LIVEALITTLE

It has been more than 5 years since I've been around to celebrate Chinese New Year with the family. Although what the practical, frugal Chungs observe is tiny in comparison to what the usual Chinese family prepares, we do take the effort to make hundreds of our deep fried peanut, sugar and sesame seed dumplings (a.k.a. "horns") for distribution to friends (although many get consumed at home as well!).

The Chungs have come a long way from the day event of manually hammer pounding to make peanut pieces of my youth to 3 minute food processor chopping our peanuts. Apparently that is not all that has changed in the times. This year, Mom recollected chinese new year of her youth and how much she had looked forward to the plethora of food and her guaranteed one set of new clothes for the year. She fondly recalled how devastated she was the one chinese new year her new coat got destroyed when a firecracker landed on her pocket. Maybe it's me, but these days, in our land of plenty, holidays are no longer about the "stuff" nor the "food", but rather the memories (no matter how bitter) and the people. Hopefully this year we will even get to catch up with the rest of the extended family as well as 5 minutes with busy, impatient grandma! Happy year of the bunny!