Flower Market, Shenzhen for Chinese New Year, 2012

Luca enjoying carmelized strawberries on a stick. Other treats featured at the Flower Market were baked potatoes, roasted nuts, corn on the cob, sugar cane juice and coconut juice. So healthy!
Red lanterns and messages of good fortune for a good year are sold in many kiosks at the Flower Market here in Shenzhen. Note the sky scrapers in the background and the smog. This guy who is making door messages with calligraphy was great to watch. He did laugh at my Chinese though when I asked how much twice. Talented, but kinda mean.

Year of the Dragon decorations abound. The year of the Dragon is an auspicious year to have a son. When we asked our Chinese friends, the Lius who have a son and a daughter, which sign of the zodiac was auspicious to have a daughter, Alex laughed and said, "None."

Entrance to the Flower Market. One part of this holiday that I love is having new, blooming plants and flowers in your home. We bought two paperwhites, shui shian or "water fairies"in Chinese. They are just now opening and so fragrant. They remind me of forcing bulbs at Christmas time with R and L.

China Day, 2012 Year of the Dragon

Luca getting a super sized cotton candy at China Day at SIS. In the background is the track and Chinese building on the lower school campus.

Renata and Michael, a grade 1 student from Canada, getting ready to play the musical chairs Zodiac game. He won a chicken card.

Ms. Cindy and I on the track. Cindy is my amazing TA. I will miss her kindness, wisdom, and humor so very much when we go home. Hands down, I have learned the most about China from after school conversations with her.

Even though this is the dog eating time of year, more and more wealthy Chinese in southern China have designer dogs as pets. As seen in this great shot of a chow-chow, many dogs are dressed up. Just another way to show how much money you have. Really.