traditional chinese festivals

saw a programme on channel u about how chinese singaporeans [do not] celebrate our traditional festivals such as mid-autumn festival.

who’s guilty of it? probably me. :P

while me and my family do not really observe/celebrate mid-autumn festival with a dinner or a special gathering, we do however, buy mooncakes for prayers and consumption.

the reason that it’s not a special occasion here in singapore is because it’s not a public holiday to begin with unlike in hong kong which i heard it’s celebrated in a much bigger way, perhaps due to its pre-dominantly chinese populace.

in fact, this year, in addition to the traditional lantern festival at the chinese gardens, chinatown is also lighted up with a bazaar set up specially for the festival.

but do i feel the festive mood in the air? nope, i think it’s because my family do not have the tradition of celebrating the day. in fact, i’ll be catching a string quartet performance at the esplanade with my sis this sunday. :P

nevertheless, i still partake in mooncakes in copious amounts during this period. love them since young. not helped by suppliers who send them to the company. i know it’s loaded with sugar and oil but who can resist a once-a-year indulgence?

i prefer the traditional baked white lotus seed paste version, without yolk if i can help it. this year, adelyn is not around to mop up the pieces of yolk that i scrape off.

i think it’s ridiculous to charge more for yolks since there’s a corresponding reduction in the lotus seed paste. does the yolks cost that much more than lotus seed paste?

however, i’m also open to new flavours. this year i bought something new from szechuan court, mini snowskin with a dark chocolate centre with almond slivers. yummy!

the best part? got a good discount since i asked thomas to buy for me. hehe... :)