Set It Off - Jan. 27, 2009

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Hearing lil' explosions and seeing flecks of color throughout Chao Zhou's night sky feels so festive. Although, it's a small town, it's alive. People gather in public squares, in their homes, and on the streets just to hang out. Some set off their own fireworks.

We're setting off fireworks on Jack's rooftop. What a way to bring in the new year! The fuses are incredibly short. I'm in a hurry to fling these babies away from me as soon as their lit.

Had to go through a maze of alleys that led to a tiny candy shop in order to find and buy the fireworks. On the way, we passed by Jack's elementary school. Am feelin' very grateful to see the town in which Jack and Luya grew up in. I get to see little snippets of their past. It's deep.

"Kong Min Deng," paper lanterns, float in the night sky. At first, I thought they were hot air balloons with people in them. I guess they're not that big. These lanterns are named after Zhu Ge Lian, a famous war hero in China's classical literature, who is known for his composure and strategic know-how. For the Cliff Notes version, just watch the movies "Red Cliff 1 & 2." I am now a big admirer of Zhu Ge Lian - hot actor or magnificient strategist?

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