I spent my entire Friday and Saturday evenings skyping with my parentals and with relatives in China, wishing them all “Xin Nian Quai Le!” and “Gong Xie Fa Cai!” I must have repeated these phrases at least a good thirty times to every relative I was greeted by. Everyone also took turns showing me the delicious dumplings they were eating via webcam while I merely pouted at each dish. Despite that I wasn’t able to go out for fresh dumplings or dim sum, I had some frozen ones that my parents and grandpa made over the winter break! Nom nom nom. Thanks family!
On Sunday morning R and I walked down to Chinatown where we witnessed the classic lion dancing tradition. Though it was a small parade I still enjoyed the little bit of rowdiness that is necessary for the coming of a new lunar year. My favourite moments were the “lettuce eating” portion of the act and when the lion dancers wearing their full gear took the escalators up to the second floor! (see photo below) Several vendors were selling various lucky Chinese trinkets, posters that say in bold characters “wealth” or “luck”, and everything RED RED RED from floor to ceiling! Of course we also hit up a Chinese bakery afterwords for something sweet 
I don’t understand why the photos are now no longer size adjustable? Is there a way to do it still…can anyone help me out here? Thx!