Gung Hay Fat Choy!

Gung Hay Fat Choy!!! San Nien Fai Lok!!! Happy Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese New Year!!! It's the Year of the Ox! This year, the lunar new year landed on Monday, January 26, 2009. It's another year of high hopes and dreams for many. Here in the U.S.A., we started off our new year with a new president. We are all looking forward to some positive changes for our lives and for our country.












Our kids get the best of worlds. They get two new years, every year, and reaping all of the benefits! For Chinese New Year, our family celebrates with special dinners, before and after the new year. The kids receive the red envelopes, called "Lay-See", from relatives. These lay-see envelopes are red (in Chinese means good luck), and given with the wish of prosperity, love, and hope. The red envelopes can be filled with trinkets, small toys, candy, or money (which is the most popular, and our personal favorite). Some are so fancy, decorated with popular characters, three dimensional, and pops up! Of course, our kids don't favor one over the other, they welcome all of them!!! hee hee hee


Here I am, visiting my friend Sally. We're enjoying the nice weather outside of the AT&T building. One day, I'll actually go in and visit. ;-)


I went to visit Annie at her salon, La Belle in Torrance. She's the same beautician that gave me the cute blunt-cut before my chemo. I have to wait a wee bit little longer before I can get another stylish cut. As the Terminator would say, "I'll be back!!!"




Celebrating the end of finals week. Of course those were virgin strawberry daiquiris! Yummy! Then the party continued in Sammi's room.


He speaks, "Aflac, Aflac, AFLACCCCC!!!!!"

In Chinatown of Los Angeles, the Golden Dragon Parade is held this Saturday, January 31, 2009. Unfortunately, we didn't make it there this year. However, the Little King and Queen contest was held on Sunday, February 1, 2009. We usually try to make it to events like these, so our kids grow up learning about our heritage. We have so many cherished memories from the years past. In 1997, Steven was our Little King, and in 2000, Sammi was our Little Princess. Many of our friends kids have also received these titles. I truly believe that all of the participants are winners. They walk away with some great memories, some experience in public speaking, and a big bag full of toys and prizes. Our kids are our future, and it's our duty to guide them and support them. At the same time, we would all come out ahead, if we can enjoy the adventures that life has to offer. May God bless our future, our nation, our world, and of course, our kids! Gung Hay Fat Choy to everyone!! San Nien Fai Lok!! ;-)




2009 Miss LA Chinatown and LA Chinese Chamber of Commerce President are posing with the new Little King, Little Queen, Little Prince, and Little Princess.