Chinese New Year
Following the astrological timing for Chinese New Year, the first day in the U.S. is tomorrow, February 6. In Europe and China, it's February 7. Being in the U.S., we'll be starting the new year tomorrow :)
So, a bit more cleaning up to do here before then...
We did make it to a Chinese store, the one in Amherst. There used to be one in Hadley, but it moved and we don't know where. Got some decorative good luck/happiness couplets to put up outside our apartment door, some new red envelopes, a pommelo grapefruit (really large) and a tangerine to balance on top of it, various and sundry dumplings and buns, as well as some treats like sesame seed candies (those flat rectangles that come stacked in a package).
No really fancy meal tonight, not with still recovering a bit from the strange hours we've been keeping. But the cats and everyone are feeling better and we have a roof over our heads and all the truly needful things like food and clothing, friends and family, so what more do we really need for celebrating?
One of the traditions of the first day of Chinese New Year is that what you do on that day will be a reflection of the sorts of things you'll be doing for the rest of the year. I haven't kept track of that, but some years it seems to be true. So tomorrow I'll make sure to do my exercises (because I want to be fit), some artwork, a bit of studying, take a walk outside if the weather allow, and no doubt other things as well. Without horribly overdoing it, as I'd rather not _ask_ to be any more busy than I usually am :D
I'll be offline tomorrow. L doesn't have a choice, as he's working tomorrow, but First Day is supposed to be celebrated quietly at home, so we'll do the best we can.
Happy New Year, Everyone!
So, a bit more cleaning up to do here before then...
We did make it to a Chinese store, the one in Amherst. There used to be one in Hadley, but it moved and we don't know where. Got some decorative good luck/happiness couplets to put up outside our apartment door, some new red envelopes, a pommelo grapefruit (really large) and a tangerine to balance on top of it, various and sundry dumplings and buns, as well as some treats like sesame seed candies (those flat rectangles that come stacked in a package).
No really fancy meal tonight, not with still recovering a bit from the strange hours we've been keeping. But the cats and everyone are feeling better and we have a roof over our heads and all the truly needful things like food and clothing, friends and family, so what more do we really need for celebrating?
One of the traditions of the first day of Chinese New Year is that what you do on that day will be a reflection of the sorts of things you'll be doing for the rest of the year. I haven't kept track of that, but some years it seems to be true. So tomorrow I'll make sure to do my exercises (because I want to be fit), some artwork, a bit of studying, take a walk outside if the weather allow, and no doubt other things as well. Without horribly overdoing it, as I'd rather not _ask_ to be any more busy than I usually am :D
I'll be offline tomorrow. L doesn't have a choice, as he's working tomorrow, but First Day is supposed to be celebrated quietly at home, so we'll do the best we can.
Happy New Year, Everyone!