Hello 2014! January is well on it’s way and many of you have probably made (and perhaps broken) new year’s resolutions. For me the start of a new year is the opportunity to refresh my perspective – in many regards. It is a time for self reflection and certainly a time for setting goals (personal goals, business related ones and definitely family goals). For me a new year is an extension of the Christmas spirit and warmth. So much time is spent in December setting the stage for Christmas, preparing our hearts and homes for the coming of Christ. Efforts are made to make hand-made gifts, provide meals for elderly neighbors and donate toys for the less fortunate. People have a tendency to hold the door for strangers and offer warm greetings around every corner. More than gifts and twinkling lights – I love the warmth and sincerity that surrounds the holiday season. And I ask aloud – why should this end when the tree ornaments get packed away and the children start back at school. January should be a time to celebrate cultures around the world – after all we all experience the turn of the year and celebrate what is to become of the next year. As you are making or trying hard to keep your new year’s resolutions, consider exploring how other countries take in the new year, traditions and resolutions that are part of those cultures. It’s January half way across the world, so what makes it different than ours and better yet what is celebrated the same?

And speaking of world cultures and celebrating the new year… we are very excited to be attending the Penn Museum’s Chinese New Year Celebration on January 25^th. This is sure to be an exciting day-long family event in one of the most amazing museums on the East Coast. The celebration begins at 11AM and offers a variety of demonstrations, exhibits, food and fun and you don’t want to miss the Lion Dance Finale. The celebration is free with museum admission and in honor of the Year of the Horse (1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014), guests born on the Year of the Horse (or expectant moms due in 2014), can gallop on in for free—when you bring at least one non-Horse paying guest with you!

Celebration activities are as follows and additional information can be obtain by visiting the Penn Museum website.

CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATION 2014 SCHEDULE
11:00 am – 12:30 pm – Calligraphy Drop-in Workshop
11:30 am – 12:15 pm – MeiMei Dance Performance & Pennsylvania Chinese Dance Club Performance
12:00 pm – 12:30 pm– East vs. West Chinese Music Demonstration
12:30 pm – 2:00 pm – Language Class
1:00 pm – 1:30 pm – Ba’z Tai Chi Demo & Workshop
1:00 pm – 2:30 pm – Gallery Talk: Tang Horses
2:00 pm – 2:30 pm – East vs. West Chinese Music Demonstration
2:00 pm – 3:30 pm – Tangram Workshop
2:30 pm – 3:00 pm – PennYo A Cappella Performance
3:00 pm – 3:30 pm – Falun Gong Demonstration
3:15 pm – 4:00 pm – Kung Fu Demonstration and Lion Dance Finale

Photo Credit: Penn Museum

Disclosure: This was a sponsored post.  We were either compensated or given product/passes for review.  The opinions expressed herein are strictly mine.