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Annually in the spring, a feast is held at Lai Lai Garden in Blue Bell, PA. When I mean feast, I mean food fit for a king. Tonight it is a Guang Hua Chinese School (GHCS) event for Teachers’ Appreciation and whoever works like a dog, volunteers for a good cause, or teaches with a passion is invited.

The food at Lai Lai Garden is precious like gold, so not just anyone in the Chinese school can touch it. Only those who can pass the Chinese school's top-notched, 24-7 security, also known as a checklist, can give their bodies this kind of supreme fuel. After a careful, close scan for metal objects and examination of features, we were let in. I took a seat at a teen’s table, and it seemed that I was the first boy. People continued to filter into the banquet hall, taking their seats, and I played on my iPad the entire time. One second the table was empty, and the next nearly every chair was filled. I didn’t know what I missed, but apparently, somebody invented teleportation pods or something.

Principal Heng You gave a speech congratulating many of the volunteer staff as one of the Oversea Education Model Schools selected from 20,000 Chinese schools abroad by the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, talked about a few upcoming events, and let us eat all we wanted for the rest of the night. Mom probably agreed with everything she said except that last part. Hey, sometimes if you’re not fit, which is putting it lightly, you just do what you gotta do.

Soup and appetizers came, and nothing was too new here. The West Lake Beef Chowder was the same as the last time I dined. However, I wasn’t complaining because eating it once or twice didn’t count for the great food Lai Lai Garden processed. I could eat it a thousand times if I wanted. The main courses were what really shocked me. In a good way, the dish came along with a plate of Fish Filet with Tofu in Mala Flavor Sauce in a slight tinge of yellow, and tofu floated around on top. When I scooped a heap, I pulled up a spoon of oil, tofu, and a little surprise. Fish. Once I put the food on my plate, the red chili oil looked almost flammable, ready to burn at a single touch. I took my first bite, and it felt as if my tongue lit the oil on fire. I dosed the “flame” with rice and water, but I got used to it quickly. More dishes arrived, bringing fresh smells and experiences to the table. The simple, plain Sautéed Shrimp with Peas led the charge of different flavors, and they were followed by a wave of Crispy Diced Chicken with Hot Dry Peppers. The chicken was deep-fried, but the meat wasn’t enough. All I was eating was a crispy shell of flour and red peppers. The next dish of Sautéed Lamb with Scallion advanced after a few bites of the tender texture, moving into a new category. There was a plate of Shredded Pork with Dried Tofu full of hard tofu and pork strips, really bringing out the meat’s taste. The tofu just adapted to whatever the seasoning and condiments. Up to now, a full stomach felt enough to last me to my midnight snack.

Lai Lai Garden doesn’t only accommodate the size of our Teachers’ Appreciation but provides superior food and authentic Chinese flavor. And with such food, it isn’t surprising that GHCS hosted an annual party here.

【红霞译文】

每年春季，宾州蓝铃镇“来来花园”酒家都要举行饕餮盛宴，我这里之所以强调盛宴是因为其规模堪比王宫筵席。今天光华中文学校要在这里举行教师答谢晚宴，盛情款待精诚为学校奉献爱心的团队、不计报酬的义工以及辛勤耕耘的园丁。

“来来花园”酒家炊金馔玉，并非学校里任何人都能享受如此殊荣，实际上只有那些在过去一年里坚持与学校风雨同舟、始终为社区添砖加瓦的各界人士及其家属才被应邀参加今天的教师答谢晚宴。我被划分在少年组里，第一个出现在指定的座席上。这时，人们陆续入场各就各位，我专心玩弄手头上的电子游戏，觉得身边空空如也，眨眼功夫周围高朋满座，真有点丈二和尚摸不着头脑，莫非有人发明了隐身豆荚车空降装置。

游恒校长为本校能从两万所海外中文学校崭露头角被国务院侨办评选成“海外教育示范学校”聊发感言，盛赞许多投身于光华中文学校公益活动的志愿者们，期待今后大家再接再励，继续为传承华夏精神多做贡献，同时还衷心祝愿在座的每一位吃喝随兴，估计妈妈除最后一条外举双手赞成。哎呀，人有多纠结，有时身体不给力，哪怕一丁点多余的东西都消受不起，因此再想吃也不敢贪。

首先上桌的是汤食和开胃菜，实在没有什么新鲜的东西值得大说特说。“西湖牛肉羹”跟我前面几次到此就餐时的味道相同，不过本人不但没有因为尝过个把回而心生厌倦，相反“来来花园”的烹饪手艺令我百吃不厌。正餐更加诱人，先拣好听的来讲，“麻辣豆花鱼” 白里泛黄，豆腐在碗表飘飘成仙，我舀了一勺，里面少不了辣油和豆腐，还有意想不到的东西，那就是鱼。我把它们放到自己的盘子上，红油看似易燃物品，一触即发；我刚吃上一口，舌头被辣得像着了火似的。这时，我赶紧疯吃米饭多喝凉水来缓解火烧火燎的感觉，但很快反倒适应了麻辣味道。接下来各种美味佳肴逐一呈现眼前，简单清爽的“青豆虾仁”独领风骚；紧随其后的是“重庆辣子鸡丁”，这道菜面裹得厚实，鸡炸得焦脆，结果掩盖了肉的味道，不过油煎面团酥香耐嚼，而彤红的干辣椒格外抢眼并刺激食欲。下一道“葱爆羊肉”痛改前非，小试几口之后立马叫我品出肉质滑嫩葱香无膻的传统精髓。还有一道“香干肉丝”，豆腐干和猪肉丝爆炒有方，大大提升了肉的品质，而豆腐干本身即可充当调料，还可用来调味，一举两得。吃到这里，我已经撑得可以免去考虑宵夜一事。

“来来花园”酒家具有相当实力承办像我们这种大型教师答谢晚宴。显然，它靠的不光是宽敞的地盘，更有别具中国特色的烹饪风格，难怪光华中文学校要把年会搬到这里举行。

Today in History(历史上的今天):

2014: Spring Party(春宵聚会)

2013: Quito on Equator, Ecuador(厄瓜多尔—赤道上的基多)

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