Thursday, January 26, 2012

Happy Chinese New Year!

My daughter, Abigail, suggested I write something about Chinese New Year today. So I'll take a break from writing about literary related things to talk a little about this holiday and why it's so important to our family.

The new year celebration began on Monday, and will continue for a couple of weeks. This year is the year of the Dragon, one of 12 animals in the Chinese yearly cycle. I was born in the year of the dragon, so this year is close to my heart.


Those that are born in a certain year, have specific characteristics. For example, those born in the year of the dragon are passionate, brave and self-assured (although in my case, rarely at the same time). Dragons are blessed with good fortune, are smart, enterprising, and have a wicked sense of humor.

The year itself will also bear the characteristics of the dragon. A dragon year is a good year to start a business, or to initiate a new project because money will be easier to come by--yay!

If you're a Dragon looking for love, you're compatible with those born in the years of the Rat, Monkey, and Rooster. Lucky for me, my wife's a Rat!

So, now to the reason Chinese New Year is important to my family. My daughter Abigail is adopted from China. In 2005, Stephanie and I left 3 year old Christian with our parents, and flew over to China to meet Abby. We were lucky enough to travel with 9 other couples. We all met our girls together.

Meeting Abigail

I can't describe the feeling of seeing Abby for the first time. It was like the feeling I had when Christian was born, but different, too. Anyway, I knew our family was complete at that moment. We spent two weeks in China and really bonded with the other families, so much so that we get together several times every year. They're all great people, and have become good friends.


All of the families on the staircase of the China Marriot

One of those times is during Chinese New Year. We go to a Chinese restaurant and party!! In fact, we're going to get together right after my book signing on Sunday. Here's a picture from a new Year celebration from a few years ago.


So to all our little China angels, and to evertone else, Happy Chinese New Year!

3 comments:

  1. What a beautiful post! It sounds like you have a wonderful family and it is fantastic that you are still so close to the families that you met when you went to meet your daugher. How special! Happy Chinese New Year! I am glad to hear that the Year of the Dragon will be a good one for new projects and money. :) I was born in a tiger year I think.

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  2. Hi this is Abigail Slomba. I was born in the year of the Monkey. Every year I get to see my China friends for Chinese New Year. Atthe place we playvideo games, doprojects, eat and have fun.Happy Chinese New Year!

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  3. Jess--Thanks! It's really special that all the families still get together. Sunday is going to be a very special day!

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