiful color. Gold symbolizes wealth, riches, and prosperity.
Green represents money, harmony, and growth.
Though these are the most common colors, it should be noted that a color combination of green and red is considered to be tacky in Chinese culture.
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What do people wear during Chinese New Year?
On the first day, it is traditional to wear new clothes and new accessories as it symbolizes new beginnings. However, there are people who like to wear sentimental accessories to respect and remember their ancestors.
Some people like to wear traditional Qipao/Cheongsam, Tang Suits, and Hanfu, but many people stick to western clothes like skirts, dresses, and pants. There is also a tradition of wearing lucky, red underwear for New Years.
Tang suits are the most popular to wear during the New Year, Qipao is also popular, but it is often too cold to wear during the winter months. Many people are starting to wear Hanfu again to celebrate the new year, but it isn’t widely accepted yet to wear during the new year.
During the new year, people wear a lot of red and gold. It is important to NOT wear mostly white and/or black. These symbolize death, and white is worn at funerals. Anything that is bright, bold, and upbeat should be fine to wear, but you should go for something that is red.
*If you want to wear something that is traditional Chinese for New Years, please make sure you know about cultural appropriation and know how to wear these properly.
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As there is so much information about Chinese New Year, I cannot possibly tell you all about it in one post. It is truly something that you must experience in your lifetime. It is very beautiful, fun, and there are so many things to do and celebrate. I ask you that you please research this more and look at all the beautiful pictures of food, lanterns, fireworks, etc.
Please stay safe and 新年快乐！
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by Connie Khong
Growing up in a non-typical Chinese household, Chinese New Year always bring about different meaning to me. Why is it different? Because in the eyes of most Chinese in Malaysia at least, I am considered a ‘banana’. It means I’m yellow on the outside and white on the inside. In other words, I only look the part - but inside, I’m not the least bit.
I still speak a sprinkle of Hokkien in my household. And I speak Penang Hokkien so our Hokkien, similar to our cousins in Malacca, is smattered with Bahasa Malaysia. Except unlike a big percentage of my Chinese counterparts, I don’t speak the common Mandarin or the lingua franca of Kuala Lumpur : Cantonese fluently.
Thankfully, my late Papi's’ family is of Hakka-Cantonese descendents and accompanied with TVB dramas growing up, I ended up picking up a bit of Canto here and there. Not the best since I don’t speak it as much, but I can still order some food or drinks and attempt some bargaining at the resident kopitiam - teh c ngalat, mm koi!
I didn’t think my Chinese New Year or me not able to speak Mandarin makes me any less Chinese - until I got older and hung around with other Mandarin-speaking friends. It was only then it came to my realisation that I am a bit different because I lack the ability to read, write and speak the so-called common language and that also meant, there is a whole universe I couldn’t access - which is apparently the license to be true Chinese. Nevertheless, I tried not to let these things bogged me down or define me - after all we still held some traditions or must-do things and practices which still hold dear to me - as a true blue Chinese or not.
So here are some things I do know about Chinese New Year!
1. Apa tu makan besar Chinese New Eve?
- Similar to your malam Raya, this homecoming dinner is THE essence of the storyboards you see in most of the Chinese New Year ads. Everyone will gather once a year to catch up with each other. Even if you don’t talk throughout the 365 days, it’s definitely NOT fine to skip the reunion dinner (don't be disrespectful to the food!). This is where the ‘how are you’, ‘when are you getting married and when are you having kids’ questions will be bombarded. But really, whether you’re true blue Chinese or a yellow banana, this means family quality time of coming together - of homecoming. Which is why the dinner is known as reunion dinner, 团圆饭 (tuan yuan fan).
Over the years, I am learning more important vocabulary because it carries much meaning to the things I celebrate and helps me connect with it better - with my roots and to appreciate it all the more.
2. Pantangs are real!
- Well, I’m a second generation Christian and honestly, most pantangs don’t or shouldn’t really apply lah. For your infomation, second generation Christian means that your parents are the first to believe in the household and you’re the second to follow after them. Well, for my household, more than beliefs, it has been customary that we keep to making sure
a) we have lots of red things in the house
b) spring clean wayyyyy before the 1st day of Chinese New Year and that means
c) not sweeping the floor especially on the 1st day (my late Papi insisted on it but my mother cheekily suggested to vacuum this one year when she forgot to spring clean the few days before)
d) putting the (fake) plum blossoms or any other spring items and decorations up
e) the word ‘fuk’ is placed upside down at the door or walls.
3. The upside down ‘Fuk’
Hahaha, nope, not THAT F word but fuk 福. I may not be able to read a lot of Chinese characters because I’m a Kebangsaan kid since primary - but this is one of the few that I know by heart. We will place it upside down and not right side up to invite all the fortune, luck and happiness into the household and then, pour it out to all the guests that enters and leave the household. Another reason why I remember it is because it’s also the same character used for Hok in Hokkien.
4. Khong Family CNY Signature Dish
- Not all family serve the same food you know? Like how we have different versions of Laksa, different household serve different must-have dishes : special to that group. For example, Jiu Hu Char (Stir fried yambean with dried cuttlefish) is a must in my Hokkien household and because we have our Hakka grandmother on my late Papi’s side, we also serve these gorgeous Kau Bak or Khew Yuk : Hakka marinated 5 spice pork belly, steamed with round yam. They are sooooo good - our go-to signature Khong CNY dish!
We would plan what to prepare for Eve, First Day and back then when my Papi and his parents were still around, the 2nd Day family lunch as well. Usually First Day are more vegetarian friendly - because we have had so much meat on the Eve and for the religious ones, they will observe 1st and 15th of the month as vegetarian days so it’s only apt that we try to incorporate more vegetable options as well.
And food have good meanings to them as well - onomatopoeia! So, it’s really common to find Mandarin oranges, pistachios, fish, and certain vegetables like mushrooms because in their Chinese pronunciations, they sound like words that means happiness, gold, prosperity, luck and the likes. That’s why they are a must-serve during Chinese New Year and even more on other auspicious days for the Chinese community like weddings!
5. Red Packets - angpow mana?
- Contrary to popular beliefs, not everyone gets angpow and not everyone gives. The golden rule of thumb, is that if you’re married, then you have to start giving. Because it means, you’re finally an adult and is able to pass on the (financial) blessings to others - especially the younger ones. Well, the amount is up to you - but it really depends on the economy (nowadays, the minimum has increased from the heyday of RM2 per couple or per pax to about RM5 or RM10 these days) but, to be honest, it’s the thoughts that really counts. And while married couples generally don’t receive, their parents still can give to them if they want to. While unmarried older relatives can give money, they don’t put them in red packets. Then there are some practices where the younger but already working siblings will give to their older siblings as a form of respect. Though this is not as common, it’s being practiced. But generally, any older relatives can start giving - and yes, even you - the twenties and thirties year olds, if you’re working and if you have younger cousins or nephews and nieces, you can give them as well. Just don't put them in red packet if you’re not married yet.
6. #OOTD: Colour to wear
- The obvious colour would definitely be red! But anything that represents prosperity, money, luck is good too. So colours like gold, orange (because in Chinese pronunciation, it means gold), green and blue. If these colours are too strong for your liking, you can even opt for pink and salmon. Contrary to popular belief, we don’t all wear cheongsams or samfus during the celebrations anymore. It’s not really a common practice but it's still fun to put it on for the occasion! While most people these days are not as superstitious, to be safe, black and whites are a no-no as they are seen as inauspicious and related to funerals.
7. Balik kampung time!
It’s a common practice for the community to travel or make their way back to their hometown. I believe it’s the same for most of our non-Chinese friends when it comes to their day of celebration. I mean, it only makes sense to head back to where your grandparents and extended relatives are at - and for some, where you grew up in. If you’re married, you would have to follow your husband to celebrate 1st day at his parents’ place and only to return on 2nd day to yours. It's really all about planning so you can celebrate with each other’s family.
8. WIND AND WATER
And this brings me to my 8th (which also sounds like fatt (prosper) in Cantonese) and last point. It’s apt for me to end with feng shui - synonym to all things superstitious Chinese. And how specific dates bring extra ong and huat to you (dates to get married or return to work, hoi gong in Cantonese) in hopes that choosing a good day to do things, it will make everything go well.
For others who believe in feng shui and the likes, the zodiacs and fortune telling is also another important thing to start the year with. Some say if your zodiac is the zodiac year or is against the Taisui (something like a guardian God overseeing people’s fortunes) for that year, you’re going to have a very tough year ahead.
So yes, that wraps up a few of the things I know. I am still trying to learn and reconnect with things that most, if not all, Chinese that still practices even up to this day. And to me, the most important thing is family and homecoming. That’s really the essence of Chinese New Year which lasts until the 15th with more mini celebrations in between such as Everybody’s Birthday (Yan Yat) on the 7th and pai ti gong by the Hokkien community on the 9th and the end of it all, Chap Goh Meh on the 15th night where the singles will head out to the river/seaside to throw oranges with number in hopes to find their potential partner.
So, join us welcome the new year in the lunar/Chinese calendar. And no, for the last time, you can be a Christian / Muslim / Buddhist etc and still celebrate Chinese New Year because you’re still CHINESE.
From all of us at Kekabumi to your family, we would like to wish you a Huat-derful Chinese New Year and may this year brings you lots of joy and prosperity!
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As I’ll be busy on the eve and on the actual day, I thought I would send out early Chinese New Year greetings to all who celebrate, and especially to you @chuchu990 and @robertsmugdens. Xin Nian Kuai Le! Gong Xi Fa Cai!
The year of the Pig starts on 5 February 2019. If you’re born between these dates, you’re a Pig!
27 January 1971 - 24 February 1972 (Metal/Gold Pig)
13 February 1983 - 1 February 1984 (Water Pig)
31 January 1995 - 18 February 1996 (Wood Pig)
18 February 2007 - 6 February 2008 (Fire Pig)
5 February 2019 - 24 January 2020 (Earth Pig)
Below is a little bit of info on one of the CNY traditions we practice.
Instead of presents, we give out red packets (hong bao in Mandarin or ang pow in Hokkien) containing money. By giving these red packets, we hope to pass on a year of good fortune and blessings. Married couples give it to their own children and to children of their relatives and friends. Technically, as long as you’re unmarried, you can receive red packets, so some couples will give it to their unmarried friends too. If you’re married, or an adult earning money, you also give red packets to your parents and grandparents as a blessing for long life and as a show of gratitude.
I always looked forward to CNY when I was a kid because of the $$$ I would amass … CNY is celebrated for 15 days, plenty of time to collect lots of red packets. Now it’s the other way round, CNY means forking cash out!
My ang pow’s are packed and ready! HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR!
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QZGS | The King’s Avatar Translation: Glory Alliance CNY Special Edition
What will you be doing over CNY break?
Interviewer: Ye Xiu
(Source in reblog.)
Yu Wenzhou: Planning to go on a trip.
Ye Xiu: Where?
YWZ: It doesn’t really matter where. The main thing is to get out of town and relax for a bit.
YX: And also consider Blue Rain’s tactics for the next half of the season?
YWZ: That’s a possibility.
Huang Shaotian: Speaking of Chinese New Year, it obviously has to include watching the CNY Gala; how can we miss out on such an important event? You can’t even keep up with the times if you don’t watch the gala while complaining about it. The entire country’s comedians are seething, and watching the host spitting out old jokes is one of the must-sees. I bet this year, somebody’s bound to ask which company has the best excavator-operation techniques.* And then there’s the firecrackers! But the smog is bit too much this year, so for environment’s sake, switch to electronic firecrackers instead.
Ye Xiu: No firecrackers out there can possibly be louder than you.
(*The original phrase “挖掘机技术哪家强” which literally translates to “which company/school has the best techniques in operating an excavator” is a meme that stemmed from a Chinese advertisement broadcasted in 2014.)
Wang Jiexi: Going home and preparing new year’s presents for my younger brothers and sisters.
Ye Xiu: What a considerate brother you are. That must mean the members of Tiny Herb will also be receiving presents from you, huh?
WJX: Of course.
YX: Other than that, are there any special people that you have prepared presents for?
WJX: Qiao Yifan. Even though he’s no longer a member of Tiny Herb, I still want to congratulate him on his growth, and I hope that he’ll improve even more in the new year.
Qiao Yifan: Even though I shouldn’t relax during vacation, Luo Ji and I have decided to keep in touch over the holidays. Ghost Boundaries still require a lot of improvement.
Ye Xiu: Very good. The future of Team Happy can be completely placed in your hands.
QYF: If it’s possible, I wish I can bother qian-bei, perhaps there’ll be some questions I’d like to ask.
YX: Adequate amount of rest is necessary. There are a lot of qian-bei available; whose phone number would you like to get?
QYF:……
Zhang Jiale: Every CNY I’d play with some fireworks and film it, so this year will probably be about the same.
Ye Xiu: I’ve heard that if you make a wish before you light the fireworks, your wish will come true.
ZJL: I don’t believe in that.
YX: At this point, you’re probably one of the few people who don’t.
Zhou Zekai: Going home…
Ye Xiu: You should always say something lucky during Chinese New Year; what will you say?
ZZK: Hmm… Happy new year.
YX: Then can you say something more to everyone here?
ZZK: Sure…… Everyone, happy new year.
Zhang Xinjie: Since many people play with firecrackers over CNY celebration, the quality of sleep will be somewhat impacted. So I’ve prepared earbuds and videos of 21 matches from last year’s championships. If I can’t fall asleep at my normal time, I’ll analyze in details the 21 matches.
Ye Xiu: Will you write about the first half of the championship for the year-end summary?
ZXJ: The first half of the championship is only until the 19th match; it has nothing to do with year end.
Sun Zheping: I’ve booked a new year’s eve meal at the Holiday Hotel and I’m planning to bring my entire family to enjoy it.
Ye Xiu: Will you stay at the hotel at night, too?
SZP: The family suite on the 68th floor; you can view the entire city and the new year fireworks display.
YX: Zhang Jiale lights fireworks every year; will you be able to see it as well?
SZP: You’re overthinking this.
Wei Chen: I’ve called up a few old friends and we’re planning to have some drinks.
Ye Xiu: Will you call up some of the retired pro-players to catch up?
WC: As a special pro-player who went through the process of retiring, making a comeback, and then winning the championships, they will most likely feel a sense of loss before me.
YX: I didn’t think you’d be so considerate of others.
WC: It’s been decided! I’ll now go give these old geezers a call, hahahahaha!
Chu Yunxiu: I’m planning to binge-watch all the dramas I’ve missed during the matches.
Ye Xiu: With only a few days of break, there’s probably not enough time, is there?
CYX: I’ll try my best.
YX: I believe in you.
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Sneak Peak!
Some of you guys might know that I’m currently writing KFP fics based on Chinese holidays/festivals. The next main festival is Chinese New Year, and Chinese New Year Eve is when family members return to their hometowns and have a reunion dinner. This fic is based on Chinese New Year Eve, which will be out on CNY Eve. Note that I haven’t check through the piece yet, so it might (just might) be pretty bad. Nevertheless, enjoy the snippet.
“Alright guys, we’re done with today. Take the next three days off and enjoy your return to your hometowns. Dismiss.” Po concluded his teachings with the Furious Five, who bowed at their current teacher before exiting the hall. It was New Year’s Eve, and the Furious Five were given three and a half days off so they can return to their hometown for the celebration. On the way to the student barracks, The Five chatted loudly. Well, except for Tigress, who stayed silent throughout the whole journey.
“Tigress, aren’t you excited for the New Year?” Viper asked enthusiastically at Tigress, who only shrugged.
“Not much. I mean, Master Shifu and I are the only one’s in the Jade Palace, and we don’t do much. The closest that we were to celebrate it was when the two of us had our dinner together during New Year’s Eve, that’s all.” The rest of the Five looked at each other, then at Tigress sadly. Just then, Po approached behind the small crowd.
“What’s with the sad faces?” Po asked the group, who got sighs from the four warriors.
“She has never celebrated New Year before.” Monkey told Po, who later on looked at Tigress sadly.
“Come on guys, it’s not that bad, it’s just New Year,” Tigress said annoyingly.
“I know! Why not join my dads and I for the New Year celebration? We are going to celebrate the New Year’s Eve with the pandas back at the village, and Lei Lei would be happy to see you! I’ll go look for Master Shifu for permission.” Po ran off towards the Dragon Grotto, assuming that Master Shifu would be meditating there. Tigress sighed and entered the student barracks, while the rest of the Five just stared at the panda who was running.
“Can someone tell me what’s going on?” Mantis asked, only to receive shrugs from the four. They then dismissed the thought and entered their rooms.
Po reached the Dragon Grotto, panting heavily. He saw Master Shifu meditating under the dragon, and didn’t want to disturb him. Just as he was about to leave, Master Shifu stopped him.
“Po, I know you’re here, what do you need?” Po turned around but he didn’t saw Master Shifu. He turned back and there Master Shifu was, standing on his stuff.
“How?” Po looked at Master Shifu, amused. “Nevermind. I just wanted to ask would you and Tigress like to join my dads and me for New Year’s Eve dinner. Would you want to?” Po asked, even though he already know the answer. “It’s alright if you said no, I just wanna ask…” He then turned his back against Master Shifu, feeling ashamed at his question.
With Master Shifu being Master Shifu, he would most probably reject my invitation… why did I even bother asking him…
Master Shifu eyed Po suspiciously since that is not what a man should do, bring someone other than their family members to their hometown on this day. But with Po being Po, Master Shifu thought that he genuinely wants Tigress to experience what a proper reunion dinner was about.
“Well Po, I don’t see why not.” Po couldn’t believe what he heard his master had said. He looked at Master Shifu in disbelieve.
“Really Master Shifu? Are you and Tigress joining us?” Master Shifu hopped down from his staff and walked towards Po.
“Only Tigress would be going with you, panda. I have to remain in the Jade Palace since the others are returning to their hometown. I suppose it would be a good experience for Tigress since she hasn’t exactly celebrated New Year’s Eve before.” Master Shifu walked slowly towards the center of the grotto and sat down under the dragon. “If you don’t have any more questions, please leave. I want to meditate. Don’t disturb me.”
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A month in a nutshell: January
So January!
New year but I don’t know why it is becoming less and less exciting as the years go by. Maybe because I am older and now realise that time really does go too quickly, and with time comes age... I am approaching the end of my teen years, and that is truly tragic for me. It is another sign that I am aging. I can’t believe it sometimes, maybe because I am really tiny in terms of height (and weight to be honest) and I have quite a young looking face (I think), and maybe my fashion sense... I do like youthful looks, but I have been kind of upgrading my wardrobe and slowly transforming my dress sense I feel, I do feel like I wear more neutral colours now and as well as that I tend to stick to a similar fashion sense, just different colours/patterns. But essentially it is the same pieces of clothing that I have now mastered how to wear, haha. Alright that’s enough for my ‘deep-new-year’ speech, heh. Now onto some of the events that happened in the first month of 2017...
Not a good start because my sister was kind of sick for like a week or something and because I sleep in the same room as her guess who also got a little sick. Not even just me, like my whole family were iffy for like two weeks. Stupid sister sleeping in the living room and spreading her germs in the common areas... Goodness gracious. But also good because if she slept in the room she kept coughing and I couldn’t sleep so...
An important thing that happened was definitely the exams I had. Goodness, who even thought for three seconds that January exams were a good idea because I certainly don’t think so. I mean, I though a Christmas holiday is supposed to be in place for you to have a break and, I don’t know, maybe celebrate Christmas? Or is that too scandalous? I did spend my Christmas very well and out of the house for many many days but that also meant intense cram sessions afterwards and a sudden realisation that I really didn’t learn much from that term and that even though I had written a substantial amount of notes, I really didn’t know what it all meant 100%... Brilliant... So I did my MPS exam. Not as bad as anticipated. I expected to be running out of time because there were three exam questions to do in three hours (?) but actually I ended up furiously writing and almost rushing through the first section then doing the second section pretty slowly in order to not seem like I finished the exam so quickly. Second exam, microeconomics. Also not as bad as anticipated in hindsight, also finished early (very early). The last essay question on an example of a firm that operates in perfect competition stumped me a little because I was frantically trying to think of a company that do not earn profit in the long run. It may not even be right, but I ended up writing about charities. I get my exam results on 20th Feb, so lets all pray for little Cindy that she’s done okay.
While we’re still on the topic of university, a great achievement for me was getting a little scholarship for this year! £2k for my exceptional grades for IB, very chuffed about that, woohoo. And with the costs of university going up and up, we’re going to need all the money we can get to be honest. Every penny counts haha.
I also went out to see my friend, the hoe, this month. I went over to visit her at her university since I hadn’t started term yet. We went out for a cute pizza express brunch. My first time eating at pizza express actually. Funny thing is the only reason why we went was because she had a 40% discount code that was ending that week, so we were like “gotta go eat cheap food”. And we did. I had a very nice pizza and the amazing dough balls like oh my they were the best. A very nice price of like £7 something altogether for my meal. So cheap, so yummy. Delish.
Okay so this month my sister and I also did a binge watch and major throwback to Sailor Moon (eng dub). Ah, it is still as amazing as I remembered it. Unfortunately, there is eng dub only until episode 80 something so we haven’t finished watching it because we’re reluctant to switch to the Japanese (original) version. I’ll see if I ever go back to watch the rest of the first and only anime I’ve watched. We also watched some Sailor Moon movies, brilliant. I also re-watched Disney’s Hercules movie, I’ve watched it so many times like legit but it is still so amazing despite knowing the story inside out. Another movie I watched during my five-hour break with my friend in uni was A Street Cat Named Bob. Such a great storyline, we were so into it haha, just casually streaming a movie off her laptop while waiting for our tutorial.
I also tried to read a book, I started reading The Catcher in the Rye. However, I got to like chapter three and the storyline was really not moving along and I was losing both interest and patience, so I stopped reading it, unfortunately. I’ve heard good things about this novel and that it’s a classic and everything, but I am very impatient when reading books and lose interest so easily like it’s not even funny.
Big highlights were definitely CNY eve dinner and 初二 dinner at my granddad’s. Ate too much food, too much meat, but very nice. It was nice to see my granddad so happy and energised because we all came over to celebrate the holidays with him.
Something that MUST be mentioned is the fact that Kai Tsang (Bubzbeauty’s cousin) THANKED ME on his Instagram live! I commented something like “your voice is amazing” I can’t really remember, and because he was reading comments just then, he said “thanks Cindy” and I almost screamed like I’M CINDY, THAT’S ME, HE THANKED ME! (Senpai noticed me BIG WHOOP).
I also started some new modules for the new term: macroeconomics, accounting and FOCUS (basically MPS 2.0 which is horrific). Accounting is not that bad and macroeconomics is slowly getting more and more interesting which is good.
And FINALLY I’ve been avidly doing driving lessons because my test is early February. I am getting pretty nervous for it now but I hope I can pass first time around (so very unlikely).
Alrighty that’s it for one month. I feel like I’m writing more and more for these monthly issues. This is over 1.1k words which is staggering. I mean, I’m actually doing something with my life, like isn’t that an achievement in itself? Haha, okay anyways, until next month.
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