Today, the first of 2006 was a lot like yesterday, the last of 2005. We've been plugging away at getting the Brown computers updated. Loads and loads of fun...not really.
We realized that tomorrow Rosa Jane hits the 100 day mark. Koreans make a big deal out of the occasion and get their child's portrait taken in costume among other things.
Baek-il (100th day of baby's birth)
This is the day to give congratulations for 100 days after a baby's birth. The number 100 has an inherent meaning of maturity and perfection, signifying a baby passes through perfection period safely as a human being. People bring presents and congratulatory statements and wish for the baby's health and blessing.
The several different types of rice cakes are prepared, including baekseolgi (steamed rice cake), bulkunp'at gomul (red bean rice cake), ch'alsusu gyongdan, and osaek songp'yeon (5-color moon rice cake). Baekseolgi has the symbolic meaning of holiness, bulkunp'at gomul for expelling evil spirits, and ch'alsusu gyongdan for returning a baby which is secured in a holy world to the worldly place on that day. The 5-color moon rice cake is made with 5 pretty colors, signifying the harmony of nature. Unlike the rice cakes of Samchil-Il, the rice cakes for Baek-il are shared with neighbors from the belief of a baby's longevity and blessings.
We're trying to decide how to mark the event for ourselves. If you have any ideas, please feel free to submit them in the comments section. We'd appreciate any feedback.
I remembered the haiku I wrote for RJ on the way here. It goes like this:
Little Rosa Jane
Cute as a button, she smiles
More poopy diapers
Brilliant, isn't it? That's the real beauty of a haiku. Don suggested the last line and I just went with it. Maybe we'll come up with an alternative ending.
Hope your first day went well, too.
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