January 27, 2009
-
CNY celebrations
Chinese / Lunar New Year was another busy weekend. My brother hosted a family dinner on Sunday night. My bf was having their family dinner the same night. I couldn’t switch dates because other members of my family weren’t free. I guess these conflicts will happen from time to time. My family dinner went well and relatively uneventful (which is how I like it). My brother’s extended family are nice people. Aside from my sister in law, I’m not close to them. I don’t see them except on special occasions. Maybe that’s why the gatherings are free of dramas.
After dinner, I rushed over to my bf’s place. Unfortunately all the kids just left so I was left clutching some empty red pouches. I gave them to my bf for safekeeping. I was kidding around and asked him did any of the kids noticed that I wasn’t there. He chuckled and said “Nope.” I feigned indignation and asked for the red pouches back.
After he secured all the red pouches away from me, we went to a temple. It was jammed packed (although I’ve seen it even busier). There was a long line up to light the incense. I followed my bf and it didn’t take too long before it was our turn. We went downstairs and there was a few tables set up selling flowers, food and other souvenirs. We got our names into a wishing tree after lining up for quite some time. As usual in any crowded place, there were a few people in the temple that didn’t understand the concept of lining up. It's always interesting to see the large number of youths at the temple. I think this temple has a lot of after school activities and clubs which helps build their future base.
We visited another temple today and it was busy but not jammed packed. I was a bit nervous about taking pictures but my bf said he saw several folks taking pictures outdoors. Afterwards, we went back to same temple we went to last night. This time it wasn’t busy at all since it was a work day. It must have been a long week because I had to take a nap before dinner. I did the same thing the previous day too.
But it’s back to work on Tuesday. So I have to somehow make up for the time off today. I just hope I don't take a nap in the afternoon.
Comments (13)
Seems like it's a popular temple. I used to visit the temple during the CNY in Hong Kong. Plus all those family gatherings. What a fun week!
I didn't know Toronto had temples too!
Happy new year Matt
Happy New Year Matt. The pictures are beautiful. I am glad you could spend time with your bf that evening.Blessings.
Kung Hei Fat Choi!
Did I get it right? Btw, I can only see 2 pics.
Oh, red pouches! Can I have one? That's where you put money on new year.
it's sad that i'm chinese and i don't know any of these traditions - my family too. we're too filipino i guess. good thing i can learn from others.
Beautiful photos! Sounds like you celebrated well!
Interesting pics. Hope work treats you well.
Happy Chineese New year!
sigh... seeing those pictures of the temple reminds me of my grandfather, who used to visit the temple every new year. he would go to a chinese temple (dedicated to kuan yin) and a japanese temple (shinto). i only remember going with him once; my family rarely went with him and i think most of the time he went by himself, but i think he prayed for all of us anyway.
I see you went to the one on Bayview....
Did you go to the one in Sauga as well?
And another year begins! Taking pictures in temples always feels a little wierd but people don't seem to mind, for the most part. And if they do, they usually make it known.
Is is ever difficult for you to have to kind of split yourself between your family, your boyfriend, and his family? Dynamics of gay relationships as they relate to the families is quite interesting and sometimes a challenge.
ah, new year, new colours ... me likes.
Happy Ox
Happy New Year, Matt...sorry its late. I've been horrible about keeping up with posts lately. Thanks so much for posting this...and I love your photos!
@curry69curry - yeah, it's a popular temple - one of the larger ones. But the other one was busier (all indoors).
@Wangium - Happy New Year to you too Jason! There's 2 large temples that I know of. This one is on Bayview and Hwy 7. The other one is in the suburbs on the west end of the city.
@ZSA_MD - thank you. It was fun but I was very tired afterwards and had to take a nap.
@Renatojr3 - you got that right! Now where did I put your red pouch?
@JonasApproved - actually I never went to temples until I met my bf. My family just had a dinner. For the first few years in Canada, it was just business as usual for us.
@Fatcat723 - thank you - it was busy and tiring. I just wished I got a chance to play with the kids.
@Dezinerdreams - Happy New Year to you too. I hope work will go well too.
@kunhuo42 - I'm sure your grandfather prayed for all of you. It's interesting he went to a Japanese temple too. I actually didn't go to any temples here until I met my bf.
@inchyguy - you are good. Yep, we went to both of those temples.
@christao408 - I tried not to take close ups of people worshipping although those probably would be more interesting. It can get a bit tricky trying to balance family events. We try to influence schedules where possible but when there are many people involved, it's not easy.
@AppsScraps - thank you, I see you had a celebration too. I'm trying to find a better theme that isn't too narrow. I just see wasted space.
@macphoto - thank you and it's never too late. Happy New Year to you too. I know what you mean about keeping up with the subscriptions and comments. It's so easy to fall behind.
Comments are closed.