Chinese New Year (CNY): Year Of The Boar & other stories

It's that time again...time of the year that Chinese all look forward too ~ Chinese New Year!
This coming year's the Year of the Golden Boar (Pig)! A lot of couples are planning to give birth this coming year, marriages are encouraged also --> it's the last auspicious year for Horses to get married since the next year is the Rat and it's not an ideal year for Horses...to think, my brother is Year of the Rat - and we get along very well...or so we think! :P

Here's some things that I love about this holiday:

• Red Packets - Traditionally, red packets (Mandarin: 'hóng bāo' (紅包); Hokkien: 'ang pow' (POJ: âng-pau); Hakka: 'fung bao'; Cantonese: 'leih síh' (利市)) are passed out during the Chinese New Year's celebrations, from married couples or the elderly to unmarried juniors. It is common for adults to give red packets to children. Red packets are also known as 压岁钱 (Ya Sui Qian lit age suppressing money) during this period.
  The red envelopes always contain money, usually varying from a couple of dollars to several hundred. The amount of money in the red packets should be of even numbers, as odd numbers are associated with cash given during funerals (白金 : Bai Jin)
  
• HK Victoria Park's New Year Markets - Markets are set up near the New Year especially for vendors to sell New Year-related products. These usually open-air markets feature floral products, toys, clothing, for shoppers to buy gifts for new year visitations as well as decor for their homes. The practice of shopping for the perfect plum tree is not dissimilar to the Western tradition of buying a Christmas tree. In Victoria Park...they basically sell everything and anything they can. This market is right at the park and is open 24/7 - for only one week. I hope to be able to visit this market with my good friend, Zita, next week - before I head back home.
  
• Fireworks - These are banned in Hong Kong for safety reasons, but the government will put on a fireworks display in Victoria Harbour on the second day of the Chinese New Year.


• Clothing - Red clothing is worn throughout the Chinese New Year, as red will scare away evil spirits and bad fortune. Also, people typically wear new clothes from head to toe to symbolize starting anew in the new year. I've been assigned to find some new red clothing for my nephew here but so far...been running around like a headless-chicken around HK and still not finding one for my cutie nephew!


• Decorations - Red banners with the character 福 (pinyin: fú), or "auspiciousness" are displayed around the house and at the fronts of doors. This sign is usually seen hung upside down, since the Chinese word 倒 (pinyin: dao), or "upside down", sounds similar as 到 (pinyin: dào), or "arrive". Therefore, it symbolizes the arrival of luck or happiness.
  The following are popular floral decorations for the New Year and are available at new year markets.
  Peach blossom (symbolises luck)
  Plum Blossom (symbolizes luck)
  Kumquat plants (symbolises prosperity)
  Narcissus
  Chrysanthemum (symbolises longevity)
  Bamboo (A plant used for anytime of year)


• Foods - Niangao, Chinese New Year lucky cake: red bean paste between two layers of longane flavoured rice paste. Several foods are eaten to usher in wealth, happiness, and good fortune. Several of the Chinese food names are homophones for words that also mean good things.
  Fish - Is usually eaten on the eve of Chinese New Year. The Cantonese pronunciation of fish makes it a homophone for "more than enough", or "extra".
  Dumplings - Eaten traditionally because the preparation is similar to packaging luck inside the dumpling, which is later eaten.
  Candy
  Kwatji/ sunflower, pumpkin or melon seeds
  Turnip/Taro cakes

Some superstitions during the New Year period that I know about:

• Buying a pair of shoes is considered bad luck. The word "shoes" is a homophone for the word for "rough" in Cantonese.


• Buying a pair of pants is considered bad luck. The word "pants" is a homophone for the word for "bitter" in Cantonese. (Although some perceive it to be positive as the word 'pants' in Cantonese could be a homophone for the word for "wealth".)


• A hair-cut is considered bad luck. The word "hair" is a homophone for the word for "prosperity". Thus "cutting hair" could be perceived as "cutting away your prosperity" in Cantonese.


• Candy is eaten to ensure the consumer a "sweet" year.


• Sweeping the floor is considered bad luck, as it will sweep away the good fortune and luck for the new year; in the same way that having a bath will wash away the good fortune.
  Talking about death is inappropriate for the first few days of Chinese New Year, as it is considered inauspicious as well.


• Buying books is bad luck, because it is a homonym to the word "lose".


• Opening windows and/or doors is considered to 'bring in' the good luck of the new year.
  Switching on the lights for the night is considered good luck to 'scare away' ghosts and spirits of misfortune that may compromise the luck and fortune of the new year.

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Kit Name: Be My Love (DigizinesDigitalDen)
Kit Designer: Teri Hanson
Kit Link: http://digizinesdigitalden.com/osCommerce/catalog/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=11&products_id=108
Program: PS7.0
Note: This is a submission to the Sketch Challenge done by Deborah Vessels for Digizines Digital Den. A more recent photos of E & I at a cousin's wedding last month. It's currently my favorite. :)

Title: Happiness
Kit Name: In Love (available at DigizineDigitalDen)
Kit Designer: Teri Hanson
Kit Link: http://digizinesdigitalden.com/osCommerce/catalog/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=11&products_id=86
Program: PS7.0
Font: Copperplate Gothic
Journaling: Happiness is being near you
Notes: A very Vday inspiration for me - in appreciation on how Fate has brought E and I together in the end of a lot of failed relationships along the way.

Last Week...came too late

This is what I got to finish only...from last week.
Work was going nuts and still is. I feel so ashame!

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Kit Name: Circle Templates and Pterophyllum Kit (both available at ScrapOutsideOfTheBox) Kit Designer: Doodleboogs
Font: ITC Franklin Gothic
Journaling: "Wish. Noun. 1. a specific feeling of desire; 2. an expression of some desire or inclination. Verb. 1. hope for; have a wish; 2. prefer or wish to do something; 3. make or express a wish; 4. feel or express a desire or hope concerning the future or fortune of"
Notes: My little nephew…being so himself…so cute that I do "wish" the most wonderful things life has to offer him. :)



Kit Name: Seasonal Template #2 and Pterophyllum Kit (both are from ScrapOutsideOfTheBox)
Kit Designer: Doodleboogs
Program: PS7.0
Font: ITC Franklin Gothic

Deb's Sketch Challenge

I can't wait to get started with this Feb sketch challenge. It's pretty neat!
I am putting this here so as a reminder for me to do it. :PP

For those who would want to join, you can visit the Digizines Digital Den at the site below and join the fun:
http://www.digizinesdigitalden.com

See you there!

PS: I will post something on this soon so do check back. :)

New Banner Problems and Resolution

THE PROBLEM...
I had done a new banner about a week and a half ago but it ran into some problems:
- the color that I choose didn't match the site's background and it clashed so much; and
- the photoshop file I created when flattend to jpg wasn't very clear...actually...it at first couldn't come out correctly and when I fixed something again, it looked too blurry that it was just too shameful to display.

You can see the intial below and you'll know what I mean.




The above items where all from Teri Hanson's In Love Kit, available at www.digizinesdigitalden.com, aside from the layout with photo since that's an old layout of mine that I thought of combining to the banner. Font is French Script MT.


AND THE RESOLUTION...
I gave up a bit since it took me so long to crank the above out then after all that realizing all the problems! I was in no mood by then...super upset. So I had a bit of time to fix it up today and since I already have an idea of what I wanted and found the right papers to make it match with the site...what you see is this. Happy happy that it's finally done!

I used Doodleboog's Pterophyllum Kit, available at www.scrapoutsideofthebox.com under Designer - "Doodleboogs". Font is French Script MT also.

Work Overload + Ed Visiting = Hardly Any LOs

Work is just too loaded this week to have me do much scrapping this week...also...Ed's visiting!
Ed and I will be galavanting around town for some cheap deals (with the various sales around town) and soaking in the CNY (Chinese New Year) spirit going around. CNY is Feb 17 to 20 this year. It's going to be great because I'll be going back for a vacation for more than a week.

Happy Weekend you all!

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Title: Cousins are...
Kit Name: Megalodon & 12x12 Circle Templates (both from ScrapOutsideOfTheBox)
Kit Designer: Doodleboogs
Program: PS7.0
Font: Kristen ITC
Journaling: Cousins are...those childhood playmates who grow up to be forever friends.
Notes: Two of my cousin's son and daughter...goofing around. Kids...so innocent and yet so funny without them even trying. I just started laughing my head off upon receiving these photos! I'm sure to use these photos again for sure. Just what I needed - a good laugh on a very stressful day/week ahead.
TYFL!

GG Alert: Layouts and Other News

"It's a great day for scrapping...stressful for work...whatelse is new."

It's great to be inspired and great kits like below really make me appreciate being part of a Creative Team. It's not only the recognition but also knowing inside that I did the kit great justice. :)

I would like to wish Checo, a fellow Cheryl, a big HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
May you tons and tons more birthdays to come...and by next year, we'd get to meet up!

On a sadder note...grandma (dad's mom) is currently in the hospital. She had an accident late last night...or was it around mid-morning and they had to rush her to the hospital. She fell off of her bed while she was sleeping. I remember she sort of had some blood pressure problem when I went home last week (no, not because of me...:P) - high blood pressure problems.
My dad and mom had to rush early this morning to the hospital to see her. My brother is keeping me posted since the last news was that the doctors found out that she has some kidney problems! They will be operating her tomorrow for her kidney problems and will maybe see if by next week, she is strong enough to get a hip surgery due to the bed accident.

I'm so concern. It's not like my grandma and I are very close...but close eough. She helped me too much on a lot of things that I went through. She's the "Iron Lady" of the bigger family - meaning my dad's generations and even to my cousins. What she says goes. I would run to her directly if I run into problems with my dad...and she normally teaches him or puts him in his place. I owe a lot to her...a lot. I wouldn't be here in Hong Kong if it wasn't for her.
Oh, plus she does snaps me sometimes back to reality...no matter how painful it may be at that time and still does hold true.

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Title: 5th Month: Teething ~JJ Jr.
Kit Name: Winter Blues (DigizinesDigitalDen)
Kit Designer: Teri Hanson
Journaling: 5th Month: Teething
Font: Bell MT
Program: PS7.0
Notes: This is my nephew's teething stage...he's putting everything in his mouth that he can get his cute little hands on. This new teething toy was given by *yours truely*!
It's really true though...aunts are here to spoil nephews any day of the week!


Title: KY, Winter Fun
Kit Name: Winter Blues (DigizinesDigitalDen)
Kit Designer: Teri Hanson
Journaling: KY (coded names of good friends), Marie Grace Cafe, Serendra, The Fort, Noel 2006 Font: Bell MT
Program: PS7.0
Notes: This was an annual gathering of Ed's friends and their significant others (SOs). The Ed and his guy pals have been friends since their high school days and now each one had their own SOs on group gatherings. The SOs like K and I have bonded very well and it's all like one big happy family. :) K's going to the US for a few months for work so this is a bit more special...it's my last time to see her before she left. She will surely be missed...especially by Y. :)


Kit Name: 12x12 Tab Templates # Two and City Love (ScrapOutsideOfTheBox)
Kit Designer: Doodleboogs
Program: PS7.0
Notes: Bday gift for a fellow Cheryl! :) This also got a Garden Girl (GG - tuesdaysfrog/Joanna) in 2Peas' attention! Check out below!

For full details, please check out the site: http://twopeasinabucket.kaboose.com/pg.asp?cmd=display&layout_id=1058902


Title: With Friends Like These...
Kit Name: City Love & Tab Templates #2 (both from ScrapOutsideOfTheBox)
Kit Designer: Doodleboogs
Program: PS7.0
Font: Bell MT
Journaling: With friends like these...who needs anyone else!
Notes: Friends goofing around...and when we do goof around on camera...we really do a good job of it! Hahaha! ~circa Yuletide 2006


Title: Twinkle Twinkle
Kit Name: Megalodon & Tab Templates #2 (both from ScrapOutsideOfTheBox)
Kit Designer: Doodleboogs
Program: PS7.0
Font: Georgia
Journaling: Twinkle twinkle little boy, how you fill my heart with joy.
Notes: My little wiggly nephew, JJ Jr...oh how you just twinkle whenever you are in your crib. You are so much like you daddy - he loves his bed a lot too...this is next to his Bloomberg screen. :P

Hoping for Normalcy...(now that reality is setting in)

After a long hiatus, it's great to be back blogging...if only I had more time to really do it.
I'm back to scrapping as usual. I have so much in my plate with the wedding prep (based in HK), work, moving back plans, scrapping, flying home and still getting enough rest & sanity to keep going. I still feel like I'm on holidays...moving too slow and "creative juices" ain't what it used to be before the holidays. I still feel like floating...too carefree. Hay...I just hope that "normalcy" come sooner. I need it else it would really affect my work performance. Still need to work for the wedding expenses. :PP

Holiday Summary:
* Visited my nephew almost everyday with mom...even if it's just a few minutes. He's just so cute and funny! It's not a wonder why his mom would rather spend time with him ever waking hours of the day than anything else in the world! :)
His daily regiment was to: wake up, go to gym (wearing his cool Puma runners), take his new Lightning McQueen for a ride around the house, maybe go to the park with dad, eat, sleep and play with grandma/auntie.

* Played a few rounds (golf) with good pals of mine. Didn't expect much but did seem to have gotten stronger. I miss playing the game...don't miss having to wake up for just a round of golf. :P

* Didn't get to head out Xmas Eve or Xmas day because Ed was sick during Xmas Day and Xmas Eve - we were both tired by the time dinner rolled in. Really cool though...since we are both engaged already, Ed's been expected to come in all of my family affairs now!

* Got to check out a good friend's daughter's wedding. Really nice, solemn and simple. It was on the 28th of last month. Both are based in Singapore and they were able to organize their wedding through emails, SMS messages and telephone --> though they did hire a coordinator's full coordination help. In my case, I will be heading back around mid-August so there will be lots of time to get suppliers confirmed and meet with them by then.

* Hardly met with suppliers aside from the printers again.

* Met some old high school friends...nothing big...though supposedly it's our 10 year reunion too. Everyone was too busy to really plan for this so I heard that maybe there would be something that would celebrate our 10th year reunion this 2007 instead. It was really great to see everyone...and at the same time told them all about getting engaged...with something to show. :)

* Got through the meeting of the parents just fine. It's was definitely awkward at first but I guess it will get easier through time and throughout the wedding planning stage. As early as now, I see conflict in ideas. Ed and I have to manage both sides' expectations. That's going to be the tough one. It's never easy to merge two different families. Good and bad in all this.


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Kit Name: My Life's Garden (DigizinesDigitalDen)
Kit Designer: Teri Hanson
Program: PS7.0Font: Algerian


Kit Name: My Life's Garden (DigizinesDigitalDen)
Kit Designer: Teri Hanson
Program: PS7.0
Font: Algerian


Kit Name: A Little Flaky (DigizinesDigitalDen)
Kit Designer: Deborah Vessels
Program: PS7.0
Font: Algerian


Kit Name: A Little Flaky (DigizinesDigitalDen)
Kit Designer: Deborah Vessels
Program: PS7.0
Font: Bell MT
Journaling: "In the eyes of children we find the joy of Christmas. In their hearts we find its meaning.” (Leland Thomas)


Kit Name: 12x12 Tab Templates # Two and City Love (ScrapOutsideOfTheBox)
Kit Designer: Doodleboogs
Program: PS7.0