Valentine’s Day falls on Chinese New Year this year and I’m pretty sure most Chinese will be celebrating the occasion early. Hence, I wish everyone an early Happy Valentine’s Day! I read from the Chinese newspapers that there wouldn’t be any flower delivery service on the 14th of February since most shops will be closed during Chinese New Year. Chewy and I have no plans yet. We will most probably just have a simple dinner since he will only be free during the evenings1.
I made the wallpaper above during one of my study breaks. These wallpapers can be found in the resources section and if you want to send some love over during Valentine’s, you can buy the prints over at deviantART. 
While working on the wallpaper yesterday, I was thinking of things associated with the occasion. Things and words like hearts, love, balloons, teddy bears and the colours red and pink. I cannot figure out the connections between teddy bears, balloons and love. Does everyone who is in love owns a teddy? Or maybe they always held on to balloons when visiting theme parks? The latter is always the case in Korean dramas. When the protagonist fall out of love, they will usually be shown letting go of the balloon and the poor balloon will fly away. It reminds me of a scene in Princess Hours.
I can understand balloons during Birthdays but why Valentine’s? Are balloons considered sweet things for ladies? Balloons are sometimes also used to signify freedom thus explaining the release of the balloon. Releasing a balloon may also meant that the protagonist is letting go of the relationship. Am I wrong to think that it’s an inverse relationship with love?
My teddy bear
Teddy bears again reminds me of scenes in Princess Hours whereby the male lead gave a teddy bear to the female lead or the bear is a representation of one of the leads and they fell in love. Why bears? Pandas are adorable as well and most robots are cute. However most of the time, bears especially teddy ones are used. Why do you think that’s the case? What makes teddy bears so special?
- Chewy is in the army currently [«]
12 February, 2010 at 7:34 am
Hm, because they’re cute?
11 February, 2010 at 11:02 pm
Hmm..that’s actually a good thing to question. Why balloons and teddies. Usually here in my country valentines day is all about diamonds and under wear but still there are teddies wearing red clothes at the stores
Well maybe that’s because that we all have an inner child no matter how old we are so teddies make us happy?..
I don’t really know that would a teddy make me happy for the valentines day. I’d probably seek for sth more special like a dinner or sth..
By the way your site is super cute! I loved it a lot.
11 February, 2010 at 7:13 pm
Oh! Very nice theme. Love this candy house. Oh new wallpaper for valentines, that’s so preTty!. I remember the princess hours, I love that story! One of the best korean tv soaf.
11 February, 2010 at 6:17 pm
That sucks CNY falls on Valentines Day.
Hope early Valentines Day though. 
Hope you and Chewy have a good time. 
That wallpaper is so adorable! I love your work so much.
*Steals graphic skills*
I don’t really associate balloons with love, or Valentines Day at all. Unless if course they are heart shaped or something. But I guess balloons are for “special occasions” as they are used for things like a new baby, weddings, birthdays blah blah blah. IDK.
My boyfriend actually got me a penguin one year. I preferred that to a teddy bear.
Pandas are definitely just as cute, if not cuter. But yeah like Georgina said, I think it’s because they soft and huggable. xD
11 February, 2010 at 9:00 am
Aw, that’s a shame! I heard about Chinese New Year being on that day too. James and I were planning to go out, but he would have to go home early because his family would be celebrating CNY that night.
Haha, I will definitely let you know next time I purchase something online and am awaiting a package.
I love that wallpaper you made! Speaking of which, I’m in need for a new one, so I might use it.
It looks gorgeous!
Since Chinese New Year isn’t very big in Australia, I think most of the shops will still be open and all the services will be open.
But there might be CNY celebrations in the city.
I can understand why balloons are for parties but as you said, not really for Valentine’s. It’s a bit strange, but now that they have heart-shaped balloons, it might be a more common custom. You’ve really thought deeply about it – I think it might be a symbol of how light and fragile love is, and how you can easily let a balloon go.
I think because teddy bears are huggable and soft they seem like a nice gift!
11 February, 2010 at 10:15 am
About the heart-shaped balloons, I totally agree. But then again, I think it would be okay for you to carry a balloon around the city in Australia. In Singapore, I am pretty sure everyone will be staring and think you are an idiot. It’s sad but true. Anything that’s slightly out of the ordinary will be stared at.
I still remember the times when I dress up for school. Everyone was turning their heads and whispering/pointing in my direction. I was only wearing stockings with black shorts and a tank. What is so out of ordinary about that?
Light and fragile love – That’s a good one! I didn’t thought about it till you mentioned it.
11 February, 2010 at 2:01 am
That wallpaper is adorable! I always thought the same thing about balloons. Ever since I was a kid letting go of balloons made me sad and the same thing relates to love, most definitely! I don’t know what makes teddy bears so special. I always wondered that too since real bears aren’t friendly and would eat you!
10 February, 2010 at 8:36 pm
Thanks for the wallpaper it is so cute! I’m using it now!
10 February, 2010 at 8:36 pm
I have no idea why we associate those things with V-day. I would have to guess it’s just because it’s cute. I would associate anything cute with Valentines, but that may just be me. As for balloons, I don’t think they are a part of V-day here. That’s interesting that they are used in TV shows that you see.
10 February, 2010 at 2:25 pm
That wallpaper looks sooo nice, I’m going to use it this very second
10 February, 2010 at 10:34 am
I luff your website! It’s so colorful, it puts a smile on my face (I know, very corny BUT TRUE!
)
The wallpaper is adorable! Why are balloons a Valentine’s Day fav?? I never got the concept of that. It’s more of a birthday thing.
I agree!! Pandas are SO adorable! They should be giving those out on Valentine’s Day!! But I guess they use teddy bears because it’s like a common thing to give and/or they just love the cuteness
I never had a boyfriend but I still use Valentine’s day for just hugging the life out of my niece! I don’t think Valentine’s Day is about couples, and it annoys me when people think the opposite.
9 February, 2010 at 9:50 pm
hi there i love ur layout omg its so unique
. i love teddy bears whatever the occassion so im glad that they have them for most occassions.. i like the wallpaper u made, its cute..