Monday, January 12, 2009

A Chinese Christmas


It is a rite-of-passage that the new English teachers plan and execute the Annual Newton Christmas Party. This task requires a great deal of patience, diplomacy, cultural sensitivity and delegation. In other words, it was one of the worst experiences of my life. However putting all thoughts of suicide and homicide aside, it turned out great. Well, almost. You'll know what I mean when you see the costumes Stine and I wore.

Click here to view album

A Chinese Wedding


When my friend Lucia wed Englishman Dave on November 2nd (my birthday), I was honored and excited to be invited to attend the festivities...from the beginning (around 10 am) to the end (around 10 pm).

In the morning we went to collect the groom, then a last minute bouquet, and finally to the brides home, where Dave had to bribe his way to Lucia's bedroom door. Family and friends looked on as he asked over and over again to be let in and kept sliding red envelopes full of money through the door. Finally, after serenading her for what seemed like forever, he gained entrance. He then carried her out the door, down three flights of stairs, through a crowd of curious bystanders, and to a waiting car.

From there we were off to the lakeside, where the photographer had the couple pose in hundreds of uncomfortable positions, with the wedding party (that's me) trailing behind. It was cold and wet outside, yet the photo session lasted at least three hours. I escaped briefly to treat myself to a birthday latte at Starbucks, and then returned to participate in a game of Ring Around the Rosy. We ran circles around the couple while they held hands and smiled at each other.

We then found our way back to the waiting procession of cars and returned to the bride's house. Dave picked Lucia back up, carried her back through the crowd, over a small bonfire, up the three flights of stairs, and into her room, where she changed into her second of five wedding dresses. While we waited for the bride to finish changing, we were fed a sickeningly sweet soup that we all had to swallow bravely, since the bride's mother was watching very closely.

Then it was back out the door and to the restaurant for ceremony and dinner. The bride and groom came down a red carpet laid in the middle of the restaurant and upon reaching the stage, read vows to each other in Chinese and English. After a plethora of speeches and toasts, the food was served. It was a very traditional meal, featuring turtle, crab, tripe and some suspicious smelling gizzard-type bits. We were then told it was our duty as the foreigners to go to each table and offer a toast to the bride and groom. There were at least 40 tables. Things are a little fuzzy after that.

View the wedding album