Pre-Christmas Dinner

Tonight we (me, dad, sis. Simone and William) went to Serene's house for Pre-Chistmas dinner. Each of us have to bring a Christmas present that cost $10 or less. When we arrived, we were guided to the backyard where a small reception was set up. At the reception, we were asked to select from a list of names of fruits, plants or spices. I then chose "watercrest", dad chose "TBA" (forgot what's in English but in Chinese it's called "bak lei hiong"), Simone chose "rosemary" and William chose "carrot". The Christmas present that we brought were then asked to leave it under the Christmas tree inside the house.

Dinner started not long after. Everyone have to 'Q'... >.<>

After dinner, there was a short presentation about what gathering and social outing that they had during the year 2008. Follwed by the presentation was a 'guessing opponent game' which help people to mix around and get to know each other. The people were divided into 2 groups. In the middle was a long and high curtain. Everytime, each of the group had to sent 1 people to stand behind the curtain. As soon as the curtain drops. they have to guess who is their opponent. Whoever lost, have to go to the other group. It was quite fun.

After the game, we gathered back outside. We were then handed a small greeting card. Each of us had to pick a name from the box. The name that's written on the paper would be the one that received our Christmas present. Therefore, we had to write a message on the small greeting card that was just handed to us and stick it on the present we had left under the Christmas tree earlier on. Santa Claus will pick and distribute the present later on.

I was searching for my present to stick the Christmas card on it. So hard to find as my present was a bit small and chucked in with heaps of others present together.

After 15 min. break, we were all ready awating Santa for our present. Let's guess what each of us get! Mine is just a little Christmas decoration teddy, dad got 'Tim Tam' biscuit, Simone got a pack of puzzle and not sure what William had.

Santa Claus was giving presents away. Yeah, my turn! Come, come, help me take a photo with Santa!

This is my Christmas decoration teddy! >.<

Just before the end of the gathering, we all got to eat 'tong yun' (For those of you who don't know what 'tong yun' is, it is a kind of desert made with glutinuous rice in ginger sweet soup.)

This is because on that day was mid-winter festival as well. Officially known as "Dongzhi" festival which falls directly on or around Dec 22 each year. This holiday is strongly associated with Yin (Female) forces diminishing and Yang (Masculine) forces growing stronger in the cosmos. A tradition that families come together on this day to celebrate. The inhabitants of the south generally make and enjoy tong yun, which represents UNITY.