According to the lunar calendar today should be the 8th of Chinese New Year. Traditionally Chinese New Year lasts for seven days, but it doesn’t make much difference for people me.

My new year was good. I had a dinner with Jenn’s family in her house. There are a lot of stories to tell but I might have to leave it here because it’s quite private. But the meal was very good and I was amazed by her mum’s cooking. And having a meal with a Chinese family is more like a New Year to me.

The Chinese society held a Karaoke competition in new year’s eve. It went very well too and I participated to sing a Chinese song. Although didn’t win any prizes, but it was still great fun.

On New Year’s day I received quite a few messages on my Chinese phone for new year’s wishes. Text bainian (means wishing new year to your friends and family) seems had replaced the tradition and became more “convenient”. But I strongly against this kind of cool bainian, instead I gave myself £10 as pocket money and called my families and good friends. There were surprised to hear my voices, maybe it’s because the contradiction between receiving a cold msg text and hearing a living voice.

This year’s Chinese New Year happened to be in the weekend, so I gave myself a break to enjoy it. But once the weekend finished, life was back to normal. Dissertation and works are still there waiting for me. But I gave myself some new year resolutions again (Chinese people are lucky to have lunar calendar, we can enjoy important days twice).

Work hard!

Deborah just informed me that the programme is online now. Click here, follow the link shows above and you will see it.

This is the second time I am contacted by BBC. Last time was when the typhoon attacked Shantou and a journalist find me through MyShantou.net. But this time is about the Chinese New Year.

The BBC world service is having a discussion on Chinese New Year in “Have you say” programme on Sunday 18 February at 14:00 GMT. I was originally invited to have a live chat about my hope for the new year. But later I told that I can record myself online and send the video over, which I can be in vision as well. Interesting!

Also, Will Hutton, who just published his book “The Writing on the Wall: China and the West in the 21st Century” will be the guest speaker on the day. It will be interesting to hear his opinion about what will bring China in 2007.

You can see the programme online I think. The link can be found on their page. Deborah Hawkes, who contacted me for this interview, is encouraging you to take part in the programme as well, you can do so by phone and email the following number and address. Or you can send your video with a short message as well.

BBC HAVE YOU SAY:
Phone: +44 20 8749 5353
(lines open 12:00GMT on Sundays)
E-mail: haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk

SMS: +44 7624 800 100
MMS: +44 7725 100 100