Episode 40--Chinese Lantern Festival and Happy Valentine's Day

I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Day! This year is special for Chinese because it coincides with our traditional Lantern Festival, which is regarded as the 15th day of the first lunar month, (of the last day of Chinese Spring Festival). On that day, we usually eat Yuanxiao ( a sweet dumplings made of glutinous rice flour with sesame fillings, watch lantern show and a television gala. Yuanxiao is a symbol for family reunion and happiness. Many Chinese students at Penn celebrated this day by eating Yuanxiao with their Valentines (if they have their girlfriend or boyfriend here), hoping that their love will be as sweet as Yuanxiao, and they will always be together no matter how far the distance sets them apart. So best wishes to them, and best wishes to those single men and ladies! Hope you will find their Princess or Mr. Right in the new year. 

Posted a picture of Yuanxiao, and the traditional lantern show, though many places do not literally have such old-fashioned lanterns hanging outside.