I have a date with Spring part 02

Today is the eve of Lunar New Year...lots of last minute shopping for many working folks...it's madness! Housewives are having the hell(this particular word must not be uttered, at least for the next 3 days if you want good luck for the whole year!)of their lives! So much cooking to do.However, things have also changed for the better...more and more young families are opting for catering by restaurants...less headache and less washing.
In our family, over the years, we have decided to keep it simple.The reunion dinner will be steamboat with yusheng(a kind of salad with slices ofraw fish mixed and tossed with chopsticks by all at the table..and shouting "prosperity! prosperity! prosperity!..lol..quite fun.By then, all the greens will be scattered all over the table) stewed meats (chicken, duck, abalone, mushroom, pork..etc) platter and sushi platter to be catered for.
When we were much much younger...my siblings and I loved the eve...the reunion dinner and most importantly the big event at midnight!We were living in a 16th storeys apartment..only 3 blocks facing one another..sat on a little hill. When the clock hit twelve midnight...households..hundreds of them...lighted their 20 metres long, at least, firecrackers(see picture)! The deafening noise, the smell, the smoke....it's almost like a war zone! But we loved it!next day, the entire ground was bloody red..so surreal.It was a yearly ritual until it was banned for safety reason and also most of us have grown up. But, I still miss it...somehow, without it, the festive spirit is just not right...sigh.

China and Dubai do share one thing in common...very ambitious! They love MEGA MALLS!
I have visited Shanghai several times, the buildings are simply awesome...huge and spectacular!
The Dragonmart (chinatown of Dubai..see picture) is most unsusual. The entire mall is shaped like a dragon (aerial view)....i think the size is about 20 to 30 football fields? Worth a visit...soaked in the festive spirit perhaps.
On a final note...for those of you borned under the sign of the Dog...this is not a particular good year..u have offended the guards at the heavenly gates..so u are prevented from entering.Watch out for your health...keep a low profile..do not engage in any arguments with colleagues..be mindful of spending.(disclaimer: according to chinese horoscope)
Happy New Year and Gong Xi Fa Cai (may you have wealth and prosper)!