新年快乐 Happy New Year!

To all the readers and visitors of this blog of mine, 新年快乐! Xin Nian Kuai Le! Happy Chinese New Year to everyone! Last night I bought some food for my personal celebration of the Chinese New Year. I bought small oranges called kiat-kiat, peanuts, took out the sticky rice cake from our refrigerator. I also bought dumplings and siumai from one my favorite Chinese restaurant Lugang Cafe. The food mentioned aboved are believed to be auspicious, brings good fortune, and luck by the Chinese people. For example the vegetarian dumplings looks like a purse with money inside. The peanuts which are served unshelled symbolizes vitality, and longevity.  The sticky rice cake symbolizes the close-knitness of relationships, especially in the family since its sticky. The kiat-kiat or small oranges symbolizes wealth and fullness, according to what I've read they are often rolled inside the house for attracting good fortune. Other food served during Chinese New Year which are believed to be lucky by the Chinese people is serving whole fish including the head, sticky rice cake (zongzi/machang) which is usually served during the Dragon Boat Festival), and sweets/candies. Here's to a more good year for all of us this 2017! Cheers!