I could have sent this to you as a personal message, but my friends deserve to know what a bold and incredible person you are.
When I was on the way to your wedding dinner on the second day of Chinese New Year, I was, to be frank, sh*tting myself about the prospect of eating sharksfin soup at your event and insulting you in the process. (The last time I turned down a bowl at a friend's sister's wedding, my friend badmouthed and shunned me for months.) But I was taken by complete surprise when I examined the menu and saw no sign of such a dish - in its place, an equally delicious if not more nutritious double-boiled herbal chicken stew.
As your mother was making her rounds around the 28 tables in the ballroom, I stopped her to ask about the exclusion of sharksfin and she mentioned it was at your special request, for ethical reasons. My insides imploded! I knew I had to personally thank you when I had the chance, and I'm glad I did.
I know I made it quite clear to you that I share your sentiments, but I wish to applaud you again for supporting such an important cause. It would be a lie for me to say that I was not disappointed to discover that your new husband Richard doesn't see your point of view. I find it tragic that people still manage to attach this strange concept of luxury to 'exotic' food items. (My idea of luxury is having my future generations being able to witness the ocean in the same glory that I have had the privilege of being exposed to in my own lifetime.) But in this case, I must commend him for being obliging enough to let you have your way! So thank you Richard! You are awesome. :D
What I would also wish to stress on is the fact that the level of prestige at the dinner remained TOTALLY UNAFFECTED by your choice. Everyone STILL made it to the event looking like a million dollars, everything STILL went according to schedule, everyone STILL gorged themselves silly on the scrumptious 8(?)-course meal, everyone STILL 'yam-seng'ed til they lost their voices, the flamenco band STILL rocked the house (I LOVED them!), everyone STILL had an amazing time, and I'm sure the evening for the newlyweds was still, and always will be, one to be wholeheartedly cherished til the end of time. It is so important to know that people *can* contribute to change without creating disharmony.
It was also an encouraging experience to be sitting at the same table as you the evening after for Aunty Leng Leng & Uncle Welly's anniversary dinner. For once, it was nice to have someone to share disturbing glances with when the bowl of sharksfin was served. And the excuses people come up with to make themselves feel better about eating it AND make people like us look anal, presumptuous and uber-sensitive... no offense to the parties involved, but such arrogance never fails to amuse me. True, I'm sure there are incidences of caught sharks being used in their entirety. But if the frequency of such cases was prominent enough to debunk the cause, then why is the rebuttal so insufficiently publicized? If I really want to resort to playing such a game: if I don't see concrete evidence of the shark at my table being 100% utliilzed, AND being acquired through population-sustainable means, then I sure as heck am not touching it. Like I said, there is absolutely no compromise for a clear conscience!
For your reference, I think I have come across a link that is related to the information relayed to us last night (read the last comment):
http://siuyeh.wordpress.co
In a thank you note that has ended up WAY longer than originally intended, I just wanted to express my appreciation for your efforts. You have touched me in more ways imaginable, and I don't exaggerate when I say that you have contributed to my opinion of Chinese New Year 2010 being one of the best and most exciting ones in years!
It is an honor to be your cousin, Angeline. Congratulations once again to you and Richard, and wishing you both happiness, success, health, wealth, and all things that cultivate peace and love in your heart and everyone around you!
Yours,
Davina
