Chinese New Year!

OMG OMG OMG this is so hectic and exciting! Crackers and fireworks are being lit off as we speak as we approach 2009 according to the Chinese calendar!

I’ve been lucky enough to experience this first hand this year, after finishing Year 13 of Grammar School, and spending this vacation with relatives in China!

OMG I can’t hear my thoughts. Big BOOMS outside. When my uncle rang from Indonesia, I couldn’t even hear what he was speaking! It’s that loud!

In the morning, at 5am, my Da Jiu Ma, came with Grandpa’s ashes. It had needed to be before sunrise. My little sister was a little sick and threw up. I somehow stumbled asleep again. I woke up at 10am. I got ready for the day, by brushing and all, and went into the other room to check out Grandpa. I felt a little sad seeing his smiling face. But I had to be happy and strong, for I promised my uncle.

His photo is so sincere feeling. He is looking to the left in the photo and is smiling gently. A typical smile from Grandpa. It brings warmth to me when I see his face (and sadness :()

A few moments later, my Aunt came, as she had to help prepare the dumplings. We ate breakfast together and I kept looking at Grandpa’s picture, a little scared but I wasn’t a little too. I went back on the computer and then after a while my Grandma reminded me to put some incense for my Grandpa. The incense has a sweet smell and is purple. It smelt nice but a little spicy for the eyes. My Grandma slept a little and I put incense for my Grandpa. I had to make them even apart and make them all flat and even, as this is ‘ping ping an an’ meaning peacefulness. I then called my mum’s mobile as they were in Xiao Ye Aunt’s house (as my mum asked Na Na is they wanted to come over for New Years but they said they will celebrate themselves, so my parents went to Xiao Ye and her mum’s house to celebrate (with Xiao Zhang Aunt)

I asked my Aunt if she needed help with the dumplings, however she didn’t need help as I was told to just be nice. My little sister was still a little unwell. I saw the ‘Pu Sa’ that my Grandma keeps and saw the spiraling incense. It’s meant to last a long time. (It’s currently 12am and there is still some left). I saw at around 12pm. (So twelve hours!)

Anyway, then Huang Yi called asking for some lock for Lu Tian Yi. I got it off the luggage. Then Aunt said she had to leave and help with Yaoyao’s Na Na too. I feel Aunt is working very hard and she needs more time for herself. She said she’ll pick up my laptop from Tianjin train station and I don’t want her anymore a little because she is always busy helping everyone. She needs to take some time for herself. Da Jiu Ma and Mao Mao came and helped with some stuff in the Kitchen.

Anyway, Aunt left and then Lu Shu Shu rang. He was downstairs and I put on Da Jiu Ma’s coat and with little clothes and jandals, I went out in the cold (:P) to get some stuff. It was fireworks and crackers! (We’re not allowed to lit them outside as Grandpa needs to pass for at least 3 years). But it was heaps! Heaps of crackers and giant fireworks (the ones you see in public events!) I was really happy!

I then asked to see if I can help around in the kitchen, as I feel a little bad just playing computer and eating what other people prepared. So I went in and helped Mao Mao with her fried prawns (Tempura?). I now know how to cut it in half and ready. I had to remove the waste thread in the shrimp’s back. It then needs to be marinated and then add egg and flour and then breadcrumbs and fried. I didn’t help fry but I helped

Anyway, afterwards, I occasionally helped around and then it was time for dinner. We got the table from the hallway and set it out. We opened it up and put many yummy foods! Mao Mao is really good at cooking. We ate Wa Wa Cai, Tempura, Quail eggs (soy sauced), Papaya and white fungus (sweet), and Dong Gua in orange, River crabs and various other food! I drank Wang Lao Ji and a little red wine. I ate but controlled a little as I don’t want to eat too much When you go back to China you have a habit of overeating and gaining weight as the food here is of all sorts and is yummy! Heaps can’t be seen in NZ!

When I was eating, I saw Grandpa’s photo. The scene is so magical. The photo is looking as if he is smiling at us eating at the dinner table with many dishes! It was like he was joining us or feeling proud of us at New Years. I’ll never remember this scene. Ever. He was on the other side and looking at the table and at us from the space on the cabinet. Grandpa, I still miss you!

We ate and then watched CCTV’s festival. There were many songs and skits and comedies in the show. I was looking forward to Jay Chou’s performance at 8:40pm. It came but he only sang one song! I wanted more… Lao Jiu rang. We feared a little that he would come (at least me and Grandma). We asked if he wanted to come but he wished Grandma New Year’s wishes (he doesn’t know we came back so even if he came, it’d be a surprise, and I don’t like that awkwardness that’s why). Da Jiu Ma said let him come but he was at his company.

We watched some more and I updated Japanimusic site and sent a newsletter email wishing everyone a Happy Chinese New Year.

I tried calling Da Jiu with Nonoh, but it never connects or even rings our phone (overloaded due to new year’s greetings? :P) Anyway even if it connect it no one picks up. Then my mum rang asking for Da Jiu’s number (It was around 7pm in China (12am in NZ) and she told us they were eating dumplings and she asked for Da Jiu’s number.

We had fun! Then we ate dumplings early (around 10pm). After eating dumplings, after trying to call Da Jiu, he rang! At that time fireworks and crackers were at a peak, and I couldn’t hear him, but I understood what he was trying to say (you’re the only man in the house, take care of little sister and Grandma etc). I picked up and then talked and forgot to wish him Happy New Year! After getting the phone (was supposed to give it to my little sister) I then wished him well

At that time my favourite magician Liu Qian came on CCTV :o :D :D. I watched him in Magic Show on some Taiwan channel as well as on Sunday Best on Anhui Wei Shi. He played around with rubber bands and eggs in cups, and coins dropping in glasses without touching! (even though another glass was covering the glass!)

I watched Fireworks in the other room and it was really pretty. Whoever was doing them must be really really rich as they were those big ones and he did them heaps!

So 12am arrived! Crackers and fireworks even louder! Got a call from Yao Yao and I was a little silly and wished hew New Years Like ‘may your couple be good’ I asked to wish her Na Na well too as she gave me and Neo Neo 500 yuan each! Yao Yao said she was doing dumplings and couldn’t reach the phone. Da Jiu Ma and Mao Mao left a few minutes to 12am.

A few minutes ago, 12:30? I got a call from Yao Yao back and got the phone number as she tried to call earlier but we were on the phone. I called her and wished her well.

Seriously. I love the atmosphere here. It’s so exciting! I love Chinese New Year! May everyone who reads this and doesn’t read it, may it bring luck and more luck!

Have an awesome 2009! May it be full of success! I’m going to see if I can do anything else to help Lao Lao and go to sleep. It is 12am after all. First day of 2009!

As I finish this post off, the CCTV show is closing too! 12:45am!