Magnificent!!

Nearing the End of the YEAR OF THE DRAGON...

It's December 2012 and the Year of the Dragon is getting close to a year end (early 2013)  and we're looking ahead to The Year of the Snake.  I am anxious to get out and start looking for snakes as a part of this year's celebration.

I started 'The Year Of..." blog this year (Year of the Dragon) as an experiment.  I wanted to see what I could find through the year that would be a part of the Dragon theme; not only visually (seeing Dragons) but in the theme of what it stood for.  I collected a great many Dragon photos (some I am sharing here) and by the end of the year will blog about what I discovered during 2012 and the Year of the Dragon.

Next year I hope to blog more about the snake; more than I did about the Dragon.  I think because of the tone of the year (which my end-of-year blog post will note) I wasn't as able to accomplish a steady blogging of the Dragon as I had hoped.  Let's hope the Year of the Snake allows more time for that!

Hope you have enjoyed this blog; do come back soon!

Dragons as Fashion

Dragons as Art

Year of the Dragon - Epcot at DisneyWorld

'Dragon" found at the Airport

Menu:  Dragonfire Chicken - TGI Fridays - Winnipeg, MB Airport

My Dragonfire dinner - January 31, 2012

We were in Winnipeg airport last night.  As I am on the hunt, for 'Dragon', my eyes widened the size of dinner plates when, at the TGI Friday's in the airport I came across "Dragonfire Chicken" on the menu.  I'm not a big fan of spicy, but, as I said to my family, "I'm doing it, because it's Dragon and spicy or not, that will be my dinner!".

I was delighted when the plate arrived.  It looked better than the menu picture (which doesn't happen too often, does it...), and it was delicious.  It was spicy, yes.... but I was so happy with my choice.  Thrilled isn't a strong enough word.  I highly recommend this dinner if you are at a TGI Friday's.

Current Read

As part of the "Year of the Dragon", I thought it would be applicable to start reading books about, or including Dragons in the title. I have just started this popluar novel.... excited!!

Dragon's Breath Chili (Food Network)

Very excited!  I have been searching recipes to try with a Dragon-related theme.  I located one that will be on my menu soon!!  Guy Fieri has a "Dragon Breath Chilli".  There are a large number of ingredients, but it sure sounds delicious!!  And firey!!

Find it here:   http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/guy-fieri/dragons-breath-chili-recipe/index.html

Artful Dragons

Lucky Lettuce

During the Dragon dance at the T&T Market, I happened to catch something which flew through the air.  Lettuce.  Romaine heart to be exact.  Weird.  I had to laugh because just after obtaining this, a Chinese man who worked at the market, came by with a broom and was sweeping up, and around me where other pieces of lettuce fell.  I noticed candies thrown out into the group of onlookers as well, but the lettuce was interesting. 

I looked into this afterwards and found information at http://www.chcp.org/lion.html  Here is an excerpt taken directly from this site:

"Payment to the performing group is usually made through the Choy Cheng, or “Eating of the Green (Vegetable).“ In this country, it has come to symbolize money, the color of dollar bills. Usually, the lay see (li shir) is in the form of a hung bao (lucky red envelope with the payment enclosed) which is tied to some vegetable matter such as loose leaf lettuce. Since the lay see is attached to some vegetable, it’s called “choy cheng,” with choy literally meaning vegetable. The greens are placed in an area for the lion to “eat.” The lion will carefully approach the “green” and even test it to make sure that it is safe and not a firecracker or other dangerous item. After testing on the left and right sides, the lion will do a “3-Star” routine (stepping to the 3-Star music) to ward off any others that may want to eat his “green.”    

I was excited about this lucky lettuce and it's sybmolism to money...  later that night we went to a Casino which had a Chinese New Year event... Casino = Money.   (excited giggle)!!

A Little History of the Dragon Dance

As my previous post mentioned, we attended the Asian Market (T&T - Calgary) and happened upon the Dragon Dance.  I was captivated entirely... and while watching it, noticed things occuring within the dance which seemed to be very symbolic and have a deeper meaning than just a dragon dance.

During the dance, the dragon sniffs at and grabs at a pouch with it's mouth.  It tastes and consumes it and then spits out things into the crowd.  I happened to catch a piece of Romaine Lettuce.  This was completely weird to me, but intensely intriguing.   I did some research because I knew there was more to this than just 'filler' to throw into a crowd.

I found some very interesting infomration at  http://www.chcp.org/lion.html about the Dragon dance.  I learned that this dance goes back over a thousand years, the earliest record of the perfomance is from Third Century BC (early Ch'in and Han Dynasties).

The Dragons express joy and happiness and tour during the celebration of the Year of the Dragon, touring from village to village.  It made sense to me that we saw the Dragon dance a few times this past week (you'll see in later posts). 

A proper lion dance has movements which match music played by a minimum of three instruments: drum, gong and a cymbal. Personally, I found this rhythmic trio quite catchy and energetic to listen to.  We found ourselves definitely bouncing  and tapping along as we listened and watched the dance.  During the dance, the person performing in the lion head, or the drummer initiates the movement and signals the other and this ensures there is a synchronization and sequence.  For example, there are 3-Star and 7-Star movements followed by a High Dance.  The components are the same (same three instruments) but there are variations to beats which help keep the music lively. 

In some dances, firecrackers enhance the lion's movements and scare away evil spirits.  This ensures good luck will follow.  The Dragon is a lucky symbol in Eastern culture, versus some idea in the Western regions that the dragon is scary and evil.  The Dragon dance is performed to bring good luck and ward off any evil spirits and at the early onset of the Lunar New Year, many businesses invite the Dragon dance as a means of grand opening or bringing good luck.

Now, in the video you may have noticed the Dragon reaching up and grabbing a parcel which was hanging from a string.  He seems to play around with it.  In fact, he is sniffing at it, testing it to be sure it's not dangerous.  Soon after this video, he 'spits' items into the crowd and this is when I caught the lettuce.  More about that in the next post.  You'll find it very interesting, I have no doubt!!

Dragon Dance (T&T Market - Calgary NW)

Last week my husband was away in South America.  When he came back he and I decided to go for sushi.  We ended up at a Japanese restaurant (it was delicious by the way), and across from there was an Asian market.  I had planned to visit this market in the next few days to see what, if any, Dragon items were available, however, since we were in the area, a trip inside was inevitable.

We were just getting close to the market when we heard loud drums and my husband said it was likely a Dragon Dance.  WHAT NOW?  I got excited!  Sure enough, as soon as we got into the doorway, there was a Dragon dance just starting.  Immediately I could feel the energy .  It was electric and I was thrilled.  This was much more than I had hoped from a visit to the market.  We took a fair amount of video but below is one of the best we got.  There were many people standing around, it was hard to find a clear, open area to obtain good video.

The attached is a portion of the Dragon dance as it the 'Dragon' weaving in and out the store with a large audience following.  The drums and cymbals acting as the rhythm for the dance are something that is difficult to get out of your head.  In fact, since this video, I've been 'bomp-bompa-bomping' around the house, to which my husband is quite amused.  No doubt!  I look ridiculous! haha. 

Note just above the Dragon's head is a small pouch on a string.  This dance is previous to the one that will be explained in the next post when he reaches up to grab it.   Enjoy!!

Sharing the 'Year of the Dragon'

I am so excited to be on this journey to celebrate and experience 'The Year of the Dragon'.  It seems that no matter where I go, my eyes are watching for Dragon items and I am constantly finding myself investigating Dragons and Chinese culture.

A couple weeks ago I had gone into a Starbucks to satisfy my caffiene habit, and noticed that they had a Chinese New Year coffee card availalbe.  Sweet! Delighted with this treasure hunt find, I bought three... one each for my husband and I, and one for my mom. 

I have my mother to thank for my interest in Chinese New Year.  We are neither Chinese or follow the Astrological signs of the Chinese calendar, however, when my mom worked in an elementary school years ago, she would enjoy the various traditional cultural celebrations that the kids were studying in class.  Teacher's often brought her a themed cookie or placed a card on her desk to get her into the spirit of the study / culture.  And, each year, this prompted her to phone me and yell, "Gon Hei Fat Choi", and in the years since, we've wished each other a Happy Chinese New Year.  So, this year, when I came across these Starbucks cards, it was a must to send one off to her in the mail.  I tucked it into the card (above) and mailed it off with a Dragon stamp that Canada Post had out this year.  I did not care that there were only International Dragon stamps and that I overpaid to send the card within my own province as it was more important to stay in the Dragon theme.  As I suspected, my mom loved the gesture and noticed each Dragon piece within the card. 

Gong Hei Fat Choi

Earlier this year I had a thought to start a blog to celebrate "The Year Of" and felt the best time to launch my idea was the date of the Lunar New Year; Chinese New Year.  2012 is the Year of the Dragon.

Dragon-themed posts will appear soon.  I am very excited about this adventure; anxious to include recipes, party ideas, books to read, and more!  All to celebrate something unique, enchanting and just simply... fun.