chinese new year and other lunar calendar festivities

chinese new year:

we've established that mom is crazy. but sometimes she is also cute.
mom: for new years, you are supposed to make a whole fish from head to tail.
me: yeah we were just talking about that. i don't know if i know how to make a whole fish though.
mom: oh, it is easy! just steam it with salt, pepper, green onions, and wine.
me: yeah, but then i'd have a whole fish.
mom: okay, then you make a cake, and then cut it into the shape of a fish! and you can make it scales and decorate it!
me: oh! that's a great idea!

so for chinese new years, my roommates and i enjoyed this:






other lunar calendar festivities:

mom: you know, today is my birthday!
me: no it's not, your birthday isn't for another week.
mom: no! it's december 25th!
me: no, i'm pretty sure it's january 20th...
mom: no, on the lunar calendar! it is 5 days before the chinese new year! that's my birthday!
me: oh, i didn't know that.
mom: yeah! and today, obama became president! isn't that something?
me: that is something.
mom: yes. i am going to celebrate tonight and eat some noodles. you eat some noodles too!
me: okay, i will.
mom: eat them through your nose!