The Year of the Snake

I've never been much of a fan of New Year's Eve.  Save a rendition of "Midnight Train to Georgia" sung by three of my favorite friends, my New Year's have been less than spectacular.  It always seems to be a let down.  Lots of drinking, resolution making and counting down... to what?  The next day? 

Chinese New Year is something I think I can get into.  Besides the constant firecrackers, it's a really nice holiday.  It's about being with family and giving blessings and good wishes to others, for a new year of prosperity and happiness.  There is so much tradition and decoration. I like it. 

On Friday, we celebrated our Chinese staff at school by the traditional giving of hong bao, or red envelops.  I was so happy to be able to participate this year.  Our Chinese staff are amazing. 

On Saturday, SIS hosted China Day as a celebration of the year of the Snake.  It was a beautiful day (I got sunburned!) and a lovely celebration of our host country.  Below are a few snapshots from the day... before my camera died.

Sugar snakes and dragons for the kids to snack on.

Two of my students enjoying candied strawberries.

This game was an opportunity to hit grade 9 kids in the face with sponges. 

Another game where you throw wet sponges at kids! I love how the student 

on the left is so zen!

Some of my students running the lantern riddle game. So cool.

This is my TA's baby, Callen.  So cute!

One of the lion heads for the lion dance.

I love the lion dance! 

Yeah, that is two guys leaping through the air at the same time.  And they landed on those tiny platforms. Amazing. One of these guys actually hurt himself at the end of the show.  He had to be helped off the field. 

I've got into the CNY spirit.  One of my student helped me to pick out this door scroll, she thought it would be good for me.   I think translated it's something like, "Let's sweep out the old year and welcome the new year."  Sounds good to me!

Happy Year of the Snake!

Observations

Some observations… nothing big.

This week I found a block of Velveeta “cheese” in Hong Kong.  I can’t tell you the last time I saw a block of Velveeta outside of the US.  So, of course, I bought it.  And this week it has taken me down a kamikaze path of poor eating choices. 

When I walk out of the apartment building in the morning, the most interesting thing greets me.  Every “corner” has a little puddle on/by it.  Starting at the door, then the corner column, the first stair, the corner plant, and the corner of the park bench.  I think this may be why I don’t bring Harry; all of the corners are taken. 

I’ve realized that the “hiking” I am doing is really just glorified walking.  The trails are either paved with concrete or paver stones. When the trailhead of your hike is one of the most visited sites in Hong Kong (the Peak) and it ends in a bus station, this is not a hike. 

Boc Choi was a poor purchase.  I never ride my scooter.  He has sat outside of my apartment for at least two months now.  A cat has begun to use the seat as a scratching post.  I have left if unlocked, on purpose, because it would be easier for me if it just gets stolen than have to push it back to the shop and try to sell it. 

The celebrations for Chinese New Year have begun. I actually love (parts) of it.  People are friendly and in a good mood.  Yesterday, a Chinese woman held the door for me.   I wanted to hug her.  I think she must be a Chinese Midwesterner, such good manners!  On the other hand, I held the elevator for the milkman (Yes!  They have fresh milk/yogurt delivery in the mornings! Glass bottles and everything!) and he yelled at me not hold the door. I guess not everyone is feeling the year of the snake. 

Disappointment.  That was my word of the week. I can’t go into specifics, but I just feel like life, work, students and me let myself down this week.  I think I need to work on managing my expectations. Not just my expectations of others, but expectations of myself.  It reminds me a little bit of that SNL skit about the dating service “Lowered Expectations.”  I remember it. It was funny.  YouTube it.  

What saved my sanity this week?  Kid President and Bad Lip Reading.  You’re Welcome.