Happy New Year, everyone!
As we close the curtain on 2021, let us not forget all the good it has given us and the lessons we have learned from it. It was, indeed, a difficult year. For me, there were many ups and downs, but the most important thing is that I never gave up and am still thankful.
I wish everyone a happy and prosperous new year.
Everyone in our neighborhood was affected by Typhoon Odette/Rai, people always reached out to help, and as a result, I met my good neighbors three doors away.
They were generous enough to invite me to join them in welcoming the New Year, and I am grateful to this family for inviting me to celebrate it with them.
I brought Pancit and a chocolate cake. Pancit is a traditional Filipino dish. It's made with stir-fried vegetable noodles and chocolate cake. We also prepared additional dishes for everyone to enjoy.
Since I am alone, I am used to celebrating alone, and it felt nice to welcome the new year with good people.
According to the Chinese Zodiac or Fengshui, the year 2022 is the year of the Water Tiger, https://www.thechinesezodiac.org/chinese-horoscope-2022/, a year of all types of extremes.
Many including me, believe in Fengshui and also practice it for good luck.
It's part of our culture to ring in the new year with food on the table. "This will give you food on the table for the new year," they said.
Most people also prepare 12 different round-shaped fruits to bring good luck and fortune in the new year.
We also added this practice of putting rice in a round bowl surrounded by eggs and putting rolled money on top of it. This will attract prosperity and wealth.
We have some more superstitious beliefs, and I remember one of them is jumping as high as we could when midnight hit. It says it will make you grow taller. The ringing of coins in purses is also one practice we do. There are still a lot of traditions we do, but I can only remember these. You can comment on what your practices are on New Year's Eve.
It's now 2022, and I'd like to wish everyone a prosperous New Year.
