I just finished writing Year of the Dog ! It had a massive plot hole that I had to fix which turned out to be more work than I expected. Here’s a snippet: “Hey, Auntie Nell.” He wrapped his arms around her, bussing her on the cheek and breathing in pikake flowers and shortbread cookies. And suddenly he was nine years old again, and her solid presence had made his chaotic world stable once more. “What are you doing here?” He usually took her to dinner on Wednesday nights, but today was Tuesday. The edges of her smile faltered a little before brightening right back up again. “What, I can’t visit my nephew?” She angled around him to enter his home. “Is this your new house? Looks lovely.” Which was a blatant lie, because the fixer-upper was barely livable, much less acceptable to a neat-freak like his aunt. She also left four matching pink and purple floral suitcases on the stoop behind her. Only then did Ashwin notice the cab driver standing slightly to the side of the walkway. “Can ...
Happy Girls' Day!
Captain's Log, Stardate 03.03.2009
I admit, I didn’t remember it was Girls’ Day until my Mom reminded me, but my family has done something to celebrate Girls’ Day for as long as I can remember.
It is also called hina-matsuri (hee naw mott sue ree), or the Japanese Doll Festival, and it’s always held on March 3rd (three-three, the third day of the third month—I think there’s some significance but I can’t remember what it is, maybe my mom will chime in and tell us).
We have some gorgeous Japanese dolls that I got when I was a baby in honor of Girls’ Day. They’re at my parents’ house, and they’re below. They’re very expensive because they’re from Japan, but they’re a standard gift for a baby girl for her first Girls’ Day.
Update: Girls' Day is also supposed to be a celebration of peach blossoms, but we typically see cherry blossom trees in bloom around this time. My parents also sent me pictures of a couple cherry blossom trees around their home in Hawaii:
Every year, my grandma would make pink mochi for me for Girls' Day (why pink? I'm not sure, one online source I read says it's related to the pink color of the peach blossoms). This pink mochi is also called chi chi dango, although chi chi dango can have many different flavors and shapes. The chi chi dango we ate is small and rectangular mochi, dusted with potato starch, with a sweet, slightly milky taste.
Mom made some for my cousin, so she sent me a picture of it:
For me, I think I will not cook today. That is my Girls’ Day celebration in the Tang household. (Sorry, Captain Caffeine)
So even if you’re not Japanese, do something special for the girls in your life today--especially if that includes YOURSELF! And comment below to let me know what you did/plan to do!
Captain's Log, Stardate 03.03.2009
I admit, I didn’t remember it was Girls’ Day until my Mom reminded me, but my family has done something to celebrate Girls’ Day for as long as I can remember.
It is also called hina-matsuri (hee naw mott sue ree), or the Japanese Doll Festival, and it’s always held on March 3rd (three-three, the third day of the third month—I think there’s some significance but I can’t remember what it is, maybe my mom will chime in and tell us).
We have some gorgeous Japanese dolls that I got when I was a baby in honor of Girls’ Day. They’re at my parents’ house, and they’re below. They’re very expensive because they’re from Japan, but they’re a standard gift for a baby girl for her first Girls’ Day.
Update: Girls' Day is also supposed to be a celebration of peach blossoms, but we typically see cherry blossom trees in bloom around this time. My parents also sent me pictures of a couple cherry blossom trees around their home in Hawaii:
Every year, my grandma would make pink mochi for me for Girls' Day (why pink? I'm not sure, one online source I read says it's related to the pink color of the peach blossoms). This pink mochi is also called chi chi dango, although chi chi dango can have many different flavors and shapes. The chi chi dango we ate is small and rectangular mochi, dusted with potato starch, with a sweet, slightly milky taste.
Mom made some for my cousin, so she sent me a picture of it:
For me, I think I will not cook today. That is my Girls’ Day celebration in the Tang household. (Sorry, Captain Caffeine)
So even if you’re not Japanese, do something special for the girls in your life today--especially if that includes YOURSELF! And comment below to let me know what you did/plan to do!
Comments
Blessings!
Shelley, you're my girl! Get some knitting done!
Sherry, I had Bible study this morning, too!
I've also updated the post with a few more pictures of cherry blossom trees and chi chi dango mochi.
Camy
I'm not sure what my girl thing for myself will be, I've got an 8 hour school day ahead of me after a morning of homework. Maybe a workout if I have the energy after class tonight. I have a biathlon on Saturday so need this last week to really get going!
I'm also an Asian like you. I've been to Japan ten years ago. The things that got me hooked about Japan are food, peach blossoms, wooden slippers ( btw is there a special name for that?),Japanese discipline and festivals/celebrations. Even here, where I work as a preschool teacher, we celebrated "tanabata festival" because a Japanese mom introduced the concept to the kids.
It was fun.
Hope you'll feature more about Japanese celebration, culture and other things we do not usually read and watch about Japan. In other words: the hidden side of Japan on your blog( with pictures ofcourse.)
Best,
Joy
Malia, chi chi dango is waaaaaay easy to make. One of my twenty-something male cousins made something similar, butter mochi, a few years ago, and if HE can make it, it's got to be easy. I found a few microwave recipes online when I googled it.
Joy, thanks for commenting! I'm glad you found my blog! Those wooden slippers are called geta slippers, and the only ones I've worn have been reeeealy uncomfortable. Then again, I'm a clutz. :)
Camy
A Japanese friend of mine sent geta slippers ( ok now i got it.)to me in Croatia. I loved them (though not the most comfy to wear)
they're beautiful but you need to know how to walk with geta slippers.otherwise, you'll end up getting tripped.
If you have time, come and visit my blog too. www.thecoffee-addict.blogspot.com
joy
curica41@yahoo.com