Saturday, October 2, 2010
“Welcome home” broadcasted the static announcement. Well this place may not be my actual home, but those words nevertheless struck a sensitive chord, especially when I stepped in the doors of my grandma to see her. The years between us melt away and I am happy knowing she is too. Speaking of family, I can’t wait for Chinese New Year. Preparing the food and festivities this year is up to my mum and I (BIGGG mistake, we obviously underestimated the amount of time and food all our relatives and guests eat :/) and being my first CNY in mainland China, this would no doubt be a special occasion.
Oh, and did I ever mention shopping for Chinese New Year is insane? Not the ordinary boxing day sale either, but think more along the lines of cramming the entire population of a large suburb into a single double story grocery store/mall. Walking is hazardous. Walking with a trolley is unthinkable. Walking with a trolley and looking after a 6 year old – near impossible and is pushing multitasking to the extreme. But I suppose it’s all part of the festivities, the spirit, especially when you see every building and every shop cloaked in vibrant red and gold decorations of delicate but powerful tigers (it’s year of the tiger this year for those who have yet to realize) or intense and extravagant messages of good fortune and hope for the new year. As the lunar New Year (as well as Valentines’ day) draws nears, excitement brews in the eyes of old and young, the traditional and contemporary for this is our culture, the biggest day of the year. And to celebrate it together is what it’s all about.
Oh also I just found out we can have fireworks and fire crackers! Now I DEFINITELY can’t wait! Haha
SNOWWWWWW
lol yes I must say I have quite a soft spot for this white powdery form of purity and joy :) Coincidently the second day in Beijing I was out on the streets while the snow began to fall. At first only a couple of flakes floated to the surface, melting before it could remain on the cold cement path. Though not long after, one haircut/perms length of time to be precise, the snow came drifting down hard and steady. Looking up at the grey sky above with flecks of ice sifting down from the heavens to coat the city in a layer of white (well most on the roads/paths became grey as we are in Beijing after all) Even now I watch outside my frosty window to see a thick blanket threatening to envelope the entire city in its icy midst, a sense of serenity overflows and stress seems to evaporate away like the steam from my tea. It’s little moments like these that make life magical. Ok, it doesn’t take much for me, but why should it? These small pauses in our day to day schedule, these portions of time that remind us that life need not be so complicated to make us content. Oh! Speaking of simple pleasures, yuan xao is ready =D yummo
Just as a quick summary because I’m in a rush of my trip: :) Of many firsts, and a few lasts, of many wondrous moments that I will always cherish.
· Buying fireworks and all sorts, shapes and sizes. I’m like a kid at a candy shop, except everything here explodes. =D
· Setting firecrackers, sparklers the size of your arm and fireworks. REAL fireworks =D (all legally of course)
· Almost getting caught in a bombardment of lit firecrackers after mum didn’t throw it away far enough :/
· Decorating a tiny apartment and draping the place with ornaments and lanterns of a bright festive red and gold (and seeing the expressions of relatives as they stand in awe of my ability to balance on three chairs to reach the ceiling)
· Having my first Tuan Yuan Fan – quite literally translated to ‘Uniting Meal.’ A colourful array of steaming delicious dishes and of course dumplings at midnight. Even in this day and age, some traditions are still followed, refining our culture by keeping a little bit of the past in the present.
· The smiles shared when my grandma won over us in mah-jong. Several times. In a row. Note she is around 95, and we as her opponents range from 18-60 D:
· When memory and reality starts to slip away, a simple conversation, a simple calling of my name means the world from her lips. And the fact that we had a long talk after so long melted away the decades of time between us. Just a talk, about everything nothing and anything. Apparently it had been a while since she was this talkative and upbeat.
· Watching my little nephew grow into a, granted annoying as hell, but strong minded boy
· My first perm (lol yes I thought I had to put it in, XD after all it apparently makes me look different :S )
· Getting caught in a mini snow storm and catching a snowflake in my mouth. That was before I remembered I was in China and proceeded to try and clean my tongue :S Never doing that again.
· Saw a crime scene. Frozen blood on the streets near a shopping centre surrounded by police.... Not a good sight.
· Going to Hong Kong – the bustling city of endless shops, people, food and commotion. A city that not only never sleeps, but acts like it’s overdosed on caffeine. Also realized shops don’t open till 10am....
· Watching my family, from 5 years old to 95, and everything in between, coming together from all over the world to celebrate this one day.
· Tasted sea urchin D: Forced ok....and no it unfortunately doesn’t taste like chicken. Unless this chicken was wearing spiked armour and forgot to bathe....
· Visiting Tian An Men during snow fall against the dusk backdrop, and feeling sorry for the soldiers still standing there in the freezing cold.
· Saying goodbye
