This is the Year of the Monkey, the ninth animal in the cycle. The monkey features prominently in many ancient Chinese legends. People born in the Year of the Monkey are said to be intelligent, clever, and gregarious, but also mischievous. They are skilled and smart, but shortcomings, like a quick temper and a touch of arrogance, tend to hold them back.
Have fun and enjoy the celebrations!
We wish you a year full of Good Fortune, Good Luck & Good Health
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Today starts the first day of the chinese new year, 2015 is the year of the goat/sheep! Chinese astrology says that each year is associated with an animal sign, occuring in a 12 year cycle. This is similar to the zodiac signs you may be familiar with that occur about every month or so, except these represent specific years.
How is the holiday celebrated? In brief, the Chinese New Year celebration or “Spring Festival” lasts for about a week long. Fireworks are set off, dragon dances, ancestor worship, and traditional performances. Red is the main color of the festival and all types of decorations in this color will be seen. A popular practice is the giving of red envelopes (usually containing money) to youth and retired seniors.
Family and Friends are very important during this time and generally China is extremely busy, as people are racing home to see their loved ones! There are so many cultures in the world that it’s always interested to find out what people are doing elsewhere.
Lucky Numbers- 2 & 7
Lucky Colors – Brown, Red, Purple
LuckyFlowers- Carnations & Primroses
Lucky Months- August & November
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Chinese New Year starts today! It is the year of the horse. Budda said people born in the Year of the Horse are cheerful, skillful with money, perceptive, witty, talented and good with their hands.
Wear red for good luck to start the Chinese New Year!
There are events all over Suffolk County Celebrating Chinese New Year and even more in NYC!
http://long-island.newsday.com/events/celebrate-the-chinese-new-year-on-li-1.6865848
http://gonyc.about.com/cs/holidays/a/chinesenewyear.htm
Last weekend’s snow storm pushed our celebration of Chinese New Year a week later, but we enjoyed learning all about it and how to make Chinese Dumplings from Yujue, an au pair from China! She taught us about the Chinese Zodiac, how the new year is celebrated in China. Then she taught us how to make Chinese dumplings, which were delicious.
Cindy Garruba and Nancy Picart combined their clusters at Cindy’s house for the meeting. Cindy led the group in filling out their tax forms, reviewing some school information for classes au pairs can take, safe driving tips from the DMV, childcare activities for fun on days when you have to stay inside, and then we learned some heart idioms in celebration of Valentine’s Day. Nancy Picart made a Valentine dessert for everyone, we handed out candy kisses to all the au pairs. 
It was the last cluster meeting for Juliana from Brazil! She will be traveling around the USA for her bonus travel month, then returning to Brazil. Cindy presented her with a certificate, a good bye gift and all the au pairs cheered her accomplishments. Juliana has been an au pair for 2 years! We look forward to hearing more about her trip and her success in years to come!
Today, January 23, 2012, we wave goodbye to the rabbit and welcome in the Year of the Dragon!
According to the Chinese Zodiac, the Year of 2012 is the Year of the Dragon, which begins on January 23, 2012 and ends on February 9, 2013. The Dragon is the fifth sign of the Chinese Zodiac, which consists of 12 Animal signs. The Dragon is a creature of myth and legend. In ancient China, the celestial Dragon represents an emperor and power. Today, it is the ultimate auspicious symbol signifying success and happiness. May the celestial Dragon bring great good luck to everyone.
At Chinese New Year celebrations people wear red clothes, decorate with poems on red paper, and give children “lucky money” in red envelopes. Red symbolizes fire, which according to legend can drive away bad luck. The fireworks that shower the festivities are rooted in a similar ancient custom. Long ago, people in China lit bamboo stalks, believing that the crackling flames would frighten evil spirits.
We may not want to pay taxes: those of us born in the USA, or those who live in the USA for a short time. But if you earn money in the USA, then you owe your fair share. At the Suffolk County Au Pair in America February Cluster Meeting the information on how and when to pay taxes was reviewed by Senior Community Counselor, Cindy Garruba. “I am not an accountant, but I need to give the information to all of you,” Cindy stated. “It is important to review the information available on www.aupairinamerica.com and file appropriately.”
A link to the information is available under the Link “Life in the USA” on this blog.
The meeting included egg rolls and fortune cookies to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Cindy discussed why we celebrate President’s Day in the USA and that the host children would be off of school for a week in February. Several au pairs mentioned they were tired of the long winter, and Cindy gave them a handout with some activities to do with the children on winter days.
It was Super Bowl Sunday and Cindy explained how most Americans wil watch the Super Bowl, making it the most viewed show of the year. Many people watch with friends and family, even if just for the commercials and half time. Everyone received a Valentine goodie bag, too!
