Quike

Ok, ok, I swear this is my last post of the day. There have been so many things I've been wanting to share!! When I was sick awhile back ago, co-workers and friends and plenty of medicine and fruit to offer me, to help me to recover. Here was one of them:

Before I take any Chinese Medicine, I usually try to look up the components of the medicine online and label all the boxes, so I know what I'm taking. I guess its kind of immature that I find the name of this medicine funny... But I was taking quickies to make myself feel better. :)

Red Underwear

Apparently, according to Chinese tradition, if it is your zodiac year, meaning the year with the same zodiac symbol as the year you were born, you must wear something red everyday. Yes, every day of the year, all 365 days. The thought is that one's zodiac year is supposed to be one of ill fortune, and to ward off bad luck, you wear something red. Many people choose the form of red underwear.

So this year, being my zodiac year, my aunt was adamant about taking me out to buy red underwear. Hence we undertook the mission of red underwear shopping the 3rd day after the new year. Red underwear is so popular around the new year, that many of the shops we went to were completely sold out of any red underwear, and all the red underwear was more expensive that the other colors.

And guys, you may be laughing, but this rule applies to guys too. There isn't just red underwear for girls, guys are not exempt. In the end, my aunt and I were successful in our mission, and now I am adequately equipped to ward of any bad luck for the year. I wish all of you a year of luck and fortune, and let me know if you're looking for something red to wear. I'll have it shipped from China to you. :)

Happy Rat Year!

Chinese New Year was February 7. I went to Shanghai for a week to see my family, and it was really the first time since I left for the US that I started to get to know my extended family better, and my first time in 20 years to see a Chinese New Year.

Chinese New Years is the equivalent of Christmas for westerners. It is firecrackers, fireworks, food and family. Most Chinese people don't use this time to go on vacation. Rather, they stay at home with their families and share some of the most amazing food I've ever eaten. It is the busiest time of the year for all the restaurants, stores, fruit and flower shops, etc.

For New Years Eve, I went to a restaurant with my Dad's side of the family, where they'd booked a table 3 months in advance. For the next 6 days after, I did nothing but eat - breakfast, lunch, dinner, and whatever else was forced upon me by my family. My uncle on the fouth day after the new year, prepared maybe 30 dishes for 8 people, and we simply sat and ate all day.

By tradition, on New Year's Eve, you eat "nian fan" or dinner for the new year. You spend the first few days visiting your family. On the fourth day after New Year, people go out and visit friends and neighbors, or walk the streets. Here are some pictures of "Qi Bao Lao Jie" or Seven Treasure old street, an old traditional street in Shanghai where they sell Shanghainese delicacies and treats, on the fourth day after the New Year. Enjoy!