03 October 2006

Over the Moon

Lantern 2

I believe that I have gobbled down the equivalent of four whole mooncakes in just the past one week. It’ll probably be five before the week is up at the rate mooncakes are being shoved in my face.

First there was the tasting spree at City Square (JB) last weekend, and then there were the eight that we bought up to now, and then came the cakes donated by suppliers that screams at me every day during afternoon tea time at the office. Well it’s just barely a week away, mid-autumn that is. There’s money to be made, and hotels, bakeries, eating houses and even credit cards are pulling out all the stops to ensure that they make a tidy profit from our sudden obsession for these sugary treat.

Anyway back in the days when mooncake variety means with or without egg yolk, or with nuts, there was a real buzz and excitement whenever mid-autumn approaches. About a week away from the actual day, my sister and I would take out the old lanterns from the back cupboard. There were the familiar multi-coloured folded ones and the animal themed glass-paper ones. Then as night approaches, we will take out the candles and sticks to prepare for our night walk. For that one week, we and our closest neighbourhood friends will prowl the housing estate with our lighted toys, reveling in the festive atmosphere accentuated by the many houses decorated by lively lanterns and the other roving lantern gangs like us.

Well, it’s just mooncakes now that I have grown out of lanterns. Just got to fit in more jogging sessions to counter the effect of those sweet fattening pastries.

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