As the subject says, Happy Chinese New Year to those who celebrate it! I know not many people do but hey
9th February is CNY and the day before (or days before) is for...CLEANING! A tradition to welcome the new year

On the first day of CNY, according to tradition, you are not to clean as that would clean all your good luck away. On the night before (yes I'm jumping, shhh

) many people would go and walk around the flower market; it is to be said that you "walk good luck". I suppose the larger the circle you walks (flower markets are arranged so you end where you began

the entrance and exits are next to each other) the more luck you would get for the following year.
There are a few days for CNY and the three major ones are the first three days. The first day is to visit your father's side of the family, second is your mother's side and I'm not sure what the third day is because we don't go anywhere. It is said that the third day isn't that good for visiting as you may get quarrels.
For kids and those who are not that old and not married, we get red packets

Usually married couples give two to one kid. These red packes contain money! I suppose this is to wish people good luck for the following year.
FOOD! I love the food during CNY

Partly because my mum buys nice food to serve the guests, so naturally I would get to eat them too

On the first biggie day of CNY, I'm used to waking up and getting ready and then serve tea to my parents (with a date inside I think, can't remember

). This shows respect for your parents

After that we have breakfast! I love CNY breakfasts because there are different kinds of Chinese "dim sum" such as turnip cake (tastes terrific

) and taro cake and the sweet cake that I do not know the english name for.
Usually you just have big meals during CNY to celebrate the new year. It's similar to chilling on the Jan 1st but more traditionally.
And now something blew up my train of thought (I ALWAYS get this), I wish you all a happy Chinese New Year!

(and perhaps happy early Valentines but that's not related to this topic

teehee)