Well, well, well. I learned something new. Today, aside from being Veterans’ Day, is also Singles’ Day in China.
I’m not Chinese.
I’m not technical single.
But I like any holiday where tradition dictates a breakfast of four deep-fried dough sticks. I think churros or donuts might qualify. Especially if I take 4 crullers, make a cut in the circle, and straighten them out.
Yum.
Here’s what Wikipedia has to say about Singles’ Day:
Singles’ Day is a day for people who are single, celebrated on November 11 (11/11). The date is chosen for the connection between singles and the number ‘1’. This holiday became popular among young Chinese people. In recognition of the day, young singles organize parties and Karaoke to meet new friends or try their fortunes. It has become the largest online shopping day in the world.
Singles’ Day or Bachelors’ Day was initially celebrated at various universities in Nanjing during the 1990s, and originated from Nanjing University in 1993. It got the name “Singles’ Day” because the date consists of four “one”s. These college students have since graduated, and carried the university tradition into society. Singles’ Day has been largely popularized in the internet era and is now observed by youth in several regions outside China as well.
Singles’ Day serves as an occasion for single people to party with single friends. The holiday was initially only celebrated by young men, hence the name, “Bachelors’ Day,” but is now widely celebrated by both genders. ‘Blind date’ parties are also popular during this day in an attempt to bid goodbye to their single lives.
For breakfast on Singles’ Day, singles often eat four Youtiao (deep-fried dough sticks) representing the four “ones” in “11.11” and one Baozi (steamed stuffed bun) representing the middle dot.
Maybe I’ll celebrate by singing at the top of my lungs. I could hang with my single friends (oh, wait, I don’t have any), or I could buy something pretty online, maybe like a new pair of boots or that Naked2 eyeshadow pallette that I’ve looked at about fifty times….
One billion Chinese people can’t be wrong. I’m sure they wouldn’t mind a quasi-single woman of Northern European origins joining their celebrations.
It’s also Diwali in India. Ah the Festival of Lights! A celebration of the victory of good over evil. I awoke to many emails from my off-shore counterparts, wishing me love, luck, fortune, happiness, prosperity…
I read that people celebrating Diwali clean, decorate, and renovate their spaces, at home and at work. I’m into that. I’ve wanted to relocate the bathroom sink for a while and I’d really like a new double oven range. I’ve also had my coworkers tell me that it’s a big time for buying new clothes. Another big shopping day! Perhaps in honor of Diwali, I’ll buy myself a couple of pairs of new jeans and a new sweater. It is getting colder outside.
One billion Indian people can’t be wrong. I’m sure they would allow a heat-avoiding, humidity-averse woman to join in the fireworks.
It’s fun being a part of this time. The world is smaller AND larger because of our interconnectedness. Thank you, Internet.
And finally, thank you to our Vets, who do something for me that I can never pay back. I have a family of veterans. I recognize the sacrifice of those who leave family and home to go and fight for my right to freedom and liberty. It takes someone special to head into conflict and fight a fight most of us choose not to. For that, I am eternally grateful to all of our branches of the military. OK, I will wear my stars and stripes today.
Time to get my crullers.
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