Late Night w/ Modesto Nutz....

No, not the baseball team, just about 200 crazy Portuguese and friends of Portuguese all gathered in Modesto, California at the Double Tree Hotel for the 2007-2008 U.P.E.C. Convention.

This is my late night-inmysuitebathroom-makingahugebubblebathformylittlesister-face. Hair all puffed out and sticking backwards; night before the big Banquet/Installation of Officers. Lil' Sis' Mary was elected to represent the U.P.E.C. as State Youth President!!! (Totally worthy of princess-style-bubble-bath; complete with tea and I also added a Little Princess-esque accent which probably was a little over the top, considering she's been asking for me to cater to her ever since we got home.....). Shared my suite with my family; namely my sisters Joleen and Mary (and my Ava P. for one night; Ava is "Grand Mother" in Portuguese).

I can not say enough about the staff at the Double Tree. Isidro with the catering staff went above and beyond his striving for a perfect "10"...is it possible to give him a 20???? Wait, I'm the Supreme President now, so 20 it is!! He rocked the lobby, banquet hall, Club Max, and anywhere else we needed him; AND he's only been there for about 3 weeks!!! Way to get in there and take charge Isidro, looking forward to seeing you again. Also, Rick with the cool Basque last name - our charming bellhop who was just as sweet as any Portuguese dessert with his attentive nature and pleasant smile. All in all, the entire staff were 20+ quality and my family and I had no problem transitioning from one long festive day to the next - Muito Obrigada (Thank You Very Much)!!

There never seems to be enough time to enjoy the ohsosquishysupersoftcuddlywonderfullyinviting hotel bed.....even enough room for a sister slumber party....and we are not small.....but there was plenty of space for the trifecta of "Supremos" (think Sopranos just with Portuguese food and a different accent).....Mary - State Youth President, Joleen Next Generation (20's-30's) Secretary/Treasurer, and me, your Supreme President for 2008-2009!!! Crazy Cozy!!!

More pictures and video coming soon of the big week in Modesto.

Yesterday, Sunday, August 10th, 2008 was my first official outing (Mary too) for the U.P.E.C.
We attended the LUSO Visitor's Luncheon at the Airport Marriot in Los Angeles, Ca.
More Portuguese antics of course; by the end of the luncheon we were all connecting family trees, taking picture after picture, exchanging emails, and I think I'm engaged to at least 3 eligible bachelors.....how does that happen???? Portuguese ladies waste no time....."Single??? Really???? So is my grandson!!! So is my nephew!!! So is my son!!! So is this guy sitting next to you!!!" HILARIOUS!!!

Next post will be pictures and video from convention and the LUSO Appreciation luncheon, as well as Proclamations, Upcoming Activities....NAT'S~B.A.T.S., charity work, and just what does "The Reign of Nata" mean???? You'll see.....

ALEGRIA (JOY); PEACE & PROGRESS to all of you!!!!

See you soon,

Nata

P.S. Watch the Olympics!!! They are great!!!
Thanks mom for the Michael Phelps poster (why wasn't his Grandma at LUSO yesterday???)