1st Lunar Birthday 抓调

Some families celebrated the 1st lunar birthday of a child by this ceremony called 抓调. Its really fun, whereby you lay out 12-13 items for your child to choose, with the belief that the first thing he/she picks up would point to his eventual career in life. With Jovann, we didn't know much about the entire procedure, so we just let him choose 4-5 items on that day. With Jazreel, it got more fun.

It all started....with 2 giant ang ku kuehs. I meant GIANT. Not all kueh kueh shop does this, you have to specially order, its really huge and needs a box of its own. Chinese believe that if a birthday child steps on the giant ang ku kueh then steps into a pair of new shoes, he/she will have a smooth journey in life. So, giant AKKs, here we come! See the size compared to the shoes.

Seems silly to only travel so far to get just 2 pieces of red kueh. So we bought some other stuff. :P Yummy!

She was wearing a new dress and was really squeamish when stepping on the AKKs. So would I!  She screamed after that first touch.

Of course, not forgetting the de facto red egg mee sua. For hubby's family, this is the must have during lunar  birthdays. But in MY family, its the tang hoon soup with hardboil egg.

抓调 time! Here's the list of things we have. This is the "modern" version. It used to have items like scissors, to signify a career as a tailor. The only thing I couldn't find was wheat grass. I even managed to find the seal!

書: 會讀書，適合做學者、專家
Book: Studious, May become a scholar, professor etc.

筆墨 : 會成為作家、畫家
Pen and Ink: Writer, Artist, Publishing

印章: 有權勢，會做大官
Seal: Has Authority, Politician, Judge etc.

算盤／計算機: 會當商人、會計師，適合從商
Calculator: Merchant, Trader, Broker, Financial Officer

錢幣: 將來會很富有
Coin: Will be extremely wealthy

雞腿: 有福氣，表示一生將不愁吃穿
Chicken Leg: Prosperous, A life of satisfaction

尺: 表示將來可成為設計師、建築師
Ruler: Architect, Product Designer, Land Development Surveryor

蔥: 代表聰明
Spring Onion: Very bright (May amount to any careers due to brightness and braininess)

蒜: 代表善於計算
Garlic: Good in accounting for and calculating (May amount to any careers or personality that requires this trait)

芹菜: 代表勤勞
Celery: Hardworking and Steadfast (May amount to a personality that values hard work)

稻草: 適合農事工作
Wheat Grass: Agricultural, Horticulture, Natural careers

刀劍: 能當軍官、警察
Sword: Soldier, Policemen, careers in the airforce, navy, infantry

聽筒: 適合醫護工作
Stethoscope: Health Services, Doctors, Vets, Nurses

We will keep it to ourselves what she chose. Heeeeee!

Jaz being rewarded with the the drumstick after the "ordeal".