Hello Everyone:
Gong Xi Fa Chai! Happy New Year. I am in Taipei celebrating and welcoming the Chinese New Year which falls on January 23 this year. It is the Year of the Dragon. The only sign of the chinese zodiac that is a creature that you cannot see. Powerful and mystical. Mysterious and lucky. In the old days the dragon represented the king and only the king could wear the dragon symbol on his clothing. The year of the dragon is especially popular. Let’s hope it is a good one.
A couple of old things to note during the Chinese New Year:
- Make sure your home is clean and tidy before the new year.
- Don’t take throw out the garbage for 5 days after the new year – – or you are ‘throwing away your money’.
- Take special care not to break any glass – bad luck.
- Try not to make any enemies or quarrel with anyone.
- Wear red underwear – for good luck.
- Get a haircut.
This year being in Taipei is special. My maternal grandparents are both in their mid-80s and still healthy and full of life. My mother is the eldest of 8. And this year, all the siblings are here. My cousins will all make an appearance. It is rare for all of us to be together at the same time. My brother has brought his wife to meet my grandparents for the first time. We just finished having a pot luck dinner and will be together playing mah jong and maybe sing a few songs and ring in the new year at midnight.
I am sporting my very short hair. Just prior to coming to Asia and being the new year, I thought it very fitting to have my first haircut post-treatments. My hair had grown out quite a bit, but was getting a little unruly. I was beginning to have a ‘mullet’….not really my style! My trusty hair guru Brian and I decided to cut it down quite again to let it grow out again. The back is full, but the hair on the top is still a little thin. So let’s hope it grows back thicker this time around – – at least it’s black. But my hair really wants to curl!! However I have to say, I do enjoy wearing my wigs. I recently got one that is quite long. Goes down to the small of my back. I haven’t had hair that long since I was in my early 20s (yes – a long time ago…..). I’m having fun with it. Although the first morning after I cut my hair super short again that bothered me was that when I passed myself in the mirror and didn’t have much hair, I did get a little chill. It was a touch creepy – as I was reminded too much of when I was going through treatment. (Pre-hair cut, my morning hair was like Einstein’s – standing up on all ends and very curly – image that – – so it was a bit shocking after it was cut).
From time to time it is really hard to believe everything that has happened this past year. But as everything in life, we must soldier on and continue to face our daily tasks with a positive outlook and a cheerful disposition. We cannot change what has happened in the past. However, we can accept it, and take lessons and learn to make adjustments and drive forward.
I am grateful in knowing that this experience has changed my life for the better. It has made me a stronger person in body, mind and spirit.
Welcome to the Dragon.
Yours always, Winnie xo