Ivana Atmojo

I’ve been accustomed to many chinese traditions and beliefs for as long as I can remember. My grandparents from both sides of my parents came from China. I remembered how I used to have difficulties communicating with my grandma as she only spoke cantonese (while the only words I knew in cantonese were: ” Excuse me, do you know where the toilet is?”; “Thank you”; and “I love you”) hahaha. I could only speak Mandarin, while my parents speak both Cantonese and Mandarin.

Growing up in such rich & profound chinese culture, I was quite surprised to find myself going to the complete opposite direction. I became attracted to all other culture in the world, yet remained pretty indifferent towards chinese culture. Chinese lunar new year certainly wasn’t my favourite time of the year, especially when the first questions my relatives asked me have always been: “So, are you officially dating anyone yet?”. (*LOL*)

However, as I grew up and now turning a quarter century years old, I have started to see this whole thing from a whole new perspective. I’ve re-opened my eyes to just how meaningful and powerful chinese lunar new year could be. It’s such an exotic, optimistic, glamorous, yet humbling celebration of expressing gratitude to the Almighty. It’s the time when we’re reminded of just how blessed our life have been (in so many different ways); it’s the time when we see our life in retrospective and then put forward such heartfelt hope & prayers for the year to come; and it’s the time when we start anew & share the happiness in our life with everyone else.

Chinese lunar new year is also full of superstitions, all of which I suddenly find very fascinating! From the choice of the boldest colour (red) to the numerous symbolic meanings of almost every item that we find in this celebration, i.e: the sugar cane, the pomme-granate, the pamplemousse, the upside-down character of “luck”, the ang-bao, the round table family dinner, and so many other things! This is the time where people exude so much positive energy & optimism that you could just feel them in the air.

This is probably why I’ve noticed how chinese lunar new year is becoming more and more widely popular all over the world. It has become a celebration not only for the chinese, but also for everyone else in the world! If you’ve seen or read about its grand celebration in London, or in San Francisco; or how the USA & Canada specially issued stamps for this celebration, I’m sure you’ll agree with me.

So this morning, I welcome chinese lunar new year with an open heart. I fit myself into my scarlet-red trapeze dress, put on my golden ballet flat, put Coco Chanel (our puppy) in her cheongsam, & started greeting my guests

Of course first thing first, I made sure I gave my maids their presents & ang-bao & my very best wishes!

GONG XI FAT CHOI & Have a very jolly chinese lunar new year, everyone!!!