For some reason this year, I felt like I really wanted to recognize Chinese new year since 1). I’m Chinese (really?), and 2). it’s a big occasion for my peeps. Aside from integrating Chinese culture into my knitting party this Saturday, we didn’t have anything else planned. (Wish me luck making dahn taht!) So I was super psyched when the Chings invited us over to have a Chinese new year dinner with their family. Their immediate family was there, along with some other friends they’ve sort of “adopted” into their lives (like us)!

For one thing, it was great to hear Cantonese being spoken, although I was too shy to say anything. It doesn’t help that I know that Chi’s mom understands and speaks English, so I didn’t feel like I HAD to speak Chinese. The food was great, especially since I sure can’t cook all those dishes….mushrooms and veggies, fish, fun see noodles, ribs, soup with chicken feet. Before Chi’s mom poured me a bowl of soup, she said she had to ask first if I liked chicken feet, or else it’s shocking to look down into your bowl and see the claws sticking up at you. Double yum!

On top of that, there were several desserts–one was a chocolate cherry cake made by culinary students at Renton Technical College. The other was the Chinese new year cake (”neen go”) with red bean filling. Oh man, was I stuffed. I was hurting by the time we went home, but it was a good feeling.

More than anything, I was feeling all warm and fuzzy inside with the realization that God has brought so many great people into our lives just over the past year and half. Leaving family and friends probably is the hardest part about relocating, even for homebodies like us who enjoy our time alone. During those first few months in Seattle, we still enjoyed exploring the city on our own. But when we began making friends and began building up relationships, we realized how comforting it was to have people around who we valued and treasured, and who valued and treasured us.

The Chings and Wus, who have become our steady camping buddies, still are part of our lives, even though both couples have their hands full with parenthood. Keba still manages to make time to e-mail me and spend time with me, all the while reading 300,000 pages of textbooks each week. Our small group is more than anything I ever imagined it could be. And even my fellow capoeiristas leave me smiling and energetic every Thursday after class.

So to look around the table last night and to realize that, although we only knew two of the people sitting there, it felt like we were with family. Where else, than among family, can you talk about a performing arts ministry one moment and then cleaning out your colon the next? We all prayed together before we parted ways and exchanged hugs. Chi’s mom told us, “Come over anytime for dinner,” to which Matt replied, “I’m free Sunday!”

I hope you all had a great Chinese new year, as well!