As many of you know, I had the honor of serving as a host mother to two international students. Both were girls, one from China and the other from South Korea. For many years, before even meeting Seoyeon and Jiaxi, I would attend the festivities for the Lunar New Year in the Asian District of Oklahoma City. Culturally speaking, it has become one of Oklahoma City’s largest celebrations. It became an annual tradition and an opportunity to learn more about a culture different from our own. Great food, dancing, cultural garb, and rituals would flood the blocked-off streets in my beloved City. For one day, our family got to stand in the glow of a community in celebration. Watching my girls light up during dragon dances was always a highlight for me.
A Dragon Dance being performed at the Scissortail Park in Oklahoma City, OK.
What is Lunar New Year?
Lunar New Year is a traditional festival based off the Lunar Calendar primarily in East and South Asia countries, marking the first day of the lunar calendar and welcoming the start of spring. It is a time for family reunions, feasting, and exchanging of gifts, and is typically associated with various cultural and religious practices and beliefs. Some of the most well-known celebrations of the Lunar New Year include Chinese New Year, Vietnamese Tết, and Korean Seollal. I am grateful that our city hosts such an important event with such bravado.
Embracing the holiday at home
Welcoming Asian students into our home meant embracing Asian culture. Lunar New Year because very personal for us an a part of our family celebrations. We learned more about the significance of the holiday, the color red, and even the typical gifts of cash given in red envelopes. In an effort to make them feel more at home and bring their culture to the forefront, we celebrated in a big way—at home. We decorated our home with flags and banners, and the table with red plates and candles. We all wore red to our special dinner and I got to give out red envelopes full of cash…not too much. But enough to feel excited about the unexpected influx of income.
My “famous” Harbour Fried Rice.
When in Asia, eat like Asians
I still treasure so many moments from that Lunar New Year at home. I got to make my “famous” Harbour Fried Rice, which was a big hit with my new daughters. Seoyeon shared tteokbokki with our family, which has now become a staple in our home. We’ve become quite proficient in preparing it. While Jiaxi prepared a yummy hot pot which has also become a go-to favorite when we visit Chinese restaurants.
Our Lunar New Year dinner at home.
The impact one culture can have when we break bread together
I am grateful that Seoyeon and Jiaxi let our family in for this honorable occasion. And more importantly, it was a day that they could feel close to home in the midst of a new family and country. It’s a constant reminder of how food can bring us all together.
