Cambodian Chinese new year celebration

 A while back I went to a Cambodian Chinese new year celebration in Ellerslie.

 We were invited about two weeks before and were seated on the second floor.

 The speakers and performers all spoke in Chinese despite the celebration's title including Cambodians. I couldn't understand a word and doubt they were even speaking Teo Chew as I couldn't pick up a word. I bet my right bottom they were speaking Mandarin nevertheless that most Cambodian-Chinese people out there are a mix of Khmer and Teo Chew, not Khmer and Mandarin. But I guess since it's celebrating Chinese new years, they were embracing the Chinese culture to the core.

All and all it was still enjoyable. The food was great and the performances were actually quite entertaining. Nothing I had see before.

I spent the night just chatting away from my brothers and eating every meal that appeared on the table.

 My mum with her sister.

 Lion dance was the first performance. I hadn't realised how long it's been since I've since a Lion dance. I've always loved the batting eyelashes.

 Two of the singers.

 The host of the party (red tie) with my uncle and my dad (sitting down).

 I didn't get a picture but I saw tai chi performed live for the first time. In the above picture are a group who also did tai chi I believe but there were no combat moves. The right was a dancer. Again it was my first time seeing a dancer use a fan like that.

 I have never seen an opera singer live and that night I saw a Chinese opera singer. Check that of my list to things to do. She sang amazingly high. Her voiced filled every corner of the place and got the biggest applause I believe if my ears didn't deceive me. The right were some kids who performed a dance. Not sure how it's very Chinese new year like but that's okay, they were cute.

 More of the hosts went around to toast with everyone at the party.

A group photo before doing the prize draw. Above you see the guy in the middle who works with John Key. I'm not exactly sure why he was there. I sure I would if I could understand the things the speakers were saying. The only thing in English I heard were from the man above himself saying John Key sent his wishes etc. It's nice to see they would care about our new years celebration to send someone over to party with us. Poor guy, must have not understood a word, I feel you buddy.

On another note. Guess who won the 32" TV from the draw??? Us.

Guess what else? We left the party early as it was late and we had an early morning the next day and so to be fair, they drew again.

Quite ironic since our number had the Chinese lucky number 8.

I'm not too bummed about it since we have about three TV's in our house and really don't see the use of another. But of course, free things are the best.

Anyways, I'm not joining the hockey team after all. The practice times weren't exactly compatible with me.

That's all from me today. Ta guys. x