I'm getting caught up in Chinese New Year

I was in a sea of red. To my left was a rack filled with a wide variety of differently-designed hongbao. Some had golden Chinese characters imprinted across the front, some had pictures of little rabbits. To my right were bins full of bright red long underwear.

A throng of people crowded around depositing various red items in their shopping charts. Further into the store, people filled up their carts with snacks and rushed to the liquor section to see what baijiu was on sale.

Really, there is no better reminder that Chinese New Year will soon be upon us than a trip to the supermarket.

If you want a less pleasant reminder then just try to buy a train ticket. As the days remaining in January become fewer and fewer it will become harder and harder to participate in what has to be the largest human migration in the world.

To ignore the buying frenzy and travel exodus, you would probably have to bury your head in the sand. But even if you did that I am convinced you would still fail in your effort to ignore the most important holiday in China because, come Chinese New Year's Eve, at the stroke of midnight the ground will literally shake from all the explosions around you.

Trying to ignore Chinese New Year in China is as futile as trying to ignore Christmas in America. It is much easier to get swept up in the holiday.

For the last few years that is exactly what has happened to me.

For the last four years I have migrated back to my fianc's hometown on the icy plains of Inner Mongolia.

I've sat on soft couches eating sunflower seeds and mandarin oranges. I've helped prepare jiaozi and stuffed my face with them. I've delivered presents of milk and biscuits only to end up having them served to me. I've sipped tea and downed countless shots of baijiu.

I've been packed into cars, buses and taxis to visit distant relatives. I've gotten a fresh haircut for a family picture. I've watched the annual Spring Festival Gala on TV and not really paid attention until famed Chinese comedian Zhao Benshan takes the stage. I've lit fireworks with burning cigarettes and run way before they blew me up. I've both given and received little red envelopes filled with money. I've slept on a bed with three other people after we played cards practically all night. I've dreaded the prospect of going back to work.

Really, I think I've done just about everything a person can do to celebrate Chinese New Year.

So, now when winter comes around I find myself feeling more connected to Chinese New Year than I do to Christmas. Maybe I am just influenced by my surroundings more than anything else.

After all, I'm an ocean away from my culture. But in the end I am glad that there is no possible way that I can even try to ignore Chinese New Year.

Even though the crowds and commercialism can be a bit much, having another holiday isn't a bad thing at all.

Not only has it given me memories I will never forget it has helped me understand China on a much deeper level.

(China Daily 01/18/2011)