Chinese New Year Splendor: Dream of All Girls

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWbWxOla35k&feature=player_embedded

I have just started on a new project which I’m really excited about but can’t reveal much. You’ll know about it in a few months.

Anyway, it’s sad that there’s only 26 days left to the end of exchange. As much as I’d love to be back in Singapore to see Tim (and the rest of my dear friends), I’m also upset that I’m gonna leave this life. Somehow, I feel that I’m more of the real me here, having no inhibitations, living the way I’ve always wanted to live and being the me I’ve always wanted to be. I don’t have to be afraid of people judging me, don’t have to behave ‘correctly’ and I can pretty much say and do whatever I want. I’ll also miss living in a student accommodation. You can walk out of your room at any time of the day and find someone there always. There’s always new things to discover about everyone. We have endless topics to talk about despite the language barrier. I’m glad that I’ve forged stronger friendships even in my last month here. By stronger friendships, I don’t mean the hi-bye friends I meet in Akademien every Wednesday but people in the house. I used to think Julia is cold and rude like the typical Germans. I even thought she didn’t like me much because of the lack of interaction between us. But after the booze cruise, I realised she’s really easy to speak to – you just have to give people a chance before you start stereotyping them. We started having little girly pillow talks and partying together. Kudy has been a great friend too. I’ve spent the past few nights chatting and watching movies with him till wee hours of the morning. Tired as I am the next day, I’ve enjoyed our conversations a lot and some things we spoke about are thought provoking and set me thinking. We have actually gone beyond being ’superficial’ friends.

As we were talking about parents of our other halves, this thought came to my mind. I don’t know how true this is but I realised that out of the past few parents I’ve met, those boyfriends who are the only son in the family actually have parents that treat me better than the one who had two other brothers. It all started with Nic. I was fifteen then. His mother didn’t like me much because of my colored hair. I wasn’t exactly the girlfriend to bring home back then and was a bit of the wild child in the early stages of rebellion. However, I believe I was brought up well and still know what manners are and the way to behave infront of a boyfriend’s mother. After Nic put in some good words for me, she began talking to me and fell in love with me too. It was really nice being together with him and his family almost everyday. He’d always call his parents up when we ran out of money and his dad would fetch us from wherever we were and the four of us would head off for a cosy family dinner together.

After Nic came Leo. I was glad when he told me that I am the first girlfriend (out of 22) that his father actually liked. But that’s probably because I’m his only girlfriend who is not an uneducated ah lian. Heh. He was an English speaking ah beng back then. Love it when he tries to speak Mandarin! So his mum was extremely nice to me as well. She pampers me almost as much as she pampers Leo. I’d help her with all the pastry making before CNY and she’d always cook curry for me because I told her it’s my favourite dish of hers. We’ve been in contact for all of these 6 years after Leo and I broke up. I meet her for lunch every now and then and sometimes visit her at home when Leo’s girlfriend is not around. When I do remember, I’ll send a card over on her birthday or remind Leo about it because he is terrible with dates and numbers.

Joshua’s Mum was probably the first bitchy mother I’ve met. It was scary when she started bitching about the last girlfriend and how she made her sweep the whole house etc. Err, I was thinking I’d better not offend her else I’d die a horrible death. She was one I knew if I were to ever marry Josh, I’d never stay together with her. It’s not like I don’t like her but you know, familiarity breeds contempt. Luckily Josh and I didn’t work out. Maybe because we were a little older, they treated me like their daughter-in-law, paid for my trip to BKK so I don’t stay alone in SGP while they were away and made me join all the 123123 extended family outings (which I really enjoyed). Josh’s Mum wasn’t as easy to please. She was neutral towards me but after helping with the cooking and to set the table before meals 123123 times and joining/interacting with the family in the living room instead of what typical girlfriends do – hide in the bf’s room – they love me more and more. (Hazel, I hope you are reading this ‘cos you wanted to know how to please Cay’s parents. ) We were on such good terms that I often went out with the rest of his family and extended family without him. Too bad Josh was sucha jerk else it would have been great.

When the last three breakups happened, I could get over the guys fairly easily but it’s the family that I couldn’t get over. I really miss those times together as a family. Sometimes, I wonder if I’m in love with the guy or their family. There were times when I knew we wouldn’t be able to make it together but because of their family, I stayed on in the relationship. It’s not the correct thing to do but trust me, if you lack family warmth as a kid, these things will appeal to you and affect your decision a lot. The guilt I felt when I broke up with Josh was terrible, especially so because it was straight after the BKK trip. I didn’t wanna go for it anymore but Josh begged me to so as not to disappoint his parents. I think it is worse for me that I went and break up after. They would have thought I was just waiting for the free trip before breaking up. I think I owe them an apology. They were so nice to me yet I had to disappoint them and break their son’s heart… I think this whole family warmth thing is the reason why I want to get married so much and start my own family. I want to give my kids the warmth I never had and hopefully I will be able to feel that warmth again myself. Sometimes, I felt I yearned too much for the warm and fuzzy feeling that it made me a little confused. I was actually unsure if I was more in love with the idea of love and the things that might come after or the guy himself. It was almost as though I was just making use of the guy to get what I want.

Bah. This was supposed to be about being the only child/son but I don’t know how it turned into this. Joanne never ever keeps to her point. Just so I end off with what I started… Jason’s mum treated me a random woman. I guess she was used to her three sons bringing girlfriends back home and didn’t really care much about them. I was just ‘one of them’ and I didn’t like it at all. When you have three sons, you probably have to divide the love for each girlfriend by three so there wasn’t much left. After evaluating the four, I realised that the mothers who were especially nice are so probably because

1. My bf is their only precious son so they love whatever their son loves.
2. They didn’t have a lot of kids to shower their love on.
3. They want to see their son get married one day and didn’t want to eliminate the possibility of me being their daughter-in-law so they were nice – just in case I would not want to marry if they weren’t.
4. None of the above. They really liked me for me which is why they were nice. Heh.

I’m too tired to continue.

Just looked up Chingay in the digitised Straits Times and found the first mention for Singapore to be in 1884. There seems to have been an annual Chingay procession by the Teochews, Hylams (Hainanese) & Hakka (Ke) at the end of every year (sometime in Nov, Dec or Jan) up till 1906 when it’s no longer mentioned. Penang’s Chingay still continues to be reported though.

It doesn’t seem to have been a Chinese New Year celebration but more an annual parade as the name, 粧藝 (chng ge [zhuang yi]) suggests.

The modern incarnation of Chingay in Singapore started in 1973 following the ban on firecrackers. Lee Kuan Yew is credited with the idea of having a Chingay to both replace the firecrackers and to serve as a tourist attraction (see Infopedia entry for details). However, the modern Singapore term for Chingay, 妆艺 [zhuang yi] is pronounced ‘chong ge’ in Hokkien. Talk about ching chong!

Resources:

1. http://www.singlishdictionary.com/
2. http://infopedia.nl.sg/
3. http://newspapers.nl.sg/

We are creating a nation of numb, dumb, intolerant individuals. A friend posted on FB today that he joined the group “It’s Christmas” not “Happy Holidays”. I agree. All this political correct garbage is teaching intolerance, not acceptance.

When did it become okay for individuals not to recognize and respect other cultures? If this country was founded on tolerance and freedom, why do we keep stripping it away? Why is it that we believe it offends one culture to say Merry Christmas, instead of thinking the individual of another culture would be happy for or respect the celebration? Did we really go to the extreme because of a few intolerant angry people?

I’m turning the table on this one. I find it disrespectful not to say “Merry Christmas” to an individual. I find it more disrespectful for an individual who does not believe in the celebration to take offense. If you don’t celebrate Christmas, have the respect to communicate what you do celebrate! If you are an individual who does not “celebrate”, well then, be tolerant of those of us who do.

Here are some great celebrations -
When I lived in San Francisco, I loved to walk through China Town during Chinese New Year. It’s an awesome celebration and one that every individual should experience.

A good friend in high school would invite me to her home during Chanukah. I really enjoyed hearing the recital of prayer, lighting one of the candles and sharing the story of a Jewish army. I felt honored that she shared her belief.

Kwanzaa is a celebration of family, heritage, unity and culture. I’m not sure how anyone could see this as an offensive holiday. I wish I had a weeklong celebration that honored my heritage. The robes worn by African Americans during Kwanzaa are beautiful.

Mawlid an-Nabi is the celebration of the birth of the Prophet Muhammad for the Muslim faith. They celebrate by focusing on the life and teachings of Muhammad, singing songs and offering special prayers. A special part of this day is remembering how Muhammad forgave even his most bitter enemies.

Vesak is the birthday of the Buddha and the most important festival in Buddhism. On the first full moon day in May, Buddhists all over the world celebrate the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha in a single day. It’s just my personal opinion that everyone needs to take some tips from this religion that is focused on leading a moral life, being mindful and aware of thoughts and actions, and developing wisdom and understanding.

Oh yes, Christmas, the commemoration of the birth of Jesus, an individual who also forgave his most bitter enemies and who taught tolerance and love. Christmas has now taken on many meanings and forms. It is celebrated throughout the Christian population and has also taken on a celebration of economic culture by many non-Christians. Whether celebrated for religious beliefs, or an economic festival, Christmas is a fabulous holiday of peace and giving.

Embracing the uniqueness of cultures and celebrating with all will bring this country closer together. Being so damn politically correct is turning our backs on the freedoms we so love and is creating a culture of intolerance and fear.

Go celebrate for religious, cultural or festive reasons – the economy needs it!

After living in a friend’s spare room for four months, I found a place to live that fitted my criteria. It was out in the New Territories (not in urban HK); it had a direct bus link to work; and it was close to the sea. Sai Kung even had a sidewalk cafe ambiance about it. It was a fishing village that didn’t grow too much. After living there for a while, I found that it was also the haunt of media types and journalists.

My home for 5 years was in the converted village school and library overlooked by Ma On Shan and Pyramid Hill.

The ground floor was a single room where the village stored its traditional memorabilia.

The main entrance to the ground floor

The significance of the 1928 building (considered very old by my colleagues) to the village was revealed in the middle of 1997. I returned home from work to find that it had been decorated…

...with Communist paraphernalia

Despite being a token gwailo (white ghost), I promptly paid my rent to the headman of the village every month for 7 years…long enough to get a personal visit from the lion dance every Chinese New Year

Lion dance

...and the band

The chap in the middle indicates that giving freely of Lai See (lucky money) would please the lion...and probably prevent some flat tyres on the car in future.

The sitting out area of the village frequented by the elders who watched the coming and going. As far as possible, the British didn't mess with the indigenous villagers, letting them settle their own disputes and derive their own planning laws.

Ho Chung Temple

The fishermen's temple in Sai Kung

There are many remote villages like Wong Chuk Yeung abandoned by all but one or two elderly.

The fung shui shrine in front of the village of Yung Shu O

I’m sure I’ve mentioned Singapore’s rich religious tapestry in previous blogs. But I learnt something very interesting today about a particular Chinese temple and the worship rites performed.

Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple, is a beautifully ornate Buddhist temple, located on Waterloo Street, just around the corner from where I study. It’s one of the older temple sites in the city, built 125 years ago in 1884, although it was completely rebuilt in the 1980s. It is said to bestow good luck on all its worshippers, and I heard that the temple itself had an extremely lucky escape during WWII, when a Japanese bomb landed, but never exploded, although damage was caused to surrounding buildings. The temple is dedicated to the goddess of mercy, Kuan Yin and hundreds of people flock here to offer prayers and ask for blessings. Legend has it that just as she was about to enter Nirvana, Kuan Yin heard a plaintive cry from earth and her compassion compelled her to return and help alleviate the suffering of the world.

Most notably, the goddess is supposed to be able to answer the questions of her devotees. They enter the temple bare-footed and take a handful of bamboo sticks with writing on. These are divining sticks called ”qian”, which are placed in a brass cannister and shaken whilst you recite your question.  Eventually a stick will fall from the can. This stick has been chosen by the goddess to provide you with your answer. The most auspicious days to perform this ritual are during Chinese New Year, when people flock to the temple in order to start the new year with good fortune. To recieve your answer, you must hand the stick back to the counter at the entrance where you’ll be handed a slip of paper corresponding to your stick. For English speakers, there is a handy reference book you can consult for a comprehensive response.

Just feet away from the Kwan Im temple, is the Hindu temple of Sri Krishnan. Interestingly, and perhaps due to its proximity, many Chinese come here to light incense and pray so the temple has since built its own altar to Kuan Yin, who sits alongside a the Hindu god Krishna. This is such a prime example of how harmoniously the different religious persuasions in Singapore co-exist. A lot of the world could learn a much needed lesson from spending some time here…

Free Printable Cut and Paste 3D Greeting Cards and Crafts Projects
Hewlett-Packard makes a decent printer and reasonably priced ink cartridges. I just discoved that the Hewlett-Packard website also offers links for free printable 3D craft projects, greeting cards and themed party supplies.
Read More

I have big dreams and a passport that allows me to think that I could one day fulfill them.

I want to go places. I long to do things I never have. I am creating a sort of “Bucket List” but not because I’m dying. I just feel like I want to sometimes. So, maybe if I make this list, it will give me the determination to keep going, to get over the hump, and find the happiness I so desire.

Here goes:

1. Visit Japan and find an authentic kimono that will fit me and revel in its silken softness against my skin. Trim a bonsai tree pruning away the unwanted branches, creating art that will grow and change each day. Admire a natural beauty like cherry blossoms with a mountainous backdrop and be grateful for being able to inhale their perfumes in such an exotic setting.
2. Visit China during Chinese New Year, taking in the joy of those around me who are celebrating the continuation of love, life and family for another 365 days. Taste the cuisine of the country as it actually should be made, not covered in fried batter and served with a sticky red muck. Walk the Great Wall, realizing that very large walls have their time and place for being useful, but that walls that were once useful in practicality can stay around a long time without true purpose.
3. Visit Ireland in Spring. To be graced by the spirits of my ancestors as they teach me that renewal is a wonderful thing, with the new life of spring surrounding me like warm welcoming arms, knowing that even the dead can teach us something about family loyalty and patience. Even if my body cannot bring forth a new life in Spring, my heart and spirit can, and I should open it back up to love from others.
4. Go to the Taj Mahal. Visiting an icon of true and lasting love, realizing that it is possible if you allow it. At the same time, learning that obsession with one’s heart can be consuming and devastating if you allow it. Taking in the beauty of the pools and fountains as they constantly trickle their voices in my ears crying to me to soothe my hurt and to leave my tears from love with them and start anew.
5. Explore the pyramids of Egypt, to realize that building monuments to yourself does nothing but leave an opportunity for others to rob from you what you valued. Learning that one should use it now, share it now, and let what you have done for and in the world be your monument. Take time to enjoy the art and wonderment of it all, knowing that humanity in all its flaws can create lasting decadence for others to appreciate and submit their souls to.
6. Visit South Africa and learn that there are, among those who are wealthy, the poor that are happy and peaceful and grateful for what they have. Commune with those who have fought for what they believe in, for trying to bring together people of all colors and diversities and allowing them to have the rights and equality they deserve. To graze on their courage and strength, taking it in and hopefully becoming more courageous and strong from the experience.

Six items may seem like a short list.

If I ever have the chance to do ANY of the items on that list, I will have been given the greatest gift ever. Any of those experiences would be enrichment enough to carry through a lifetime.

I want to dance, sing, love and live this life I have been given.

Now I just need to find the strength and courage to figure out… where do I go from here??

Cap Go Meh is 15th day of Chinese Lunar Year and the end of new year celebration. Photos taken in Dhanangun Temple in Bogor, West Java, Indonesia.

You may be thinking that personalized fortune cookies aren’t a promotional item that is right for your business. Or that fortune cookies aren’t an effective way to engage your customers and promote your brand. Both of these assumptions would be incorrect.

FancyFortuneCookies aren’t your plain traditional fortune cookies. As a result businesses that use our flavored fortune cookies receive a better response from customers and clients because of the uniqueness of the cookies. Fortune Cookies receive a 92% read rate according to Wharton School of Business. Imagine that! 92% of the people that get a fortune cookie from your business will read the fortune and see your sales message. Some studies say that as many as 97% of people read a fortune cookie fortune.

Juicy Couture has ordered from FancyFortuneCookies more than once. Here are photos of how they incorporated the cookies into their store.

The employees carried silver trays with the fortune cookies on them. Inside the cookies were messages to the customers about their latest product promotions. Some even offered discounts if a purchase was made that day. It went over so well, Juicy Couture is placing their second order for fortune cookies with us. They didn’t go to a different company, they stayed with us. Why? Because we take care of our clients from beginning to end.

Fortune Cookies personalized with your sayings can be very effective when used to promote your business, services, products, and even your blog. Have you ever been able to resist opening up a fortune cookie, tugging the little fortune out and reading what fate has in store for you? I haven’t. I read them all the time. When the fortunes are especially clever or meaningful I save them. I have a whole collection of fortune cookie sayings and I’m even surrounded by fortune cookies all day long.

Custom fortune cookies can be used to promote a specific product. Mention the selling points on the fortunes. “Did you know the Audi A4 receives 5 stars in all crash test rating areas? Ask about a test drive today.” Personalized fortune cookies can help you to “sell yourself.” “Sandy Johnson has sold over 500 homes in 2009 alone. I would be so fortune-ate for my next sale to be yours!” Promote your business with a clever fortune cookie saying or special discount. “You are fortune-ate! Present this fortune for 10% off any purchase today!” You can even use personalized fortune cookies to promote your personal blog!

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World renowned children’s author, Patricia McKissack, teaches students how to write over distance learning. During hands-on and highly interactive videoconference sessions, participating students discuss plot, themes, character development and more. Patricia will also post to her blog and answer students questions during her series. Next up on her three part writing series: Winter Holidays Around the World.

Chinese New Year

In the first videoconference, the author meets with the participating teachers to discuss the goals of the author visit and refers them to the book she will be discussing, Christmas in the Big House, Christmas in the Quarters. In the second, the author dialogs with the students, discussing winter holiday traditions and how she wrote her book about Christmas on a Virginia plantation in 1859. In the third videoconference, she gives feedback to students about the writing and illustrations the students have done. Past winter holidays students have written on include Chinese New Year, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Ramadan.

We hope to see you this holiday session! Here are the dates – please register no later than November 1 with Rebecca Morrison:
Teacher Session: Thursday, November 5 at 4 pm CT
First Student Session: Tuesday, November 24 at 11 am CT
Second Student Session: Tuesday, December 15 at 11 am CT

The cost for this three part series is $650 for New Links to New Learning members, $750 for nonmembers.

For upcoming Christmas cakes and goodies at affordable prices…

1.8 Million Tourists And Shoppers Made The Trip Last Year; Will This Year See Similar Figures?

Photo Courtesy Hong Kong Tourism Board

Hong Kong retailers, hoteliers and merchants of all shapes and sizes are getting ready for the second of two “Golden Weeks” which take place annually in China — the first celebrating Chinese New Year and the second beginning on National Day (Oct. 1) and continuing through the Mid-Autumn Festival (Oct. 3) until finally ending on the 8th. For Hong Kong’s luxury retailers, Golden Week has traditionally provided a much-needed boost to their sales, particularly as fall begins and the flow of foreign tourists slows down significantly.

For many mainlanders, however, Golden Week is a chance to hop over the border and do some serious shopping. As Hong Kong retailers aren’t saddled with the same high sales and luxury taxes as those in the mainland, shoppers from throughout China often take advantage of the timing of Golden Week to enjoy the cultural ambiance of Hong Kong while stocking up on expensive products that would — at home — cost up to double the price.

Today, the New York Times Globespotters blog gives a glimpse into the fun (and chaos) of Golden Week in Hong Kong, when millions of shoppers (many of whom have saved up throughout the year for their HK shopping spree) converge on this small but densely-packed city to queue up for hours and open their wallets:

European designer emporiums, jewelers and gold shops will all be packed, as mainland Chinese rush to buy goods that are both cheaper, and more likely authentic, than back home. (Unlike China, Hong Kong has no sales or luxury taxes.) For upscale shopping, avoid the crowds by trying department stores like Lane Crawford instead.

…

As far as the local government is concerned, you can’t have too many festivals. During this hectic period, there is also the Hong Kong International Arts and Antiques Fair from Oct. 3 to 6, and the Hong Kong International Jazz Festival from Oct. 1 to 15. Jazz and antiques aren’t big Chinese tourist draws, so they might be another way to escape from the maddening crowds.

In addition to these festivals and events, this year’s Golden Week will also coincide with Sotheby’s Autumn Auction of Contemporary Chinese and Asian Artwork, taking place on October 6 in Hong Kong. It’ll be a great opportunity for luxury buyers who have come over from the mainland to bid on some domestic contemporary artists and maybe take home a few Yue Minjuns, Zeng Fanzhis or Cai Guo-Qiangs in addition to the boatloads of Cartier, Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Rolexes they’re going to tote back over the border.

auf nächtlichen spaziergängen gibt es immer wieder buntes und skurriles zu entdecken:

altes museum berlin: “all art has been contemporary”

is this contemporary art? this box is a house. wofür sie dienen? keine ahnung. aber stockholm hat immer wieder skurriles zu bieten.

paris aber auch. kunstobjekt “crying hello kitty” vom künstler tom sachs am trocadero. im hintergrund die europasterne auf dem zu diesem zeitpunkt blau beleuchteten eiffelturm.

neben kunst gibt es in paris auch kunstvoll zerlegte fahrräder.

das wäre nicht passiert, hätte der eigentümer den grandiosen fahrradparkplatz ein paar straßen weiter benutzt.

dann hätte er auch die grandiose fahrradaufpumpstation nutzen können. vorausgesetzt, er hätte es mit seinem rad nach stockholm geschafft. (warum gibt es so etwas eigentlich bei uns nicht???)

auf dem weg dorthin hätte er sich noch diesen wunderschönen deckenleuchter im hamburger thalia-theater ansehen können. der an ein feuerwerk erinnert.

mit einem feuerwerk wurde das year of the pig beim chinese new year in sydney nicht eingeläutet, dafür mit diesem brennenden schweinchen. good luck!

für andere schweinereien gibts im sydney opera house wunderbar beleuchetes toilettenpapier. designt vom sohn von jørn utzon, des architekten des opernhauses. und schon schließt sich der kreis. denn auch das ist contemporary art.

]]> http://mylifeinfortunecookies.wordpress.com/2009/09/19/you-should-treat-yourself-to-dessert/ Sat, 19 Sep 2009 17:47:31 +0000 shanghaigal09 http://mylifeinfortunecookies.wordpress.com/2009/09/19/you-should-treat-yourself-to-dessert/

It would be good to treat yourself to dessert.

It is Day 1 of my experiment. I’m writing from Din Ho, one of the most authentic Chinese restaurants in Austin. It’s located in one of those shopping centers where all the other establishments are Asian, too: a Vietnamese restaurant specializing in Crab and Asparagus soup, a Vietnamese supermarket, and a joint called Coco’s, an Asian-variety 1950’s soda shop. 

Din Ho is the ultimate Chinese food experience. As soon as I walk in, I see those tell-tale ducks, glistening like candy apples, their necks bent in submission. A pig head glares at me. Craggy fish with bulging eyes skulk through the murky waters of an enormous tank. I order the standard Duck Noodle Soup, although the menu lists over a half a dozen other varieties: Duck Noodle Soup with Chinese Wonton, Duck Noodle Soup with BBQ Pork, Duck Noodle Soup with Dark Meat Chicken, etc.

In a place such as this, I’m sure to start my Fortune Cookie Journey off with a gong, right? I imagine the kind of fortune that has me giving all of my worldly possessions to charity, or, at the very least, speaking in tongues.

Confucius say, “It would be good to treat yourself to dessert.”

Really? That’s my first fortune? My Fairy Buddha Godmother clearly has a sick sense of humor.

Nevermind that I currently own only one pair of jeans that snug. Nevermind that I was recently told, “You should try dating black dudes. They are all about the big booty.” And nevermind that Din Ho doesn’t even serve dessert.

But there it is:  ”It would be good to treat yourself to dessert.”

I decide the only logical way to deal with this silliness is to go next door to Cocos and order some Bubble Tea, which is tea or a frothy coconut drink with tapioca balls, which settle at the bottom of the translucent cup in a way that is rather disturbing . Usually the tapioca balls have pieces of petrified fruit in them, and I order an apple-themed variety. At glance, it’s just another fast food drink in a plastic cup, except that the straw is about twice as thick. That’s so the tapioca balls can pass through. Once they do, you chew them, like gum, except after a while it’s acceptable to swallow. I must admit, I’m a little overwhelmed. It’s a drink and a candy all at once, and I am a big fan of simplicity– especially when it comes to food.

 As I drink this bizzare invention, I think about last Chinese New Year, when about ten of us ate a giant Lazy-Susan feast at First BBQ. Then we ambled across the parking lot to a Bubble Tea shop very similar to the one I’m sitting in now. It was a whole gang of us grown-ups, crammed into the bright shop, balanced on high stools, sucking on those enormous straws, and chewing like kids. We passed around our cups, sampling one another’s tapioca flavors with no fear of germs (this was before Swine Flu, folks). That night I was not overwhelmed at all. I thought Bubble Tea was the coolest thing on Earth, and I was completely happy.

So, I guess, this first fortune wasn’t so silly after all. It reminded me that anything–even Bubble Tea–can glow the light fandango when shared with the right people.

Maybe it it would be good to have dessert. But since I am rarely literal, perhaps it would be good to make more memories with good friends.

one of Riley’s electives this year is “Let’s Celebrate”… a class where they teach you about celebrations in other cultures.

this week they talked about Chinese New Year…  and today she learned all about the Dragon Dance and made a dragon puppet.

i make her come home and teach me everything she learns.  i LOVE LOVE LOVE this class!!!!!!!!

***the picture above is not of the actual puppet made by my daughter.  if it were, i’d be telling an entirely different story right now.

Today is 09-09-09, an auspicious number in China. 

Odd numbers in ancient China were considered masculine and since 9 is the highest single-digit odd number, it was interpreted to mean the “ultimate masculine” or supreme sovereignty of the Imperial Emperor.   Chinese Emperors embraced the number 9 and had their robes embroidered with nine five-toed dragons (the symbol of the Emperor).  The number 9 is thought to represent long life.  Even the Forbidden City in Beijing is believed to have been designed and originally built with 9,999 rooms.  Nine rows of nine studs are commonly found on the palace gates.  Even the four corner towers of the Forbidden City Palace have 9 beams and two sets of 9 columns.

The Temple of Heaven, also in Beijing, is built with the altar in three tiers and multiples of 9 slabs on each tier.  This is the place where Emperors came to worship.

The Emperor’s New Year’s Dinner and birthday dinner were comprised of 99 dishes for long life and good luck.

Both 6 and 8 are also considered lucky numbers because their Chinese names sound similar to words with positive meanings.  The word for 6 “liu” sounds like the word for happiness and the word for 8 “ba” sounds like the word for wealth.  As you may recall, the Chinese kicked off the 2008 Summer Olympics on 08/08/08. 

People may pay extra for lucky numbers in their street address, building floor, bank account or cell phone.  Last time I was in China, a few people noticed that my cell phone number has three 8’s and two 6’s.

Forbidden City, Beijing

Just a small number of pictures for this posting. I took a walk around Campbell Street and then to the Khoo Kongsi and have taken a few pictures. This event was held right around Chinese New Year time, I forgot what was the precise date because it has been almost 7 months.

Below are the pictures taken in Khoo Kongsi…

One of the Shaolin Master performing the Iron Head kung fu!

Below are the pictures taken in Cheah Kongsi…

Very funny… even with differences in opinion, water that is stirred and chopped will never be severed. Look out for the Abba song towards the end.