Fashion Fusion: A Yearend Party
12.18.06 Mon
6:37pm
Music: Blue Monsoon - Sound
This is the third time that I attended our company's Christmas Party.
Among those three, last year sucked big time. And from what happened last Saturday, Dec. 16th at the Fort Open Field, I know that the organizers made it sure that everyone will at least give a thumbs up before going home or to their shift.
I wasn't able to rest before preparing myself to go there. No special rituals or major preparations. I just waited for the belt that I asked my sister to buy for me to complete my rockstar look. Haha. Well, with the party's theme, "Fashion Fusion," the outfit I wore was my one and only choice. Plus, I did not want to complicate or bring myself any hassle althroughout the night. But I may have or may have not looked like one but I felt I did. (Remember my previous post that I want to go emo? Unfortunately, I did not have the guts to wear black eye make up and black nail polsih that night.)
Anyway, the usual Saturday morning for me before attending the party.
Went to the grocery. But it was already late when I dropped by the to get our goodies. I was an hour late than my usual.
I also did the cooking for lunch. My mom bought some packed mix veggies from our neighbor. I just added some more kalabasa with it. And as I pared that kalabasa, I accidentally cut off my right index finger. I tell you that I felt that the knife was already inside for my I realized that something was struck on a part of my body. Moreover, as I was about to cut veggie, I was looking at the way I held the knife and realized that it was already too late to stop it from hitting my finger. I didn't faint though. I can tolerate a bloody site. Morbid ba o gross na?
After eating lunch, I tried to rest but there was a blackout. It was hot and the heat in my room is unbearable. I still tried to sleep but image of me having a headache after sleeping in a warm room kept me from resting. I do not want to be grouchy on pictures, er I mean, in the party.
I took another shower before dressing up. I asked my sister to pick which shirt I should wear. Both are in black and from TeamManila.
Call time was before 5pm. Due to people traffic in malls, I reached our office a little past 5.
We were taken to the venue by a company-hired bus. Again, it was my first time to go to The Fort just like last year's party in Rockwell.
The setting was nice - open field. The tables, lights, sounds, STAGE was MTV-like and the entrance gave me that feel that I was attending some awards ceremony or something. Upon registration, I had to present my "card" so that the security may cut a part of it. Then, I had my arm stamped. The rd carpet at the entrance will lead you to a wall where at least two photographers are waiting for your pictures to be taken. And yes, we bit that Hollywood-like gimmick. We looked for the most comfortable spot and waited til dinner was served. There's rice, chicken cordon bleu (which I like the most so I have to mention this first), roast pork in apple sauce, beef something, mixed veggies in oyster sauce and some sweets. Drinks were water, Pepsi, iced tea and beer. But I had my first shot of vodka from my teammate, Ronch. Yes, we were a quartet - Goldi (the digicam owner), Agnes (the iPod shuffle winner), Ronch ("naghahanap ang katawan ko ng alcohol" guy) and me - until Ross, Igl and Ross' brother, Arete, arrived.
We were busy taking pictures and looking for friends to join us when the "talent" showcase started. I didn't enjoy the dance number. Thank goodness that the poi dancer was good. Galeng. Then a home-grown band performed. Next up was a band called Pupil led by no other than Ely Buendia. I went closer to the stage when they played. I even recorded their performance when Ely sang his first band's hit, "Pare Ko." Memories of the 90's. One thing I noticed was that he has nice skin as compared to what I see on TV.
I went back to our table when the band bowed down.
We split ourselves. Some mingled with others while some drunk their heart out. When Agnes wanted to go home, I accompanied her to the restroom. Not that she lives there but of course before getting a cab, she might as well unload unnecessary stuff. I also used the restroom. There was a line of portalets, at least 8 doors each for men and women. We waited for a taxi. But Agnes was too nice to think that Spongecola might be at the backstage already. She let me go and jokingly asked me to text her should she win during the raffle. Since I have no load, I took that as a joke but gave her a yes answer.
I was just right on time. Spongecola was already there. Goldi found me sitting in our place and asked me to go with them already. Ross and Arete know Yael of Spongecola. You know what happens when there's some sort of a celebrity - picture taking. There were a number of people already taking pictures with teh band. But we're oh so special because we know at least 2 people who know them. And we were able to get 2 shots with all the bandmates around us.
As we made our way back to our table, the announcement of raffle winners continued. And as we cross the tent, the host shouted as the screens flashed the name of the winner, "The next winner of an iPod shuffle is Agnes ..." We stopped right then and then. Shocked, we just couldn't believe that our teammate won.
Next was the performance and announcement of the winner of the singing contest of our company. After that was Spongecola's. I went infront of the stage again. I think they did at least 8 songs which are all enjoyable.
I do not have pictures yet. Perhaps tomorrow. But I will not be posting all. Just check my friendster if we are friends.
The party ended at past 1am. I reached the fx terminal going to our place at around 2:30am. I got home at around 4am. It was tiring to wait for the next taxi.
Next day, Sunday, I cooked chicken, chicken gizzard and upo from Pinoycook.net (The Saturday prior to this one was Bicol Express from that same blog. It was a little salty. And I will not forget the "hot" feeling brought about by the chillies on my fingers.).
There. If I remember something to add, I'll edit this. And oh, my name was also called during the party. I was one of fthe awardees of this recognition for employess who never had any lates, absences and undertimes from Dec. 2005 - Nov. 2006. And there is a prize, of course.
Christmas
12.25.06 Mon
5:40pm
Music: Blue (Reprise) - Sound
Yes, Merry Christmas to all of you!
I have overdue posts. Access here in the office sucks. Anyway, I already have the pictures from our company's yearend party. I am not sure through if the pictures of last Friday's dinner are all up. Again, access her sucks.
[edited 12.26, 7:07pm]
aboard our very spacious service on the way to the venue - The Fort Open Field
me and my teammates
pare ko, i know you know who this guy is. if not, have your pupil checked right away.
with Yani Yuzon of Pupil
Sponge Cola with KLSPs
with Ross and JR
the evidence
[end editing]
Thursday (12.21): I bought 3 kinds of rice cakes (kutsinta, tikoy and ube). No, make that 2. Ube is not rice. I also got myself my own gardening tools (hand cultivator, hand trowel and hand transplanter) from Ace Hardware. I got the cheapest. Three for less than eigthy. Most of the tools there are sold almost a hundred bucks and a half each.
Friday (12.22): I bought bibingka (rice cake) in the office. After waking up at 6:30am and seeing my nephew, Jerick, sweeping falled leaves in our frontyard, I asked him to check our local bibingka stands if there are any left. Simbang Gabi in my place ends at around 6am. Good thing that there were some left but not the plain kind. The more costly, special bibingka (because it has an egg stirred in the mixture).
I was in a happy mood that morning. My half day leave was approved. Meaning, I will be able to drop by my school to meet my college friends.
As scheduled, I was out at 3pm butleft the office at around 4pm. I met up with my other college friend, Joms, infront of our office building so there would be two of us travelling to Manila.
It was a long, polluted ride along Rizal Ave. I didn't notice any change from the last time I threaded that street 4 years ago.
When we reached Manila, we decided to take the less secured gate to UST. I have my alumni card. My friend doesn't have an ID of that sort. The street where I used to live for a schoolyear is still the same. There are some new building constructions going on. But the stores and eateries are still there.
Then, we entered UST campus. An almost major facelift. I've never seen the school in so much lighting to think that the new rector is in his cost cutting measure. We weren't able to check the new parking lot but next time I will. The space at the back of the Main Bldg was beautiful. No parking spaces and covered walks anymore but a much improved park better than the Colayco Park that was also sacrificed when that grand park was made. There were also gazebos at the back of the library. And yes, coffee is served there, too. It was dim so no pictures of that area, unfortunately.
Aside from the school, it was my friends who are the reason why I came. Naks. Four of them were waiting in our usual 'tambayan,' - the grad school/ high school covered walk.John, Regan, Chiela and AC were there. We had some talks before deciding on where to eat. Just like the old times, nobody had any idea where to dine. Nobody was taking control until we finally decided to eat at Chinatown, Banawe.
Unfortunately, the place was crowded. Christmas party time for most people. We then settled to another resto that has an ambiance and food equivalent to our original choice, Causeway, which according to a security guard was just a traffic light away and was reachable through walking. It was fine with me but it was hell to my girl friends for it was almost I think a kilometer walk (Or am I just exaggerating?).
Banawe has a series of restos. But one has to deal with street kids who keep on following and begging for some money. I've always have a soft spot with less fortunate people. But hey. That was our moment. I know the kids did not know that. For the record, all my friend gave some spare coin to a young boy who sang a Christmas carol outside the jeepney when we were caught in traffic. Yes, all of them but me. And when another batch of kids kept asking for money, I told my friends that it was fine not to give any for they have already shared some to the other kid. One of my friends told one of the kids there to go to school and study.
Causeway was a Chinese restaurant. Good thing that our Chinese friend, Regan, was there for he picked the most delicious food in the menu to our delight. I do not remember the names. But there was a crab something in brocolli, spinach soup, patatim, yang chow and spicy beancurd something. Just right before we were stuffed, another friend dropped by. Margaux came with his boyfriend. We all ate and took pictures. I also receive home-made chocolate crispies from AC.
It was past 10 pm when we called it a night. Some of us had individual commitments after that dinner.
The girls joined Margaux and her boyfriend in the car. While us guys decided to walk going to Quezon Ave. We were already walking for about 30 mins when we realized that it was indeed far. We transferred from one ride to the other to find our ride going back home.
I waited for about an hour for an fx taxi going to my place. Because I was tired and fell asleep, I missed my place so I had to take another ride to get me home.
We had lots of pictures which I plan to share here.
Sunday (12.24): I already transferred some of my plants to their own pots. My hand trowel was the first tool that got dirty. The other two are up next.
Late that night, my sister and I prepared pasta meatballs. Well, she did most of the dirty work. I just prepared iced tea and used the spare lemon for added taste.
Monday (12.15): Officeboy here trying to finish my shift. Attended the morning mass at Greenbelt. And after arriving at the office, I stuffed myself with losta food egg sandwich and pitchy pitchy (from Mara), carbonara (from Cielo), tuna spaghetti and sisig (from Drake), brownies (from Ella), halayang ube (from Cynthia), orange juice and barbecue (from the company) and some softdrinks from last night and from me. Busog, sobra.
Later, I will try to drop by my lola's place for our annual Christmas get together. I know that I will miss the yearly exchange gift but I will try to reach the place the earliest time that I could.
Unusual Christmas
6:03pm
I managed to go home early yesterday.
Comparing yesterday to last year, MRT was not on a holiday. So, going to and fro Ayala was fine. I need not suffer EDSA's pollution. Though I take airconditioned bus, I both hate and love EDSA congested on rush hours or almost empty, say during Holy Week.
Food provided here in the office wasn't so yummy. The presentation was far from last year. Plus, we only had one 'supply' and that was for breakfast. No lunch, as far as I know. Perhaps, on the other building. Blame it on my location. But thanks to my teammates who make better tasting and more exciting food than everyone else on this floor.
It was 'beyond' normal for my bus ride to arrive last night. I am used to waiting for almost an hour in EDSA. But last night was an evident good karma. In less than 5 minutes, voila! I found myself already clinging on handrails and finding myself the most comfy part of the bus. Ding! Ding! I will make it to my mom's side's Christmas party.
It was a yearly thing. Almost all is present. I really do not want to miss it. I already became more comfortable now facing all my cousins and other relatives. I am not bonded with everybody. But this thing in me has earned myself a spot to be the not so usual family member. I am/was the only who sports a long hair. I was the 'informal' type, so to speak. Like a struggling professional with no direction YET.
My mouth is always shut. It just opens when I play with my younger cousins or (When I say younger, I mean 10 years old and below.) flash everyone a shy smile. I eventually learned to joke around, like the way I do when I am with my college friends. If I am in my 'college' persona, that means that I am already comfortable dealing with the situation and a given set of people.
Anyway, it was almost 10pm when I reached the bus stop. From there, I will take about a 30-minute jeepney ride going to my lola's place. Three half full jeepneys passed me by. I was contemplating if I should still go or not. I wasn't only thinking of work the next day but the time that will only be consumed by travelling. Aside from the jeepney ride, I still have to take a 10-15 minute trike ride.
When I reached my lola's house, I noticed that the door was already locked. And that it seemed that there were less people inside. I have more than 20 cousins. Usually, they stay at the terrace when the house is already crowded.
I knocked and peeked through the window before calling my lola. She let me in and told me that my mom and my brothers just left. I didn't bother to asked about my cousins.
She gave me something to eat. I admit that I was a hungry already but forgot about it when I realized that last night wasn't as happy and festive as last year.
I also had work last year but I still managed to attend the party and participate in the exchange gifts.
My cousins who live in Marikina usually sleep over during Christmas. But none of them was there when I arrived.
Perhaps, we are all busy now. Most of us have work to attend to.
I was all excited meeting them again for we lack time to bond but it wasn't the way I expected.
So, there. I just stayed for about 30 minutes and went home.
posted by Arn 
at 8:48 PM
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