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"All Guys Table: The Ultimate Party" by Clark Zhang

With the Christmas Banquet only a week away, a group of senior guys at Dalat is already overflowing with joy after deciding to go as an all-guys table. 

As December settles in and Penang starts showing its version of a “Green Christmas”, the whole campus feels different. Lights are going up, and there’s not a single bit of snow in sight. And everyone seems to have at least one conversation a day about the upcoming Christmas Banquet. We see a lot of people getting asked. Even though the event hasn’t arrived yet, the week leading up to it just feels memorable.

For our group though, the excitement started when we randomly to sit together as an all-guys table. At first, we all laughed it out, and because we expected this year to be different, and we didn’t expect to sit with only guys again. But the more we talked about it, the more it felt like something we actually wanted to do. 

When I asked Matthias Seevaratnam (12) how he felt about it, he said, “I’m all in for the idea of having only dudes in one table, I think it’s better.” And the rest of us felt pretty much the same way. There’s something simple and funny about showing up together. There’s no pressure and just a bunch of guys enjoying the beloved night. 

The Christmas Banquet is one of the biggest traditions at Dalat. It’s held every December in Harbor Hall, bringing everyone together before the break. It’s quite similar to prom at school in the States. People were excited this year, and they were planning outfits, organizing table groups, and also trying to figure out just who they were going with. 

For our table, the whole build up has been its own thing. Our group chats has been non-stop, we talked about who’s going to wear the worst fit, joking about who’s definitely going to be late, and also most importantly hyping each other up. The energy was natural and everybody looked forward to it. It wasn’t dramatic or over the top, but it was that kind of good excitement that keeps growing as the day gets closer.

And honestly speaking, part of what makes it feel special is celebrating Christmas here in Penang for the 8th year. A green Christmas isn’t something you see everywhere, like movies for example. But it’s the one we grew up with. Warm evening and ocean breeze, as Penang is a wonderful island. It creates a vibe that feels niche. And having a banquet in the middle of all that makes the whole week feel even more meaningful. 

Now, with the event almost here, the excitement by all means is at its peak. We would talk about it every time during our lunch session. The week before the banquet has already become one of the best parts. We would laugh, plan, and talk about how the night would possibly go. It’s worth to note that although this banquet is supposed to be the main event, but these little moments that lead up to it are just as real and memorable. 

At last, we have our seats booked, and outfits ready, and all we are waiting is for this day to arrive! 

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