something to crow about

Happy Chinese New Year!
Or as the animal of the year would say, cock-a-doodle-doo!

Yes, it's the year of the rooster (or chicken).

Yes, my family ate chicken for dinner (amongst other yummy foodstuffs). We eat chicken most nights it seems. Anyhow, it was a nice dinner (although I ate later than the rest of the family).
Every dish has significance. Usually I can't remember their meanings. Suddenly, I feel very malnourished in terms of culture. Even though my parents and chinese school teachers taught me these rituals and festivals, it doesn't stick in my memory too well.

Christal, the elder of my two cousins, was saying she felt like she was having an identity crises in terms of her heritage. Was she Canadian? or Chinese? Most Canadian-born Chinese feel pulled by this dilemma of wanting to fit in with their Canadian friends, but also wanting to honour their parents and culture.

Meanwhile, my younger cousin, Jo (short for Johanna) is preparing a traditional fan dance for some talent night or something of that nature. And recently, she wrote a paper about chinese gangs. She was studying the norms and values of this particular group. It's encouraging to see the younger generation take such interest in their heritage.