Gong Xi Fa Cai

Seasons Greetings to all my fellow Chinese friends and readers, may the year of the rabbit bring you all much peace, joy, happiness and prosperity.....the year of the rabbit is supposed to be a lucky and peaceful one, one of negotiations and fulfilment of wishes. Here's a synopsis I found from http://www.stanssewingsupplies.com/catalogs/store.asp?pid=253080

THE YEAR OF THE RABBIT, 2011

02/03/2011 - 01/22/2012 (Metal)

According to the Chinese Zodiac, the Year of 2011 is the Year of the Golden Rabbit, which begins on February 3, 2011 and ends on January 22, 2012.  The Rabbit is the fourth sign of the Chinese Zodiac, which consists of 12 animals signs.  The Rabbit is a lucky sign.  Rabbits are private individuals and a bit introverted.  People born in the Year of the Rabbit are reasonably friendly individuals who enjoy the company of a group of good friends.  They are good teachers, counselors and communicators, but also need their own space.

According to Chinese tradition, the Rabbit brings a year in which you can catch your breath and calm your nerves.  It is a time for negotiation.  Don't try to force issues, because if you do you will ultimately fail.  To gain the greatest benefits from this time, focus on home, family, security, diplomacy, and your relationships with women and children.   Make it a goal to create a safe, peaceful lifestyle, so you will be able to calmly deal with any problem that may arise.

Not many people know that the Rabbit is the symbol of the Moon, while the Peacock is the symbol of the Sun, and that together, these two animal signs signify the start of day and night, represent the Yin and Yang of life.  It is said that anyone making supplications for wishes to be fulfilled are certain to get what they want... and in the Year of the Rabbit, the wish-granting aspect of the Sun and the Moon combined is multiplied.  The Moon is YIN and this is the Yin of Heaven, signifying magic.  Thus on each of the Full Moon nights of this year, go out into your garden to gaze into the Full Moon and visualize plenty of Moon dust and Moon glow flowing into you, filling your whole body with bright white light and granting you fearlessness, love and courage.  This will not only strengthen your inner "Chi" energy, it will also bring wisdom into your life.

I love the use of Yin here, as you all know my name has Yin in it!!! I am the moon, heaven and magic!

Another interesting thing that happened was that I received an email from the Malaysian Prime Minister and his family wishing me Happy Chinese New Year. Obviously I know he did not send this personally, it's his public relations department that have sent it. What's puzzling is how he got hold of my email address and knew I was a Malaysian Chinese?  The start of my email address reads suyincj... is it that obvious?

Anyhow, I was wondering if my fellow Malaysian friends had been sent a similar email.... here is a copy of that said email to prove I did actually receive one, for all my cynical readers out there, LOL

Salam 1Malaysia! Saya ingin mengucapkan Selamat Menyambut Tahun BaruCina buat seluruh rakyat Malaysia, khususnya bagi mereka yang akan menyambut perayaan yang penuh dengan kemeriahan ini. Setiap kali tibanya perayaan ini, saya masih terbayang kemeriahan dan keceriaan yang saya lalui semasa kecil. Sudah pasti saya tidak akan ketinggalan mengikut ibu bapasaya menziarahi rakan-rakan beliau yang berketurunan Cina. Makanan kegemaran semasa musim perayaan ini semestinya kuih kapit, kuih bangkit, tat nanas, kerepek "ngaku" manakala limau Mandarin sering menjadi pilihan utama. Teringat juga, sewaktu kecil adakalanya saya dihampiri oleh rakan-rakan ibu bapa yang menghulurkan angpow. Tetapi sekarang, suasana sudah berbeza. Hidangan sudah berubah, pelbagai juadah seperti sate, ais kacang, mi rebus dan maruku juga disediakan. Semoga di Tahun Arnab ini, kita akan sentiasa berada dalam suasana penuh kemakmuran, kebahagiaan dan juga dianugerahkan kesihatan yang sempurna. Selamat Tahun Baru Cina, Gong Xi Fa Cai! Ikhlas daripada Najib Razak & Keluarga Salam 1Malaysia! Happy Chinese New Year to all Malaysians who celebrate this auspicious event. Each year as the season draws near I am reminded of the excitement and merriment I experienced as a child duringChinese New Year. Mum and dad would visit our Chinese friends, and I would always tag along. I always look forward to savouring the many delicacies, favorites being kuih kapit, kuih bangkit, pineapple tarts and "ngaku" crackers, with Mandarin oranges always on top of the list. A wide smile would cross my face when I received "angpows" from my parents' friends. Today, the celebrations have grown to include sate, ais kacang, mi rebus and maruku even! May the Year of the Rabbit bring blessings of much happiness, good health and prosperity always. With new beginnings comes new opportunities and as we usher in the Lunar New Year, it is my sincere hope that you achieve success and satisfaction in all your undertakings. Your accomplishments are reflective of our nation's triumphs, and may we always excel beyond expectations! Gong Xi Fa Cai! From Najib Razak & Family

So, there you have it, I am special, or is he trying to get my vote? I have never voted at any elections in Malaysia, having left when I was 23... internet voting? Is this what this is all about, or is it just a Prime Minister aware that there are Malaysians that have left and would appreciate a friendly, warm greeting from him? Hahahaha, I'm too cynical for that.  I am more concerned about how he got my email address!!!! I will end with an image of the Canadian CNY stamp for this year.

PS Make sure you all have a great time, like the Prime Minister I remember all the great food available at this time of year, no pineapple tarts, kuih kapit or kuih bangkit to be had here, so eat up, drink up and sup a bit for me too.....will be celebrating with you all in spirit!