Gung Hei Fatt Choi! Today is the first day of Chinese New Year. It is the year of the Ox.

In the morning, I ate my breakfast in the smallest bowl, so that I may refill (thim) the rice several times. This means that I shall have an abundance of food in the days ahead. 🙂

In the afternoon, D and I went to the butcher who sells Limousin beef. We have not been there since last October. One thing has led to another, and we did not have the time nor opportunity. The car ride there was quite lovely because of the snowy scenery all about us. I walked out of the butcher shop with €80 worth of meat. This purchase might last us a month!

After the butcher shop, we made a detour to look for a Delhaize grocery store which sells geutelingen. We only get to buy and eat this local product of East Flanders once a year. In life, one has to pursue what one’s heart desires.

This evening’s dinner will be fish (yue) and fried egg noodles. Fish in Chinese sounds similar to the word leftover. Leftover means there is no shortage, a good thing then. Noodles depicts long life. The older I get, the more I like to relive and practise these silly but comforting rituals and norms.