It’s the year of the dog in case you didn’t know. I could say that this year is supposed to bring new online friends, a cool new job, or lots of good luck, but honestly I have no idea what Chinese astrology says about it being the Year of the Dog. I don’t really believe in that stuff. Yes, I am Chinese, and yes, my gamertag is a Japanese word. And even though I love being Chinese, I have to say that sometimes Chinese people believe the craziest things that just make me laugh.

For example, on the first day of the new year, you’re not supposed to cut your hair. Why? Because you’ll get rid of all your luck. Don’t do housework on New Year’s day either because you’ll sweep away good luck. And if you’ve ever wondered why some Chinese buildings or restaurants don’t have the 4th floor? It’s because the way you pronounce “4” in Chinese is the same way you pronounce “death”.  Don’t get me wrong though. It’s not that I don’t embrace my Chinese culture, I’m just don’t believe in these kind of superstitions. If I did, I’d be screwed!

I spent my Chinese New Years weekend doing all sorts of fun stuff. WOW was (and is still) having their Lunar Festival, which seemed perfectly fitting for Chinese New Years. I got to shoot fireworks, travel to Moonglade through these beams of light, eat cool things like Bean Soup and Kimchi Pie, and see some festive outfits. Too bad you have to shoot the fireworks out of these firework-shooting-contraptions though. It’d be fun to have random fireworks in the middle of spring - kind of like snowballs in the summer! I still have 30 in the bank. So that was my virtual fun. Back to REAL life, I got to have two days of Chinese Hot Pot with my family. This is basically when we get together, have a huge pot of soup and add/cook things in it over a really long dinner. Lots of meat, noodles, veggies, and seafood. Then it was back to WOW. I don’t have a picture of my Hot Pot fun, but here’s the gist of it. And sorry, I don’t know anyone in that photo. :(

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Happy Chinese New Year!