Making Merry In A Hall Of Red

In the end, East Asia Night 2007 turned out to be a rollicking and resounding success. We certainly managed to pull it off well. The event went off without a hitch, everyone seemed happy, and the food – mercifully – was just enough. I think it’s clear everyone enjoyed themselves thoroughly.

We started with a Coffee Morning session at William Goodenough House, the other main residential building of Goodenough College, located a minute’s walk from London House, where I live. A variety of breakfast items from across East Asia, including carrot cake (!) was available. I fortified myself with that, plus a few Japanese rice crisps and a nice cup of tea, for a long day lay ahead.

We had barely any time to rest, with much work yet to be done in the Great Hall in London House, venue for the evening’s revelry and merriment. We had planned to prepare the table settings for each of our 15 tables, and I learnt at first hand what hard work it was, swiftly yet delicately laying out the individual cutlery and crockery pieces. And after some final decorations, here’s what we came up with:

As the clock began to move towards six o’clock, there seemed to be a million things still to do, but very soon, the first of our guests began streaming in, first to the Large Common Room, where the pre-dinner entertainment was taking place, and then into the Great Hall itself. I found myself a virtual odd job labourer that day – setting up the hall, taking the photos, preparing the prizes, manning the sound console at times, and even helping out in the food service.

Many remarked that they found themselves in the right mood when they stepped in and noticed the festive decorations. I would certainly agree. The Singapore Doctor, who chaired the event, told the Director of the College that we had to cover the portraits of past directors and governors with red decorative paper, because it was apparently bad luck during Chinese New Year to be seen in the midst of dead people’s faces. But because a few of the august individuals were still alive, he added that we wanted only one director to be present that evening.

Talking about knowing how to smoke and suck up at the same time : )

But he proved outstanding not only on the stage through the evening, but also in providing steady and calm steering during the months of preparations prior to that. It was also good working with the rest of the gang here, and I think everyone within the inner core clicked well together, proving adapt at their respective tasks. I had a few from my class who were there, and it would have been neat if there were more of them around.

In short, what a wonderful night it was. I could go on and describe, in minute detail, what happened. But I think this time I shall let the images of this most exciting and remarkable evening speak for themselves.