Remembering our loved ones...

Tomb Sweeping day or 清明节 or Qingming Festival is a inaugural ritual that my family observes austerely.

For non-chinese friends, its defined as below.
Credits to wikipedia (love it) and its pretty lengthy explanation (not loving it).

.. is a traditional Chinese festival on the 104th day after the winter solstice (or the 15th day from the Spring Equinox), usually occurring around April 5 of the Gregorian calendar (see Chinese calendar).

... is an opportunity for Chinese to remember and honor their ancestors at grave sites. Young and old pray before the ancestors, sweep the tombs and offer food, tea, wine, chopsticks, (joss) paper accessories, and/or libation to the ancestors.

So at the wee hours of the morning, a semi-conscious I, was not-so-gently awoken by my mom and ushered to grab breakfast, before cabbing all the way to Bishan, where Bright Hill (Kong Meng San) Temple is situated, the serene final resting place for my beloved grand parents.

All important breakfast for surviving the long day

Bright Hill (Kong Meng San) Temple

These days, paper offerings test the limits of creativity.
This is not yet by fare the most outrageous I've seen, but I tell you the car you see is a close replica of an Avante model to boot!

Also,you may not see this but the 3-story paper mansion next to it has a mini-bar, LCD screen TV and bathtub inside, complete with swimming pool. Tenants not included.
Wicked.

Delicious spread of curry, fruits, cheesecake, freshly brewed earl-grey tea and miscellaneous Kueh which I cannot identify.

Auntie in red is major road kill. ARGH.

I'm guessing that pavilion houses the remains of the founders of the temple,
so the lion dance went around once to pay their respects...

Before presenting their main display before devotees....

Finally ending with the presenting of offerings on the altar.
PS: suckling pig looks yummy :P

After, we took a bus down to Junction 8 Mall where we narrowly escaped the onslaught of a terribly heavy downpour that followed quickly.
May and I sought solace at our fave shop Cotton On and test-drive their new denim shorts. They ran out of my size (nay) but we had fun camwhoring in the dressing room (yay).

Damn my shaky hand.

cheers.

Thus concludes this year's prayers, wishes and preparations.

While we only see each other next year, YeYe & MaMa, but I have always held you both close to my heart. All my love.

~~~

Good Friday for me was well, good :P
(sorry could not resist cheesy pun)

Recently bumped into the girls, Shradda and Steph on a random day out with Justin, and we all can't believe it has been almost 2 years since my internship with Right Angle Media, where I was involved in the project,School House Rocks!

Here they are in their costumed glory:

STEPHANIE GRAWEHR as Rosalind D'Almeida

SHRADDHA RAMSUNDAR as Preety Kris Kapoor

Little did I expect the humble production to become such a hit on Okto channel, that it was later made into a TELEMOVIE; and the young cast whom I worked with from casting to film, from earnest acting auditioners blossom to pretty young ladies who can give the High School Musical cast a run for their money. Move over, Vanessa Hudgens!

We met up on Good Friday for KFC dinner and caught up the what I'd missed the last 2 years...

Black vest (double index), top (gift), plaid skirt (bugis), pink leggings (online), chanel cambon tote (gift)

The 2 ladies in question

Horsing about!

As written ;)

Before I end this entry and catch what little hours of sleep I've left, a little shameless plugging for my darling boyfriend.

Justin is now a bona-fide member of the Main Wayang Company, a drama club specially dedicated to the Peranakan performing arts. Besides honing his skills in acting and singing, it is a chance for him to trace back his own heritage.

Also, I don't want to jinx it for him but....a big surprise awaits, stay tuned to find out more.... ;)

Did his makeup and photography. Waddya think?

His picture will soon be uploaded on the performer's list found on http://www.mainwayang.com/. Do support!

So here is all the best to you dear, 'break a leg'!