新年快樂

In my Chinese language course and martial art classes here in Beirut, we’ve been getting ready for Chinese New Year–the Year of the Horse. This long holiday, which began yesterday, is usually celebrated in China with prayers, parades, lion dances, and pyrotechnics. This year, however, Chinese authorities are discouraging the use of fireworks to avoid additional pollution. Outside of China, it seems like everyone’s trying to join the festivities–including the NBA, Godiva, and the city of Chicago. With China trying to soften its image abroad, it certainly can’t hurt to start off the new year with beautiful Chinese New Year celebrations around the world…