Chinese New Year for Us All!

Okay dudes, over 3 billion people can't be wrong, and since im only 1/2, i barely count...hahah! Hapa pride! Actually more than that considering more than just Han descent Chinese folks celebrate Chinese New Year, including Koreans, Tibetans, Mongolians, Vietnamese, Thai, Malaysian, and virtually every country that houses some ethnic Chinese peeps.

Seeped in tea infused tradition, Chinese New Year or Chu Xi, as it translates to "Year-pass Eve", is a 15 day (u heard right!) celebration, of which 7 days are legal holidays, encompassing special foods, and red decorative characters that symbolize significant attributes that we desire in the coming Year of the Tiger (ROAR).

In a country and culture where emotions are not readily displayed, Chu Xi is a time that families separated, due to work necessity, can come together and share some prosperity and cheer. This is the time of the largest human migration, when migrant workers in China and overseas travel to be reunited with their families on Chinese New Year's Eve.

I'll even let you in on a lil secret, since yall love some Bruce Lee, fried rice n eggrolls, orange chicken (some Chimerican food) lets get a lil deeper historically speaking..

As the elders say, a long long long time ago, there was this beast called Nian, who was ferocious and would devour livestock, crops and villages, anything to quell his appetite. Nian would come every new years day and wreck havic like a semi-automatic. Folks use to put a plate of food on their doorstep to keep him from coming inside and eating them. Legend has it that Nian was frightened by a young child who was wearing red, so people began hanging red lanterns, decorations, and painting their doors red to keep Nian away, even lightening fire works to scare him.

Chinese New Year actually marks the arrival of the spring in China, usually around Feb.4th, but it varies every year, as the Chinese calendar differs from the Gregorian.

Here are some cool aspects of the Chinese New Year that you can add to your rituals and customs, making it special for everyone!

New Years dinner is a big festivity, whole fish should be served to represent a surplus amount. Uncut noodles to symbolize longevity, and dumpling, or Jiaozi that represent wealth, also Buddha's feast veggie dish with Gingko nuts, lotus seeds, bamboo, and black fungus that signifies the earth or root. Going to visit relatives and friends decked out in red, bringing them dried fruits and nuts and cakes, giving children "li" little red envelops with crisp dollar bills in them, bangin some firecrackers, lion and dragon drum dance, to chase away evil spirits, are all great ways of celebrating the New Year!

Feb.14, marks the Chinese New Year of the Metal Tiger

The year of the Tiger is traditionally associated with massive changes and social upheaval. Therefore, 2010 is very likely to be a volatile one both on the world scene, as well as on a personal level. But dont trip.. read your personal scope to see what is in store for ya!

The Rat

For those born in the Year of the Rat, year 2010 promises to be an average year for you, while you may suffer from melancholy from time to time, the positioning of the planets in 2010 will benefit the rats and they will most definitely be more self-confident, and be more innovative than before. Excellent news for the lonely rats, year 2010 promises a great love life for you. You will definitely find a lover within the year, and for the ones that are blissfully married, the year will be filled with romantic joy. Time to rejoice in the warmth of love, rats!

The Ox

You should be aware of some conflicts that might happen in the coming year, particularly with the dragons and horses. To avoid these conflicts, remember to keep an open mind and to not judge others without any basis. This year is a good year for you to learn a new language, so, if you have always wanted to pick up a new language before traveling, 2010 would definitely be the best year. Career-wise, those born in the year of the Ox should be aware that in 2010, your working attitude will be slightly lackadaisical and without much buoyed enthusiasm, put in effort to change the attitude.

The Tiger

For their own year, the Tigers will face a surprisingly average year with little ups and downs. While everything will be at your advantage this year, you will find it terribly difficult to find the encouragement and willpower to perform at your very best. Find the encouragement within yourself or you might be faced with plenty of disappointments. 2010 will provide a healthy backdrop for you, for those suffering digestive problems; you will most likely find that situations for you will improve.

The Rabbit

Unfortunately for the Rabbits, 2010 will possibly be a bad year for those who were born in the year of the Rabbit. You will have to work hard to achieve some good in terms of your career, health and love life. Rabbits should look towards philosophy and religion to find some good in the upcoming year. Be prudent, thrifty and stay on the lookout for signs of a business scam, your finances could prove to be a problem this upcoming year.

The Dragon

For those born in the year of the Dragon, it is time for you to apply into some form of school or undertake some courses! Studying in the upcoming year will bring you a considerable amount of success. While you might find yourself getting into some minor conflicts, it is essential for you to stay positive. Your ability to stay positive will lead to a happier and more successful year ahead. It might also be a rocky year ahead for you if you are in a relationship, remember, stay positive and lend a listening ear and you will stay happy.

The Snake

Those born in the year of the Snake are known to be very stubborn. Keep your stubbornness in check; learn to control it and you will find many successes coming towards you in the upcoming year. While it is important to have dreams, try to keep a level-headed mind for the upcoming year or you might end up straying away from reality. Once you’ve kept a level-headed mind, you will find yourself in favorable opportunities in your career, make sure you grab them!

The Horse

Good news for the horses! Year 2010 might be one of the smoothest years for you. You will find bonds between your friends and relatives being built fairly easily. Keep a clear head when making decisions for you will find that plenty of decisions may sound familiar to one another but with very different outcomes. You may also tend to overfeed yourself in the upcoming year so be sure to keep on a healthy diet and exercise regularly.

The Goat

Those born in the year of the Goat will find plenty of wealth opportunities coming their way in 2010. You may end up passing up on a lot of them and making several bad decisions early on in the trimester but it is crucial for you to stay positive and not be disheartened by your losses for more opportunities will be coming for you later in the year. Stay on your feet, be in the company of your loved ones and develop more personal relationships and you will find that the upcoming year might just be your best year yet.

The Monkey

It is essential for the monkey to not be overly emotional in 2010. You will find that not everything will go your way initially. While you might lose some close friends, you have to maintain mental stability to save the broken pieces of the relationship. However, 2010 will provide business opportunities for you. It is the year for you to take risks. Take the risks and you will be rewarded tremendously. Do not rest on your laurels and expect things to happen!

The Rooster

2010 will be a year of competition for those born in the year of the Rooster. In your career, you will face plenty of competition to get up onto a higher rung of the ladder in your company. If you are unattached, you will find competition for someone that you are interested in. Make well-thought out decisions and do not make rash decision. Adopt a positive and hardworking attitude and 2010 might just be a good year for you.

The Dog

There will be ups and downs for the dog in the year 2010. In your career, your lack of respect towards authority might prove to be a downfall for you. Your quest for independence will lead to you having some problems in your love life as well. It is ultimately crucial for you to tone down your brash attitude to find some good in the upcoming year or 2010 will prove to be a year of loneliness for you. Stay friendly!

The Pig

Known to be sentimental creatures, you have to learn to put off your sentimental ways to find some unexpected successes in your line of work and your love life for 2010. The alignment of the stars will bring you utmost luck for the coming year so expect some monetary windfall coming your way. It is important for you to stay away from carbonated drinks in the upcoming year for you will be vulnerable and open to intestinal and digestive problems. However, besides that, 2010 might prove to be a healthy year ahead for you.