Chinese New Year breakfast with Raina's family

The last weekend of January is Seolnal (Chinese New Year). We were invited out to our friend Raina's house to have breakfast with her family on Sunday morning. There we would participate in a traditional breakfast and money giving ceremonies. I'm not sure what that is called but it is a traditional event at Seolnal. We were fortunate to have the opportunity to spend some time with a Korean family and take part in these events. It was a huge breakfast of rice, fish, noodles, mandu (like perogies?), kimchi, ddukguk (traditional Seolnal soup), and an assortment of side dishes. We met Raina's mother and her two older brothers and their families. We also met a couple of her uncles. It was a relaxing and filling breakfast time. Shortly after the breakfast, the money and blessing tradition took place. Many children look forward to Seolnal for this very reason. It is traditional for the younger children to bow before their parents, grandparents, and uncles and aunts, give and receive blessings to one another and receive money. It is not only for children but for everyone in the family. Money is handed down to everyone that is younger than you. Children to parents, grandparents, and uncles and aunts, no matter the age. I'm not exactly sure how it all works, but it is a pretty exciting time for the children, its like Christmas. Some kids with big families walk away with hundreds of dollars.
Raina and her mother insisted that we take part in the tradition and act as though we were Raina's siblings. So we got down on our knees and bowed to the floor while Raina and her mother exchanged blessings in Korean (we didn't understand anything unfortunately). Then her mother gave us all 10,000 won. It was really cool to have participated in the traditions with a Korean family. It was such a great time! They are a very kind and welcoming family. We were really blessed to share Seolnal with them.

go to my MSN space to SEE MORE PICTURES of Seolnal (Chinese new year). http://spaces.msn.com/yoggerfassa