It’s the lantern festival, or mooncake festival.. no, let me find the correct term. Ah, Wikipedia says Mid-Autumn Festival. So yes, my mum discovered about 10 paper lanterns which are more than 5 years old. I know because I’ve not touched the candles or sparklers ever since my 2nd brother left. When my brother was still here, we used to place candles in the compound and hang lanterns. Fond memories..

Last night, my mum and I decided to make use of the new candles and lanterns. It was rather windy last night so for the first time, I played with the candles inside the house - wax on the floor = not my fault. My mum played with the sparklers - she seemed like she was more childish than I am. We hung the lanterns out and just looked at them. Lighting the candle was a big problem. I used up at least 20 matches just to get the flame. The matches in my house are, according to my dad, 10 years old; and we have 3 new packs. - -” I took some random shots of the candles just to kill time.

The wind was so strong that the lanterns were practically at 90 degrees. I hesitated for a bit but in the end I just walked out and collected them. There was this gray cat that was sitting in the middle of the compound, seemingly “enjoying” the “breeze”. An hour later, there was a blackout. Complete darkness, and I was sitting in front of TV. I felt so blind going to the kitchen to get the torchlight. The bad thing about the kitchen is it’s so long - it’s the dining area combined with the kitchen. I almost walked straight into the fridge.

So, since the whole neighbourhood was dark, why not have some light right? But by the time I thought of that and lit the candle with the frustration-causing matches, the power came back on. I left the lantern outside. The next morning, my dad informs me that the lantern was burnt. See, one should never use old paper lanterns with old candles - unreliable and dangerous. It happened again tonight at the poolside gathering. And the thing we hung it on was wooden. Luckily, we brought it down fast enough. We - my friend and a new friend, and I - were in the basketball court watching primary boys playing the funniest game ever when the older and most talkative one said, “Burn!” which we misheard as, “Bird”.

They weren’t exactly playing the “funniest” game, but it’s been a while since I’ve last seen kids playing what they called “a.e.i.o.u.” The way they were jumping around was hilarious. Then they played “Chili and Tomato”. I had no idea what they were doing at first - when one got caught, he’d be waving his hand, gesturing that it’s hot, like chili. Then to “save” him, someone would tap him and say, “Tomato”. Somewhere along the way, they decided to switch to “Ice and Water” instead. We had a good laugh watching them.

I made a new friend too. Okay more than one, but funny thing is, I see them at almost all these gatherings during Chinese New Year, farewells and what not, but never really talked to them, let alone know their names. I was hanging around with this friend who stayed over 2 months back and this new friend whom I somehow, have never seen before but I definitely have. (I know, what in the world, I’m contradicting myself.) I knew her elder sister from lower primary years and somehow, even though I went to their house during Chinese New Year, she didn’t look familiar.. at all. But yes, no harm making new friends. Her younger brother is so talkative and he was rather, scientific. He spoke a lot on science: metals conducting heat etc. I got a shock when he said “OMFG”, “WTF”. Learned from gaming, he says. Kids nowadays. But I guess primary 6 isn’t too bad? My cousin’s the same age and he’s got bad habits too.. but I don’t think he knows all this IM language and foul words - okay, I hope he doesn’t.

On school, it’s the end of the first week of the last term. I had my English orals which went pretty well. I’ve got my mock exams’ results already. Just now in the car, my mum told me a comment she heard from her friend about me. Someone made some funny comment about me doing well in one of my papers. Mind you, it wasn’t a nice thing but I couldn’t help but laugh. What my mum’s friend told the someone in reply was just so.. hilarious. Hahaha.

I can’t wait for Grey’s Anatomy, and Heroes. I watched Gossip Girl - not bad; it has been added to the TV shows list. I’ve been watching Ugly Betty on TV too - makes me laugh. I might watch the whole season but then I’d have 5 shows (including Naruto) or even 6 if I watch Private Practice. I should be concentrating on my exams and not TV shows. But, it may be good because it’ll be my way of taking time off the books. Not too bad an idea, don’t you think? Well, I’ve not started studying yet, sadly. I wonder how long more am I going to procrastinate. I can’t afford to for too long I know and I definitely don’t want to regret this in the end. So, I must start studying very soon.

It’s my eldest brother’s birthday today! Happy Birthday, Ko! (though you won’t be reading this)

Just when it had passed, I let my guard down and everything - all these emotions simply resurfaced. Wrong timing, wrong decision.

Comment replies:

Chien Yee: Hahaha, if I fell asleep on my PC, I think I’d be bombarded the whole day by my dad upon finding me on it. You enjoy yours too. =)

Rilla: Lol. I wouldn’t know how to price them and I don’t think people would buy the boxes.

Destiny: Oh, the picture’s in this post.

Chris: Lol. You know, come to think of it, I think your method and mine might just be the same. The only thing different’s probably the paper, no?

Mable: Good luck with EOY! I know it’s started already but still. Hehe.

This entry was posted on Sunday, September 23rd, 2007 at 12:51 am and is filed under Happenings, School, TV/Music. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.