Celebrating birthday with the ghosts

Mom told me that she was damn worried that I would be a Ghost Festival (14th of July) baby when she found out I would be born in the lunar month of July.

My grandparents heaved a big sigh of relief when I arrived on the 4th instead of the 14th of July. At least still got ten days to go before the Hell Gate is officially opened. LOL. I didn't notice the significance of being born in the 7th month of the lunar calendar until I've returned to Malaysia.

Yesterday, I saw a few foreign workers burning paper money and provide food to appease the ghosts in the parking area where I park my car everyday. Damn eerie aitelyu.

When even the foreign workers in our country also start burning paper money and provide food to appease the ghosts on this 'Ghost Day'. It really keeps one wonders if ghosts really exist in this world and that this festival must be an important one indeed. Not just to the Chinese but also to those who believe.

Well, let's just say that us, Asians, are very superstitious people and we observe all kind of festivals like our forefathers do to avoid bad luck & etc. And monkeys see, monkeys do. ;p

In NZ, I wouldn't give two hoots in regards to all these 'observations', 'customs' and 'practices'. I would still go out with my friends at night and return home only in the wee hours during the Ghost Month.

But here in Malaysia, the situation is totally different. Everyone will stay at home like an obedient dog. Activities at night will be gravely reduced or ceased to exist even. No sane Chinese will dare to get married or move house in this month. Not to mention birthday celebration and party. Sigh.

Friends will not hesitate to ask, "Are you not going out to celebrate your birthday ah?"

I will also not hesitate to reply, "Tonight is Ghost Festival, you want me to go where? And with whom? You ah? Or the ghosts?"

"Ya wor... Ghost Festival hor..." They will then automatically shut their big fat cheebye mouth tighter than the clam. KNN.

Eventhough I don't mind celebrating my birthday with the ghosts, 90% all my friends will have reservations on the dos and don'ts on this holy month. How depressing.

That's why I would rather stay at home and celebrate my birthday with my family. At least they don't discriminate me and they love me. :)

Nonetheless, my good friend Shan threw me a surprise party in the office yesterday.

While she presented me with the chocolate cake, 'the guys' sang me a rather suave birthday song which made me feel sibeh the 'touched'... LOL.

They also gave me a box of Ferrero Rocher for pressie. I wonder how they know that I adore chocolates.

Sometimes I DO suspect that SOME of them are reading TITOKI'S SECRET DIARY secretly behind my back... And the mere thought of it makes me shudder. *EeeewwW* ;)

Ed note:
1) Dear all, thanks for your birthday wishes and thanks for remembering my birthday. :)
2) k2oc TT post and pics will be up next. Thanks for your patient.