Happy New Year!

"But mommy, those treats are so little and my tummy is SO BIG!"
--Kathryn, on why she should be allowed unlimited goodies at the New Year's Eve party

We just had the most spectacular impromptu fire works display out our window. Not on New Year's Eve, but the Eve of New Year's Day. Now you in the US have long ago been restricted from such close-up views of dangerous explosives by law suits and other such legalities. But not here! Across from our apartment building is an open field--almost continually zero humidity and perfect grass fire conditions--and also ideal for setting off fireworks. The girls were so tickled as even Ellie belted out rounds of "WOW! and "Amazing!" There was a fun kind I had never seen before. When they exploded in the sky they spun like spinning tops. Kathryn wanted to know, "Why is the "work" in the fireworks? Is it hard work to light them?" Do any of you know the answer?

Last night we had a fun night with friends where, shockingly, even the girls lasted until midnight. I kept thinking they were going to crash and Ellie kept meandering around like she was tipsy, but they both lasted long enough to ring in the new year. On Chinese television there was no ascending ball. At the stroke of midnight, they hit a big GONG. They proceeded to hit the gong 108 times, for the year 2008. When I asked my Chinese friend why they didn't hit it 8 times instead of 108, she wasn't sure, but did feel that would be a lot less 'ren nao' (exciting). I personally felt that 8 times was plenty.

Happy New Year to all!