Malaysia: Happy Chinese New Year · Global Voices
SK Thew

Yesterday was the start of the Year of the Dog based on the Chinese lunar calendar and it's also one of the major celebration in Malaysia.
During the Chinese New Year eve, reunion dinner is a must, such as blogger Passion Flower, who is very excited to celebrate Chinese New Year once again, with the usual reunion dinner on eve and confess that "we Chinese, can eat till our hearts content". After the reunion dinner, blogger May was pondering whether she should try her luck on cards games, as part of the Chinese tradition.
Blogger Slickdrums commended the Chinese New Year celebration as a truly Malaysian festival, not so much a Chinese festival as our culture is a great big harmonised tune of all races. He called upon everyone to celebrate this festival and holidays ala Malaysian.
As for blogger Simon, feeling tired after hours of driving on the Malaysia North-South Expressway, reached destionation safely and relieve that there weren't any major accidents throughout the journey.
While most of us celebrate new year in conventional way through house visiting, The World of Fat 4  managed to post 22 entries on his blog, not reaching his initial target of 40 entries, in his very own way of welcoming the Chinese New Year. Same to minishorts.net as she is on a long break, so she thought it would be a good idea to spruce up her blog, with the help of blogger Edrei. Raymond.CC Blog provides some Feng Shui tips from a Malaysia master Lilian Too while blogger Hock Lai is ready to up the challenge of going-to-be a working adult, as told from the horoscope's perspective.
East-Malaysia Kuching blogger cynical-idealist is back to the hometown again for CNY celebration, her first in two years period while Bubble Bath was feeling homesick at foreign land, however she is equally enjoying there, especially the hype of firecracker celebration which is banned back here in Malaysia.
Sending greeting to friends and relatives is one of the must-do item on CNY too. Together with her family, blogger Jolene set out a different way of wishing Happy Chinese New Years to friends and family, by recording her family Chinese New Year message, albeit in a pirated way while blogger Edison posted a few fireworks photos, as a way of wishing Malaysians a Happy Chinese New Year!
Blogger Justin Wong preferred to celebrate his new year at home watching Astro (a subscription-based multi-channel satellite TV service) and having oranges, rather than following his parents to do house visiting. Un-chinese, that's how he labelled himself.
So, what is your resolution for the Year of Dog if blogger Zyban vows to quit smoking on the Chinese New Year?
We're thankful that the tapestry of Malaysia is interlaced by threads of understanding, sensitivity and love for one another. The cords that bind us together have stood the test of time. In years to come, let us be rich in the many virtues that cut across race and religion, including the virtues of patience, peace, love and goodwill.
Gong Xi Fa Cai to everyone!