............. Claudia Nancy Cha-lian Lehrer was Baptized at St. John Vianney's Church in Colonia, NJ on September 20, 2008. The ceremony was very small and private. Deacon Joe was warm and friendly "a right jolly old elf". Claudia was decked out in white, actually wearing the same Christening gown that I wore as well as my sister and brother. While it was a long gown on us it was more like a dress on her, but it did fit. She didn't cry when the water was poured and seemed even to be laughing at times. She held (or played with) rosary beads throughout the service. Claudia's godparents are my sister Debbie Callan and Brian's long time friend Phil Shih. Most of Claudia's cousins wore traditional silk Mandarin dresses that we purchased in Guangzhou. Of course these were girls. In addition to her cousins and grandparents, Phil's wife Susan and his parents were in attendance along with Uncle Walter, Lulu, Ben, Chris and Jessica. I could not have taken such great photos without Susan's help.
FYI in China white is a color often worn for mourning and associated with death and red is a color for celebration. So in effort to keep a little Chinese heritage in the event, after Church, Claudia made a quick change into traditional Chinese Red Silks and we all headed to a Chinese Banquet at Sesame in Montclair. The food was terrific as was the Vieuv Cliquot and Tsing Tao which flowed. Alex and Sue the owners of Sesame were very friendly and helpful. They are from Hong Kong and have really made a great gourmet Chinese Restaurant. Colton and I made goodie bags filled with Chinese items for all the cousins in attendance and each family received a cloisonne Christmas ornament that we purchased in China, The Banquet ended with a traditional Chinese cake from Chinatown NYC and was reminiscent of the many celebrations we celebrated while in China. Some cousins Charlie, Lori, Erin, Brian and Meaghen joined us for the meal. Claudia was blessed with gifts and all in all the day was memorable.
There were a few people that were missed at the event Claudia's great grandmother Martha and her cousins who are currently living in Singapore.
Additionally I wished her little Ling sisters could have been there to at the least enjoy the cake. It was the first one we have had without our China cocoon. As usual I have posted a slideshow below. Ciao for now....
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