Christmas Party
Year 2008
by Dean Anthony Fabi (Noodt) Gui
As
I finalize plans to move back to Hong Kong next July, I couldn’t have picked a better time
to fly up to the Bay Area during the Dec 6th weekend for a final
hurrah with the old Lusitano gang at the San Mateo Elk’s Lodge for the Annual
Lusitano Christmas party! As Aunty Tila (Danenberg), Shirley Wong, Robert Roliz
and I were pulling up to the venue at about 6:30pm, there was already a steady
flow of early arrivals. They must have been anticipating Dorothy Oliveira’s
chilicotes and galikoks because once again they were mouth-drooling sensations
that were quickly devoured along with the other appetizers that were served! By
7:30pm almost all guests arrived, including Antonio Jorge da Silva, author of
the illustrious Macanese pictorial “The Portuguese Community in
Hong Kong”, and someone to whom I finally had the pleasure of
introducing myself. I can’t wait for the California Macanese edition to get
published! Santa Claus made his appearance with gifts for all the kids as usual,
and so did the Elf. I didn’t see
what was going behind the scenes in the other room where all the kids and some
adults disappeared with the Elf, but with all the people flocking in and out all
night long, it must have been a ho, ho, ho of a time!
With the band
playing in the background we all waited our turn for another delicious buffet:
salad, pasta, rice pilaf, vegetables, chicken, roast beef, salmon… oh my!
And of course, to wash it all down, a superb selection of red and white house
wine, sorbet and home-made genetes for dessert. Our usual
photographer/videographer, Robert Roliz, was missing-in-action all this time as
he was on a mission to pick up his 88-year old aunt from San Francisco who felt better last minute to
join her children, grandkids, and great-grandkids at the party. Awwwwww…. Such a
“gwa tsai” (good boy)! But have no fear; he came back in record time, with a
plate of food waiting for him at his table. Jojo Xavier, Kaua Young, & Hunter
Choi, however, proved worthy replacements as they zoomed around the room
snapping away candid moments of another evening of cherished memories.
One
other thing I noticed missing this year was the lack of loyal patrons at the
watering hole—or better known as… the bar! Maybe a handful of partiers visited
that side of the room all night long. Hmmmmmm. The house wines must have been
that good! The final piece de resistance was, of course, the raffle draw.
Now, I never win anything at these, but it was a hoot hearing everyone’s unique
ways of hollering as they heard their names called and ran up to claim their
door prizes, which ranged from William of Sonoma chocolates to wines, CDs,
dishware, and the grand prize of $100 cash for the 50/50 cash raffle
participants! As the evening came to a close at about midnight, the dance floor
was still strong with Macaenses wanting to boogey the night away. But like my
very short trip, visiting from San Diego, all good things
had to come to an end. Obrigado to Maria Roliz, the Lusitano Board, and all the
volunteers for making this another successful, pleasurable, and unforgettable
event, and for Melissa Xavier, Lusitano Bulletin Editor for giving me the
opportunity to share my thoughts with everyone.