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After work, I can arrange myself. Usually I go back home and then go for physical exercises after having supper. That is a good feeling. These days are supposed to be the most free time since most of guys have gone back their hometown. Only those natives who are required to stay in the office.
The spring festival now is nothing but a longer holiday for me. The only goodness for me is that I can think and do something else. Wandering around, I kind of miss the moment when I was very young when the atmosphere of new year was more exciting for kids. At that time, the deficiency of candies and other food made it hard for us to have. Only at the special time, such as a wedding ceremony, spring festival, there would be possible for us to get the chance to have something to enjoy. Though now we can easily have a smart phone and a car, but it seems that people are still busy chasing for everything. At one time, we were easily going to be content with things we owned. The feeling of happiness was also fully satisfied in everyone's heart.
There was the special moment before the arrival of new year. It was the time people would prepare making rice cakes. Firstly, the process is to be ready by stocking up glutinous rice. The second step is to make sure that rice should be immersed and kept totally soaked into water for more than 24 hours, the longer of being kept in water, the better of enjoying the cake. There would the third step, we call the rice milling. After that, villagers were busy preparing for it by lining up to steam milled rice. The scene was magnificent as the large group of people waiting together. That would the forth step, which needs to be steaming in steamers. And then, fragrance of rice always haunting around, I could not helping swallowing saliva. Then the steamed rice would be positioned into a stone tank and punched by a wood made hammer. Finally it was done to be like a huge pie and to be cooled off till getting hardened again. About several days later, the big pie would be cut into pieces. Glutinous rice cake was made.
Now it is very easy to buy and eat from supermarkets and restaurants. But I just can not feel such a sense of sweet childhood anymore. The only thing I can do is to think of those old things which are very interesting.
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Post comment Comment (5 replies)
- Reply sunnyv
- My city is a bit different. It is not quiet and in fact it is overcrowded thanks to the millions of visitors from mainland China, plus the local residents. Most people living here are locals who have roots many years here. My family history can be traced back 150 years when my grandparents first settled here. This city is more traditional than the mainland and all the old Chinese customs and traditions are observed and followed here. My family has seen poverty and prosperity here plus political upheaval and the Japanese war occupation.
Accordingly, we have lots of childhood memories and recollections. A simple game of glass marbles seems more enjoyable than the games on cellphones. A bicycle ride was more fun than the modern luxury cars. A plain bowl of rice with basic vegetables seems to taste beter than the present day luxury dishes. The neighbors was close and friendly compared to the present day neighbors who don't even know who we are. A person can never be truly happy unless he has tasted difficulties or adversitites. A rich person won't be able to enjoy wealth unless he was once poor.
Ah, yes the glutomious rice cakes. My absolute favorite. I think it is the brown soft rice cakes I used to eat. Mom would add eggs and fry them and eaten while hot. It goes so well with a cup of Chinese tea. Must try that again this year. People always say history brings us forward, so it is always pleasant to recall the good old days.
- Reply teadrinking
- Yes, mom told me they have already bought some rice cakes. I think it is good, though I can not taste the same as it was before, I just like that feeling by eating with them. Simple, but happy.
sunnyv: My city is a bit different. It is not quiet and in fact it is overcrowded thanks to the millions of visitors from mainland China, plus the local resid ...
You got know well of history and are experienced in life. That is why you can be very grateful to be alive and live at present, enjoy the life which you have right now.
I do hope that I can make a better life. Surely, I will be ok, never be the slave of work and other trifles. Enjoy and have fun.
- Reply sunnyv
teadrinking: Yes, mom told me they have already bought some rice cakes. I think it is good, though I can not taste the same as it was before, I just like that feel ...
Nice.
- Reply raicy
- Yes, good old days are long gone. Sometimes it is because things change and we grow.
But anyway, still cherish the moment and people around.
Good luck and best wishes for the coming Spring Festival!
- Reply teadrinking
- Thank you.
raicy: Yes, good old days are long gone. Sometimes it is because things change and we grow.
But anyway, still cherish the moment and people around.
Good luc ...
Happy Chinese New Year.
