Dumpling Soup
Jan 5th, 2006 by Leimamo
Kamalani borrows a book from her school library every week. She also brings home a book from her classroom everyday. She has a log that we sign whenever she reads a book or whenever we read a book to her. So far, she’s completed 2 log sheets, each with 25 signatures. Some of the selections she chooses are too easy for her but we feel as long as she enjoys reading them she’s doing great.
Today, she brought home a book entitled, “Dumpling Soup” and I read it to her tonight. It was the perfect book for her, especially since she’s been wanting to work with me while I prepare dishes. The book talked about family traditions and how families work together to make occasions special and memorable. The book also included a small glossary of Hawaiian, Korean, Japanese and Chinese terms that are often used in Hawaii (where the story takes place). I think my other grand daughter will also enjoy this story. Maybe I should call her tomorrow and read it to her over the phone.
This book brought back memories of being at my grandma’s house with all the aunties, uncles and cousins. All the ladies/girls would be cleaning lu’au leaves to wrap laulau while the men … well, I don’t know what the men/boys used to do because I was stuck in the kitchen. But when all the dishes were set up buffet style, all the hard work put into making it was all worth it. I miss those days; everyone is so far apart and those who live close to each other aren’t really making the most of their good fortunes by gathering for special occasions, like New Year’s Eve. I believe it was my grandma who kept our family together, it was her home that everyone came to and it is her house that I feel most “at home” in.