American Express Year of the Rabbit Gift Card
To celebrate the Lunar New Year, American Express partnered with AsianWeek.com for a special giveaway. Readers submitted responses on what Lunar New Year means to them for a chance to win a $50 American Express Year of the Rabbit gift card.
The winners are: Annie Gee, Christina Nelson, Ed Lam, E. Tu, Henry Yep, Jamie Look, Julie Chang, Kelly Chan, Michael Lau, and P. Yee.
Here is a look at some of their responses:
“The most important aspect of the Lunar New Year is the time I am able to spend with family. My parents are extremely hard working individuals who sacrifice all their time and energies to provide the best they can for my older brother and me. Now that our childhood years have gone by and we are becoming more independent, all of our schedules have gotten busier and incompatible. The Lunar New Year gives my family the opportunity to come together, as one, to celebrate a new beginning despite the conflicting schedules that each of us have acquired. We are able to make visits to other family members and relatives that we are unable to see on a day-to-day basis. The Lunar New Year is also an opportunity to remember our ancestors and loved ones we have lost over the years, as well as reflect on the cultural roots that are instilled within us forever.” – Jamie Look, Old Bridge, NJ
“My favorite part of Chinese New Year, is watching the annual parade with my family either live in person or on television. Hearing the firecrackers, watching the lion dancers, and seeing the gorgeous floats is always a joy to behold.” – P. Yee, San Francisco, CA
“Chinese New Year provides me the time to reconnect with my culture every year. As the only American born Taiwanese out of all of my relatives, I sometimes feel disconnected from my culture. With the rest of my family in Taiwan, I speak and breathe an entirely different culture. Although this may sound disheartening, this makes Chinese New Year a very special time for me. It is the time that I reconnect with my family in Taiwan, by making countless phone calls to all of my relatives (because my father tells me to do so!). Hearing the sound of their voices brings back memories of visiting Taiwan years ago.” – Julie Chang, New Hyde Park, NY
“Lunar New Year reminds me of fantastic food, energetic dancers, colorful animals, and of course the lucky red envelopes! It’s fun to learn of Chinese traditions and superstitions from friends and coworkers during this festive time. Whenever we have a lion dance, I try to get showered by the lettuce, so I can have prosperity and ‘luck’ during the upcoming year!” – Christina Nelson, Daly City, CA
