-'- Rhythm of my life -'-: The Festival Of Lights

I'm a quarter Indian and every year I celebrate Deepavali. Come to think about it, I celebrate Chinese New Year & Deepavali at home, Hari Raya at my uncle's and close friends, and Christmas at my aunties. Memang muhibbah ni. So proud to be a Malaysian!

Anyway, this year I didn't have the chance to celebrate Deepavali with my family. And I felt quite sad that I'm away from home. No family and friends around to celebrate, no nice Indian food, no angpao. I miss home :(

Yesterday, I was talking to one of my flatmate, Eric and I told him that it was Deepavali. He asked me, "what is that? A holiday?" Lol. These Ang Mohs. Anyway, I told him it was an Indian festival and he went to search about it online. Based on the website he searched, he decided to give me a little surprise to cheer me up since I didn't have the chance to celebrate Deepavali here. I was doing my assignment (yes, I'm that hardworking. Believe it) and someone came knocking on my room door. I opened my door and Eric was standing there with

a bouquet of flowers,
bowing and wishing me HAPPY DEEPAVALI.

These flowers come with flower food, and I don't know what's the purpose. Maybe, I'm supposed to feed the flower everyday? Like membaja?

Then he asked me to follow him to the kitchen and I saw it was all dark. When I stepped into the kitchen, I saw

Candles

Of cz the candles were light up la kan? I just didn't have my camera with me at that moment. According to Eric, he purposely went and get the 'Deepavali Leaf' shaped clay lamps so that the Deepavali feel is there (Festival of Lights ma).

Next to the candles, there were

a box of chocolate (excuse the empty spaces, I ate it :p) and a card

All that was just to cheer me up and celebrate Deepavali with me. That was so sweet. He even made me a cup of 'chai' tea (an Indian tea according to Eric). I told him that I've celebrated Deepavali for 19 years, and this is the first time I celebrated it with candles and flowers, Indian tea and chocolates! My family usually celebrate it the modern way. Candles are replaced with lights, flowers are replaced with plastic flowers, Indian tea with soft drinks & juices and chocolate with sweets.

It was really nice and thoughtful of him to put in all the effort and spend those POUNDS on me although we aren't that close. Well, I guess it's the Ang Moh's style to be friendly and nice. My ONE & ONLY Deepavali abroad, and it was not that bad after all (minus the good food, that is).

Happy Deepavali people. Enjoy the Festival of Lights!