Starchild: Malaysian children welcome the Year of the OX

Hor Weng Yee, 9

Happy Chinese New Year, readers! Today, we welcome the Year of the Ox, which ranks the second among the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac. The ox’s auspicious gifts are strength of character and unwavering determination.

Let’s hope the Year of the Ox will bring lots of good luck for everyone!

Recently, Starchild asked readers to write in about the Year of the Ox and celebrations amid the movement control order. Here’s what they had to say.

Bethany Wang Qi Syuen, 6

“I like Chinese New Year decorations and cookies. This year, I can only admire lanterns and decorations in my neighbourhood instead of the ones at shopping malls. I will look forward to seeing the fireworks display from my window at night. It will be a simple, safe and happy celebration,” says Bethany Wang Qi Syuen, six.

Asher Wang Qi Chuen, 3

Younger sibling Asher Wang Qi Chuen, three, thinks people born in the Year of the Ox are strong and brave. “My friend Uncle Max is a fearless handyman. He is a strong man who recently repaired our house roof and keeps our house in good condition. Uncle Max is strong like the ox.”

Ong Keat Hsin, 6

Jodie Tan Li Juen, 11

Jodie Tan Li Juen, 11, says: “May the Year of Ox bring you the strength to face every difficulty that comes your way. Here’s wishing you and your family many blessings this Lunar New Year! Happy New Chinese Year and Gong Xi Fa Cai.”

Younger sibling Jayden Tan Li Sheng, eight, writes: “I wish everyone good health and success this Chinese New Year. May the new year bring us wealth, happiness and prosperity. Happy Chinese New Year.

Jayden Tan Li Sheng, 8

“I miss having my friends and family coming to my home for Chinese New Year, writes Iris Cheang Ai Li, six.

Iris Cheang Ai Li, 6

Hor Weng Yee, nine, likes to celebrate Chinese New Year with her family because she gets to eat lots of yee sang. “My grandparents and parents will give ang pow to my siblings and me. Some of the activities on Chinese New Year including playing with my little sister and brother, eating some CNY snacks, and baking pizza with my aunty.”

Claire Yap Jyn Wei, 5

Ashvini Jeyakanthan, 8

“During Chinese New Year, I love to wear my cheongsam and collect ang pow from my grandaunt. People born in the Year of the Ox are as strong as an ox and fair. They can be opinionated and stubborn,” writes Ashvini Jeyakanthan, eight.

Sophie Yap Jyn Qing, 8

“I enjoy playing pop-pops because it makes a loud sound. I also like to watch the colourful fire-crackers with my family during Chinese New Year,” Sophie Yap Jyn Qing, eight, writes. – Compiled by Sheela Chandran

Find the hidden words!

ITEM: Hobbies and special interests enable us to play and learn simultaneously. Hobbies can be reading books, painting, art and craft activities, and collecting stamps or even fishing.

What are some of your favourite hobbies? Starchild wants to know. Tell us why that is your favourite activity and what you like about your hobby. Send us your essay together with a drawing.

E-mail your contributions to [e-mail] by Feb 26. Please put “STARCHILD: My Hobbies” in the subject line of your e-mail. Scanned drawings should be in jpeg format, with a resolution of 200 dpi.

Your contributions must carry your full name, age (open to children aged 12 and below only), gender, phone contact, and address.