Chuc Mung Nam Moi!

Happy New Year, lovely readers! 

It's the Year of the Rat. Or, if you're Vietnamese like I am and born under this animal sign, we're celebrating the Year of the Mouse.

I'm out of the office today to celebrate Tet, but I'm leaving you in the very capable hands of my terrific co-bloggers Eileen and Liz. Me? Well, this little Mouse and her Tiger sister are taking my Tiger Mama to our Buddhist temple in D.C.

I've been looking forward to the new year for quite some time now, but really started preparing for it this week. I cleaned my house Tuesday night, finished my Sunday column yesterday, paid my bills and tried to settled all unfinished business earlier in the week. 

Why? Because we're superstitious. To clean or sweet on Tet means you could be sweeping all your luck away for an entire year. Paying bills on Tet means money will be flowing out of your home all year long. Lingering disagreements, unfinished work or arguing on Tet means you'll have tension and worries all year long.  

So today we focus on all good and positive things. We give thanks for our lives and our loved ones and all the wonder that comes with it. For us, Tet is all about sweeping out the troubles of the past (my Mama's heart attack and the loss of my uncle) and welcoming in a wonderful new year.  

So Chuc Mung Nam Moi, well-wishes to everyone and I will see you all Friday.