Welcome to my blog. These are the memoirs of an undomestic goddess who went from a high flying corporate career to stay-at-home-Mum. Join me as I learn about Chinese culture, how to cook and decorate a home. If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!
Sometime in May this year was a deity’s birthday. I’m thinking its probably the goddess of mercy since that is the goddess that my MIL worships. I’d tell you more but I don’t think even the hubby knew whose birthday we were celebrating. We held a birthday celebration at the factory with the usual theme of food offerings, burning of shiny paper, and lighting of firecrackers.
I’ve always thought of firecrackers as a means to scare away evil spirits – at least that’s what it means during Chinese New Year. During this case, I’m wondering if it’s meant to be something akin to a fanfare because I’m not sure why a goddess would need to scare away evil spirits on her birthday.
The pictures are probably starting to look fairly repetitive because it’s usually based around the same themes. All I can say is that it’s a lot of work preparing for each of these events. My MIL will be in the kitchen for at least two whole days before the day cooking up a storm. As the daughter in law, I’m supposed to help out but mostly I end up observing because I haven’t a clue how to make any of this stuff. Occasionally, if I’m deemed worthy, I might get to roll out the dough…
Although it’s never been officially requested, I sort of get the impression I’m supposed to carry on this tradition after my MIL is no longer able to perform them. I presume that’s why I’m required to observe these rituals even though I don’t take any part of it. I’ve also caught a couple of subtle hints from my MIL during her cooking storms when she’s said, “Of course you can buy the food, but I prefer to make them because I enjoy the cooking.”
I suppose you could say that this statement is open to interpretation because she might mean that some people buy the food instead of spending the time in the kitchen preparing it. Alternatively, it could mean that in future, I could choose to buy the food instead of preparing it myself. Whatever the case, I’m not sure I’m at all comfortable about the idea of having to take on the responsibilities of conducting rituals of a religion I don’t believe in. I feel at times I’ve already overstepped my boundaries by being a party to them.
Other posts that might interest you:
- Gratitude Post – January 26
- Saved by Floral Art!
- Gratitude Post – January 25
- Gratitude Post – January 13
- Vision Post – January 12
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