退休生活不留白

It’s time to say goodbye to last year.

By the Chinese Calendar, 2008 is the Year of the Rat. The New Year’s day (The Spring Festival) falls on February 7th.

I  spent several days preparing for the big event; cleaning the house, buying gifts, and cooking  festive foods.

I used to have my house cleaned by someone every week. This time I have washed all the curtains and bedding including the sheets, the covers, and blanket used on beds. Everything in the  house seems clean.

"Spring couplets" with blessings and auspicious words are hung up around my house, wishing I will have good fortune, wealth, and longevity in the next year.The paper squares are pasted upside down, representing the "arrival" of spring and the "coming" of prosperous times.

Foods play a large role in festive celebrations. I have Tangerines and oranges, which sound like luck and wealth respectively. Sticky Rice Cake have symbolic significance. The round shape   signifies family reunion. Sweetness symbolizes a rich, sweet life. Serving a whole chicken during the Chinese New Year symbolizes family togetherness. As usual, we have fish on the table,    which means abundance.

I prepare " Lucky money" in red envelopes for my old mother and the nieces and nephews and exchange good wishes.

To stay up all night to welcome the New Year? Of course not, because of my bad quality        sleep.

Happy, healthy and prosperous Chinese New Year of the Rat for all my friends.