- Guo Yue plays flute
I’m not accustomed to attending events that involve networking, so it was with some trepidation that I went along to cover the Chopsticks Club 15th Anniversary Bash… 我不太习惯参加社交活动，所以去采访“筷子俱乐部15周年纪念活动”时，我心中稍有些惶恐。
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However, on arrival I was immediately struck by the lovely setting of the 13th century church of St.Helen’s, Bishopsgate, including stained glass windows, and how well prepared the event was, with volunteers busying around the many tables placing things on them. And despite the frantic last minute preparations, they found time to welcome me, and offer me a glass of apple juice.
不过刚到活动现场，我立刻就被位于Bishopsgate，始建于13世纪的圣海伦教堂镇住了。教堂里的花玻璃窗格外别致，志愿者们在忙着布置桌子，活动现场秩序井然，尽管还有很多事情要安排，工作人员还是周到地迎我进去，招待了我喝果汁。
The event took off with several speeches including one by Chinese Ambassador Mme. Fu Ying.
活动开始，主办单位的要员纷纷致辞，中国驻英大使付莹女士也致了辞。
Chinese Ambassador Mme Fu Ying
I normally find speeches by officials send me to sleep, but this one didn’t: it was interesting, funny and rose above the normal politics. There was a splendid performance of tenor and piano, a Chinese opera performance and a demonstration of Chinese cooking by Guo Yue, who showed us all how to make “smashed cucumber”. Unfortunately, this was snapped up quickly so I didn’t get to try any, but since he showed us all how to do it, I can try at home.
通常听官员们致辞我都想睡觉，不过这次的致辞很有意思，而且不涉及什么政治话题。致辞结束后有高水准的表演，包括男高音演唱，钢琴演奏，京剧，还有郭月师傅为我们演示了中华烹饪一绝――“拍黄瓜”。不过“拍黄瓜”拍地又快又猛，我都没机会在现场自己试一试，好在郭师傅给大家示范了，我回家一定要自己试一试。
The gathering of people was much less formal than I thought, and I was made very welcome. Probably because a lot of the people at the event were regulars at the chopsticks club, there was a very relaxed air, and people were mainly interested in enjoying themselves and having a good time in the company of people with similar interests. Which is how it should be.
出席活动的人都很随和亲切，让我有宾至如归的感觉。可能是因为参加活动的大多是“筷子俱乐部”的成员，平常也比较熟识，所以气氛很随意，而且大家都很享受相聚在一起的美好时光，这样的活动不就应该这样吗?
Photos: Al Brunker
