The Funeral

So, I arrived in Toronto on late Thursday April 14th (thx you Danny for picking me up so late from the airport. I can always count on you), in time for my grandma's funeral the following morning.

It was a small quiet traditional Chinese funeral. Only the closest family members were in attendance. "Ah Pall" was resting very peacefully.

The last funeral I ever attended was my father's about 7 years ago, so I dont remember all the rituals that I needed to do. Luckly, the funeral director guided me every step of the way. I bowed to grandma many times, as well as help prepare (fold) all the "hell money" and "hell precious metal" in which we would later burn to be sent with her in the afterlife.

After the funeral home, it was time to take her to her final resting place. The cemetery we chose was the same as my father's, which is good because the next time I come, I can visit both of them at the same time. In fact, grandma's place was actually very close to the front gates, much closer than father's. It was a very cold morning, with a light snow falling down. More traditional rituals followed before she was lowered. I said my final good byes as I stood there with my mother, arm in arm, looking away from grandma (its tradition not to look while her casket is lowered into the ground). Actually, my mom and I stood together in the cold for a very long time, even after everyone have got back into their cars. We just stood there and reflected. It was very nice.

Afterwards, we all had reception lunch at this fine Chinese restaurant for all attendances of the funeral. I sat at the same table with an empty place setting for grandma. I got to offer food to her, as though we enjoyed the meal together. It was like my last deed for her.

Good bye "ah pall". You will be missed.


Other Things I Did While in Toronto for a Week

--Got to get off the plane in Toronto, and then say, for the first time in my life, "DAMN! Why is this country soooo cold!"
--Got to enjoy fine Toronto-esq foods like Poutine, Jamican Beef Patties and Panzerottis.
--Got to eat at fine Toronto-esq restauarants like Mel's Montreal Deli, Peel Pub, Bitondo's, Star Walk Buffet and Swiss Chalet
--Got to take out my family out for dim sum. Boy did I miss good dim sum!
--Made my traditional trek to Costco to purchase some Kinder Eggs for the masses back in SD
--Also brought back some Ketchup flavoured chips...those went quickly.
--Watch my friend Danny get "karate chopped" on Yonge Street by some crazy lady for no apparent reason at all.
--Check out the Pickering Flea Market and bought some used cheap games
--Went to Pacific Mall, got a whole bunch of HK VCDs and modified my cell phone (blue back light), once again re proclaiming my Asian-ness!
--Got to attend the Toronto Chapter of an IGDA meeting. There, I met a lot of cool ppl from Longbow, Rockstar Canada and Pseudo Interactive who all played and loved Smuggler's Run! I felt like a rockstar there. And plus, I didn't realize there was sooo many development teams in Toronto.
--Was invited to check out Psuedo Interactive's studio in downtown Toronto. Its a very quaint little company with some really cool and creative ppl. Got to check out their current project in which I offered some feedback to (and will be in the game's credits. Woohoo!)
--Went to dinner with the "Men of AXE" where all we did was insult each other at the table and try to put salt in each other's drink (but mostly Silver). Can you feel the love?
--Went to REAL go kart racing, the kind where you have to wear helmets and slow down when you hit a turn.
--Got to check out the filming of Chow Yun Fat's new movie, Bulletproof Monk, also staring that "Stiffler" guy from American Pie. Unfortunatly, both were no where to be seen.
--All and all, got to have a very relaxing week with family and friends. It was a good rest for me.