Deepavali: What happens when you are left astray in a foreign country with culture that can be confined to sand and surf

Deepavali, or Divali, (Markiscarali) is a major Indian festival, and a significant festival in Hinduism, Sikhism and Jainism. Many legends are associated with Diwali. Today it is celebrated by Hindus, Jains and Sikhs across the globe as the "Festival of Lights," where the lights or lamps signify victory of good over the evil within every human being. The festival is also celebrated by Buddhists of Nepal, particularly the Newar Buddhists. Hindus tend to treat and celebrate Diwali as Christians treat and celebrate Christmas. In many parts of India, it is the homecoming of King Rama of Ayodhya after a 14-year exile in the forest. The people of Ayodhya (the capital of his kingdom) welcomed Rama by lighting rows (avali) of lamps (deepa), thus its name, Deepavali. This word, in due course, became Diwali in Hindi. But, in South Indian languages, the word did not undergo any change, and hence the festival is called Deepavali in southern India. South India celebrates it as Light of Lamps that fills the dark New Moon day(Deepavoli: Deepam=Lamp, Oli=Light(Tamil)). It is also marked in parts of Southern India as the day Lord Krishna defeated the demon Narakasura. Diwali is celebrated on the first day of the lunar Kartika month, which comes in the month of October or November.

I am Hindu, though not a very devoted one. I was born Hindu, and my family practiced the basic customs I suppose, new clothes for Deepavali, lucky colour for the day, and usually a family get-to-gether to cap it all off. I never treasured this much I must say, when I was young. I mean sure, it was great that we got to get new clothes, but since I was quite the tomboy back in the day living in Malaysia, it usually meant mum trying to get me into a skirt or a dress of some sort to be paraded in front of family.

Mum would always do her sambrani thing on Fridays and I love/miss the smell. I miss the dab of thinnuru on my forehead after mum or grandma's done praying. When Thaipusam rolled around, there would be the lure of Batu Caves and I even recall the charriot coming past our house in ss2. I remember because the indian boys from school followed the charriot and discovered where I lived. Yes....

I've been in Sydney now 5 years. I guess it has always been a question in my mind .... to make a life in Sydney or to "continue" my life in Malaysia. For everyone back home, the answer is obvious, that I should stay as far away from KL as I can. The only benefit is salary I think...so working in Australia would pay you more, but you also have to spend alot more to live, so even that evens itself out. The quality of life here is very "rich". People live their lives but you need money to live it out decently. There are great activities to do, but I guess it's the asian culture that I miss. I miss sitting at the mamak and being able to sit and eat till any hour without the pressure to clear the table. Hahah. I miss cheap food, and good fun. Tacky lights and plastic chairs,

I LOVE Malaysia, and I would take offense if someone decided to go on a "I hate Malaysia" rant. It's okay if a Malaysian bitches about it because we are Malaysian and Malaysia boleh so it's like our "right". Mostly because I think your arguement has to be legit if you want to talk to me about how shit my country is. In most cases, you'd have to have lived in Malaysia for awhile to even BEGIN to "GET IT".

I think if you live in Malaysia your whole life, without ever being able to live or experience otherwise, you end up wanting to run away from it. If you have had the chance to see how other parts of the world operate, I think you end up wanting to go back to Malaysia. I dont know, it happens differently for everyone I guess. Our country is complex, and downright sexy.

Anyway, needless to say, if I was in Malaysia now, I'd have indulged in a very hectic foodfest this weekend and today. :) I want my muruku and kesari and sweets and food food glorious food! All I can do now is wait for mum to get on Skype and hear about all the amazing things she made and then ate, and if didn't eat then saw. *sigh*

Happy Deepavali to me then ey?! Yayyyyyyy