On Feb. 1, we will usher in the Chinese New Year, the Year of the Thundering Water Tiger. Families will gather around the table on the eve (Jan. 31) to celebrate. I asked Patrick Fernandez of Yin and Yang Shop of Harmony to share his insights and expectations for 2022. Patrick, whom I met in February 2019, combines classical feng shui concepts and traditions with a strong background in business, finance...
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Known as Chinese New Year, Seollal, and Tết, the Lunar New Year is one of the most important holidays in East and Southeast Asian countries. This year the Lunar New Year will be celebrated on February 1. In the Chinese Zodiac, this upcoming year is the Year of the Tiger. In contrast to last year’s Year of the Ox—which was considered to be more humble, heavy with responsibility, and reliable–this...
Chinese New Year, also known as the Lunar New Year or the Spring Festival, is the most important among the traditional Chinese festivals. The origin of the Chinese New Year Festival can be traced back to about 3,500 years ago. Chinese New Year has evolved over a long period of time and its customs have undergone a long development process. A Legend of the Origin of Chinese New Year: Nian Like all...
There are many legends and stories about the Chinese New Year. We would like to share with you the three most popular ones. 1. The Legend of Why New Year Is Celebrated Chinese New Year’s Day is called Guo Nian (过年) in Chinese, which can mean ‘celebrate (a new) year’ or ‘overcome Nian’. The character 年 (Nián) could mean a ‘year’ or ‘the monster Nian’. In ancient times, there was...
By Ilyce Glink and Samuel J. Tamkin (washingtonpost.com) January 24, 2022 Covid-19, as we’ve pointed out in previous columns, is a trend accelerator. When it comes to buying a home, covid-19 has been the best of times (lowest mortgage rates in history during 2020 and part of 2021) and worst of times (home prices are skyrocketing). As we ended 2021, the United States was short between 5.5 million and...
We hug others when we’re excited, happy, sad, or trying to comfort. Hugging, it seems, is universally comforting. It makes us feel good. And it turns out that hugging is proven to make us healthier and happier. According to scientists, the benefits of hugging go beyond that warm feeling you get when you hold someone in your arms. Read on to find out how. 1. Hugs reduce stress by showing your...
By Elena Cox Jan 17, 2022 Homebuyers these days are one stressed-out group, and they have plenty of questions. They want to know how high mortgage rates will rise. How to win insane bidding wars. Whether to join the suburban rush or the big-city retreat. Whether the open kitchen, modern farmhouse, and “cottagecore” designs are still a thing. But amid all the confusion and consternation, there’s one...
By Kathy Orton (washingtonpost.com) January 6, 2022 What a difference a year makes. One year ago this week, the 30-year fixed mortgage rate sank to its lowest level in history. This week, fixed mortgage rates followed long-term bond yields and rose to their highest levels in 20 months. According to the latest data released Thursday by Freddie Mac, the 30-year fixed-rate average climbed to 3.22 percent...
By Erin Flaherty (realtor.com) As a real estate agent in upstate New York, I can say with confidence that home sellers are in a great mood these days. And who can blame them? In this seller’s market where homes go fast and for top dollar, many sellers are excited to cash in and make a killing. In many cases, they’ll succeed—yet this wild exuberance can also go overboard. Such bullish optimism could...
By: Margaret Heidenry (realtor.com) Dec 9, 2021 Phew, 2021 was busy. Some of us returned to work, others headed back to school, and all of us went back out (hello, restaurants and arenas!). So it’s little wonder you might have missed some of the Realtor.com advice we gathered in the past year. So here’s an update: We spent the past 12 months researching and writing about every real estate subject...