Mad Science – Arch-Maker and Marshmallow-Eater

Today in Mad Science class, M learnt about the making of sculpture and how the Romans made the arch.  M, you are right.  The Romans did make the arch but they did not invent it.  Indeed, arches have been used since prehistoric times.  The ancient Egyptians, Babylonians, and Greeks all used it.  The purpose of the arch in these cultures, however, was limited to supporting small structures, and people often used columns to support the roof.  It was the Roman who created an arch that could support huge amounts of weight with concrete.  Soon Byzantine, Romanesque, Muslim architects adapted and developed it further.

None of these structures would have been possible without the arch, vault, and dome

The Roman arch solved an important problem by being able to support a large amount of weight.  As a result, it enabled people to build larger and more varied buildings.  With the spread of the Roman arch and its cousins, the vault and dome, has had a lasting impact on architecture throughout the world.

Instead of an arch, M brought home a so-called polyhedron and said, 'Mum, can I eat the marshmallow?'

I cook; he cleans

Household chores are no one’s idea of fun.  But doing your share sends a message that you care about your home and want to fully participate in meeting all its needs.  You can communicate respect with little acts as much as big.  Beneath the share of household chores there has always been love and respect.  Show love and respect every day, even if it’s just cleaning up after dinner. 

So honey, come and wash the dishes!!!!!

年廿八洗邋遢 – My Home, My Car, My Body and My Soul

年廿八，是廣東人俗稱「洗邋遢」的日子，中國人認為「財不入污門」，所以每年這個時候，家家戶戶都會把家裏打掃得乾乾淨淨，好讓霉氣通通除去，以煥然一新的姿態來迎接新年的來臨。

「洗邋遢」必備 - 碌柚葉

每逢春節來臨，特別要標榜在「年廿八」去「洗邋遢」是廣東人的故事。在春節前掃塵，是我國素有的傳統習慣。「臘月二十四，揮塵掃房子」的風俗，由來已久。據《呂氏春秋》記載，在堯舜時代就有春節掃塵的風俗。按民間說法，因「塵」與「陳」諧音，新春掃塵有「除陳佈新」的涵意；用意是把一切「晦氣」統統掃出門，寄托著人們破舊立新的的願望。

有關掃塵的由來，背後有著一個頗為有趣的故事。傳說，古人認為人的身上都附有一個三尸神，像影子一樣，形影不離地跟隨著人的行蹤。三尸神就好像現世的「是非精、八婆」，最愛阿諛奉承，搬弄是非，經常在玉帝面前造謠生事，把人間描述得極為不堪。一次，三尸神密報，人間詛咒天帝，想謀反天庭。玉皇大帝大怒，降旨察明人間犯亂之事，凡怨忿諸神，褻瀆神靈的人家，將其罪行書於屋簷下，再讓蜘蛛網遮掩以作記號。玉皇大帝又命王靈官於除夕之夜下界，凡遇到有記號的人家，滿門斬殺，一個不留。三尸神見奸計得逞，暗中下凡界，於每戶人家的屋簷牆角做下記號，好讓王靈官來個斬盡殺絶。正當歹毒的三尸神作惡時，竈君發覺了他的行蹤，大驚失色，急忙找來各家竈王爺對策。辦法是於臘月二十三日送竈之日起，到除夕接竈前，每戶人家必須把房屋打掃得乾淨，哪戶不清潔，竈王爺就拒不進宅。大家遵照竈王爺升天前的囑咐，清掃塵土，除去蛛蝄，把家園打掃得煥然一新。等到王靈官除夕奉旨下凡間查看時，發現家家戶戶窗明几淨，找不到表明劣迹的記號，回到天庭禀告玉帝。玉皇大帝聽後大為震怒，下令掌嘴三百，永拘天牢。這次人間刼難多虧竈君搭救，才得幸免。為了感激竈王爺為人們除難消災，賜神降祥，所以民間掃塵總在送竈後開始，一直忙到大年夜。