Deliciously Me
Putting the 'licious' in everything
Archive for the ‘facts’ Category
Today’s blog is all on teacher’s day,- why there’s this day; how to show your appreciation to them and do all countries celebrate teacher day on the same day?
And so I did some research on this and I can’t wait to share them with you guys. 
The origins of National Teacher Day are different from other countries. Some based on some powerful fella’s birthday, some based on government policies and so on. In some countries, this day was deemed as holidays while others, teachers are celebrated during working days.
And no – not all countries celebrate teacher’s day on the same day. Malaysian celebrates teacher’s day on 16th May, the rest celebrates on other day! India, for example, they celebrate on September 5th. It was the birthday of the second President of India, an academic philosopher Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan. On this day, both teachers and students attend school like usual, but they do activities of celebration, thanks and remembrance. I found out that some school in India, the responsibility of teaching is taken up by the senior students on this day as an appreciation for their teachers. Wow!
As for Turkey, they celebrate on November 24th. It started with Mustafa Kemal Atatürk (an army officer, revolutionary statesman, and founder of the Republic of Turkey as well as its first President) thought and stated that new generation will be created by teachers. So he sorts of like the founder of education in Turkey too as adopted a new alphabet for his republic. Cool hor?
In Taiwan, they initially celebrated on August 27th, but then changed to September 28th due to some calenders mia problem. In short, they’re celebrating on Confucius’s birthdate la. Swt.
Their celebration is considered a festival as it begins with drum beats, dances (led by Confucius’s chief descendant) and sacrificial of 3 animals – the cow, goat and pig. This celebration is known as the “Grand Ceremony Dedicated to Confucius” (祭孔大典). Not only that, local education institutes and civil offices award certain teachers for their excellence and positive influence.
Want to know why Malaysia celebrates on May 16? That’s because in the same month in 1956, the Federal Legislative Council of the Malay States had received several suggestions (documents) from the Education Committee regarding Teachers’ Day as the base of education in Malaysia. The document, known as the Razak Report, has become the foundation of education in Malaysia ever since. Although it is not an official school holiday, celebrations are usually held on May 16, or earlier, if it falls on a Saturday or Sunday.
SO NOW YOU KNOW! HAHA!
How to show gratitude and appreciation to teachers?
Well, should I need to say anymore? The easiest will be buying a Thank You card, scribble some thoughtful words and give to them. If you really to show it in a LOUD way, then create a wall of fame for teachers where you can post quotes from students, parents, and principals on the special contributions of each teacher. Or do some banners, posters, small yet memoriable gifts or certificate of appreciation to them.
Although most of us don’t really say thank you and honour teachers due to some lousy teachers around, but if you look carefully, there are handful of great teachers with great determination and enthusiasm that need to be thanked and honoured! So for those lousy-labeled-teachers, I strongly believe that they’re not that bad. In my opinion, it’s either their technique is wrong or they’re not good at conveying or passing the knowledge to the students.
To all teachers who had taught me since I was young till now, I want to THANK you all for your wonderful knowledges that you’ve gave me. (Though most of them I’ve gave them back d. Haha!)
*info from Wikipedia and various site..
A quick history lesson…it’s funny…Long and I were only just watching program last night on SBS or ABC which explained the origins of some words/phrases.
The next time you are washing your hands and complain because the water temperature isn’t just how you like it, think about how things used to be. Here are some facts about the1500s: These are interesting…
Most people got married in June because they took their yearly bath in May, and still smelled pretty good by June. However, they were starting to smell, so brides carried a bouquet of flowers to hide the body odor. Hence the custom today of carrying a bouquet when getting married.
Baths consisted of a big tub filled with hot water. The man of the house had the privilege of the nice clean water, then all the other sons and men, then the women and finally the children. Last of all the babies. By then the water was so dirty you could actually lose someone in it.Hence the saying, Don’t throw the baby out with the Bath water..
Houses had thatched roofs-thick straw-piled high, with no wood underneath. It was the only place for animals to get warm, so all the cats and other small animals (mice, bugs) lived in the roof. When it rained it became slippery and sometimes the animals would slip and fall off the roof. Hence the saying – “It’s raining cats and dogs.”
There was nothing to stop things from falling into the house. This posed a real problem in the bedroom where bugs and other droppings could mess up your nice clean bed. Hence, a bed with big posts and a sheet hung over the top afforded some protection. That’s how canopy beds came into existence.
The floor was dirt. Only the wealthy had something other than dirt. Hence the saying, Dirt poor. The wealthy had slate floors that would get slippery in the winter when wet, so they spread thresh (straw) on floor to help keep their footing. As the winter wore on, they added more thresh until, when you opened the door, it would all start slipping outside. A piece of wood was placed in the entrance way. Hence the saying ‘a thresh hold.’
(Getting quite an education, aren’t you?)
In those old days, they cooked in the kitchen with a big kettle that always hung over the fire. Every day they lit the fire and added things to the pot. They ate mostly vegetables and did not get much meat. They would eat the stew for dinner, leaving leftovers in the pot to get cold overnight and then start over the next day. Sometimes stew had food in it that had been there for quite a while. Hence the rhyme, “Peas porridge hot, peas porridge cold, peas porridge in the pot nine days old..”
Sometimes they could obtain pork, which made them feel quite special. When visitors came over, they would hang up their bacon to show off. It was a sign of wealth that a man could bring home the bacon. They would cut off a little to share with guests and would all sit around and chew the fat..
Those with money had plates made of pewter. Food with high acid content caused some of the lead to leach onto the food, causing lead poisoning death. This happened most often with tomatoes, so for the next 400 years or so, tomatoes were considered poisonous.
Bread was divided according to status. Workers got the burnt bottom of the loaf, the family got the middle, and guests got the top, or the upper crust.
Lead cups were used to drink ale or whiskey. The combination would sometimes knock the imbibers out for a couple of days. Someone walking along the road would take them for dead and prepare them for burial. They were laid out on the kitchen table for a couple of days and the family would gather around and eat and drink and wait and see if they would wake up. Hence the custom of ‘holding a wake.’
England is old and small and the local folks started running out of places to bury people. So they would dig up coffins and would take the bones to a bone-house, and reuse the grave. When reopening these coffins, 1 out of 25 coffins were found to have scratch marks on the inside and they realized they had been burying people alive. So they would tie a string on the wrist of the corpse, thread it through the coffin and up through the ground and tie it to a bell. Someone would have to sit out in the graveyard all night (the graveyard shift) to listen for the bell; thus, ‘someone could be saved by the bell’ or ‘was considered a dead ringer.’
And that’s the truth…Now, whoever said History was boring ! ! !
I LOVE CHEONGSAM..
Actually i love anything clothes with Mandarin collar. Don’t ask me why, i just LOVE it. Haha..
I do own a cheongsam, but mine is those kiddies type one. That means VERY LOOSE and doesnt show my body curve type. Been looking for a fitting one for myself, but the readymade might not suit me.. If tailormade it, then the price would be a problem. *sigh..
Okay, enough of my cheongsam fettish, today im gonna blog on Cheongsam. Most of Chinese ladies, even myself doesnt know the story behind cheongsam, the way of wearing it and etc2.. But after reading the content below, you’ll KNOW more bout cheongsam d. Haha.
Now, what’s Cheongsam.. and the origin and evolution of cheongsam..
Cheongsam also known as Qipao is the classic dress for Chinese women which combines the elegance of Chinese tradition with unique elements of style. The high-necked, closed-collar Qipao/Cheongsam, with a loose chest, fitting waist, and the attractive slits, is one of the most versatile costumes in the world. It can be long or short, some with full, medium, short or even sleeveless – to suit different occasions, weather and individual tastes.
Cheongsam displays all women’s modesty, softness and beauty. Like Chinese women’s temperament, cheongsam is elegant and gentle, its long-standing elegance and serenity makes wearers fascinating. Mature women in Cheongsam can display their graceful refined manner. A cheongsam almost varies with a woman’s figure.
What serves as a worthy testament to the beauty of cheongsam is, however does not require the wearer to pep up the look with accessories like scarves and belts. Designed to show off the natural softness of the female form, it also creates the illusion of slender legs. The overall picture – practical, yet sexy.
Because of its particular charm cheongsam is like a wonderful flower in the Chinese colorful fashion scene. Another beauty of cheongsam is that it is made of different materials and can be worn either on casual or formal occasions.
In either case, cheongsam creates an impression of simple and quiet charm, elegance and attraction. With distinctive Chinese features cheongsam enjoys a growing popularity in the international world of high fashion.
Now on the history and legend of CheongSam. This close－fitting dress with a high neck and the slits on the sides, comes from China’s Manchu Nationality.
There was a legend that a young fisherwoman lived by the Jingbo Lake. She was not only beautiful, but also clever and skillful. But when she went fishing, she often felt hindered by her long and loose fitting dress. Then an idea struck her: why not make a more practical dress for work？ She got down to sewing and produced a long multi－looped－button gown with slits, which enabled her to tuck in the front piece of her dress, thus making her job much easier.
As a fisherwoman, she never dreamed that a fortune would befall on her. The young emperor who ruled China at that time had a dream one night. In the dream, his dead father told him that a lovely fisherwoman in Qipao by the Jingbo Lake would become his queen. After awakening from his deep sleep, the emperor sent his men to look for her. They found her and soon she became the queen, bringing her Cheongsam with her. Manchu women all followed suit and soon the Qipao became popular.
This story is indeed doubtful but for sure cheongsam came from the Manchus who grew out of ancient Nuzhen tribes. In the early 17th century, Nurhachi, a great political and military strategist, unified the various Nuzhen tribes and set up the Eight Banners System. Over the years, a collarless, tube－shaped gown was developed, which was worn by both men and women. That is the embryo of the Qipao. The dress is called Qipao in Chinese or translated as “banner gown”, for it came from the people who lived under the Banner System.
The Qipao became popular among ladies of the royal family in the Qing Dynasty. At that time, Qipaos were fitted loosely and were so long that they would reach the insteps. Usually, they were made of silk and the whole dress was embroidered, with broad lace trimmed at the collar, sleeves and edges.
In the 1920s, Qipao/Cheongsam became popular throughout China. With the influence of Western dress styles, the Cheongsam underwent a change. The cuffs grew narrower and were usually trimmed with thin lace. The length of the dress was shortened as well. This new adaptation allowed the beauty of female body to be fully displayed.
Wearing a Qipao/Cheongsam became a trend among women in the whole of China in 1930s. Various styles existed during this period. Some were short, some were long, with low, high or even no collars at all. Then starting from the 1940s, cheongsams became closer-fitting and more practical. In summer, women wore sleeveless dresses. Qipaos of this period were seldom adorned with patterns. The Qipao became standard female attire until the 1960s.
Following Western fashion, the tailors raised the hem, even to above the knee, so that the “long” was long no longer. In the West, during the sexual revolution of the 1960s the style was deemed something oppressive, like the Victorian bodice. In Western popular culture, the qipao became synonymous with the 1960 movie character Suzie Wong and the sexual objectification of women.
Today, with its variety of styles, the Qipao shows its charm at many markets. More and more women in China appreciate its beauty. For instance, when wives of China’s diplomats attend important social gatherings, the Qipao is their first choice among dresses. In fact, quite a number of influential people have suggested that Qipao should become the national dress for women in China. This shows that the Cheongsam remains a vibrant part of Chinese culture.
Wearing a Qipao nowadays has turned into something of a vogue, both at home and abroad.
Due to its elegance and classical looks the Qipao becomes a source of inspiration for fashion designers. World-renowned brands like CD, Versace, and Ralph Lauren have all cited some Qipao elements in their designs. Many foreign women are eager to get themselves a Qipao should they visit China. Qipao is no longer a garment particular to Chinese women, but is adding to the vocabulary of beauty for women the world over.
Cheongsam is designed to flatter the feminine body. But not everyone has the figure of a model. How then should we choose a cheongsam that would accentuate our assets and hide our flaws? Read the following guidelines to help you make the right choice.
For short women, avoid boxy cuts with shoulder pads as they weigh you down. A ‘too’ long dress will also have the reverse effect and make you look shorter. Women with broad shoulders should avoid shoulder pads as they will make them look top-heavy. Opt for softer fabrics like silk to soften the silhouette instead.
Skinny women can go for brocade which can give more form and curves to their body structure. A brocade is a heavy silk fabric with a raised design on it, often sewn on with gold or silver threads. For those with flabby arms, choose a cheongsam with three-quarter sleeves to hide the excess flesh.<
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Women with short necks should pick a cheongsam with a lower collar so make the neck look longer. On the other hand, women with longer necks can look stunning in a Qipao cut with a high collar.
For those who are disproportionate in shape – with either a heavy top or a heavy bottom, wear the 2-pieces-cheongsam. Top-heavy women should avoid big, contrasting prints on the Qipao top. It’s best to choose a simple one-colour top. Whereas for women with large bottoms, a straight-cut skirt with a side slit will be ideal for them.
What types of cheongsam to wear for certain weather and occasion? Your question will be answered below.
As for daily casual wear as in summer, choose thin fabrics such as pure cotton delaine printed with little flowers, sack and yarn cloth, silk, and poplin. Whereas in spring and winter, choose the chemical fiber or blended cloth like gleaming silk and thinner woolen cloth.
As for formal affairs like ceremonies or performances, select pure silk crape de Chine, thin silk, which are soft, light and cool since it won’t stick to your body if you’re wearing it in summer. Whereas for spring and winter, satin and velour are the best – tapis, treasures, crape and spun gold damask.
The whole appearance of a person – ie. the hairstyle, jewelries, stockings, and shoes should match to the design and colour of the Qipao/Cheongsam and should be presented as an unit.
We noticed that there are few motives sewn on the cheongsam right? The peony, chrysanthemun, dragon, etc2 motives.. But why we need the motives? Does they mean anything?
Peony is a very common design for ladies’ clothing. The Chinese loves peony since > 5000 years ago and it is said to be the most favoured flower in China. That’s why peony was choosed as Chinese National Flower. Peony symbolizes richness and prosperity.
As for Lotus, the Chinese loves the flower too. In Tibet Lotus is regarded as sacred flower as it symbolises purity and holiness. Therefore it is worshiped by the Tibetan. In Chinese’s culture, there is a legend about Lotus Fairy – an outstanding beautiful and charming lady who always help people. To the Chinese, lotus symbolizes beauty and purity. It’s not surprise to see lotus on most Chinese’s clothing.
As for Chrysanthemum, it symbolizes longevity. Therefore Chrysanthemum is another frequently used motive on Chinese clothes for ladies.
In ancient Chinese culture, the fish is a symbol for prosperity. The pronunciation of the corresponding Chinese character “Yu” sounds prosperity. Often the fish motive found on Chinese clothes as to express someones wish for a future full of prosperity.
The (male) dragon is a frequently used motive on clothes of the Chinese. Dragon symbolizes “Supreme Power” but it doesnt mean that only the Chinese emperor can wear the dragon motives. A facing out head of the dragon marked the initiation of the tradition for the emperor, while the most favoured courtiers wore dragons that faced the onlooker. Other noblemen and officials wore profile dragons.
The (female) phoenix was a frequently used motive on Chinese ladies’ clothing within the imperial family. Normally the Empress wore Dragon designs while the Phoenix was worn by imperial concubines, wives of princes and princesses. Other important ladies like wives of dukes, marquises, earls, and first- and second-rank officials wore tartar pheasants motives. The peacock was the motive for wives of third- and fourth-rank officials. The mandarin duck design was for wives of fifth-rank officials. The paradise flycatcher was used as motive for the wives of sixth- and seventh- rank officials. All these are symbols of beauty and purity.
There are other typical motives on Chinese dresses, ie the Happiness Motif, the Longevity Motif, the Five Blessing Motif, Cherry Blossom, and more. But that were not elaborated. 
Lastly on how to take care of cheongsam.
As we know, the high quality cheongsam are made of good, but sensitive fabrics. So need to be careful in handling them. Stains can be difficult to remove and therefore should try to avoid those stain. One should avoid fabric coming in contact with rough or sharp objects, which can hook the fine weave and cause dulling or frayed threads. Rolling the sleeves up can cause creasing and stretching.
Most cheongsam should be hand-washed or dry cleaned. Dry cleaning is recommended, since laundering detergent and dyes in other clothes may affect fabric adversely. When washing a Chinese dress, always avoid strong detergents and gently wash by hand if possible. Chlorine bleach should NEVER be used.
Ironing is fine regardless of fabric, but a white damp cloth should be placed between the iron and the dress to avoid softening and color change. After washing and/or ironing, hang it (preferably in a well-ventilated area) to cool and dry fully before storing. Fabric can also be allowed to dry on a white towel.
As for silk cheongsam, gently hand-wash with neutral detergent. Dont hang under the sun. It is best to iron when almost dry, using a white cloth under the iron. While ironing, higher heat can be used but avoid squirting water on fabric as it may leave water marks. It’s best to dry clean brocade satin. If it is a bright-coloured fabric, the ironing temperature should be lowered moderately.
To store a cheongsam, hung it on wide hanger instead of folding it. So if want keep it for long, make sure that it is hung up on rack, and ensure that the shoulder is crutched properly.
Well, i hope you’ll have enough of Cheongsam. Go get yourself a cheongsam today. Look for the right ones. Regardless of what races you are, you should get a cheongsam as it potrays the feminine side of you.
information curtesy of Qipao Cheongsam
