It's that time of year

Topic of the day: Happy Chinese New Years!!!

 

Every year, around Chinese New Years time, China transforms into its most festive self.  People are rushing to go home in order to ring in the new year with their family and from my office on the 21st floor, I can hear the occasional bang of fire crackers from around the neighborhood.

 

People at the office are getting excited to go home, relax, and enjoy the week long break.  On our last day of work, I noticed that we were out of beer.  Slightly disappointed, myself and a French colleague started to laminate about the loss of our daily beer.  Then, all of a sudden, our director spoke up.  "Don't worry," she said as she popped below her desk and produced a bottle of red wine.  "And when that's done, here's another one," and up comes another bottle of red wine.  And if that still doesn't do the trick, she pulled up her last little treasure from under her desk: a bottle of whisky.  I love my office.  :)

 

So tonight, new year's eve night, the most important night of this holiday season, I will be celebrating with my family.  It has been about 15 years since I've celebrated Chinese New Years in China with my family in China.  Then, tomorrow, I will fly to Shanghai and will spend 2 days there - a nice little break from Beijing.  Maybe a little side trip to the classic water town of Suzhou while I'm in the area.

 

Finally, looming in the horizon is the week-long trip to Thailand that I'll take in February...a few days will be spent in Bangkok before I head down south and meet up with my two little Aussie friends, Simon and Michelle, in Phuket.

 

Exciting times we do live in!