The Ox is Here!

Xin Nian Kuai Le!!!

As I have been so interested lately with the whole thing.. I've gathered some facts with regards to the Chinese New Year Celebration:

Chinese new year 2009 falls on 26th of January, 2009. The Chinese New Year is celebrated as the symbol of spring's celebration. In fact in China the Chinese New Year is still called the Spring festival. It is celebrated after the fall harvest and before the spring planting season. The date of the Chinese New Year is always changing and is dependant on the Chinese calendar. Emperor Huangdi in the year 2637 B.C.E invented the Chinese calendar.

source: http://www.123chinesenewyear.com/chinesenewyear/2009.html

here's some more from Wikipedia:

Mythology:

According to tales and legends, the beginning of Chinese New Year started with the fight against a mythical beast called the Nian or "Year" in Chinese. Nian would come on the first day of New Year to devour livestock, crops, and even villagers, especially children. To protect themselves, the villagers would put food in front of their doors at the beginning of every year. It was believed that after the Nian ate the food they prepared, it wouldn’t attack any more people. One time, people saw that the Nian was scared away by a little child wearing red. The villagers then understood that the Nian was afraid of the color red. Hence, every time when the New Year was about to come, the villagers would hang red lanterns and red spring scrolls on windows and doors. People also used firecrackers to frighten away the Nian. From then on, the Nian never came to the village again. The Nian was eventually captured by Hongjunlaozu, an ancient Taoist monk. The Nian became Hongjunlaozu's mount.

Greetings:

Happy New Year

simplified Chinese: 新年快乐; traditional Chinese: 新年快樂; pinyin: Xīnnián kuàilè; Hokkien POJ: Sin-nî khòai-lo̍k; Cantonese: san1 nin4 faai3 lok6. A more contemporary greeting reflective of western influences, it literally translates from the greeting "Happy new year" more common in the west. But in northern parts of China, traditionally people say simplified Chinese: 过年好; traditional Chinese: 過年好; pinyin: guònián hǎo instead of simplified Chinese: 新年快乐, to differentiate it from the international new year. And 過年好 can be used from the first day to the fifth day of Chinese new year.

Congratulations and be prosperous :simplified Chinese: 恭喜发财; traditional Chinese: 恭喜發財; pinyin: Gōngxǐ fācái; Hokkien: Keong hee huat chye (POJ: Kiong-hí hoat-châi); Cantonese: Gung1 hei2 faat3 coi4; Hakka: Gong hei fat choi, which loosely translates to "Congratulations and be prosperous". Often mistakenly assumed to be synonymous with "Happy new year", its usage dates back several centuries. While the first two words of this phrase had a much longer historical significance (legend has it that the congratulatory messages were traded for surviving the ravaging beast of Nian, although in practical terms it may also involve surviving the harsh winter conditions), the last two words were added later as ideas of capitalism and consumerism became more significant in Chinese societies around the world. The saying is now commonly heard in English speaking communities for greetings during Chinese New Year in parts of the world where there is a sizable Chinese-speaking community, including overseas Chinese communities that have been resident for several generations, relatively recent immigrants from Greater China, and those who are transit migrants (particularly students).

Good Fortune, Good Luck and Prosperity for all of us this Year of the Ox!!

Welcome 2008

So again for the "Nth" time I get to spend New Year's Eve in the same boring way I've been spending it for the last years. Boring because its NOTHING, as in zip, nada, zero, compared to how I spent New Year back in Manila.. Besides its freezing cold, so I am pretty much bundled up with layers of clothes, gloves and socks, while I'm just here inside our house. Funny how it was completely different since my cousin in Manila was in shorts! So this year I decided to at least give it a shot do something fun.

My friend at work gave me three small bottles of vodka and one tequila. So before leaving work I got a 7up since I know I am not prepared to get drunk on New Year's Eve so I don't have anything at home to go with my alcohols. Sunday, I went to Target to buy some dvds since that's really my plan.. To bleed my eyes from watching movies all day and night. I got four dvds: three comedies: Knocked Up, Old School and Evan Almighty; and a classic: Breakfast at Tiffany's.

I started my first bottle at around 8pm while watching Knocked Up. I was so surprised on how I was able to finish it in less than an hour. Pretty boring if you're drinking by yourself, made me look like I am an alcoholic or something!! To cut it short, yup I got drunk.. Way before the clock hits 12 am! I cannot believe it! I wasn't up to welcome the New Year! Good thing my aunt called us and I woke up because of it. But I still cannot even stand at least I have my eyes open. And close it again in less than a minute..

What a bummer! I have always welcomed every new year sober, maybe got a few drinks but not asleep. I guess there's always a first time.. And that's how I welcome the new year..

My Best of 2007.. Part II

Although I only had 10 days spent in Manila last summer, I believe I have more tha 300 pics taken. I cannot believe how I convince myself not to get a haircut!! Here's some more shots:

*** Villa Escudero, with Ivy...***
*** and the rest of us..***
*** Joaquin's 1st Bday @ Hard Rock, with my sister and cousins***

*** last pic with Mia and her baby Bea**
*** Joaquin with my mom***

There's more pictures that I wanted to share.. Be right back to post the third part!!

My Best of 2007 .. part I

These are the highlights of my 2007:

*** My April 2007 Manila trip.. part I***