Day 16 (January 16): Chinese New Year Buzz

Chinese New Year is just around the corner, and the malls have already gone all out with the decorations. Honestly, I’m amazed at how quickly they get everything set up—red lanterns, golden dragons, and all sorts of flowers filling every corner. It’s like walking into a festival, but in the middle of a shopping mall. The amount of effort that goes into these decorations is pretty impressive, though sometimes I feel like they’re trying to outdo each other. Some malls even have these enormous faux cherry blossom trees. You can’t help but feel like you're in a different world, even if you’re just picking up groceries.

I can tell my kids are already buzzing with excitement. They’re making their lists of what to wear, what food to bring for the family gatherings, and which mall to visit for their ang pow stash. It’s funny to see them so caught up in the festive spirit, but I can’t help but laugh a little. For me, the main thing on my mind right now is juggling work deadlines and the budget forecasts for the year ahead. The holiday season means family gatherings, but also tons of emails about "synergy" and "financial alignment"—whatever those corporate buzzwords mean.

That said, I’m trying to soak in the energy of the season. It’s easy to get wrapped up in work, but seeing the decorations, hearing the chatter about family reunions, and thinking about the things that matter most, I’m reminded that Chinese New Year, no matter your background, is a time for celebration. Maybe this year I’ll find a balance between the spreadsheets and the smiles. Here's hoping!