The Year of the Tiger

Happy New Year, everyone! Well, it certainly looks like a happy one for us. We just experienced our first little Chinese New Year's celebration. Today Lachlan and I hung up our red lanterns around the house which he has been quite fascinated with ever since. We also made his grandparents and great auntie New Year cards signed with a little red Lachlan hand print. It was also Lachlan's first experience with crayons. He scribbled a nice design on the front colouring sheet, taking his own creative license, of course. Next the moment came that I had been looking forward to all week; the donning of his Chinese outfit. My husband and I picked it out the last time we were in Chinatown in San Francisco. We couldn't resist when we saw the traditional shirt and pants, so small on a little hanger hanging up in the overcrowded Chinese shop. We 'umed' and 'erred' about whether to buy it but all it took was the lady at the shop telling us how adorable our little prince would look in it and we were sold. The lady was right, he did look adorable in it and he was so excited buy his new getup when I first put it on him. I carefully slipped the silky loops over the knotted buttons on the shirt and stared down at Lachlan who gave me a huge toothy smile. It was if he knew it was a special outfit for a special day. I picked him up from my bed and held him in front of the mirror. He looked at his attire and looked at my bright red Chinese shirt and began to give a little chuckle while kicking his legs. He approved.

Off to grandma and grandpa's we went. The car ride was long with a lot of stand still traffic but my little man was sitting happy and content in the back seat sporting his new clothes. He looked like Chinese Dynasty sitting on his throne all buckled up in the back seat. Of course I was his chauffeur, providing live entertainment. Mostly 'Old MacDonald Had a Farm.' Our car radio isn't working at the moment which leaves a very, very long car ride.

When we got to grandma's Lachlan was greeted by his grandparents, daddy, who met us there from work and also his Uncle. Grandma and Grandpa, affectionately known as Ba and Ong, and his uncle presented Lachlan with his first red envelopes. He didn't seem to be too interested in them, but one day he'll understand what is inside them and I think he'll be a lot more excited. He definitely hit the jackpot. I think he's going to have a lot of good luck this year! For those of you who are not familiar with the Chinese New Year tradition, (also known as the Lunar New Year), it is customary for adults to give children red envelopes with money in them. The envelopes are red because red represents good luck and also is suppose to scare away evil spirits. The amount of money in the envelopes is also traditionally an even number and is never in groups of four as these represent bad luck.

There is a lot to learn about Vietnamese tradition if you aren't familiar with it. It has been a really interesting and fun learning experience for me; one of the many benefits of being in a bi-racial marriage; you learn so much about the other person's culture that you grow to respect the customs and appreciate the history behind them. It is one advantage that Lachlan will have; he will be exposed the thought process of both the Eastern and Western world and hopefully form a respect and understanding for both. How lovely would it be if more children were raised this way? Perhaps they would turn into adults who have a less critical eye and are not as hasty in judging people by the colour of their skin or the sound of their last name. Ah, what a wonderful world that would be. :-)

I should also add that this year is the Year of the Tiger. We have a houseful of species here. Lachlan is an Ox. I am a Monkey and my husband is a Rat, a cute and sweet rat though! Also hy husband's great aunt recommends for Monkeys like myself not to have a baby this year as Tigers and Monkeys do not get along...there's one more thing to worry about for you! ;-)