Korean Lunar New Year - February 3, 4,& 5

In Korea, Solnal is the first day of the first month of the new year. While many Koreans celebrate the New Year on January 1st of the solar calendar, the lunar new year is still popular today. In many Korean communities, the New Year is celebrated twice.  The Lunar New Year starts on February 12 in 2002. According to the Asian Zodiac, 2002 is the Year of the Horse.

The Koreans focus on the family as they celebrate the beginning of the New Year. Children put on new traditional clothes called hanbok. They kneel and bow to their ancestors and elders. Family members wish each other prosperity and good fortune. Then they exchange gifts. Children receive lucky money, candy and fruit from the elders. The family spends time together and have rice-cake soup for breakfast. Children often take this day to play special New Year games.

In parts of Korea, people usher in the New Year with a ritual called Jishin Balpgi. Loud drums and gongs are played to scare off evil spirits of the old year. At the end of the day, friends and relatives join together for dinner to renew their friendship. Sol is a celebration of family and good friends. And for the Koreans, the New Year is about family and community.

Now, what this all means to me is that Holt's office in Korea will be closed Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of this week to observe this holiday. So do you know how much will get done in Korea this week?  ZILCH!  We've already got word that Aiden's Emigration Permit was approved on January 20th.  So we're just waiting on those handful of Aiden's things to be done over there and we'll get our Travel Call, that one phone call us Adopted Parents all want so badly!! The CALL to go get Aiden!  So when will all this happen you ask?  I.  have.  no.  idea!  But I sure wish like crazy it was yesterday!  We are so so SO close to the end of this very very VERY long journey!  And like all AP's say, the last bit of wait is the hardest! NO KIDDING!!!  I can't concentrate fully on anything.  My mind is in overdrive running over things in my head about traveling,  things needing to be done here at home, details Taylor needs taken care of as soon as we get the CALL!  Ugggggggg! No wonder I'm so spacey! I feel like I'm walking around in a daze sometimes.   So if you see me wandering aimlessly, just point me in the right direction, wherever that may be! :)