Well, my brother would be in a better position to make that statement, since he was born in a Goat year (I'm a Rooster myself). Oh well. In Mandarin, Gong Xi Fa Cai, and in Cantonese, Gong Hey Fat Choy! (Or is it the other way around? I hope it's not the other way around...)

Well not entirely. I'm a Metal Sheep/Goat, so I have to wait until 2051 before that comes around again, but still!

"Now repeat after me: Xin nian kuai le."

Aiden screwed up his face in effort as he tried to parse the unfamiliar sounds. "Shin..."

"Xin," Gremlin repeated.

"Xin. Xin nian... kuai le?"

"Very good! Your reward." Gremlin handed the three-year-old a red envelope. "Don't open it yet, okay? You need to keep that under your pillow for seven nights first. Do you remember how much seven is?"

The smile on Aiden's face slightly faded. He had not been expecting the preschool equivalent of algebra when this began. "Uh..."

"That is five plus another two, Aiden," a new voice interjected.

Aiden looked up in gratitude towards Xericka, who was standing off to the side watching the exchange. "Thank you, mom."

"Right," Gremlin continued. "That'll bring you good luck throughout the year. Okay?"

"Okay," Aiden replied. He gave the envelope a brief envious glance before turning his gaze back to Gremlin. "Thank you, Aunt Gremlin."

Gremlin tousled his hair before standing back up. "Run into the bedroom and look in the closet. There's a present there you can open right now."

Aiden let out a gleeful noise as he ran towards the doorway. Gremlin watched him disappear into the other room before turning and fixing Xericka with a grin. "Am I a good aunt or what?"

Xericka rolled her eyes. "What exactly did you put in the envelope?" she asked as she walked over to Gremlin's side. "I know it is traditionally supposed to be money, but that does not exactly work in the context of the PPC. Not to mention the fact that he is only three and thus has no concept of currency."

"Ah, it was just little fun things. Stickers, chocolate coins, that sort of thing."

"I see. In that case..." Xericka leaned over and gave Gremlin a very quick peck on the cheek. "You are indeed a very good aunt."

Gremlin smiled as Xericka walked away to check on the status of her son. "It's gonna be a good year," she murmured to herself.

~~~~~

Just a little fun thing. I apologize to any Chinese speakers if that phrase is totally incorrect.

RUN FOR YOUR LIVES! THE TIME OF THE BRAVE COMPANIONS HAS COME!

I'M SCREAMING BLOODY MURDER!

Golden Goat? Is a Golden year an extra-lucky year or something? (Also, yes, it is the year of the goat/sheep)

Does that mean that we should all go over to Livejournal and say hi to Frank?

hS