Charmaine Sheh Cherishes Family Traditions
In the new snake year ahead, Charmaine Sheh (佘詩曼) does not seek more fortune or fame, but wants to settle down with her family while perfecting the radish cake her late grandmother used to make.
Ever since the Miss Hong Kong pageant in 1997, Charmaine has never slowed down her pace. In recent years, she has even moved her career up north, keeping herself busy as ever. It is no secret then, that the hardworking Charmaine has amassed a great fortune for herself, including real estate property worth more than tens of millions (HKD). Now that she has ventured to mainland China for acting opportunities, she intends to do the same for her property acquisition. However, she is also on the lookout for the ultimate house in Hong Kong. She said, “I am looking for a big 3-story house so that my brother, my sister-in-law and my mother can stay with me together. This has always been my wish. I hope it can be fulfilled this year!”
Traditional Girl At Heart
Perhaps it is the time spent with family this Lunar New Year holiday that caused Charmaine to be sentimental. It was a rare treat this year for her to be able to have a long break during this time of the year. As such, she was able to partake in the elaborate holiday preparations, including stepping into the kitchen to prepare New Year delicacies such as radish cake. “My grandmother used to be in charge of making the radish cakes. I was a small girl then and had no interest to inherit my grandmother’s secret recipe. When my grandmother passed away, my mother took over the duty. If I don’t learn now, my grandmother’s secret recipe will be gone!” Charmaine added emotionally, “It’s usually this time of the year when I would miss my grandmother a lot. When she was busy preparing the New Year snacks, she would not allow us to go into the kitchen and make a mess as that is inauspicious. My family is traditional and superstitious like this. I hope our family traditions can be passed on.”
When the topic of family was brought up, no doubt 38-year-old Charmaine will be asked of her own family planning. She exclaimed, “Wait till I find the right partner! I would like to have children but the pregnancy days are not easy so I always say mothers are great!”
Back to TVB
Recently, Eric Tsang (曾志偉) has been using his favor cards, getting many veteran A-listers such as Andy Lau (劉德華) and Jacky Cheung (張學友) back to TVB due to the impending rivalry with new television stations. Charmaine does not strike off the possibility that she may return at the same time. She said, “Of course this is a great opportunity to work with TV Kings such as Tony Leung Ka Fai (梁家輝 ). However, it’s really up to TVB’s arrangement. And besides good costars, a good script is a must for me too!”
Source: The Sun
This article is written by Karen for JayneStars.com.
Does anyone still celebrate Chinese New Year in America?? Cuz I don’t….
Mlove,
It’s good to keep some family/cultural traditions alive, to preserve our cultural identity and the memories of our elders/ childhood.
Charmaine’s wish to make radish cake is the same thing because she wants to preserve an aspect of her grandmother, who has passed on. Each time she eats the same radish cake taste, she will think of her grandma and the New Year holidays they spent together. This is how we can hold aspects of our childhood and deceased ones alive.
Food gives us a lot of family memories, especially if certain type of food is only served during specific holidays, and carry a symbolic meaning. Memories become broken over time, but food is one of those triggers that can suddenly make an old memory become more vivid.
Chinese New Year gave me a lot of fond memories growing up. The traditions, including the homemade pastries, are very time-consuming and difficult to duplicate. As long as we find meaning and good reason to observe such holidays and traditions, everything takes effort and time.
Even Christmas shopping takes time. But it’s a time to show our love for dear ones. I find Chinese New Year to be very meaningful, as it is a time of new beginnings, celebrating family bonds, putting aside past grievances, and pure good food. Just the right rejuvenation at the close of the winter.
My family still does but in a very simple way… It is just so boring in the US…
I live in Canada and we do celebrate it to a certain extent.
Like we do lai see, eat the traditional food (eg. radish cake, red bean dessert thing). We also eat out with our relatives who lives here.
In Asian malls such as Abeerdeen and crystal, they tend to host big-scale Chinese new year celebrations.
It depends on what you mean by celebrates…
We do have small friends/family oriented party with foods, games, and karaoke (duh tehe) Then there is the big party for all Asian to go to. Then the red envelope with wishing the elder for a good and prospect years 🙂
I like tradition New Year like this, and I shall also continue it later in the future. Family time 🙂
Not like in Asia with lights, dragon, song etc… it’s the USA, not many knows about Asian New Year except the JAN 1.
Well CNY doesn’t have a fixed date in the Gregorian calendar so I’m not surprised if Westerners aren’t aware of it – I always have to ask my mum every year…
I’d assume a lot of Asian families abroad celebrate CNY, but of course it’s a much smaller affair. Here in the UK, you’d have to go to places like Chinatown if you’re looking for that full-on street party sort of celebration.
I used to love nian gao as a kid! – but I’ve got an ever-increasing intolerance towards sweet food these days >.< I ended up eating a cr** load of 餃子 instead.
CNY is pretty dull in America. I barely make it as “first generation” and my family doesn’t do anything special. Wish I got to spend it in hong kong!
I’m Vietnamese with Chinese descent and I live in southern California, little Saigon and there we have a tet festival, a parade, and also a mini shopping festival. my family does celebrate but we don’t celebrate with the whole rituals and stuff. But it’s lots of fun because we get MONEY!!
It’s inevitable that growing up in the USA, we’ll assimilate with American culture where Christmas may become more important than Lunar New Year over time.
Whether the family observe all the traditions is not that important. You don’t have to eat all the traditional food, but capturing the essence of the holiday, which is celebrating with family and the sense of renewal (sweep away the old and welcome the new) is the most important.
If you find the holiday to be meaningful, then you can always adopt your own traditions with friends, such as going out for dim sum. There are Chinese restaurants peppered throughout USA and just going out to eat and absorbing the excitement of those around you will make a huge difference.
I was lucky since my parents both observed the traditions of CNY when I was growing up, and now it is now my choice as to how many of those traditions I wish to follow. Sure, we’re all pressed for time, but even pared down, it’s not that difficult to wish others a Happy New Year, wear some red clothing, or go out to meet some family and wish them well.
In New York, the populous Chinese community means that Chinese New Year is always celebrated with a big bang and parades.
E, your karaoke gathering/celebration sounds so lively and fun. What kind of games do you play at the party? We used to play Chinese charades with friends and they’re always a riot.
Yes I do, with my own family, my maternal & paternal households + in-laws… big gatherings and extremely loud! But it’s all once in a year since we all have busy lives. Perhaps, the second and third generations in the US don’t celebrate to the big extent as compared to the first generations or in more traditional geographic areas.
I just want some money. Thatz celebrating CNY in a Blizzard!
At least Sandy 2.0 didn’t come.
We have reunion dinner on New Year’s Eve, and visiting relatives on the first day. That’s about all. There is always lots of eating though …
and gambling – mahjong, dai dee, poker …
KUNG HEI FAT CHOY to everyone visiting this website, especially to Jayne. Thanks for keeping us up-to-date on Asian entertainment news.
I meant to say it earlier, but forgot, and did not find a good Topic to do it. This is the best topic for me to say “KUNG HEI FAT CHOI”. Anyway today is only the 4th day of the Chinese New Year. People just returned to work in Hong Kong.
@Sandcherry @P.Tan
Gung hay fat choi! Hope the Year of the Snake brings happiness and health to you and your family!
Glad to have you ladies on the site always sharing your colorful opinions!
I, too, would like to join sandcherry in wishing all my friends here a very happy Chinese New Year. May 2013 be indeed a good one for all. Thanks, Jane, for a job well done. I am really glad I found you!
Never thoughts Sheh is a tradition kind of girl. That is good, however, though. Not big fan on radish -o- though
Is there even enough room/land for a 3 story houses or apartment?
relationships are not that simple, better a building branched into 2 apartments, charmaine occupy one whle her family stay in the other esp if want to keep good family ties forever