Season 1, Episode 2 : Moonlight, mooncakes, uni...

" Eat mooncakes under the bright moonlight and play tang lung. Don't ever forget this lovely tradition "

You've seen a little about my campus, now i would like to bring you to a place where i go through every single day, my 'village' (hostel). My village is a nice place to study. Surrounded by lakes, it becomes cooler in the morning. Apart from that, the air is fresher, less polluted and cleaner with the trees aplenty. As you turn into my uni, keep straight, turn left at the first roundabout and continue to move straight until the end of the road. Named V6 or Old V5- because it's old, my block is the last in the village.

Welcome to Propana. Abbreviation, P.

As you enter the block, first you'll see the 'common room'. There is Astro and because of that, during the weekends, here becomes crowded with football-goers.

Not much further is my room. My roommate and i always try to keep the room clean and tidy so that it feels homey...

Last Sunday, 14th Sept 08 is the Mid-Autumn Festival (Mooncake or Lantern Festival). It falls on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month of the Chinese calendar. This festival is closely linked to mooncakes. There is a folk tale about the overthrow of Mongol rule facilitated by messages smuggled in mooncakes. Known that Mongols don't eat mooncakes, the message to rebel on the 15th of the eighth lunar month was written on a piece of paper and the mooncakes were circulated. At the end, they successfully overthrew the government and henceforth, the Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated.

Due to some reasons, i was unable to go back home to celebrate with my family and i had to spend my Mooncake celebration here in uni with my friends. The International Culture Club organized a Mooncake Festival Celebration and i was reluctant not to participate in it. The celebration was held at the other, much further, village, we called as V5. On paper, it was supposed to start at 8.30pm but due to some technical problems, the event was delayed 30 minutes later. Despite the delay, the event ran smoothly and it was definitely a different experience compared to celebrating at home.

Bought a Mooncake for RM 4.00. It's ok, but better to have one than not having one at all. After all, it's the Mooncake Festival... Traditional mooncakes have an imprint on the surface consisting of the Chinese characters 'longevity' or 'harmony'. Mine here is a lotus-seed filling with yolk- even i don't eat the yolk.

Back to the celebration, the night started with a brief introduction to the Mid-Autumn Festival. Next, it was the Chinese Orchestra performances. I loved the sound of the instruments when they are played harmoniously together. They belted out a total of 3 songs, Chinese ones of course, and i could tell by the look of the faces that we were impressed.

The opening act- Chinese Orchestra performance...

Close-up view of the performers. Great job!

After the three melodious tunes, it was time for games- unfortunately, for this, i was reluctant to participate and therefore stood as a loyal spectator. While the games were carried out, i drifted to the light refreshments area. Served on the tables were some mooncakes- yolk-less, some snacks and two jugs of drinks. Honestly, i have never taken so much mooncakes at one time. As i've said earlier, it was a 'different' experience. Done with the games and refreshments, the night gave way to the group of Vietnamese performers to grace the stage. The danced their traditional dance in their traditional outfits.

Uniquely entertaining...

Events after events, it was high time for the lantern parade. There were lanterns on sale but i managed to get one for 'free'- don't ask me for any further explanation. We lighted our candles and soon illuminated the night with the colourfully lit lanterns.

Prepare for the Parade. Find for twigs to carry the lanterns, or get a stick.

Group of friends before walking the Parade. Lovely lantern, isn't it?

Tried to snap photographs during the parade, but i didn't want to stop so i settled for this blurry picture.

Halfway through the parade, i finally decided to take a picture of us and so here it is!

The lantern parade was last on the list of events and soon the celebration was drawn to an end. However, my friends and i were obliged to attend yet another small celebration.

Tedious and meticulous, what will the final product be?

Tadaaa....

Hang some 'tang lung' on the tree!

Pearl in the night sky? The moon only reared its full face about midnight. It was overshadowed by clouds earlier that night. What a lovely full-moon this 15th day.

Past midnight, i was set for bed already. I had to admit, the night has been as lovely as the moon itself. The celebration held not only pulled the Chinese students in my uni but many other races and even international students turned up to make this a joyful event. Well, internationalize the culture would be an objective right?

Ever wondered why i named this episode moonlight, mooncakes and uni? Allow me to explain. Firstly, about the uni, no further explanation needed. Mooncakes, what is Mooncake Festival without mooncakes, and i took lots of them this year. Moonlight? Have you heard of Moonlight Resonance? If you reply 'no', let me inform you then. It's a Chinese TV drama series, and it is really good. Plus, the story relates to mooncake (business and culture) too. This drama series is a worth-while watch, with all it's drama going on in the family and how they still can stay united. An A grade to the scriptwriters, producers, directors and cast for expressing the emotions in the show so genuinely. Watch it, if you have the time, and you'll be just as addicted to it as mooncakes. I'm still chasing after the series and eager to know how it is going to end.

wc08 is delighted he celebrated Mooncake Festival and no doubt, this would be a new experience to him.