I'm a little late but Happy Year of the Tiger and Valentine's Day!
Now Valentine's Day is easy enough to celebrate. A box of chocolates, dinner, or perhaps a heart shaped dessert? Right?
But, not so easy for me. Today is also Chinese New Year's, the Year of the Tiger. I may be almost 3rd generation Chinese but I still feel the need to celebrate the New Year. After all, it's an opportunity for me to eat Chinese food and not cook!
The Chinese use the lunar calender to determine the date of events, so I never know when it is. But Chinese New Year is the most celebrated of the holidays. As a child I remember endless "Family dinners" that would stretch far into March. Each family, and by that I mean everyone with the same or similar last name, would have a, in my case, GEE Family dinner. If your last name was Chan or Chin, then you were a member of the Chin Family Association. You didn't even have to be Chinese to belong. You could be designated an Honorary Family member. The dinners were 9 courses and, as I recall, eating with chopsticks was mandatory! What does all this mean?
Same thing it means in other societies and cultures. It's a way to maintain one's culture; to ensure the continued gathering of family members; a vehicle for celebrating holidays and momentous occasions.
2010 is the YEAR of the TIGER. (I'm an OX) The Tiger is a sign of bravery and valued as a sign that wards off the 3 main tragedies of a household: fire, ghosts and thieves.
So, my dilemma. How to celebrate.
Candy 
from my husband , Chinese food
or perhaps BOTH!! Or what about chocolate covered egg rolls??
In any event, Gung Hei Fat Choy and Happy Valentine's Day and may your day be covered in CHOCOLATE AND PROTECTED BY THE TIGER!
