Chinese New Year in Taiwan

這是我第一次在台灣過Chinese New Year, 所以我很興奮。我已經聽到很多朋友跟我講他們家的一些傳統，所以我真的很好奇要看這裡的過年到底是什麼樣子！！

這兩天我覺得我感受到一些特別的
我除夕中午跟Jimmy and Kristy吃水餃，我知道這本來是中國北方人的傳統（因為在英國有跟北京的朋友除夕的時候吃過）可是在這裡有不一樣的感覺。

晚上我去另外一個朋友的家跟他們全家一起吃年夜飯然後開始學麻將！！！
其實學麻將真的不簡單所以我要謝謝他們對我有那麼多奶心讓我慢慢打哈哈，後來我真的有贏了兩次：）。

Actually, much like Christmas, Chinese New Year is quite family based event, the new year's eve meal is similar in many ways to our Christmas dinner (although of course the food is different) but it's really interesting the way such different cultures around the world will stop everything for at least a couple of days to try to bring family together and eat and communicate. This really isn't an easy thing, but it seems that somehow deep down we all recognise the significance of family.

Maybe there's something deep in every person that needs relationship, needs to be accepted because of who they are, not what they do. If family can be this then it's powerful, when it can't it's painful. We all need God's help that's for sure and to know His acceptance for each of us so that we in turn can give that same love to those who need it and especially those family and friends at this kind of time.

The picture isn't that relevant, it's an eagle that was screeching above my head when I was mountain climbing the other day orz.

Well, not wanting to be too serious 我真的要感謝我在這裡的朋友們和他們的家人，讓我加入他們也給我這麼棒的第一個Chinese new Year!!