Finally understood the 'Hallow' in "Halloween"

Since young, I have always thought that Halloween was some pagan American creation meant to amuse the kids. Until recently, I learnt that it is not from a friend.

As explained by my friend while he was attending mass in church, Halloween has the word "hallow" which is old form for "Holy". It is celebrated on 31 Oct for a good reason -- it is the eve of "All Saints' Day" which Catholics celebrate as a Day of Obligation (compulsory to attend mass, in plain speak). And that's how the Halloween's origins came about.

Apparently, the old celebration of All Saints' Day was known as "Holy Martyrs' Day". It attracted believers in the early church to go on a pilgrimage to the tombs and catacombs of the early church martyrs. Arriving early, (31 Oct) they decided to amuse themselves, and hid in the tombs and scare their fellow pilgrims with their disguise and "whoooo!" calls. Since it is the eve of All Saints' Day, the called it "Halloween", meaning "Holy Eve".

Of course now the day is commercialised, much like Christmas without the "Christ". (Incidentally "Christmas means Christ's mass).

It sure took me 29 years to realise the true meaning to Hallow (hope it did not take you that long to realise this)

Take a number - At your own risk!!

Once awhile, everybody loves to complain, make some noise..you know. We complain about our work, lovers, friends, blar blar blar.....

Have you ever wonder what it will feel like to receive mountains and mountains of complaints everyday?

Here's a good solution which a complaint department has came up with. Effective? Well, it's up to you folks to decide.

Complaint Department - Take a number at your own risk!!

Who says meetings cannot be interesting?

Who says that meetings can be boring and unproductive? Not if you interpret it in a different way.

Monday Humor

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxIJ9swGFUQ

This is indeed funny. Do check it out.

Shanghai Qi Pu Lu - Amazing!

Yours truly was in Shanghai last week. That explains why my blog was literally so quiet while I was gone (not an excuse though). While here I am back to blog about Shanghai's fascinating wholesale market. Qi Pu Lu - a huge wholesale market where lots of SH shops get their stock from and yes, their prices are unbelievable cheap. Clothes can go as low as $8 (RMB40) and bags around $5-10 (RMB50) depending on how you pit your bargaining skills with the vendors.

It's a 10-15 minutes' walk from He Nan Zhong Lu subway station. You know you are there when you see banners of small red flags hanging by the sides of the buildings which are pretty obvious. Thousands of stalls for you to comb through but do start early as they close around 5pm. The stuff are cheap (wholesale market for clothes, shoes and bags) but the environment is not very pleasant. I always feel breathless when I am shopping in the two main buildings there. Pretty packed and the ventilation system needs some serious improvement! However, when I was there during the late Oct period, apparently, the vendors were rapidly trying to reduce stock due to the forthcoming autumn season closure... this could mean deals, deals, deals if one is really willing to bargain!!! (yes, never overlook the art of bargaining as it is a skill!).