Manila Welcome

December 2008

(Yes, I'm still catching up on my pix/album update backlog). :)

Aside from happy family reunions during Christmas, December was also hectic with get-together with several group of dear friends. Here I was devouring seafood and striking pins with my EBS Manila IS teammates in MOA, eating seafood (again!) and steak with college barkada at Duo in Serendra.

Dess and Jon, I just realized we didn't take pictures during our Itallianis dinner (gasp!).

These are definitely worth coming home to. :)

Union City: Karen's Send-off Dinner @ Gerry's Grill

October 17, Friday:

It was supposed to be Karen, Glo and Manang Lita's despedida dinner. Unfortunately the last two weren't able to make it. :(

Everyone was excited (read: sabik) to eat the famous sisig again (too sabik we forgot to take pictures of all the food until the plates were almost empty)!

Sisig and crispy pata delicioso! Totally worth the 75 mile drive! :)

KUDOS: to Evan who took most of the pictures!

Extraordinary

That’s what it says in Jason Magbanua’s (newly designed) website. And truly he has every right to claim that title. His work is exceptional. Just check out his launch video! Astig!

The AVPs get better every wedding. It makes me want to get married again (hehehe!). Can’t wait for my renewal of vows! Hay…

Jason sets the trend/standard when it comes to wedding videos. Others try to follow. But they pale in comparison. Honestly.

(Jason, sobrang lakas mo sa akin, I came back from hiatus just for this plug. Don’t I deserve a free 1st birthday AVP for Evan? ;) )

Dear friends, just hold on… I will be back…soon. :D

It’s The Most Wonderful Time…

...of the year! DECEMBER that is, my favorite month. :D

Last month had been a frenzy of activities and festivities (this month a flurry of work and deadlines thus the lateness of this post!). I TRIED (the operative word here!) composing a decent blog entry but every time I sat down and started tinkering at my laptop, all my other deliverables at the office and in our business kept on haunting me, blocking my creative juices from flowing. Today I just gave up.

So I ended up doing this bullet-point photo blog to summarize my December. What a good way to start my new blogging year. Bleh!

BACK TO SOX!
I ended my maternity leave and went back to work on a time most people are going on vacation already. Except for people in Compliance and SAP who are cramming for year-end reportorial requirements and year-end closing. First day at the office (December 2), my local and global back-fills rushed to SEND their Turnover Documents and set-up turnover meetings. It seems these emails had been sitting in their DRAFT folder since November! SOX to everyone is like a hot plate you just can’t wait to drop. Hay!

PARTY POOPER BDAY BOY
I had placed my orders online for the flowers to be delivered to Riki’s office at least two weeks before his birthday on the 15th. Guess what? My very unpredictable husband was out on client call (in Quezon!!!) on that day checking out manufacturers of virgin coconut oil. So end of story, my surprise was ruined. His officemates ended up enjoying the bouquet and pleading to have a stem each. Hmph!

TWO YEARS of MARITAL BLISS
How time flies indeed. Last year, december 16, we were just enjoying marital bliss and getting ready for our Boracay vacation the next day (Evan is a bora baby! Hehe...), now we have added parenthood to our many blessings. I took this day off from work to do my last-minute arrangements for Evan’s party on the 18th and started my Xmas shopping. (Yes! You read it right, I crammed to finish my xmas list this year one week before Christmas day. End result, I spent beyond my xmas budget. Dang!). Riki took the afternoon off from work (bawi kaya sa surprise spoiler the previous day?) and joined me at the mall to buy my birthday gift. Finally, I got my sterling silver bracelet I so long wanted (to match my white gold jewelries and wedding/engagement ring). Yey! We had dinner that night at Circles Events Café at the Makati Shangri-la to celebrate our bday cum anniversary cum bday. After filling our stomach (up to esophagus!) with food and chocolates for three hours, Riki and I went on our much awaited movie date (after three months of home arrest!). It was really nice to spend some quality (alone) time with my better-half and enjoy the perks we use to take for granted when we were still not parents.

LAST YEAR IN THE GREGORIAN CALENDAR
Next year, specifically the 17th day of the last month, I will belong to the box most people call “wala na sa kalendaryo”. Tired from the escapades of the previous night, I just stayed home and played with Evan the whole day. I felt lucky and so blest to be at this point in my life where all I have ever hoped for in life, I already have – my own family. Everything else that will come my way, are just bonuses. God is indeed good!

WELCOME TO THE FAITH
We really love doing celebrations during the month of December! That is why we made sure Evan’s christening will be on this month. And specifically on this date, the 18th. A year ago on the same day, Evan was conceived (yes! I am that OC I know the exact date!). So it is just appropriate to welcome him to the Christian world on the same day God gave him to us. Perfect isn’t it? He was baptized in the same church where Riki and I got married two years ago, the Santuario de San Antonio. During the ceremony, Evan was so behaved. He was just looking intently at the priest, as if he can understand what the latter was saying. He didn’t even cry when the priest poured the holy water on his head (he loves bathing! Hehe…). How can you not love such an adorable angel? Afterwards, we had a great and fun party at Italianni’s Greenbelt 2, where all our families and friends came to celebrate with us as we welcome Evan to the Christian world. Stuffed mushroom yummy!!!

More pics of the baptism ceremony and after-party here!

HOHOHO!
For Christmas I ordered online matching White Stripes t-shirts for me and Riki. When the package arrived a week before xmas eve, mine was the wrong item. Grrrrr!!! I have to mail it back, and the correct item will be delivered only after the holidays already. So I ended up not having one during xmas eve. Terno pa naman dapat kami ni Riki. Huhu!

It was Evan’s first Christmas! He was the best xmas gift for me and Riki. We couldn’t asked for more. Here he is opening his gifts, his piggybank (which Riki and I bought and started filling when we first learned that i was pregnant) and playing cute, making everyone's life happy and worth living.

TAKE TWO!
I just can’t get enough of the buffet in Circles (diet? Is that a word?) I have to bring my good old college friends back there during our annual Xmas reunion dinner. We had a grand time catching up on each other’s life updates and stories, in between plates. Hehehe!

BLAST FROM THE PAST
I bought Riki a Magic Mic/Sing for his birthday, but I was only able to give it to him two days before the new year. So, on new year’s eve, we both sang our heart out (to my Mom and the yaya’s detriment!) NONSTOP till we have tried almost all the good songs in the selection. How timely right? We welcome the new year with a BANG indeed. Hahaha!

POSTSCRIPT
Another (late) xmas dinner with my college friends on the second week of January, this time minus Lisa (since she’s already back in SG), plus Jojit (who just came back from Canada after the new year). When Jojit said he had made reservations already at the Shang Palace, everyone went “HUWAT?!?! Our wallets haven’t recovered yet from the Circles gimmick!” Good thing, the ever generous guy that he is, he treated us all for dinner. Weeeee!!!

Fine dining is such a wonderful experience indeed…especially when it is not you who will be paying. Hehe! ;)

Emi out!

Sweet November

Adieu to you November.
My last month of sweet freedom from corporate drudgery.
No more weekday pleasures like waking up past ten in the morning, all-day playtime with my adorable son and sinful dvd (and eating) marathon.
Now back to the grind.

This November, I also did send-offs to a handful of loved ones.

My office buddy Jinggay flew to the United States early this month to start working on a global project. She is now vroom-vrooming in the streets of California on her cool sports car.

My long-time friend Jen left for Australia two weeks ago to marry the man who proposed to her in a yacht cruise with the Sydney Opera house in the background. And I used to think she is destined to find real happiness in solitude.

My sister-in-law Chrystal left for Canada to seek greener pastures, braving the winter and homesickness, all for the welfare of her family. My brother and nephew are sorely missing you.

Lastly, my good friend Grace joyfully said goodbye to single-blessedness and finally tied the knot this month to the love of her life. She is now busy doing inventory of all their new coffee-makers, glasses and pressure cookers.

Adieu to you November… hello my favorite month of the year - December. Time to party! :)

My Grand Baby Shower

Yesterday, my work colleagues gave me a "surprise" baby shower party in the office. Good thing i brought my camcorder that day so i was able to capture this very memorable moment! (A friend from the office texted my hubby early that morning about the shower plans, too bad my nocturnal hubby was still snoring, i was the one who read the text message. Haha!)

I have been to so many baby showers in the past, but let me just say this was the most fun of them all! ;)

Why? Let me count the reasons:

1. My dear friends organized the event for me (during office hours!). I was really touched.
2. My extra generous big bosses gave me a GRACO lightweight travel system - a complete set of baby stroller and baby car seat/carrier - as a gift!!!

3. A yummy PURPLE cake

4. Lots of food for everyone in the party to enjoy (everyone shelled out some bucks)

5. a GRACO stroller and car seat/carrier that matches Evan's playard/crib! Yey!

6. Fun game where people cracked up guessing who is the baby in the picture (name that 'ture!)

7. Sweet messages and well-wishes from officemates inside a symbolic feeding bottle

8. a cool GRACO stroller with a low and load basket and a parent organizer tray

9. Evan's cute face plastered in the loot bags which people were able to take home after the party

10. More gifts from my thoughtful officemates!!! (baby grooming set, baby thermometer, baby clothes, accessories, a lovely baby bag, etc.)

11. a versatile GRACO car seat cum carrier with parent hood

12. Everyone seems to have a fun (break) time!

Did i already mention that i got to bring home a GRACO baby travel system?!? Hehehe...

Daddy Riki was so ecstatic to pick me up that night!

surprise!!! ang dami kong gifts!!! who's that baby!

lots of yummy food and a lovely purple cake!

a gift from my very generous bosses!!!

cute loot bags more gifts for Evan! messages in a (feeding) bottle

great friends who organized my baby shower

My son is really so lucky, a lot of people loves him already (and he is still in the womb!)
What more when he comes out! :)

To Have and To Hold

After my own wedding way back in late 2003, I have this self-belief that mine was the perfect one so far. Yeah I know this statement may have the hint of conceit, but I am sure that all brides feel this way as well! All brides MEANING all those who have been so much involved in their wedding preparations and the actual event, all those who had great fun going through the whole process of getting married, and all those who at one point in time, may have considered giving up their present career to pursue one in Wedding Coordination instead.

And when people (or rather friends!) used your wedding as a reference when doing their own preparations, getting the same suppliers as yours to be able to get the same product/output, and plainly be inspired to get married as well after seeing yours, that self-belief is all the more strengthened.

Needless to say, I always end up feeling that mine was more organized, or more fun, than all the other weddings I have attended afterwards. Well, except for a chosen few.

One of them was my friend Zed’s wedding last Sunday. The affair was small but intimate, the tone solemn but fun! Let me just say, his bride definitely had good and classy taste! Their overall theme was Japanese (Zen) and it was so consistently applied in the reception, which was done at The Conservatory in Manila Pen. From the Japanese lanterns and decorations in the room (not a trace of those ever-used flowing vines and flowers), the table centerpieces, the seating cards, the wedding favors (Japanese plates) up to the Thank You cards (great Japanese picturecards with Haikus – you can actually frame them and use them as a home décor!), everything was so classy, minimal yet elegant. Plus the program emcee was the best I’ve seen so far. The guy was fluently spontaneous but witty, teasing but respectful. The speeches were so personal and touching too. And of course, the weddings AVPs! But well, it was done by Jason Magbanua, so need I say more? ;) (Check it out here!)

Overall, I was impressed indeed! Riki and I had a great time, and our stomachs fully satisfied. Although, he still claims my friend Lisa’s buffet and chocolate fountain was still to beat! Hehe!

To Zeds and Tammy, let me just quote one of my BM’s classic lines…”May your marriage be modern enough to survive the times, but also, be old-fashioned enough to last forever!”

And so now… here is my first ever “official” (read: presentable) pregnant poses! I LOVE WEDDINGS!!! :D

The Sore Loser That Was Me

Unlike Manny Pacquiao, I was not as lucky (joyful and triumphant) during our Christmas party last night. I did not win anything from the raffle at all. Sob. I pathetically watch as all those (my) dream items (i.e. Magic Sings, iPods, Digital Cameras, Home Entertainment Systems) were awarded to the lucky ones…but never me. Sob again. Well, I should have learned not to expect a long time ago. I have not won any raffle item in all the Christmas parties I have gone to during my ENTIRE corporate lifetime. Hikbi.

And to think I have gone to great lengths letting my hair down (literally) that night, ready to sing “Walang Sabit…ang buhok ko!” using my NEW Magic Sing to Riki when I get home from the party! Talk about great (or rather false) hopes. Emi has a big sign on her forehead last night --> LOOOSSSEEERRR!

Actually, everyone from my department did not win anything from the raffle. Hmmm…is that bar code reader rigged?!?

And thus, because of this unfair turn of events and my current state of soreness and sour-graping, let me just continue some more with my rants about that sucker party.

1. XMAS PRESENTATIONS: We all know that Christmas parties here in Pinas would not be complete without the employees bringing the house down with their team performances. It is the time of the year when everyone can justify showing their wild and creative sides and feel competitive over costumes and audience impact. Watching all the other four group’s (department’s) presentations that night though was like watching a noontime show in the local channel. Did I just miss it, or the main criteria (50%) for the presentations is that there should be…. DANCING!?!?! All groups (except ours) just danced the whole ten minutes in their alien/martian costumes (our theme this year is FUTURISTIC). And now that I am trying to hark it back to my memory, their dance steps seems to be all the same. Did they all hire the same choreographer? Boo-hoo! So conventional. So cliché. Can’t they be more creative than that? Do they even know the concept of thinking out of the box sometimes?! Well, there is also the talent factor that we have to consider, so ok fine, let them just dance.

I am so glad (and proud!) my team did not do any of those typical numbers. We did a re-enactment of this, and rocked the house down with a banger song! Yeah!!! And yes, that landed us on the last place. Pffft.

This is the team that won first place. Well, I have to give them due credit. Their costumes are truly “out-of-this-world”. Full marks for that criterion. And mind you, they did not just do a dance number, they also had an inter-galactic pageant portion. Oh well.



2. PARTY HOSTS: There were four of them. I love the first three. Great emcee skills and very respectable. The last person though, was a bad choice. She scraped the glamour from the event and made our head ache with her unwitty and more often, undignified remarks. I only have one word. BA-LE. Go figure.

3. SPECIAL NUMBERS: Can you eat while someone is screaming..."This is the moment...that perfect moment....?" And yes, there's more. After the main program, what do you expect? Enter…. the SHOWBAND! Before we hurt our ears when they started singing the national anthems…”I said Hey..Heyyy..I love you till the morning comes” and “I’m horny..horny…horny!” we were out of the ballroom, roadrunner style (beep! Beep!).

I am yet to experience a cool party where Rivermaya and Bamboo will sing Xmas songs to us till we drop from exhaustion and loss of voice.

But losers we may be, the camera whore in us prevailed, so we managed to give our best smile for this last pose before we split.

To alleviate our sadness, we (me and my other LOSER friends) just let Cuervo Gold cool our nerves before we finally went home and call it an unlucky night.

And also, Manny worked hard for his win. He earned it. Me on the hand, just bet on my good luck. Which sad to say, i don't have. Hmph! 'Nuff said.

PartyLikeWeJustDon’tCare

December had always been a month of celebration and important dates for me. Aside from the regular office Christmas parties, family reunions, friends/batchmates/former officemates/barkada get-togethers, this is also the birth month of many of my dear friends and loved ones, and most importantly….our three-day mega celebration – Riki’s bday-our wedding anniversary-my birthday.

And of course, it is the Holidays…so there is the simbang gabi and the Christmas shopping. And what do you know, we have four friends getting married this month too!

So evidently, my December is indeed jampacked with activities (I even have to create a separate chart from my office Outlook calendar for all my personal appointments so as not to overlap nor miss any of them.)

And the parties started as early as last Saturday.

THE HOLE
I will be out of town on the week of my birthday so I decided to treat my kikay friends in advance. But to deviate from the normal dinner get-together at Greenbelt or some other fancy resto (and upon insistent demands! naks!) I decided to invite them to my home and serve lunch. Sort of house warming na rin since we never really had formally done this last year. Riki, being the better person in the kitchen, was supposed to do the cooking. And yes, all my friends strictly demanded this! So my role was simply supposed to be just the FABULOUS hostess. But waahhh, Riki, by some devious trick of faith, had to go to work that day (damn that expat!) so left with no choice, I ended up doing the cooking (ok fine, frying!). That was the first time I cooked lunch for seven people and my God, it was HAAARDD! I was up and about as early as eight in the morning, preparing my ingredients (Riki oriented me on the steps the night before and early that morning), setting the table, making sure the house is clean and the champagne chilled. Three and a half hours later, I was able to complete three dishes, but no vegetable variant yet! Thank God for delivery and Three Sisters! Whew!

When my friends arrived and learned that I did the cooking, they were initially fearful and dubious. To comfort them, I said “Don’t worry, i have ample supply of Imodium”. Hehehe! But what do you know, after an hour or so, my dishes were instant bestsellers to my friends. They came back for more servings!!! Everything was swiped clean from the plates. Kevin, the boyfriend of my friend Grace, gave me the best compliment of the day. He asked how did I cooked the fried chicken so that Grace can exactly prepare the same thing for him as well! :D

At the end of the party, I felt so tired, but so fulfilled. Nothing beats finally satisfying the palates of my friends. Now they believe Riki more when he goes about commending my culinary improvement. *proud face*

THE VIBE
I also attended the bridal shower of my friend Lisa at Emerald Avenue that night. I was originally planning to give her one of those kinky undies (with a slit in the middle) as a gift. I always gave my friends these items during their bridal shower. It’s naughty and yes, it’s practical. Hehe! And it had been my legacy ever. But…this time, I broke my own tradition.

Early during that afternoon, I got a call from my friend Dona (the shower organizer). She said she is in a pleasure place and is looking at different variants of vibrators. She wanted to get my (valuable) inputs on what is the best one to buy for Lisa. Nyaaaaa!? Wrong person!!! (buzzer screaming “Eeehhh”!). I don’t own one nor have I seen an ACTUAL one in my lifetime. (YES! and I am proud of it! Hehehe!). So there we were, giggling like coquet girls on the phone while she describes the different types and features available in the store. In the end, I was only able to give her one important reminder: "don’t get something too big! We might offend the groom" (hahaha!). She settled for the First Timer’s Vibe. A good choice (and a safe one!). We decided to share on that gift. I learned those toys (or tools) don’t come in cheap. My, the high price of self-satisfaction.

So during the party, we giggled more when Lisa opened it for everyone to see. It even comes with an extra cover (with spikes and bumps on it). You know for what.

THE BIGGIES

Tonight, another party at my boss' house in North Forbes. Tomorrow, company party at the Mandarin. I hope i win the MAGIC SING!!!

BRIDGE

I first heard their song KAHIT NA on NU Rock last year. I loved it at once since I was able to relate fully to the song’s message. I chanced upon one of their live performance during a Libis night-out. Whoa! Instantly, they became my favorite local indie band.

And when I am hooked with something, I unselfishly share it with my loved ones. So for several months after that first performance, I dragged Riki and his barkada, my kikay friends, and even my officemates to their gigs. And what do you know, they were impressed as well. So the next time i made yaya, i don't need to yank them anymore, they willingly agreed to go. Hehehe!

Johnoy and Erica (his girlfriend) became my friends eventually and thus now, I will promote their XMAS COVERS in my blog. Hahaha! Check out their website. Just click on the button on the lower right side of the page and choose the Christmas songs (there are three as of the moment).

Listen to Johnoy’s version of Silver Bells and Oh Holy Night. ASTIG!

And oh, while you're at it (visiting their website), check out the song KAHIT NA na rin! My favorite! :D

My Kikay Friends

Two weeks ago, I joined hubby and his two best friends when they watched the URCC tourney at the Casino Filipino, enduring the weakening effects of those brutal fights, hoping to catch a glimpse of Bamboo, but went home disappointed. I should have just gone to Greenbelt.

My kikay friends and I went out last Thursday night to (belatedly) celebrate my lovely maid-of-honor Jen’s birthday. On our way to and from our dinner venue, we bumped into Bamboo along the mall and Jen (being a non-rocker) did not even know that it was him already standing in front of her! Hayyy….(let me borrow one of my officemate’s classic expression here) PATAWARIN!

Anyways, lest you get mislead by my crafty introduction, this entry will not be about that charismatic-rocker-of-a-man-noypi. Like I have mentioned, I finally got the chance to re-bond with my kikay girlfriends after two months. These friends of mine used to be former officemates, who I am used to seeing every working day of my past career life. After our beloved comfort-zone company was veraciously devoured by a bigger player, we gradually moved on to separate paths…but we kept and nurture the friendship.

In my previous post, I have divulged (I hope not to my career’s future detriment) that I have merrily hopped from one company to another in the past eight years of my corporate slavery. During those hopping episodes (much like the bloghopping experience), i got to meet interesting people (sites), develop new friendships and bonds (blogrolls). But again, a blogroll tick doesn’t necessarily translate to a daily read moreso a permanent link. Among my many friend groups acquired from all the organization I have hopped to, my kikay friends are my most treasured - my cherished cache. These are the girls that had been with me through thick and thin, who have impacted my life greatly as I have theirs (read: I introduced some of them to bad boyfriends that once ruined their lives…hehehe!)

These are the people that deserve a page and a permanent link in my blog. So let’s get to know them somehow one by one.

MACRIS (my maid-of-honor B1): The woman awaiting the “perfect moment/s”. She has almost everything. Promising career, tons of legal tenders, true friends (ahem!) and a strong and loving family. She is yet to close an emotional deal. Being a good negotiator, I expect her to get the win-win covenant. She deserves someone who will treat her as she is - a good catch.

JEN (my maid-of-honor B2): This girl is a boylet-killer, especially in the workplace. A certified crush ng bayan. But still she refuses to pick one and settle. I (or rather my equal-half) introduced her to the EX. The ex who was not worthy. Since then, so few have come close to being worthy. We are still looking for the worthy. A (just) recent trip to the Taoist Temple in Cebu told her no one MAY BE worthy. I told her better ask God directly. It worked perfectly for me! And i know ditto for her.


GRACE (my bridesmaid): She recently got engaged to her long-time boyfriend. And her ROCK is huge! Bigger than mine. Well, evidently it is really proportionate to the size of your fiance’s sack, and in proportion as well to the roundness of your cheeks (haha! Peace grace!). Like me, she dreams too of early retirement, freedom from the corporate world and pursuing our life’s passion. Haaa…dreams! I am so excited with her upcoming wedding!


CECIL (my special guest…hehehe!): When she attended my wedding last December, she was pregnant with her first son (the reason she was not in my entourage). When we saw each other last Thursday, she is pregnant again (not to the same baby of course!). Whoa! This lady is truly the epitome of whirlwind romance and everything. Just two (or is it three) months after she started dating her first (?) boyfriend, she got engaged and then got married the same year! Less than a year after, she got pregnant to her first-born! And now…..whew! Girl, slow down will you! Let me make singit! One baby lang…hahaha! I remember we used to always play the kinky game “I’VE NEVER” and years ago, she never get to drink a shot. But now, she drinks a shot in every turn! Talk about breakneck metamorphosis.

Didn’t you noticed? My descriptions of them all pertain to the current state of their emotional relationships, the man (or lack of man) in their lives. I did not even touch on their physical or corporate profile. Maybe because that was our main topic of discussion during our get-together last Thursday. So it’s what’s still fresh from my memory. But still, that made me ponder. Have we reached a point in our lives that we are now defined not by what we’ve done with and for our career and physique, but more on our advancement towards legally changing our last names, acquiring moral permission to enjoy intimate and unlimited intercourse and bearing children? Well, here we all are last Thursday night, a few pound heavier (ok fine! just me!).


Almost a year after

We had dessert at Max Brenner. The Chocolate Banana Fritter was truly orgasmic! Yum!

Next get-together will be my birthday treat. They suggested i do it at my condo (since i never really had the chance to have a formal house-warming). I said "Sure! I will cook for you all!". True friends that they are, they immediately responded, "PLEASE let Riki do the cooking!"

Secret Smile

His name is Justin. And every time we arrive at the entrance of the basement parking of our condo building during his shift, he would welcome us with his trademark childish smile and open the gate for us (without doing the standard car search anymore). Riki and I, after acknowledging him and passing his post, would (without failure!) automatically look at each other, and sing together “Nobody knows it, but you’ve got a secret smile, and you use it only for me…” and violently laugh our hearts out!

He is our favorite guard in the building. We have several preferred (considered friends) guards there, equally pleasant, but Justin is still at the top of our list. His smile is really captivating-like that of a little cuddly child. It will bring one to your lips as well. And this special smile is reserved for us alone (we are sure of that!). His “secret smile” for us is indeed different that the one he bestows other tenants. The latter is given out of respect. The one for us is out of friendship (and we hope respect as well).

After contemplating on it, we both agreed that maybe this special treatment we are currently receiving from our guard-friends can be the fruit of our efforts to genuinely acknowledge their services for us in the building and treat them as equals. Unlike other tenants who behave as if they don’t exist, just passing them by in the gates or in the building lobby without any form of interaction, we on the other hand (particularly my better half) take time out to make real conversation with them once in a while. And we call them by their first names, not simply “Manong Guard” (which I am guilty of towards the sentinels at my office). My husband takes full credit for that initiave (he has a bigger heart for these people than me and is usually the one encouraging me to act kindly). I guess they truly appreciate the conduct and feel more appreciated.

And of course, it really pays to be extra generous and thoughtful during Christmas.

Yaya Sisterhood

I had a wonderful Friday gimik last night with my “yayas”. The latter is the term of endearment my kikay friends and I used to call each other way back during our Jacobo days. We used to live together in a dorm-apartment in Makati before I transferred to my new home in Pioneer after I got married last December. I haven’t seen most of them since our get-together last March. My former roommate Jackie was visiting then from Antique.

And now, Jackie is back in town again. At last! We can have another yaya get-together after so many months!

But unfortunately the sisterhood was not complete last night. Only Room A3 (moi and Jackie) and Room A5 (Love and Meg) were able to make it to our Rockwell engagement. Room 4 (the sisters Ems and Macris) have earlier commitments already. Too bad…

So many things had happened since March. Thus, our dinner at a Japanese Resto became a catch-up session for all of us.

JACKIE: This dear friend/roommate had moved back to her province two years ago to take care of her mother who has Alzheimer. Since then, we only get to see each other at the most, three times a year, when she visits Manila for a short period of time. But we communicate regularly thru text. And it is thru text that we get bits and bits of info re her daily struggle to survive and still enjoy life despite the hardships of taking care of someone with the Alzheimer disease. And we all admire her for her strength and patience. Jack, your mother is indeed blest to have a daughter like you! Now Jackie is currently here in Manila to take a well-deserved break/vacation. She was diagnosed to be suffering from depression. So she enrolled in a hip-hop dance class! Ayt!

MEG: This lawyer friend of mine who, way back during our dorm days, was the most innocent when it comes to matters of the heart, is now enjoying her blissful (9 months and going strong!) relationship with her doctor boyfriend. Talk about POWER MATCH! She is at the moment, busy preparing for her new business venture – the soon-to-open beauty salon with Zen-inspired theme but with the brand name BOUNCE! Oxymoronic, isn’t it…well, that’s Meg for you!

LOVE: This is my ultimate YAYA! Actually, she was the person who coined our now favorite and permanent term of endearment since she likes to treat me as one before. I always had the mother-complex in me (yeah right!), so I don’t mind taking care of her (or rather, making her believe I do follow her whims. Hehehe). Until I got into the IT line of work. Now, she can’t afford me anymore! HAHAHA! Since we last saw each other, she had resigned from her previous job, accepted a new offer, retracted her acceptance of the new offer and her resignation from the old job, and is now back to her old job! Whoa. Women! Whew. And yes, she is still single. You are wasting your name girl!

After dinner, we went Cosmic Bowling. First set was dull (read: we scored low). We decided we need motivation to play better. So we ordered beer. And we started to have a blast. (I remember our “spontaneous” night escapades where when bored to death in the dorm, we run to the nearest 7-11 store in the middle of the night to buy some booze and drink the boredom out of our minds. Those were happy days.)

To wrap up our evening, we went to my place to watch my wedding DVD (Room A4 and A5 by the way were part of my entourage). Yes my friends, this blog is still about my wedding DVD (hehehe!).

Jackie still don’t eat pork, Meg still have regular car accidents, Love still regularly goes home to her parent’s house in Batangas every weekend, and me, I am still FAT. So many things had transpired in our lives now apart from each other, but every time we re-unite, the same bond of ya-ya sisterhood is very much felt.

I missed them already….