Sunday, January 29 - Chinese New Year

There's always something going on at the malls here. Today it was music! These musicians, dressed in red for Chinese New Year, drew quite a crowd.
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Gong Xi Fa Cai! A happy and prosperous new year! Today is the first day of the Chinese New Year, and I've already broken one of the traditions. I'm such an American...

This afternoon I was helping my student get the house cleaned up for her parents' return from a trip they took. Well, little did I know that sweeping on the first day of the new year is considered to be very unlucky because it increases one's chances of accidentally sweeping away the new year's good luck and fortune.

These ladies are making ang pow, envelopes that are filled with money and given to single adults and children. The one being made here is probably meant more for adults.
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Granted, this Chinese tradition is slightly superstitious in nature (as are many of them), so I'm not too concerned. ;-) But now I know why I didn't see anyone else sweeping their front porches!

Yesterday I went downtown with some friends to see the Petronas towers again and check out the New Year activities that were going on. Because it's Chinese New Year, many Chinese people living in the city have traveled to their hometowns to visit with family, and so the streets are relatively empty! The traffic seems a little more like Columbus, Ohio these last couple days...kind of. :-)  Naturally, it's much easier to get around!

Here's a shot of ang pow that's more likely being made for a child.
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At the mall inside Petronas there were musicians playing traditional Chinese music, which was really cool to hear. I wish there was a way to upload the video I took so you could hear it too. Really neat...

There were also women making ang pow, little red envelopes that are given to children and singles from married couples. Inside the envelope is money, usually in amounts of 2s (to represent a "fruitful" and wealthy life). They were only RM1 each (about 25 cents!), so of course I had to buy one!

This is the ang pow I bought. Those of you who know me won't be surprised by the design I chose!
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Last night I was out taking a walk around the neighborhood and got a chance to witness some of the New Year's festivities. Many people were out on the front porches (their driveways, really) playing cards and socializing. Other driveways displayed altars topped with oranges and lighted candles - burning incense to ancestors and praying for financial prosperity, I think.

Before last night, these altars were in their front rooms; for New Year's Eve they moved them to their driveways. I guess that's so the smoke can get into the air and reach their ancestors more easily... Very strange, but very interesting! Getting to see all these things is one of the great advantages of living in a Chinese suburb. :-)