Every year, about this time, Spring Festival quietly pays us a visit. Before we realize that an entire year has just passed, we have to get ourselves ready for another 365 days’ of uphill winding road, the challenges of life. Before embarking upon this trip, let’s rest a while, think a little, have a cup of tea and make time for a yawn, all before the God of Wealth costs us too much on the midnight of Danian Chu 5. (the fifth day of the new year). It is that happy time once a year. Guo nian lo!

Spring Festival is a world of red. Not the red that 50’s Shanghainese got startled about when seeing a red China sprouted. Not the red fluttering over and on the Hong Wei Bing’s hats and armbands. The red of Spring Festival represents a wonderful time to be had by so many wonderful people.

Pick up the baskets. Time for shopping! Housewives go crazy about shopping beyond compare. It is a great moment to realize their values when they go the risk of getting squeezed into a cubical, and then getting back home safely with a tremendous bag of goodies and complacently receive appreciation from the husbands. Everyone thinks the bliss is her heart’s content.

No work; no Nestle 3+1 coffee mix to remind people not to sleep; no need to work in front of the boss and sleep behind the boss, no need to smile at the boss’s cold face while in fact the huge bags under your eyes nearly stop you smiling. No need to work overtime, either, but DO sleep overtime! Be relaxed. Spring Festival, to some extent, is a sleeping festival, loved by all who are willing to compensate a total year’s lost sleep and dream about next year. Plans come from dreaming, so dream away and dream well!

For many locals and foreigners residing here, it is a time to travel. While the destinations are diverse, everybody is happy. Many foreign guests here have a sort of double ‘Christmas’- a double ‘happiness’. Great! Nobody would reject another 8 lovely free days to escape from the weary grind. Shortly after returning to Shanghai from Christmas spent at home, Chinese New Year is waiting for them. Round two to practice indulgence in laziness. One can get buried in DVD's here at home or go hit somewhere new to visit. Thailand turns to be a sizzling hot resort this year, or visit exotic Western China, a popular attraction to our foreign friends. Some may mix with local friends to truly experience some of the traditional ways of celebrating Spring Festival, while others can’t wait to be gathered in their own expatriate social circles. Everyone seems to be able to find some pleasure of life to enjoy during this festive season.

Spring Festival no longer only belongs to the Chinese, but to many foreigners as well. As East meets West, we share our traditional Chinese happiness with our international guests, so many of whom readily embrace this country and its culture, while bringing their own Christmas-fever along.

Happy Chinese New Year everyone!