Ushering in the year of the Ox

It's the first day of Chinese/Lunar New Year today where Chinese all over the world ushered in the year of the Ox and bade farewell to the year of the Rat. The New Year celebration is typically a family affair - family members would travel miles just to eat the reunion dinner together on the eve of the New Year. This has been the case for us the past few years but as we're restricted in our traveling by our advanced pregnancy this year, we stayed back in Singapore and planned on having Mickey D for a few days (as most local eateries would be closed for a few days here).  Thankfully, a kind souled friend invited us to her family's reunion dinner. As her brother is a chef, we were treated to a wonderful feast of Cantonese cuisine.

With the passing of the baton from the Rat to the Ox, it will also mean that our little boy will be born in the year of the Ox and hence, an Ox (Brian is a Rooster while I'm a Monkey). Brian was earlier a little concerned that he'd be born early and end up as a Rat. Not that he buys into any of the superstitions about these Zodiac animals but it just doesn't sound right to be a Rat! 

The next few weeks will see us anxiously anticipating the birth of Craig... it's so exciting and scary at the same time. Meanwhile, I've been working from home and will do so till I deliver.  

Mandarin oranges are commonly exchanged and served during the Chinese New Year celebration as the Chinese name for the oranges, "kum," sounds like the word for gold. Hence, it's good luck to exchange "gold"!