Harry Potter 7 Pt. 1 - Deathly Hallows

Its noon on the 19th of November and I’m walking around in a haze of lack of sleep. Who knew that I would have been standing in line lately to see the midnight viewings of any movie? Heck I don’t even really stand in line for concerts much less a movie. But over the last couple of years I’ve seen a few movies at 12:01 just to say that I did. Last night was no exception. I saw Harry Potter Deathly Hallows Pt. 1 at 12:01 at the Hayward Cinemas with my friend Galyn, her partner Doris, Laura and Cassidy.

We started our evening out at Buffalo Bills across the street, which I’m glad we did as I have never been there before (and it’s been there for as long as I could remember) and we dinner and drinks. The Pear Cider and the Portabella Sandwich was awesome as was the company. We headed over to the cinema around 8ish and began the agonizing wait in line. I’m really too old for this stuff.lol There were people of all ages and I loved that some of them actually came dressed the part. We saw many scarves, wands, books, people dressed up in Azkaban shirts and so on. I thought Twi-Hards were intense…Potterheads are just as bad.

We finally got into the theater around 10pm and it was great to have the opportunity to get comfy. Problem with that is that too comfy makes you want to sleep. Lol So that’s what I did..I napped slightly while we waited for the previews to start and really honestly till the movie started and then I was wide awake.:-)

From the first scene to the very last scene the movie kept me interested, engrossed and waiting for the next new adventure. It was great to see so many of the characters from past movies and sad to say good bye to a few. Someone had mentioned that it seemed like a long camping trip for Potter and gang and while yeah I can see that I found the movie to follow the book pretty good with just a few extra things.
With some laughter, some intense moments, some tears I found the first installment of Deathly Hallows leaving me with wanting more. I think I yelled no at the last scene because as much as I hate to see this series end, I really wanted the movie to keep going.

I’m really glad that I got into the series before the last of the movies. It took me a while but after reading the entire series in 30 days I now know what the mystique about Harry Potter was all about and I loved it. Absolutely loved the book and love the movies. I’m looking forward to Harry Potter, Deathly Hallows Part 2 in July 2011.

If you haven’t read the series..DO IT. You won’t be disappointed.

Luso Weekend (Newark and San Jose)

Luso Weekend! (running a bit behind on this one! :-)

This weekend was truly what I would call a Luso filled weekend with quite a few Luso functions. My weekend started out at the Wine Tasting Event for the Councils of Newark, Adult 19B, Region #16 and YC #30. Once again I was escorted by my Mom and we met up with my cousin Michelle Da Silva, past 20-30’s President and currently Chair of Youth Directors, her son Logan and her father Henry. The hall was decorated in fall colors and people were already sampling the delicious wines and food. I am always impressed by this group because their Youth is always knee deep in helping, serving and getting things together for their functions. I also saw many others from different councils such as our President John Perdigao and his family, Marielia and Americo Pereira, Joe and Lenor Pio, MaryJo and Arnold Rodrigues, Mr. and Mrs. Rosa and so many more I could list. To see such support during these tough economic times is great. The food was great, YC #30 performed their 2010 program and the danced followed with Chico Avila. It was a great night had by all. Thank you Newark for putting on such a great fundraiser.

Saturday, the 6th was not only my little sister Carla’s birthday but it was also the Luso Sales Agent meeting. We spent the day working on ways to make our society stronger and really show people that we have products that can benefit not only adults but our children as well. We are currently offering 6% on Single Premium Annuities (min 10,000 deposit) for the first year and we also have a great Educational Savings Account that is great for your children and grand children. Current interest rate is 4% and can be used not only for College but for Private Schools until the child is 30!!! So act now and start saving for your child’s future.

Sunday, the 7th we headed out to our last visit of 2010, San Jose 47-B, Region #1 and YC #2 of San Jose. It wasn’t the prettiest day of the year, but the turn out at the visit was fabulous. Everyone battled the rain and gloom to surround themselves with their Luso Friends. I headed down alone this time and met up with Brienne and her boyfriend Randy and we found a quiet spot for us to sit back and enjoy the afternoon. We were later joined by Anna Bettencourt, Judy Allen Dias, Judy Teixeira, Americo and Marielia Pereira, Jason, Cynthia and Madison Weekly and of course Lenor Pio (Anthony’s mom). Of course also there was President John Perdigao and family, 20-30s President Anthony Pio, Youth President Matthew Teixeira and Queen Nicole Bettencourt.

I continue to be amazed at the amount of friendships that are created by the Luso visits. You truly don’t realize how many people you have met, how long you have known them and how much of a good time you have until you see each other again. Many of us only see each other at Convention, visits or some random festa that we just happened to be at. But as I continue my journey in Luso (god help me 28 years and counting) I realize that I have been doing this same thing, year after year, visit after visit and seeing some truly amazing people. We grow up, we watch each other get married, have children, watch their children grow up and follow in the footsteps of our parents, grandparents and so on. How amazing is it to look up at a head table where the 20-30’s President‘s Father was a 20-30’s President in the 90s, the Youth Presidents older Brother was just Youth President a few years ago, our MC’s were non other then Joseph Vieira and his youngest son Ethan and Josephs older son was sitting at the head table as a youth officer. To me this is what Luso is about; it’s about traditions, our culture and continuing what our fore fathers have done before us. I commend 47B for making sure their Youth and 20-30’s were very much a part of their special day.

To Region #1 of San Jose, Congratulations on reactivating! I look forward to seeing you all again throughout the year and can’t wait to see you accept your first Rim Award and maybe getting someone in the 20-30’s State Line. I think you all have an amazing opportunity to build your region and really continue to build the bridge between the Adults and the Youth. I see a lot of potential here and I can’t wait to see you all flourish! If there is ever anything you need please don’t hesitate to contact me. I love watching new councils be reborn and created.

Thank you Adult 47B, Region #1 and YC #2 for a wonderful afternoon, delicious food and wonderful memories. I enjoyed spending the afternoon with old friends and making new friends. I look forward to continuing to build all the friendships and to see you all throughout the year.

Next road trip…Visalia for the Luso Christmas Party…See you all there!

Los Banos Visit

21B Los Banos – Region #15 Gustine/Los Banos – YC#18 Gustine/Los Banos

We celebrated Halloween with Adult Council 21B Los Banos, Region #15 and YC #18 on Sunday October 31st at the St. Joseph Parish Hall in Los Banos. I was joined by my Dad Carlos, LALIS Director and Assistant to the President Brienne Peixoto this afternoon. The morning to be honest started off rough as I had injured my knee in the Halloween festivities the night before at the Portuguese hall dance and was having a really rough time just being mobile. But I managed to get ready and head out to this visit with a smile and ready for more memories.

We arrived at the St. Josephs Parish just as mass was letting out. As we got there we were greeted by Arnold and MaryJo Rodrigues who had just arrived as well and walked into the hall to see some very familiar faces. The decorations were absolutely adorable. Mrs. Machado did a wonderful job with the festive center pieces made out of Cotton branches and candy!!! It was a free for all with some of the best Halloween candy. Just as expected everyone was very warm and welcoming.



It’s always good to see our Presidents and their families. We continue to create more and more memories as we all travel through the state visiting all these councils. I see you all and it brings a smile to my face and the laughter begins almost immediately. I’m having such an amazing time traveling with you guys.



My hats off to the Council of Los Banos council for a delicious lunch and Mr. Machado’s beans were as expected delicious. We had kept hearing how we all had to try them and they were correct, they were delicious! Congrats to YC#18 of Gustine for their 3rd place Trophy at the convention this year. You guys did an amazing job and thank you for performing for us again at the visit. It’s always wonderful to see so many youth participate in the Visit and throughout the year.





Thank you again to Los Banos for their fabulous luncheon, good times and wonderful memories. I look forward to seeing you over the next few years as I continue to my journey.

See you all at the Wine Tasting for Newark Council 19B and the San Jose Visit!

Brotherhood of St. Anthony’s, October 23rd, 2010

I was fortunate enough to have been asked to represent John Perdigao, Luso State President this last weekend at the Brotherhood of St. Anthony’s Annual Convention. I was to present Grand President MaryJean Perry with a token of Friendship and I think I got more out of it then I thought I would. Originally I was unsure as sadly I still do not know a lot of people outside of Luso in other societies but truth be told I’m glad I went. I know that in the next 5 years, I will be running into many of these people and I’m truly looking forward to meeting and getting to know them.

I was originally going to go with my Dad, he knows everyone and had been at this convention in the past during his time in line and as state president but due to scheduling conflict Mom served as my date that night and I’m glad she did. We had a great time even though we were unaware of it being a Luau. I would have loved to throw on a summer dress (even though it was cold and rainy) with a pair of sandals and a lei. We were greeted immediately by someone who remembered my Mom from my Dad’s term in 1998 and that took some of the nervousness away from us and we began to relax. I found too that Tish Cardoza was there as well representing SPRSI with her Grandmother and we joined them at their table.

Nervousness aside mom and I had a great time experiencing a different convention from Luso. Its always interesting to see how other Fraternal Organizations honor their presidents and their members. There was such a closeness about them all and they all seemed to be there to Honor Mary Jean and her husband and to have a good time and make a bunch of memories.

I was reminded quite frankly by Tish when I didn’t want to get up and dance to the chicken dance (in honor of the Giants winning the pennant..YAY) with everyone that my theme for my Committee and my year is “Celebrating Fraternalism and Our Traditions” and I realized she was right. I was there to celebrate another fraternal organization and their traditions and while at first I may not have wanted to dance I realized that this is why I’m here. I’m here to celebrate with them and make new memories. So I did, I danced, I participated in their Grand March and met some new people I hope to see again in the next 5 years. Thanks Tish for that reminder.

Thank you John for giving me the opportunity to represent you at the St. Anthony Convention and hope I did you proud. Thank you to MaryJean Perry and Convention Committee for the lovely gifts, wonderful dinner and for the extremely warm welcome my Mother and I received. We had a great time and thank you so much for the memories.

Maholo!

Modesto 49B-55C, Region #6, YC #24 Visit

Sunday, October 3rd was the Visit for 49B-55C of Modesto, Region #6 and YC #24. It had been about 12 years since I had been to their visit and I forget how active they really are. Like it was back then they put on a visit that was amazing. I have to say this that I’m extremely happy to have started to rebuild some friendships from this area that were lost. It’s made a huge difference in the way I look at a lot of things. I’m really glad I was able to attend and really enjoyed it.

I was fortunate enough to have traveled with my cousin Brienne Peixoto who is now getting her feet wet on the 20-30’s/Adult side of Luso and is currently holding the position of Assistant to the President and in hopes of moving into the 20-30’s line soon. Which I’m very excited to see her so active again after the Youth. I thought that it would be a great idea to get her going to as many visits as she can so that she can get a feel for all of it and to meet new people from other regions and such. It’s always fun watching someone get excited about the possibilities of getting involved on a state level. Yes there are and will always be politics the deeper you get into any organization but majority of the time the memories and experiences are something that can’t be replaced. So I hope she finds her spot in Luso and really takes time to enjoy it.

Back to the visit; we arrived a little bit early but were welcomed with open arms and to a beautifully decorated hall. The hall looked ready for fall even though it was hot and muggy outside. Once inside you knew that Fall was upon us with the beautiful fall colors and centerpieces that decorated the tables. I must say that they had a table of appetizers that were so good. The luncheon and cake were also delicious as well which is not surprising. It was great to see friends like Joe and Lina Vieira, John and Adelaide Dias, Mr. & Mrs. Pascoa that come from the bay to enjoy an afternoon in the valley.

It’s always a pleasure to see friends; I hung out with Anthony’s Mom and Grandmother, Judy Teixeira, Anna Bettencourt and Judy Allen Dias. As usual we laughed till we cried, we talked and enjoyed our afternoon while we listened to our friends. We watched YC # 24 perform their performance from the convention this year that earned them the 3rd place trophy in the Dance Category and they always put on a great show! The little ones like always are always so cute.






This council; as our 20-30’s President Anthony mentioned, really has embraced the building of bridges amongst the councils. Having a 20-30’s member as well State Officer as their Adult Council President really does help build the gap between the 20-30’s and the Adults. Continue the good work and thank you for being a roll model to our society. Kudos to Brian Martins, Field Agent for bringing in 46 new members from October of 2009 - October 2010. My hats off to you and all the hard work you do for the society. Congratulations to all 3 councils for recieving the Rim Award, 5 Star and the Manual Reis this year a the convention. I think that these three awards are probably the most important as it really shows the amounts of work and loyalty you all have to the Society. I also want to Congratulate Monica Xavier for joining the 20-30's State Board as Director of Activities. You have some big shoes to follow in your Region but I know your up for the task!

Santa Maria/Arroyo Grande Visits

Luso Adventures…

So this weekend was the first official weekend of the Luso visits for 2010-2011 and I’m so glad I decided to tag along with Anthony. Traveling with Anthony, Anna and Nicole proved to be nothing but laughs, teasing and some story’s that may never come to the light of day! What happens in Pismo stays in Pismo. HAHA! Good Times.

We stayed in Pismo or Five Cities at the Motel 6. What cracked me up is that we were worried about WIFI.. Really here we are in a quaint town by the beach and we are worried about having WIFI in our rooms. After changing rooms and settling in, we headed out to dinner at Pier side Restaurant with the Perdigao Family. Good fish, laughs and the building of friendships. That’s what this trip has turned into.

Once back at the hotel I thought we were going to get busted by security with the laughter, the sounds and the silliness that we created. I had no idea that this craziness would have ensued but oh we did it..and god help the neighbors we had at the hotel. They must have heard some interesting stuff because when I think back on everything I can’t help but laugh my ass off.

Saturday morning started off quietly, well somewhat quiet but then I’ve learned that our group was not quiet. We had a quick breakfast at the Denny’s up the street and then I was off to hang out with my oldest and dearest friend Mark! I couldn’t wait. I think I actually jumped out my chair and out the door before anyone really had a chance to know what was going on. LOL Sorry guys I love you but can’t miss out on time with Mark. Heck it had been 8 years since I had seen him and I was having Mark Martins withdrawals. I spent the afternoon reminiscing, catching up and having a fabulous time at the Marisol bar at The Cliffs. It was a gorgeous day in Pismo and we sat outside and had the most amazing view of the ocean. Mike and Amy joined us a little bit later and the rest of the afternoon was spent with laughter, catching up and just a great time. I miss these guys so much. They have been a part of my life for 28 years and if we go another 8 years of not seeing each other I may have to hunt them down. After too much sun and too many Morgans we said good bye to Mike and Amy and then headed back to the hotel and I said my good byes to Mark. Always hard to say good bye to Mark. I better not go another 8 years without seeing him or anyone.



Once I was dropped off, we got ready to hit the Santa Maria Visit. As always we had a great dinner, great hosts and a fabulous time. Dancing, food, drinking and laughs. And you know you can’t go to Santa Maria without a good Santa Maria Chamarrita, Macarena and we learned the dance to Cotton Eyed Joe! Good times. Thank you to the Ribeiro Family, Council 31B, Region #4 and YC #3 for making this night another night to remember. After the visit we headed back to the hotel to relax and continue our craziness. I swear I have seen, heard some things that can never be repeated or shouldn’t be repeated.





The next morning we took our time getting ready for our next visit to Arroyo Grande. Our first Luso/Sprsi combined Visit. Let me just say that while it was small, it was really fun and very very good. Everyone was so sweet and hospitable and the food was delicious along with the cake. YUM. WE had some serious tears and snorting from all the laughter and I can see that this next year is going to be quite a ride. Thank you to Esther Iglesias and Elsie Chechetti (sorry spelling is wrong) for putting on the an amazing visit.


We headed home soon after and I was quite sad to leave the central coast. I love being down there so much that whenever I have leave it, it’s almost like leaving home. I have some of the most amazing friends down there and no matter how long it’s been since we’ve talked, since we’ve seen each other, the minute we are together it’s like we have never been apart. I can honestly say that I miss them terribly when I am not there and hope that we make more of an effort to stay in touch and see each other.

To Anthony, Anna, Nicole, Judy and Matthew and The Perdigao family…I had a blast. I haven’t laughed that much in a long time and you all made this trip so much more worth it. I am really looking forward to traveling with you all as much as I can this year as you continue your Luso Adventures. I know we have a lot more laughs, a lot more paidocas to give and more crazy pictures to take!

Thank you again for the memories, the laughs and for the friendships. You’re all so special and I’m so blessed to have you all in my life.

I still miss you....

I’ve changed the presets in my truck

So those old songs don’t sneak up

They still find me and remind me

Yeah, you come back that easy

Try restaurants I’ve never been to

Order new things off the menu

That I never tried cause you didn’t like

Two drinks in you were by my side

I’ve talked to friends

I’ve talked to myself

I’ve talked to God

I prayed liked hell but I still miss you

I tried sober I tried drinking

I’ve been strong and I’ve been weak

And I still miss you

I’ve done everything move on like I’m supposed to

I’d give anything for one more minute with you

I still miss you

I still miss you baby

I never knew til you were gone

How many pages you were on

It never ends I keep turning

And line after line and you are there again

I don’t know how to let you go

You are so deep down in my soul

I feel helpless so hopeless

Its a door that never closes

No, I don’t know how to do this

I’ve talked to friends

I’ve talked to myself

I’ve talked to God

I prayed liked hell but I still miss you

I tried sober I tried drinking

I’ve been strong and I’ve been weak

And I still miss you

I’ve done everything

Move on like I’m supposed to

I’d give anything for one more minute with you

I still miss you…, yeah…

I’ve talked to friends

I’ve talked to myself

I’ve talked to God

I prayed liked hell but I still miss you…

I tried sober I tried drinking

I’ve been strong and I’ve been weak

And I still miss you

I’ve done everything

Move on like I’m supposed to

I’d give anything for one more minute with you

I still miss you…

I still miss you…

I still miss you……yeah…, yeah…