Every year on the last day of the new year holiday, there is a place I go to to pray for a healthy and safe and peaceful year and obtain a special amulet. But this year, I had to skip that. It is generally believed in my culture to be inappropriate to visit shrines… Continue reading Sending hearts you can bite and bite but cannot take a bite out of!
Back in mid-July, I mentioned a very thoughtful tradition in my culture called “midsummer gifts,” to be sent to those who are dear to you to show that you care how they are doing during the hottest time of the year. Well, we have a similar gift-sending tradition during the coldest time of the year… Continue reading Sending ordinary things made a little special!
It must have been a great month for one of my favourite countrymen athletes – he was the homecoming king just a couple of weekends ago, finished a runner-up last weekend, and became a champion this weekend! But it is not just his results that is impressive. In all three tournaments he did well,… Continue reading A taste of treats in life
One of the things I admire very much about my culture is the teaching that there is a season for everything. It is a belief that all things have a time (or a period of time) of their own to be enjoyed to the fullest – this is why we have seasonal references to tell when… Continue reading A season for everything
We are supposed to be a couple of weeks into autumn on Chinese calendar in my homeland – winds are supposed to become a little cooler, a type of cicadae we call “sun-setter” (because they sing the loudest in the evening, just before nightfall) is supposed to start singing, and temperature is supposed to drop… Continue reading Sending midsummer drinks and desserts!
Yesterday was “Traditional Sweets Day” in my country of origin. There are various views on how it came about, but the one the Association that established the Day takes has roots that go back more than a millennium: during a period in which plagues hit hard and wide, the then head of the nation decided… Continue reading Chase away evil, bring in luck
About a month ago, an old friend whom I have not heard from for quite a while texted me out of the blue, inviting me to join her on an occasion (which I will probably scribble about in the coming days, so hold on to your hats!). Because I felt it was very sweet of… Continue reading The sweet things in life
Water flowing, flower floating 