The Empress was born in the year of the Rooster. When we arrived in China in 2006, the country was in the midst of the 15 day New Year celebration. As we flew into Beijing we were able to see fireworks going off all over the city. Each day there were more. It was as if all of China was celebrating our adoption with us. It was a priceless experience. Since that time we have observed Chinese New Year each year. It is one of the ways we celebrate the Empress' culture.Each year during the Chinese New Year we give red envelopes with chocolate chinese coins to all the kids at the Empress' school. The Empress gets to wear a chinese silk dress and share her books about the holiday with her friends. In the past her school has made different chinese dishes to eat and the children made banners for the door. I celebrate at work by bringing a big bowl of tangerines and oranges for my co-workers. Tangerines and oranges symbolize luck and wealth. We always eat chinese food during the holiday. Tonight I will make Sweet and Sour Chicken, Beef and Broccoli and homemade "jiaozi" dumplings. Dumplings are always eaten during the New Year celebration. The word Jiaozi literally means "sleep together and have sons" which is an important theme in the Chinese culture.
As I previously said, the Empress was born in the year of the Rooster. I was too. Many years apart, but still Roosters. The Chinese Zodiac runs on a 12 year cycle. As Roosters we are hard workers, deep thinkers, capable and talented. We always think we are right, and we usually are. T is a horse. As a horse he is popular, hard working, independent, cheerful and talks to much. This makes me chuckle as anyone who knows T, knows he is all the above and certainly talks too much.
Hopefully, our new baby will be born in the year of the Ox. Ox people are loyal, trustworthy, reliable and logical. They are also dependable, patient, methodical and calm.
We wish you all double happiness in the year of the OX.
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