Public Spark

March 3 of every year is Girl’s day in the Japanese culture and May 5th of every year is boy’s day, also known as Children’s Day. It used to be called Tango no sekku (meaning feast of the banners). On girl’s day the doll’s are displayed, but on Children’s day the carp-shaped Koinobori flags are displayed, as pictured below.

My family never had boys so we didn’t celebrate much of this. However, it was an excuse for us to eat Kashiwa mochi (which are mochi rice cakes wrapped in Kashiwa (oak) leaves.

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Although I was born and raised in America, my parents have kept me in touch with my Japanese culture. One of the Japanese holidays we celebrate is Hinamatsuri (Girl’s day), also known as momo-no-sekku (festival of peach blossoms) on March 3rd. There are several components to this festival.

• Display

  Before March 3rd, we put out a display of dolls called the Hina Ningyo on red platforms, as pictured below. The two dolls on the top platforms are replicas of the ancient emperor and empress. On the lower platforms are the subordinates. There are many different kinds of displays and this is just one style. Legend has it that if it this display is not put away after March 3rd, the single daughter can never get married.

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Valentines day can hold very different meanings for everyone. Wikipedia has an interesting entry on the history of Valentine’s Day.

For me, it has changed over the years. When I was a child, it was a fun holiday where I would hand out cards and candy to my friends. It was a day where I gave my parents a hand-made “I love you card.” As I got older, it was no longer the cute cards, but more the dating scene or couples scene. I was single for a long time, so I spent Valentines day wishing my friends and family happy v-day. I thought that it would be a more significant deal once I started dating.

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Happy 2008 everyone! Hope this year will be filled with much happiness and prosperity for you. How do you start off the first day of 2008?
These are ways that I kick off the new year.

• Japanese style:

  I enjoy helping my parents prepare the osechi ryori (new years food). This is comprised of many ingredients, each symbolizing good health, good harvest, happiness, and nature. My job mostly entails packing them in a jubako (which is a 3 layered lacquered box)- as pictured here:

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Hope all of my readers are enjoying the last day of 2007. As I countdown to 2008, there are several things that I do to welcome the new year.

1. Refection

   New Year’s Eve is a good time for me to reflect upon the past year. If I were to sum up 2007 in one word, it would be “transition.” The transitional events included my graduation, Hawaiian traveling adventure, attending several friends’ weddings and starting Public Spark. If you were to sum up your year, what has it been like?

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It is Christmas time again, which holds different meanings for everyone. Some may not even celebrate Christmas, while for others it may be one of the most exciting holidays of the year. Whatever it may be, hope you are enjoying a nice day.

For me, I fall into the latter category. Christmas is one of the most exciting holidays, since it has always been big for my family and friends. It occurs in many preparatory phases.

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Happy Thanksgiving everyone! What is your typical Thanksgiving day? For me, it is spending time with family and friends, cooking turkey or roast beef and having a feast. It is also a time for me to reflect on some of the aspects of my life I am most grateful for.

1. To be surrounded by caring people

   I am fortunate to have a support system of caring family members and friends. Life can be stressful or overwhelming so it is a great strength to have people that bring stability and balance to my life.

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Whether it be shopping for Thanksgiving goodies or Christmas presents, holiday shopping can be fun, but can also be overwhelming. The malls transform into an atmosphere filled with many products strategically placed to attract maximum shoppers and even the internet world is constantly luring more customers. The following are 10 ways to ease into the holiday shopping season.

1. Budget!

   Perhaps this is one of the most important aspects in reducing stress for me. Holidays are a time when I tend to spend more money. However, it is important to stay within the means and there are many ways to do it and still be thoughtful.

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Halloween Graphics

Just wanted to wish everyone a fun and happy halloween. A typical halloween celebration for me is hanging out with my friends, going back home to help pass out candy, and pumpkin carving. Last year my boyfriend and I did a detailed carving of a pumpkin for the first time with the help of our close friends. Below is our masterpieces!

I would love to learn about how you spend your halloween!

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Halloween Logo Maker

Happy Halloween everyone! For some it’s just another day, but for others it might be a fun time to go partying or taking the kids out to trick or treat. Or you might be the person handing out candies. Here are some fun facts to think about while you celebrate the day your own style:

1. Halloween originated under the name “Samhain” as a Pagan festival among the Celts of Ireland and Great Britain. This was the end of summer feast, where the dead was believed to visit the mortal world, and large communal bonfires would be lit to ward off evil spirits.

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