Predictions for Year of the Tiger
EPISODE 8— 4 FEBRUARY 2022
ABOUT THE EP
Happy Lunar New Year everyone! We spend this episode learning about the origins of Chinese New Year, sharing how we celebrate it, and reading each other's 2022 zodiac horoscopes. Find out which zodiacs are lucky this year and what's in store for our career, love, wealth and health.
THE DETAILS
The myth and origin of Chinese New Year
Our Lunar New Year traditions and rituals
Reacting to our 2022 zodiac predictions
REFERENCES & RESOURCES
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Wendy
Hey, everyone, welcome back to the podcast yet again. Today, we have a little bit of a celebratory episode, I would say, in light of Chinese New Year. Today, we're going to be talking all about the history of Chinese New Year, what it means to us, what it means to everyone else, how we celebrate, and of course, we're going to go through our 2022 Zodiac fortunes.
Tracy
Yes, very exciting. Happy Lunar New Year, everybody. And obviously, we're talking about this in the context of the Chinese culture.
Wendy
Yeah, to give everybody a little bit of history about Chinese New Year and what it signifies Chinese New Year signifies the start of a new year according to the lunar calendar. So it's based on the phases of the moon versus the solar calendar used today. And the length of each lunar cycle varies. So I think the calendar year for the lunar calendar changes every year according to when the new moon starts. And that's why there's like different dates for Chinese New Year, every single year.
Tracy
So this year, it's going to be on the first of February, so it's would have passed when this episode comes out, but we're still in the Chinese New Year period, because it gets celebrated for a period of 16 days. So I hope everyone's having a good time, those who celebrate Chinese New Year, with their family and friends.
Wendy
Yeah, it's a really happy time because it's all about like creating good luck and good fortune for the new year. So it's all about you know, good vibes and celebrating with your family, being surrounded by your extended relatives.
Tracy
It's such a festive time. It's one of my favourite times of the year, just because like the whole family is festive. You know how like Asian parents don't celebrate anything else except Chinese New Year?
Wendy
So true, right? I think like nowadays we're seeing more and more Asian family celebrate, like westernised holidays. Like, I never used to celebrate a Christmas but now we do. Like we see it as an opportunity for the family to get together. Especially because my sisters don't live at home anymore. But yeah, like growing up, it was the one time that I remembered I would like be able to see my extended family or there was a reason for everybody to get together.
Tracy
Or for the parents to take a break from work. Like literally my parents only take a break this one day of the year.
Wendy
It's really funny because like nothing closes in Cabramatta ever throughout the year, like not even for Christmas, not even for like other, like Easter break or anything like that. But Chinese New Year, like don't come to Cabramatta because it's gonna be closed.
Tracy
So, how Chinese New came about is... have you heard of this legend? I did some research and this is the first time hearing about this.
Wendy
I know that the explosions and the wearing red and everything is to ward off like beasts and stuff but I don't know the actual legend itself.
Tracy
Yeah, so the legend of Chinese New Year is in the ancient times, in ancient China, there was a beast that came up every New Year's Eve. A beast would come up from the rivers or something like that, and like terrorise local villagers. So they'll eat livestock crops and people. So apparently, every year, people would flee to the mountains until one year, a wise old man figured out that this beast was scared of loud noises and the colour red. So listening to the man, the village people were able to scare away the monster by pasting red papers on doors, burning bamboo to make loud crackling noises and wearing red codes. So that's kind of why we do all those things in Chinese New Year now, because after that, the monster never came back and the tradition continued on to the present day to celebrate the arrival of a new year.
Wendy
Wow, that's so interesting to know because we've grown up celebrating but we never really questioned why.
Tracy
Yeah, I never questioned I was like why do we do firecrackers? It's because the noises scare away the demons. And like lion dancing and everything, like it's just really interesting.
Wendy
Even thinking about it now, when they do lion dancing, I think like some of them wear like masks to signify like certain types of like characters, I suppose, in the legend. Wow, learnt something new today.
Tracy
So, let's talk about how we celebrate Chinese New Year. I think Wendy already mentioned like we wear a lot of red because it's about scaring away evil spirits. It's because I guess they're scared of the colour red. And everything's revolved around bringing in the good fortune.
Wendy
Yeah, I have like one significant like red dress that I wear every single year. I'm not a colour type of person in my wardrobe.
Tracy
If I find red garments, I'm like, Okay, I'm saving up for Chinese New Year, because when would I ever like wear it? It's kind of like Christmas too. I have like this specific green dress. Yeah, just saved for Christmas.
Wendy
One year, I actually wore white and I got so told off by my mum. So bad because white in Chinese culture is what you wear to funerals. And I was like, Oh, my God, my outfit is so cute. And then yeah, I remember being told never to wear white ever again. So, it's kind of burned in my brain. I don't know how much of a big deal it is now because I see people at the temple where white but it's so wrong. So yeah, just wear white to be safe, friends. It's so nice seeing everyone get into the spirit of wearing like nice red clothes. And I think that tradition actually is you're supposed to wear new clothes.
Tracy
Yeah, I think so.
Wendy
Yeah, you're not technically meant to recycle your outfit. But you know, we do because we don't want to buy new clothes every year. But it's all about you know, wearing new clothes, like everything new. So, if you want to cut your hair or anything, you do it before new year's.
Tracy
Yeah. So, let's talk about, like, rituals or traditions or things we do for Chinese New Year and why we do it. So, I think the biggest thing is family reunion dinners. That's actually my highlight of Chinese New Year, we always go to my grandmother's place and we have a big family dinner. And it's like, Chinese New Year food. What is Chinese New Year food? It's like fish?
It's like kind of like, delicacies, right?
Oh yes. Yeah.
Wendy
So, my mum is a really great cook. I'm super, super lucky to have a mum that's so into cooking. So, very similar to Tracy, the family comes together, and because of my extended family in Australia is not very big, I've got a lot of family back in Vietnam, what we do is my immediate family comes together and everybody's partners come as well. And my mum makes a massive feast every year and some of the dishes she would make is like steamed abalone like shallot and ginger. Thinking about it now, she makes a lot of like seafood. So, she also makes like lobster or crab with like Singaporean noodles style.
Tracy
I think it's something about you eat like, like how rich people eat. Yeah, you're meant to eat like well. Because apparently you can't have porridge on Chinese New Year because back in the days poor people ate porridge. So they don't want you to like, bringing bad fortune by eating like you're poor.
Wendy
So like, pretending to be something that you're not.
Tracy
It's called manifesting.
Wendy
Wow, we've been manifesting this whole time. No, but actually, I think we've talked about this in past episodes, right? Like so much of Asian culture, like revolves around food. And I think it's all about like, eating well, celebrating together. And not cheaping out on food. Right? Because like, you don't want to be kind of frugal around this time.
Tracy
Yeah. It's like the one time of year that we can go all out. The dinner table is very significant.
Wendy
Yeah. What types of food do you have?
Tracy
I think we have like lobster. We have lobster. We have like, the soup. I don't know if you guys have it. But it's like the fishballs and cabbage. We have like temple food as well. We get like vegetarian spring rolls. We do abalone, very similar. Yeah. Really yummy food.
Wendy
So, this is like, would you say that you do this dinner on like the day? No, it's the day before? It's essentially like new year's eve, right? So, the eve of Chinese New Year you'd have this dinner, and then for me traditionally, for my family, sometimes we go to the temple after. So, at the temples around our area, they have like firework displays at nine o'clock and midnight. And yeah, they have like lion dancing. And then they do the firecrackers and everything like that. So, it's a very like happy time.
Tracy
It's so festive like everyone is out, everyone wears red. And we also pray. Do you pray at the temples? So, we offer like sacrifices and pray to like the deities and like your ancestors to bring in good luck for the year and ask for like protection and prosperity.
Wendy
Yeah, so you do that before you eat the food. But then you also go to the temple and then you pray again, as soon as you get to the temple. And then in the temple, depending on which one it is, the way it is organised is there's like different altars that you have to go to. And it's like, representing the different gods that you need to pray to. Yeah, you just have incense and then you put it in each alter.
Tracy
It's really interesting because I wouldn't consider myself as religious. But my family is Buddhists but at Chinese New Year, I get fully into it.
Wendy
Likewise, you pray and everything, you pray for good fortune. And I think there's like something you meant to say like phrase?
Tracy
Oh, yes, you say like, Wish me good luck, protect my family, make money or something like that.
Wendy
It's funny because when I was younger, like your parents teach you to say, in Cantonese anyway, it was like, just wish well, good luck, wish for good studies and good outcomes, like good grades, and then you're set. So now, I don't know what to say.
Tracy
I do the same. It's like work hard, study hard.
Wendy
Yeah, that's all I know. Whereas I know that there's like, specific phrases that you say for good health and everything.
Tracy
Oh, that's so true. Like, because my one, I think the one I always say, I end it with, I hope my parents make lots of money. That's one thing my parents told me.
Wendy
But you know, you see a lot of people like pray for long periods of time. So I just say my two sentences, and then I'm like, Do I keep praying? You're like, everyone else is still praying so I'm just going to keep praying. Yeah, but as long as you say what you need to say, I think it's okay.
Tracy
Yeah, I think it's the act of doing it. I feel very connected to my Chinese heritage when I do it.
Wendy
Yeah. Likewise, and it's just a happy time like going to temples and seeing like your parents in that light as well.
Tracy
And seeing family and friends and like extended family, like bumping into people, it's just so fun.
Wendy
Yeah, it like you said, it's just such a happy time. Like everybody's in a good mood. So yeah, good vibes.
Tracy
What else do we do? Lucky money?
Wendy
Yeah. I don't actually get a lot of li xi I think because I don't have a huge extended family here. So whenever I do, it's kind of like, even at this age, I'm like 26 and I still get li xi. It's crazy. Right? Just waiting for the time that we become the ones to give them money.
Tracy
So, it's red pockets for those who don't know, but yeah, I think when you get married, you have to start giving it out. But yeah, it's supposed to like signify like you're wishing them well. You're giving them best wishes, or giving them money in a red envelope, which is the lucky colour.
Wendy
Yeah. And the red envelopes are so beautiful as well. Yeah, the designs that they come out with every year are really nice, yeah. But I think that's the highlight for a lot of people, especially kids, right? Getting money.
Tracy
Yeah. I used to love it. Like just bumping into like family friends and they give you money.
Wendy
And you're not meant to open it in front of like, whoever gave it to you, because that's apparently really rude.
Tracy
What else do we do?
Wendy
I think like lion dancing is a massive deal. I think we know some people from high school that still do lion dancing. So they like train throughout the year for significant events like this. But yeah, it's another way to scare off like evil spirits that might bring bad luck. And it's just like, I think it's an art form, to be honest. It's actually really, really hard and require so much strength. And you see, like people doing like the drums. So yeah, I don't think you see that anywhere else in different cultures like that type of dancing as well. So it's really, really cool. Yeah, I have one tradition, but I think it's not very common. So, in my wallet every year I carry around a paper, like origami folded triangle, and it's yellow, and it's got like red stamps all over it. But essentially, it's meant to be like a lucky triangle, and you carry in your wallet to just like, ward off bad spirits. And at the end of the year, so when you go to the temple that evening, they usually have like a fire burning in like a big container, and then you throw it in there, and it's meant to burn all of your bad luck and bad sins from the last year.
Tracy
I have a triangle, but I've never burnt it. Yeah, I don't know. I just got it and I've just kept it. I think it's been years. I didn't know you had to like get a new one every year.
Wendy
Every year, I'll give it to my mum, she'll go to the temple if I can't go, and then she'll bring a new one. It's got my Chinese name on it. And then I'll just carry it in my wallet wherever I go. For the longest time I've been doing it. I don't remember if there was ever a year that I didn't do it. It's strange, because I'm not very religious either. Yeah, but that's the one thing that I've always just done. Never questioned. Yeah, up until this point, anyway. Do you do the fortune rituals at the temple?
Tracy
No. I've always been curious though because they've got like the people behind the desk, right? And then they like write stuff and then they pick up things. I don't know. I always observe other people do it, but I'd never really understood.
Wendy
Yeah, so I think there's actually a couple of things. So, there's like these sticks in a cylinder. So they're called like kau chim, might be saying that wrong, or divination sticks. So essentially, it's like a bamboo cylindrical tube, and there's about 100 bamboo sticks in it. And each has a number on it. And what you do is like, you shake it until one stick, like falls out or sticks out, and then you take it out and the number on the stick corresponds to a particular like verse or allegory. And then it gets interpreted by those people who are sitting behind the desk. And it's meant to tell you like something regarding like your fortune, or the verse is meant is kind of allude to your future.
Tracy
I always wanted to do it as a child, but like I was, I think, it's an adult business thing. Did you watch like TVB dramas? And they always did it when something was going wrong in their lives. The mums would to the temple, and they'll do the shaking the stick and stuff. And I'd be like, that looks cool.
Wendy
Yeah, it's funny, because I actually never did it until last year when I had my concussion. So when I had my concussion... I don't know if I talked about my concussion on the podcast.
Tracy
You have. She did not get another concussion.
Wendy
I had a concussion. And then my mum made me go to the temple. And that was the first time I did the stick shaking thing.
What was your fortune?
I don't know, my mum just took it and she read it. She was just like, okay. I don't know. Well, but must have been good. Because the remainder of the year was amazing. So yeah, I think those are one of the few ways that you can look at your fortune. There's also this shaped wooden stone. And apparently you chuck it, and then where it lands or how it lands is meant to tell you something. So I don't know, these are purely from my observations of what I've seen at the temple. But I'm sure there are many other ways.
Tracy
Oh, for sure. Like, I think more traditional people, there's a lot more rituals to be done.
Wendy
Yeah, I know that you can also do like palm reading, tea leaf reading, other stuff. Super advanced as well. If you really, really believe in that stuff you can go to a fortune teller. So hopefully some of those like I think you guys can relate to. I think a lot of these I do relate to but it's just like the degree in which I celebrate Chinese New Year too. I know that my mum does a lot of this. But yeah, it's interesting, because I always wonder, like, should I learn to do these traditions in the future? Like how, how much?
Tracy
Oh, that's a good question. Would you want to carry it forward for your children and your future family?
Wendy
I feel like yeah, because like, when you celebrate with your family during this time, you're gonna want to know what is going on so you can teach your kids. But um, yeah, a lot of the time my mum just does everything.
Yeah. Like your parents just tell you what to do. And you just do it. But it'd be nice to learn, like you said, why we're doing it. So you can actually teach it to our kids in the future to kind of keep that tradition alive a little bit.
Yeah. Because it is very happy time. And I would want to keep it going.
Tracy
Yeah, there should be like Chinese school for modern day Australians. Like for second gens, teaching them like, you know, why we do this, why did your parents do this, pretty interesting.
Wendy
Or even like the national holidays of the lunar calendar?
Tracy
Yeah. Like, I don't know, a lot of why we do a lot of things in, you know, Chinese culture, I just follow them. It's like, yeah, something about the moon, okay cool, we're praying. You don't even know the dates and things. So moving on to the exciting part of our episode is our zodiac predictions for 2022. So for those who don't know, it's the year of the tiger. And I think it's the water tiger this year. Basically, the background of the Chinese zodiacs is that there are 12 animals: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. And I guess traditionally, like Chinese people believe that the person's horoscope, so which animal they are, kind of represents their personality and compatibility and like their fortune for the year I guess. And it's determined by their birth year. So it goes on 12 year rotations? Yeah, in that order.
Wendy
Yeah. So if your age is a multiple of 12, it's going to be your year. And I think generally, if it's your year, you're not going to have good luck.
Tracy
They say that because it's your animal's year apparently it's something like it's your year, so you're offending this specific god, so he's gonna bring bad luck on to you.
Wendy
Yeah, so apparently, you shouldn't make any, like drastic changes in that year. You should live quite safely.
Tracy
Yeah. So for the year of 2022, the year of the tiger, symbolises strength and braveness, and the apparently the luckiest zodiacs this year oxes and goats. So neither of us. I don't even know how old oxes and goats are. But for those oxes and goats listening out there or your parents, cousins, aunties, uncles or whatever, this is their year. Rabbits, dragons, horses and roosters are also destined to enjoy a smooth life and good luck in making money. Also neither of us. No good luck in making money. And then the rest of us so rats, snakes, monkeys, pigs and dogs will need to make more effort to make achievements in 2022.
Wendy
For context, Tracy's a rat and I'm a pig.
Tracy
So we need to work a little bit harder this year to make achievements.
Wendy
RIP. As if last year wasn't enough.
Tracy
Every year we work hard for our achievements.
Wendy
Yeah, so we're gonna go through our own zodiacs and the predictions for 2022 in terms of what our like year is going to look like. Yeah. So for Tracy, Tracy is the year of the rat, and according to 2022, entering the year of the tiger, your fortune will be more stable than last year. Although there will not be much development, the year will pass smoothly in general. Like it's not going to be anything extravagant but it's going to be smooth sailing. The probability of a promotion is small, but you should still try hard and there's a small chance you will suceed.
Tracy
And that makes sense, because I actually got a new job last year. And that was a promotion. So yeah.
Wendy
Awesome. In terms of your career, it's forecasted to be relatively flat. You will have unstable financial luck.
Tracy
Like every other year.
Wendy
So the recommendation is to lay a solid foundation this year and maintain good interpersonal relationships. I feel like that's really relevant because you're gonna have new colleagues and stuff. Then when a good year of luck comes around, you will surely be able to reap success.
Tracy
So I need to work on spending this year working on the foundation. So then when it's my time to shine, it will all come in.
Wendy
Oh, there's something about a new job. Do you want to hear it? A new job in general will not be as reliable as your current job. Oh wait, no, this is actually not relevant because you're entering a new job. It's saying is basically saying it's not good to make the decision to switch jobs right? In love, so rats who find yourself single, that's not relevant because Tracy is not single, you're not married either. So...
Tracy
So that's it. The gods don't tell me what happens if I'm not single or married.
Wendy
Yeah, basically.
Tracy
Okay.
Wendy
There's nothing to say there... But for our listeners who find yourself single. If you're a rat, you will have no luck and will still remain single.
Tracy
Sorry, everybody.
Wendy
I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news. Married rat people though, your family atmosphere does not look good in 2022 either.
Tracy
Oh no, a little bit dire for the rat people.
Wendy
Yeah, apparently you will often ignore the feelings of your other half. If there is too little communication for a long time it will affect your marital relationship. Probably it's also applicable to those who are in relationships, not necessarily married.
Tracy
I love how these like, fortunes are so certain. It's like you will remain single. Like there's no no doubt about it. You will.
Wendy
It's so savage. All right. In wealth, rat people, you won't have a lucky star to help you this year. You have to rely on yourself for everything. Self sustenance. When encountering accidents or setbacks, don't get too emotional. You need to calm down and come up with suitable countermeasures. And if you're in business, you need to take into account the overall situation this year when finances are too tight. You must make efforts to increase revenue and reduce expenditure to prevent your company from stagnating. Wow, there is a lot here. Okay, finally, health. Rats, beware of accidents.
Tracy
Is there anything good in this fortune?
Wendy
Oh my god. I actually don't know. Yeah. We didn't expect the episode to go this way.
Tracy
So beware of accidents. Okay. Do we know what kind of accidents I'm gonna get into?
Wendy
No, it just says oh, when travelling you must take care of your belongings. Avoid going out alone at night and take precautions against being robbed. And you should also drive carefully and cautiously and abide by the traffic regulations.
Tracy
Which you should always do no matter if you are a rat or not. Please abide by the traffic regulations.
Wendy
Okay, I'm really sorry for that horoscope, that dire horoscope for 2022. But yeah, I think moral the story is to just play it safe. Don't do anything drastic. Don't change jobs. If you're single, you're still going to be single. But don't let that stop you.
Tracy
Thank you, wise one. Now let's look at Wendy's horoscope and see if it's any better than mine. Oh gosh, so the pig in 2022, pigs will have a up and down year negotiating many barriers and succeeding in the end. Oh, there's a light at the end of the tunnel. Okay, so it says that although you encounter many unsatisfactory things, the final result will be good.
Wendy
Amazing, love it
Tracy
I love that. You will be in a very happy mood this year. You can choose to instigate one of the three happy events in your life this year. That is, getting married, adding to your family or buying a home.
Wendy
Definitely the latter.
Tracy
Yeah. You should do one of these three happy events this year. So yeah, get married, add to your family or buy a home. So, people who will be in love in 2022, could be you could be not you, but who knows, you can choose to enter the life of marriage this year and have a smooth and happy year. So if you would like, please go get married this year. This is your year. Okay, for your career. Well, this is interesting, it's specific to you actually. Pig people who are engaged in clerical or creative work, that's you. You have a strong academic potential this year, which will usher in a period of upward mobility in your career. This will make you more likely to be promoted by your leaders. After work, you should you should study to obtain relevant certification, which will be very, very beneficial for your future career development.
Wendy
Oh, this is cool. Yeah, usually, I mean, I take this stuff with a grain of salt but that's kind of nice.
Tracy
Yeah. This is really positive. Okay, next is your forecast for love. So for married pigs out there, this year, you will often quarrel with your partner and have a very cold attitude. You will put yourself in a dangerous situation relationally for a long time. Wow. Good luck to you married pigs out there. To pigs in love, this year will be suitable for you to enter the domain of marriage. If you make no plan to get married, the two of you be more likely to break up. Oh my goodness. Sorry. So for pigs in love, if you don't get married this year, or make no plan to get married, you're more likely to break up this year. That's a little bit intense. For single people, you may meet the love of your life this year. He'll be very compatible with you in terms of personality, career, etc. If you have a good impression of him or her, you need to express your intentions in time. Do not watch your happiness slip away.
Wendy
Don't let it slip through your fingers, guys.
Tracy
Yeah, so for you 1995 babies out there., don't let it slip away. Go find your man or woman.
Wendy
I'm questioning the intention of this podcast now. Are we meant to be fortune tellers?
Tracy
Obviously take this with a grain of salt. We're just playing this for fun. Okay, so the second last category is wealth. So pig people, you will always be having all kinds of novel ideas this year. Maybe for people who will be engaged in business, you should try more projects this year. And in this way, you'll get more money. Oh, however, it should be noted that when exploring new projects, you should not invest too much money at a time. Invest a small part first, then perform through optimisations in line with benefits gained. This year, you will need to know there'll be a sudden financial crisis at some point. So be sure to anticipate it and reserve sufficient funds to support the operation of your company.
Wendy
Okay.
Tracy
All right. So Wendy, put a pool of money away because you will hit a financial crisis at some point this year. Okay, health. This year, pigs will have a busy schedule and have a lot of socialising. I'm not surprised, I can see that happening. You will need to pay attention to gastrointestinal problems and respiratory diseases.
Wendy
How about getting liver cancer from alcohol poisoning?
Tracy
Oh my god, don't say that. Okay, it says adjust your diet and rest for better health.
Wendy
That's okay. I don't drink much anyway.
Tracy
It says in general, your overall health will be average, but there'll be no major problems. Okay, no concussions. But you will need to be concerned about the health of the elderly in your family.
Okay.
Oh okay, this is taking a turn, sorry. If they feel unwell you need to seek medical treatment to avoid missing the best treatment opportunity. As always, wise words for everybody.
Wendy
Wow. I need to go away and reflect on this before Chinese New Year comes around.
Tracy
That was actually a lot to take in guys. So we actually didn't read this fully until this episode. I'm like quite shocked by my fortune.
Wendy
Obviously, when we released this episode, it's going to be after Chinese New Year. But yeah, the Chinese New Year period starts from February 1st 2022 and ends on January 21st 2023. So yeah, watch out. That's the year that we're going to have.
Tracy
Yeah, well, quick question. Do you actually look at these Zodiac predictions every year? Is this a thing you and your family do?
Wendy
No, not at all.
Tracy
Yeah, this is my first time.
Wendy
Yeah, it's very interesting. It's really dire at some points, I have to say. But when you go to I think when I travelled to Singapore over Chinese New Year or was preparing for Chinese New Year, they had like these boards outdoors and it has all your like your horoscope for the year and I would just read it. Grain of salt.
Tracy
They're like star signs. I don't want to offend anyone, but like, you know, star signs and horoscopes and things like that.
Wendy
They're written in a way that it feels like it's applicable to everybody, right? Psychology 101.
Tracy
You can make your own fortune everywhere.
Wendy
Yeah, yeah. But I hardly ever read this. I think my mum just tells me if it's going to be good. Well, she just warns me if it's going to be a bad year.
Tracy
Yeah. Like our parents care about these things, because that's how they grew up.
Wendy
Yeah. All my sisters and I actually are different horoscopes. What about you and your sisters?
Tracy
My sisters are twins so they have the same. They're dragons. So in Chinese culture, dragons are like the one that people want to be like in China. Apparently, the year of the dragon, there's heaps of babies being born because everyone wants their kids to be year of the dragon.
Wendy
Wow, that's crazy. Some countries go pretty hard with this tradition stuff. I know that Chinese New Year's generally celebrated in countries like Vietnam, China, Singapore, but apparently it's actually slowly becoming more normalised in westernised countries. Because the population is becoming more multicultural. And I do remember in high school, like people's parents asking you if they were going to take a day off. Yeah. And I think some of like, our friends did. Yeah, I never did.
Tracy
I think I did, like once or twice, like, because we're in an Asian area, it's actually quite common for Chinese New Year. A lot of kids will be away. Cool. Well, that's a wrap on our Chinese New Year's special. We're going to move into our dinner table questions now. So sticking on theme, what is your favourite Chinese New Year food?
Wendy
I don't ever have a specific Chinese New Year food. But I do love the little snacks that you can get. So the lucky lollies, really, really good. Full of sugar obviously. That and you know the the peanut brittle? They could break your teeth probably but Oh my god. so good. And sometimes you can buy a pack and it comes in the red tray. Yeah, the red tray or like a circular container and they would have like, dried preserved fruits in there, coated in sugar, and that's really nice as well. Yeah, I think those are kind of like quite nostalgic for me from my childhood. But yeah, I love all the foods that my mum cooks as well. She really cooks up a feast.
Tracy
Yeah, Wendy's food always look so good.
Wendy
How about you?
Tracy
My favourite is temple food. Like I really like the temple vegetarian spring rolls and like the vegetarian like no
Wendy
noodles, they mean yeah, they do. Like it's kind of like a stir fry. But the sauce is quite like liquidy.
Tracy
So good. Like that's my favourite. I think maybe Iike you, it's nostalgic. Because I think I said in the previous episode that my grandparents used to work in a temple so my childhood was kind of spending a lot of time at temple, so temple food reminds me of like my grandparents and like, their friends and just family, which is really nice. And it's so yummy. And it's vegetarian. Yeah, and it's free.
Wendy
The spring rolls you have to buy but the noodles is free. You can get it with rice as well. But the spring rolls, so good And they're like, big.
Tracy
Yeah, I like them better than the meat spring rolls. Yum.
Wendy
What is your favourite smell?
Tracy
So I really like like woody smells like grass or like forest. You know, like fresh. A fresh smell like mountain smalles.
Wendy
That's very specific.
Tracy
Yeah, all my candle scents are kind of all the same. They're like, forests, grass, rain type smell.
Wendy
Do you like the smell of like, after rain?
Tracy
Yes, yes.
Wendy
Yeah, my favourite smell, it's not like a environmental smell. But it's more of like a perfume scent. So a fragrance. I am absolutely obsessed with Byredo's Gypsy Water. It smells so good. It's like my go to scent. And Le Labo fragrances as well. Sorry this is obviously very high end super fancy but yeah, I don't go anywhere without spraying perfume. Yeah, it's like the one thing that I don't like to forget. I don't think I've got very bad BO but I just like being able to smell my perfume throughout the day. Yeah. Last question, what are your most used emojis?
So my one, it's very telling of my personality, but it's the side eyes, its the upside down smile and it's like that awkward eeeek. It's like when you're in an awkward situation like, yeah, that's just me like in awkward situations. Yeah, so those I think those are my most used. Very awkward emojis.
Tracy
We put it up on our stories as well. You have to go through our highlights to see. We just did it for fun. My mostly used emojis is actually just the normal like smiling face or head. I use it sarcastically like, so if something bad happens to me, I'll just do it like three times.
It's not like the grin, right? It's just a normal line.
Wendy
Yeah, so I use that one. I also use the red face with the little sweat drop on the side with a tongue out.
Tracy
Very specific. I haven't seen that one.
Wendy
I don't know, you just use emojis in such a way, don't you think? And then the last one I use, it's like it's smiling but the eyes are closed. Two little moons.
Tracy
Yeah, it's like you're like very relaxed, like Zen.
Wendy
Oh my god, hearing us try and describe emojis, it's friggin hilarious. Yeah, but it really depends what kind of mood I am. But I find it super interesting looking at what emojis a person uses because it says a lot about their personality.
Tracy
Yeah, it's also really interesting to see how like texting has evolved to just like, an emoji can just convey so many things. I don't know how we like conveyed emotions before emojis.
Wendy
Yeah, legit. Do you remember when we used the colon and the capital L for laughing? Like what was that? But I actually know some people who still use it now. So anyway, that brings this episode to an end. Our audience question for you today is, what is your favourite part of Chinese New Year? It can be about food or the way that you celebrate anything. Yeah, share with us in the Spotify question or let us know on our Instagram. And as always, feel free to DM us with any like topic suggestions, what you want to see more, of because we're always open to anything and everything.
Tracy
Yes. Thank you for listening to us, sitting with us. Thank you for spending Chinese New Year with us. It was a fun discussion.
Wendy
Yeah, we hope you learned a lot because we definitely did.
Tracy
Bye!