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Dongzhi festival

December 22nd, 2008 ray 2 comments

I didn’t know the importance of this festival, until yesterday :P

My parents was mad because I woke up quite late and didn’t really help out with the kitchen or folding the silver papers. To me, it’s just a day where people eat “Tang Yuan” and burn their offering of ‘お金’ to ancestor.

From wiki :

The Dongzhì Festival or Winter Solstice Festival ( “The Extreme of Winter”) is one of the most important festivals celebrated by the Chinese and other East Asians during the Dongzhi solar term on or around December 22 when sunshine is weakest and daylight shortest; i.e., on the first day of the Dongzhi solar term

The origins of this festival can be traced back to the Yin and Yang philosophy of balance and harmony in the cosmos. After this celebration, there will be days with longer daylight hours and therefore an increase in positive energy flowing in. The philosophical significance of this is symbolized by the I Ching hexagram.

Traditionally, the Dongzhi Festival is also a time for the family to get together. One activity that occurs during these get togethers (especially in the southern parts of China )is the making and eating of Tangyuan or balls of glutinuous rice, which symbolize reunion. Tangyuan are made of glutinuous rice flour and sometimes brightly coloured. Each family member receives at least one large Tang Yuan in addition to several small ones. The flour balls may be plain or stuffed. They are cooked in a sweet soup or savoury broth with both the ball and the soup/broth served in one bowl.

I was so full after the meal, almost forgotten about the Tang Yuan. Right b4 12am I hurried and finished a bowl of Tang Yuan, well at least maintained the tradition :P

But hor…. who’s gonna finish the remaining tang yuans in the fridge? My sisters so semangat made a lot, now it’s there occupying the space in fridge….. til 1 day throw away.

Penang trip

November 21st, 2008 ray 5 comments

It was a last minute thing.

I was kinda forced to follow them for this penang trip. And so, I took leave on Monday but boss didn’t approve. What can I do? I can’t say no to my precious friends :P So, die die also go lah. We, the mmu folks gathered at Kelana Jaya and berconvoi-ed to Penang.

Actually I don’t know the purpose of this trip. But when Penang was mentioned, it triggers another keyword called ‘foods’. I’m like a magnet to food u know, so I can’t possibly avoid this trip right ;)

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