January 26 was the Chinese New Year! The year of the Ox. Everywhere Chinese people are, they hurry home from work. People rush out of subway stations, train stations and buses. Families gather around at one’s house. The house, condo, or apartment is filled with warmth, laughter, and happiness. Children gather around the eating table with grandparents. Smiles take over the elders’ face, knowing that their grandchildren are one year older. Joys filled their hearts.

Sounds of pans and pots clattered in the kitchen. Delicious smells of cooking surrounds the house. One after another, dishes of food are set at the table. Children drool just looking at the food.

Relatives send greeting cards to each other. Most contain a little red envelop. Inside, the little envelop holds money. Kids would guess how much is in it by how thick it is inside, some would think it’s a lot when really, the relative shoved many one dollars in it. My second youngest cousin got a big red envelop from her sister, there was only five dollars! She thinks everything that’s big has a lot of items in it. Usually money from grandparents, aunts and uncles are from $100-$300, sometimes even $500 if you’re respectful and doing very well in school,

On Chinese New Year, everyone gathers at the TV while eating. Every year, on New Year’s Eve there are always plenty of performances on that channel. There’s opera sing, pop, hip-pop, comedy shows, and many more.

Chinese New Year means a new start of another year of life, new wealth, and happiness.