I hope everybody had
fun in break, and has emotionally and physically charged up for the rest of our
spring semester.
Even though my spring
break didn’t include any exciting adventures to explore places, I have
fulfilled my need for relaxation—catching up with my sleep as well as exercise.
Other than that, I have tried out a new recipe for Matcha Swiss Roll. Swiss Roll has been my favorite dessert of
all time. When I was back in China, I would even have Swiss Roll for breakfast.
Unfortunately, ever since I have come to US, I haven’t see any grocery store or
bakery selling them. That’s why I have made up my mind to make Swiss Roll. For
those who don’t know Matcha, it is finely ground powder of green tea. It is
common to use Matcha for tea instead of a tea bag in Japan. Anyway, Matcha is
one of my favorite flavors, and I have used it to make Matcha cookies
before.
As we just finished our spring break, do you know that one
of the “holidays” called QingMing festival is taking place in China? QingMing
festival (tomb sweeping) is on April 5th, and it is to commemorate,
or to show respect to our ancestors. People usually go back to their hometown
where their ancestor were buried. For my family, we will either go to a temple
or stay at home to proceed our “ceremony”.
What most of family do is to prepare food including a whole chicken, a couple
tangerines, and either several shots glasses of Chinese soju (alcohol) or cups of tea. In addition, we also burn
incense and “paper money” to serve our ancestors so that they could live
comfortable lives. At the same time, we also pray for blessings from our
ancestors. It is also a time of year when family gather together to enjoy each
other’s company.
(picture credited to the internet) |
Spring break was fun but we surely
are not letting the fun cease. ISS is planning a trip to visit Terracotta
warriors exhibit this coming weekend. Even though we won’t be able to travel to China
to see, we have the opportunity to see them in Pacific Science Center in
Seattle. Terracotta Warriors are magnificent. Each of terracotta warriors is
presented to have a unique “personality” (facial expression), and they were
buried with the first emperor, QIN SHI WANG
in China. They continue to serve as “body guards” to protect the
tomb.
(picture credited to the internet) |
A little story I was told about QIN
SHI WAN when I was little. He was so paranoid about losing his empire that he
had someone to drain mercury in the pit surrounding his tomb so that nobody can
cross to steal or invade his empire. Isn’t it fascinating, and mysterious?
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