Part C: Compare & Contrast Against Partner

Finally, got most of part C done.

Part C i) Aaron & Joshua
Research on Festival(CNY)


Chinese New Year starts on the first day of the new year containing a new moon (some sources include New Year's Eve) and ends on the Lantern Festival fourteen days later. This occurs around the time of the full moon as each lunation is about 29.53 days in duration.
According to legend, in ancient China, the Nián was a man-eating beast from the mountains (in other versions from under the sea), which came out every 12 months somewhere close to winter to prey on humans. The people later believed that the Nian was sensitive to loud noises and the colour red, so they scared it away with explosions, fireworks and the liberal use of the colour red. These customs led to the first New Year celebrations. Guò nián , which means to celebrate the new year, literally means the passover of the Nian. Chinese New Year is observed as a public holiday in a number of countries and territories where a sizable Chinese population resides. The Chinese New Year celebrations are marked by visits to kin, relatives and friends, a practice known as "new-year visits". New clothing are usually worn to signify a new year. The colour red is liberally used in all decorations. Red packets are given to juniors and children by the married and elders.

Aaron:
Interesting details/ My opinions (By Aaron on how Joshua celebrated CNY)

Suprisingly, Joshua finds CNY boring. He had time to kill on CNY eve! New Year Eve was pretty hectic for me and I did not have so much time on my hands. How lucky can some people get?! I enjoyed helping my parents with the house keeping, though. The ruenion dinner he had was also quite different than mine. While we went to a restuarant for a sumptous feast, he went to his neighbours for some steam boat. Then again, the price of food doesn't matter, its the quality that counts. Im glad he enjoyed his reunion dinner. Again, visiting his relatives are pretty different, too. Because of the issue his father had with his uncles and aunts, he doesn't get to see his cousins much. I hope he is able to meet up with his cousins once in a while. The next day of chinese new year was more fun for him, because he got to spend time with his friends. It was'nt so fun for me, because not many of my friends came to visit. Im happy that he could bond with his family more during this festival.


Joshua:
Interesting details/ My opinions (By Joshua on how Aaron celebrated CNY)

Looks like Aaron had quite a busy CNY. It sounds like a typical CNY, with all the preparation and housekeeping. His family even painted the door during CNY. I wouldn't paint my door red for CNY, cause I think its just a superstition. He must have enjoyed the ruenion dinner on CNY eve. Unlike him, I don't really enjoy spending the Chinese New Year at my grandparent's house. Its kinda boring there. He must have been really happy getting those red packets from his parents, I recieved only $20...
Same as Aaron, I stayed up late on CNY too, but it was only because my parents allowed me to. Too bad not many of his friends came over the next day. At least he was able to visit Chinatown. He must have enjoyed the holiday alot.

Part C ii) Ming Hui & Akhil
Research on Festival(CNY &DEEPAVALI/DEEPAWALI)


Diwali, or Deepawali, is a major Indian and Nepalese festive holiday, 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 Light," where the lights or lamps signify victory of good over the evil within every human being.Many legends are associated with Diwali. Today it is celebrated by Hindus, Jains and Sikhs across the globe as the "Festival of Light," 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. According to another theory it may have originated as a harvest festival, marking the last harvest of the year before winter. In an agrarian society this results in businessmen closing accounts, and beginning a new accounting year. The deity of wealth in Hinduism, Goddess Lakshmi is therefore thanked on this day and everyone prays for a good year ahead. This is the common factor in Diwali celebrations all over the Indian subcontinent.

Chinese New Year or Spring Festival is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays. It is sometimes called the Lunar New Year, especially by people outside China.

On the day of Diwali, many wear new clothes and share sweets and snacks. Some North Indian business communities start their financial year on Diwali and new account books are opened on this day.

Chinese New Year is observed as a public holiday in Singapore as it is a Multi-racial society. Deepawali is also a public holiday for the same reason.

Ming Hui:
Interesting details/ My opinions (By Ming Hui on how Akhil celebrated Deepavali)

Deepavali is alike to CNY in many ways. For example, during CNY, we believe that the colour red and loud noises chase bad luck away. This is similar to deepavali, where people light lamps to scare away evil spirits. We bond together with our families during these festivals too.

Akhil
Interesting details/ My opinions (By Ahkil on how Ming Hui celebrated CNY)

Chinese New Year is very much like deepavali. As what Ming Hui said, it is just a different way of celebration. I am surprised Ming Hui wanted to go to school on new years eve! Even if it was a half day, I would grudgingly go to school. I am glad that MH's grandmother is alive and well. I do wish I could recieve red packets on Deepavali too, though.