清明节，晓明的生日［2006年04月5日］

From Wiki 清明节

The Qingming Festival or Qing Ming Jie (Traditional Chinese: 清明?; Simplified Chinese: 清明节; pinyin: Qīngmíng Jié; English name used in Hong Kong: Ching Ming Festival), literally Clear and Bright (Festival), is a traditional Chinese festival on the 106th day after the winter solstice, occurring on April 4 (leap years) or April 5 (other years) of the Gregorian calendar (see Chinese calendar). Astronomically, it is also a jiéqì. Its name denotes a time for people to go outside and enjoy the greenery of springtime (踏青 Tàqīng, "treading on the greenery"), and also to tend to the graves of departed ones. It is an official public holiday in the Republic of China, as well as in the Chinese SARs (Special Administrative Regions) ? Hong Kong and Macau ? (though not in mainland China).

The holiday is also known by a number of other names in the English language:

• All Souls Day (not to be confused with the Roman Catholic holiday, All Souls Day, of the same name)
• Clear Brightness Festival
• Festival for Tending Graves
• Grave Sweeping Day
• Tomb Sweeping Day

Tomb Sweeping Day is the most common English translation and is used in several English language newspapers published in the Republic of China.

For the Chinese, it is a day to remember and honour one's ancestors. Young and old pray before the ancestors, sweep the tombs and offer food and libation to the ancestors. The rites are very important to most Chinese and especially farmers.

The April Fifth Movement and the Tiananmen Incident were major events involving Qing Ming Jie that took place in the history of the People's Republic of China. When Premier Zhou Enlai passed away in 1976, thousands visited him during the festival to pay respect. In the Republic of China, April 5th coincides with the passing of Chiang Kai-shek and the date is designated as a national holiday.

On a note, the overseas Chinese communities in Southeast Asian nations such as Singapore and Malaysia also practice this custom. However the practice is in decline in these regions.

Qingming Festival was created by Duke Wen of Jin during the Spring and Autumn period when he accidentally killed his personal friend and advisor Gai Ji (介子) and his mother in a fireblaze in the hope of making him return to Duke Wen.

Burning paper gifts for the departed.

自小就背的诗

清明时节雨纷纷，路上行人欲断魂，借问酒家何处有，路人遥知杏花村。

Current Local weather

2006年Vancouver 的清明节， 一个难得的大晴天。这里local时间的四月四号。

Also special to me

清 明节也是晓明的生日。2002年从南航毕业，之后每一年的清明节，都会给她寄去一个贺卡。 之后每一个清明节，都会给她打一个电话， 只是常常不容易打通罢了。从南航毕业以后，我就一直在澳洲念书，零四年的时候更是巧巧地在波士顿开会。所以没有一次可以相距一米之内地跟她说生日快乐。

今天也是一样，还是在地球的两端，只是换了一个方向。我说不出话来，其实拨电话之前就知道会说不出话来。 还是固执地拨了电话。 我也准备了一个贺卡，和往年一样。上面写着 Where did my time--, my memory-- go?

今年的晓明，已经嫁人了。 所以在祝愿生日快乐以后，应该是要加上一句新婚快乐的，可惜后面半句我说不出来。我希望我不是不愿意她有一个幸福美满的家庭。

于是，清明节，已经早早的成为追忆过往的一个节日， 也许本来就是这样的。

好累，继续看数学。