Monday, February 23, 2009 2:09 AM
[ b] Compare and Contrast between Jess and mine's experience with our family during Christmas
The similarites between me and Jess when we celebrated christmas were that we will give family and friends christmas gifts and also we have christmas dinner. The differences are how we manage to get to buy and give the presents and also how we ate christmas dinner. Jess only got a dollar from his dad to buy christmas gifts along with any amount of money he might have. For me, I could have enough money to afford good gifts as my family is financially stable. Jess only thinks about what gifts to give to Leslie and Maybelle,and not his sisters. In my opinion,even though Jess might not be on good terms with his sisters, he should still think about giving presents to his sisters. No matter what, he is still siblings with Ellie and Brenda. For me, I will still give gifts to my relatives or brother even though i might not be on good terms with them , after all i am still related to them by blood. Thus we are family,even if we could not afford at least we should have the thoughts of giving them a gift.
In addition, Jess also got ham and sweet potatoes for christmas dinner while it is really fortunate that my family and i could go out and have a buffet. Personally, i feel that regardless what we might have for dinner, the family spirit and bond is more important,even though it might be a simple fare.I feel fortunate to be able to get good christmas gifts like a new dress while for Ellie and Brenda,they got a panty hose and bobby socks.However, what matters is the thought that counts. Finally, Jess does not celebrate festivals with his relatives like i do. He is not able to interact with his cousins unlike me. Jess will not be able to bond with relatives .
I truly feel lucky to be blessed to have happy and strong-bonded family. Jess might not have strong relationships with his family but i think that he yearns for a happy and harmonious family deep down inside his heart and hopefully his wish will come through !
[My cousins. Ying Xuan, Me, Zong Qing aka Lao di ! =P]
[Christmas gifts]Ang Ke Ni =P
2:07 AM
Compare and contrast:
Fun shot after the festival (in the bedroom)
Christmas is an annual holiday on December 25 honouring and celebrating Lord Jesus Christ’s birth. This festive is mainly marked with caroling, feasting and gift-giving.
In Chapter 6, “The Coming of Prince Terrien” in “Bridge to Terabithia”, the author clearly depicts a scene of siblings’ conflict. His two elder sisters, Brenda and Ellie were too obsessed with their boyfriends and they did not care about what to give to their family members. They were always complaining which was totally a different situation in my family.
As known, Christmas is a joyous festival and everyone will try their best not to spoil the mood and my family is one of them. Normally, my parents will scold me if I did something wrong and made them angry, but during this day, they will all try to be understanding and forgiving by relaxing and enjoying the pleasure moment instead of getting into a heated argument like Jess and his family.
To add on to it, Jess finds church boring and even described it as a dull sanctuary. Although I am not a Christian, but I feel that one should respect its own religion and believe in the beliefs of the particular religion. Unlike him, I comply with the rules of a Buddhist and treat the ‘shen’ (Buddhist goodness) with respect, and pray in the temple when I am free because I believe it will do me good.
Jess spends most of his time with Leslie in their kingdom -- Terabithia. He also wants to let Leslie have the best gift during Christmas, whereas he did not even bother to think about what to give to his family. Jess should actually make use of this opportunity during the festival and accompany his family members, chit-chatting with them so that their relationships will improve and they will be more bonded.
Contrasting, during Christmas, my family and I would spend most of our time together, singing songs while devouring on the delicious turkey and other appetizing meals prepared. Just like many other households, we would use the Christmas tree in the storeroom and many other small decorations to boost up our festive mood. My family and I would exchange gifts with one another too. First, we would place our gifts under the well-decorated Christmas tree and will be waiting eagerly for the time to pass. When it finally struck twelve, we would all be shouting happily as it was the time to unwrap our presents! My father would shout "GO" and we would start tearing up the wrapping papers. As all the family members spent a great effort on deciding what presents to give to each other, therfore, we were satisfied with it and we embraced each other, touched by the sincerity we have for this unique festival. What left me with a deep impression on that day was the smile engraved on all of them!
Fun shot after the festival (in the bedroom)Teo Jia Yi:)
1:59 AM
Compare & Contrast:
The way Jess family celebrates their Christmas was way different from my family. Their family live in the country side and it was hard for them to get present therefore Jess have difficulty finding present for Leslie. However, for my family, we live in the city area and it is full of shopping mall. We can easily get a present for others by shopping at the crowded shopping centre. Jess father get a present for all the young ones. Jess get a racing car set. However, the present was not really in a good working condition unlike present we received. It was usually very good quality. Their family does not seat around the table and eat a dinner together on Christmas unlike my family. We would usually celebrate it at my relative’s house and eat dinner together enjoying each other company however Jess family does not practise this habit. It is as different for Jess as he had hardly any time for rest and all he needs to do was to milk the cow everyday. He does not get to enjoy his holiday unlike my family where we would enjoy and relax that day it is like a public holiday for everyone. Living in a rural settlement, there is hardly any festive atmosphere in there unlike in city area where everywhere were brightly lit with brightly coloured lights. Also, Jess is not as fortunate as my family, being able to travel overseas to celebrate Christmas. He does not celebrate or get together at his relatives house to get bonded with his cousins. It is so different for Jess and me.
Myra Koh(:
1:16 AM
[a]Christmas:
On the 25th of December, my family would celebrate Christmas together. It is one of my family get together sessions, through this celebration we would get bonded together. It is the few occasion that our family and relatives would meet up together as we only see one another once in a blue moon.
For last year Christmas, it was a very special one as my family together with my maternal side relatives. We celebrated it in Korea! It was really a very good unity session for all of us. We left Singapore for Korea on Christmas. Every one of us was exhilarated and ecstatic.
It was a memorable experience for us as we were all in capital of Korea, Seoul. We were brought about for the sight- seeing, and it was extremely cold. We all huddled together as it was really freezing. I remember it was only -6 degrees Celsius. My uncle was so kind. He bought a cup of Star bucks coffee for everyone. It is very generous of him. Every one was felt warmer after the drink.
Next, we went skiing and it was packed with lots people. Being a novice, we all fall frequently and laughed heartily at one another funny falling action. I did fall too! It was really embarrassing. I couldn’t control my speed and it was like travelling at an amazing speed! Therefore, I bumped into someone else. I think a Korean guy. I was like apologising to him and the he was so kind to even help me picked up the stuff that I drop. Soon after my father saw what had happened, he came over to help me up and help me with my ski equipment also he was concern if I was alright.
Also, there was one incident where my father falls at the ski site due to too slippery as our surrounding was all ice. Everyone was busy asking him is he alright and thing like that. Whenever there is an available seat, they will give up their seat to him. As, after the fall his leg would felt pain at times.
One of my cousins falls too! She could hardly get up as the ski equipment was pulling her down. One of the male cousins saw her difficult and he raised his hand to help her. It is indeed heart warming sight as they hardly speak to each other whenever they see each other. Yet, the guy was so gentlemen to even render his help to her. I’m sure after this incident; it would break the ice between them. Also, he even offers to tutor her because this year was her N-level exam. Isn’t it good? We were shocked and happy. Its double happiness!
The entire cousin group helped to build a snow man. It was really fun as we need cooperation ability in order to complete. Because the snow was very soft and it was hard to make into a ball shape. Every one helps in the completion of our very own Mr. Snowman.
I felt that this occasion would enhance the family relationship between my family, relatives, I. We would be more familiarise with one another and enjoy each other company. Also it brings us closer and much more bonded together. It erases our past disputes. Through this trip, you can see the differences in the attitude within all of us throughout one another. I enjoy this trip very much and hope that there will still be this kind of opportunity in the future.
Myra Koh :)
Sunday, February 22, 2009 5:29 PM
[c] Interesting customs in Guangzhou (:
River Snail under the moonlight brightens the eye.
A perfect Mid-Autumn Festival could not take place without eating river snails cooked with perilla(a medicinal herb). According to old sayings, the more river snails you eat during Mid-Autumn Festival, the brighter your eyes will be.
In the past, poor people join the moon-cake association.
"In the old days, many poor families could not afford moon cakes." Back in the 1920s, many medium- or small-scale moon cake factories and tearooms organized "moon cake associations", which provided monthly payment plans for low-income families. After twelve months, the families would receive their moon cakes for Mid-Autumn Festival.
The higher the lantern, the luckier the family ?
One of the more interesting Mid-Autumn Festival customs in Guangzhou is hanging up lanterns, which are made from bamboo strips shaped into fruits, birds, etc. When darkness falls, people place candles inside the lanterns and hang them from high parts of the house, like the balcony, the roof or from a tree. It is said that the higher the lanterns are hung, the luckier the family will be.
Stealing Moon Dishes
The interesting custom "Stealing Moon Dishes" is widely practiced on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival in the areas of Hunan Province where Dong people gather.
It is said that the fairies in Moon Palace would descend to the human world at the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival and sprinkle nectar all over the world, so that people could share together the fruits and vegetables sprinkled with the generous people nectar.
On that very night, ladies will hold their colorful umbrellas and pick the vegetables or fruits in their beloved young man’s vegetable garden and inform him that he got the vegetables. It's said that if both are lucky enough to pick two fruits on one stalk, they will get happiness. Married women will also "steal" vegetables from neighborhood gardens, hoping that they would pick the biggest melon or fresh green soy beans, which shares a partial tone with "Maotou", or children. This signifies strong and healthy children. However, they are supposed to cook the vegetables in the open air instead of taking them home. The custom brings great joy and fantasy to Dong villages on the Mid-Autumn Festival.
River Snail under the moonlight brightens the eye.
A perfect Mid-Autumn Festival could not take place without eating river snails cooked with perilla(a medicinal herb). According to old sayings, the more river snails you eat during Mid-Autumn Festival, the brighter your eyes will be.
In the past, poor people join the moon-cake association.
"In the old days, many poor families could not afford moon cakes." Back in the 1920s, many medium- or small-scale moon cake factories and tearooms organized "moon cake associations", which provided monthly payment plans for low-income families. After twelve months, the families would receive their moon cakes for Mid-Autumn Festival.
The higher the lantern, the luckier the family ?
One of the more interesting Mid-Autumn Festival customs in Guangzhou is hanging up lanterns, which are made from bamboo strips shaped into fruits, birds, etc. When darkness falls, people place candles inside the lanterns and hang them from high parts of the house, like the balcony, the roof or from a tree. It is said that the higher the lanterns are hung, the luckier the family will be.
Stealing Moon Dishes
The interesting custom "Stealing Moon Dishes" is widely practiced on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival in the areas of Hunan Province where Dong people gather.
It is said that the fairies in Moon Palace would descend to the human world at the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival and sprinkle nectar all over the world, so that people could share together the fruits and vegetables sprinkled with the generous people nectar.
On that very night, ladies will hold their colorful umbrellas and pick the vegetables or fruits in their beloved young man’s vegetable garden and inform him that he got the vegetables. It's said that if both are lucky enough to pick two fruits on one stalk, they will get happiness. Married women will also "steal" vegetables from neighborhood gardens, hoping that they would pick the biggest melon or fresh green soy beans, which shares a partial tone with "Maotou", or children. This signifies strong and healthy children. However, they are supposed to cook the vegetables in the open air instead of taking them home. The custom brings great joy and fantasy to Dong villages on the Mid-Autumn Festival.
All group memebers:)
5:25 PM
[c] Loy Krathong
Loy krathong is held on the full moon of 12th month of the traditional Thai calendar. In the English calendar, it falls somewhere during November. Loy means ‘float’ while krathong means ’lotus-shaped receptacle that can float’/ rafts. During Loy krathong, people release small rafts on a river, making wishes for themselves and their family. Traditionally, the Thais use a section from the banana leaf trunk but now in modern time they use Styrofoam discs. The Styrofoam discs will be decorated with banana leaves and flowers. Also to modern it up and make it easier, people will make waterproof paper leaves and flowers to decorate the small rafts. In Thailand, teams will build more elaborate and bigger rafts for contests. In addition, there will be fireworks and beauty contests held during the festival.
[Styrofoam disc] [Banana leaf] [Flowers] [Candle] [Joss Sticks] [Krathong]
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[Paper krathong]The festival probably originated in India as a Hindu festival similar to Deepavali as thanksgiving to the deity of the Ganges with floating lanterns for giving life throughout the year. According to the writings of H.M. King Rama IV in 1863, the originally Brahmanical festival was adapted by Buddhists in Thailand as a ceremony to honour the original Buddha, Siddhartha Guatama. Apart from venerating the Buddha with the light (the candle on the raft), the act of floating away of the candle raft is a sign of letting go of one's grudges, anger so that one can start life afresh on a better foot. People will also cut their fingernails and take out a strand or two of their hair to place on the raft. This is a symbol of letting go of one’s bad self. Many Thai believe that floating a krathong will bring good luck. In addition, they do this to pay respects and honour the Goddess of Water, Phra Mae Khongkha for bringing the people water.
Moreover, the beauty contests that accompany the festival is known as the "Noppamas Queen Contests". It was told that Noppamas was a consort of the Sukothai king Loethai (14th century) and she was the one who first decorated the krathong. There is also vegetable carving in the festival. This festive event is celebrated throughout Thailand and also celebrated by Thais living all over the world. In Singapore, not only the Thais celebrate Loy Krathong, other races came to celebrate this for good luck. We release the krathongs at the kallang river located somewhere near beach road and golden mile. Golden mile is where the Thais that live in Singapore hang out as there is Thai-related stuffs sold there. We however only release small rafts and do not held contests and have fireworks as a minority of people in Singapore are Thais. This is not a big deal to the Singaporeans so we celebrate by throwing a small party instead. The rafts will look like beautiful in the night as the candles’ flames shone. The krathongs will be cleared out of the river the next day though. Personally, I feel that even though we Thais might live all over the world away from our motherland, we could still have the strong nation bond to celebrate the same joyous festival together.
3:22 AM
[b] Compare and contrast:
Easter is some kind of festival that is same as our Chinese New Year. They get to wear new clothes and so we do. During Chinese New Year, we sing some new year songs that will let the atmosphere be more happy. Jess and his family also get to sing in the church.
We get red packets during Chinese New Year but they don't get any during Easter. Therefore, we're more fortunate. Yeah!
One day before Chinese New Year, we have our dinner reunion with our big family but Jess and his family don't have any dinner reunion one day before or on the day itself ( Easter ). I think dinner reunion is really important because this is a good time for relatives to come together and chat about the past as well as communicate with one another as they may not be able to chat with each other because they're work in different and seldom see each other. =)
During Easter, Jess and his family have to go to church but during Chinese New Year, we don't have to go to church as we're not christian. I normally stay in my grandparents' house to chat and eat with my cousins. my cousins and I are studied in different countries too such as I study in Singapore, they study in Malaysia and Taiwan. Therefore, we tend to chat about everything and we really have many things to chat about. =)
I really think people who are celebrating Chinese New Year are better and more fortunate than those who are celebrating Easter. No offence as this is just my personal opinion. =)
Siew Ting (: