Happy Chinese New Years, everybody! Can't believe it's our second one.... how time flies! I've posted some pictures (sorry about how many there are - I'm not that great at 'editting'), of the school, all of the wonderful decorations, and of course, pictures of the arts centre lobby, which underwent significant renovations in November and December.
2009 is the year of the OX - it is also a 'yin' year (2009 ends in an 'odd number), not a 'yang' year. The Ox characterizes dependability, good leadership skills, and hard working, but also stubborness. They wish for prosperity and health. Chinese New Years is also the time for the biggest migration of people on the planet - millions of Hong Kong'ers, and mainlanders, will be travelling to their home villages or cities, to celebrate the holiday with their families. Chinese New Years day is January 26th, and they will eat ALL day. I've heard that the family that has the biggest fridge usually hosts the meals!
Hong Kong is awash with red and gold decorations - all of the malls have spectacular displays - usually several stories high - yesterday I was in the mall, and watched as dancers, suspended in harnesses, 'flew' around the open area, with long red ribbons, and carrying huge red balls, and circled above the audience to music - amazing.
We will be staying here for the holiday - and going into "Central" to watch the fireworks display over the water. Sleeping in and jammy days are in the plan! Bob is off to Savannah, Georgia, on Wednesday for a week-long conference, so it will be just us girls! Very fun! Love and hugs from Hong Kong!
Front entrance to the school
Looking from the main 9th floor entrance, down the 'spine' staircase that takes you from the 9th floor, to the 2nd floor.
All of the main beams are made of Canadian cedar- you can see a 15' totem on the right, the stairwell up to the library on the 10th floor. Great height to suspend the firecrackers and chinese lanterns.
Decorations made by the lower school grades, all winding down to the bottom floor.
More handmade decorations, hung across 'the Forum' on the 5th level, an open area which used to hold a lot of the assemblies, recitals, etc. before the Arts Centre was built. In the last few weeks, it has hosted lunch hour "Cdnis has got talent" auditions, with students all up and down the stairs, peering over and watching the show.
Looking from the main entrance doors into the lobby area. You will see potted chrysanthemums and dahlias of all colours, plus potted tangerine trees everywhere - all very traditional.
This mural is in the main lobby, donated to the school when this campus was opened.
The plaque for the mural in the lobby.
The front entranceway to the Leo Lee Arts Centre, or LLAC.
Sculpture and beautiful potted tangerine trees - a big part of the Chinese New Years decorations - they're everywhere - and edible (a little sour!)
Lai See envelopes and other decorations on the plum tree - whose blossoms were opening on a daily basis - a wonderful addition to the main lobby of the LLAC
Looking a the potted plum tree, in between the doors to the balcony area of the front lobby. Surrounded by potted chrysanthemums and tangerine trees - all very traditional.
The gorgeous lobby - all decked out last Tuesday, when we hosted the Board of Governors for a reception and meeting. The dish of 'goodies' in front, is also a very traditional welcome to visitors.
And, you're looking at the reception area and my office area (right) - the red glass was 'melted', so it would curve around the counter. We hung lanterns in the alcoves, and you can also see the huge painting of Mr. Leo Lee - for whom the arts centre is named, and some of the fun red modular furniture that was designed for the lobby - it can be moved into all sorts of combinations to accomodate whatever event we are hosting.
Another look at the reception area.
All of the artwork, with the exception of some sculpture and 3 paintings, is all done by the students of the school - I have an amazing "Monet-style' painting right above my desk.. lucky!
A look into the LLAC lobby and balcony area from the front doors. The renovations we did in November/December included paint (it was just white primer before), artwork hanging systems, new furniture, and huge sliding doors along one wall, encasing the computer and equipment that run the air and lighting systems, and elevators in the Arts Centre (covered in silver vinyl snakeskin...)
Looking from the balcony door towards the front entrance.
The theatre auditorium - we also hung tons of lanterns.
The stage area, where we hung lanterns and huge Chinese firecrackers (not real!!!), and the banner we ordered for the Chinese New Years Concerts we hosted on Thursday and Friday.
