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Welcoming The Year Of The Rat
My sister, Sue, who lives in Hong Kong, recently sent the following email to all family members (“Ratatouillians”), and gave me the OK to share it with you. Who couldn’t use a little bit of extra good ju-ju? Besides, how often do you get to shop for red and yellow underwear?
My dear, fellow Ratatouillians (and yes, I know there’s not a Rat among us, but admit it, we do love our food!),
Feeling glum about this stock market mess?
Political debates got you down?
Fear not, dear Ratatouillians, the Year of the Rat is coming!
Whiskers up that it will commence on February 7th. For best luck in the new year — and to enhance feng shui — clean your house in advance … do not work/work as little as you can from the evening of the 6th (have a traditional family dinner!) through the 11th/your first day back at the office, and wear red or yellow undies for good luck (no fooling, the words sound like ‘lucky’ in Chinese!)
Do NOT visit relatives/friends on the third day of the New Year or you know what tradition says will happen! (For new Ratatouillians: On that day, everyone will quarrel too much!)
Stay tuned for Feb. 13 when we’ll all celebrate as we do each year, Everyone’s Birthday!
Cheese!
The HK Chair-Rat
We are very lucky to have two restaurants on the island that serve scrumptious Chinese food — Echo and Coco. Go welcome the lunar new year over a delicious plate — or two — of food. UPDATE: Or make your own! See food writer Roberta Sabban’s feature, with recipes: Festive Meals Ring In Chinese New Year
Coco and Echo are too posh for those wonderfully kitschy Chinese astrology placemats, so check here before you go so you’re conversant in rat-snake-dragonese.
Photos via flickr: Lantern by Yienshawn92 and Rat by Beggs
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