New year, new look

The Tiger is waning and the Year of the Rabbit is rising! One of the benefits of growing up Chinese is celebrating New Year's twice, sometimes even in the same month! For those of you in the dark (like I was until my Mom informed me), Chinese New Year occurs on February 3, 2011 this year..that means it's only 8 days away!

Basic Facts
In 2010, we welcomed the Year of the Tiger (and year 4707 in the Chinese Lunar calendar) on February 14
In 2011, we will welcome the Year of the Rabbit (and year 4708) on February 3 (with CNY's eve on February 2)

Les soldes

Over the Christmas holiday, I experienced sticker shock when I went food shopping! Is it me, or have food prices along with everything else risen by 15-20% over the past 8 months? The cost of food and dining out was on par with French prices...but clothes and gasoline are still comparatively cheaper in the US than France, and much much cheaper compared to Switzerland.

Anyway, with the Euro rising against the USD (bad news for me and R), I was happily surprised when I returned home to find Les Soldes have started. Youpie! In France, sales are regulated. Stores are allowed to have major sales twice a year, and the first one starts in mid-January and lasts to mid-February. When we went to Annecy the other day, I noticed huge prominent SOLDES signs everywhere, with additional 40-70% off the lowest prices on the tags. I looked for shoes but haven't found anything that I LOVE yet and if I don't love it, I'm not buying it.