04-05-04

Hello all-

Well, I guess I should start out this email by explaining that my family is Chinese-Thai. Chinese-Thais are very proud of their heritage and celebrate most everything the Chinese do, and everything the Thais do.

So yesterday (April 3), I went out to the graves of my great-grandparents with all of my father's side of the family. We left the house at 6:30 AM-- wow, as we know, I’m not a morning person... and leaving the house at 6:30 is pretty early even for a morning person.... but in any case I jumped in the car with my aunt, uncle, cousin, and grandmother and headed out to the gravesites... the whole cemetery was FILLED with people. Every grave had families at it... You could tell the difference between Chinese and Japanese graves by the way they were decorated... there were only about 2 Japanese graves that I saw....

The first thing we did was unload a truckload of food and drinks and "wai" (to "wai" is to do the Thai respectful bow) them to the ancestors. My sister called this the day when we would "appease our ancestors." Then we decorate the graves with bright colored streamers and flowers for good luck. Then they lit incense and prayed to the ancestors... the we sat around for about 2 1/2 hours (I was in a skirt, so I had to sit Thai princess style) and talked with the visiting family. The we set off a bunch of fireworks... I’m not sure what that was for... I think that's just for fun...but I’m not sure...

Then the adults decided it was too hot to eat outside so they decided to come home to our house and eat brunch instead of eating at the graves. So we came home and ate a HUGE FEAST... I played with my little cousins. They're so cute! Although I will admit, some were VERY bratty Chinese kids... See, my family is very wealthy, and some little kids' personalities don't handle being spoiled very well....lol... okay.. well, that's about it... I hope to hear from you guys soon!

love,

Kati