After whining about work, I spent the rest of Saturday playing zuma, watching the first season of Ugly Betty then walking to the next street to have dinner at the village christmas party. After which, it was eat and run for me and G to watch more Betty :p

So my good mood is back and I'm now more than ready to face the new year.

Bring it on 2008.

During the day, I get so engrossed with my work but the moment I get home and the usual "how was your day?" questions are thrown around, I generally take a moment and try to figure out how I can encapsulize the entire day and after that split second of reflection, I end up saying "It was ok. No biggie."

Because that's how I really feel about it, it's just work.

I remember the first time I drafted a pleading, my eyes practically jumped out of their sockets when I saw the amount involved (hundreds of millions baby!). In good old OLA, people duke it out over two inch boundary disputes but in my new world, people bandy around figures like Sixty-Five Million Pesos without batting an eyelash. Toto, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore.

But after the initial shock, work became work, a necessary means to a (yet undecided) end.

Sure I got irritated over a particularly headache-inducing client, but at the end of the day, after another idiotic encounter, I just think: "If you'd rather practice for your Christmas party than deal with this Php1.7M damages suit then go ahead. Merry Christmas to you." There's only so much I can do right?

So there, in case you're wondering, and in case I haven't emphasized it enough, work is work. I try to do the best I can given the situation at hand but the moment I get out of the office, all thoughts of mega-millions, shady clients, incompetent bank "officials" and golf-loving bosses are conveniently shelved for the next working day.

I work from 9am to 6pm (although I can get off earlier :p) anything beyond that is overtime, and I don't get paid to render overtime work nor to obsess over it outside working hours, so that's that.

I'm alive!

I still can't believe I went for around 28 full hours without sleeping.

There was the party at Rosella's last night, our 4:30am simbang gabi duty this morning AND the regular 9am mass duty this morning too!

Talk about lagare.

G and I left the party in Southwoods at around 1:00am, I got home at 1:30, set my alarm clock for 2:10 and promptly squeezed in some much needed snooze time.

By the time the alarm went off, I had to drag my protesting body to the bathroom, remove my makeup in order to reapply it, got dressed and was off to play soccer mom to the new choir kids by picking them up from their houses.

After the mass (buti na lang one-man show si Fr.Jeff or else I would have probably dozed off na), we all went to Tami's place for breakfast and for a quick rest. I once again set my phone's alarm, this time to 8am, before laying claim to Tami's bed (while Randy took the couch and Tami curled up on the beanbag).

Soon enough, the next challenge was waking up the now-snoozing choir peeps (the kids took over Missy's bedroom) and herding them all back to church.

We had the quickest dispersal post mass today with everyone raring to go home and just plop onto their beds. Sleep is the bomb.

There's another 4:30am mass tomorrow and then the 9am Christmas mass on the 25th.

Buti na lang this madness only happens once a year. I don't think my old bones can take more of this :p

But these are the things that you look back on years and years from now with fond recollection. The kind of things that cement your relationship with people who inevitably become your life-long friends.

So in spite of the ultimate sacrifice of foregoing sleep (at least for me it's a sacrifice) in order to sing at a ridiculously early time, I'll probably do it again and again.

It's usually after our simbang gabi stints when I start feeling Christmas-y. This year is a little disappointing though because it's not as cold as the previous years.

So ayun, bukas na naman. But at least this time, we won't have the regular 9am Sunday mass schedule to contend with. Thank God for small graces :)

During last night's "reveal" at the office christmas party, one of the partner's gave me a big box.

Given the number of things I had to bring home last night (mostly take out from the caterers hehehehe), I wasn't able to take the said big box with me but I couldn't stop thinking about it because it was, you know, big.

So first thing I did today when I arrived at the office was to rip open the wrapping paper, I'm a chronic failure of the marshmallow test :p

And there it was a big black PRADA bag! I swear, my mouth was agape for a few seconds while my mind went totally blank. Is this for real? Are those birds singing in the background? To top it all off, there was even a 500p bill slipped inside. Jackpot.

But then the doubts started to surface and my initial thought of "He's filthy rich so I'm sure it's genuine" just wouldn't cut it for me anymore.

So I did a quick search online and found out that a Prada bag is supposed to have an authentication card with a serial number (this one didn't), the hardware should be free from scratches (are those scratches i see on the rivets?) and the hardware usually has a protective covering which will only be removed by the buyer (no such thing). Ok, so it's a fake. Sigh. But for that span of time when I thought I had an honest to goodness Prada bag, the world became a brighter and kinder place.

I'm still trying to look for a picture online, but in the meantime here's how it looks like: it's a big black nylon bag with a black and bronze weaved handle and then it has a big label in front.

My only fear now is if I bring it to Greenbelt or somewhere equally sosy, an alarm will sound. Another fear (so hindi pala "only fear" no?) is that some person will accost me for carrying around a fake bag and then I'll have to pay a penalty. But this is the Philippines, the fake capital of Southeast Asia, so I'm sure there are no fashion police roaming around. However, I don't think I'll bring that bag with me if and when I go to Europe :p

The last few days have been harassing, to say the least, and I haven't even ventured out far from the South to do my Christmas whathaveyous.

I've made 10 paperbags from scratch, filled varying sizes of "gift pails" with all kinds of groceries and then wrapped or embellished them with cellophane. It was tiring but the sight of all those cellophane wrapped pails was definitely fulfilling. I think my heart will break a little when the office people open them tonight during our Christmas party :(





I'm listening to the Christmas CD my choir made years and years ago. It's technically flawed (there's static in the background :p) and people sometimes flub their notes (hello me!) but I'm on the verge of tears now :p God I miss these guys :(







I miss my friends!!

Because I read one chapter of Rhonda Byne's (sp?) "The Secret", I am telling the Universe that I need Php13,500 for the Kikay Exchange party.

Aside from informing the Universe of my most immediate need, I am also surrounding myself with positive energy to ensure that all good vibes get trapped by my aura.

Any minute now, the cash will start rolling in...

There's no doubt in my mind now that Killer is the most popular dog in our subdivision.

I walk him every night and every, single night I become invisible. Everyone notices the fluffy dog at the end of the leash. Kids swarm around him, cooing and patting his head. Neighbors say "hi" commenting on his new haircut and the other dogs bark at him, probably envious that he's out and about while they're still chained to the door.

And what does the dog do? He shies away from the attention, hiding behind my legs.

I guess some people are just not meant for the limelight :p

***********

My biggest fear now is to find out tomorrow morning that SMC is a client and that I will be tasked to work on the Sumilao case :(

***********

OMG! I just found out from Hollywood of Blvd Dreams that Jonathan Brandis killed himself! wow. I had the biggest crush on this guy and used to watch DSV just to ogle him.

I feel like such a loser now because apparently he took his life way back in 2003 pa. That is so sad.

I've been rolling my eyes from sheer exasperation and/or frustration this whole day. And it's not even 2pm yet!!

This is definitely not my day.

I need a massage.

We watched Vertical Horizon in concert last Friday. Hazy pictures here (you have been warned).

Then the following day, we went all the way to Villa Escudero at Tiaong Quezon for Dex and Ayee's wedding.

It was a long drive indeed but how could I say no to the Digest Master?:p

It was a lovely wedding, with the bride and groom practically crying the entire time, with the groom shedding more tears than the bride :p And my blockies looked so great in their wedding finery (si G lang ang hindi naka-barong :(

One wedding down, three more to go in 2008 :)

On our way to the Museum. That place had soooo many stuff! It becomes more amazing when you realize that it's the personal collection of one man. It makes you wonder what his closet must have looked like when he was still alive.

Outside the church. Look to the right Ladies.

The bride and groom

More pictures at my Multiply site.

I can't believe I almost forgot to mention that the Kikay Shop was included in the Inquirer's gifts edition last Wednesday :)

Thanks Pam! And thanks to Neva of Leyende too for the scanned article.

Dex is getting married this Saturday and here are the directions he sent to the scene of the crime :)

wasabi?!

para sa mga hindi pa nakaka-alam, ikakasal na ako sa saturday, december 8, 2007, 3:30 PM sa villa escudedro, tiaong, quezon. hehehe.

para sa mga hindi alam ang directions, ganito:
1. SLEX lang hanggang batangas/lucena exit. second to the last exit to. kaya maliit lang yung chance na maligaw kayo dito. P89.00 yung toll paga galing nichols. (medyo heavy yung traffic sa SLEX kaya sana matiis nyo. inaayos kasi eh.)

2. tapos sundan nyo lang yung main road.

3. baka malito lang kayo dun sa may junction ng sto. tomas. wag kayo pumasok dun sa sto. tomas proper. dun kayo sa left. may sign naman don. makikita nyo rin na may sign "hacienda escudero" tapos left, parang ganon.

4. pag nasa dulo na kayo ng highway ng sto. tomas, may junction ulit, left lang ulit. kasi pag kumanan kayo, mapupunta kayo sa batangas city, lipa, kina ian, kina johnny, kina olive, kina governor vilma. pero kung gusto nyo muna pumunta sa batangas ok lang din, basta makarating kayo sa villa escudero ng 3:30.

5. sundan nyo lang ulit yung main road.

6. pagdating nyo sa alaminos, laguna, wag kayo dumaan sa loob ng bayan, unless gusto nyo. dun sa fork sa bayan ng alaminos, mag-right kayo. malapit na yung fork pag may nakita kayong caltex sa left side ng daan.

7. main road lang ulit kayo.

8. mararating nyo na ang san pablo.

9. pagdating nyo ng san pablo, wag na ulit kayo pumasok sa loob ng bayan. sa highway na lang. unless, gusto nyo rin dumaan ng bayan ng san pablo at makita ang seven lakes, ok lang. may fork ulit. dun ulit kayo sa right. makikita nyo na malapit na yung fork pag nadaanan nyo na sa left side yung bahay namin, total at caltex. sa right side naman, pit stop at yokohama.

10. wow! nasa highway na kayo ng san pablo! good job!

11. dire-diretso lang.

12. after ng mga siguro tatlong oras na biyahe, makikita nyo yung arko ng "welcome to quezon" or "welcome to tiaong" or "you are now entering quezon province", alin man sa tatlong yan. pero actually, di ko matandaan kung ano nakasulat. pero alam nyo na yan, kasi makikita nyo yung arko at may general idea na kayo na nasa quezon na kayo.

13. pagkalampas nyo ng arko, magdahan-dahan, kasi yung entrance nung villa escudero ay maliit lang at nasa left side, maliit lang din ang sign. parang papasok kayo sa niyugan, (niyugan: lupain na maraming puno ng niyog or para sa mga sosi dyan, coconut trees: the tree of life).

13.a. para sa mga ladies na matutulog sa rockpoint, makikita nyo ito sa left side bago lumapas ng arko. may sign: rockpoint. sobrang lapit lang nito dun sa arko.

13.b. pag lumapas kayo dun sa entrance (kasi ang liit ng sign. ang yaman yaman ng mga escudero tapos ang liit ng sign. oh well.), makikita nyo yung hacienda escudero sa left side, bumalik na kayo.

14. ok na. tahakin nyo na lang ang dirt road at mag-park.sorry, kasi di nyo pwede ipasok yung sasakyan sa loob mismo.

15. pumunta sa reception area, hanapin si mr. ed (hindi sya kabayo) at sabihin ang inyong pangalan.

16. sumakay sa jeep o kalabaw papuntang simbahan.

17. ayos! nakarating na kayo! nag-enjoy ba kayo sa biyahe? sana naman, kasi magbi-biyahe ulit kayo pabalik. hehehe.

salamat. sana ay naliwanagan kayo.

hanggang sa muli nating pagkikita.

dex

notes:
a. mga 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hrs ang biyahe. (kung si ian ang driver nyo siguro mga 1 1/2 lang)
b. sa simbahan malamang makikita nyo ko.
c. may panaka-nakang sign na "hacienda escudero" sa daan. pag nakikita nyo pa yon, dapat masaya kayo kasi hindi pa kayo naliligaw.

Today's work-related moral lesson is: Do not scrimp on filing fees. You scrimp now, you pay more tomorrow.

Amen.

I'm so excited to watch "Batanes"!

First off, Iza Calzado is one of my most favorite actresses and second, I've always wanted to go to Batanes so any movie shot there will definitely have me queuing at the ticket counter.

Every time I say I want to visit Batanes, someone always says: Mag-Singapore/Bangkok ka na lang, mas mura pa.

I guess they have a point but I want to see this:



and they to tell me to go and see this instead:



Diba? Ano yun.

Anyway, I've already told G that I'll be watching it this Wednesday and that he's welcome to come along if he wants to :p

While the rest of the Philippines watched transfixed at the Manila Pen showdown, Atty. Vic and I were in Rustan's shopping for plates and glasses for the office.

We also celebrated Atty. Vic's close call during last Thursday's drama.

She was the counsel for one of the accused in the Oakwood case and was supposed to go to the court for that day's hearing (the very same one where Gen. Lim's testimony was rudely interrupted). However, she was feeling a little under the weather that day and did not feel like making the trip to Makati (I guess being 8 months pregnant can do that to you :p) so another lawyer, Atty. Tam, went instead.

At around 10am, Atty Tam called Vic and said something like: "Nagkakagulo dito! Kinuha ng marines si Gen. Lim!" then promptly hung up.

And then the entire courtroom was shut down and no one was allowed to leave the premises for the next few hours. Talk about stressful. That's definitely not the best situation for a very pregnant woman to find herself in.

So that's why we celebrated that fateful day by shopping for houseware and eating at Italianni's (thankfully subsidized by their Php500 GC.)

*****

We had lunch today at Janice de Belen's old house!

Janice de Belen's caretaker, Mai-Mai, used to be my grandma's nurse when the latter was still alive. Mai-Mai got married today and had her reception at Janice's (naks! close kami!) house and the blushing bride invited us over. Of course, all this was with Janice's knowledge and permission.

Anyway, the house was half-empty but it was still so nice. It was so spacious with dark orange walls. The ceilings were a little too low though so I felt kind of boxed in.

Here's a tsismis though, her ex has a child with his ex :p

Yun lang.