The air was moist, a sharp contrast from the frigid chill on the plane. After sixteen hours, an excitement vibrated through me as I hurried out of the airport, luggage in tow. My first trip to Hong Kong as a design assistant, I traveled alone to meet my boss there soon after I began working at the Broadway building. I was exhausted, but really very nervous too. Scents of Chinese tea and fresh fish commingled  around me creating a first impression sure never to forget, one I have come to appreciate with heartfelt gratitude...

I later learned that was the Year of the Dragon, a symbol of good fortune and health, energetic, inspiring confidence and trust. What better time for my first experience in the Orient!

Millions of people around the world will celebrate the Year of the Rabbit beginning February 3, 2011. The rabbit is the fourth of twelve animals associated with the Chinese lunar calendar, in continuous use for centuries. It predates the International Calendar (based on the Gregorian Calendar) in use at the present, which goes back only some 430 years. People born in the Year of the Rabbit are said to be sensitive, cautious, and lucky. Chinese New Year is the most important festival in Chinese culture. It is celebrated on the new moon of the first month according to the lunar calendar, and is a time for family reunions and scrumptious feasts.

Primarily celebrated by people of Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tibetan, and Mongolian heritage in many parts of the world, the occasion is marked across a diverse array of cultures. Countless parades, parties, and other special events are common.

Chinese New Year is a chance to leave the problems of the previous year behind. It is important to start the New Year fresh, and this means cleaning up the house and buying new clothes. Houses are decorated with red paper banners which have auspicious couplets written on them. These are hung around doorways and are intended to bring luck to the household for the coming year.

Red is an important color in Chinese culture, symbolizing prosperity and good luck and is supposed to ward off evil spirits. Many people will wear red clothing during the New Year celebrations, and houses will have many red decorations such as Chinese knot work. Little ornate red envelopes or "lucky envelopes" are distributed with money and regarded to be very opportune gifts.

You don't have to be Chinese to celebrate. We are all encouraged to welcome the New Year...

Sweep for success - clean your house from top to bottom.

Dress for the occasion - buy something new and wear red which is considered lucky.

Even add luck to your menu - prepare a whole fish for dinner, symbolic of progress, togetherness and abundance.