Between Chinese New Year and watching the Olympics I have ignored the Blog this week. So first I'll start with - Chinese New Year! I of course have known CNY existed and that it fell early in the year after our New Year, but that was really all I knew. Living in Singapore I have learned more about CNY and experienced it a little. The actual day was Sunday, February 14th. The eve of CNY is significant, it is the day when you visit family. Singapore is 70% Chinese and the country gives 2 consecutive days off to everyone - because CNY fell on a weekend the days off were Monday and Tuesday. The actual holiday is 2 weeks long, some Chinese take the whole time off, even some businesses. CNY is full of traditions all intended to help you have good luck in the new year - what to eat (sweet not savory), what to wear (why red of course), what numbers to use (no 4's that means death, even numbers especially 8 are lucky). Our street is approximately half Chinese and half expats. It's a nice mix - on Monday I heard drums so I followed the noise to the end of the street and there was a dragon dance. Having a dragon dance at your home or business gives you good luck! It was fun to watch. Later in the week Eric and I saw a dragon dance in the mall at Long John Silver's - guess they want good luck, too!
An added bonus for the CNY was a college friend from our SFA days, Rick Gregory came to visit with his wife Hanizah and their 10 year old son Jaren. Rick has been living in Kuala Lumpur (KL), Malaysia for the past 20 years. It was great to catch up with Rick, to get to know Hanizah better and to meet Jaren.
Okay my good news - the ship with our container on it is due in Singapore tomorrow!! Keep your fingers, toes, legs, etc.. crossed that it really arrives. The moving company has tentatively set our unpacking day for Wednesday the 24th. Please let it be so!
Happy New Year and may you all have much good luck in the year of the Tiger!
Tracy
year of the Rat :)
PS Since moving the blog to blogspot I've heard via e-mail from people they like they new blog - but no one has made a comment.
