Fiesta De Quinceanera

  

Some months back I watched an interesting program called "Fiesta Quinceanera" on PBS channel. Fiesta De Quinceanera is a celebration of a girl's 15th birthday and her stepping into adulthood. There is music, food and dancing which revolve around a theme at a party. And so naturally the dress of the girl has to be very special and match the theme of her coming of age party. It is celebrated in Mexico as well as Latin communities in America and elsewhere. This event has social and religious significance. 

It was really wonderful to see the heartwarming story of this darling mother who went to lengths to make that event truly special and memorable for her daughter. How a mother celebrates her love for her daughter through this significant occasion is so endearing. Mothers in all cultures are forever so generous and giving. Mothers in any culture would do anything and make great sacrifices to see smiles on the faces of their children. The warmth and affection pouring out of every action of her mother in preparation for the lovely event touched my heart deeply and reminded me of my mother and you would certainly be reminded of the special ways your mother touches your heart too.     

A closure to childhood and welcoming adulthood is what Quinceanera symbolizes.  In sorrows and joys God is there for us and this girl's mother specially tries to restore her daughter's faith in that. I was smiling through the entire program as the interactions between the mother and daughter were so special. Their interactions were even a bit bitter at times but mostly sweet and loving each other all the way in their own way. She wants the party for her daughter that she never had. Mothers want all that they have and all that they could not have for their daughters. In this sense the mothers in all cultures are alike.

The tale of each girl covered in this program was so interesting. Another stitches the dress for her grand daughter. It goes to show that one could make any moment special even without any means. Another family is shown preparing and taking dance lessons together for this special occasion where the girl wants a fusion of both cultures as the theme of her party so as to celebrate where she came from and where she belongs now. Truly family is everything as they would do anything to make your moments special and to capture that smile on your face! 

I think in a way a mother has no nationality or religion as she identifies and recognizes herself only through her children. I feel a mother translates her existence through her children. All the mothers around the world are the same...

This program also reminded me that life is a "fiesta" even in moments of fear and uncertainty. Some of the families don't know when they will see their families because of the situations they are in and yet they put their challenges and complexities of life aside to make that particular moment special for their daughters by pouring their hearts and investing so much in the preparations for that big day. We have so many desires and dreams which can go unfulfilled but the key to make life beautiful is to celebrate moments like this.

Picture Perfect !

A beautifully and artistically designed wall that was chosen as a background for a Christmas Tree...

On my recent visit to one of the famous buildings in downtown San Francisco, I couldn't help admiring the beautiful interiors that so matched the Christmas tree standing there. Some beautiful images like this capture your heart instantly and you want to sit there for a while to admire it as it makes you feel so good.

A picture of festivity in the lobby of an office building in downtown San Francisco by Simrit Kapila

Christmas Tree at Union Square San Francisco

Downtown San Francisco by Simrit Kapila

Emeryville California

Christmas tree at Bay Street 

BAY STREET 

Bay Street is a very beautiful street lined with the most fashionable and interesting shops. There are many fine restaurants too. I particularly like Pizza My Heart out there. Various cuisines like Italian, Mexican and Chinese are available there.  Barnes and Nobles is a bookshop you would love to visit when there and it houses a cafe as well.

There is a small enclosure where a Christmas tree stands tall and proud at this time of the year as it greets people with hymns. I just loved spending time there on my recent visit ! The entire atmosphere is most festive at this time of the year from Thanksgiving to Christmas. There are lots of benches and one can relax there and bask in the sun in good weather. The Bay Street even offers free Wifi connection to it's visitors. One can spend the entire day there and not get bored at all. My mother highly recommended this street to me when I was there recently and I was so delighted to experience an entire day out there on 2-3 occasions.

The street also includes AMC Theatres if you are in a mood for some entertainment. There are stores like Apple Store, Athleta, GAP, Bannana Republic , Forever 21, H&M, Uniqlo, Old Navy, Aldo, Aerosoles Bath & Body Works, Body Shop etc. There are great furniture stores like EQ3 Furniture and Accents. My favourites are West Elm and Sees Candies. Do taste the chocolates before purchase at Sees Candies !



Taiko performance at Sake Matsuri (Festival)



FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS SPARKLES OUR WORLD

HANUKKAH & DIWALI

The festival of lights has different meanings, significance and interpretation around the world. The Jewish Festival of Lights is called Hanukkah and the Hindu Festival of Lights is known as Diwali. Diwali is a religious festival of lights associated with Hinduism, Sikhism and Jainism in India. Both festivals involve prayers.A traditional puja is performed after sunset on Diwali.

Hanukkah is one of the most joyous times of the year in Jewish culture. Hanukkah begins with lighting a 'menorah' for 8 nights with olive oil or wax candles, one on the first night and one each succeeding night so that the last night has eight lights…

Diwali symbolizes the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness and is celebrated with ‘diyas’ (small earthen lamps in clay filled with oil) or candles and fire-crackers. 'Deepawali' in Sanskrit means “a row of lamps”…The Goddess of Wealth Lakshmi is worshipped. Traditional celebrations of Diwali are actually spread over five days. This festival is celebrated in different ways across India. It is one of my favourite festivals.  

On Diwali different kind of traditional sweets like laddoos, barfis, gulab jamuns etc. are prepared  and gifted while Hanukkah is celebrated with the customary fried jam-filled doughnuts , potato pancakes and cheese products. Both festivals also involve the custom of playing games …On Diwali people play with cards to invite prosperity and on Hanukkah it is customary in many homes to play the 'dreidel'  (four-sided spinning top) after lighting the Hanukkah menorah.

Wherever one might be in this world, the festival of lights truly lights the world and brings people so much closer. The festival brings with it the magic of removing darkness and sadness in an instant!