chinese new year 2021.

Chinese New Year was very different for our family this year (and for lots of other people, too). We stayed in Beijing to celebrate because we weren't able to travel to Tony's hometown in Henan to see his family like usual.

It's the Year of the Ox.

Mabel is old enough to remember past celebrations, and she kept talking about seeing family members. She also talked a lot about the hongbao she got from her teacher last year filled with chocolate coins and the dragon dance they did at school. Since we couldn't see family, and school had moved online for the two weeks prior to the CNY holiday, we tried to ensure she and Clarke would have special memories from this year, too. 

T and I bought special outfits for the kids. Normally they would wear more traditional clothes to school for the CNY celebration, but we decided to go with something more "fun" and that they could wear regularly throughout the year. I want to remember that we almost didn't buy the red headband for Mabel but I'm so glad we did because she was most excited for that. I also want to remember that for days after we gave them the clothes, Mabel would ask if she could wear her "Chinese New Year clothes" and Clarke was so happy to be the "same" as Jiějiě ("big sister" and what we often call Mabel). 

We put up special decorations to bring good luck. I want to remember that Mabel showed the ox on their doors to anyone who came over and that Clarke wasn’t interested in hanging the decoration until he realized it meant climbing on a stool. 

We made dumplings with friends. The kids loved it, especially Mabel! But even after all her hard work, she only ate one. I was surprised, because normally she eats a lot of dumplings, but I think it was because she was more interested in running around and playing hide and seek than eating.

T's older brother and parents would usually give the kids hongbao (red envelopes with money) and they still did, but digitally, by transferring money through WeChat. So for the first time, T and I gave the kids hongbao from us. Mabel didn't really care about the money, even after we told her she could use it to buy a toy; she kept talking about the hongbao with chocolate from her teacher. Luckily, I had told Auntie Jo, our best friend, and she made sure to bring the kids hongbao with chocolate coins. I want to remember that she also brought hongbao for Tony and I. His had money, and mine was empty but taped to a bottle of wine—such a funny and sweet gesture!

We ate hot pot for dinner, and then when the kids were in bed, the grownups drank champagne, enjoyed a charcuterie board, and played What Do You Meme? Tony was the winner! We also watched the CCTV New Year's Gala, which is tradition!

We FaceTimed with T's family and they sent us a photo of their dinner. I counted extra bowls and chopsticks and when we asked them about it, they said they set places for us. It was really touching. This was the first year T hadn't been with his family for the holiday. Hopefully next year we'll be there!

How did you celebrate your big holiday this year?

P.S. Chinese New Year 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017.

what I want to remember: chinese new year 2017.

It makes me laugh that I thought this was "big"—at 21 weeks. (Also, Bellabands—I have one each in black and white—were godsends for a looong time.)

In keeping with the "what I want to remember theme," here is what I want to remember from Chinese New Year (Spring Festival) this year: 

Going out for burgers at Dicos with our niece and nephew. 

Xiao Yu stealing my french fries.

All of us eating ice cream sundaes. 

How good the fries and fountain coke tasted. 

Going out with them again to a "western" restaurant that kind of sucked but it was fun anyway.

The two of them eating more food than both of us. 

Playing Crazy Eights with Xiao Xuan and T. 

Teaching T's mom how to play Crazy Eights. 

Eating Dicos again with Xiao Xuan while T went to a family dinner without me. 

Watching T, his dad, and Xiao Xuan play cards.

Chinese New Year's Eve meal. 

Telling T's parents that they are a great example, and so are his brother and wife, and that I'm honoured to be a Zhang. 

Taking family photos. (I was pleasantly surprised that everyone happily agreed!)

Eating pomelo for the first time. 

Every time after that that T peeled pomelo for me. (I have not been able to eat enough citrus fruit since being pregnant.)

Afternoon naps. 

Sitting in T's parents' bedroom before going to bed and talking. 

T's mom telling me, "Speak Chinese!" and Xiao Xuan telling her, "She is!" 

Eating crispy rice. 

T's cousin remembering my name after 2 years later and only meeting once. 

Skipping 3 family dinners. 

T feeling the baby move. 

Playing Crazy Eight countdown with T. 

P.S. Chinese New Year 2014, 2015, 2016.

chinese new year in photos.

I really don't have much to say about Chinese New Year this year. I think partly because it was my third time spending the break in Henan, partly because there wasn't anything special or exciting this year like a wedding, and partly because I've lived in China for almost four years. I'm just... used to it.

I wanted to write this whole epic post, telling you about the difficulties, the happy things, the cultural differences, but I don't know what to write. I mean... the bed was hard and we didn't have much alone time, I made our niece laugh and I cried when it was time to leave, they eat parts of animals I never will and toddlers occasionally pee on the floor. But it's just all so normal. This is my life and they're my family. 

I think that's the exciting thing this year: They are my family.

P.S. Chinese New Year 2014 & 2015

home sweet henan.

Just a few people... and this was 1 of 13 waiting rooms at the train station.

It's 5 hours on a high speed train + a 2 hour car ride to Tony's home.

T's "backyard" and neighbour's place.

I love exploring T's neighbourhood.

All of the homes are made with concrete and most are left unpainted. Businesses—think plumbers, electricians—write their names and phone numbers on the homes. Even 2 years later, I'm so fascinated by it. If it was my home, I think I'd be annoyed!

Some of the businesses have gone "legit" with stamps ;)

It's that time of year again, Chinese New Year / Lunar New Year / Spring Festival. (Is there any other holiday that is known by so many names?) Whatever you call it, T and I are back in his hometown of Gushi (pronounced "goose"), Henan.

He's sick, poor guy, and I'm still getting over the flu. As we do every year, we're eating dumplings and noodles, visiting family, and wearing sweaters and coats inside, despite it being above 0°C (18°C yesterday!) because concrete homes and people's reluctance to turn on heaters. And there are new babies to cuddle this year, and babies turned toddlers to play with and make laugh. I'm a hit with the kids, always.

The first year I came home with Tony everything was exciting and new, and I blogged almost every day. Last year was less exciting, with the exception of our Chinese wedding! And this year, I think I finally feel at home, and even a little bored, because everything just feels normal.

But I know it's exciting for other people and you might be curious, so here are links to make reading about my time in Henan easier for you:

Chinese New Year 2014: Day 1 / Day 2 / Day 3 / Day 4 / Day 5 / Days 6 & 7 / Days 8 & 9

Chinese New Year 2015: Our Chinese wedding!

P.S. Welcome to China...