Dewi Anggraeni*

It is the weekend of Chinese New Year celebrations in Melbourne and I have an arthritic flare which severely limits my movement. "Auw, bad luck," said my friend Jill, who then gaily went on to take part in the festivities without me. Was I disappointed? Yes. Was I devastated? No. To me it is not a matter of being left out of a major ritual. These are celebrations enjoyed by everybody, Chinese and non-Chinese alike.

In Australia, m