RINGING IN THE YEAR OF THE SNAKE!

Chinese New Year week just ended a few days ago and welcomed the arrival of the Year of the Snake amidst all the crazy celebration dinners and noisy fireworks that went on daily until the wee hours of the morning. Despite the noise that went on for days, the brightly lit sky and colorful firework displays were beautiful to look at and essential to bring good fortune for the new year.

This has been my first post in more than a month now. I'm blaming this partially on my state of semi-hibernation due to the freezing temperatures over here in Northeast China. Going out and discovering new things just isn't applicable during the winter months here in Dalian, so forgive me, but I will make up for it!

So, what can we look forward to this year according to the Chinese Lunar Calendar? Well, 2013 is the Year of the Water Snake to be precise. People born in 1953 and this year 2013 are Water Snakes, said to be influential, motivated, insightful and highly intellectual. Snakes work well with others but are also often private and reveal their innermost feelings only to those closest to them.

Some predictions say that 2013 will be a year of new discoveries in research and technology. When doing business deals, contracts etc., a little caution and good planning is recommended. With a lot of hard work, achieving one's dreams looks promising this year. This is also a year of looking inside yourself for more direction, knowledge or spirituality.

What are you looking forward to this year? Happy Year of the Snake!

Chinese New Year decorations primarily consist of red and gold
and the fish symbols, which bring good fortune.

Red Lanterns are also favorite decorations

The Hilton Bear all dressed up for Chinese New Year