Gong Xi Fa Cai

Tonight is New Year's Eve here in China. The weather has warmed at least down south. Many are still stranded and unable to get home but thankfully it is getting better. While it's only about 6:30PM right now it sounds like WWIII outside my windows. Fireworks from homes are shooting off everywhere and lighting up the sky. Even standing on my balcony is dangerous as you don't know where the next one is going to come from. It makes my Ukrainian Village place in Chicago on the 4th of July seem very tame.

Hopefully you like my new bobblehead! He is welcoming you all to a new year. The greeting of this entry is "Gong Xi Fa Cai". Simply translated that means "I wish you prosperity in the new year." One tradition is that the people buy small red envelopes then put small amounts of cash in them and give them to employees, drivers, apartment security, cleaning people, etc. The amount of cash doesn't matter but by giving something you tell them they are important. It is something you do the first time you see them in the new year.

So to each of you gong xi fa cai!