Chap Goh Meh

today is the 15th day of the chinese new year celebration of the fire pig year 2007 otherwise known as chap goh meh amongst hokkiens and chinese alike.

some single people take this day to throw mandarin oranges into rivers or lakes or water containment areas (maybe small swimming pool) in hope of finding their other halves. the girls will write their names and contact details on the oranges and throw them into the water whilst the guys will pick oranges from the water - malaysian way of match-making! in china, there will be lantern displays with riddles - the person who is able to decipher the riddles will be matched with the person who posed the riddle! this is the olden way of match-making!

today is also the last day of hardcore gambling sessions throught the 15 days of chinese new year! yes chinese people love their gambling - anything for chance or risk is good for the heart! i had a streak of 8 days straight of mahjong, blackjack, texas hold 'em and other forms of card games involving the bartering of money ... some good luck some bad luck, came and gone ... i think i'm still in the red :( oh well till next year then!