happy lunar new year to you! the year of the rats is upon us ... according to the chinese zodiac, this begins the 12 animal cycle. the rat signifies the beginning because it was the first animal to reach the foot of the buddha. neet huh.
for some reason, i am always reminded of the sacramento warlords tournament that always happened at the end of march, but their t-shirts always had chinese new year animal on it. 12 years ago, i earned my first all-star for that tournament =) i had to play point guard because our best player couldnt make that tournament. i was nervous as hell the whole wknd because i struggled with ball handling throughout the season. to the point where i didnt even want the ball. but my coach was so encouraging ... and i was recognized for my hard work, hehe. i think i have that ratty ugly blue all-star shirt somewhere .... that or it went to goodwill.
chinese new year is always a special and exciting time for my family. time for good food ... and maybe even a true feeling of starting a fresh year over again. a time where tradition is essential! those traditions often remind me how superstitious chinese people are. a time to see family and wish them well. this year i got to at least have a meal with both sides of my family in which for years past, it's been difficult for me to get the chance to go back home. it's always so great to go back home and see what's changed and what hasnt. it's familiar and new all at the same time. i love fantasizing about one day living in the city. it's so great seeing how big my little cousins are getting. today was a bit of a rarity: i got to spend a few blocks walking and talking with my brothers - just us 3. it's been awhile and it's so funny that we just fall into our usual dynamic. gaw (chris), geet (ollie) and me =)
as my parents dropped me off at sfo, my mom hands me a tangerine (something eaten for good luck ... ppl give oranges/tangerines during chinese new year for good luck .... im chalking it up to that being because the citrus family being in season during this time of the year. and this year is especially sweet!). anyways, as she hands me the tangerine, she says to me on of those chinese proverbs which are ultimately metaphors that you are suppose to apply to your life but their literal translations to english sound completely random. so the literal translation of what my mom said: eat the tangerine so that your belly grows big. translation: eat the translation for good luck so you have a belly like buddha; and ppl rub the buddha's belly for good luck, hence having a buddha's belly = good luck. hah! my parents always ramble odd chinese sayings and expect me to understand them .... it's really funny actually because they can translate to something like, "dont let the cow run into a tree." meaning something like dont ruin your career.
so ive rambled enough about my wacky chinese side ... i truly miss my family, friends, and the city. but, back in LA, it's time for bed.
on that note, here's a playlist to describe my mood:
"shadow of the day" - linkin park
"wonderful world" - james morrison
"silver lining" - riko kiley
maybe im not suppose to know ... but at least i have a general direction. i gotta remember to have faith in things working out the way they are suppose to.
