We are.
Since January kicked in, we’ve both been busy. Well, Joven’s mostly busy with work stuff while I am busy with mundane stuff.
So, here’s a short recap of the things that happened in the past few days…
Saturday, January 6
Since I’ve been busy the past week, I decided to pick up my free spa gift certificate from Manila Bulletin Saturday morning. The contact person, Sarah, was nice enough to wait for us since it was already nearing lunch time. We almost got lost, thanks to the taxi driver who brought us to the Manila Times. Haha! Fortunately, Intramuros is small enough for us to find our way.
After, Joven and I plus my mom went to SM San Lazaro to watch Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo. The movie won over Shake Rattle and Roll 8. The movie was surprisingly funny although by the title alone, you’d expect it as mushy. All in all, I enjoyed the film because of Gina Pareño. Hehe.
Sunday, January 7
With nothing better to do, Joven and I went to Tutuban Mall and 168 in Divisoria to shop. I was able to buy 2 blouses and a pair of pants in less than 30 minutes. Since we have time to kill, we went to 168 to see if there are anything we can get our hands on. After going around for almost an hour, we decided to buy DVDs. I bought an 8 animated movies in one CD and 8 action movies in one CD. I got lucky with the first one. The second one was a different story. Audio was terrible! Oh well, that’s what we got because we only paid P75 for it. =P
Ang saya mag-Divisoria two weeks after the holidays. Konti lang tao! Hihi!
Monday, January 8
I was running like crazy in the office. I had four meetings with different groups. Kapagod! I missed one meeting because the previous meeting extended for over an hour. Haay. I had to have my boss attend on my behalf. He was nice enough to make notes. Hihi!
Tuesday, January 9
First day of my Spanish class. The teacher was early and the classroom was still half full when my friends and I got in. I kindda enjoyed it… sort of washed the anxieties away. It’s actually easier to understand because of my background in French. I just hope it wouldn’t be so difficult towards the end and the teacher would remain as nice as he is.
Wednesday, January 10
Big shout out to my sister: Happy Birthday Tita Dap! Hope you had a good one. See you on Saturday!
After work, Joven and I met at the MRT station to have dinner at Kalye Juan @ Tomas Morato. We’re to meet SML sans Ryan (Cors, Benj, Beej & Richie) because he has a Baguio thingy. Richie will be leaving for the US next week and it won’t be until summer of 2008 we’ll get to see him again.
The night ended at Baang coffee (which we were not initially sure if it’s Baang or BangBang. Haha!). According to Richie, the coffee’s not “Wow!” but it’s not bad also. I ordered a Chai Latte which for me was a bit sweet.
Conversation was from “What’s new with you?” to “What’s new with blah-blah?”
We had to end early because of work the following day.
Ingat Richie! See you soon!
Pics here.
Current
I’m busy reading Gap Creek by Robert Morgan. I got it in Booksale at a very reasonable price. I usually look for books that has the Oprah’s Book Club seal because I usually end up liking the book – The Pilot’s Wife, What Looks Like Crazy On An Ordinary Day, She’s Come Undone and I Know This Much Is True – to name a few. This one, I can’t put it down. I’m not finished though but I’m really enjoying every minute of it. Another great find for me. I have yet to devour Icy Sparks, House of Sand and Fog and The Poisonwood Bible. =)
We had a crazy, busy December. Just like last year. But, who’s complaining? =D
December 13
FSI Christmas Party
Allan and I ended up hosting the event. Our day started as early as 9AM and ended at 4PM. Parang children’s party. Hehe! I was dead tired but had a really great time.
Our intention for hosting the event was to get away from performing that day. Although I also ended up as the choreographer of our dance presentation, it was less stressful for me. After teaching them the steps, that was it for me. =D
We won second place! For the past years, we always had the worst presentation. At least second na ngayon! =D
Dinner at Tokyo Cafe
Together with my office barkada, we had dinner at Tokyo Cafe in MOA. Since Irish, Allan and I had lunch there a few days ago, we thought of bringing the other peeps there. Joven joined us after work. After loads of laughter and kwentuhan, we decided to call it a night. Joven and I went around shopping but were unsuccessful with what we want.
December 16
Last minute errands and more shopping
We started the day with a few errands – meeting his Tita and accompanying my mom for some of her holiday shopping.
As a surprise, we brought her to the appliance center to buy our gift for her. My sister and I (of course with Joven) decided to get her a brand new television. Since our TV broke down a month ago, my mom has been watching her favorite teleseryes in a 14″ TV. We got her a 29″ TV this time. At least di na nya huhulaan yung tao. Hehe!
Joven and I decided to get our own 29″ TV as well. Now we can watch DVDs at the comfort of our bedroom. Nice! That was our big gift for each other. =D
December 17
More Shopping
Joven asked me a life-changing question a few weeks back: “Magic Sing or PS2?” Aaaaaargh! I said I needed to think about it. I ended up asking people around me.
Magic Sing it is! Haha!
We bought ours after dropping off at Nanay’s. Shempre, tinest agad! I think it took them four hours to make me stop. Hahaha!
December 19
Lunch at Krua Thai
Our boss treated for us for a sumptuous lunch. The whole group went to Blue Wave and ended up at Krua Thai. Parang last meal, super busog! Minsan lang ‘to, kaya dapat i-blog. Haha!
Get-Together with Lalaine from UK
My high school best friends, Con (with hubby, Arjahn), Lalaine and I (with Joven) met at SM San Lazaro. Lalaine went home for the holidays and to try to make arrangements for her wedding on 2008. Dinner was at Congo Grille and, since we cannot get a decent seat at Starbucks, coffee was at Coffee Dream. Laughter and chika non-stop. *Sigh* Miss the simple life of high school.
December 20
Vidoeke at Music Match with Office Barkada
Much awaited! We prepared for it (with matching exchange gifts) for almost a month. Videokes are never the same without these people. They sure know how to have fun. We really had a great time! =D
Unfortunately, we didn’t have a camera at hand so we ended up begging for pics instead. =P
Here are the ones from Yax and Dhang.
December 21
Videoke with SML
What?? Videoke again? Haha! You’d think that partying till 1AM will stop us? Nah. I even came to the office before 9AM. Joven was in his office earlier. =D
The night was for SML this time. Richie came home after a year of studies in the US (he’ll be back there in January though). We haven’t had any videoke session when Richie was away. So what would be best but to welcome him with one. Ryan, Cors, The Bs were also present. It was great to hear Cors singing this time. =)
December 22
Dinner with Frenchies & Japs
There was a Frenchies dinner at Crazy Roll a few weeks back but Joven and I weren’t able to join them. That was the time Joven got sick. It was great of them to fix their schedules and have dinner with us again.
Dinner this time was at Burgoo in MOA. Coffee was at Starbucks. Jera brought along her friend from Japan. It was nice how they teach her bad words. Haha!
December 24
Noche Buena
My sisters from Pasig trooped to our place for our annual Noche Buena. Mommie was busy in the kitchen all day. I took the liberty of baking a chocolate cake (which didn’t stay long in the fridge. naks!) and fixing the chocolate for the fondue.
My 5-year-old nephew, Jef was soo excited in opening his gifts. He was shrieking and laughing while he was tearing off the gift wrappers. He got his ultimate dream this Christmas: WWE action figures.
I got three bags from my two sisters and mom this Christmas. I wonder why. =P I also got a shirt from Jef. A Coelho and a Micheal V DVD from Joven. Hihi! Aliw! Joven and I got Chritsmas money from my dad which will turn into a love seat one of these days. Thanks thanks everyone!
December 25
Christmas Day!
We woke up mid-morning and were immediately swamped by inaanaks and neighborhood children. After our ninang duties, we went to mass at Lourdes church.
We were expected at Tita Nene’s place by lunch time. We asked Jef if he’d come with us, surprisingly he said yes. I guess it was after enticing him with duguan (what he calls dinuguan) – his favorite viand.
When we got there, the elders were already eating lunch while the young girls were upstairs and the young boys were playing PS2. Jef immediately took his place with the boys but I urged him to eat duguan first. I guess the call of PS2 was louder because after three spoonfuls of food, he told me he was already full. He immediately made his way to the group of boys as if he’d known them since he was born.
Of course we were asked the question again, “Wala pa ba?” Ahm, I told them we’re trying to get there. Insert *sigh* here.
December 26
MMFF
With nothing better to do, Joven and I, together with my mom, decided to watch a movie. We were weighing our options (nothing much really), and ended up with Ligalig. It was supposed to be rated A by the cinema board, for Joven and I it was quite predictable. There were certain scenes that were unnecessary, some scenes produced a “duh!” from me, some effects were not really that good. Oh well.
December 27
The day was spent with Lalaine, Merc, Cheche, and Tantan. I won’t spill the beans. I’m keeping my mouth shut since I signed a contract. =P
We ate lunch at Tokyo Cafe. Yeah, yeah. I recommended the place. I can’t help it. If we were on the north side, I would’ve recommended Crazy Rolls. =P
ArtBag
Joven told me he has a surprise for me when he gets home. Apparently, Leslie (Fol’s wife) dropped off our finished album to his office. Of course, with our own ArtBag. Woohoo! Thanks Fol and Leslie!
Whew! That was a busy December indeed. We still have an overnight thingy tomorrow. Kwentos on that on our next blog entry.
BTW, I’m a winner again! I just got it from the mail. Apparently, I’m one of the five lucky poll voters who won gift certificates from Sanctuario Spa. Many thanks to Manila Bulletin’s About Weddings and of course to Benz because it was her who e-mailed us about the poll. I’ve yet to get it though. =P
Auction Winners!
I joined the annual auction at w@w with the hopes of getting something for Joven. Good thing, Impromptu’s sponsoring P1500 worth of M-Pass (movie tickets at Market! Market!, Gateway, GB3 or Glorietta 4). Nice! I bid for it since the beginning. I was surprised when I won! It seems the w@wies were not as aggressive as last year. Hehe!
We picked it up at John & Benz’s place together with the desktop calendars they gave us. Yey! It was quite an adventure since Joven and I are not very familiar with the area. At least we still ended up in one piece. =)
Another cool thing, the movie tickets were worth P1600! =D
Wedding Fever!
Our good friends, Cri-c and Manuel, were married last Saturday. Whoopee!
I was one of the secondary sponsors and was supposed to light their path but ended up binding them together instead. The ceremony was in St. Pancratius Chapel in Paco Park and reception was in Teatrillo in Intramuros.
Iyay, Cri-c’s sister prepared an AVP for the couple and asked us to submit a photo and message to the couple. Here’s our message to the newlyweds:
“Manuel and Cri-c has always been one of our favorite couples. We’ve seen their love blossom and mature as the years passed. We know that they would be able to surpass any challenge God will throw their way and emerge from that stronger and better. We wish you good health and happiness always. We love you!
Welcome to married life!”
More pics here.
In Sickness and In Health
Before going to the wedding, Joven was telling me that he’s not feeling right. He said that something in his throat hurts (from drinking too much chocolate – we guessed). He also says he feels like he’s coming down with something.
During the night, it seemed that he’s not really feeling well. He didn’t eat as much as he used to. Tsk! Tsk! I told him to take paracetamol. Before going to sleep, I took his temp – 38.7C. =( During the night, his fever worsened. He was covered with two blankets but he says he’s still cold. Not wanting to panic (but panicking already!), I took two small towels, water and alcohol. I put a wet towel in his forehead and used to other one to cool down his extremities. I was watching him sleep and praying the whole time. His face with a pained expression, his arms crossed in front of him and his legs kicking once in a while. Finally, he started to sweat. The fever went down significantly. Thank God! Whew!
We went to the emergency room of the Chinese General Hospital yesterday morning. The doctor told us that his tonsil was swollen – the infection is causing the fever. He was given meds for the next 7 days. This morning, the fever stopped. Sana tuloy tuloy na.
My tech org, PHISSUG, initiated a challenge a couple of months back. As the interest in the problem increased, the prize became Microsoft Windows Server 2003 R2 Enterprise Edition with 25 CALs.
A few weeks ago, the verdict was given. I was the first one who gave the correct solution. =)
I think we need a new, more powerful computer for this one…
Addendum 10/27
Due to insistent public demand (Stephen and Brymac), here’s the problem: Using T-SQL, get all possible combinations of values from a set whose sum would equal a certain value. For sample sets and results, check out the challenge.
I’m busy reading Gap Creek by Robert Morgan. I got it in Booksale at a very reasonable price. I usually look for books that has the Oprah’s Book Club seal because I usually end up liking the book – The Pilot’s Wife, What Looks Like Crazy On An Ordinary Day, She’s Come Undone and I Know This Much Is True – to name a few. This one, I can’t put it down. I’m not finished though but I’m really enjoying every minute of it. Another great find for me. I have yet to devour Icy Sparks, House of Sand and Fog and The Poisonwood Bible. =)
