Diwali 2011

For the past few years, I spent Diwali away from my family. Last year, I was fortunate enough to be home and spend this auspicious day with the most important people in my life. This year, I was/am in Cape Town. I had the day off, but spent it alone in the Mother City (my family's in East London). I had the day off from work and had the delightful surprise of receiving a care package from home filled with delicious Diwali goodies :)

Pic sent from Daryn in East London

It wasn't long before I had to get ready for dinner with my very good friends, Carmen & Farhad. They came over in the evening and the three of us went out to The Raj in Camps Bay for an Indian dinner - with a fireworks display outside as entertainment :) I'm so very grateful to have Carmen & Farhad in Cape Town with me...they're like my home away from home!

I hope everyone who celebrated had a very special day.

Diwali 2010

To everyone celebrating Diwali:

May peace, love and light enter your homes and hearts on this auspicious day!

This year is particularly special for me, as it's the first time in 7 years that I'm at home with my family on Diwali.

Acquire love by spreading love

On my way to work on Friday (October 16 2009) I bought cakes and pastries for the teachers at school. As I took the corner to my school I greeted this lady as I do almost every single day. I don't know where she lives, but I presume she's homeless. I sometimes see her digging through trash.

When she saw me and my parcels and cake box from the bakery she smiled and started clapping her hands. Perhaps she thought it was my birthday?

As I walked on a few steps, I turned around and went back to her. I gave something from my parcels that I'd bought for the 6th Grade teachers. They'd all probably had breakfast that morning and were going to have a wholesome lunch at 12pm. I didn't know what this lady was going to eat. And regardless of that, I wanted to give her something.

I don't think she understood why I was doing that - I had just said to her in Korean, "Here's a present for you!" She was happy. And that made me happy!

...Result? I had a good day teaching my 4th Graders :)

Diwali cake

Like last year, I took a cake for the teachers in celebration of Diwali. This is the 3rd Diwali that I'm in Korea (the first one we didn't celebrate because of my uncle's death).

Diwali 2008

Image from Google images

Happy Diwali
~*~*~*~*~*~*

Diwali greetings to all who celebrate. Hope your day has been filled with peace & joy. I'm missing my family a lot today. The last time we celebrated this auspicious day was in 2006. We didn't observe it last year because of the sudden death of my uncle.

I tried to observe the day as best I could here in Korea. I took a cheesecake and traditional Korean rice cakes to school to share with the teachers. After all, days like these are all about giving and sharing! I also tried being lenient with my classes today, but more about that in a post tomorrow!

What I'd do just for one jelebi right now! (the sweet sticky orange snack)

Diwali week-end

A Diwali to remember...

These are just some of the sweetmeats that we had at home... I had such a fantastic time in East London. It was just what I needed, because I'm feeling so refreshed! The best part was being with the family. It was a very busy day... we were invited to my uncle and aunt's place for lunch. All I can say is - WOW - the food was DELICIOUS!

We went to mandir (temple) in the evening. It was so lovely - the warmth that exuded in the mandir was amazing. Everyone was in such a joyous mood, and everywhere you looked, people were hugging and wishing each other. I met so many people from the community, including friends I havn't seen in a while.

From left to right: Nani (Lucykaki's mum), Tashira - my cousin, and Lucykaki

Two of the cutest kids I know - Nirmal & Nishani Jeevan


Our garden was looking particularly gorgeous this week-end...
especially the roses....

Diwali 2006

It's that time of the year again - my favourite day on the Hindu calender...
DIWALI...

I won't go into the whole history of Diwali etc, but basically it is a holy tradition that symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and is a festival of wealth and prosperity.

Hundreds of Diwali diyas (lamps like the one pictured above) will adorn many Hindu homes the world over this coming week-end. Many liken Diwali to Christmas - in terms of its importance and celebrations.

This year, Diwali falls on Saturday October 21. I am so excited that I will be spending it at home with my family! I leave on Thursday morning, and will be back on Sunday afternoon/evening. Yep - nice long week-end for me :)

One of the reasons I'm going home is also that I can help my mum with the last few goodies that have to be made. Tradition is that boxes of sweet goodies are exchanged amongst family members and friends. I'll definitely post pics of the delicious sweets that I'll be indulging in this week-end!

Having said that, I'd like to wish all Hindu's a very Happy Diwali and a prosperous Sal Mubarak (New Year).