Hungry Ghosts Festival
It was such a coincidence. If this happens for the third time, I’m going to buy 4D and toto. Who knows, I might win more due to my beginner’s luck. At 23, I’ve yet to gamble legally, don’t you think that’s such a disgrace? I’m not saying that I’ve been gambling illegally, but entertaining your cousins with a few games that involve betting ang bao [red packets] money doesn’t really constitute as illegal gambling, right? ***** Earlier on, my Dad came back and asked me whether I wanted to go downstairs with him to "chou re nao" [join in the crowd]. I obliged, and I knew he was actually asking me to join him to pray. What crowd? Since there were the only two of us? Anyway, he started to prepare the necessary items, while I stood and watch. Though I am a disbeliever of religions, I’m more or less neutral towards the traditions and whatnot. I do it out of respect for my devout Dad, and the ancestors who have since passed on. Towards the Hungry Ghosts Festival, I’m neither scornful nor disdainful. Just curious. From young, my Mum has never allowed me to visit the cemetary nor the columbarium. Qing Ming Festival to us, was just any other normal day. Yet after my paternal grandma passed away when I was 15, I do yearn to pay respects to our ancestors. The superstitious Mum thinks we [my sister and I] might get into trouble if we accidentally do the wrong things at the resting places. I do believe she still uphold that thinking so far. Of course, parents want the best for their children, and don’t want them to come to harm in whichever ways. I appreciate that concern, just that I feel a tad guilty for not visiting my ancestors’ resting places on special occasions. Coming back to the topic at hand, today’s the first day of Hungry Ghosts Festival. I’m sure many Chinese have heard of tales of spirits wandering about, so you’re told not to come home late in case something bad happens. I was warned not to go swimming time and again by the concerned mum. I think I will oblige just to pacify her. =) Watching Chinese shows on supernatural beings really fascinated me a lot since I was young. My most admired "priest" was Lin Zheng Ying, a name you couldn’t miss out on if you want to watch Chinese ghost shows of quality. His name was synonymous with formidable priests in most Chinese ghost shows. Alongside with the old guy called Wu Ma and whoever. It’s just like how Stephen Chow is synonymous with lame but sickeningly funny shows, or how Chow Yun Fatt is synonymous with the God of Gamblers. A pity I’ve lost my archives, else I would be able to point out the blog I wrote about Lin Zheng Ying!
There were sweets and some tea leaves in front of the two candles my Dad lit up. Felt so bad when the wax dropped on him while he tried to light them up! ~>.<~
Sidenote: I’ll always have the tendency to feel for others as they go through a certain physical pain. Like when my Mum cuts my Dad’s toenails and accidentally cuts his flesh, I’ll wince in pain, have my face contorted, and then blame my mum for being so careless. My dad would just utter a soft ouch. -.-"
I’m actually quite scared of fire, hence my paper money kept flying out when I tried to throw them into the burning furnace. -.-"
Wonder anyone knows how to do a little lotus leaf out of those paper money? I think I’m not making much sense here, but just imagine that each paper is slanted at an angle similar to the previous.
Too bad there aren’t any pictures.
*****
Urgh! I hate being sick! I’ve been asked by a fourth person [ex-colleague from CPF] in a time frame of 3 days to KTV!!!! AND I CANNOT GO?!?!?!?!? Because the throat’s still bad!!!!!!
I don’t want to torment myself by singing, given my condition now. -.-"
Help, I want to recover soon!!
Does anyone know why KTV sessions are being held when I’m sick? They just come altogether at once! Urgh.
