Happy Chinese New Year!
Gong Xi Fa Cai!
Say hello to Newton, Hannah's cute bunny
The Lunar New Year of the Rabbit arrived almost unnoticed here in New Zealand on 3 February 2011. No Chinese New Year (CNY) ‘tung-chiang-tung-chiang’ songs, no CNY-rush traffic jams, no red ornaments or CNY banners in shops, no CNY TV shows, heck I even had to go to university on the first day of CNY (chor 1)!
The second day of CNY (chor 2) fell on a Friday. I decided I deserved at least a little holiday for CNY and took a day off, and I spent it preparing a few CNY dishes for our Kiwi flatmates Hannah and Murray; sort of to make up for a family reunion dinner Terry and I did not get to have on the eve of CNY.
On the other hand, knowing that Terry and I were thousands of miles away from home during this major Chinese festival, Hannah and Murray was really sweet and thoughtful. They made it a point to celebrate with us and make us feel just at home. Guess what they gave us as CNY gift?! (Hint: Not red packets of cash…. 
)
A surprise CNY gift
Many weeks ago, I had casually asked Hannah about fishing and crabbing in New Zealand. I have never gone fishing in my life and had always wanted to go on a fishing trip. Just to get us started, Hannah and Murray presented us with a fishing kit complete with baits and hooks and floats and…..an awesome fillet knife! We were so touched with their attention to detail…. 
Now a fishing trip with them is definitely in my to-do-list in the year of the Rabbit!
Next up: CNY dinner with my Kiwi ‘family’.
