The Monkey in Me

Gong Xi Fa Cai! Chinese New Year is fast approaching and across the globe people will be hosting annual family reunion dinners and celebrating the arrival of the Boar – or Pig to many of us – with fireworks and dances on Tuesday 5 Feb, New Years Eve. This Spring Festival will see shops and businesses slow down or close for seven days with festivities generally starting one day to prior to New Year and continuing until the Lantern Festival traditionally held on the 15th day.

It’s a special time to be in China or Asia and one of the many cultural festivals that my family and I celebrated for over a decade. In fact – my boys and I still celebrate CNY since our return to the UK – some may call us greedy for observing both Western and Eastern celebrations – but to us it is part of the calendar.

Preparations for the New Year start early with my red lanterns traditionally going up last on the eve of New Year. Before that the house is cleaned from top to bottom (ever wondered where the term Spring Clean comes from?!) and anything old/ unused is thrown away – dusting off the cobwebs to make way for new opportunities – think of it as Marie Kondi on overdrive. In Singapore I always placed a new welcome ‘Huat Ah’ prosperity mat at the front door and placed special feng shui amulets – like little charms – in various parts of the house 8 days before to protect the house based on whatever my monkey needed for the year ahead. Monkey? You kept a monkey? Is a question that you may be thinking and was once asked by a friend. Let me explain..

In the Chinese zodiac I am a Monkey – or to be really precise an Earth Monkey. In Western I am a Ram – both animals equally strong and michevious. Characteristics of my inner monkey are spot on – very independent, optimistic, versatile and not afraid to tackle issues head on. Broad minded, grounded and a dislike of arguements with a mischevious streak – I guess we are the liberal animals who like to get along with our fellows but can sometimes have the ‘fuck it let’s go do it’ attitude. Earth Monkeys need to be mindul of their diets, rest and exercise plenty if they are to keep well. Something I am finally learning the hard way having allowed my inner Monkey to do what it pleased the past few years! My boxing bag and gym trips now replace the monkey ‘bars’ of old haha!

My kids loved CNY as there was always a bountiful supply of sweets and candy on the Prosperity Tray on the dining room table and friends we visted. Funnily enough they never went near the abundance of mandarins. They also loved it for the Hong Bao – or red envelopes filled with cash and chocolates that are traditonally given to kids and young unmarried adults. Pity they not in Asia now. They could do with a few red packets lol!

This year I shall celebrate CNY at home and over the coming days will be wearing red in various forms. My cheongsam wearing days may be long gone but I can still nod to tradition with a touch of sexiness. Will I be sharing it in a pic – nope – Let’s just say my inner monkey may be more cheeky than normal!

Wishing you all good health, peace and prosperity for the year ahead!

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Lanterns photo courtesy of freeimages.com/Michel Meynsbrughen

Snow time like the present

Good afternoon from wrap-up Britain. It’s grey and cold – bit like the Brexit deal – arrgh did I mention the ‘B’ word? Sorry like many I’m royally fed up with the whole sorry debacle. Up the Channel without any sign of a rescue paddle!

Talking of words it’s Cervical Cancer Awareness Month and there are stories a plenty encouraging ladies to take up their annual smear test. Around 3,000 women are diagnosed with Cervical Cancer in the UK every year. If diagnosed early then treatment and survival options are good yet figures published by the fabulous charity Jo’s Trust – http://www.jostrust.org.uk -reveal that over a million women don’t bother to attend for screening. Having been through tests and initial treatment following an abnormal smear a few years ago I wholeheartedly applaud any campaign that raises awareness for this disease and encourage anyone who is invited for a smear to do it – or to speak to their GP/ practice nurse or the peeps at Jo’s Trust to discuss any reservations. I am also happy to share my experience with anyone who is hesitant so feel free to ask!

It’s been snowing here this week and as I drove home in a snow shower I couldn’t help but get excited. There’s something childlike and magical about the snow and it reminded me of a similar time last year when it snowed during half term. Both boys off and usually reticent to venture outside – ‘too cold; I’m working (err right!), I will later’ are the usual excuses. But seeing the garden in a decent covering of the white stuff they decided to head out and challenge each other to a snowball duel. I’m upstairs listening to their squeals of horror at being caught and delight in hitting the target when it calms down and there is general talk that I can’t make out. Suddenly the big one shouts ‘Mum..mum…look outside, quick..’ I head to my bedroom window figuring they’ve made a snowman. Oh momma bear, you should know by now that they are beyond the realms of making cute snowmen! I look outside and am greeted by a giant snow penis etched out across the lawn in full view of both neighbours! ‘What the xxx’ I exclaimed followed by the name of said eldest. Art is not the strong point in our family so I was quite impressed it resembled something recognisable. I did laugh – as did they on retreat indoors all rosy cheeked and cheeky banter. Their garden art isn’t to my particular taste but their evening giggles following their spontaneous act warmed my heart. Sometimes it’s good to just be a big kid. I’m hoping for more snow this half term to see what they’ll surprise me with next!

Hello….

I’m new to this. Not new to the idea of writing a blog – that’s been dancing around my mind for months now. But how to physically set up a page and start writing. So bear with me whilst I find my feet. Or my page ha! A little about me. I’ve passed the threshold of fifty and find myself drawn to adverts promising a decent nights sleep with moisture wicking t shirts, magnets that can rebalance my raging hormones and personalised haircare products that claim to bring a youthful kick to my somewhat lacklustre locks. I have two teens who are going through GCSE’s and A levels – it’s fun in our house – and I am trying very hard to navigate the menopause and teenage angst with a certain degree of humour and the odd glass of bubbles. And coffee. Oh let’s be honest – chocolate, cake, smoothies, pull-you-in panties, make-up – you name it – some days you just have to go with the flow – or the flush as is often the case these days.

Many of my friends are posting pics from a decade ago #10yrchallenge. It made me think – ten years ago I was married, living and working in Singapore. Little did I know then that five years on I would be returning to the UK to start a new life as a single mum. The last ten years have been one hell of a personal challenge for me. From moving countries to losing my mum, my dog and my husband (through divorce) I don’t feel the need to challenge myself to post pics of then and now. Instead I give thanks to my inner self for having made the journey thus far and challenge myself to keep on going for the years ahead.

My scribblings here are largely a memory note to myself and a way of sharing what interesting snippets of life I find along the way as I embark on a new journey in my middle years. I hope that you’ll join me and share your experiences too.

Here’s a virtual coffee…come join me…