There's no lack of choice when it comes to decorating for Chinese New Year in the UAE. Mini red lanterns, cute stuffed animals and red envelopes line the shelves at WeMart Abu Dhabi. That's where I bought my decorations as I prepared to celebrate the annual holiday properly for the first time in my life this year.
Although my family has always had a small celebration, including handing out those famous red envelopes, it hasn’t been something I’ve kept up with on my own, and much less so since I moved to Abu Dhabi almost eight years ago.
Growing up, I’ve always had a bit of a strange relationship with Chinese New Year.
As one of only two Chinese families in my small home town in Massachusetts, US, whenever the holiday would come around, I’d be tasked with teaching my fellow classmates how to “properly” say “gong xi fa cai” – a traditional greeting used for the occasion – or asked to share my personal experiences of it.
When I was in my awkward tween and teenage years, I really didn’t enjoy having the spotlight put on me, especially for something that seemingly pointed out how different I was from everyone else. It wasn’t that I was embarrassed of my heritage, more that I disliked the unwanted attention at a time when I really wasn’t very sure of myself.
It highlighted my confused identity, too, as I felt as though I was too American to be considered Chinese, and vice versa.
It took me a long time to shake that feeling. I've wished people a “Happy Chinese New Year”, but never fully embraced the occasion beyond that.
This year, I decided to change my outlook.
When the pandemic began a couple of years ago, it undoubtedly changed the world in more ways than one. For the Asian-American community, it’s meant an increase in violent attacks and racist rhetoric with an alarming rise in crimes being reported in the US, with offenders seemingly spreading one message: “You don’t belong here.”
As heartbreaking as this has been, these events have also allowed for more solidarity among the Asian communities, with people speaking out against that pervasive undercurrent of racism we always felt, but couldn't quite articulate, when I was younger.
These days, I find myself following more Asian-run businesses and news accounts solely dedicated to covering Asian voices on social media. I’ve seen people share their experiences, ones that I can relate to and ones that have helped me better understand that I’m not alone in how I feel or in liking the things I like.
Now in my thirties, I have a renewed sense of pride in who I am, even if it took me a while to get here. Instead of questioning where I belong, these days I find myself asking what more I can do to share my perspective and help others know they belong, too.
Amid the Chinese New Year decorations in WeMart Abu Dhabi, there are decorative scrolls, called couplets, filled with words of luck to usher in the Year of the Tiger and paper cuttings to fit on windows and walls to bring peace and happiness. There's a beautifully put-together red paper plant filled with mini lanterns and red fans.
As I was rifling through, a stranger came up to me and asked what the couplets are and how to use them. Proudly, I explained that, although I’m a bit new to it all myself, they are traditionally hung around a doorframe, to bring luck and peace for the coming year.
I ended up buying a few cutouts to put around the house – two that signify that luck is coming and one that welcomes the spring season (according to my mum).
As my partner and I hung them up around the house, I didn't feel so out of place. I couldn't help but wonder why it's taken me so long to join in.
Scroll through the gallery below to see how Chinese New Year is celebrated in Dubai:
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- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
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Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
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French business
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
Cry Macho
Director: Clint Eastwood
Stars: Clint Eastwood, Dwight Yoakam
Rating:**
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Ovo's tips to find extra heat
- Open your curtains when it’s sunny
- Keep your oven open after cooking
- Have a cuddle with pets and loved ones to help stay cosy
- Eat ginger but avoid chilli as it makes you sweat
- Put on extra layers
- Do a few star jumps
- Avoid alcohol
Sustainable Development Goals
1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere
2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation
10. Reduce inequality within and among countries
11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its effects
14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development
RESULTS
2.30pm Jaguar I-Pace – Conditions (PA) Dh80,000 (Dirt)
1,600m
Winner Namrood, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Musabah Al Muhairi
(trainer)
3.05pm Land Rover Defender – Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D)
1,400m
Winner Shadzadi, Tadhg O’Shea, Bhupat Seemar
3.40pm Jaguar F-Type – Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,600m
Winner Tahdeed, Fernando Jara, Nicholas Bachalard
4.15pm New Range Rover – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,400m
Winner Shanty Star, Richard Mullen, Rashed Bouresly
4.50pm Land Rover – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 2,400m
Winner Autumn Pride, Bernardo Pinheiro, Helal Al Alawi
5.25pm Al Tayer Motor – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 T) 1,000m
Winner Dahawi, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
6pm Jaguar F-Pace SVR – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,600m
Winner Scabbard, Sam Hitchcock, Doug Watson
