Suzanne’s Blog

Koreans celebrate Lunar New Year too… it’s very similar to the tradition that the Chinese follow here in Singapore but yet different in its unique ways. Well, since my colleagues and some of you here have been asking about the Korean way, I thought I might as well do a short write about it and provide a peak into what goes on to those who are interested.

Lunar New Year in South Korea is called ‘Seol’ and it’s one of my favorite time of the year. Why? It’s one those rare times when you find Seoul quite empty!!! Everyone goes back to his/her hometown to be reunited with family and relatives. Those who’ve been to Seoul will know how mad traffic can get there. So it’s quite a refreshing change to see Seoul in its relaxed and laid back mode Having said that, to those who plan to vacation in Korea, please avoid this period. Most shops are closed …

Back to tradition… spring cleaning takes place as well in Korea the week before the big day. And on LNY’s day itself, you’re supposed to wear the hanbok – the traditional Korean costume. I say ’supposed’ because not many practise that today since it’s not the most convenient wear. A pity…

An important event that takes place in the morning of LNY is performing an ancestor-memorial ritual “Chesa”, that is paying respects to their ancestor. And for this, you have to set up an altar with chesa food. Mind you, there is a specific order in which the food items should be placed and you mustn’t get this wrong.

On the left – Meat. On the right – Rice Drink
East : Head. West: Tail
East: Red color. West: White color.

If you ever see a table setting of such, you’ll always find that a bowl of red dates are placed at the top left hand corner of the altar table. Why? Dates represent the King and have only one seed. ( i honestly don’t really get this but that’s the official explanation… ha~)

After the food and altar’s ready, the whole family gathers in front of it and takes turn to bow to pay respects. The senior elders will lead the way and then the younger ones. After each bow, a drink of Korean traditional wine is served on the altar table. A symbolic gesture to say ” Please eat and drink what we’ve prepared for you.” Everybody gets his turn here. After this ritual, the young ones are expected to turn to their parents and grandparents and do the same bow and wish them Happy New Year.

The bow is a very important aspect of the Korean tradition. There’s a technique to bowing and it’s different for boys and girls, males and females. It’s a full body bow and this bow is sometimes so deep your forehead touches the floor. It’s to show utmost respect to your elders. After the bow, the elders will give us angpows… except in Korea, they either give it in a envelope or hand over cash like that without concealing it in an envelope etc… so everybody knows who’s getting how much;p

The rest of the day is then either spending time with the family or visiting your ancestor’s grave… and that’s pretty much the agenda for the day. I have to say though, mothers have it tough during this period. Still a very conservative and traditional Korea, women are expected to prepare all the food (for the altar and the family) and it’s a full day’s job. This is one time when I see all my aunties and my mother and my grandmother crowding the kitchen trying to make enough food for everybody. It’s almost like a mini restaurant kitchen and I get amazed at how efficient they are and how they divide the work among themselves. Of course, sometimes we, girls are called into the task when there’s not enough help to go around. We usually get the easy tasks i.e either frying or cleaning the plates.

If there is one thing that Koreans have to eat during the Lunar New Year, it is tteokguk, a tasty clear beef broth with soft and chewy rice cakes sliced in oval shapes.
According to tradition, you can only get older when you eat the rice cake soup. ( A lot of children take this meaning literally and end up eating bowls of it in one morning in their greedy bid to grow up fast!) This is also why sometimes people ask your age by questioning how many bowls of rice cake soup you’ve had in your life, instead of asking directly.
 
Korean people consider Lunar New Year to be the most important holiday of the year. The country celebrates a total of 3 days - designated holidays.

Well, this year the whole holiday period run for 5 days because the weekend falls directly after the official LNY holidays. They’re calling it the ‘golden holidays 2009.’

HAPPY LUNAR NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

I thought these pictures were gorgeous, so I’m putting them up.  

President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle danced their night through as First couple… attending no fewer than 10 inaugural balls! They might as well compete as contestants in a marathon dance contest because I’m amazed at their energy level after such an early start to their special day. Not forgetting they surely didn’t get good sleep the night before in anticipation of the big day.

Inaugural ball is a tradition in America and it’s significant to note that Mr Obama’s series of balls kicked off with what’s dubbed the “Neighbourhood Ball”.

Assuring. He’s not forgotten the people.
Remember, they’ve given him so much.

And then there were parties for everyone else. The Mid-Atlantic Ball attended by Governors, the Home States Ball for family and old friends from their hometown, the Youth Ball where Obama was greeted like a rock start and so on. He’s made sure he didn’t miss anybody out.

Assuring again I’d say.

It’s a sign or an early indicator of his style of leadership – whatever he does he’s focused on his people. This quality is especially appreciated at times like now when confidence is falling and insecurity is setting in among many today.

Amazing too at the stamina both the President and the First Lady has shown. Like I said, it’s been a looong day for them and apparently they were visibly fatigued wth Mr Obama often almost tripping on his wife’s dress. But President Obama is already back in office next morning, reporting to work at 8.35am, taking a fully charged schedule. Hey, this guy is now the leader of the world’s superpower and he’s got daunting foreign and domestic challenges to grapple with which will require 1000 times the energy, stamina and perserverence on his part to get them done I presume. 

     

Well, at this point all I can say is that it’s a relief he’s a young and healthy President, and of course sensible and smart too. We’re in extraordinary times calling for extraordinary measures, requiring extraordinary effort from especially our leaders. At least I trust President Obama to have the energy and vigor to endure the immense pressures that come with the job – both physical and mental.

I don’t know about you, but it’s hard for me to believe that we’ve already begun another new year! 2009… And I’ve hit past 30 too. hmm… A number like that is a funny thing: On the one hand, it kinda gives you a fresh-start feeling of renewal; on the other hand, it inspires you to do a little looking back.

Anyway, 2008 has been a great year for me. Amidst all the gloomy news, I really have to be content with everything that I have and be thankful for the little pleasures in life. Here’s a short list.

- Started my blog and managed to keep it up alright

- Moved house ( twice in a year in fact! )

- Became more environmentally conscious and changed some habits

- Spearheaded a big project and learnt many new things

- Managed to get Rain to do a few recordings for me (lucky!)

- Traveled to New York and kept my promise to attend my brother’s and sister-in-law’s graduation

- And best of all, 2008 was a great family year thanks to two weddings in our family bringing everyone together from opposite ends of the globe. (not easy!)

And that last point alone is enough to make my 2008 an absolutely fantastic year.

Nothing is more precious to me than the love of my family, and nothing is more painful than being separated from them. Now that we’ve all grown up, moved on and started our own families now… it’s become even more difficult to coordinate a family get-together time, especially when everyone’s living in different parts of the world. 

You know, in that sense, I really miss my childhood days when the people I loved most, that is, my family, lived under one roof and were part of my life everyday. O, the good ‘ol days! And I have to admit, there is a part of me today that yearns for those days when my brother and sister and I hung out together always.

While that’s difficult now due to geographical reasons, I can still look back at the lovely time and memories I’ve shared together as a family and be thankful for what I have.

And 2008… it was priceless! We’ve seen our family grow double the size and we all watched my niece (the first one in her generation, and the only so far :p ) take her first step, sing her first line and wave her first bye.

We’ve created more memories in 2008 that will have us smiling and laughing for years to come and so I couldn’t ask for more.

But psss…. I’m still secretly wishing that 2009 will be just as happy and exciting, maybe even better! 
Greedy, aren’t I? haha…