Gung Hay Fat Choy - Year of the Tiger!

The Chinese New Year is the biggest holiday for Chinese in the year. If there is any time you need to be with family, it is during this time. My family mainly lives in Victoria so that is where we went over the weekend. Chinese New Year so happen to fall on Valentine's Day. I thought about Valentines but didn't do anything. This past weekend was all about Chinese New Year.

In our family, we celebrate with a big feast on the Eve, which was Saturday this year. We all feasted on hot pot with all the good stuff like seafood, pork and fish balls, tofu, spinach, mushrooms - everything you would want in a hot pot. We ate until we were silly. That night, I tasted a bit of alcohol for the first time in almost 2 years. It was kind of gross. Then there was lobster, chocolate chip cookies that we bought, and lots of oranges! There was also traditional fried goodies of all sorts. All the married people had to give out red envelopes (lai see) to all the unmarried people who are younger, as well as the parents. Since we have been married for awhile, we had to give out a lot and of course, we never got any in return - until Tristan arrived! We will be depositing all his lai see money in his account :) Lucky baby!

On New Year's day, we were always told to be in our best behavior because what happens on that day will affect your whole year. Also, if at all possible, there is to be no cleaning at all and no hair washing. You can't take medicine either, unless you are terribly ill. You must wear new clothes as well. This was what we all grew up to so even to this day, I try to do many of those things. Because we live away from home and don't see family much, I feel as though tradition is slowing dying in the family. There are some things which my parents cook every year that is tradition in the family but I have no idea how to make it. I probably should learn how though. It's nice to have tradition but it just a shame we're not a very close family.

Tristan was cranky on New Years. He went to sleep late and didn't sleep well because the environment was different and it was noisy in the house. His running nose seemed to be worst as well. All is fine and dandy now that we have been home a day. Jean-Louis was also in a sour mood that day. He woke up early with Tristan and if Tristan is crabby, then he will be too. Jean-Louis broke the toilet and then there was a flood. So much for not cleaning on New Years. He swore throughout the day, he yelled, he was grumpy all day like he was mad at someone - he was on a role to condemn his whole year! What a pity considering he is a Tiger and this was suppose to be his year:( My day was a bit better, although I felt another cold coming and I was super tired.

This past weekend made me realize that going away and breaking our routine is not something I enjoy at all. I love being routine and boring because it makes our lives easier. That in turn means we are not crabby and life is more pleasant this way. Luckily, we don't go off routine too often. I seriously think routine has been our secret weapon for survival in the first year with Tristan.