Friday, October 16, 2009

Happy Diwali

Today is the eve of Deepvali and I am sure all those who are celebrating this festival are busy preparing for this special day.

At the same time, many have balik kampung while a big number are only travelling today. No matter what, I hope that those who are driving will drive safely.

I remember those days when mobile phones were a luxury, I would buy greeting cards a month earlier and send them via snail mail to my friends who celebrated Deepavali.

Today, when mobile phones have become a necessity, I don't have to do that anymore. I just send text messages a day or two before the occasion or just call them to wish them a Happy Deepavali. After all, it's the thought that counts, right?

Finally, to all my friends who celebrate Deepavali, I wish you all a very Happy and meaningful Diwali. To those of us who are enjoying the day off, have a wonderful weekend.

jennyiyan's recollections...

Saturday, October 3, 2009

A Happy Mid-Autumn Celebration

I have forgotten that today is the Mid-Autumn Festival (or simply The Mooncake Festival) for the Chinese until I saw the wishes on twitter and facebook.

I've been very busy the past few days and am now feeling very tired. I just want to get lots of rest this weekend and get ready to face more busy days, weeks and months ahead, right till the end of this year. What luck...sigh!

However, I can't help reminiscing those days when I was very young. My siblings and I loved this festival not so much for the mooncakes, but for the lanterns.

A few days before the festival, we would buy our lanterns and when night came, we would light our lanterns and walk round the neighbourhood. Children from the whole neighbourhood would join in and it was like a procession of lanterns.

Those were such carefree days and it was so safe then. Today, we don't get to see this anymore. Nobody dares to allow their children out of the house in case they are kidnapped or robbed. What a pity!

We also see a wide variety of mooncakes in the market today. Tiramisu-flavoured mooncakes anyone? Chocolate? I am not a fan of mooncakes. They are too sweet for me but I really admire people who love mooncakes and can eat a whole mooncake at one go.

No matter what, I just want to wish everyone who celebrates this festival a Happy Mooncake Festival. :)

jennyiyan's recollections...