Happy Mid-Autumn Festival

September 22, 2010 is Moon Festival

In Chinese Calendar, it's the 15th day of the eight month

Moon Festival is associated with grapefruit and mooncake.

(I guess grapefruit is in season and it represents the shape of the moon!)

Here's one that I like, not too sweet mooncake...

In Taiwan, it's a holiday!

Mostly people here are having barbecue or

get together party while gazing the moon!

中秋節快樂!!!

Wordless Wednesday

Describing Taipei in Chinese Characters

I took this photo in one page of Taipei Discovery Magazine,

describing Taipei in different season.

*

Guest Heart Thursday

If There's Smoke, There's Fire

Well, not actually a FIRE, but they're making FIRE!

Around 2pm, the temperature was 35*C and I was my way to Shi Da (School), all the people working in the buildings (business in particular) were out burning paper (ghost) )money in the big FLAME to honor their ancestors. In return, their ancestors will give them blessings and good fortune. Aside from burning money, they also offered FOOD.

Actually, today in Chinese Calendar is July 15, it's "Zhong Yuan FESTIVAL", meaning Chinese Ghost  FESTIVAL. According to their history, the gates of hell are wide open and ghost arrived in a mortal world. In Taiwan, Ghost Month runs through the entire month of July, and the gate of hell are open the whole month. That's why the whole month is known to be "not a good month" with many traditional taboos still being practiced. Like don't get married, don't buy house, don't go swimming, etc. to avoid bumping into a ghost.

Imagine how hot that was + the smoke that irritated my eyes!

But, they're doing it as their belief/religion.

ABC Wednesday - F

Happy Valentine's Day ♥♥♥

I know it's not February 14!

But for the Chinese Calendar (August 16, 2010) is the seventh day of the seventh lunar month (July 7) and known to its name "Qi Xi" or "Seventh Eve". It's translated as Chinese Valentine's Day! According to the ancient story that handed down, there was a cowherd fell in love with a weaver girl. As usual, their love affair was forbidden. Since then, they only see each other up in the sky once a year when Weaver Girl Star (Vega from the West) and Cowherd Star (Altair) helped by Magpie to become their bridge. When you look up in the summer sky, you'll see the couple twinkling towards each other.

In Taiwan, the tradition still celebrated , like the couple will go to Lover's Temple to make a wish for their happiness, and that they will not end up like Vega and Altair. Roses and chocolates are all over, lots of activities like concerts, dates, and the like.

If you're here right now, you can feel that LOVE is in the air! ♥♥♥

Rednesday

Capturing Tai Chi Statue

Tai Chi

(photo taken @ Japan Consul Office)

Tai Chi Chuan is a kind of Chinese Martial Art with slow movement both for self-defense and health benefit, and that's longevity. I met a person, she's 99 year-old and I asked her what's her secret, she told me she's practicing tai chi everyday. My landlord before, teach tai chi every 6am and asked me to join them. I would love to, but being a full-time M.A. student and part-teacher, I didn't try. :(

I've only tried this when I'm still working out in California Fitness, but not much. My yoga instructor only introduced tai chi in the beginning of the session. Every morning, all the parks I've seen here have lots of people doing tai chi.

If you're a beginner, all you have to do is to stay at the back and follow what they do, not to disturb the rest of them. The instructror will come to you after the session, and teach some techniques. Isn't that amazing!

My World Tuesday

Chinese Paper Cutting

The Story of Chinese Paper Cutting

(handed down from generation to generation)

Long time ago, there was a man who lost his wife and he was really, really lonely. A friend gave him a gift, a lady made of paper cutting that sticks to the lamp. When the lamp is on, there's a huge image of a woman, pretending that's his wife. From then on, Chinese Paper Cutting became famous.

Paper cutting was started 2000+ years ago by Chinese, offering it to their ancestors in heaven, or offered to a person who just passed away.

Nowadays, people use paper cutting  as a gift any time of the year, use as a decoration for windows or doors, and even accessories for body, umbrella, bags, and clothes. Artists also may use different colors.

By the way, I made this for the first time! A lot of patience, but worth!

Weekday Photos
Ruby Tuesday