Category: Family

Lunar New Year

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2025 is the Year of the Snake

Lunar New Year is a major holiday celebrated in many East and Southeast Asian cultures, including Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, and Mongolian traditions. It marks a fresh start, emphasizing themes of family, prosperity, and good fortune. Key traditions include a reunion dinner on New Year’s Eve, exchanging red envelopes with money to symbolize luck, cleaning and decorating homes with red banners and lanterns, and vibrant community festivities like fireworks and lion dances to ward off evil spirits.

The holiday also incorporates the Chinese zodiac, with each year linked to one of 12 animals, such as the Rabbit, Dragon, or Tiger. This year, Lunar New Year begins on Wednesday, January 29th. Celebrations often span up to 15 days, culminating in the Lantern Festival, which this year falls on Wednesday, February 12th.

Below are the 12 Chinese zodiac animals, including their associated years (1924–2043) and personality traits. What zodiac animal are you?

Rat (鼠)  

Years: 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020, 2032  

Traits: Intelligent, resourceful, adaptable, charming, quick-witted, ambitious. 

Ox (牛)  

Years: 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021, 2033  

Traits: Reliable, hardworking, patient, strong, disciplined, determined. 

Tiger (虎)  

Years: 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022, 2034 

Traits: Brave, competitive, confident, unpredictable, energetic, ambitious. 

 

Rabbit (兔)  

Years: 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023, 2035  

Traits: Gentle, compassionate, elegant, cautious, responsible, friendly. 

Dragon (龙)  

Years: 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024, 2036  

Traits: Charismatic, energetic, ambitious, confident, adventurous, innovative. 

Snake (蛇)  

Years: 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025, 2037  

Traits: Wise, intuitive, enigmatic, elegant, private, determined.  

Horse (马)  

Years: 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026, 2038  

Traits: Energetic, free-spirited, sociable, adventurous, optimistic, independent. 

 Goat/Sheep (羊)  

Years: 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027, 2039  

Traits: Creative, kind, empathetic, gentle, sensitive, nurturing. 

Monkey (猴)  

Years: 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028, 2040  

Traits: Witty, clever, curious, mischievous, energetic, innovative.  

Rooster (鸡)  

Years: 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029, 2041  

Traits: Observant, hardworking, practical, outspoken, confident, punctual. 

Dog (狗)  

Years: 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030, 2042  

Traits: Loyal, honest, trustworthy, protective, selfless, reliable.  

Pig (猪)  

Years: 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031, 2043  

Traits: Generous, good-natured, diligent, sincere, kind, optimistic.

  

Happy New Year!

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Get a NYC ID!

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https://www.nyc.gov/site/idnyc/card/start-your-application.page

Why do you need a New York City ID? Because it’s another great thing about living in New York!

Your IDNYC card is a widely accepted, official form of identification. IDNYC is accepted:

  • By City agencies to access many services and programs;
  • By NYPD for the purposes of issuing summons or desk appearance tickets instead of arrest;
  • For entry into public buildings, like schools;
  • For taking the high school equivalency exam in New York City;
  • By employers, when submitted with proof of work authorization.

Your IDNYC card also offers a wide variety of exciting benefits that make it more than just an ID card. Your card can help you experience everything New York has to offer.

IDNYC Benefits Guide

The IDNYC Benefits Guide is a multilingual brochure that provides an overview of the key benefits associated with the IDNYC card in English, Spanish (Español), Chinese (简化字), and Russian (Русский язык), as well as dozens more.

This link will lead you to NYC ID benefit providers. For the most accurate and up-to-date information about these benefits or if you have any questions about accessing them, please contact the organizations listed in the guide. IDNYC is not responsible for determining your access to these benefits.

Click a topic, or press the enter key on a topic, to reveal more information.

Museums and Cultural Institutions

IDNYC cardholders are now eligible for free one-year memberships at over 35 participating institutions in 2022. Visit the Museums and Cultural Institutions page to find out more about the Museums and Cultural Institutions.

Including free one-year memberships at:

The American Museum of Natural History

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Central Park Zoo

Museum of the City of New York

and many more…

Banks and Credit Unions

With your IDNYC Card, you can open a bank or credit union account at one of several financial institutions across New York City. Visit the Banks and Credit Unions page to find out more.

Libraries

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You can use your IDNYC card at any public library in New York City. Visit the Libraries page to learn more about each library below.

  • Brooklyn Public Library
  • New York Public Library
  • Queens Library

Housing

Your IDNYC is the only ID card you need for affordable housing through NYC Housing Connect. With IDNYC, you don’t need a driver’s license, social security card or birth certificate to be eligible for housing on Housing Connect. Visit the Housing page to learn more.

Other benefits include discounts on prescription medications, fitness, groceries, and New York City attractions.

sources: https://www.nyc.gov/site/idnyc/index.page

https://www.nyc.gov/site/idnyc/card/how-to-apply.page

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St. Patrick’s Day!

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It’s almost St. Patrick’s Day in NYC!

Originally, St. Patrick’s Day began in Ireland as a Catholic holiday, but over the years it has grown into a festival of Irish culture. A week-long celebration of Irish music, theater, and visual arts takes place in many regions of Ireland. Family get-togethers are also important, as people sit down for a special meal. The feast of corned beef and cabbage, though, is an American tradition; in Ireland one is more likely to find bacon or a savory roast chicken on the table. 

Although the St. Patrick’s Day Parade has become a part of celebrations in Ireland these days, it’s the result of an American influence, where the tradition was created by homesick Irish immigrants. More recently, St. Patrick’s Day has become a highly marketable and promoted event in Ireland, resulting in an attractive draw for tourists visiting the country.

The NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade dates back to March 17, 1762, when it was first organized by a group of homesick Irish immigrants and Irish military in the American colonies of NYC. Participants enjoyed  the freedom to speak Irish, wear the color green- which was banned in Ireland at the time, sing native songs, and play the bagpipe.

These things gave powerful meaning to those people who fled their homeland.

Join in the fun! Come to the St. Patrick’s Day Parade!

The NYC Parade is held on March 17th and begins precisely at 11:00 AM. The Parade marches up Fifth Avenue beginning at East 44th Street and ending at East 79th.  

Reference: CUNY Baruch: NYCdata | Uniquely NYC (cuny.edu)

  1. Homesick- adj the feeling of missing your home
  2. Banned-adj not allowed
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Winter Holidays Expressions!

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Holidays times call for a holiday lesson on English idioms and phrases! It is likely that throughout December you will hear more idioms and phrases related to the upcoming winter holidays – Christmas, New Year’s, Chanukah, Diwali, and Kwanzaa.

Below is a list of 5 holiday expressions you might hear, with examples.

  1. Happy Holidays!

 This is a super common phrase that you’ve probably already heard!

 We usually say Happy Holidays in December because it includes everyone’s holidays in just one greeting! 

Instead of trying to figure out who does and doesn’t celebrate Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, Diwali and the New Year, you can simply say Happy Holidays to wish everyone a happy holiday!

When someone says Happy Holidays to you, you can respond with a cheery (1) “Thank you! Happy Holidays!”


  1. The more, the merrier!

This phrase is excellent if you love to host (2) parties with lots of people.

The more, the merrier is usually used in response to someone asking if they can invite an extra guest.

For example:

Christian: Alex, Thank you for inviting me to your New Year’s Eve party! Can I invite my boyfriend?

Alex: Yes of course! The more the merrier!


  1. A scrooge/a grinch

This phrase is based on 2 famous holiday stories. Both Scrooge and The Grinch are angry or grumpy (3) characters in the stories. 

If someone calls you a scrooge or a grinch, they are calling you an unkind person who hates the holidays!

For example: 

Izzy: Can we listen to Christmas music?

Tina: No, I hate Christmas music!

Izzy: Ugh! Don’t be such a grinch!

  1. Ring in the New Year!

To ring in the new year means to celebrate the end of the year and the beginning of the new year.

For example: I don’t want to go out on December 31st. I just want to ring in the new year with my friends and family this year! 

  1. Get into the holiday spirit!

Getting into the holiday spirit means that you finally feel excited about the holiday season. You feel the “spirit” or the energy of the holidays!

For example: I bought all of my Christmas gifts, and I watch a Christmas movie every night while I drink hot chocolate. I’m really getting into the holiday spirit!

Source: English Holiday Idioms, Expressions & Other Common Phrases – Ellii Blog

cheery (1) adj. happy 

to host (2) verb. to have guests over 

grumpy (3) adj.to be In a bad mood

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It’s Fall in New York City!

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Autumn, also known as Fall to many Americans, is one of the best times to be in New York City!

We all know the seasons, so let’s learn a new word,

“Foliage”.

Fall Foliage to be specific!

The noun “foliage” (pronounced: Fole-EE-edge) means – plant leaves collectively.

So when you imagine “fall foliage”, you may imagine the photo below:

Luckily for us, this beautiful scene is right here in New York City!

Whether you’re a plant lover, or not, checking out the fall foliage around NYC can be a fun free activity for the whole family. (or a romantic retreat!)

Take a look at these 5 fall foliage spots to check out in New York City!

  1. Fort Tyron Park in Washington Heights!
    Fort Washington Ave at Cabrini Blvd

    2. Prospect Park in Brooklyn

    Eastern Pkwy, Brooklyn, NY 11238

    3. Central Park, Manhattan

    Central Park Lake, Near 74th street and Central Park West

    4. Alley Pond Park, Queens

    Union Tpke, Oakland Gardens, NY 11364

    5. Greenbelt Nature Center, Staten Island

    700 Rockland Ave, Staten Island, NY 10314

    My favorites are Central Park and Alley Pond Park!
    If you have been to one the parks above, let us know in the comments!

    Happy Fall!


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    Back to School Shopping Tips

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    School is starting for everyone, and we know you and your kids will need to be prepared. Here are some tips for when you go shopping for school supplies:
    • First check what you have at home.
    • Decide what you really need.
    • Decide how much you can spend.
    • Look for items that will last the whole school year. Try Jansport.
    • Print the school supply list and keep it with you.
    • Plan which stores you will need to visit.
    • Use apps to find the lowest prices and discounts. Try Shop Savvy.
    • Earn cashback for online purchases. Try TopCashback.

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