Wanderings: Xīn nián kuài lè! (Happy New Year!)

(Ed. note: Let's all extend a warm welcome to Michelle Campbell-Zurek, the creative mind behind Urban Junkies and a new member of the POE blog writing team!)

I'm on the prowl searching through all of the lovely POE shops and stalking each and every one of you! It is amazing to see all of the wonderful talent that exists in this group. All of the unique perspectives conveyed in one perfect little box full of colors, light and imagination.

Chinese Temple - ModernClassicsPaper

I love travel photography and it is great to see the many interpretations of the world we live in. From sunny glossy beaches and haunting landscapes to spice jars and trinkets from distant lands, each POE member speaks their own language through their work.

This Wall is Great - LittlePetal

A Sip of China - LazyFish

For my first travel post in the "Wanderings" series, I thought it would be great to do one celebrating Chinese New Year. 2009 is the Year of the Ox. The Ox is the sign of prosperity through fortitude and hard work. The festival begins on January 26, 2009, the first day of the first lunar month, and it ends on the 15th day with the Lantern Festival.

My mom is from Taiwan so for me, Chinese New Year is a time for red packets of money (hung bao), dragons, lanterns, firecrackers and delicious red bean cakes. While searching through the POE collection, I found several beautiful images that remind me of this holiday.

Chinatown Cats - poofny

Happy Dragon - mrrojasphoto

Chinese New Year Kuala Lumpur - elephantdreams

Chinese New Year Cards-Year of the Ox - eyeshoot

And to help ensure you will have a happy and prosperous new year, keep these facts in mind!

• Air out your house -- open the windows & doors to bring in Good Luck.
• It's ok, grab that cupcake! Eat sweets to ensure a "sweet" year.
• Stomp those haters -- wear a new pair of slippers bought before the new year so you can step on the people that gossip about you.
• Never mind the housework -- it's bad luck to sweep your floors on the first day. It will sweep away good luck & fortune!
• Don't list photos in groups of 4 -- in Chinese, the pronunciation of the number 4 is very similar to the word for "death", so don't offer anything in fours.
• Appreciate nature! Grab one of each:

Pink Velvet-eleanors

(Peach Blossoms = Luck)

Mum in White-lawatha

(Chrysanthemums = Longevity)

Sunflower-Celticcatphotos

(Sunflowers = to have a good year)

And of course, don't forget the lucky bamboo!

Bamboo-parduepictures

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Michelle Campbell-Zurek is an artist/photographer from the east coast who is wide-eyed and smitten with the crazy town called L. A. When not on a quest to capture light and stop time, she can be found painting and ingesting gobs of sweets & tea. All are welcome to stop by the Urban Junkies Artist Lounge, as well as Michelle's photography shop, art shop and website.