After receiving a lot of forwarded SMS regarding Dong Zhi. Most of it came from Sing Wooi and Shiau Fei, i've received one from Qi as well. The correct translation is actually Winter Solstice (according to TheStar today).

During this day, children will be having fun rolling Tang Yuan (glutinous rice flour balls) in preparation for the festival. It's the time when most of the people will be coming back to their home town for a family reunion during the festival. Tang Yuan is usually colored, and made at home. The whole family come together to make rice balls which were symbolic of fullness and being together.

But in the recent society when everyone is busy for all sorts of excuses... there are ready made packets sold in the local supermarkets. Presonally i prefer to eat those which are made by my grandma when i was still small. Other then the normal sugar soup, i've tried those riceballs in brown sugar with sesame seeds, which i took it in my 梁 association. I tend to missed the festive since i come to Melaka.

Anyway, thanks to Marimo Mui Mui and Corn Yok Mei, me and my friends are glad to have a bowl of Tang Yuan. Too bad there's not enough for SengKuang anymore. Those riceballs with fillings remind me of the one KhaiLing made for my housemates last year. It's only when i'm in melaka that i've eat Tang Yuan with fillings. It's a bit different and need some getting used to.

p/s: Some misc facts of Dong Zhi

The festival marks the start of a 15 day season in China when day is longer than night in mid-winter. During the old days, the people in China used to consider the festival as the beginning of a new season and New Year, when longer sunshine meant more brightness and postive energy.

When i was young i was told that after eating Tang Yuan we get one year older. I guess that means Happy Birthday to practically everyone!!! It's weird how old people bluff, we get one year older during CNY, Chinese Bday,English Bday, Winter Solstice, and the turn of New Year. One year a person is "5 year older"??? Funny thinking...if that's the case we are dogs and cats already