Thai New Year's Greetings

Happy Songkran 2014!

...

"Songkran" is a Thai word derived from Sanskrit saṅkrānti (or, more specifically, meṣa saṅkrānti) which means "move" or "change place" as it is the day when the sun transits the constellation of Aries, the first astrological sign in the Zodiac. It is also known as the "Water Festival" as it is believed that water will wash away bad luck and negative energy. 

The Songkran festival is celebrated for 3 days: April 13 (Water Festival & National Day for the Elderly), April 14 (National Family Day) and April 15 (Commencement of the New Year), which are also Thailand's public holidays.

On the first day of Songkran festival, it begins with merit-making and alms-giving to the Buddhist monks early in the morning....followed by a bathing rite for Buddha images. During this auspicious day, caged birds and animals kept will  be set free...as a good omen. 
Songkran is not only a significant occasion for family reunion... but also for making amends, apologies and forgiveness,... including paying respect to the elders by pouring scented water (with rose petals and jasmine flowers) over the palms of their hands. The elders in return, wish the youngsters good luck and prosperity. 
The highlight of the day is in the afternoon: time for water splashing, joyfully participated by both young and young-at-heart celebrants....to cool off from the heat of April.

Happy Thai New Year 2557 from little gangsters here! 

p.s I'm the youngest (lol) — feeling loved.

═════════════════════ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ═════════════════════

~✿ ░L░O░V░E░ ✿ ░B░L░E░S░S░ I ░N░G░ ✿ ░G░R░A░T░I ░ T░U░D░E░ ✿~

═════════════════════ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ═════════════════════

I wish to express my sincere & heartfelt gratitude to you all
for your invaluable support over the past 2 years.
It means so much to me...
--Anne

The Lady of Old Town--April 2014
Taken by my lovely cousin :)

Bliss is in the body & mind of the beholder...

Beauty in the eye...

But the urges to please myself surpasses previous physical, mental & spiritual highs...

...to end Songkran celebration with one of feel-good songs of mine...

...to dance freely...to love deeply & be happy as a child! 

oh yeah! ;)

“Life may not be the party we hoped for… 
but while we are here we might as well dance!” 
  

Take the time to relax and let us fully embrace life and the change that life brings...
Impermanence seems scary...but like an old snakeskin,
after a loss comes something vibrant and new.
Let us celebrate ourselves as passionate & evolving beings...
shhh... and chocolate + love make the ride worth travelling!

Happy New Year: Happy New You :)
There will never be another you!