claiming the empire

[image: from some random Russian magazine]

I just got back from a huge wedding with roughly over 700 guests in attendance. One of the girls from my high school got married to the heir of a huge well-known business empire so I don't think that I'll ever come across anything like this ever again, lol. But I have to admit, the bride was absolutely stunning and jaw-droppingly beautiful. She IS what I consider a real model, not like those snobby girls who call themselves high-end "models" after being shot into a frickin' Sears catalogue. What a fairy tale come true. Being that the wedding was in the modern Chinese style, we were served an 9 course-meal starting with barbeque pork (piglets), stuffed crab claws, geoduck, lobster, abalone, shark-fin soup, whole chicken, rock cod fish and yin-yang honeymoon fried rice. I know, endangered species alert but what can one do... it's such a rare experience. Everything that we eat has some sort of symbolic meaning... the 9 dishes for instance, represent "eternity" or "forever"... it's a good luck number. The more traditional matters took place in the morning. Prior to dinner was the tea ceremony which I wasn't able to attend. Throughout the evening, banging on plates or glasses summons the couple to kiss. Various games were played throughout the evening and more contemporary activities were like catching the bouquet. The wedding would've been more fun if I knew more guests intimately but alas, coordinating so many people is just impossible. Perhaps it was for the better because being hit on by little high school boys with free access to the open bar is just a laugh riot, not to mention, annoying. Overall, attending this shin-dig was definitely a fun experience. I hope for the best for the bride and groom... but man, the bride was just soooooo gorgeous. I'm in love with her dresses. I'd want to get a "cheung sam" made if I ever get hitched. Weddings are fun, I want to attend more weddings from other cultures just to get the experience. *squeal squeal girly moment*