SPRING FESTIVAL ( CHINESE NEW YEAR ) 2008

The Chinese New Year 2008, which falls on February 7 & 8, is an annual celebration among the Chinese community of the world. In Malaysia, with the country's colorful and harmonious combination of different race and culture living together under one flag and holding vigil to the five pillars of the Rukun Negara (National principles); Belief in God; Loyalty to King and Country; Supremacy of the Constitution; The Rule of Law; and Mutual Respect and good social behavior; the festival is celebrated together by all with the special open house tradition.

The open house concept, which is also carried out during the Muslim's Hari Raya celebration and the Hindu's Deepavali celebration promotes the bonding of friendship between the different races. Special during this period, is the various Lion Dance performances; angpow or red envelope filled with money; and the tossing of yee sang (raw fish salad) to usher in prosperity and good fortune for the new year.

"I have accomplished my dream of becoming an astronaut since the age of 10 after 25 years of hard work and believing in myself," said Malaysia's first astronaut Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukur during the Spring Festival open house in Datuk Liew Yun Fah's residence in Tawau on 10th February 2008.

Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukur said to the thousand of young people of all races in the Spring Festival open house of his hopes to see more youths excel in Mathematics and Science subjects towards fulfilling the Malaysia's needs for more engineers and scientists under the aerospace era. He believed that Malaysian youths had a good mindset towards involving themselves in the country's aeronautical aspirations.

"The young people had the capability of believing in themselves towards achieving their goals", he said.

On 7 & 8 February 2008, Malaysians celebrates Chinese New Year. The festival is welcomed with family reunions, the lion dance, firecrackers, mandarin oranges and giving/receiving ang pow (red packet containing money). The preparation, however, begins with shopping of new clothes and decorating one's house.

A few days before the New Year celebration, Chinese families give their home a thorough cleaning. It is believed that the cleaning sweeps away the bad luck of the preceding year and makes their homes ready for good luck. Brooms and dust pans are put away on the first day so that luck cannot be swept away.

Some people give their homes, doors and window-panes a new coat of red paint. Red is a must to characterize wealth and prosperity. Homes are often decorated with paper cutouts of Chinese auspicious phrases and couplets.

The eve of Chinese New Year is the highlight of the celebration as it is on this Jay that family members return home for he reunion dinner to rekindle family ties and enjoy the sumptuously prepared meals. Dinner is usually made up of .seafood and dumplings.

Meanwhile, children look forward to playing with fire crackers while gleefully receiving the ang pow.

沙Vfm與湖華團聯會主辦鼠年春到迎新年
2008-01-29 18:09:48

沙Vfm與湖華團聯會主辦鼠年春到迎新年

【斗湖华侨日报廿八日訊】首度抵達斗湖為「二零零八年鼠來春到迎新年」新春晚會擔任壓軸表演嘉賓的新加坡紅歌星凌霄，發揮四十年深厚的唱功，成功贏得歌迷的熱烈掌聲與喝彩。
擅於帶動氣氛的凌霄，獻唱中段時衝下舞台，於最近的距離與觀眾及歌迷們握手，燃起高潮；凌霄更以一首『桃花紅』帶動全場和音共唱，歡樂氣氛瀰漫全場。
六、七十年代崛起紅遍東南亞的新加坡歌星凌霄，此行是應「二零零八年鼠年春到迎新年」新春晚會聯辦單位，沙巴Vfm與斗湖華人社團聯合會的邀請，擔任壓軸表演嘉賓。
「二零零八年鼠來春到迎新年」新春晚會是由州青年及體育部長拿督劉榮華准將主持開幕，出席的嘉賓尚包括斗湖國會議員沈寶發局紳等，為華人農曆新年來臨前夕，斗湖的一項盛大慶典。
在贊助商的鼎力支持之下，「二零零八年鼠來春到迎新年」新春晚會，打出凌厲的宣傳攻勢，尤其在斗湖豎立的七面巨型廣告牌上，凌霄的肖像屹立於斗湖各策略性的地點，譜成一段佳話。
是項晚會於本月廿六日（星期六）晚上七時卅分成功於斗湖民眾會堂舉行，成功吸引了近三千人的踴躍出席，使大會眾呈爆滿的景象。
精彩的文娛表演之後，新春晚會的重頭戲上演，在Vfm主持人江晶秀的巧妙安排之下，凌霄在觀眾們高喊：「凌霄...凌霄」的聲浪中，以歡悅的腳步與滿面笑容，快步走出舞台，讓晚會升溫。
魅力及唱功扎實的凌霄，在四十五分鐘的演唱中，一口氣帶來了十首悅耳動聽的歌曲，包括『風』、『太陽一樣』、『一路順風』、充滿新春氣息的『迎春』、『春風吻上我的臉』、『春的夢』、『陋巷之春』、『春天裡』、『桃花江』及『我與咖啡』。
觀眾們沉醉在凌霄悅耳的歌聲中時，擅於帶動舞台氣氛的凌霄，出其不意的突然衝下舞台，連跑帶跳的走入觀眾席，一一的與觀眾及歌迷們握手，以最近的距離與歌迷交流互動，令觀眾及歌迷們帶來連連的驚喜。
而凌霄獻唱『桃花紅』時，更成功帶動全場歌迷及觀眾們的和音共唱，歡樂氣氛瀰漫全場。
凌霄以『我與咖啡』作為演唱的結束，但在歌迷高喊『安哥』的情況下，重現舞台，連續帶來『若是你在我身邊』、『熱情的沙漠』，為於當晚深夜十一時卅分才結束的『二零零八年鼠來春到迎新年』新春晚會寫下圓滿的句號，也為眾歌迷們留下美好的回憶。
而拿督劉榮華准將與其夫人拿汀歐玉蓮、沈寶發局紳等，更給予凌霄最大的支持，觀賞至晚會結束，並給予好評。
拿督劉榮華准將、沈寶發局紳、斗湖華人社團聯合會會長孫天福等，亦上台與沙巴Vfm中文部主任陳婉貞、節目主持人江晶秀及葉培芬等合唱新年歌謝幕

Year of 2008 - Year of the Rat

According to the Chinese Zodiac, the Year of 2008 is a Year of the Rat (Earth), which begins on February 7, 2008 and ends on January 25, 2009. The Chinese astrological cycle begins with the year of the Rat; consequently those born within this category like to be first, pioneers, at the forefront of the action. Because of this, they tend to see themselves as a cut above the others. Restless and inquisitive, those born under the influence of the Rat are active, both physically and mentally, and tend to lead busy lives. Challenge is essential to them for they love the thrill of living dangerously, adapting easily to different environments and surviving against all odds. With clairvoyance, intuition, perspicacity and an eye for detail, Rats are formidable problem solvers, finding workable solutions to the knottiest problems. Traveling is one of their favorite pastimes. They have a natural talent for the arts, specifically writing.

The Rat possesses attributes ranging from charming and humorous to honest and meticulous. The Chinese say those born in these years make good and wise advisors, yet they can never decide for themselves and change direction constantly. However, Rats at times hunger for power and money, leading some to be gamblers and others to be manipulative or petty. Their greed can lead them into a destructive trap. They should avoid the negative traits of being sly, secretive, critical and judgmental of others. Another problem is that they can worry and fret endlessly, especially about their health, which creates internal stress. To combat this, Rats need space and understanding, love and companionship.

Rats are best known for their charm and intelligence, which often wins admiration wherever they go. Blessed with a sharp wit, they possess a marvelous sense of humor, which makes them stimulating and amusing company to have around. Generally extroverted, they may well be described as opportunists for they prefer to live off their wits rather than labor long and hard to earn their daily bread.

The Rat has a great appetite and appreciates fine cuisine, loving all types of good food, fine wines, baked goods and gourmet meals. Although he may not be patient enough to prepare these great meals himself, he does enjoy dining at all the latest restaurants.
Rats should have a happy childhood and a carefree youth. However, the second part of their lives may be stormy and problematical. They may be prone to lose money in a bad business deal or their happiness in an unfortunate love affair. The third part of their lives will be comfortable, and their old age as peaceful as could be wished.

It is important to note whether the Rat was born in the summer or the winter of the year. In summer the lofts and granaries are full, but in winter the Rat will be obliged to go out and forage for food, and must watch out for the traps set along the way. In human terms, this could mean the risk of prison or an accidental death.

The Passionate Rat
Rats are able to control their feelings and will generally present a cool facade to the outside world, regardless of whatever volcanic emotions they may be feeling inside. But these are passionate creatures whose feelings can be deeply stirred and though able to control them as a rule, when the volcano does erupt, watch out! Perhaps one of their faults is their inability to actually talk about their feelings to those they love, and consequently they tend to repress them -- thus adding to the volcanic pressure. As well as being deeply passionate they are sensual creatures who simply exude sexuality and who greatly enjoy all forms of physical stimulation.

Rats' romantic life is very quiet, provided that they take care not to interact with the Horse or Rooster. In particular, it is catastrophic for a male Rat to marry a female Fire Horse. They should be wary of those born in the Year of the Tiger; although a light social bond may be enjoyable, a deeper relationship may prove problematic. Rats have excellent relationships and much happiness with the Dragon, Monkey and Ox born.

January is the month of the Rat. The time of the Rat is from 11:00 p.m. to 12:59 a.m.; their direction of orientation is the north. The Rat's color is light blue.
1.Year of the Rat 鼠年
2.Year of the Ox 牛年
3.Year of the Tiger 虎年
4.Year of the Rabbit 兔年
5.Year of the Dragon 龙年
6.Year of the Snake 蛇年
7.Year of the Horse 马年
8.Year of the Goat 羊年
9.Year of the Monkey 猴年
10.Year of the Rooster 鸡年
11.Year of the Dog 狗年
12.Year of the Boar 猪年

January 01, 2014 07:11:25 PM

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