Today was such a milestone in my life. I went to 扫墓 for the first time in my life!! Shockin' right, I know. I can't believe I didn't do anything during 清明节 (Qing Ming festival) for the last 18 years of my life! That was what I told Mum ytd, I got frustrated that my friends get to 扫墓 and know who their ancestors but me? I'm like some City Kid who doesn't even know abt this pretty significant festival/part of my own heritage, much less come across a real, grave.

And come across I have(: I'm so pleased that today I helped out in the 扫墓 process for my paternal great-grandmother who may have her grave exhumed by the govt in the next couple of years. I finally stepped into a Chinese Cemetery and saw what's it like inside. It's really really crammed! Outside and in. Outside in the sense that we waited so long just to get into the premises coz there were too many cars and too many ppl. Inside as in the tombs are placed side by side, literally, and I mean all 4 sides. Great-grandma's tomb was pretty far in so to get there we had to try not to step on any of the other tomb-slabs-thingy which was virtually impossible. I kept sayin' sorry sorry sorry in Mandarin lest I offend the deceased. The whole 扫墓 process wasn't too elaborate, and 小叔 did the pluckin'-of-the-weeds part. Then 大伯 led us in the prayer procession.
Thereafter we headed to 光明山 (Kong Meng San temple) - again my 1st time - to pray for my late paternal grandfather. It was nice to see his photo again after so long, almost 9 years? Grandma had kept all his photos and possessions away when he left us. One of my uncles today asked my cousin if he still rmbs abt our grandpa, and the 14-yr-old kid replied, "I kinda forgot what he looks like now." I was a lil' saddened to hear that, but I let the innocent comment pass over me. I can't blame him coz he was so young then, but well, I guess we should take out our old photos from time to time to reminisce the past and at the same, let our younger family members rmb their loved ones/not-so-far-away ancestors.

And oh yeah, reminder to self: refrain from wearin' contacts during the next 清明节 where possible. You know how opticians advise ppl against wearin' contacts when they're barbecue-in' right? Similar theory. I didn't know that we'd to burn joss papers when we're at the cemetery so I was tryin' not to lean too close to the fire but it was almost impossible to (or else the joss papers will fly everywhere). But well, somehow my eyes (and contacts) remained unscathed after all that burnin' and prayin' so phew! But yeah, I'm thinkin' twice abt wearin' contacts next yr..

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Yaye I've finally have msn installed in me com! I dislike ebuddy, really.
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I just checked that my timetable has been changed! Previously I was off on Mondays but now.. now... Noooooo.. Imma have class every day on the weekk..(for now) Pfft! Ahh wells, at least I dun have to wake up so early on 4 of the days and I get to go home earlier on selected days (for now xP.
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The gold (or bronze, as the singtel ppl call it) Nokia E72 has made its way to Qiao's hands. MUAHAHAHA!!

Quote Of The Day, baby:

me: omg qiao wins bi@tch of the yr award
me: - yet again
nic: not bad
nic: keep it up!
nic: every year man every year
me: HAHA
me: you're not supposed to encourage me fyi!!
nic: oops im not?! *angelic smile*
me: tsk tsk you! HAHA
nic: haha i mean like what can i say?!
nic: hahaha
nic: thats what friends're for!
me: INDEED
me: HAHA
nic: haha to encourage you!
me: raises eyebrows, yes
me: haha
nic: see, good friend
nic: bffl (best friends for life)
me: oohh dearrr