Happy Deepavali

Hindu friends in Malaysia will celebrate Deepavali tomorrow, 17 October 2009.

Happy Deepavali to you all.

School's closed today, so off to Ms. Kitty's house I go again.

2009 Mid-Autumn Festival

This year the mid autumn festival falls on the 3 October 2009. It is rather late in comparison with other years. The reason being is that the lunar calendar had two 5th month this year.

Apparently, there are few versions regarding why people celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival (or also called Mooncake Festival). You can read the famous story of Lady Chang Er here: http://www.chinaculture.org/gb/en_chinaway/2003-09/24/content_28099.htm

Other stories are with regards to:

The Cake - Moon Cake

During the Yuan dynasty (A.D.1280-1368) China was ruled by the Mongolian people. Leaders from the preceding Sung dynasty (A.D.960-1280) were unhappy at submitting to foreign rule, and set how to coordinate the rebellion without it being discovered. The leaders of the rebellion, knowing that the Moon Festival was drawing near, ordered the making of special cakes. Backed into each moon cake was a message with the outline of the attack. On the night of the Moon Festival, the rebels successfully attacked and overthrew the government. What followed was the establishment of the Ming dynasty (A.D. 1368-1644). Today, moon cakes are eaten to commemorate this legend.

The Man - Wu Kang

Wu Kang was a shiftless fellow who changed apprenticeships all the time. One day he decided that he wanted to be an immortal. Wu Kang then went to live in the mountains where he importuned an immortal to teach him. First the immortal taught him about the herbs used to cure sickness, but after 3 days his characteristic restlessness returned and he asked the immortal to teach him something else. So the immortal taught him chess, but after a short while Wu Kang's enthusiasm again waned. Then Wu Kang was given the books of immortality to study. Of course, Wu Kang became bored within a few days, and asked if they could travel to some new and exciting place. Angered with Wu Kang's impatience, the master banished Wu Kang to the Moon Palace telling him that he must cut down a huge cassia tree before he could return to earth. Though Wu Kang chopped day and night, the magical tree restored itself with each blow, and thus he is up there chopping still.

The Hare - Jade Rabbit

In this legend, 3 fairy sages transformed themselves into pitiful old men and begged for something to eat from a fox, a monkey and a rabbit. The fox and the monkey both had food to give to the old men, but the rabbit, empty-handed, offered his own flesh instead, jumping into a blazing fire to cook himself. The sages were so touched by the rabbit's sacrifice that they let him live in the Moon Palace where he became the "Jade Rabbit."
http://www.chinesefortunecalendar.com/midfallstory.htm

I had the opportunity to celebrate Mooncake Festival with Neng-ngu, Neng-ging, Khor-khor Ethan, Princess Cheh-cheh, Ling Girl Cheh-cheh and Ah Ju Gu-gu. Neng-ging bought me a little fish lantern but I wanted Khor-khor Ethan's pink elephant lantern. Nevertheless, I was allowed to run in the park while everyone else where carrying their lanterns which were brightly lighted up with mini candles.

Thank you Neng-ngu and Neng-ging for this "approved" experience of playing with fire for once. Heh ! Heh !

Selamat Hari Raya

Teachers in school taught us how to wish "Selamat Hari Raya". Maaf, zahir dan batin.

20-22 September 2009

We are off for an additional holiday on 23 October 2009. Mummy says I get to go to Ms. Kitty's house.

Thank You God for Life

Lord Jesus, I thank you for another year added to my Khong-Khong's life.

Amen.

Malaysia Week 17-21 August 2009

Ms. Kitty and the teachers in school hosted a Malaysia Week for all of us. One day, teachers were dressed in Malay traditional wear ... another day, it was local food for us ... another day it was traditional items on display ... another day was Malaysian flag together with the state flags.

I was taught to say "Merdeka" every time I see a Malaysia flag.

This year Malaysia celebrates its 52nd National Day on 31 August 2009.

Selamat Hari Merdeka !

Do You Ever Believe that There Can Be Miracles

The Prince of Egypt (Disney) - There Can Be Miracles by Whitney Houston & Mariah Carey

Many nights we prayed, with no proof anyone could hear
In our hearts a hopeful song, we barely understood
Now we are not afraid, although we know there's much to fear
We were moving mountains long, before we knew we could

There can be miracles, when you believe
Though hope is frail, it's hard to kill
Who knows what miracle, you can achieve
When you believe, somehow you will
You will when you believe.

In this time of fear, when prayer so often proves in vain
Hope seems like the summer birds, too swiftly flown away
Yet now I'm standing here, my heart so full I can't explain
Seeking faith and speaking words, I'd never thought I'd say

There can be miracles, When you believe (When you believe)
Though hope is frail, It's hard to kill
Who knows what miracles, You can acheive (You can acheive)
When you believe, somehow you will
You will when you believe

They don't always happen when you ask (uh)
And it's easy to give in to your fear (ooh)
But when you're blinded by your pain
Can't see the way clear through the rain
A small but still resilient voice
Says hope is very near

There can be miracles (Miracles)
When you believe (Oh When you believe)
Though hope is frail
It's hard to kill (Hard to kill)
Who knows what miracles
You can achieve (You can achieve)
When you believe (oooohhh)
Somehow you will (somehow somehow somehow)
Somehow you will ( I no I no I no)
You will when you believe (when you)
You will when you, you will when you, believe
Just believe, just believe (ooh baby)
You will when you believe.

Let's trust God for A Miracle.

Outing the the Bird Park

Today's my very 1st outing without Mummy or Papa...

I went to the Bird Park with teachers from school. It was a very eventful affair for me and what was the added bonus were the picnic snacks that teachers brought along for us. There were sandwiches, jelly, vitagen, cakes and others. I ate so fast, I vomitted.

I was so excited when I saw the birds - hornbills, parrots, peacocks, owls, storks and ... and ... and ...

Alas, it was so unfortunate that it rained dogs and cats ... nevertheless Ms. Kitty was happy that God guided all of us into the buildings when it started to rain ... so we didn't get wet.

I thank God for this experience and look forward to the next outing with teachers again :)