Monday, Firecracker wake -up call! February 7th.

What the heck is going on...it's 0600 AM and I get awakened by extremely LOUD firecrackers going off. There was a lot of fireworks again last night...so what is this about? What's a girl to do?? ^Google^ it of course!! So here is why I was awakened so darn early:
The 5th lunar day of Chinese New Year is the Welcome Day for the God of Wealth. Many families worship the God of Wealth in the early morning. After the ceremony, people explode firecrackers to invite the God of Wealth to enter the house. That's why we can keep continuously hearing the sparsely sound of firecrackers in the morning.

Many stores open on this day after Chinese New Year holiday. Some religious store owners put a table in the front of company's main entry. They prepare fruit, flower, candy, tea, candles and animal sacrifices on the table to worship the God of Wealth. Some even invite the lion dance team to celebrate the opening ceremony. The mascot of the God of Wealth will appear and enter the store. The store owner will give the mascot a Red Envelope with money reward inside.

Who is the God of Wealth? The answer is more than one Gods of Wealth in the Chinese society. Some selected gods are from the novel of Feng-Shen Bang (The Bulletin Board of Delegated Gods), which is written in Ming Dynasty (1368 to 1644 AD). The story of the Feng-Shen Bang is talking about the rise of Chou Dynasty (1045 BC to 256 BC). The characters are the historical figures mixing with religious gods, goddesses, devils, demons, immortals, fairy person and spirits from Chinese mythology.

The main character in the Feng-Shen Bang is Chiang Tze-Ya who was a student of Original Supreme God. Mr. Chiang studied to become immortal at age 32 and failed after 40 years later. He went back to his home town and had trouble to make a living as a restaurant owner, businessman, fortuneteller until the founder of Chou Dynasty asked him as the premier when he was 83. He was rewarded the state of Chi after Chou dynasty conquered the Shang Dynasty (1600 BC to. 1046 BC). He lived up to 139 year old, severed for four emperors of Chou Dynasties and had 13 children. (Thanks to www.chinesefortunatecalendar.com/ChineseNewYear/GodofWealth.htm).
Well, thank you God of Wealth...can up send over God of Sleep? This started at 0600 and continued throughout the day. Loud and surprising at given times throughout the day. It's Monday, so after watching a bit of TV, homework, and some housekeeping chores; we headed to Malone's for dinner. Had our weekly burger and Tiger beer. Oh..and for dessert...COLD STONE CREAMERY! Yes...they have not 1 but 2 stores in Suzhou. Same set up and everything...they even sing when you throw money in the tip jar! Very cute!
A very typical American evening in a Chinese province. GO figure! We really are a "Global" society!