Many, many, many years ago, I attended a block party. What’s a block party, you may ask. It’s a party organised by the community committee, if that’s what they’re called, that invites the surrounding residents to gather and have a fun time at the void deck of a block. Hence a block party.

My neighbourhood just had one today, few blocks away from where I am staying. A month ago mini half A4 size posters have been plastered on strategic locations promoting this event. That’s how I recalled the one and only block party I attended long, long time ago.

My dad was the one who got us there. Don’t be mistaken, he didn’t go with us – me, my sister and her friend. He bought 3 tickets on his own initiative, and came home telling us to go if we’re free. Usually block parties are held to celebrate certain festive occasions, like the Lantern Festival, Christmas, Chinese New Year etc, and that one was a party for Christmas.

Christmas! My favourite holiday!

So on that day, the 3 of us went. Upon reaching, we immediately regretted. The place was full of children and the only adults were their parents! We felt so out of place, and instantly, it seemed that we had aged considerably by at least 5 years.

I couldn’t remember how old I was then, but it was definitely during my teenage years, probably when I was in junior college. So that would make me about 17 years old.

We wanted to turn and leave, but since my dad bought the tickets, so we thought we don’t have to participate in their activities, which were games mostly, but we could partake in the food, right? So that’s what we did. We filled our plates and sought out a corner to accommodate us. Far enough from the main crowd, but near enough for us to catch sight of what was happening.

The 3 of us couldn’t help to laugh at each other – what are we doing here?

Santa Claus saved the evening, at least for me. I was the first to spot him - the fat, rotund man in red with his long fluffy beard upon arriving. I was so excited to see Santa!

I bet he was equally excited to have us around, as I soon found out. They were about to begin a game, and the emcee was inviting interested parties to go up. Hands shot up as the eager children rushed to have a place to compete in winning some prizes home. Just as the last slot was about to be filled up, suddenly we saw Santa coming towards us. Not one of us had any inkling what he was planning to do. We soon found out.

He was here to drag me up to play the game! There was no room for negotiation, because no matter how I waved my hand and shook my head while saying, “No, no, no,” Santa continued holding me by my hand and walked me to the centre of the “stage”. There I stood, with no room to escape, staring big-eyed at the kids who were now staring at this “giant sister”, wondering why was she there to fight for a piece of the pie. Their pie. I could only shrug my shoulders and give them the I-really-don’t-know-why-I’m-here-I-don’t-want-to-be-here!-Ask-Santa! look.

The emcee also gave a look of surprise to see such an overage kid, but since I was brought up there by the old man himself, who can deny me the chance, right? Nobody says no to Santa Claus, that’s rule no. 1 for all Christmas parties.

So, what was I there for? A singing competition! Yay! It was simply great! I finally got a chance to perform the songs which I couldn’t stop singing in the shower! But, truth to be told, I was so nervous that I had totally no idea what song to sing! My sis mouthed a title to me, and I decided to take it. It was a Mandarin pop song. (Apparently, singing competitions proved to be so popular that they are still holding it in block parties, from the sound waves that was transported to my home earlier. But I could hear that they had lowered the bar on age, as it sounded very obvious that the ones singing were toddlers!)

Then every one took turn to sing in front of some judges, which consist of who I really cannot remember now as I fidgeted while waiting for my turn. When it came, I was ready to just give it my shot. But, another surprise was in store for me.

Santa Claus decided to change the rule! I was not to sing, but to dance instead! And he danced with me ha! Some great dancing music was played by the deejay, and I just shook to the rhythm. Frankly speaking, this was much preferred and much easier for me than singing. I was secretly glad that Santa made this choice. So there I was, shaking my bums, shoulders and head with this tall, fat man. At one point he got so high that he removed his beard! Everybody squealed, especially me as I attempted to see his face, but he was faster than me and used his gloved hand to hide it. I wanted to shove his hand away but I wasn’t tall enough to reach. What a disappointment I thought.

At the end, I didn’t win anything. I suppose the judges felt that none of the gifts would do a 17 year old girl any good. So much for entertaining the crowd.

But, that was such a memorable day for me. Because that was the first and only time till date that I was so close to Santa. And he had chosen me out of the many people. Though I was very embarrassed, I actually felt, special. And that was why it was such a special moment for me.

So special that 16 years later, I still remember it. And I still smile at the recollection.

I know there won’t be another lucky girl like me at this block party today, because Santa Claus wasn’t there.