Yes, a fortnight to go. While some people, myself included, has shopped for new clothes and other items needed during the Chinese New Year, many others will do so during this and next weekend. As next weekend will be the last weekend before Chinese New Year, shopping malls are expected to be crowded then with most people doing their last minute shopping. There are even those who go for their shopping after their reunion dinner on the eve of Chinese New Year, but, well, isn’t that rush? Pity those people working in shopping malls on the eve, they are usually given a short break to go home for their reunion dinner, then come back to work till the shops are closed late at night.

With the last minute rush, those heading towards shopping malls are advised to go early, especially before 11am to avoid the traffic congestion and difficulties to locate a parking space. This is especially true for major shopping malls such as Mid Valley, 1 Utama, Sunway Pyramid and malls located in Bukit Bintang. Otherwise, the only other option is after dinner.

Besides the usual shopping for clothes, many other items people shop for included food items and drinks needed for dining and serving guests during the festive season. Hampers and other gifts are also common while new year decoration items and ornaments as well as lanterns and decorative lights are among other items sought after to brighten up the festive mood and not to forget greeting cards.

On another matter, Chinese movies in conjunction with Chinese New Year are also common. Coming soon are Protege starring Andy Lau, Daniel Wu, Zhang Jing Chu, Louis Koo & Anita Yuen, and Twins Mission starring Twins (Charlene Choi & Gillian Chung), Sammo Hung & Wu Jing. Both movies are slated for 15 Feb release. To be released on 18 Feb, the first day of Chinese New Year is The Lady Iron Chef starring Hacken Lee, Charmaine Sheh, Yuen Qiu, Wong Jing, Cheung Tat Ming & Lau Yeung. These movies will definitely spice up the celebrations, especially for frequent movie-goers.

To end today’s post, today, 4 Feb 2007 is the Beginning of Spring (立春), which marks the start of the Chinese Solar Year of the Pig. Hence, babies born from today onwards is considered to be born in the Year of the Pig.