A Personal New Years

I don't know if you are aware but the Year of the Snake began on Sunday. I have been doing as much as I can to grasp a connection to this massively celebrated festivity that I feel so faintly of simply because I am so far away from home. Perhaps it is the everyday updates I now get on my whatsapp family group chat that started this nostalgia. This will be the ninth Chinese New Year since I left home to come to London and I don't remember the last time I felt this strongly for wishing I was there. It feels as if I'm working through Christmas. I know chinatown is always buzzing for CNY, was any of you there despite the rainy weather on Sunday?

Anyway, snap traditions for those who aren't asian! Red red red (check), symbolises luck and some brightness is always good for new beginnings! New clothes help too, with that. You are also supposed to have a proper de-clutter (rid with the old and in with the new - check) two days before the New Year is upon us, and the last day (new years eve) is for a big nice fussy cosy meal with your loved ones gathered around. The entire week from that is a massive family affair, going around to your extended families with gifts, competition of greetings in exchange for red pockets, mahjong, lots and lots of good food, snacking non-stop, kids playing, hustling and bustling.

I even bought some CNY decorations this year in attempt to recreate a little atmosphere for myself. But before the first day was over, it was clearly never going to be the same without my dear mother - mothers are the CEO's & COO's & everything else of Chinese New Years in all families. So instead I have adorned myself with my Festivities Scarf since Sunday morning. It works amazingly well with every outfit, even pyjamas; with or without a cuppa. I'm actually slightly nervous for this year, as my CEO/COO informs me that the Snake clashes with my horoscope, and thus express-mailed me a jade horse charm as my body guard with precision timing (as seen in Instagram). #momsrock

I won't bore you with all the pictures my family has sent through the family chat for all the exciting things they have been up to for this new years, but this is too much of a beauty not to share:

The most beautiful orchids I have ever seen.

xxx