the high rise life: New & Old New Year Traditions

Happy (Lunar) New Year!

Yes, this is a much belated first post of 2013, but might as well start on one of the new year holidays! January was quite a whirlwind for us, with the wrapping up of the holidays and a two week mission trip to Cambodia, followed by post-travel sickness and a conference at church. But onto the new year!

This past weekend was Lunar New Year's (what I grew up calling Chinese New Year in the States) and we headed over to my uncle's place to celebrate. Since we moved to Seoul, we have celebrated the major holidays at my uncle's place, since he's the oldest (and only) son. Traditionally, this means that my aunt and her oldest daughter-in-law prepare an entire meal for the whole family. She upholds this tradition and is an excellent cook.

My darling grandmother with the fabulous spread

Cousins. Kara refused to wear her hanbok :(

Some of the family members eating dessert- fruit, cakes, and coffee!

Though we never celebrated the lunar new year growing up, our family did uphold the Korean new year traditions of eating ddukguk (rice cake soup), playing the yutnori game, and bowing to our elders. In addition to these traditions, my sister & I would make mandoo (dumplings) with our parents every year on New Year's Day. I remember waking up to the smell of the freshly cut vegetables mixed with ground beef, sesame oil, and pepper. All morning, we would make dumplings, cook dumplings, and devour dumplings. Such sweet times.

This year for New Year's Day, we started our own tradition this year of celebrating New Year's Day with a mandoo and ddukguk making party. I guess that's what coming to the motherland does to you ;). I had never made mandoo on my own before, so it was quite an adventure getting everything prepped. On top of that, our kitchen table still hadn't arrived so we were working with side tables! But I was blessed with wonderful friends who had more experience and made the whole experience so much fun. It was a fabulous combination of keeping old traditions while celebrating in a new place with amazing friends.